This simple but important knit fabric stretch test will help you decide what size to choose for a pattern and what to do with the fabric you already have on hand. Why should you know this? The best reason I can give you is that it will really let you leverage … Continue reading
In my last project, the burlap bag I gave you the challenge to guess the name of the technique I used to create the print on the bag. I read your comments and there were many of you who got the right answer, but as you know we can only … Continue reading
Ah, sweater knits! These highly textural, stretch fabrics can be cozy, lacy, casual, or sophisticated. With a good sweater knit and a little practice, you can cut and sew a sweater in a day or less, even if you can’t knit or crochet. Yes, they’re enabling. And they’re beautiful. If … Continue reading
Here’s a quick video on testing fabric content. Before we get started, please be careful if trying this at home. In the video, I’ve used relatively large samples so you can easily see what’s happening. I’m also in a controlled environment and using fabrics I’m confident have not been soaked … Continue reading
For many sewists, working with the stretchy knit fabric for the first time can be daunting, but moving forward, many soon learn to love knits because of the elasticity and texture. Knits are also wrinkle resistant and comfortable to wear. The word knit is derived from “knot” and it originates from … Continue reading
Denim is a very popular fabric these days and is synonymous with jeans. Because the fabric is so common, many sewists have limited experience with it so I wanted to offer some tips and tricks for sewing denim. First, however, some background. Today term “jeans” usually refers to a specific style of … Continue reading
One of the best ways to use leftover fabric pieces and fabric scraps is to cut them into small squares. From there, you have a variety of options for utilizing the fabric. Because of their uniform, geometric shape, fabric squares can be used to make a quilt, skirt, tablecloth, or … Continue reading
Will Polyester Shink?: Pretty and Practical Polyester Questions Answered Do you enjoy the easy, wash and wear convenience of modern polyester fabrics? You can machine wash polyester with confidence, giving no thought to the question, “Will polyester shrink?” It will not. You can buy or sew garments with confidence they … Continue reading
Viscose (known in the US as Rayon) often elicits very strong feelings. Some sewists hate this material, while others see its benefits. I remember back in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s when this fabric started to be popular and it was used for numerous garments that you would see … Continue reading
There are a lot of practical reasons to make your own natural DIY dye from natural ingredients. It’s cost effective, non-toxic, and eco-friendly. It’s derived from renewable resources and is biodegradable; it can be disposed of safely in your kitchen sink. These are all things to feel good about, but … Continue reading
Knowing good basic sewing skills always comes in handy. But sometimes, challenging fabrics can still be too much to handle. Indeed, what may seem like simple tasks of folding and cutting a fabric can become frustrating –not to mention the difficulties that will be encountered when we start running our … Continue reading
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