Corset Month!! On the 29th March (fingers still crossed!!), I shall be releasing my Corset Kit!! This is the biggest Sewing Pattern and Kit release to date, and has taken me months of prep and sampling to be happy with. The Corset Kit will have a re-usable graded Pattern for a Victorian inspired Over Bust Corset, with an Instruction Zine which will …
Notions: Hemming by Hand
I am afraid I am one of those dreadful bores of a teacher who insists that Hemming is done by hand! It just looks simply beautiful, & gives a truly professional finish to a garment that has been carefully stitched together, by hand. I have taken this Tutorial from my Simple A-Line Skirt Tutorial because this subject has come up …
Sew Your Own Wardrobe!!
With much trepidation, I purchased the new Great British Sewing Bee book a couple weeks ago. Finally, it popped through my door. We’ve had a little trouble with the Royal Mail this neck of the woods, and much apologies to all of my customers who have been affected. A little heavier than expected, I unwrapped it and was immensely surprised …
Notions: Lapped Zip
Lapped Zips were a hot topic on this weeks episode of The Great British Sewing Bee. I know them mainly as a Vintage technique, and my Vintage Sewing Books are stuffed full of ways to work them! The following Tutorial is taken from McCall’s Complete Book of Dressmaking (which is delightful!). The important thing to remember when inserting Lapped Zips …
Notions: Make a Liberty Needle Case
I have become rather addicted to the Liberty Craft Blog of late, amongst all the Beauty product placements there are some lovely crafty makes, made even lovelier by the use of all that gorgeous Liberty Tana Lawn. I have just come across this Tutorial to make a pretty gorgeous Needle Case by Happy Zombie. Fully lined, with pages and some …
Notions: Clipping Corners
Inside corners, as seen in yesterdays Scallop Hem Tutorial, are important to clip. It can be a little scary to clip right up to the stitching- and many a time I have snipped straight through!- but it is essential if you would like the corner to turn out beautifully. Snipping, or clipping, the inside corner relaxes the fabric so it …
Sewing Bee Snippets Week 1
As previously discussed, here are my insights in to construction details, tips and tricks, and practices used on The Great British Sewing Bee this week. The contestants were really put through their paces this week sewing each basic staple fabric- Cotton, Wool and Silk. Their Cotton Tunic Tops displayed a very wide range in construction details- and finishing techniques!- and …
Notions: Top Stitching
Top Stitching- sometimes know as Edge Stitching- is as simple as it sounds however; there are a couple things you can do to make it a little easier and more professional looking. The first is to attach your Zipper Foot. This will allow you to see a lot more of what you are stitching and, as you can see from …
Notions: Interfacing Guide (from Amy Butler!)
Having just stumbled across this, I thought I would resume my occasional series of sharing Notions’ from other Blogs and this was just too good to not share!I am currently teaching a Men’s Shirt Course (click here to read more on that), so Interfacing is a hot topic for me at the moment! Below I have included the most common …
Notions: Troubleshooting Tips
I have just stumbled across this amazing Sewing Machine Troubleshooting Poster on Pinterest, so today’s Notions will concentrate on some of the many tiny issues you can have when Machine Sewing whether you are a new Sewer or experienced. Once you know how to deal with the little issues, you will find it becomes a part of the way you …