Taffeta is the fabric you hear before you see. That unmistakable rustle as a ball gown crosses a room even has its own name: scroop. If you have ever wondered what taffeta actually is, why it behaves so differently from every other shiny fabric on the bolt, and whether you … Continue reading
The Best Scrap Busting Sewing There Is If there is a small person in your life with a favorite doll, you are holding the keys to hero status. Doll clothes are the perfect scrap project: a fat quarter makes a dress, an old tee makes pajamas, and the leftovers from … Continue reading
The ten sewing videos our readers watch more than any others, ranked – from invisible zippers and interfacing to cowl neck tops and the small backpack. Every one is free, and nearly all have a written tutorial and free pattern on the blog. Continue reading
If knits make you nervous, ponte is the fabric that will change your mind. It is thick, stable, and beautifully behaved: the cut edges do not curl, the seams do not ripple, and the finished garment looks tailored instead of slouchy. Here is what ponte actually is, why it is … Continue reading
You Can Never Have Too Many Tote Bags I have a confession: I count at least nine tote bags hanging by my door right now, and I still made a new one last month. In my defense, a tote is the perfect quick sew. Straight seams, a satisfying finish in … Continue reading
Pick up your fabric shears and you are holding a tool with more than three thousand years of history in it. The scissors on your cutting table have outlived empires, survived a design change or two, and picked up some strange superstitions along the way. Here is the story, from … Continue reading
Ask anyone to name a sewing machine brand and the answer is almost always the same: Singer. For more than a century the name was so dominant that in many countries the word Singer simply meant sewing machine. But the story behind that little red S involves a runaway actor, … Continue reading
Short Answer: It Depends… (And Do At Your Own Risk!) Just about all textiles can be shrunk to some degree. This is due to the simple nature of what fabric is: woven fibres held together by tension and friction. If you can diminish, damage, or weaken the bond between the … Continue reading
Few fabrics turn heads like organza. Organza is the crisp, sheer, almost glassy cloth behind floating bridal skirts, structured sleeves, and those gorgeous gift bows. It looks delicate, and it is, but it also has a backbone that softer sheers like chiffon simply do not. In this guide I will … Continue reading
Traditional French clothing is best understood region by region. From the bustling streets of Paris to the picturesque villages of Brittany, each part of France has its own folk costume. The traditional clothing worn by women in different regions. Each dress is a reflection of the history, culture and identity … Continue reading
Sew a comfortable pair of unisex pajama pants with this free PDF pattern, in sizes S to 2XL with pockets, a fly front and an easy elastic waist. These are the bottoms that match the top from part one of the unisex pajama pattern. I am using flannel here, already … Continue reading
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