Have you seen an instruction to “gather fabric” recently but have no idea how to do it? Here are step-by-step tutorials with pictures for different methods of gathering. Plus guidance on how to choose the right method for your project. For most projects, the machine basting and u-turn basting methods with 2 rows of stitching … Read more
The best needles for hand sewing: “Sharps” are sharp, medium-length needles that are suitable for most hand sewing tasks. If you can only get one type of needle I recommend getting a variety pack of Sharps. If you want to build a small collection of needles, get some Ballpoint needles for working with knits, some … Read more
Silk fabrics can be broken down into 3 main categories: by silkworm, by processing method, and look-a-likes that aren’t made from silk fibers. First, silk is produced by several species of silk worms and all in slightly different ways. These are outlined below, but the key difference is whether the silkworm is allowed to emerge … Read more
If you want to remember what’s in your fabric stash, here’s a free swatch book template for you to print at home! This template includes: Fabric name Fiber composition Fabric length x width Care instructions Notes (for things like fabric weight, pattern repeat measurements, supplier, price) “Pre-washed?” tickbox “No longer in stash?” tickbox Printer settings: … Read more
Here are the most popular fabrics used for dresses. I’ve listed their names, described what each fabric is like, and what types of dresses they’re used for. I also interviewed a fashion industry veteran on how to choose the best fabric for your DIY dresses. Polina spent over a decade doing fashion development and production … Read more
There are many different types of machines that sew fabric. Each one has a specific use which I’ll explain today. Electronic sewing machines They’re basic machines with no computerized elements. They have a limited number of stitches – typically 10 to 30, with only 1 buttonhole style (rectangle). The most basic versions will have pre-set … Read more
Linen is one of my favorite fibers to work with, and I’ve made countless items from different types of linen. I have a small army of linen shirts, many pairs of linen trousers, a few linen tops, and even a few linen jackets. I also recently sewed some heavy linen curtains for our kitchen, and … Read more
Dyeing with turmeric can be an incredible introduction to natural dyeing. Turmeric was one of the first completely self-guided natural dye journeys I went on, and although it was a great experience, it’s not a dyestuff I go back to regularly as it’s quite quick to fade. There are other natural dyes like Weld that … Read more
In sewing, we do a lot of measuring! Measuring bodies, pattern pieces, fabric, and more. So you’ll need the right tools for the job. If you’re new to sewing, the only measuring tools you need are a flexible 60″ (150cm) tape measure, a 6″ seam/sewing gauge, and a 12″ (30cm) straight ruler that’s ideally clear. … Read more
Here are the best sewing patterns I’ve found for teddy bears! I’ve covered different styles, sizes, and formats (printed and PDF). I’ve also rated them based on how beginner-friendly they are. Skip to: Free patterns Small & easy bears for beginners PDF patterns Paper patterns Memory bears Vintage bears Free teddy bear patterns (printable PDFs): … Read more