Nothing can add more pizzazz to a table setting than some fun fabric napkins. Whether you choose a whimsical quilting cotton, a solid linen, an ethnic print, or an elegant home décor fabric, napkins add a colorful accent. There are several ways to finish the edges of your napkins, and we’ve talked about some previously […]

Outdoor shade fabrics can create comfortable and shaded spaces in gardens, patios, and other outdoor areas. Frequently used for commercial shade sails, pergola covers, canopies, tents, and awnings, DIY enthusiasts can also purchase the fabric in rolls and easily and inexpensively create shade wherever it’s needed. While providing shade is its typical use, shade cloth […]

Ah, hem Whether you prefer to hem your garments by hand or machine is a matter of preference but sewing machine manufacturers have risen to the latter cause by including a blind hem stitch on most models. It may be one of those quirky-looking stitches you don’t often use, but creating an invisible hem on […]

Fold-over elastic (also known as FOE) is one of those notions that, once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. It’s a versatile, latex-free product that functions similarly to bias binding to finish a raw edge, with the added benefit of stretch and recovery so it keeps the edge up against […]

Paris has been a center of art, literature, and fashion since the 18th century and was the first country in the world to export fashion. By the mid-19th century, Charles Worth developed the first haute couture business in Paris, presenting fashion on live mannequins. Wealthy women came to his shop to be measured and to […]

Are you ready to dive into the fun world of sewing and quilting jargon? Every industry seems to have its acronyms and abbreviations, and sewing and quilting are no exception to that. If you’re not familiar with the term, an acronym is a word formed from the initial letters or groups of letters of words […]

To add an easy heirloom look to a child’s dress, use two pre-made, hemstitched linen placemats on the collar and cuffs.  Two placemats will provide enough fabric for the collar, cuffs, corded piping, covered buttons, and even a matching headband. Supplies 2 Linen placemats Commercial dress pattern with high bodices front and back Dress fabric […]

Sometimes all it takes to make a task easier is just a little bit of information or a short helpful hint. As members of the American Sewing Guild, that’s what the alliance is all about—sharing better and easier ways to do things. So let’s look at some helpful hints and tips to make our sewing lives […]

Creating a custom tablecloth for your round dining table not only adds a personalized touch to your home decor but can also be the base to transform an “ugly duckling” table to a touch of elegance. Whether you’re looking to enhance your dining experience for everyday meals, are hosting a special occasion, or sprucing up […]

I’ve heard about using stay tape when sewing on knits, but I don’t really know how. Can you help? Stay tape is used to keep seamlines from stretching, especially on knit fabrics, but also on loosely woven fabrics. Without stay tape, some seams can ripple and distort during stitching, especially those on the crosswise grain […]

You see it everywhere—dresses, pillows, linens, aprons and more. Rickrack is a simple braided trim that forms a zigzag pattern and it’s been around since the 1800s. Fashion historians note that rickrack was originally used on feedsack dresses and to help improve the look of garments made from reused fabrics. Today’s rickrack is usually 100% […]

If your necklines gape, drape, or pull where they shouldn’t, pattern adjustments are needed. When working with a new pattern, it’s often a good idea to create a muslin first so that you can make any adjustments that may be necessary before cutting in to your fashion fabric. Try on the muslin bodice to find […]