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 […]
A Sticky Situation: All About Glue Sticks
There are times when it’s hard to keep something in place until you get it sewn. Of course, you can always hand-baste, but that’s tedious and time consuming. But, there’s a more slightly less conventional solution—a glue stick! Now, it you’re a sewing purist, you may be saying to yourself—WHAT? How could someone recommend gluing […]
Sewing Q&A
Maybe you’ve wondered about something related to sewing, but couldn’t find an answer elsewhere. We’re here to help! Bias Binding Q. If I want to cut my own bias binding, how do I do that? A. True bias is a 45° angle to the selvage edge of the fabric. It’s stretchier than either the lengthwise […]
Corner Cues: Mitered Binding Corners
If binding a quilt is one of your least favorite tasks, and that simple directive in the instructions that says “Miter the corners as you bind the edges” leaves you bewildered, read on. A mitered binding corner is simply a clever way to make a neat flat corner. It creates a fold at 45° to […]
Slick Tricks: Working with Laminated Fabrics
If you’re looking to make that perfect raincoat, try one of the great laminated fabrics on the market today. Colorful cottons with a clear coating are ideal for rainy weather attire, and a host of other projects from cosmetic bags to totes and aprons. And you have options—laminated cottons come with either a matte finish […]
Border Prints 101
When shopping for fabric, we’re accustomed to seeing rows of bolts with an allover print. But look a little deeper and you’ll find some with unique features—border prints! Border prints are fun to work with and allow you to showcase this print feature in creative ways. What is a border print? Instead of a fabric […]
Fast and Easy Fringed Edge Finishes
If you’re looking for a fast and easy edge finish, there’s nothing easier than fringe! It works on single-layer placemats, scarves, patches and pockets, or with a little more effort, you can insert fringe into a seam or hem. The results of fringing are not always what you expect, as some fabrics are woven with […]
Sewing with Multi-Color Threads
The sewist’s crayons! Not really designed for construction, variegated threads are multiple colors within a single strand. When you look at a spool, you may see distinct color patterns or simply a blending of similar colors, depending on the brand, how the thread is dyed and how it’s wound on the spool or cone. Stitching […]
Pearl Cotton… in Your Sewing Machine?
You’re probably familiar with pearl cotton for hand stitching efforts like cross-stitch, embroidery, smocking, threadwork and also for crocheting, but did you know that you can also use it in your sewing machine? Pearl cotton is a two-ply, twisted thread with a high sheen and it comes in a multitude of colors and some variegations. […]
Choosing a Fusible
When fusible products first arrived into the home sewing marketplace, they were stiff and frequently made the fabric bubble or wrinkle due to adhesion issues. Today, these new and improved heat-activated adhesive products are a boon to our sewing tasks. Let’s take a look at some of what you’ll find to expedite your sewing adventures. […]
Sewing Basics: Hand Sewing Needles
Hand Sewing: Needle Knowledge Although some sewists will do just about anything to avoid sewing something by hand, most will inevitably face times when hand sewing will be necessary to complete a project. Knowing which needle to choose for the project makes the task of hand sewing much easier. In this article, we look at […]
Buttons: Attachment Antics
Button, Button Whether you use them functionally to close a garment, tote or other project, or you line them up as a border or trim or even string them together for a bracelet, buttons are definitely a fun sewing notion. You can find buttons made from plastic, metal, bone, rhinestones, wood and a host of […]
Working with Snaps
Snap to it! Snaps, the handy two-part fasteners that we often don’t think much about, offer a multitude of options for garment closures. Look for them in metal finishes (silver, gold, black or some colors) and in a multitude of plastic hues. There are also clear snaps available for greater invisibility and they’re ideal for […]
Sewing Basics: Getting to the Point of Pins
Do you know the different types of pins? Pins may not be the most exciting item in your sewing box, but they are a vital tool to anchor your fabric when you are sewing. When choosing the type of pin to use, there are several elements that should be considered as each type of pin […]
