The buttonhole window is strong and attractive on both sides of a garment, which makes it ideal for a reversible vest or jacket. If your garment is trimmed with faux leather, suede, or wool jersey, the same fabric should also be used for the patch because it won’t ravel. Buttonholes in a reversible or unlined […]
Women of the World Quilt
Richmond, VA ASG member, Dianne Portwood, recently gave a presentation at a chapter meeting about a quilt she made that celebrates women, titled Women of the World. This is Dianne’s story of how the quilt came to be: Since I was young, I have enjoyed watching people. It could be sitting on the pier at […]
Sewing Get-aways & Retreats
It goes without saying that we love to sew with friends—after all, that’s why we’re members of ASG! But getting away from your usual locale and sewing with friends is twice as nice. Think about attending a sewing retreat. A sewing retreat can be organized by a group of friends, by your chapter, by a […]
Your Sewing Temperament (preview)
The kinds of sewing you do — and do well — have a lot to do with your sewing temperament. For example, do you have the patience and skill it takes to do tailoring? Can you stand the repetitive work required by quilting? Have you ever thought about your sewing temperament? After an informally collected […]
Just Encase
There are times when you want to add a bit of texture and fun to a project, but you may not be quite sure what to do. Think about encasing something under tulle, which serves to hold it in place and protect the addition at the same time. What to encase? Depending on the project […]
Reinforcing & Countering Figure Variations (preview)
Reinforcing and countering are the two most effective ways to control the way your figure appears in clothing and helps you decide if the clothes make visual sense for your figure. Reinforcing/Repetition You can use all the elements of design — line, shape, color, texture, and pattern to repeat and therefore strengthen, emphasize, or neutralize […]
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 […]
Sewing Faux Fur
Whether you’re making stuffed toys, a funky Halloween costume, a plush wrap for holiday gatherings, a warm coat for the winter, or the most fabulous Cosplay costume ever, faux fur is a wonderful fabric of choice. It’s warm and cozy, comes in a variety of colors and textures, and doesn’t harm animals. But, how do […]
Service Sewing: Not too old to take on new challenges
Jan Letkowski has proven that no matter how long you’ve been sewing, you are never too old to take on new challenges and learn new techniques. Known for her exquisitely tailored clothing since coordinating fashion shows for Harper’s Fabrics in the 80s and 90s, plus many decades of sewing for her family and charity, Jan […]
Sewing in Circles
In everyday life, the phrase “going in circles” doesn’t necessarily have a positive connotation, but for creative sewers going in circles can be loads of fun! Those decorative and utility machine stitches are ideal for circular sewing, and there’s an attachment made just for that. But never fear, if your machine doesn’t have an available […]
Project: Advent Calendar
An Advent calendar with pockets that holds cards suggesting the day’s special activity or a special treat is a popular tradition with children of all ages. The first Advent calendars originated as early as the 19th century and was used to mark the countdown in December to Christmas. Advent calendars are 24 or 25 days […]
Anyone Can Win Contest Entries 2022
View the entries from the 2022 Anyone Can Win contest.
Would You Use Wood for Machine Embroidery?
If you are a machine embroiderer, you are probably familiar with embroidering on cottons, knits, quilted fabrics, and even cork and some leathers, but have you ever tried embroidering on wood? Yes, I said WOOD! We’re not talking 2 x 4’s here, but a thin, relatively-soft balsa wood makes a great medium for machine embroidery. […]
Sewing Q&A: Bias Tape, Re-Using Ties, Shop Hops, and Ease Pleat
Bias Tape Q. Why does bias tape have diagonal seams? A. Bias tape has diagonal seams to reduce bulk, pure and simple. Since fabric has a limited width, seaming is necessary to create continuous bias lengths. If the strips are seamed together with straight seams, then when the bias is folded in half, all the […]
Piping Between Lining and Facing (preview)
A bias piping or cording between the lining and facing of a lined jacket or coat is an attractive addition. Make your own piping from purchased decorative cording or use bias strips of contrasting lining, polyester, silk, or any other silky woven fabric. One-quarter yard of fabric makes a lot of bias, and cord or […]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 14
- Next Page »
