Pressing is one of those often-overlooked steps in sewing, but trust me—it’s worth it. Sure, it might feel like an extra hassle at the time, but it’s the secret to achieving a perfectly finished garment. So, what exactly is pressing, and why does it matter? Unlike ironing, which involves gliding the iron back and forth…
Category Archives: TUTORIALS
A few years ago, my brother flew home for his annual winter visit. Shortly after he arrived, we sat around the fire drinking Chamomile tea together. Maybe it was the hardship of the year, or maybe it was the reality of seeing parents and people getting older that made him say, “We should make Christmas…
I still remember the excitement—and slight overwhelm—I felt when I first received my pattern-making kit at university. The tools, some of which I had never seen before, felt very foreign to me. However, it didn’t take long for them to become second nature, and pattern making soon became my favourite subject. The freedom that comes…
Using sheer curtains can add texture, color or a little light filtering to a room. They provide a lovely way to accent and elevate a space. For this project I wanted to try Fabrics-store’s 2.8oz gauze linen. As with clothing, layering is also a great option. If you wanted something more than the ethereal look…
Most people who sew are familiar with a simple hem but what is the blind hem? This hem is meant to be almost hidden. If you’d like to make your hem less noticeable or have wondered how clothing manufacturers achieve that hem that looks like a couple dash marks that seem to be farther apart…
Choosing fabrics is one of the most exciting parts of any sewing project, but to be honest it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming, no matter how long you’ve been sewing. With so many options out there, each with its own unique qualities, fabric choice can make a big difference in the fit, comfort, and…
We all know that exciting feeling of bringing home a beautiful new fabric, and all you want to do is dive in and start cutting. But, before we begin, there’s an important step we shouldn’t skip: pre-washing your fabric. Sure, it may not be the most exciting task, but pre-washing our fabric can save a…
Shirring with elastic thread is a great skill for you to add to your sewing knowledge. Shirring on tiny baby clothes, a flirty summer tank top or even a great additional panel on the back of a dress that adds interest and size flexibility to a piece much like the FS Rhea Dress. This technique…
Besides the love of sewing itself, there’s another thing that sewists the world over have in common: the excitement we share for free sewing patterns. It’s not just about the zero cost, although that’s certainly a perk—it’s about the thrill of finding new designs, the joy of sharing those patterns with fellow sewists, and the…
Four years ago, I found an old brick house that had been a rental property for years. The realtor wasn’t convinced this was a good house for me because it needed so much work. It was a winter day when we first visited, but the yellow sunshine streaming in the big windows made the house…
If you’d like a little extra puff in your sleeve, it just takes a few extra minutes and steps to make it happen. This tutorial uses the lovely free Eva pattern from Fabrics-Store with the 3/4 sleeve option with an extended hem. Let’s jump in! Steps 1. Make a copy of the sleeve pattern out…
I love sewing with linen, but it often comes in solid colors and every once in a while, I want a fun print to shake things up. Enter: BLEACH! I love playing with bleach, printing on fabrics that I might not otherwise reach for and when I saw this gorgeous IL020 Gouache Linen, I knew…
The walking foot is an additional presser foot typically purchased separately from the presser foot options that come with your machine. This part is brand or model specific, so you need that information when you shop for one. This special foot helps move both layers of fabric at the same time as you sew. For…
Backstitch Backstitch is a short reversal in the direction of stitching used at the beginning and end of each line of stitching to keep the threads from unravelling. Bartack A bartack is a line of tightly stitched, tiny zigzag stitches. It’s used to reinforce seams in strategic places where there is going to be extra…
Our family loves to welcome friends into our homes. With all three of our “kids” being grown and in their own houses, it’s so enjoyable seeing them carry on this tradition. Between the three of them (plus our son in law, so four), they have a Supper Club group that meets bi-weekly, kitchen dance parties…
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