Sew n Sew Blog
Fabric Storage
Why is it important how you store your fabric stash? I think that is very important. If you have your fabric jammed inside a cupboard with doors closed hardly looked at, or still in the shopping bags that it was purchased in not only will you probably forget that you...
My favourite Fabric stores
There are many fabric stores in Australia that you can shop at, instore or online Below is a list of the stores that I have bought Fabric from. There are many more around Australia, so if you have a favourite that is not on the list comment below and I will add it...
Tips on Buying fabric online
Buying fabric online can be a great way of accessing a wider range of options than may be available to you locally. Moreover, shopping from home can save you valuable sewing time… and you don’t even need to get out of your trackie pants. Buying fabric online can be a...
How to choose the perfect Mannequin for sewing
If you’re finding it difficult to buy clothes that fit, and almost always need to make adjustments to sewing patterns so that the end results fit you properly… Then you’ll definitely get a lot of use out of your adjustable dressmaker’s mannequin. Because you can...
You can Learn to sew online
You can learn to sew online. Yes you can learn to sew online sew online, and I want to answer all the questions that I get because learning online can be easy as long as the course is well written and filmed it is easy. "I don't think that I can learn online". I...
Do you know what a Nap is?
Do you know what a fabric nap is? Nooo, it’s not what you see in this image If you use commercial patterns you can see on almost every envelope this: *with nap or **without napIt affects many things: the amount of fabric you need for your project, how the pattern is...
4 Fabrics that are hard to work with
Sometimes, when you see fabric in just the right colour, with a pattern that you have instantly fallen in love with, it can be hard not to buy it. But the truth is that some fabrics are so hard to work with especially if you are a beginner, that only the most...
Choosing fabric as a Beginner
Getting to know fabrics. Choosing fabric is the most important step in sewing a garment. The wrong choice can mean wasted money and disappointment, and we have all been there at some point. Fortunately, there is usually more than one “right” fabric for any sewing...
Easy Pattern Maker
Do you have hundreds of commercial sewing patterns stored in drawers, cupboards, or just cluttering up your sewing room? And do you know most of these you're only ever going to use once. And even if you got them on sale, let's...
Beginners Online sewing course pack
When I decided to produce a Beginners sewing course, one of the things that I wanted to do was provide everything that was required to complete the course. Going into a fabric store to purchase things that you don't understand can be very intimidating. There are so...
Benefits of learning Pattern Making
All of our body shapes are unique, yet the Commercial patterns are all made to standard sizes and you are limited to their designs. If you have decided to make your own clothes you have 2 choices– either make your own patterns or buy commercial sewing patterns. Both...
Advice for buying a sewing machine
Are you on the hunt for a sewing machine? Don’t really know where to begin? The best place to start is by asking yourself the following questions: What do you want to use your sewing machine for? Do you want to: sew clothing, make crafts, do alterations? What can you...
How to insert an invisible zipper
How to insert an Invisible zipper sewing tutorial
How to change the coloured thread on your overlocker
Follow the tutorial and see how easy it is to change the thread to a different colour on your overlocker.
How to make a T-shirt pattern
This can be used for adults and children as long as you have one of their T-shirts. If you cannot get hold of any large pieces of paper you can use NON IRON ON interfacing, or you can stick pieces of copy paper together. Next I am going to demonstrate how to put the...
How to change the needle on your sewing machine
If your sewing machine is skipping stitches this means that the needle is blunt. Other reasons that you may need to change the needle are if the needle is bent or broken.
The wonderful health benefits of sewing
5 ways sewing can boost your wellbeing and make you feel happier Have you ever been so deeply immersed in an activity you’ve completely lost track of time? I bet you came back to Earth with a thud and wondered where the afternoon had gone. That wonderful feeling of...
Overlocker thread
Most often it’s the price that gives away the quality of the thread away.
Overlocker Needles
Using the correct type, brand and size needle is essential to obtain the perfect stitch.
Roller foot for Sewing Machine
The roller foot is designed to prevent difficult fabric from slipping, puckering or jamming under the foot. It does this by rotating the roller instead of getting stuck.
Invisible Zipper Foot
This foot is designed to do one thing only: help you insert an invisible zipper. This foot holds the rolled zipper teeth open so you can stitch as close as possible but not stitch over the teeth. There are two tunnels side by side at the front of the foot – this is...
What is a Walking Foot?
What is a Walking Foot used for? The walking foot is designed for sewing multiple layers of fabric without puckering. It is very useful for sewing anything which is cut on the Bias, or silky, satin or slippery fabric. It is also very useful when trying to match...
Sewing Machine Shanks
The sewing machine shank is the ankle that connects your sewing foot to the sewing machine. There are 4 types of shanks: Low shanks Snap on High Shanks Slant Shanks When purchasing feet for your sewing machine be mindful of the type of shank that your machine has, to...
Bias Binding
Tip No. 5 - Bias Binding The what, where and how of bias binding Bias binding, or bias tape as some patterns refer to it as, has been around for as long as I can remember. In high school I used it to edge an apron. It's not something to be feared. In the video below I...
Fabric shopping trip to Hong Kong
Day 1 in Hong Kong Shopping An amazing place to find beautiful pieces of fabric. Armed with my many drawings of garments I want to make, my passport and Visa I popped across to China for a day trip, just a short train trip away. Shenzhen (China) is another one of my...
Buttons
The humble button can be many things: an adornment or a fastening, a thing of exquisite design or a practical element meant to blend into the background. Quietly unassuming but endlessly useful, this little item is to be found almost everywhere you look, from the...
Fabric Shopping in Singapore
I always look forward to shopping for fabric when I am overseas. The chance of finding the piece of fabric or button that nobody else has is enticing. Singapore held the promise of great shopping, but sometimes truth and reality are metres apart. After conducting...
Bias Binding what is it
Bias binding, or bias tape as some patterns refer to it as, has been around for as long as I can remember. In high school I used it to edge an apron. It's not something to be feared. In the video below I show you how to attach it. Once you understand how to use it,...
Sewing for different occasions
I love going into Melbourne city and visiting all my favourite fabric stores, but one of the things that I notice is how casual we have become in the way that we dress. Slowly, over the past decades we have gone from, beautiful overcoats worn over tailored suits from...
‘Wide leg pants’ – the new fashion trend!
‘Wide leg’ pants are being marketed as the new trouser trend!! I smiled broadly when I read this headline as such trousers were around in the 70's and were previously known as flares or culottes. This pant has made a big come back this year. They are a very versatile...