Blog
Sewing Tips and Tricks for Beginner and Intermediate sewists from a home sewist and sewing instructor teaching garment workshops in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Our household uses lightweight wool blankets on top of the bedding. It offers a breathable layer
year round. However, we’re not ‘easy’ on our textiles. Human feet and dog paws eventually rip
right through these blankets. What to do?
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When making clothing from scratch, most of us start by buying fabric and thread. Today, textile workers mass produce these supplies in factories. However, before the Industrial Revolution, sewing wasn’t the beginning of the process.
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Everything you didn’t know you needed to hear about sewing!
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As sewists it can feel like there is never a good time to be without our machines. Whether for routine service or repairs it can be easy to put off getting some professional help. Regular cleaning of lint and debris is the best way to keep your machine running smoothly but routine professional maintenance can also avoid potentially expensive repairs later on.
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As much as I love linen for summer, I also love the ease of wearing knit garments when it gets hot out. A basic tee and shorts is my jam. You can definitely sew knits on a regular sewing machine and you don’t need any fancy feet or tools but we do suggest a few tricks to help you along so you’ll have better success, especially if sewing knits is new for you!
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We often talk about fabric in two categories, natural fabrics like linen, cotton, wool, silk or synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon and spandex/lycra. Then there is this whole other slightly ambiguous category of semi-synthetic. This is where we find rayon.
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Befuddled by the quartering method? You definitely aren’t alone. This step isn’t often explained fully in most pattern instructions and it can make sewing neckbands super frustrating for those sewists that are new to sewing knits. The quartering method is essentially dividing a circular band into four sections or “quarters” and using those points to attach the band onto the body of the garment eg. neckband to neckhole.
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French seams are double sewn and enclose the raw edges of the fabric in a strong and durable seam that will extend the life of your garment. French seams are best used with very lightweight fabrics and are often recommended for lightweight silk, voile or challis. This seam finish can also be used for lightweight linens and other lightweight fabrics that tend to fray or with sheer fabrics where you don’t want to see a serged or zigzagged finish from the outside of the garment
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If you’ve ever needed a zipper for a project or you are looking to replace a broken zipper in a ready-to-wear (RTW) garment, you probably already know that the exact size of zipper can be hard to come by in your average big box store. Purchasing zippers in bulk at longer lengths and shortening them can be more cost effective if you find yourself needing specific zipper lengths.
Maybe you inherited Nana’s zipper stash or you frequent the thrift store and pick up random bags of notions on the regular. Either way, being able to shorten a zipper is a super useful skill.
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Are you in a sewing rut? Do you have too many ideas, so little time?! Stop your scroll and make some summer sewing plans.
#1 Go through your stash - What do you have? What do you need?
Keep what you’ll use and get the rest ready for our first Fabric Swap, happening at WS on Aug 22. Or put natural fibre yardage away for the Fabric Collective, launching September 15!
#2 Check your notions - grab the essentials! Machine needles, thread, elastic etc.
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