You may not know who Anne Weaver is, but all of us sewing bloggers certainly do. Anne is the editor of the sewing pages on Craft Gossip. Craft Gossip is a fantastic site that hunts down crafty goodness for their readers. Each day they post great tutorials and crafts they have found from searching the internet high and low. Without Anne's work, some of you may never have found ...
Sewing 101
Unpick a Serged Seam the Easy Way
I used to be so scared at the thought of having to unpick my overlocking, but it's actually pretty easy. I'd almost say it's as easy as unpicking a regular sewn seam. Like everything, I'm sure there is more than one way to unpick a serged seam, but this is my favourite. Below you can see the two needle threads running horizontally and the upper looper looping in between them ...
20 Tips for Writing Good Quality PDF Patterns
I love that there are so many indie pattern designers around these days. Modern day sewists are really spoiled for choice! You can find patterns and tutorials to suit any taste to make almost anything you want. A lot of bloggers who like to sew are turning to designing patterns as a way to explore their creativity and earn a little income from what they love to do. It's ...
Sewing 101: Adding Trim to a Seam Without Pins – Tutorial
Trims are often forgotten about, but are a great way to add some interest to a seam or to break up two fabrics. In this tutorial, I'm adding ric rac (rick-rack) to my seam, but the same method can be used to add pom pom trim, braiding, or lace to your seams. Piping is also a great trim to use, but I find it needs a bit more effort to add. You can see my tutorial for piping ...
Sewing 101: Bound Hem – Tutorial
This is a simple hem finish that has a few benefits. It is a great option for bulky fabrics as it reduces the seam bulk. It is also my go-to when I need to keep as much length as possible. This makes it great for pants and skirts that you would like a little longer. It also adds a pop of colour to the inside of your garment which is always nice. The amount of bias tape you ...
Hemming with a Double (Twin) Needle – Tutorial
I use a double needle to hem most of the knits I sew. I love the finish... it looks so professional and just like ready-to-wear clothing. The bobbin thread zigzags between the two needles, giving the hem a bit of stretch, which is just what you want with knits. Using a twin needle is not as scary as it may seem. You can use one on most modern machines and I'm going to show you ...
Making and Adding Piping to a Seam – Tutorial
Piping is so hot right now, and with good reason! It's a great way to add a pop of colour to an item and it gives a professional touch. But it's not as scary as it looks. I'm going to show you how to make it and add it to any seam! Straight, curved, corners...you name it, you can pipe it! I'll also show you the quick way and the invisible way to finish off the joins. Pick which ...
The Flat Felled Bound Seam – Tutorial
This is such a pretty seam finish! It's a great way to add a pop of colour to an otherwise plain seam. This technique works great on the side seams of skirts and pants...think Tuxedo pants! I also like it on the sides of bags and pouches. You can make your own single fold bias binding for this project or use bought bias tape. If you buy double fold tape, you will need to ...
Turned Lapped Seam – Tutorial
The Turned Lapped Seam is very clever and offers a lot of great features. It's very strong, as the seam is sewn three times. The raw seam allowances are hidden inside, unlike the Lapped Seam, so it can be used on all kinds of fabrics. The seam gives a neat finish which is identical on both sides so it is perfect for reversible garments. You can also layer two fabrics together ...
Basic Lapped Seam – Tutorial
This is a very simple seam. It works best with fabrics that don't fray, such as felt and leather. The Basic Lapped Seam is made by simply overlapping two pieces of fabric. This limits any bulk at the seam and works well with awkward seams, such as joining irregular shaped edges. How to Sew a Basic Lapped Seam - Tutorial Lay the edge of one piece of fabric over the top ...
Bias Bound Seam – Tutorial
Bias Bound Seams give a quality finish to an un-lined garment and allow you to make a feature of your seams with contrasting or patterned bias tape, or to finish them neatly with a matching colour. If using a contrasting tape, make sure it wont show through to the right side. Because bias tape is used, this finish works perfectly on straight and curved seams. See the ...
Self Bound Seam – Tutorial
Today's seam is somewhat of a variation on the French Seam. Unlike the French Seam, a Self Bound Seam is worked on a completed seam. So if you decide down the track that your seams would be better off enclosed, as long as your seam allowance is wide enough you can do this. Great when you don't have the time to finish them off now, but want to wear your garment out ...
