I created a cute chart for quiltmakers and quilters to use as a handy resource showing standard quilt sizes. This downloadable chart shows standard mattress sizes as well as suggested quilt widths and lengths.
Sewing for charity is a great way to help others. Here's 12 sewing charities to helps right now perfect for sewing beginners up to seasoned sewists.
Last week I posted an image on Instagram of a jacket I wanted to use as inspiration for a long Tamarack Jacket and you guys went wild. So many of you wanted to make Tamaracks with me that I'm officially announcing the Tamarack Society Sew-Along! This won't be a standard sew-along since that already exists here, but rather a group of us sewing either Tamaracks as drafted, or altered at the same time. I'm hoping we can offer each other encouragement, support, and lots of fun - hence the word society! This week I'll be talking about what my plans are, as well as sharing a list of supplies you'll need to create your own, including an easy way to estimate yardage if you're lengthening your jacket also. I've also made a discount code for the event, for the next week you can use TAMARACKSOCIETY at checkout to receive 15% off* the printed or PDF pattern! I think we'll also use the hashtag #tamaracksociety on Instagram so we can keep up with each other's progress. Now is the perfect time to get going on a jacket like this, it looks like it takes a while but it's really pretty quick and you'll be able to wear it a ton before the really cold weather sets in! Now to talk about my plans for the sew-along! I'll be referencing the jacket to the right above for my long Tamarack. I absolutely love the quilting pattern on this one as well as the grey/black combo, though it'll definitely be a dog hair magnet. Oh well! I've outlined my main pattern adjustments above and they're nothing too difficult. I think the double welts will probably be the most intensive part of that list, but still not a big deal. As for the fabric, I'm going to use quilting cotton for mine and I think I'm not going to pre-wash it. That way it will shrink up a bit and puff out like the inspiration jacket fabric does and also how quilts do! Because of that I'll likely go up one size from my measurements, so I'll be making a 8 bust/10 hip rather than a 6 bust/8 hip. I'm undecided on whether I'll pair the black binding with Gotham or Charcoal and I'm also debating a black and white gingham lining. The only thing I worry about with the gingham is not being able to see the awesome stitching patterns from the inside of the coat, but also, does that matter? It's the inside of the coat! So that's what I'm thinking for my Tamarack Society Sew-Along jacket! I'm going to draft out my changes and I'll be back Wednesday with tools, supplies, and how to calculate your new yardage if you're lengthening your jacket. In the meantime let me know what you're thinking, or upload a photo of your ideas & inspiration to Instagram and tag @grainlinestudio or use the hashtag #tamaracksociety so that I can see what you're planning!! * Discount is for retail customers only and does not apply to wholesale orders. Discount does not apply to shipping costs and must be applied at checkout prior to payment. Offer ends Sunday, September 30th at 11:59 CDT.
Learning to sew gives you the chance to create a wardrobe full of clothes that fit you and your style, but sewing also has so many positive mental benefits!
Pattern Grading - How To Scale A Pattern Up And Down. Scale a sewing pattern easily! Pattern grading - how to scale a pattern up and down
There are lots of web sites to learn crafts & cooking. But, I didnt find any web site where you can learn how to make your own basic sewing pattern. So I thought I should share my knowledge with you ladies, who want to start or to try out sewing...
In today's post: Learn how to make a cute skirt from an oversized shirt. When I was a kid, sewing your own clothes was always cheaper than buying clothes at the store. But fabric is
Selling quilts can be a difficult, as it's harder to find customers willing to pay the true price of a handmade quilt. These 6 steps will help you succeed.
Eager to know which is the best sewing machine for beginners? We've reviewed some top models from the reputed brands in the market! Check them out
Are you a sewing beginner? I want to help sewing beginners avoid the mistakes I made so you will have an awesome sewing experience & avoid these 20 mistakes
Who doesn’t love those illustrated ecards that float around the internet? I’ve seen so many funny sewing ecards, but often when I want to find them again, I can’t. So I went to the Someecards site and below I’ve compiled for you the best selection of sewing humor I found there. You can click on...Read More
You might have noticed that I've been posting a little less than usual the last couple of weeks. My freelance graphic design work is really keeping me busy and I just haven't had the time to blog. I'm still sneaking in a little bit of sewing and instagramming . Even though I'm busy with
Sometimes you just need some simple fun for an evening and this activity is perfect for a relaxing night. If you've got a child who is just getting into sewing try out this Mad Lib for some low stress fun! Print this Sewing Mad Libs Printable PDF for yourself or for your next sewing bee and you'll have so much fun filling out and reading your responses. Just have them fill out the nouns, adjectives, and verbs before reading them and soon you'll have a hilarious story to tell! Mad Libs are always fun and even the most simple of stories can become something so outrageous you'll want to share them with everyone. Because this funny Mad Libs printable is sewing-specific, it's a fun group activity for your next sewing bee or to send your sewing friends. It's equally fun for children, too, especially if they sew or want to start.
Eager to know which is the best sewing machine for beginners? We've reviewed some top models from the reputed brands in the market! Check them out
One thing you very quickly realise when you own an AccuQuilt is that you want to cut anything and everything with it! So, I thought it would be a useful post to share how you can use an AccuQuilt for any quilt pattern. Well, just about any quilt pattern! I’m using one of my most […]
Are you considering joining and sewing up a garment for Sew Twists and Ties, but feel like you need a bit of extra support or guidance? If so, this post is for you! I've rounded up a ton of fabulous resources for sewing twist, knot and tie garments. There are several sewalongs for patterns fitting the theme, as well as a wealth of tutorials, pattern hacks and drafting instructions if you want to modify an existing pattern to meet the Sew Twists and Ties challenge! I'm sure I haven't captured every resource out there, but there is so much here to help you along on your twist, knot and tie sewing adventures. Enjoy! Sewalongs Scroll through these sewalongs for tips and tricks about sewing these fabulous patterns! Cashmerette has a sewalong for her Cedar Dolman top, which works great as activewear or as a casual everyday top! Megan Nielsen has a sewalong for the Jarrah, including a specific post on sewing up the tie hem version. Jennifer Laurence Handmade has a full sewalong for her cute, summery Hunter Tank. Brittany J. Jones has a fabulous Sew With Me video tutorial to help you through the tricky bits of McCall's 7429 twist dress, and one for the Simplicity 8601 tie blouse, too! Measure Twice, Cut Once hosted a sewalong for the Named Beverly Twisted Bikini. Tuesday Stitches has a super in-depth sewalong for the Nautilus Swimsuit. Rad Patterns hosted a sewalong for their Knot Your Average Shirt and Dress, complete with video tutorials. It's not a full sewalong, but Striped Swallow Designs has a video tutorial to walk you through the tricky part of the Harbor Knot pattern. Pattern Hacks and Tutorials Thinking about hacking an existing pattern from your stash to feature a tie detail or designing your own twist or tie garment? Try one of these pattern hacks or tutorials: Melly Sews has several helpful pattern hack tutorials for twists and ties, including sewing a knot shirt and a tie back sundress! Athina Kakou has a great tutorial on adding a tie front to her Sheona pattern, but it would also work for most t-shirt patterns. Hey June has a tie sleeve hack tutorial that could work with any sleeved pattern. Hey June also has a great tie front hack for any t-shirt pattern! There is a great tutorial for a knotted twist front kimono on Bernina's blog. Kim Dave has a fabulous series of videos on drafting your own twist front dress pattern and then sewing it up. Seamwork has a couple of hacks for its twist and tie patterns, the Lane dress and Sky jumpsuit, including a cool twisted waist version of the Lane, pictured above. It's Always Autumn has a free pattern for a slouchy tie front sweater as well as a twist knot tee for your sewing pleasure. So Sew Easy has a free pattern and a video sewalong for a twist front dress.
If you've ever sewn with dry cracked hands, you know how bad it is when fabric clings to your skin like velcro. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it can also cause your fabric to tangle or bunch up and make sewing difficult. Sewing is a delicate process that requires precise movements. If your hands are dry and cracked, it can be difficult to grip the fabric and get a precise stitch. It's so important to moisturize our skin regularly, and hand cream is an essential part of any skincare routine. In addition to keeping our hands soft and supple, hand cream can also help to seal in moisture and protect our hands from the elements.
How to Sew a Scrunchie in just a few minutes. We show you with step by step pictures how to sew a scrunchie that you and your hair will love!
Sewing for charity is a great way to help others. Here's 12 sewing charities to helps right now perfect for sewing beginners up to seasoned sewists.
Looking for some easy sewing projects? Here’s a list of 50 fun and quick items you can make even if you are a sewing novice.
If you are wondering what is a stretch stitch and how to stitch stretch fabric check out my sewing tutorial on stretch stitch on a sewing machine, learn how to do a triple stretch stitch,
Here's a roundup of 10 free sewing patterns for beginners, to cover all parts of your wardrobe (including tops, skirts, dresses, pants, jumpsuits and coats). These sewing patterns are great for beginners because they come with detailed instructions, have loose silhouettes (to avoid fitting issues)
Whether you’ve been eyeing off sewing for a while as your next hobby to dive into, you’ve just received a brand new sewing machine, or even if you’ve been swamped and unable to sit down with that pile of fabulous fabrics to start your sewing journey, you’ll want to read this blog post first! You’re
Today I want to share some ideas that might help beginner sewists along the way. These are 15 things I wish I knew when I started sewing.
Sewing is often a slow process. It is so easy to let your imagination wander when you are choosing a design for your new dress, or fabric and a pattern to use in your next project. It takes a lot of time also to prepare the pattern, to cut the fabric, to sew all seams and press them. And usually we can’t sew all day long. So I am always looking for ways to be more efficient and sew faster. I don’t want to stay with one project for a few weeks, I noticed actually that the less time it takes from an idea to the result the more I am enjoying the process and I am also more satisfied with my garment. Over the years I discovered many ways to sew faster and to get professional results. I am going to share them with you in this list.
In this sewing tutorial, I am trying to summarize why I love sewing, why sewing is important, the advantages of sewing with organic and natural fabrics in the modern world, health benefits of sewing.
I have made so many Hudson pants over the years that I could sew them in my sleep. I have found that every year I need to make a few new pairs for me or my kids and I often batch sew them so I can cut and sew multiple pairs in a fraction of the time. I will say, don't batch sew them until you have made a couple pairs first and checked the fit, but once you have that dialed in, batch sewing is a great option. I often share my batch sewed Hudsons on instagram and get requests for the process so I thought it would fun to sew up three pairs of Mini Hudson pants for my kids to show you. You can definitely use the womens and mens patterns as well when batch sewing since the instructions are identical for all three, I just happened to need mini versions this time around. For fabric I used three beautiful colors of french terry and matching ribbing from I See Fabric. They offered to gift me the fabric to try out and I thought this would be the perfect pairing. I am very impressed with the fabric. Gorgeous, on trend colors that are hard to find and the fabric is super soft and feels like great quality. I've already put in another order on my own dime. OK, let's get sewing. Because I am batch sewing them I forgo coordinating thread for my serger. I put gray in and used it for all three pairs. If you are using your sewing machine you will want to do the same thing for your thread. You still need matching thread for the buttonholes and topstitching, but we will wait til the end to switch those out. Next we sew all of the pockets. Start by ironing the pocket bands and then following all steps for pockets. At the end, line your fronts up like so to make sure all is good and you have a right and left for each . Now, take each back leg and sew up the outer and inside seams and line them all up again. Take each right and left leg and sew up the crotch seams as the instructions say.. Then line them up. Let's finish everything else we can before we need to use our coordinating thread. Start by sewing up the cuffs. Turn them right side out and fold them in half. Give them a press. While at the iron, go ahead and apply the interfacing to the waistband to prepare for the buttonholes. Put the waistband aside and sew each cuff on. Now it's time to switch to your matching thread. I only put it in the top (not the bobbin) to make it easier, but that is up to you. You are going to finish each pair of pant at this point, switch out the thread, and finish the next. I am going to do my pink pair first by sewing on the buttonholes. Next I sew the waistband on, insert the elastic, and then finish by sewing the drawstring topstitching on the waistband and adding in the drawstring. Finish up your other pairs and that is it. Much faster than sewing them each up individually.
Last week I posted an image on Instagram of a jacket I wanted to use as inspiration for a long Tamarack Jacket and you guys went wild. So many of you wanted to make Tamaracks with me that I'm officially announcing the Tamarack Society Sew-Along! This won't be a standard sew-along since that already exists here, but rather a group of us sewing either Tamaracks as drafted, or altered at the same time. I'm hoping we can offer each other encouragement, support, and lots of fun - hence the word society! This week I'll be talking about what my plans are, as well as sharing a list of supplies you'll need to create your own, including an easy way to estimate yardage if you're lengthening your jacket also. I've also made a discount code for the event, for the next week you can use TAMARACKSOCIETY at checkout to receive 15% off* the printed or PDF pattern! I think we'll also use the hashtag #tamaracksociety on Instagram so we can keep up with each other's progress. Now is the perfect time to get going on a jacket like this, it looks like it takes a while but it's really pretty quick and you'll be able to wear it a ton before the really cold weather sets in! Now to talk about my plans for the sew-along! I'll be referencing the jacket to the right above for my long Tamarack. I absolutely love the quilting pattern on this one as well as the grey/black combo, though it'll definitely be a dog hair magnet. Oh well! I've outlined my main pattern adjustments above and they're nothing too difficult. I think the double welts will probably be the most intensive part of that list, but still not a big deal. As for the fabric, I'm going to use quilting cotton for mine and I think I'm not going to pre-wash it. That way it will shrink up a bit and puff out like the inspiration jacket fabric does and also how quilts do! Because of that I'll likely go up one size from my measurements, so I'll be making a 8 bust/10 hip rather than a 6 bust/8 hip. I'm undecided on whether I'll pair the black binding with Gotham or Charcoal and I'm also debating a black and white gingham lining. The only thing I worry about with the gingham is not being able to see the awesome stitching patterns from the inside of the coat, but also, does that matter? It's the inside of the coat! So that's what I'm thinking for my Tamarack Society Sew-Along jacket! I'm going to draft out my changes and I'll be back Wednesday with tools, supplies, and how to calculate your new yardage if you're lengthening your jacket. In the meantime let me know what you're thinking, or upload a photo of your ideas & inspiration to Instagram and tag @grainlinestudio or use the hashtag #tamaracksociety so that I can see what you're planning!! * Discount is for retail customers only and does not apply to wholesale orders. Discount does not apply to shipping costs and must be applied at checkout prior to payment. Offer ends Sunday, September 30th at 11:59 CDT.
Learn how to sew a button quickly and correctly with this photo guide.
Whoever made up the phrase, ‘I can’t sew a straight line,’ makes it sound easy. On the contrary, sewing a straight line is one of the hardest things to master. I’ve been sewing for too many years to count. When I'm having a bad day, I can’t sew straight either!
Embarking on a new sewing project is always an exciting journey, and the desire to dive straight into creating with your fresh, untouched, fabulous fabric is undeniable. However, experienced sewists know that the secret to a successful sewing experience lies in the careful and deliberate steps taken before your toes even hit the sewing machine … Continue reading "5 Surprisingly Simple Tips to Prepare Your Fabric Before Sewing!"
Everything you need to know about what is interfacing in sewing, types of interfacing, how to use interfacing -including interfacing tips you have to know if you sew.
It's easy to learn to sew online with the Cucicucicoo "Sewing Zero to Hero" in 2 Weeks Challenge! In just 14 days you’ll go from being a stranger to your sewing machine to mastering it enough to sew two cool projects for your home and – even cooler - your first custom-made garment: pajama pants!
Pattern cutting is like writing a recipe for a cake (for me that's a chocolate cherry roulade at the moment!).
Every sewist loves sewing patterns, but do you always need one? Here's 7 ways to jump into sewing without a pattern that'll unlock your sewing creativity.
Much like many other complicated new skills, learning how to sew means learning what to do before you sew. When it comes to learning how to prepare fabric for sewing, is prewashing fabric that important? If you are planning on making a big project, you want to make sure you prepare your fabric, pattern, and machine properly before you start sewing up your project. All of these preparations can seem tedious and boring, but it is very important! You want to give your fabric and projects a fighting chance to be flawless! Just like you scrub down your veggies and wash your space before cooking, you need to learn how to wash fabric before sewing! Unlike washing your clothes and linens, washing fabric is a little more complicated. Since your fabric is still very loose and might unravel, you need to learn to make sure you wash your fabric instead of destroying it! Lucky for you, this guide goes over the eternal sewing question: to wash fabric before sewing or not! Once you read our tips for preparing fabric you'll learn everything you need to learn how to wash your fabric. Sign Up For More Free Patterns >>>
