Who doesn't love wide-leg printed pants? I know I do! Check out Mood's newest pattern, the Liv Pants. Add these to your transitional wardrobe with a bright
Learn how to choose sewing machine needles to sew denim. Whether you're sewing jeans or upcycling denim, these tips will help you.
Stop what you are doing because this no-sew hack will fix the hole in your best T-Shirt. We can be clumsy and careless sometimes. The worst thing is when you don’t remember when you made this hole. You can wear it without noticing until it catches the eye of your friends or family. Wait. Don’t
The easiest explanation of how to sew a pillow cover with piping! Even a beginner can do this! Step by step with photos and video.
My first son never spit up. And I mean never. Before having kids, I always wondered why these moms always made their babies wear such tacky bibs around their neck at almost all times. Even after ha…
Someone requested that I write about sewing a dart. This is not a topic I think about writing, so I appreciate feedback from you all. I use this method *most* of the time. As you can see below, there’s some limitation. But we don’t have to go into all the other scenarios now. We will […]
Use my bucket hat tutorial and free sewing pattern to create a cute new summer hat! It's quick to make - you can sew it in an afternoon!
Are you having trouble sewing straight lines on your sewing machine? Here are all the things I wish I'd known when I started learning to sew.
Crochet heart pattern. Want to learn how to crochet a heart? Try my simple, quick and easy pattern to make an adorable heart in just a few minutes!
Learn how to sew a narrow hem (easy even on chiffon) using a ban roll tape. You will like this video sewing tutorial on how to sew a rolled hem on chiffon without a special rolled hem foot.
Written plus video tutorial shows you how to sew a zipper pouch - great practice for zippers and fun and quick gifts to make
I am 5'2" necessitating LOTS of hemming and shortening of pants, skirts, and dresses. I just can't find anything the right length. If you've ever priced the cost of professional seamstresses (and add in the time it takes to get your clothing back), it costs a fortune to have everything you buy hemmed. I learned years ago how to hem pants and skirts, but jeans always gave me grief. A couple of years ago my older sister showed me a pair of her jeans that she had hemmed professionally, and it was easy to see how it was done. The difference is that jeans typically have a worn edge. The hem is decorative, so cutting that edge off to shorten them takes away part of the character you're paying for. So I developed a tutorial for hemming jeans the way professional would. Hope you find this helpful! What you'll need: sewing machine dark thread to match the jeans iron straight pins measuring tape scissors The Process: You'll need to measure the desired length of the jeans. The easiest way I've found to do this is to have the person stand on a chair and scoot back so the heel of their shoes is even with the edge of the chair. It might be helpful to note that you definitely need to have them wear the shoes they'd typically wear with the jeans. I prefer to hem the jeans to the ground. So, using a safety pin or water-soluble marking pen, mark the desired length (in my case, where the shoe ends and the chair begins). Next, measure the amount you'll need to shorten them from the edge of the current hem to the mark you've made. In the jeans in this tutorial, they needed to be shortened 2 1/2 inches. Lay the jeans flat on a hard surface, and measure up the desired length (2 1/2 inches here) from the stitching on the current hem. Since the current hem will remain in place, that half inch or so will also remain. So, if you measure from the edge of your jeans, they'll still be a half an inch too long after hemming. Make sense? Now place a straight pin to mark. Next you'll fold the edge of your jeans up into a cuff matching the current stitching to just above the pin like this. Pin in place. To check your accuracy, divide your total amount needed to shorten (2 1/2 inches for me) by 2 (equalling 1 1/4 inches in my case). Measure from the fold to just under the current stitching making sure this amount is half of the amount you need to take it in. Next, keeping this length consistent, pin all the way around the cuff. Measure as you go to make sure you're still consistent. Repeat these steps on the second leg. When both legs are securely pinned, move the pants to your sewing machine. Carefully stitch in the ditch just along the fold of the current hem. Make sure to get as close to this fold as possible being careful not to sew on top of it or across the current stitching. Stitch all the way around backstitching where you stop and start. Repeat this step for the other leg. Remove your jeans from the machine, and turn the cuff up to the inside of the leg like this. With a steaming hot iron, press this new seam from the inside all the way around each leg. Now turn the pants inside-out revealing the new cuff on the inside of the leg. Using super sharp scissors, cut the cuff about a quarter inch from your stitching. Turn the jeans right-side-out, and iron again if necessary to reveal your finished hem. Easy, and your seam is almost invisible! As always, please feel free to comment with questions, and I'll do my best to answer.
Learn to sew a Ladder stitch (invisible stitch) by hand. The Ladder stitch is great for closing seams and repairing holes in clothes.
Learn all about sewing binding on a quilt with our in-depth hands-on tutorial. We'll show you how to calculate binding, make binding for a quilt, and how to finish binding!
I am short. There is no other way to put it. I’m barely 5′ tall. I think I’ve only bought two pairs of used jeans in my life that were already hemmed to my length…ever……
Learn sewing secrets that every beginner should know. These sewing tips will save you time and frustration!
Ever wonder what you're going to do with all of your leftover scrap fabric and batting? Make a lanyard, my friend! Creating a lanyard is a quick and easy project that allows you to use up your scraps and wear your favorite fabrics! . . Here's what you'll need: 3
The best and easiest way to sew bias tape with mitered corners. I even made a little video for you to explain it super clearly.
Finish transparent edges with this simple-to-sew couture technique.
I am short. There is no other way to put it. I’m barely 5′ tall. I think I’ve only bought two pairs of used jeans in my life that were already hemmed to my length…ever……
Do you want to learn how to join granny squares with a flat seam that's completely invisible? This simple guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Learn sewing secrets that every beginner should know. These sewing tips will save you time and frustration!
Learn how to sew a button the easy and quick way. This step by step tutorial will show you exactly how to sew your buttons so that they never fall again!
Sewing knits and stretchy fabric beautifully is actually very easy, and this can all be done on a sewing machine. No serger required.
2 easy methods of how to sew bias tape corners for your quilt, napkins or sewing projects. Step by step sewing bias mitered corners.
How to hem pants: step-by-step instructions on a simple (and genius!) way to hem pants while preserving the original look. Quick, easy & professional.
Learn how to use interfacing to tame stretchy t shirts and make them play nicely for quilting. Tutorial from NewQuilters.com #tshirt quilts #tshirt quilting DIY
A big list of sewing projects for men's gifts. Use this list of free men's sewing patterns and enjoy the diy gifts for men that you can make.
Easily box the bottom corners on every bag you make with this step-by-step free sewing tutorial. Lazies, Easily and accurately box the bottom
Introducing the Fat Cat Crochet Pattern, the perfect project for anyone who loves to crochet and wants to create their very own, adorable and cuddly cat plushie! This pattern, designed by the talen…
I often get a question from my readers - how to sew straight? In this guide, I will show you how to easily keep stitching lines straight. I will talk about topstitching mostly because keeping seam allowances equal is a different topic. Have you ever had problems with crooked stitching lines? I bet you had. Even intermediate sewists are struggling sometimes to do it and had to rip and redo stitching. But sewing in a straight line is much simpler than you think. And I want to help you to sew straight every time.
See how to sew a drawstring bag in minutes with this easy, full photo tutorial. Great drawstring bag tutorial for beginners to sew!
An easy-to-follow tutorial for how to sew curtains the easy way. A simple project that can be completed in a day and saves you tons of money!
how to make the cutest pillowcases with only three seams! That's right three straight seams and you're done. They're easy-peasy. This is perfect for a beginner sewer, but those who see the end result will think you're a pro. These pillow cases are also known by the names, burrito, sausage, hot dog, tube, rolled or magic pillowcase.
Classic meets modern with these pretty granny square pumpkins. With endless color possibilities and almost as many ways to put them together, you can make a granny square pumpkin collection as unique as you. This pumpkin pattern is versatile so you can try switching up your yarn weight to make big chunky pumpkins!This post contains...
While at a sewing class last week, I commented to the quilter next to me, that on my list of things to do was hemming jeans. She and then others jumped in, that they feared doing jeans on their sewing machines because of the thick seams. So I said I'd show them how I do it. Here is my quick way for hemming jeans. I've tried many ways, and have been using this method for the past 10 years. Beware this is a long post... Simple technique, but many pictures. First set up your sewing machine to do a straight stitch. I use a stitch length of 3.0 and a heavier needle. A jeans needle or topstitch needle if you have one. Next, measure your jeans. For my husband, I have him stand on the floor in his sock feet and I pin up the jeans 1 inch above the floor. Then lay the jeans out on the ironing board and fold up the other leg so both are even. Iron up the hemline on both legs. Give a really good pressssssss... I use steam too... See the line it makes. This is a good guide. Next, cut about 1 inch down from the pressed line. I just eyeball it. But measure if you must. Set aside the bottom of the pantleg for a recycle project. Next take small snips about half an inch long, on either side of the bulky seams. Total of 4 slits on each leg. You can see the slits are on each side of the seam, about half way to the pressed hemline. Next, tuck in the raw edge of the hem so it is folded in so that your one inch of hem is now about a half an inch. Leave the thick seam sticking up. Do not fold it under. Pin all around. Notice that I pin with the heads of the pins sticking towards me, so I can easily remove them as I sew. Next, using ORANGE thread in the top and bobbin, sew near the top of tucked in fold all around the hem. In the early days, I was matchy matchy and used light blue thread. It looked awful. Orange is the color to use. Unless, the jeans you are hemming were originally hemmed with a different color like white. I would use that as a guideline. Stitch right over the seams. Most sewing machines don't have trouble with two layers of seams. Snip off the portion of the seam that is sticking out. Voila. Your jeans are hemmed. Since it's the bobbin thread that shows on the outside hem of the jeans, I keep a bobbin of bright orange thread in my bobbin caddy at all times. I primarily use it only for jeans and I think I've been using the same bobbin for 5 years. If I had the 10 years of hemming jeans back, I think I would have found a heavier weight of orange thread and used that in my bobbin. When this bobbin runs out , I will refill with a heavier orange thread. After Note: Denise left a comment that Joanns carrys Jeans thread. You can bet this will be on my list the next time I go to Joanns. Thanks Denise.
