The great cutting debate When it comes time to cut out your project, which do you choose, scissors or rotary cutters? Ask this question in any online forum or neighborhood group meeting and you will hear strong opinions on both sides. And those opinions often line up by what they sew: quilts or garments. My […]
Tackling Tulle
Whether you’re making a flirty tutu, a long flowing wedding veil or decorating for a bridal shower, it’s likely some tulle will be involved in the process. Like its netting cousin, tulle is an openwork fabric sporting allover holes for a transparent look. Netting has larger holes than tulle and it’s usually stiffer. Both are […]
Tailoring Tricks Part 3: Hong Kong Seam Finish
Not all tailored garments are lined so that the interior seams are covered. Some are unlined, either because of the construction or style—think lightweight wool jacket or loosely woven wool wrap coat for spring. Without a full lining to cover the interior seams, they’re subject to abrasion and potential fraying, depending on the fabric weave. […]
Basic Sewing Tools: Marking Tools
Help! I’ve marked my fabric and I can’t get it out! No matter what you are sewing, you often need to find a way to mark key points on the fabric. You might need to mark stitching lines for darts, placement for pleats, buttonholes, or pockets. But nothing is more heartbreaking than to find that […]
Uncommon Threads: Fusible, Invisible & Water-Soluble
Into every sewer’s life, a little novelty must fall, and such is the case with threads—those ones you don’t use every day, but when you need them, they serve a specific purpose. Fusible Thread Fusible thread, as its name suggests, is heat sensitive and melts when needed. Much like its notion cousin, fusible web, the […]
Fishy Flounces: Flounced Hem
Normally, fishing line would be found in the tackle box or with rods and reels in the garage, but why not try bringing a spool of it into your sewing room to create awesome ruffled edges and hems with your serger? The secret is encasing the fishing line in the stitching to create undulating edges […]
What’s a Lining to Do? (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this article on linings, we’ll be reviewing Interlining and Underlining and why you might choose each one for your project. (Review Part 1) While you can find all sorts of various definitions for these terms, for the purpose of this article we will define them as follows: Underlining is cut from […]
Sewing with Vinyl
This quick video has 3 tips for sewing with vinyl.
Ending it All (serger stitching, that is)
We all love sergers for stitching and finishing our seams all in one operation. Those loopers and needles just seem to zing along the edges, but what happens at the ends is something to note. You can’t backstitch with a serger like a conventional machine. Do you just cut off the threads and hope for […]
Machine Needles: What’s the Point?
The needle you use in your sewing machine can make the difference between perfection and a disaster. Use the wrong needle, a damaged needle or a worn needle and you could end up with broken threads, holes, uneven stitches, puckers and possibly even permanently damaged fabric. To keep your seams straight and your collars curvy, […]
Tailoring Tricks, Part 2
Fusibles Fusible interfacings are de rigueur for today’s tailoring aficionados. They are easy to apply and a great option for building structure and shape into a tailored garment without laborious hand stitching. Types of Fusibles Wovens have lengthwise and crosswise threads that make them stable in both directions. If they’re cut on the bias, they […]
Sewing Basics: Fabric Grainline
Fabric grain refers to the direction in which the threads run. It’s important for the lengthwise and crosswise threads to meet at right angles, or the project will twist or hang crooked. Do you understand fabric grain, why it is important and how to work with it? This video will tell you everything you need […]
How to Sew Bias Strips Together
Our short video on using the Bias Tape Tool will show you how to make your own bias tape, but do you know how to join your fabric to create the bias strips? This video will show you how. ~© ASG; Sheryl Belson, Plano Chapter
Tailoring Tricks, Part 1
So, you want to tailor a coat or jacket, but you’re not sure what that involves, but willing to take the leap. There are basically two types of tailoring: traditional work with tedious hand stitching or fusible tailoring where you let technology do the “stitching” for you. While the former is worthy of the effort, […]
Serger Rolled Hem
Perhaps you use your serger only for making neatly finished seams—but there’s so many other things you can do with it. One of my favorites is a rolled hem. Whether you’re creating beautiful edges on napkins or silk scarves, or delicate hems on lingerie, the rolled hem is perfect to hide any “pokies” of thread […]
