This article explores common fabric names you’ll come across when shopping, what the fabric is like, uses, and images. Note: “fabric” is fiber + how it’s woven or knitted together. Eg. cotton is a “fiber”, but cotton velvet and quilting cotton are “fabrics” because they include the construction. While we’ll focus mostly on construction methods … Read more
Mitered corners are a way to professionally finish 90-degree corners. You’ll often use them when hemming napkins, scarves, tablecloths, placemats, vents, and even wrap skirts and dresses. They’re also frequently used in quilting, both for binding the quilt and for adding a decorative border around the quilt top. In this article, we’ll cover 2 methods … Read more
Whenever I’m teaching a friend the basics of sewing, one of the first things I tell them is that “pressing is half of sewing”. Pressing in sewing is the act of applying heat, steam, and pressure to an area of fabric to make it lie flatter and smoother, as well as make it conform to … Read more
Sewing in a straight line is often the first challenge new sewists face, so today I’ll share 8 of my best tips for helping you sew perfectly straight and accurate seams, hems, and topstitching. The easiest way to sew in straight lines is to use a presser foot with a built-in guide. However, if you … Read more
An invisible zipper allows you to sew a completely hidden zip inside a seam. There is no visible stitching on the outside of the project. It’s normally used in the center backs or side seams of garments like dresses, skirts, trousers, jumpsuits, and tops; pillows and cushions; and bags. I’ll show you step-by-step instructions to … Read more
When you’re looking for a starter dress pattern, here are 5 things that will make it beginner friendly: it doesn’t have many lines of stitching, it doesn’t have many design features, it doesn’t have many pattern pieces, it’s a relaxed or loose fit so you’ll have fewer fit issues, and it comes with well-explained instructions … Read more
A centered zipper installation is an easy way to sew a regular zip in a nearly invisible way. With this method, the zipper teeth are concealed under two flaps of fabric that meet at the center. This is a great technique to use when you don’t want your zipper to be exposed on your project, … Read more
A lapped zipper is a way of sewing a regular zipper in a concealed way. With this technique, a folded flap of fabric covers the zipper and offers a mostly invisible finish. You can use it on side seams or the center back/front seams of trousers, skirts, tops, dresses, jumpsuits, and even cushions and bags. … Read more
If your sewing project calls for a zipper that’s shorter in length than the one you have, you can easily shorten your existing zipper. Depending on the material and style of your zipper, you’ll need to choose the appropriate technique for shortening. In general, there are two ways to shorten a zipper: from the top … Read more
A separating or open-end zipper is a type of zipper that features a special mechanism at the bottom of the zipper teeth which allows the two sides of the zipper to fully come apart and be rejoined. It’s often used on the center front and back seams of hoodies, sweatshirts, vests, jackets, coats, fitted tops, … Read more