This fast and easy pillowcase project demonstrates a construction technique known as “burrito style.” Itโs a way to create nicely finished seams inside and out with a quick roll-and-turn method. Give it a go!
No matter what kind of sewing you like to do, there are times you must use a hand needle and thread. Learn our favorite tips and products to help eliminate knots and tangles so you can keep those stitches flowing smoothly.
โCutting cornersโ can be a good thing โ if you do it correctly. Sharp corners give a project a clean, professional finish. Learn techniques for clipping and stitching corners that will help maintain the best, cleanest shape.
A Sewing Tool Box Basic! Seam grading is like stair-stepping. It’s the process of turning a standard seam allowance into layered tiers of fabric. The result is less bulk, which means a smoother finish from the right side.
Learn the machine stitches and techniques that best mimic the delicate handwork associated with heirloom sewing. We focus on the options that are the easiest to incorporate into garment or home dรฉcor projects.
Broken zipper = broken heart! Itโs a major frustration because it means something either wonโt close or wonโt open. The most common element to fail is the zipper slider; this can also be the easier part to replace.
From getting the spacing right, to cutting holes in the fabric, to the actual installation process, we’re here to prove you can conquer this hardware at home and get a professional result. Plus you get to hit stuff with a hammer!
For more basic Janome sewing machines (5mm and 7mm), this a fun, easy way to add little decorative stitch touches in pretty thread colors!ย Be the flower girl of the sewing accessory world, sprinkling pretty posies over any project.
Today’s machines can zip along at up to 1000 stitches per minute; you can see how a little length goes a long way. The shorter the stitches, the tighter the seam. The longer the stitches, the looser the seam.
Making a narrow hem with a clean corner can be a challenge. Our go-to option, the one that earns our Sewing ToolBox Stamp of Approval, is a double-turn with a folded diagonal point corner: easy, tidy, and pretty from both sides.
A true Sewing Survival Skill! The word fussy sounds negative. But in the world of sewing, a fussy cut is a beautiful thing.ย It means cutting in a way that precisely captures a specific section of fabric for a specific purpose.
We’ve pulled together our top ten articles that show a variety of ways you can keep things closed.ย Locks, snaps, zips, buttons, and more. If you need closure, we have some great ideas. Let us know which are your favorites.
Gather up your favorite bits of fabric and trim, leftover buttons or beads, and sheets of craft felt. Then get ready to fire up your imagination for some ornament fun. A fantastic project to introduce kids to hand sewing.
We love the look and functionality of zippers. But many of us are not crazy about installing them. To get good, you gotta jump in. Letโs start with a conventional zipper, where the fabric meets along the center of the zipper teeth.
Garment sewing is not necessarily one of our focuses here at S4H, so we turned to expert, Carla Crim for some pattern-making secrets. We found her techniques fascinating, and it certainly inspired us to give it a try.
A quilter extraordinaire, our friend Kim Niedzwiecki (aka Go-Go Kim) recently entered the world of garment sewing. Sheโs alive to tell the tale, and offers up her experiences, pearls of wisdom, and encouragement for you to do the same.
Tufting are those depressions made at regular intervals in a cushion by passing a thread through and pulling it taut. Simple, right? It can be. Start with the right tools and make sure you measure and mark with precision.
Thermal fabrics are the added layer in projects designed to keep hot stuff hot and cold stuff cold, such as oven mitts, lunch bags, shopping totes, etc. We take a look at options for thermal batting, fabric, and interfacing.
Fresh blooms from your favorite flowers are always an inspiration. Celebrate by creating your own custom flower to wear on a jacket, in your hair, or pinned to a bag. Go bold and showy or soft and subtle โ just like nature itself.
Picking out buttons is fun! Sewing on buttons, not quite so fun. The up-side of button sewing is that it’s relatively quick and easy, and by following our tutorial basics, yours will stay put stronger and longer.
It gives a fabulous softness to a wide variety of projects, from toys to pillows to blankets and more. Although not difficult to sew with, to create the very best results, it helps to have a few tips and tricks under your belt.
It’s a little bit like the ancient art of origami. You start out with a flat square (or rectangle), and after a few folds, flips, and slices, you have perfect bias strips ready to become custom binding for your next project.
How fabric is woven is important; fabric that is off-grain when youโre cutting can cause the completed project to stretch out of shape. Get a better understanding of how to identify fabric grain and tips on how to straighten it.
So many choices! This article helps you sort out the most common interfacing options for bags and totes. You’ll like the printable chart we developed. Post one copy in your sewing room and use another when you shop.
Outdoor jackets, yacht covers, baby clothes – the humble snap does it all. Theyโre easier to use than buttons and more durable than Velcroยฎ. Find out the best tools to use and tips to follow to make inserting snapsโฆ a snap!