Tag Archives: Tutorials

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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DIY Pressing Cabinet

Along with a sewing table and cutting table, every sewing room needs a pressing station. It might be as simple as an ironing board . . . or as deluxe as a pressing cabinet, like the one I just made … Continue reading

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Replicating a Costume

Have you ever wanted to copy a favorite costume from TV, film, or theater? Replicating an entire costume can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! In this two-part article, I’ll outline the five steps of reproducing a costume, and then demonstrate … Continue reading

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Basics: Measurements

Those who are new to sewing (or who have trouble with numbers, as I do) may struggle with measurements. Here’s a quick guide to help you out. Basics: Measurements

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Designing Custom Fabric

Thanks to sites like Spoonflower, it’s easy to have your own custom fabric printed. But how do you design it? This two-part tutorial will teach you everything you need to know. First, we’ll introduce you to the concept of tiling, and demonstrate how to digitize … Continue reading

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Fashion Sketches: Adding a Digital Background

The next time you draw a fashion sketch or illustration, you might want to add a background, so your model isn’t floating in space. This two-part article will help you do just that. From simple backdrops and gradients to grounding lines and … Continue reading

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Reading a Pattern Envelope

Pattern envelopes contain a lot of helpful information. But how can you make heads or tails of the charts and diagrams? Here’s a breakdown of a pattern envelope. Basics: Reading a Pattern Envelope Enjoy!

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Ten Tips For Pinning

Pinning is a vital part of sewing, but it can be hard to know what kinds of pins to use, or which direction to place your pins. Part of our “basics” series, this new article contains ten tips to help you improve your … Continue reading

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Seven Seam Finishes

To produce a high-quality garment, you need to finish your seam allowances. Unfortunately, most patterns don’t include directions for seam-finishing, which means you must learn this on your own. To help you out, here are seven seam-finishing techniques. They range from quick-and-easy to couture, so … Continue reading

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10 (Unconventional) Sewing Hacks

 Instead of running to the fabric store to buy more sewing tools, take a look around your kitchen or home office! Here’s a look at ten items you might find useful in the sewing room. New Article: 10 (Unconventional) Sewing Hacks … Continue reading

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