Category: intermediate sewing techniques (original)

6: seam finishes

When a seam is left raw it’s more likely to fray.  Finishing your seams not only helps keep them from fraying, but it also keeps it secure and tidy.  We’re going to go over 5 simple seam finishes. Use 10 sample rectangles to practice the following seam finishes: OVERSTITCH (ZIG ZAG) The overstitch seam finish […]

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5: gather

Gathering is used all the time.  It’s usually just decorative (like ruffles), but sometimes gathers can add fullness for practical reasons (like a gathered skirt for comfort). It’s really easy to do.  There are countless ways to gather fabric, including specialty gathering presser feet for your machine, but the method we’ll go over here is […]

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***ahem*** skirt

The possibilities are endless when your skirt’s hem is made in contrasting bias tape. Get it?  The name of the skirt is ahem, like the hem of the skirt.  Plus, it walks in the room and says, “***ahem*** I just got here, and check out my skirt, I”m just sayin.” It can be sized for […]

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4: bias tape

The bias runs at a 45 degree angle on your fabric. It’s the stretchiest part on the fabric, which is why you use it to make bias tape, so it can stretch around corners and curves when you’re binding something. First, locate the 45 degree marking on your clear rotary ruler. Line that marking up […]

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bowl cover

For all those times when you need to transport that salad bowl (or more realistically, that snack bowl) from point A to point B.  For all those times when said, uh… salad ends up on the car floor mat.  Yes, I know you can buy plastic, disposable covers… but these are more eco-friendly, and if […]

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