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How to make a pattern from an original garment

info — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:15:30 +0000

This tutorial is for people who have a garment they’d love to reproduce as closely as possible. We’ve all had a favorite dress or blouse that fit us just right, haven’t we? We wear it for years until it is almost worn out, and then we mourn the fact that we can’t buy a replacement, [...]

How to remove oil stains from clothing

info — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:10:20 +0000

Whether it’s make-up remover, Italian sald dressing or motor oil, if you’ve come to the end of your rope trying to remove and oil stain from your fabric, try this method out.

Step 1: Pre-treat the article of clothing by laying it flat and covering the area with cornstarch. Leave it to sit for at least [...]

Ten Tips for Sewing Halloween Costumes courtesy of Sewing.org

info — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:21:55 +0000

1. Costumes don’t necessarily need to be as perfect as clothing or other projects you sew. Decide whether you want your costume beautifully sewn right down to the last detail, or if you’d rather achieve the overall effect quickly.

2. Inexpensive fabrics are usually fine for costumes.

3. Since many costume fabrics are either sheer [...]

Christmas sewing gift idea

info — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:28:15 +0000

Why not make a Christmas sewing kit for someone who loves to sew? Try the following idea:

* 2 pair of scissors- an inexpensive pair of paper scissors and a good quality pair of fabric shears. By including both pair of scissors, you are insuring that the fabric scissors will last a long time. * Straight pins [...]

How to Replace a Button

info — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:28:11 +0000

Most buttons can be sewn with general-purpose thread. Buttons should be sewn on loosely to allow for the overlapping garment layer containing the buttonholes. Buttons sewn too tightly will make the button difficult to close. Sew-through buttons usually have two or four holes through which the button is sewn to the garment. Shank [...]

How to Stitch a Sewing Pattern

info — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:41:00 +0000

Keep these guidelines in mind whenever you construct a garment from a sewing pattern or take on any sewing project.

Things You’ll Need:

* Seam Roll * Sewing Patterns * Tailor’s Hams * Dressmaker Pins * Ironing Boards * Irons * Sewing Notions * Plastic Bags * Plastic Containers * Scissors * Highlighter Pens

Step1 Refer to instruction sheet included with pattern. These instructions will take you through garment [...]

Basic Sewing Stitches

info — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:00:23 +0000

Four basic stitches can get you through almost any type of hand-sewing repair. If you haven’t sewn before, you may want to practice a bit to develop the ability to stitch evenly in a straight line.

* Backstitch: Viewed from the top, backstitching appears as a continuous line of even stitches; viewed underneath, the stitches are [...]

How Organic Clothing Works – Organic Fabirc

info — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:32:31 +0000

Organic fabrics like cotton, wool, silk and hemp must meet regulations set by the Organic Trade Association regarding fiber processing, production, dyeing and non-toxic handling. It’s important to look for organic certification on labels to ensure that a product is actually organic. Sustainable fabrics are produced without federal guidelines and certification.

Organic cotton is the most [...]

How to Mend a Sweater

info — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:58:27 +0000

Hand-knit sweaters and most sweaters made to look hand-knit can be mended quite smoothly when they’ve been badly frayed or snagged. Many good sweaters are even sold with a bobbin of yarn attached. Test for needle sizes by slipping needles into the existing stitches — the body is usually knitted on a needle that is [...]

How to Custom-Fit Pants

info — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 14:44:34 +0000

Taking in or letting out a pair of pants can make all the difference in the fit, and you don’t need a tailor to do the job. Use this technique on men’s pants and some women’s pants.

Tools: seam ripper, scissors, fabric marker or pencil, straight pins, needle, sewing machine.

Materials: pants, thread.

Time: 1/2 to 1 hour.

Men’s [...]