Author Archives: Lisha Vidler

About Lisha Vidler

I am a sewing instructor living near Memphis, Tennessee.

Color Harmony

Whether you sew clothing, quilts, or anything else, using color can be intimidating! Here’s a quick guide to help you figure out which colors work well together. Color Harmony

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Organize

Several years ago, we published a two-part article on how to organize your sewing room. Here is a shorter, updated version! 5 Rules for Organizing Your Sewing Room Enjoy!

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Basics: Staystitching

Here’s a tip for you: I cannot stress enough the importance of staystitching. Patterns aren’t always clear about this crucial step, sometimes skipping it altogether—usually with disastrous results! Whether your fabric is woven or knit, all curved edges must be … Continue reading

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Needles

One of the common misunderstandings I see with my students is about needles. How often do you need a new needle in your sewing machine? What size? What type? Here’s a quick guide to sewing machine needles. Basics: Needles Enjoy!

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Pre-Wash

Friendly reminder: Always pre-wash fabrics! This includes lace, ribbon, and trims, provided they’re washable. Exceptions can be made for silk and anything else that must be dry-cleaned, such as metallic trims. Reason for this friendly reminder: I recently ordered a … Continue reading

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Frixion Pens

Earlier this year, I talked a little about various methods for marking fabric, such as chalk pencils, marking pens, and so forth. (Sewing Tools: Things to Know Before You Buy) Frixion erasable pens are quite popular these days, since the … Continue reading

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Buying a Sewing Machine

What kind of sewing machine do you need? What features should you look for? How much should you spend? Here’s a quick guide to choosing a sewing machine. Basics: Buying a Sewing Machine Enjoy!

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Quick Fashion Tip

You know how some ladies’ slacks have fake back pockets? Sometimes, those pockets aren’t actually fake. They’re simply basted shut. Don’t ask me why, I’ve no idea! But several times, I’ve had to carefully unpick the stitching holding the back pockets … Continue reading

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Sewing Tools

Not all sewing supplies are created equal! Before you rush out to buy everything you need, there’s a few things you should know. Sewing Tools: Things to Know Before You Buy Enjoy!

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A Year of Sewing: 2017

Every year, I post an illustrated list of the various projects I completed throughout the past twelve months, to help me keep track of what I’ve done. Here’s 2017’s. A Year of Sewing: 2018 Enjoy!

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