My preferred dyeing vessels are plastic tubs and metal dye pots. I’ve also dyed fabric in bathtubs, kitchen sinks, laundry sinks, and I frequently use my washing machine to wash dyed fabric. I use fiber-reactive and acid dyes rather than box dyes in most cases. Box dyes, like Rit and Dylon, are more of a … Read more
The Bernette B48 (Amazon link) is a combination serger / coverstitch machine, which means it can sew serger and coverstitch stitches. You just need to convert the machine between each mode. (Note: a serger is called an “overlocker” in the UK and Australia). I’ve had my B48 for 3 years. I’ve made a huge variety … Read more
I’ve had an overlocker-coverstitch machine for almost 3 years now (the Bernette 48). I’ve made a bit of everything on it, including t-shirts, lingerie, swimwear, and activewear. An overlocker-coverstitch combo machine is a single sewing machine that can perform overlock and coverstitch stitches. These machines offer a powerful suite of options and save more space … Read more
In addition to using silk for my handmade work blouses, I also made my wedding dress out of silk! The dress has a princess-seamed bodice and a three-layer circle skirt made from hand-dyed silk satin, chiffon, and gauze. Each type of silk required a slightly different treatment, as will the fabric you’re sewing with – … Read more
Natural dyes can be an amazing way to add eco-friendly color to silk fabric, and a perfect opportunity to learn more about the plants that grow in your area. There’s a huge amount of variation in natural dyeing recipes and each one produces a different result. This is an overview of the most common techniques. … Read more
Silky fabrics can seem daunting, but armed with the right pattern you’ll be thrilled with what you can create! To give you some ideas for your next project, we’ve compiled 19 of our favorite sewing patterns for different silk fabrics and sewists with any level of experience! These projects suit woven fabrics with that signature … Read more
A coverstitch machine is a specialized type of sewing machine that adds a professional finish to knit fabrics and activewear projects. The secure and stretchy stitch it creates is often seen on t-shirts, leggings, and elastic bindings. It’s a worthy investment if you sew frequently with stretchy fabrics, especially if you notice popped stitches on … Read more