It’s that time of year, and with it comes the need to buy gifts for people. Or does it? What if this year we focused on DIY gifts, those handmade beautiful items that we make from what’s in our stash and gift them to loved ones in lieu of splashing cash on things few people …
It’s a funny thing, but when I’m asked what the best professional sewing machines are, my initial response is to always suggest one of the industrial sewing machines I have owned and used as a fashion designer and sample maker. The problem with that of course is that they are large, heavy and quite cumbersome …
Whether for Christmas and birthdays or Mothers and Fathers day, there are many reasons why you may be gift hunting for the special person in your life who is becoming interested in sewing. However, knowing which sewing gifts are beginner friendly is not as easy as you’d expect if you’re someone who doesn’t sew at …
I’ve covered the different types of sewing machines previously, including leather sewing machines, but I’m often asked about the types of industrial sewing machines and whether they’re really needed by the home sewer or budding fashion designer. So today, I’m sharing my experience of owning and using an industrial machine, the various industrial machine types …
I feel like this is a much needed follow up to my guide on the best dress forms for women sewers, which has been super helpful for those non-professionals who want a dress form for draping and fitting their sewing projects, but isn’t necessarily filled with the best options for those who want to drape …
It’s getting close to that time of year (again) and you may be a bit like me, thinking about all the things your dad already has and what you could possibly get him that he doesn’t already have… Of course, being that it is now November, I don’t have long to get gifts made, which …
When it comes to sewing leather, not all sewing machines are equal, which is why I’ve put together this guide to the best leather sewing machines for the home sewer! Some sewing machines can handle leather beautifully while others will drag and mark the leather in such a way that it is no longer usable …
If you’re a guy and have decided to start sewing, you may want to dip your toe in and feel the water with some beginner sewing projects for guys first. That’s not to suggest that sewing is harder for men than it is for women – this same advice holds for anyone who wants to …
Are you looking for the best sewing planner to help you plan your 2023 projects? I have completely overhauled my one year sewing planner to make it perfect for anyone who loves crafts! It’s available as a digital planner – with everything ‘hot linked’ for ease of use! – but it can also be printed …
A serger sewing machine is a type of sewing machine that is used to finish the raw edges of fabric or to sew knitted fabrics. Threading a serger sewing machine can be a bit tricky – I know I struggled the first few times when I had to do it, which is why I made …
I recently purchased a sewing pattern which lists 2 way stretch fabric as essential. The instructions stated that this was because it was essential that the fabric stretched in both directions. And reading this made me pause in confusion. You see I had always been taught at fashion school that a fabric with 2 way …
When it comes to designing fashion or even just making your own clothes, the fabric you choose can be the difference between a garment that looks amazing and a garment that looks like something you bought at the mall or from a high street store. A lot of times, people end up disappointed in their …
Making your own clothes is a great way to show off your personal style. And for others it’s a way to save money instead of spending so much on fashion in stores. The great news is that there are many different ways to make clothes for yourself and others, and each of them can be …
I’ve covered clothes fastenings used in sewing which has been popular with my readers for years, so I thought it was time to dive deeper into the buttons which are used in sewing and fashion. I’m going to cover the different types of buttons, when they were invented, the materials used to create them and …
You may have spotted quite a few people talking about seersucker fabrics over on Instagram during the summer months. This is because it is a fabric that is perfect for lazy and hot summer days. But what is seeksucker fabric and how is it made? How do you sew with it? And most importantly of …
You’ve bought the PDF sewing pattern, and opted to print it on your home printer instead of printing it at the copy shop. But how do you actually stick PDF patterns together? That is what I’m going to teach you in this quick tutorial. I should note that all pattern designers I’ve bought patterns from …