Sewing Techniques
In this section you will find a whole host of useful sewing techniques, from simple seams to seam finishing, buttonholes and zip insertion, darts, hems and more. We've also a useful Beginner's Guide to Sewing if you are new to sewing and tips on patchwork and quilting. So whether you are new to sewing or wish to refresh some techniques, take a look . We upload new techniques regularly so others are archived to make room, so if you can't find what you are looking for, click on the right hand box and search by technique category.
Rolled Rosettes
Oh, what a rolled hem can do! That’s all you need to make the luscious rosettes on this evening clutch bag. Texturised nylon thread creates a well-defined edge finish on the bias cut fabric strips >> more
Trapunto
Trapunto, often found on quilts, home décor and garments is a padded decorative design. One method is to simply stitch a design with a water-soluble thread on the right side of the fabric through one or more layers of cotton or polyeste >> more
Couching
Couching is a great way to embellish with narrow trim, heavy thread, yarn, ribbon, cording or other materials that don’t fit through the eye of a needle. When couching you stitch trimmings or cord to – but not through – the surface of the fabric >> more
Flat-fell and Lapped Seams
There are many ways to join pieces of fabric together, or finish an edge or seam and it's important to choose the most suitable method for your project - we look at two types of seams to create the best finish. To find out more click here.>> more
Right from the Start
Colour is not outrageously technical or difficult. What we need is colour confidence. Chris Franses and Barbara Chainey take us step by step through using colour and choosing fabrics >> more
Guidelines for Adjusting Fit
If you’re one of the few people who can buy clothing right off the rack, congratulations! The rest of us usually need to make some small (or large) fitting adjustments. A quick tuck or a loosened seam might be just what your wardrobe needs! >> more
Busted – adjusting tops to fit bigger boobs
As so many women today are larger than a B cup, we’ve some easy to follow tips on how to adjust different bodices to fit fuller figure >> more
What Stabiliser?
Choosing a stabiliser that’s right for the job can be tricky, we explain which ones suit, enabling machine embroidery to be used for a variety of techniques and on all types of fabrics >> more
Lingerie and Bra Making
Learn to sew the briefest of garments! We’ve the top tips for fabric, cutting, care and sewing from expert Lorna Knight.
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Zips - centred and invisible zips
Zips are easily inserted if a proper zip foot is used, allowing the stitching to get as close to zip teeth as possible. Most machines have a zipper foot as one of the basic feet supplied. We provide general tips and how-to insert both centred and invisible zip >> more
Embellishing with Cording
Couching down cords, braids, ribbons and trims adds another dimension to fabric, providing texture and surface interest. Wendy Gardiner provides some tips on using a cording foot. Use cording to spice up last year's T-shirts or cushion covers or add to hemline and cuff edges >> more
Beginner's Guide to Sewing
If you are just starting out or need to refresh some basic sewing skills, take a look at our basic guide here. We will continue to add more tips, so do keep coming back for more >> more
Simple Pin Tucking Techniques
Pin tucks are often associated with heirloom sewing especially children’s clothes and christening gowns. However they can give a whole new dimension to other aspects of sewing as well, such as bed linen and other home furnishings >> more
When Things Go Wrong - Trouble-Shooting Tips
We can all heave a huge sigh of relief because, it’s quite true, nobody is perfect! Wendy Gardiner provides a list the most common stitch problems and some helpful solutions >> more
Lining a Dress
Add a lining to a dress and it will hang better, crease less and fit smoothly. As with skirt linings, there are two methods >> more
Twin Needles - twice the inspiriation
Twin needles are constructed with two shafts on a crossbar that extend from a single shank. They are often used for heirloom sewing, decorative stitching and anywhere where you may require multiple rows of uniform straight stitching such as top stitching or pin tucking >> more
Seam Finishes
When a seam is stitched you take a seam allowance - thus the seam is not stitched at the very edge of the fabric. This allowance is then finished or neatened >> more
Seams
A seam is quite simply where two or more layers of fabric are stitched together. There are different types of seaming suitable for different fabrics and projects >> more
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