Pin weaving is a form of small-scale weaving traditionally done on a frame made of pins with the warp and weft wrapping around the pins. Pin-woven textiles have a selvage edge all the way around. The equipment needed for pin weaving is minimal, consisting of straight pins; a padded, pinnable board; a rectangle of fusible […]
Tote Tactics
Totes are one of the easiest projects sewers can make and are often a first project for beginners. They can be lined, unlined, open-top, zipper-top or even closed with a magnetic fastener, and some offer inside and/or outside pockets as an extra convenience. Tote bags generally have flat bottoms and corner shaping, though they can […]
Front Fly Zipper in Slacks or Jeans
The traditional fly zipper you see on a commercially made pair of jeans or slacks works well in a manufacturing environment because special machines can make them very quickly, even though it is not necessarily the best technique or finished product. A mock fly is a great option for home sewers and is a good […]
Basting Methods for Plaids
When selecting a basting method for plaids, consider the complexity of the plaid, the texture of the fabric, and the garment design, as well as your sewing skills. Here are a few basting methods that can help you achieve precise plaid matching: First Step For best results, baste with the right sides up. It’s also helpful […]
Sewing Q&A: Cutting Mats, Chain Sewing, & Elastic Thread
Rotary Cutting Mat Q: What’s the easiest way to clean my rotary cutting mat? A: Cutting mats harbor lint as you cut various fabrics and some fabrics are worse than others for their shedding capabilities. If you’re cutting something linty, like fleece or fur, be sure to use a soft brush and clean the mat […]
Handy Notions: Seam Guides
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
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