If you have never tried installing an invisible zipper in a garment, you might be just a wee bit intimidated. But honestly, I think they are easier to put in than regular zippers, and they definitely elevate the “ready to wear” (RTW) look of your garments. Invisible zips are best for garments made of light to medium-weight fabric, and should be placed into a garment seam. Nothing exposed for these babies. 😉 Because the “teeth” on invisible zips roll to the under side of… read more
Category Archives: Tutorials
Tutorial: Quick-to-make Wooly Lamb Christmas Ornament
It’s December, so it is totally OK to start talking, thinking, planning and making for the holidays! My family celebrates Christmas, so the project I am going to show you how to make today is designed for a Christmas tree. So when Deanna McCool asked me to participate in her 12 Days of Christmas Blog Tour, this project jumped immediately to top of mind. But it is so cute I think it would also make a darling package topper for… read more
Tutorial: How to Make Bias Binding
I love the look of binding, and it is definitely not just for quilts (cuz we all know I don’t quilt!). Making your own binding using cute prints is a snap to do, and the look of homemade binding always trumps both the look and the feel of the purchased product. The method I am going to show you today is useful for making a small amount of binding. If you need yards and yards, it is better to make… read more
Tutorial: How to Draft a 1-Piece Collar
A 1-piece collar, you say? Why in the world would I want to make/use one of those crazy-looking things? The first few shirts I made for my husband I did not use a I-piece collar pattern. What was the point, after all? Well, in time, I realized that eliminating the seam on the front edge of the collar produces a smoother line. And the collar and the front placket is your first impression of a shirt. Uh huh. So make… read more
Tutorial: How to Hem Jeans (and Stop Paying For Hemming Alterations)
If you own a decent sewing machine, all you need to do is buy a couple of inexpensive tools and you will be all set to hem your own jeans and casual pants. As a matter of fact, you could quickly start charging your friends to do their hemming alterations! Here are the tools/supplies you will need: Size 100 Jeans needle Jean-a-majig Denim or topstitching thread to match the garment Scissors Sewing machine Watch this video to learn just how… read more
Tutorial: How to Sew a Blind Hem
You love to sew, but maybe you are a little low on time to create the kind of garments you can be proud to wear. Or maybe all you need is a clear explanation and a simple, clear demonstration of the technique you have been itching to try. Let’s start with the way ready-to-wear garments are hemmed in manufacturing. Duh! By using an invisible or blind hem on a sewing machine, that’s how. There is no time for hand hemming… read more
Tutorial: How to Make A Perfect Buttonhole
Buttonholes can induce a little anxiety, especially if you have to make ten or twelve of them on a shirt. But if you follow these simple steps, and practice, you will soon be making lovely buttonholes without batting an eyelash. Really! Please note: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you decide to purchase. Thanks! Here’s what you need to get started: A garment with appropriate interfacing applied to the area where buttonholes will be made… read more
Tutorial: 10 ways to finish your seams
There are loads of different ways to finish a seam allowance; in this tutorial I will just cover ten of the methods that you might like to experiment with. Maybe you have a favorite or two in this grouping, and maybe you will be encouraged to try a few other finishes in the near future. The purpose of a seam finish can be to: prevent raveling provide a decorative detail on the inside of a garment strengthen a seam reduce… read more
Tutorial: How to Add Piping to a Seam
Adding a bit of piping in a seam is an easy way to give your finished garment some pizazz, and often a pop of color as well. I don’t really consider this to be a couture technique; tho some folks do. Really, it is easy. Just start by including it in a straight seam rather than something curved like a collar, and then after you get the hang of it you can go crazy. Midriff bands or waist seams are… read more
Tutorial: How to Iron the Collar When Making a Shirt
The collar is the main focal point of a shirt, so everything you can do to make this part of your garment as perfect as possible will help your garment achieve that “standard of excellence” we sewists all strive for with our garments. Ironing, or pressing, is an often overlooked or under-appreciated part of sewing. And they are different. Ironing involves sliding the iron across the fabric; pressing is lifting and setting down an iron with some pressure. If you… read more