Whether you’re just learning to sew, teaching a novice sewer, or just need a little extra security to make even seamlines, there’s a seam guide to help you with the process. In addition to sewing seams, guides are also helpful for evenly applying trims equidistance from an edge, hemming, decorative stitching, or topstitching. While the […]
How Bad Is It To…
We all have our idiosyncrasies and shortcuts to help our sewing go faster and easier, but are some of those things harmful to the final product? How bad is it to sew over pins? Pretty Bad While technically you can sew over pins that are placed perpendicular to the seamline, it’s better not to as […]
Pattern Weights
What’s’ your preferred method for cutting out projects—pins or pattern weights? There are sewists who swear by one or the other, but most of us tend to love both, depending on the fabric being used. Pins hold pattern tissue firmly in place for cutting, but there are some fabrics where pins can leave permanent marks […]
Sewing Swimwear: The Details (preview)
Sew a swimsuit in August? Of course! It’s still swimsuit season in many locations; however, a recent visit to a new gym with an indoor pool was a good reminder that aquatics classes are becoming more popular. This is especially true when they have titles like Aqua Fitness and Aqua Arthritis Movement. For those who […]
How to use the Piping Foot (video)
Watch this 60 second video on how to use a piping foot.
Thinking Outside the Sewing Store — Ideas for Tools & Notions
Some tools/notions used in sewing are not necessarily purchased as “sewing” items. ASG member, Judith Weyl shared some of her favorite innovative notion ideas with us: Home Improvement Stores A 3′ Section of Wood Handrail makes a wonderful tool for pressing seams open without leaving an imprint on the garment. It’s round on one side […]
Moving the Dart to Create a Princess Line
If good fit is important to you, especially when sewing with woven fabrics, you already know the significance of a properly placed and well-fitting bust dart. Darts shape that two-dimensional fabric to fit around your three-dimensional body. Even for the less-endowed figure, when darts are the correct size and pointed to the correct location, they […]
Sewing Know-How: Fusing Facts
Perhaps that title should be con-fusing facts instead with so many different fusibles available on the market today, but there are some commonalities in the use of these labor-saving components. That said, the disclaimer is of course to always read and follow the specific directions that come with the product you’re using. Whether you’re working […]
FAQ’s: Cleaning an Iron | Home Décor Fabric | Rotary Cutters
What’s the best way to clean my iron? If you’re using fusible sewing products like webs, interfacings and stabilizers, there’s always that errant portion that finds its way to the soleplate of the iron. If you don’t take care of it right away, the fusible goo can transfer to the next thing you’re pressing and […]
Using a Wing Needle
Do you know how to use a wing needle? This 1 minute video gives you a sneak peak on using this specialty needle
Matching Fabric Patterns Across Seams
Ever wondered how to line-up/match the pattern of your fabric across seams? This 1-minute tutorial is a sure fire way to get it right!
Beyond the Basics: Serger Accessory Feet
If you use your serger only for finishing seams and you never change the foot, you could be missing a world of opportunities for other fun sewing adventures. Like your conventional machine, many sergers have accessory, or special-function feet available for a variety of stitching tasks. It’s important to know what feet you might have […]
Matching Points
Nothing causes quilters more angst than getting perfect points on their blocks. With multiple small pieces often combined into a single block, keeping points and seams aligned can be tricky, but there are a few tricks that help with the task. If you’re not a quilter, never fear, these same principles can apply to garment […]
Sewing Basics: Sewing Machine Terms
It’s National Sewing Machine Day! Spend 17 minutes with us in this video and learn about 6 different parts of your sewing machine. Want to learn more? If you aren’t a member already, we hope you’ll consider joining ASG — we would love to meet and sew with you! ~Sheryl Belson
Buttonhole Basics
Buttonholes may be one of the most feared sewing techniques—after all, it’s one of the last things you do and any slip-ups could ruin the entire project. But, alas, there’s no need to have trepidation. Let’s answer some common buttonhole making questions. Why does my machine have multiple types of buttonholes? Buttonholes fall into two […]
