by Kathleen Fasanella 

"Sewing itself is very fast so why does it take so long to get finished product out the door and why does it cost so much? As I mentioned in my book, you can have a…

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Many patterns feature jackets that don't have linings. But if you are used to wearing one with a lining, you will know the advantages. A lining covers up all the unsightly seams inside and eliminates the need to finish those seams. A lining helps the jacket keep its shape better. It provides more warmth if you need it. And, one of the nicest things, the lining makes the jacket slip on and off with ease over any item of…

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Many patterns call for pockets that are sewn right into the side seam. If these are well-done, they lie flat against the body and don't break the line of the skirt or pants. But sometimes, these pockets stick out from the sides and the result is not so pleasing. How do we sew these guys in the best way possible?…

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Quilted Cushion Top

The objective of this tutorial is to provide an introduction to quilting for beginning quilters, equipping them…

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Hello,

This is my first post to the group.

I have a Husqvarna Viking Platinum 770. Lately the tension is terrible. It doesn't matter what needle, fabric or thread I use after sewing a seam I can take the bobbin thread and pull the stitching out like it was…

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If you've ever checked out my blog you'll know I love to change things up,  my Hand-Me-Down Horror series has been all about buying yucky or just plain boring clothes and making them into something I'd be proud to wear. Hack off those sleeves, raise that hemline and bob's your uncle a cute custom…

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Trula of "Trula Kids" offers a fabulous photo tutorial showing how to make a stylish button fly.

Get the tutorial.

 …

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Susan just wanted you to know that I absolutely loveeeeeeeee the videos you are showing now! they are sooooooo informative. I had nooooo idea that a flat felled seam was so simple to do! thanks so much for all the informative things you do for us! Linda

The design was so easy to put together, Jenny of "Wildcards" thought someone else might like to try. And if you’re like her when it comes to your feet, you just might like…

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by Vanessa Smith



If you read my custom fabric button article, I showed you how to change the buttons on a plain black jacket. The buttons were a good start, but it needed more work. So I decided to add another fast and easy technique. I made my own colorful and unique cording to embellish the jacket. Not only is this cording technique great for embellishing clothing, it can be used for purse straps, to make jewelry, and to embellish other…

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Hi fellow creators! Just wanted to leave a note saying that I finished the blouse last night, and before I hemmed it, I decided to slip it on and check the fit. Now, I am a lover of loose, comfortable, but cute clothes. This blouse, however, did not fit into any of those categories! Whenever I add a section of fabric that is to be gathered, in the past, I didn't measure how much width I needed. I just cut out a large rectangle, and if it was sssuuupppeeerrr gathered, that was… Continue

[photo from Colette Patterns]



Sarai of Colette Patterns shows how to add vintage detailing to your garments with a fagoted seam. This technique joins two fabric pieces with a litle gap showcasing a f**** stitch. A fagoted seam is a decorative seam that joins two pieces of fabric together with a space between them and a row of hand stitching. It’s a very pretty detail seen most often in vintage clothing. It’s easy to incorporate this kind of… Continue

Everyone should have some basic sewing skills and own some basic sewing supplies. A tiny rip in a hem, or loose button, should never result in a discarded garment. Review some basic sewing tips if you forget how to sew on a button because minor issues are easy to fix, as long as you simply own a needle and some thread.



To make a simple sewing and/or mending kit, start with a lidded container to hold everything in. You need a basic set of sewing… Continue

By Marian Lewis



When you sew, why do you backstitch when you begin and end a seam?



Most of you backstitch because someone on your sewing learning path said you should do that to keep your seams from coming apart.



Well, now, I want you to forget that reverse button and listen to some common sense stuff!



When you backstitch, you go forward, back and forward again, right? That puts 3 layers of stitching at the beginning and end of every… Continue

By Marian Lewis



Here is a sewing tip to help all zigzag sewing machine owners learn how to sew. Did you know that you can eliminate rolled up looking edges when you use a zigzag stitch to finish your seams in your sewing?



Here is how to sew a zigzag stitch over an edge and keep it laying flat.



Cut a piece of button and carpet thread or heavy string about 3 inches longer than the length of the seam you want to finish with a zigzag edge.



Then, set your… Continue

A seam is the joint between the two parts of a garment. For the perfect fitting and look of the garment seam appearance and its strength has to be proper. Many factors like appropriate sewing, needle size and its type, fabrics used and its weight, stitches done on the garment, seam construction and tension level of thread influences the strength of seam.



Seam strength testing is basically an examination of the amount of pressure required to tear or break the seam of the… Continue

Many sewing projects that you encounter will have you sewing two panels of fabric together creating a seam. Unless you have a serger, the edges of your seam are going to be ragged and possibly unraveling.



If you're sewing a lined drapery panel or sewing a pillow, or a sewing project where the seams will end up being hidden, then the ragged edges are no big deal. But what if you plan on sewing a sheer drapery panel? Those seams would look unsightly. What do you… Continue