~skirt #108 burda 1/2010~

March 23, 2010.Reading time 4 minutes.

I bought the January 2010 BurdaStyle magazine! Even though I am a patternmaker, I’m using a commercial pattern – am I allowed to do that?! I feel like I am cheating! But if it saves time, why not, plus I can help others by blogging about it! I used to sew from Burda and Neue Mode magazines […]

~interweave crochet, winter 2009~

March 22, 2010.Reading time 4 minutes.

Recently I purchased a copy of Interweave Crochet (W09) for the first time. I’ve often scanned it at the counter in my LYS but have never actually bought one, because there wasn’t anything I immediately wanted to knit (that’s my magazine buying criteria!) But this time there were 2 neat little jumpers vying for my […]

~tricks of the trade: easy french seams~

March 18, 2010.Reading time 2 minutes.

French seams are used on fine and sheer fabrics, and they give a more attractive finish than simply overlocking. However they can be a bit fiddly and many sewers give up on them, but here is a way to get perfect seams even with the wigglyest of fabrics! Here my total seam allowance is 10mm, […]

Tricks of the Trade: Mitre a Double Fold Hem

March 17, 2010.Reading time 3 minutes.

For some designs you need to hem a corner of fabric, and following are step-by-step instructions on how to neatly mitre the corner. This is my favourite method of finishing hems on fine or drapy fabrics, particularly viscose. It gives a quality finish inside and out, with no ugly overlocking to be seen! Lay the corner that […]

How to Blockfuse for Sewing Success

March 15, 2010.Reading time 5 minutes.

Blockfusing is one sewing technique that you can’t afford not to learn! Compared to the traditional method it is quicker, more accurate, makes for easier handling, and gives more professional results. It is how we fuse things in the garment industry and is very simple – instead of cutting individual pieces and then fusing them together, […]