Guides, tutorials, tips, and tricks.
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The sewing pattern for May’s installment of Project #SewMyStyle is the Cali Faye Collection Pocket skirt. For me, it’s been the most difficult pattern so far (keep reading for details on why!). […]
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Sewists have good reason to sweat over buying an iron. A good iron for sewing is as important as a good sewing machine for professional results. If you’re on the market for an iron for sewing, keep reading to discover which features matter most to sewists and my top five iron picks that won’t break the bank! […]
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I am sergerless. At Van Handel Headquarters, I’m sewing knits with a sewing machine. And, for the most part, sewing knits without a serger works just swell for me. I’ve sewn scuba knit, sweatshirt fleece, ponte, heavy sweater knit, cotton spandex, and more on my Babylock Elizabeth machine and been happy with the results. And then I sewed my Bridgetown backless dress. And I scowled a lot. That experience inspired an epic sewing experiment. […]
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Scuba knit fabric is having a moment. It’s showing up at my local Jo-Ann, and Threads magazine ran a big scuba knit article in late 2016. I used scuba knit to sew the Victory Patterns Jackie dress. I’d never worked with scuba, and it took some research to figure out best pressing practices. That’s when I decided to write all MY tips for working with scuba fabric. So, dear sewing friends, keep reading to learn scuba knit basics, how to press scuba knit, and more tips for working with scuba fabric. […]
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I’ve got sewing patterns for yoga clothes on the brain. That’s because I’m participating in a month-long yoga challenge. (If you’re interested, it’s Yoga Revolution, hosted by Yoga with Adriene, and it’s good stuff! Join the fun!) Every day this year, I’ve hit the yoga mat, and every day, I’ve thought about yoga sewing patterns. […]
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If you’ve thought about upgrading your sewing table situation but didn’t know where to start — and you’re a Type A personality who loves to do research and make lists — this sewing table buying guide is especially for you. (If you’re a Type B personality who’s a more laid back, you probably won’t get […]
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When I started a chemo quilt (see above) for my mom, it was quilt No. 2 in my quilting career. An expert quilter I was/am not. I made a lot of mistakes, which are the world’s greatest teachers. I have to be honest, though — there are many quilting tips for beginners that I wish […]
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Along with stirring up autumn leaves, the nippy fall breeze also has brought us anorak patterns! This autumn, there are two new anorak pattern releases on the indie sewing scene: Kelly, from Closet Case Patterns, and Lonetree, the first solo pattern from Indiesew co-founder, Allie Olson. These two fresh jacket patterns join Sewaholic’s beloved Minoru, […]
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Follow my blog with Bloglovin Sewing machines, quilt patterns, and fabric, oh my! It’s the 2016 Original Sewing and Quilt Expo. The Original Sewing and Quilt Expo is a three-day event that offers workshops, demos, a shoppable trade show, and more. The expo delivers creative inspiration and skill-building classes to sewists in eight U.S. cities. […]
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1: Helen’s Closet 2: 101 Creations 3: Helen’s Closet 4: Seamwork 5: SeamstressErin Designs 6: Indiesew Line swimsuit illustration: Closet Case Files I recently wrapped on the Reno halter swim top and high-waisted Dakota swim bottoms from Seamwork magazine. As I sewed, I wished there were a single place to check out lots of different […]