Tutorials
Vested Interest (a tutorial and more)
I’ve been sewing a vest for my brother, by special request, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to share a tutorial on lining a vest. So, first here’s a tutorial for you to file away for when the need arises, and below that I’ll show you my brother’s vest. Over the years…
Read MoreUsing an Historical Sewing Pattern
Following on from last week’s Marx-Etzel trousers, I thought it would be fun to discuss historical sewing patterns. These are patterns for clothes that are… These patterns are almost always zero waste, and a quick search on the Internet will bring up examples. They can also be found in books: However, if you’re used to…
Read MoreNew Tips for Sewing Rouleau Loops
I had a wonderful visit from a long-time sewing friend. Of course we talked about sewing and clothes! She works in a bridal salon making gowns, and shared a couple of new tricks she’d learnt. The salon uses rouleau loops and buttons a great deal, as they’re stronger and more reliable than zips. They make…
Read MoreOn Designing Toy Faces
Do you like sewing soft toys? If so, how do you choose a project? I would bet the toy’s face is the main decider. If the face isn’t right, it’s a pass. I quite like making toys. I liked making them when my children were little and enjoyed doing a pattern for a cloth doll…
Read MoreHumpty Dumpty gets BIGGER!
Coming up later this month, I’m presenting a workshop at the Making Zen Online Retreat. This is a free event, and I highly recommend it to you. Read more and register here for FREE. The retreat runs from 26th-30th May. If you decide to order a VIP pass, you can start early and view all…
Read MoreHow to Cut a Jacket Lining When You Don’t Have a Pattern
Have you ever made a jacket and wished you could line it, but didn’t have a pattern and weren’t 100% sure what to do? Here’s a tutorial to bookmark for when you do. There are many ways to make a lining pattern, partly depending on the type of jacket. To keep it simple and give…
Read More3 Random Tips for Colour Choices
Are you confident with colour? I think I am these days, but I never used to be. Over time I picked up ideas from people I worked with, and also my dad who was good with colours. I really started to enjoy colour to the point where I now feel free to offer my opinions,…
Read MoreTutorial: Zero Waste Inseam Pockets
Easy zero waste inseam pockets can be yours! The pattern for these is in the (free) January instalment of A Year of Zero Waste Sewing. It was part of an idea for making a pocket matrix – a rectangular shape containing all the pocket pieces nested together, which can be moved around the fabric to…
Read More3 Buttonhole Woes (and how to fix them)
It’s feeling like Buttonhole Week here at the Haywood Homestead – I’m working on three projects at once, all which need buttonholes and I must have sewn well over 60. My “everyday drive” sewing machine is a 1964 Singer that doesn’t make buttonholes, in spite of having an array of embroidery stitches. I make buttonholes…
Read MoreThree Tips for Tucks
Have you sewn tucks in a garment before? They’re simply a stitched fold of fabric. The stitching might go all the way along the fold or stop part-way. This week’s post is coming to you from my sewing machine, where I’m sewing a zero waste blouse which has tucks front and back (long-time newsletter readers…
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