A question I’m asked frequently is what is the best way of marking fabric for dressmaking? Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to that as there is a variety of fabric-marking tools available, and each has their pro’s and cons. My advice is to have a selection of fabric marking tools available to cope with every situation. Here’s a list of the most common:
Probably the most common sewing problem is getting correct sewing machine tension. By thread tension, we mean the amount of thread that can pass through the machine to create the stitch. The more thread in the stitch, then the looser the stitch. The less thread, then the tighter the stitch.
How to get the correct overlocker tension is the most common issue when using these machines. An overlocker is a fantastic machine and can be extremely useful. But they can also be beastly. Read on to find out how to use them and get the most from an overlocker.
I set up my teaching studio in January 2015 so I had to find the best sewing machine. I needed something that was easy-to-use, versatile, robust, and great value. My local specialist dealer Andrew Pemberton recommended the Husqvarna Viking Emerald 118. Prior to that, I was aware of Husqvarna as a high-quality brand but I hadn’t used them since my school days. So I was happy to go along to test it against some of its closest rivals in the same price bracket.
Pattern Ease is the allowance made over and above the body measurements when making a pattern. It enables natural body movement. If patterns were exactly the same size as your body measurement, the garment would literally be skin tight. Pattern ease is added to the body circumference measurements, but not to any vertical measurements. Although your shop-bought clothes may say ‘to fit bust 36″‘, if you measure them, you’ll find that they are considerable bigger.
I’ve often mentioned the Embroiderers Guild ‘Travelling Books’ project on my Facebook page. There’s about 24 members of our Guild branch involved and we started last October by all being given an A5 sketchbook. The idea is that we each choose a theme for our book, and do a small piece of embroidery inspired by that theme.
I’ts been a great opportunity for me to work in some my favourite creative textiles techniques.
