If you are a complete beginner when it comes to sewing, you can learn easily enough using all the free sewing tutorials on my blog, which is a great resource for newbies. But what if you’re going to be offline for a while? Or just like to have an actual physical book in your hands? …
Who here struggles with finding gifts for friends and family? Snap. Which is why I think it’s a better idea to create a list of Christmas gifts that you can sew for friends and family, and then space the projects out throughout the year. I know that some people dislike the idea of making gifts …
I love bow ties. I love them for myself and for others, and I’ve made quite a few in my time because they make great gifts. Today I’m sharing a tutorial on how to make a bow tie out of any fabric. In this tutorial, I’ll also be sharing the two ways I use to …
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, it’s a tad late to be sewing up a big project in time for Father’s …
This padded glasses case tutorial was part of a DIY gift series I created for my YouTube channel in December 2022, and for some reason never made it to my blog. I love the padded glasses case I made in this tutorial, and usually have it with me when I leave the house so that …
One of the joys of Christmas that I miss since moving away from the UK is having a Cadbury’s advent Calendar. That daily bit of tasty chocolate has long been a joy, even if the amount of plastic and card waste on the packaging is ridiculous! This year, I’m going to make myself feel better …
This tutorial on upcycling brogues into DIY mules came about after I popped onto Pinterest and searched for tutorials and found nothing. I also searched Google, and again came up empty. But why was I looking to refashion some mighty fine brogues you’re surely asking? Well, I have always wanted a pair of brogues, and …
I often hear from people daunted at the thought of using a serger, as they see them as being a more complex machine compared to a traditional sewing machine, but sergers are actually great sewing machines and very easy to use once you know how. We can use them to finish off raw fabric edges before …
If you make your own clothes, a dress form will be handy for fitting garments as you make them and for draping and developing patterns. Choosing the best dress form for your needs is where it gets tricky. They can be expensive clothes hanging devices if you choose the wrong dress form for your needs …
I love topstitching! Not only is it a great way to add some decorative stitching to your seams, but it can also be used as a way to strengthen or reinforce seams too! It’s often used as a way to add detailed or decorative stitching that is visible rather than hidden as part of a …
I do not recall a time when there wasn’t a sewing machine in my home, either growing up at my family home or as an adult. For me, a sewing machine is a given. I don’t use it every day, but I probably use it more than most people use one – definitely more than …
I love the start of a new year. I find that it sparks a burst of creativity in me and a desire to invest more time into a variety of creative hobbies. Yes this does taper off as the months go on and I get ‘burned out’ from too much creativity – one of the …
In this tutorial I’m going to show you how to make a bandana, for yourself or others. I’ve been growing out my hair, and during the hot months I have struggled with the back of my head getting really hot where my hair is thickest, so I thought I would make myself a bandana to …
Many of us who sew our own clothes are also keen on refreshing those items of clothing that need a little TLC to remain wearable. This detailed guide covers all of the different ways in which we can patch up our old clothes to breathe new life into them for even more wear. Like many …
Want to learn to sew your own clothes? In that case, you’re going to need to buy some essential sewing tools and that’s where this sewing tools list comes in. As a sewing beginner, popping into your local haberdashery store to look for things for sewing can be a little scary, but if you go …
There are quite a few different types of elastic used in sewing and this article will explain what they are and when best to use each type! Here are 15 types of elastic: 15 Types Of Elastic Used In Sewing Clothes Let’s now look more closely at each of these elastic types so that you …
For a long time used to make those last minute purchases for Christmas gifts – the ones where you’ve dashed into a general store, frantically searching for items that can be gifted the next day. Yes, I was a Christmas Eve shopper. As I got older, and more aware of sustainability, I realized it was …
There are many different types of sewing machines used in the production of clothing, and two that come up a lot in the sewing community are the cover stitch sewing machine and the serger. As they are both used with knit fabrics – and with domestic home versions looking quite similar – they can often …
Several years ago I created my first sewing planner, to help me better plan my sewing projects. And every year since I have continued to update the planner, having received so much great feedback from those who have purchased and used them. This year, I decided to do things a little bit different. As well …
A recent reader asked me about cylinder arm sewing machines and whether I had an article that I could point them towards as they wanted to learn a little more about this sewing machine type. And I realized I didn’t. So, here is that article John and I hope it’s helpful to you! What Is …