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…
Tutorials
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….
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…
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….
Tutorial: How to Set in a Sleeve Without an Easing Stitch
For some reason, learning how to set sleeves into blouses or dresses can cause some sewists to break out in hives. Part of the reason for this struggle can be poor pattern-drafting. Hear that! Not.Your.Fault! 🙂 But with a properly drafted pattern you can often set the sleeve in without adding an easing stitch to…
Tutorial: How to add a vented sleeve band
Have you ever made a blouse or top and the sleeves ended up being shorted than you would have liked? C’mon, you know you have; it has happened to all of us who sew. I like to view these situations as “design opportunities” rather than disasters, and one of my favorite ways to add a…