Sew n Sew Blog
How to store your fabric
How to store your fabric It is important to store your fabric in a way that helps you see what you have. If you cannot see what you have it can get lost under all the piles of fabric in your stash, (especially if you have a lot of fabric) and what will happen is that...
My favourite Fabric stores
Listed are some of my favourite fabric stores in Australia that sell online and in store. 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 to the list. Darn Cheap Fabrics Address: 1188 Glen...
Tips on buying fabric online
Tips on buying fabric online so you can have greater access to a wider range of fabric options. Moreover, shopping from home can save you valuable sewing time and you don’t even need to get out of your trackie pants, I am going to give you my tips on buying...
Tips on buying a Mannequin for sewing
Her are my tips on buying a mannequin for sewing, having a mannequin that is adjusted to your size when sewing a project can be a game changer. To be able to put the garment on the mannequin, and make adjustments without having to try to do this when you are wearing...
You can Learn to sew online
Yes you can learn to sew online? You can learn to sew online, let me answer all your questions about learning to sew online. I don't need to sit beside you as you learn to sew. The course is well structured for the absolute beginner and well filmed it makes it...
What is a Nap
What is a Nap? When you run you hand down the fabric you can feel that it is smooth one way and rough when you run your hand the other way., Patterns will tell you how much fabric depending on whether it is *with nap or **without nap.Fabrics with nap? In some...
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 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...
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...
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. My Singapore fabric shopping trip held the promise of great shopping, but sometimes truth and reality are metres...
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 Machine Needles
Needle Types There are three main types of needles that are used for the majority of sewing, as well as many specialty needles. Universal needles have a slightly rounded tip, and this general purpose needle should be used on woven fabric. Jersey needles have...
How to measure your self for sewing
There are many reasons people like to sew their own clothes: it might be to wear the style that they like, to wear certain colours or to get a garment that fits them perfectly. And as any seamstress knows, people come in all shapes, heights and sizes. Just like...
