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Musings on Fast Fashion and the Meaning of Making
As a home sewer, I’m constantly in search of a better, more professional looking finish for my garments. Until recently, in my mind, professional meant unswervingly neat; pristine seams, imperceptibly tiny stitches, and perfectly concealed raw edges. It was this Dior bodice I saw in the V&A that really got me thinking. Beautifully laid open…
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Exploring the Flat Fell Seam
My first attempt at a flat-fell seam fell, well, a little flat. The seams of most jeans and men’s dress shirts are often felled, as it makes for a sturdy finish, with all raw edges enclosed, even on the inside. Here’s a familiar example. This seemed like a gorgeously romantic notion to me when I…
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How to cross stitch
Cross stitch is fun and simple, and a nice way to get into sewing or crafting. A small cross stitch sampler makes a great gift, piece of wall art, or greeting card. This tutorial will show you the basic stuff you need and techniques you need to know to get stitching! Stuff you need Embroidery…
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Sewing stretch fabric
Sewing stretch fabric can be a somewhat daunting prospect, but it need not be difficult! I took on my first experiment with sewing stretch fabric recently when I made a basic knit T-shirt for a friend. Overlocker or regular sewing machine? The great thing about most stretch fabrics is that the edges do not usually…
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Pleated picnic skirt
Sewing Pattern Review of Burda 02/2013 #133 For my latest creation, I tackled this Burda sewing pattern that I dug up out of the magazines I had. Although it’s quite a full skirt when completed, and has the appearance of complexity with the pleats and buttoned belt, it’s actually all rather simple in its construction.…
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Things to make out of old t-shirts
Here’s a tutorial that will teach you how to turn a couple of old t-shirts into some fun and quirky cushion covers. 1. For this tutorial, all you need is a few old t-shirts, some cushion inners and a sewing machine. 2. Turn your t-shirt inside out and sew up the bottom edges. 3. Place…
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Dress-making without an official pattern
Making a DIY dress pattern This is something I would never have attempted in the past, but have found to be rather exhilarating. I bought a beautiful abstract polka dot print on a whim, and since I had nothing particular in mind for it, I thought I’d try out sewing on the fly. The feeling…
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A foray into French seams
A short and easy French seams tutorial French seams are so enviably neat and stylish, I just had to try them for myself. And seriously, it sounds way fancier than it is. It takes just 3 steps to do, and a little bit of practice to master. Put your pieces of fabric together wrong sides…
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Les Sylphides: make a Romantic tutu
Sew a ballet tutu There are quite a few ballet tutu tutorials out there (say that 6 times, fast), but many of them teach you how to NOT sew a tutu. So this is my small attempt at filling a gap in the Internet. Materials About 6 or 7m white tulle or veiling White cotton…
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Fabric shopping in Cape Town
There’s little I enjoy more than spending a morning exploring fabric shops, breathing in the fresh crisp smell of cotton, running my fingers along the bolts, and indulging my love for pattern. Last week, I was on a mission to find some fabric shops in Cape Town that stocked beautiful quilters cotton. I was looking…
