Nothing’s more fun than sprucing up your home and as sewers, a little refresh is easy to do. So, why not start in the bathroom with a fun fabric shower curtain! Choose a bold print, fabulous stripe or even a luscious solid cotton or polyester fabric. Decorator weights work well and often come with coordinates […]
Denim Dynamics
One of America’s most beloved fabrics, denim can be a delight to sew if you know the tricks. Tools Always use sharp scissors or a new rotary cutter blade to cut clean edges on this dense fabric. On heavier denims, use spring clips to hold edges together for sewing, as opposed to pins which may […]
What I’m Sewing: Itch-to-Stitch Bonn Shirt
Q. Item Created A. Blouse Q. Independent Pattern Designer A. Itch-to-Stitch Q. Name and Number of Pattern A. Bonn Shirt/Dress Q. Fabric Used: A. Picasso Rayon Poplin in teal Q. Special Embellishments/Notions Used A. Superior MasterPiece cotton thread Q. Skill level required? A. Advanced beginner or Intermediate Q. Are the instructions easy to follow? A. […]
Sewing Basics: Measuring Tools
Measure Twice, Cut Once We’ve all done it. You cut that precious fabric, and you cut it wrong. Once you’ve made that cut, you can’t undo it. And now you don’t have enough to recover from your mistake. ARGH! Whether taking body measurements, marking seam allowances, or cutting quilt squares, when we sew, we need […]
Fireside Chat: Kimberly Jolly, Fat Quarter Shop
We recently had the pleasure of talking with Kimberly Jolly, owner of the Fat Quarter Shop and It’s Sew Emma. Between those two companies, she covers all sorts of quilting and cross stitching fabrics, supplies, and patterns. It was great fun to hear how this accountant turned creative and made her journey to where she […]
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 […]
Using Striped Fabric to Bind an Edge
It’s Stripe Hype! Whether you’re binding a jacket front, collar or a quilt, using a striped fabric for the binding is a great way to accent the edge. Stripes come in varying forms—from simple two-color versions to multi-color patterning, wide to narrow—but one thing’s for sure: they’re fun! Stripes can be used three different ways […]
Fireside Chat: Emily Hallman
Emily Hallman is a shoe lover, bookworm, dog mama, fashion enthusiast, and sewist. She also publishes a capsule wardrobe blog and has over 40K followers on Instagram. Sheryl Belson spent some time chatting with Emily about color, style and the joy of sewing your own wardrobe, one colorful, coordinated collection at a time. ~Sheryl Belson, […]
Sewing Basics: Scissors vs. Rotary Cutters
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 […]
Stretching Yourself: Using Elastic Thread
We’re not talking about aerobics, but using elastic thread! Building stretch into a garment is easy with this thin, stretchy strand and a little ingenuity. Sections of your project, like yokes, sleeves, cuffs, waistlines and bodices are all likely candidates for shirring. Shirring refers to sewing multiple parallel rows of stitching using elastic thread in […]
Fireside Chat: Gail Yellen from Gail Patrice Designs
Join ASG Board Member, Sheryl Belson, in this fireside chat with Gail Yellen of Gail Patrice Designs. Gail offers a collection of patterns, teaches a wide range of classes and workshops, authored the book, Serger Essentials, and has a YouTube channel where she offers videos called Serger Tip Clips. ASG members can receive a special […]
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. […]
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