Happiness Through Sewing
Costume time! In the last post, I showed how to make a hood that you could attach ears or horns to and now it’s time to make the wings or a cape – because we all need a cape sometimes. This is a simple process and one that can be adapted to all sorts of […] Read more…
This post has affiliate links to products that I use and always recommend. You can buy them from anywhere but if you buy through the link (and Amazon) I receive a tiny percent back from that mega-retailer to help support this blog. Just letting you know 😉 When I was a kid, I loved thinking […] Read more…
The stay stitch, the understitch, and the basting stitch are techniques you will come across frequently when sewing garments. This short video will explain what, why, and how of all three. Or read on. Stay Stitch The stay stitch is a straight stitch of normal length sewn on a single layer of fabric ⅛” from […] Read more…
If you’re sewing clothes for women you’re going to be sewing darts. As simple as they seem to construct there are nuances to getting a good-looking dart – and by that, I mean one that isn’t noticeable. What are darts, exactly? Darts are what bring fullness and fit to the flat 2-dimensional fabric. Darts point […] Read more…
What can I say that you don’t already know about making a pair of shorts from your jeans? Well, I think I can help with a few pointers and tips. Like how to cut so you remain covered, how to mimic jeans thread with regular thread, and how to stitch over those thick seams without […] Read more…
Little holes appear in my knit tops too frequently and I want to be able to patch the holes without the mend being obvious. I know how to patch woven garments so the repair is almost invisible but I didn’t know what would work on knit fabrics. So I did some research, bought three different […] Read more…
It took me a long time to switch over to pattern weights from pins – not just because I really liked my scissors but also because I didn’t want to pay for pattern weights. They didn’t look like a good value and only came in ugly colors (at the time). I tried using soup cans, […] Read more…
Question via email: I have a pair of stretch denim jeans made up of 98% cotton and 2% spandex. The holes and wear are in the crotch. Please advise. My answer: Hello,This is a tricky area to patch just so you know this now 😉Because you only have a small amount of stretch your patch […] Read more…
Note that while this post is about taking in a lined, sleeveless dress along the side seams there are some basic tips for altering any garment included, mostly in the first two sections. Do I Keep It? What to Look for Before Removing the Tags I bought this dress because I liked the style and […] Read more…
People say, “I can’t even sew on a button.” to mean they don’t know how to sew at all as if sewing on a button is the easiest thing in the world. And, yeah, it might not be hard to sew on a button but there’s a lot more to it than you may realize. […] Read more…