I first learned how to sew on my mum’s trusty Bernina Matic, figuring out the basics of a sewing machine and sewing in general. In high school, I continued on a similar but newer model, and by the time I reached university, navigating Bernina machines and sewing had become second nature. I guess brand loyalty…
All posts by Emma Cartmel
You might be thinking “Thread is thread… right?” Well, not always. Sewing thread is a key part of any sewing project. But just like fabric, the thread you choose matters, affecting things like the strength, appearance, and durability of your stitching. But if you have ever shopped for sewing thread, you probably know that it…
Thinking back to my high school textiles days, I remember having to test stitch settings on every fabric we planned to use for our projects. We would cut out little squares of fabric and experiment with different stitch lengths and widths, and edge-finishing techniques. At the time, it felt unnecessary, not to mention tedious….
I love a notch, so much so that I’ve decided to dedicate this article to these small but important markings. Here, I’ll explain why they’re so helpful, when to use them, and how to add them to your own patterns or adapt them for existing ones. What exactly are notches? Notches are small markings found…
I’m what you would call a classic perfectionist. I’m detail-oriented and I can set ridiculously high standards for myself. I often obsess over the tiniest of details and naturally notice even the smallest of mistakes. Because of this, I can interpret mistakes as signs of imperfection or even failure. I can also have a pretty…
Iron-on or sew-in, woven or non-woven, lightweight or heavyweight. With so many different types, weaves, and weights to choose from, how do you know which interfacing is best for your project? In this article, I will explain the two main types of interfacing before diving into the differences in weave and weight. Hopefully by the…
There are so many ways to finish a seam, from good old overlocking to French seams and binding. I recently stumbled across another method that’s pretty nifty, and honestly, I kind of wish I had known about it sooner. It is a bit like binding, but topstitched in place so it doesn’t move or flap…
Elastic is a really common notion used in sewing. You’ll find it on everything from waistbands to cuffs and necklines. It plays a crucial role in giving garments both support and shape. Have you ever had the waistband of your pants twist and never sit quite right? Or maybe you’ve noticed the leg opening of…
There are so many different presser feet available for sewing machines, each designed with a specific purpose, whether that be creating particular stitches or working with certain fabrics. Even after almost 20 years of sewing, I still haven’t used them all. In this article, my goal is to give you a helpful introduction to what…
Just like you’d use a bread knife for bread or a pizza cutter for pizza, sewing scissors are designed for different materials and tasks. From dressmaking shears and embroidery scissors to snips, pinking shears, and thread clippers, each one has its place in your sewing toolkit. There are plenty of brands to choose from too—Prym,…
Recently, I drafted a pattern and made a toile of a pair of drop-crotch pants. When I tried them on, I straight away noticed (and felt) they weren’t quite right. The most obvious issue was that the back crotch felt tight and pulled uncomfortably, especially when bending over. Walking also felt a little restricted, with…
Now that we’ve covered the basics of threading a sewing machine in Part 1, let’s move on to some additional functions. In Part 2, I’ll show you how to change both the needle and the presser foot. I’ll also introduce the twin needle, and share some helpful troubleshooting tips for common issues that can happen when…
Threading a sewing machine can feel a bit daunting at first, but it quickly becomes second nature after you’ve done it a couple of times. These days, I don’t even think about it—muscle memory just takes over. That said, writing this tutorial made me slow down and walk through each step more deliberately. It reminded…
Put simply, drape refers to how a fabric falls and behaves when worn. It can range from stiff and structured to soft and flowing. Drape plays a really important role in shaping the look and feel of a garment. You could sew the same pattern twice using two different fabrics, and depending on the level…
Ease is the difference between your body measurements and the finished garment measurements. It’s calculated using a simple formula: Finished garment measurement — Body measurement = Ease Ease plays a crucial role in how clothes fit, feel, and function. It determines whether a garment feels comfortable and moves naturally with the body, or feels too…
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04 Aug 2024 @ 1:25 am by Marilyn Hartman
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