Slip stitch

A Slip Stitch is a stitch created with a hand sewing needle rather than your sewing machine. It joins two folded edges (or a folded edge and a flat edge) together in such a way that the stitches are not visible. This stitch is commonly used in pillows to close seams after stuffing. It is also good for bindings, to close a lining, or to hand-appliqué invisibly.

Miter

A miter is a corner seam that comes together at a precise 45˚ angle, like a picture frame.

Pattern notches

Pattern notches are the marks (usually triangle shaped) printed on a pattern’s cutting edge. They are used to line up two or more pieces of fabric that you will be joining together.

Patchwork Pillows

Patchwork is a classic quilting pattern, but you can use a mini version of it to create a colorful pillow. Want a vibrant and fun toss pillow? Use a different fabric for every square – 25 in all. Would a more subdued palette better suit your room? Stick to just four or five patterns in a similar tonal family.

Floral Appliqué Table Runner & Place Mats

This project started with a plain beige table runner and place mat set from Target. A little boring all on their own, they made the perfect background for my own custom table linens, which I embellished with fabric appliqués and sparkly trim.

Nap

Nap refers to the short raised fibers on the surface of certain fabrics such as corduroy, velvet and velour. Fabric with a nap looks different from different angles, and therefore pattern pieces must be cut with nap going the same direction.

Drapery and Curtain Hardware: The Basics

My assignment was to write about window treatment hardware. You’ll notice that’s not the title of this article. Windows are a BIG subject and the more I dug, the less I knew. And, I’d thought I was well-versed in the ways of windows. It reminded me of another dig long ago…

Pillow insert

A ready-made cushion in one of a variety of standard shapes and sizes; the filling may be down, feather/down, polyester fiberfill, or bamboo.

Quick Tip: Lint Roller Tricks

The ubiquitous lint roller. Like most people, I keep one in my closet to remove lint and pet fur from clothing, and one in the laundry room for those times I forget to take that Kleenex out of my pocket. Now, I’ve discovered the lint roller’s sticky magic works wonders in my sewing area.

Quick Tip: Never Sew Over Pins, Try This Instead

Sewing over pins is faster than removing them, but it’s a gamble. Often, the machine needle misses the pin, but when it doesn’t it can break your needle, thread and worst of all, seriously damage your machine. It’s not unheard of for a piece of the broken pin or needle to end up embedded in your eye. So, NO, don’t sew over pins.

Family Napkins

Dining every night with a cloth napkin isn’t just for landed gentry and restaurant critics. It can be a fun and practical tradition for your family. At the same time you’ll save a few bucks and reduce the amount of paper products headed for the landfill. It’s something European families have been doing for decades.

Button Accent Pillow with Ruffle

This is a super versatile pillow that will work any room. Simple choose your fabric patterns and colors to create the appropriate “look”: novelty fabrics for the nursery, soft florals for a porch or sunroom, warm naturals for a bedroom or den.

Sham, Roll, Cushion, Throw – the Pile of Pillows Defined

The very first pillows were likely just heaps of moss or grass in our ancestors’ cozy caves. However, even the more recognizable fabric-stuffed pillow reaches far back into history. Wealthy Greeks slept with their heads and feet resting on ornately embroidered cushions. Ancient Egyptians, who believed the head to be the seat of life, not only spent heavily on lavish pillows for themselves, they also placed them in the tombs of their honored dead. The Chinese thought soft pillows robbed the body of its vitality and therefore made their pillows from wood, leather or even ceramic.

Today, our cushy lifestyles demand comfortable and beautiful pillows of all shapes and sizes. If you want to impress your friends and family, throw out a few of these definitions at your next holiday gathering. Everyone will be impressed… or, they’ll all just ignore you like they always do.

Woven Ribbon & Monogram Sheet Set

Take an off-the-shelf sheet set, stitch a series of vertical buttonholes along the top of the sheet and the open edge of the pillowcase(s), then weave designer ribbon through the buttonholes. Easy yet elegant.

Making the Right Fabric Choice

Shopping for fabric can be overwhelming. There are so many different colors and types of fabrics available, and the prices can range from a few dollars a yard to over one hundred. Home decor fabrics tend to be more expensive, so you want to be happy with what you select. Following a few basic guidelines will help you in your selection process.

Nine Essential Home Decor Measuring & Marking Tools

Whoever discovered you could use cheap spring clamps to hold your fabric for measuring and cutting is a genius. For me, they’re one of the Nine Essential Measuring & Marking Tools that make home decor sewing so much easier.

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We try very had to connect you to a source for the items we use in our tutorials. When creating tutorials, we use fabrics and tools that are currently available. However, like fashionable apparel, popular fabrics come and go. At some point, even the most gorgeous fabrics are no longer in stores. While we think S4H projects are just as relevant as a black sheath dress, you’ll simply need to put on your creative hat and choose from another wonderful fabric collection if you can’t find what we used. Hint: if you really REALLY love a fabric and think you can come back anytime to buy it… think twice and get it while can.

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About Sew4Home

Sew4Home is a daily website dedicated to stylish home décor sewing – we believe anyone can and should make their own home décor. S4H offers beginner-friendly sewing projects by making instructions clear and simple. At the same time, our creations are designed to appeal to all levels of capability for their to-die-for results.

Since launching in early 2009, S4H has attracted a rapidly increasing core group of devoted readers. Our step-by-step tutorials, tips & tricks, and inspiration are all free to the user. We feature today’s easy-to-use sewing machines, beautiful and readily available fabrics, plus clever notions and tools. The S4H team is an experienced group with long ties to the sewing and design industry. We hope you’ll be inspired by our tutorials to transform your space.

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