Attaching Bias Tape can make any sewing project stand out. Bias Tape is perfect for craft projects, too. Learn How to Sew Bias Tape the correct way.
Sewing garments that have a fitted shape can be tricky or impossible without a useful technique called DART. Sewing a dart is an easy way to make your clothes more flattering. Learn how to sew darts so you can create beautiful, professionally-looking clothing. Sewing darts are a staple in the world of sewing. They can be used to create an amazing 3-dimensional effect on your clothing and bag sewing projects, or they could even become part of the design itself! If you’re grateful that the days of shapeless clothing are gone, you’ll want to learn how to sew darts to create the gorgeous form-fitting shapes that people love.
The easiest way to do a sleeve seam is to turn to your serger machine. Once you have it all set up you can press toward the sleeve to make sure the look stays the way you want it.
Sewing with knits can be a daunting experience for someone who is new to them, but it doesn't have to be. As someone who took the plunge as a seamstress awhile ago, I recently acquired a new appreciation for working with knits as a designer. Knowledge is key, so before my first knit pattern is released this week, I wanted to share a little bit about my experience of designing a knit pattern. There is a lot to consider when sewing with knits: types of knits, sergers vs. sewing machines, types of needles, stretch percentage, stretch recovery, cutting knit fabric, etc. I'm going to be focusing mostly on stretch percentage and recovery and will provide links to some great resources that cover the other topics. To be honest, when I've sewn with knits in the past, I never paid too much attention to stretch percentage and recovery, I just sewed with fabrics that I liked. The results were overall quite satisfying, although there were a few patterns that caused me to think "Oooo, the size is a bit off on this one.". Never before did I have the eye opening experience that I had last week when I sewed two samples of the same pattern. A very wonderful group of testers had been sewing up my Stellar's Vest pattern, and sending me their results. Through no fault of their own, the results came back ranging from perfect sizing, to very large. How was this happening, when they were using the same pattern and even the same size? I adjusted the sizes in the pattern, and had another set of testers do a second round of testing. The results were better, but still inconsistent. I figured I had better sew up a couple more samples of my own. I sewed Anja a size three Stellar's Vest in the A-line version with some adorable fabric from L'Oiseau called Deerly Beloved. (Side note - I highly recommend everything at L'Oiseau. The quality and service is absolutely impeccable.) Ok, back to my experience. The vest turned out great…the fit was perfect in the chest, armholes were good, everything about it was comfortable and cute. She wore it immediately and wouldn't take it off until bedtime. The next day, we did a little mother-daughter local fabric shopping (something that is getting more and more fun now that she enjoys selecting her own fabric!). She chose some pretty Michael Miller Blossoms 100% cotton knit. It was a great choice as I wanted something that would match nicely with Tobias' vest. I took the fabric home, pre-washed it (a must with knits), and sewed up another Stellar's Vest during nap time using exactly the SAME pattern pieces I used the day before. Nothing changed other than the fabric. Here was the result: What changed? Did my daughter mysteriously shrink from one day to the next? HA, of course, not! :) But the second garment is a full two sizes too big! This is when I realized the importance of not 'winging' the use of my knit fabric. I should've known better, I admit it. But here's the positive that comes out of this experience: I'm hoping to prevent you from making my mistake! The first fabric had a stretch percentage of over 50% and excellent recovery, while the second, around 25% with good recovery. How can you tell with your fabrics? Cut a 4"X4"(10cmX10cm) piece of fabric, fold it perpendicular with the grain line. Download and print this stretch percentage guide with tips for sewing with knits, hold the fabric firmly at zero, and stretch it as far as you can. Alternatively, you can use a ruler using the same principle. Either way, just make sure you do this. It makes a world of difference! DOWNLOAD HERE So now that you know how to determine the stretch percentage, how do you use this valuable information? Well, always read your patterns carefully and only use the fabric type and stretch percentage recommended by the designer. If the pattern does not specify, contact the designer and ask, if possible. Or, don't use your best fabric the first time around. You can size up or down depending on the result of your first garment. Stretch recovery is also very important to consider when sewing with knits. When you stretch your fabric, does it return to its original size and shape? Or is it now a little wider than it was before? You definitely want to use fabric that has a very good recovery. This recovery corresponds with the quality of the fabric, after all, who wants to wear a garment that becomes wider each time it's worn? I also prefer my knit fabrics to have some weight and/or a bit of lycra to give them that extra bit of recovery and avoid flimsy, lightweight or sheer knits. Of course, this all depends on the pattern you are using, so keep that in mind as well. In the photos below, it's clear to see which fabric has better recovery. The top one basically stayed the same width after it was stretched, while the second one returned to its original size. You can also feel a big difference between the two; the top one has a slightly, rough texture, and the bottom is soft and smooth. What I failed to do for my testers, was specify the stretch percentage and recovery needed to achieve the best results with my pattern. Incidentally, the fabrics of all my samples had a stretch percentage 50% or more and very good to excellent recovery until the final floral one. So, I think a logical explanation is that stretch percentage and recovery played a pretty major part in the varied results (especially after the first round of testing). Lesson learned! Here are some other tips I find useful to keep in mind when sewing with knits: Use a stretch or ballpoint needle. The rounded tip passes easily between the knit threads by separating them. Press often. When you sew a seam, and it looks wavy, giving it a good press will more than likely fix the problem. Do not pull or stretch the fabric as you sew. This can create those very wavy seams. There is a time and place for stretching, such as when attaching bindings. Follow the directions in your pattern carefully. Want to read more about using knits? Here are some great resources to help you have a positive experience when sewing with knits: Sewing With Knits (Kitschy Coo) Sewing With Knit Fabrics (sew mccool) Sewing With Jersey 101 (Prudent Baby) Tips for Sewing With Knit Fabrics (Oliver + S) Knits 101 (Shwin & Shwin) Working With Stretch and Knit Fabric (My Pattern Designer) Cutting Knit Fabric (Mad Mim) Ask Dana - No Fear. How to Sew with KNIT Fabrics (Made) I'm so glad to have had this experience so I can pass on what I've learned. Knits can be so fun to work with and great for children's clothing because they can be so comfortable and versatile, but it really helps to know how to use them properly. I can't stress enough how important it is to read through your patterns so you can achieve the results the designer intends for you to have. Never again will I blindly use knit fabric simply on account of the colour or pattern. It's worth the time to test out the fabric first so that you can be happier with the results. If you have any tips or tricks that help you have success with knits, please leave a comment and let us know. Thanks!
Learn about Sewing Knits Fabrics. Here you'll learn how to sew stretch fabrics, with and without a serger. Become a knit fabric expert.
Sewing hacks and tips for faster sewing projects, less waste & more efficient use of time. Creative tool storage and tricks for cutting, ironing, stitching
Learn how to understitch to make your handmade clothing look better and last longer. The lining or facing will never peak out again!
Whether or not you want to become a sewing expert, you really need to learn to make basic repairs. Each of us has experienced a broken hem, or had a hole show
Learn about Sewing Knits Fabrics. Here you'll learn how to sew stretch fabrics, with and without a serger. Become a knit fabric expert.
Hair has always been a canvas for self-expression, and what better way to showcase your personality and creativity than with bold and colorful hairstyles? If you're feeling adventurous and want to...
Sewing hacks and tips for faster sewing projects, less waste & more efficient use of time. Creative tool storage and tricks for cutting, ironing, stitching
Best tips and tricks for how to sew buttonholes and have them look professional
From choosing the right thread to get even stitches, our topstitching guide has everything you need to create professional-looking garments.
Learn to Sew: How to Sew an Invisible Zipper Learn to Sew: How to Sew an Invisible Zipper. Want to learn how to sew an invisible zipper? Invisible zi
In Week 1 of the Fronds Quilt Sew Along we cover the basics of making the Fronds quilt pattern from beginning to end.
Projector Sewing is a huge innovation in the sewing world- learn how to set up a projector in your space - no matter its size!
Free Sewing Patterns: Learn the basics to Pattern Assembly for PDF Sewing Patterns. Learn the tips, tricks ( and to avoid potential pitfalls) when putting together a digital sewing pattern that you print from home. If you are just starting sewing or have been sewing for a while but are a newbie when it comes...
Improve you sewing projects with these must know sewing hacks that work for beginners or pros. Speed up your work, save time!
The secret to a polished, professional finish on all your garments? It's understitching. This sewing technique keeps the facing from rolling outside of the garment and helps you to press a crisp edge along necklines or anywhere the garment is faced.
It's easy to transform your crew neck T-shirt into a more flattering V-neck shirt in a few simple steps. You don't even need to add any additional fabric!
Knits are challenging fabrics to cut. Even experienced sewers can struggle with this fabric, so it's important to know how to cut knits and what tools you need for cutting them correctly. Learn how to stop knit fabric edges from curling, how to prepare knit fabrics for cutting. This video sewing tutorial teaches you all these techniques in a simple step by step guide.
Learn a fun new hand stitching tip that makes accurately spacing your hand stitches quick and easy.
Three expert tips for sewing zippers that won't leave you sour. Lazies, I can't handle lemon. In fact, I can't handle tart or sour at all. My whole face
Learning how to sew placket can be intimidating, but this step-by-step instruction on how to sew the placket on your sleeve will make you an expert soon!
A twin needle is created from two needles attached to one shaft with a plastic bridge connector.See how to use this speciality needle in your sewing.
Make Your Own Facing is going to change the way you look at patterns. We all have our favorite patterns to make. When you find the right pattern, you do not want to give it up. You do not want to make the same thing over and over again either. Learn how to make your own pattern out of previous designs with this free how to draft a pattern tutorial. This expert how-to shows you the necessary steps to making simple changes to an already existing pattern.
Here is a very interesting sewing tutorial for your sewing projects. Learn how to sew with the bobbin thread in the needle. Find out why you may need to do it.
Learn about Sewing Knits Fabrics. Here you'll learn how to sew stretch fabrics, with and without a serger. Become a knit fabric expert.
There are many tutorials out there on how to create a narrow hem. The problem is they mostly demonstrate on a rectangular piece of fabric, which makes the process deceivingly easy. With a few exceptions, that usually is not how I use a narrow hem. If I need to hem something straight, a wide hem of 1″ or […]
You will learn about the different sections on sewing pattern instructions which will help you understand sewing pattern directions with ease!
Sewing is often a slow process. It is so easy to let your imagination wander when you are choosing a design for your new dress, or fabric and a pattern to use in your next project. It takes a lot of time also to prepare the pattern, to cut the fabric, to sew all seams and press them. And usually we can’t sew all day long. So I am always looking for ways to be more efficient and sew faster. I don’t want to stay with one project for a few weeks, I noticed actually that the less time it takes from an idea to the result the more I am enjoying the process and I am also more satisfied with my garment. Over the years I discovered many ways to sew faster and to get professional results. I am going to share them with you in this list.
After you have learned how to wash your fabric before sewing, you need to learn how to press fabric. If you want to learn how to sew flawless projects then learning how to press your fabric is a big part of that. Without properly prepared materials, projects that are otherwise sewn precisely can turn into a big mess. This page, Sew and Quilt Pressing Tips for Beginners, offers all the information you need. There is a lot to keep in mind when preparing your fabric, but AllFreeSewing is here to ensure that you know everything you need to know before you get started. Give yourself a head start by using this free sewing tutorial to ensure that you give your fabric first-class treatment. Happy fabric makes happy projects. Sewing for Beginners: How to Press Fabric will teach you the right skills to press your fabric like an expert. Don’t worry! It is actually pretty easy. Just take a look at the instructions, tips, and tricks below and you'll be set! Sign Up For More Free Patterns >>>
Here is a very interesting sewing tutorial for your sewing projects. Learn how to sew with the bobbin thread in the needle. Find out why you may need to do it.
Do you love sewing and want to become a better sewist? This Sewing 101 guide is packed with practical tips and insights from over 30 years of experience to help you get better at sewing.
Welcome back to our Learn to Machine Sew course for beginners! In our last lesson we talked about how to turn and topstitch, which is a technique in which we sew two pieces of fabric together with a clean finish on the edges. Today we're going to talk about something somewhat similar: hemming. When you
Learn how to sew a collar with a special sewing technique to keep your collar from flipping up. The collar lays flat and looks professional.
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