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.

Sewing Expert Profiles

There are many sewing experts in the UK who willingly share their knowledge and skills through magazines, workshops and classes. Here you will find biographies of leading experts Ruth Cox, Wendy Gardiner, Lorna Knight, Janet Moville, Jennie Rayment and Alison Smith >> more

A Cup Full!

A beautifully fitted dress looks stunning but for those of us with bigger than average busts, fitting can be tricky! Wendy Gardiner shares a clever fitting tip. >> more

Drafting a Skirt Block

Skirts are one of the easiest things to make without a store-bought pattern, so why not jump in and give it a try?  We’ve the how-to tips by Francesca Denhartog and Carole Ann Camp from Sew What Skirts >> more

Creating an hourglass shape in a loose-fitting blouse

To give a more flattering silhouette to a blouse the side seams may be taken in at the waist and vertical darts added to the front and back to give the garment an hourglass shape. >> more

Flower Stitch Attachment

This month is all about embellishing with stitched flowers using an attachment which fits onto your sewing machine - Wendy Gardiner shares how. These pretty flowers are just right for adding to garments for the summer and a key decoration on the latest High Street fashions >> more

Corded Button Loops

Button loops filled out and strengthened with cord make a suitable fastening for ball- shaped buttons and keyhole necklines, cuffs and wedding dresses. Covering the cord with fabric gives an exact match for any garment. >> 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

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

Buttonholes on Sheer and Stretch Fabric

Many modern sewing machines offer a selection of pre-programmed buttonholes and will automatically make them to the correct size, but we still need to decide on the type of hole required and where to position it. Read this and create professional buttonholes on sheer and stretch fabric >> 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

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

Machine Embroidery Beginnings

Many of us have one of the wonderful computerised sewing or embroidery machines but are a little overawed by the embroidery functions. Help is on hand in this new series of embroidery basics >> more

Machine Embroidery 2 – On Board Editing

An embroidery machine is essentially a sewing machine with an onboard computer, capable of doing all sorts of clever things – if only you knew how! We’ve had a play and are delighted to share our experiences >> more

Machine Embroidery 3 – Customising

We look at using a computer to really get creative and show you how some simple customising software can create yet more beautiful embroideries.
>> more

With digitizing software we have the opportunity to unleash the designer that's in all of us - no holds barred! Digitizing software is a powerful piece of software with which you can create designs from scratch on a PC and then stitch them out on your embroidery machine. Ruth Cox explains the process >> more

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