There are times when you want to add a bit of texture and fun to a project, but you may not be quite sure what to do. Think about encasing something under tulle, which serves to hold it in place and protect the addition at the same time. What to encase? Depending on the project […]
Decorative Stitches: Accenting a Print
Who doesn’t love a great print fabric? But, sometimes, it might “just need a little something” to make it pop. Enter the myriad decorative stitches found in your sewing machine…those that often sit unused and those you’ve always wanted to use but didn’t quite know where. Accenting a print is easy! Just look at the […]
Suit-ability: Repurposing Suits for Other Projects
Not all fabric we use in our projects comes from the fabric store—some comes from our own closets or from the closets of others near and dear. Have you noticed in the past few years that there are fewer and fewer men wearing suits? Blame it on the popular work-from-home phenomena or simply the trend […]
Pick-up Sticks: Creating Artistic Fabric
Perhaps you remember that challenging childhood game of pick-up sticks where you had to carefully remove a stick without disturbing the others around it? Well, that nostalgic game has inspired a fun sewing technique showcasing brightly colored channels inset at various angles onto a base fabric. Whether you use this technique to create artistic fabric […]
Fabric Sources: Other Living Things
This article is Part 2 of the Fabric Sources: Living Things series Plants (part 1) | Plants (part 2) Living Things: Silk | Living Things: Wool | Other Living Things Minerals: Acrylics, Polyester, & Nylon (part 1) | Minerals: Spandex and Rayon (part 2) There are other fabrics we haven’t yet covered that are usually […]
Grams Per Square Meter – Why Does It Matter?
GSM stands for grams per square meter and is a standard industry-wide method of measurement of the density or weight of a fabric. (In the US, because we haven’t embraced the metric system of measurement, you might see this measured as oz/sq yard.) The GSM measurement is not thread count, which is a different method […]
Fabric Sources: Wool
This article is Part 2 of the Fabric Sources: Living Things series Plants (part 1) | Plants (part 2) Living Things: Silk | Living Things: Wool | Other Living Things Minerals: Acrylics, Polyester, & Nylon (part 1) | Minerals: Spandex and Rayon (part 2) When you think of wool, you probably think of sheep, but […]
Fabric Sources: Plants (part 2)
This is article 2 of a multi-part series focusing on three categories of fabric – fabric made from plants, from living beings, and from minerals. Part 2 covers some of the more unusual and unexpected plants that are used to create fabric. Plants (part 1) | Plants (part 2) Living Things: Silk | Living Things: […]
Fabric Sources: Plants (part 1)
This is article 1 of a multi-part series focusing on three categories of fabric – fabric made from plants, from living things, and from minerals. This month – plants! Plants (part 1) | Plants (part 2) Living Things: Silk | Living Things: Wool | Other Living Things Minerals: Acrylics, Polyester, & Nylon (part 1) | […]
Matching Fabric Patterns Across Seams
Ever wondered how to line-up/match the pattern of your fabric across seams? This 1-minute tutorial is a sure fire way to get it right!
Selvages: On the Edge
What is the selvage? Selvages are the edges of woven fabrics—the place where the weft (crosswise) threads turn around to form the next row during the weaving process. Some selvages are thicker than the fabric itself, as often there are more threads per inch at the edges to help keep the edges straight during the […]
Working with Pre-Cut Fabrics
If you’re a quilter, chances are you’re familiar with pre-cut fabric groupings, but if you’re not a quilter, the term may be new to you. Pre-Cuts Explained Most manufacturers offer their lines in coordinated groupings of various numbers of fabrics—often including prints, solids and perhaps dots or stripes that all go together. For those reticent […]
Fireside Chat: Shankari Paradee
We hope you enjoy this 25 minute chat with Shankari (a.k.a. Sewl Sister) as she talks about making quilts and memory bears with a plan for zero waste. Her goal is to live in a world with no landfill fabric. We think you will enjoy her story and be inspired! Visit the Sewl Sister website […]
Border Prints 101
When shopping for fabric, we’re accustomed to seeing rows of bolts with an allover print. But look a little deeper and you’ll find some with unique features—border prints! Border prints are fun to work with and allow you to showcase this print feature in creative ways. What is a border print? Instead of a fabric […]
Sewing Basics: Fabric Terms
What is the one item that you absolutely must have for every sewing project you will ever do? It’s fabric, of course! Since the fabric you choose will have a significant impact on how your finished project turns out, it can help to have an understanding of how fabric is woven so that you can […]
