Sewing Blog

Sewing Machine Sales Soar

2009-04-20T22:37:00.000+01:00

Despite being in the midst of a recession, sales of new and used sewing machines are continuing to grow as more people learn traditional handicraft skills.

Simple techniques such as stitching bindings, darning, replacing buttons, mending hems, patch jeans and replacing collars are being 'rediscovered' to help repair damaged clothes, save money and learn creative, practical skills in the process.

Sewing Machine Sales

John Lewis have recently reported an increase of 24% on their sewing machine sales compared to the same period last year.
Searches on Google for 'ebay sewing machines' increase by 140%.

Repairing Clothes

As a result in the upturn of sewing machine sales the demand for related haberdashery supplies, such as craft felt, buttons, bias binding, jean zips and threads have also significantly increased to fuel increasing interest.

Bias Binding : Learn Seam Binding Guide

2008-08-21T11:05:00.000+01:00

Sewing projects will never be completed if you don’t know how to seam bind. Binding a seam is necessary for a number of reasons. The main reason is that it will prevent fabric’s thread and composition from unraveling during washing activities and at the same time seam binding is also done for aesthetic purposes.

Seam binding may be done using one of these three methods: French binding, bias binding, and piping. In all three methods, the very first step in seam binding is to first do stay stitching, meaning loosely stitching the raw edges of the fabric by about 1.9cm. This is to give stability to the cloth. The following bias binding method is considered the most basic way of seam binding.

In bias binding, you have to cut a piece of cloth on the bias with the width four times greater than the width of the finished garment. Next you have to fold the edges inward in order to meet the crease and then press it flat for the second time. The binding strip is then used to cover the seams and is actually sewn in place. You may use a sewing machine to do this or just make a slip stitch manually to secure the binding strip.

Good seam binding is a must as a poorly bound seam is the symbol of a “homemade” garment. Usually tailors and seamstresses would like the finished product to be something that looks like it belongs to the display window of a boutique. This is because people also look for that kind of quality when shopping. That is why your seams and hems should be perfect. Believe it or not, an outdated piece of clothing can be turned into the in thing in fashion just by changing the type of seam or hem made.

Getting to Know Embroidery Thread

2008-08-12T12:30:00.000+01:00

Selecting which machine embroidery thread to use is not that easy. This is because of the many options available. What you would need to do for you to choose the perfect embroidery thread is to get to know the kinds of embroidery thread there are and their uses.

Rayon thread – is the most popular embroidery thread probably because of its availability and its nice sheen as well as its good performance or endurance. In fact, rayon thread is not prone to fraying/breaking even when high speed stitching is done.
Polyester embroidery thread – is considered as really economical and also provides a nice effect that is similar to what rayon thread can give. It also comes in various colours just like rayon and it is the embroidery thread that is shrink-free as well as fade-free. Polyester embroidery thread is mostly used in children’s clothing.
Cotton embroidery thread – is an embroidery thread characterised by its soft and lovely sheen. It is mostly used in automatic embroidery machines and is also said to perform well. It is a thread with finer texture but is said to be weaker as compared to polyester and rayon.
Silk thread – it is an embroidery thread that is a great dye absorber and is said to be a special type of embroidery thread. It sews smoothly without the breakage that is why it is considered as one of the strongest embroidery threads available. Take note though that the silk thread is more expensive and is not that easy to find. That is why this type of thread is used in more luxurious sewing projects.

Knowing the different types of embroidery threads would give you an idea on which embroidery thread to choose for your sewing project. You may choose only one or may combine two or more embroidery thread types into your designs.

Sewing Patterns: What They Are

2008-07-24T12:48:00.000+01:00

When it comes to fashion designs and sewing, sewing patterns are the original fabric or garment from which the style is copied and reproduced in another garment. These patterns may not only be in fabric form but may also be in paper form wherein these are traced unto the fabric prior to cutting and forming. The art of creating sewing patterns or designing them is called pattern making.

The focus right now is on the so called home sewing patterns. These are the sewing patterns that allow ordinary people to create designs or clothing copied from the ones made by fashion designers as well as the ones you see sold at the malls or boutiques.

Home sewing patterns are normally printed on tissue paper and then sold in packages that contain fabric and trim suggestions and of course sewing instructions on how to successfully recreate the style being copied. These home sewing patterns are out in the market in a variety of costs, styles, sizes as well as sewing skill levels in order to suit every customer’s needs.

The fact is that home sewing patterns are first “graded” meaning that the patterns are redrawn first to ensure that they will be able to fit either smaller or larger sizes as compared to the original style or design. The person who actually introduced sewing patterns first would be Ebenezer Butterick, who produced the very 1st home graded pattern that is based on the grading systems that Victorian tailors use. The original patterns were made for boy’s and men’s clothing. In the year 1866 however, Butterick decided to add women’s clothing patterns and of course the said patterns became very popular and are said to be the heart of the sewing pattern market of the present time.

Home sewing patterns are ingenious creations that enable people to produce the latest fashion styles at an affordable cost as long as those who recreate the clothes are skilled enough.

A Guide to Sewing Buttons

2008-07-17T15:17:00.000+01:00

Buttons are one of the commonest fasteners in the world, found on everything from headgear and bags to pants and shirts. They’re very susceptible to wear and tear, though, and it’s inevitable that you’ll have to replace buttons at one time or another.

Sewing buttons looks like a complicated, dexterity-intensive procedure, but it’s actually a simple job that just about anybody can do.

Step 1: Finding the Materials

To begin, you’ll have to get your hands on a button and some thread. Although you could use any kind that you find lying around, you’ll probably want to get some that matches either the other buttons or the item being repaired. Using mismatched buttons or thread leaves you with a repair job that sticks out like a sore thumb – something few people want.

Buttons come in two variants – shank and sew-through. Shank buttons are usually plain and have no protrusions on their back end. Sewing buttons of the shank variety is done through a hole located at the back. Sew-through buttons, on the other hand, are so named because you sew the thread through the two or four holes that are in the middle of the button’s surface.

Step 2: Preparing to Work

Once you have your materials, you can prepare them for sewing buttons back onto the item. Take some thread and form a double strand, tying a knot around the open end to close it. Thread the needle using that double strand.

After preparing your needle and thread, look for the location where the button will be sewn back on. Make sure that the distance between buttons is still equal and that the location you found corresponds to the right buttonhole. Sew at the location without the button from the inside of the garment or item, and then make two or three stitches at that spot. The preliminary stitches will serve as an anchor for the button, making your work more durable than plainly Sewing buttons back on.

Step 3: Sewing the Button

If you’re sewing buttons of the sew-through variant, place the button over the anchor stitches. Make three or four stitches from within the item and through the holes in the button, securing it against the latter against the fabric. Once the stitches have been executed, sew the needle into the fabric and then repeatedly sew it through the loops formed by the stitches on the inside of the item. The last sewing will lock the stitches in place and strengthen the fastening of the button.

Sewing a shank button back onto an item is almost the same procedure. Place the button over the anchor stitches and then, from the inside of the garment, sew outward, through the hole in the shank button and then back inwards. Do this loop four to six times before finishing it like you would with a sew-through button.

Sewing buttons is a very simple affair, really. It shouldn’t take you more than ten minutes from acquiring the materials to looking at a job well done.

Sewing Patchwork Tips and Tricks

2008-06-16T23:24:00.000+01:00

If you have a sewing project and would like to finish the product with quality and in a quicker time frame or you just have to finish the sewing project as a gift for someone whose birthday is nearing, the tips below that deal with sewing patchwork, quilts, etc. will help you do well in sewing patchwork and at the same time aid you in coming up with a good quality product:

When sewing two pieces of fabric together wherein one piece must be eased to the smaller piece, the trick is to place the fabric with the most ease unto the bottom part, particularly close to the feed teeth. The feed teeth will then ease the extra piece if cloth to the top fabric (the shorter one) with less difficulty.

If you are having a hard time in sewing patchwork using metallic thread because of breakage, try using needles with the brand: Hemline for breakage reduction. If that does not help much, you can proceed to lowering the tension.

It is also a good idea to have a piece of magnet handy in order to pick up needles or pins that accidentally drop to the floor.

In the event that your sewing needles get dull or even rusty, rub lightly with a piece of fine steel wool.

When sewing patchwork, it is best to store pattern pieces in transparent self sealing bags for you to be able to view the pattern.

When you’re done sewing your patchwork pieces, it is advisable to run a thread that is double in length through the patches and then leave a knotted thread end at the bottom of the pile for those patchwork pieces to stay together wherein you can just pull them off one by one as needed.

Following the tips in sewing patchwork mentioned above will definitely give you a better sewing experience and help you produce good quality products.

Quilting Tips Equate to Tools in Quilting

2008-06-10T16:45:00.000+01:00

If you are a beginner when it comes to quilting, then you should research on quilting tips to ensure your success of this enjoyable activity. The best quilting tip is to know the right quilting tools to purchase. Below you will find the basic quilting tools that you should have in order to start quilting on the right foot.

Rotary Cutter
Rotary cutting is one of the first things that you should learn in quilting. It will let you quick-piece your projects and also help you cut the shapes you need for your quilting project quickly. The rotary cutters the tool you’ll need for you to develop your skill in rotary cutting. It is best to visit the nearest quilt shop and test drive a number of rotary cutters first before selecting one. Choose the cutter that feels good in your hands.

Rotary Ruler
Part of the quilting tips would tell you that measurements are important. Of course the tool you will need for measuring is a rotary ruler. Buy a 6”x24” rotary ruler as well as the so called “Quilter’s Square” to be able to check blocks and cut shapes more easily.

Sewing Machine
Quilting doesn’t mean hand sewing all the time. You normally have to use a sewing machine when quilting. One quilting tip is this: your sewing machine doesn’t have to be expensive. You have to look for a sewing machine that helps you make a ¼” seam allowance comfortably and easily.

Cotton Quilting Fabrics
As a beginner, the first fabric you are advised to work on when quilting would be cotton quilting fabrics. Pick the cotton fabric that is especially designed for quilting to ensure maximum endurance and quality.

Remember this quilting tip: do not skimp on your quilting fabric because it is a requirement for your finished product to have a long life.