Last summer, I was fortunate to spend some time in Estonia, where I attended Craft Camp, a multi-day exploration of Estonian crafts. There I met sewers and fiber artists from around the world. Our shared passion created some instant bonding! This wonderful experience was the inspiration for the cover story in the latest issue of […]
The Story Behind the Notions Story – Spring 2018
Does a white shirt have to be boring? No way! And certainly not according to ASG member Ellen Miller, author of this issue’s cover story as well as of the new book, “Creating Couture Embellishment.” Ellen turned her talents to four basic store-bought shirts, but her ideas would work equally well on a variety of […]
Sew Fun Tour: Go to Hong Kong? Are you kidding me?
I’d never been to more than four states and I was thinking about going to the other side of the world, all by myself. Was I crazy? The caveat was that I ‘d be with other sewers and two experienced guides. What was the worst that could happen? Maybe I’d get lost in a foreign […]
Make Your Own “Sampler” Pack of Sewing Favorites
Like most sewing enthusiasts, I have sewing and embroidery supplies that I use over and over because they work well for many different applications. This is especially true for interfacings and embroidery stabilizers. To keep track of my supplies, I normally take the label off the outside of the roll and insert it inside the […]
The Story Behind Notions – Winter 2018
Our cover story, “A Bomber Bonanza,” explores the many fashion options offered by this formerly utilitarian jacket. It’s showing up in so many interesting fabrications and with all sorts of embellishments. It also presents a new canvas for wearable art techniques. And because we are seeing it in everything from fake fur to organza, it’s […]
My 2018 Calendar
Happy 2018! It’s a new year, which means a lot of new opportunities…doesn’t it make you wonder how this year will unfold and what new experiences are awaiting you? At the end of every year I purchase a new calendar. To me it is like starting with a whole new slate. Any personal sewing project […]
Sewing a Collar Band/Stand and Cuff
Last week I told you I’d share my final blog of the year with another new sewing technique I’ll be sharing with members. I have been frustrated all my sewing life with the way cuffs are done. The intersection between the placket and cuff are not smooth and even. This, and the collar stand, had […]
The Plight of (sewing) Intersections
Do you read pattern sewing instructions and wonder why someone hasn’t come up with a better system of sewing some areas of garments? I often do that. Specifically right now I’m talking about the intersection of the collar stand and cuff on a sleeve. Example 1 Here the front of the shirt front is folded […]
Permission to Fit!
Garment Fitting Home sewers and most educators approach fitting so differently it is no wonder it is so confusing. I like a combo of flat pattern alteration with the tweaking done in draping on the body. There is so much that plays into fitting from body structure, weight distribution, physical attributions and limitations, fabric type, […]
The Story Behind the Notions Story-Fall 2017
With the holiday season fast approaching, gift-sewing is on many minds. Our cover story, “Stockpiling for Santa,” includes directions for five gifts to make that are suitable for male and female, and appeal to a variety of ages. These are grab-and-go gifts that can be made with a particular recipient in mind or stashed away […]
Create a Smooth Quilt Binding Join
I consider myself a very novice quilter although others have said I’m more intermediate to beginner-advanced. I’ve been sewing for years, I can read a pattern, sew an accurate seam allowance, and love using software and a long-arm to do my quilting. My goal has been to “perfect” (for my little quilting world) a quilt […]
Mystery of the Shrinking Embroidery Stabilizer
I love to do embroidery and when I work with cotton fabrics, I always starch them well before hooping. The starch makes the fabric crisp and the embroidery clean. After stitching, I then press again—without starch. After pressing a couple of the quilt blocks, I noticed some wrinkles along the stitching lines that I hadn’t […]
Radial Grading
Radial Grading, also known as Radial Projection, was a method used by pattern companies many years ago and I’ve often wondered why it’s not used any longer — it certainly would save a lot of paper and printing butt does require a little more effort on the part of the user. During the first part […]
RN Numbers
Clothing and Textile Manufacturer Registration Numbers Mom needed a new pair of jeans. She gave me a pair that has a hole worn in the knee and asked that I just put a patch on them because they are good enough to wear around her apartment. As a dutiful daughter, I brought them home to […]
The Story Behind the Notions Story-Spring 2017
It’s always exciting to see a new sewing genre spring up . . . and discover a new group of people who are enthusiastic about our favorite hobby. Welcome, cosplayers, to the world of sewing! This issue’s cover story, “Cosplay + Sewing: A Perfect Fit,” delves into the story behind the cosplay movement and explores […]
