The needle you use in your sewing machine can make the difference between perfection and a disaster. Use the wrong needle, a damaged needle or a worn needle and you could end up with broken threads, holes, uneven stitches, puckers and possibly even permanently damaged fabric. To keep your seams straight and your collars curvy, […]
Tailoring Tricks, Part 2
Fusibles Fusible interfacings are de rigueur for today’s tailoring aficionados. They are easy to apply and a great option for building structure and shape into a tailored garment without laborious hand stitching. Types of Fusibles Wovens have lengthwise and crosswise threads that make them stable in both directions. If they’re cut on the bias, they […]
Sewing Basics: Fabric Grainline
Fabric grain refers to the direction in which the threads run. It’s important for the lengthwise and crosswise threads to meet at right angles, or the project will twist or hang crooked. Do you understand fabric grain, why it is important and how to work with it? This video will tell you everything you need […]
How to Sew Bias Strips Together
Our short video on using the Bias Tape Tool will show you how to make your own bias tape, but do you know how to join your fabric to create the bias strips? This video will show you how. ~© ASG; Sheryl Belson, Plano Chapter
Tailoring Tricks, Part 1
So, you want to tailor a coat or jacket, but you’re not sure what that involves, but willing to take the leap. There are basically two types of tailoring: traditional work with tedious hand stitching or fusible tailoring where you let technology do the “stitching” for you. While the former is worthy of the effort, […]
Serger Rolled Hem
Perhaps you use your serger only for making neatly finished seams—but there’s so many other things you can do with it. One of my favorites is a rolled hem. Whether you’re creating beautiful edges on napkins or silk scarves, or delicate hems on lingerie, the rolled hem is perfect to hide any “pokies” of thread […]
Learn to Sew: Knowing the Nap
Napped fabrics are normally cut so that the nap runs down the garment, from the top down toward the lower hem. This feels softer, and the fabric tends to pill less and wear better. However, when the nap runs up, the color is richer. Short-nap fabrics, such as corduroy and velour, can be cut with […]
How to make your own bias tape
Bias tape is most often used to finish the edges of garments, especially along curved edges like armholes and necklines. But it can also be used as a decorative element on garments (think pockets and hems for example) or on other projects, like handbags, quilts, table runners and Christmas stockings. You can purchase packaged bias […]
Button and Buttonhole Positioning
Button and buttonhole placements can sometimes be confusing. If the button and buttonhole are placed incorrectly, the garment may be too tight, too loose, or create gaping. The number of buttons on the garment is suggested on your pattern envelope, but it’s up to your personal preference or need. A good guide to start placing […]
Guide for Seam Finishes
You have all of your supplies ready, you’ve adjusted your pattern, cut your fabric and you’re ready to start sewing. Before you sit down at the machine, have you thought about the best seam finish to use for your fabric? This post will help you to choose the best method to assure your seams are […]
Care and Feeding of your Sewing Machine
As much as we love sewing, some tasks aren’t quite as much fun as others, but they’re no less important. One of those tasks–cleaning your sewing machine. If you allow dust, lint and thread to build up in the machine, you’re asking for trouble, so make a point to clean it on a regular basis. […]
Hemming Jeans – the Denim Blues
Perhaps you searched long and hard for the perfect fitting jeans, but alas, they’re too long! Or maybe you painstakingly created a custom pair and it’s time to hem them. Either way, you’re in the thick of it—literally! The hem area of jeans can be up to eight layers thick, depending on how the side […]
Learn to Sew: What Does Right Sides Together Mean?
What does it mean when a sewing pattern says to place the “right sides together”? Watch this 2 minute video to learn the meaning.
Learn to Sew: What is Seam Allowance?
What is a seam allowance? Watch this 2 minute video to find out.
Learn to Sew: Backstitching
There is more than one way to secure the ends of a seamline. Watch this video to learn three ways to secure seam ends.
