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
We do not know exactly when and where quilting originated but there is no doubt that it was used as garment, decoration and furnishing in many parts of the world many ages ago. From the carved ivory figure of a Pharaoh of the Egyptian First Dynasty to a quilted floor … Continue reading
Well, there’s just so much to say about the history of fabric…It’s almost as basic a human need as food or shelter, truly. Where would we be without our clothing, our blankets, our sofas, our mattresses, our curtains? The list goes on and on. Indeed, many of us might not … Continue reading
Think Mary Antoinette, Queen Elizabeth or the recently revived 1950’s Rockabilly movement, think Swan Lake and the fairy tale wedding gown. What do they all have in common? You’ve got it, serious petticoat action, brought to you by none other than the trusty, centuries old crinoline… Let’s take a closer … Continue reading
Hello Fabrics for Summer! It is the time of year once again when sewists like us have pull out our fabrics for summer and think about sewing projects that are not only fashionable, but also functional. Indeed, the summer season means sun, sand and sea, and after the long autumn … 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
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