Synthetic Fibres

Origins, Properties, and Environmental Impact

Synthetic fibres have revolutionized the textile industry with their versatility and cost-effectiveness. Derived primarily from petrochemicals, these fibres offer a range of properties suited for various applications. However, their production and disposal raise significant environmental concerns. This article explores the different types of synthetic fibres, their properties, pros and cons, production processes, environmental impacts, and challenges in recycling.

Beginners Sewing, Dressmaking, sewing

Beginners’ Guide to Overlockers

Post author By Jen Skedd
Post date January 21, 2021
9 Comments on Beginners’ Guide to Overlockers

Beginners Guide to Overlockers.

Overlockers used to be a little known tool limited to factories, professional dressmakers or very keen amateurs. But probably because of exposure on TV programmes and social media, they’ve experienced an explosion in popularity in the last few years. They are now very much an essential tool for many home sewers. However, they’re not so easy to use ‘out the box’ than sewing machines and require the user to develop a whole new set of skills. Not surprisingly, there’s a lot of confusion about their use. I’ve written this Beginners’ guide to overlockers to answer many of the most common questions and dispel the myths. Note: In the USA, overlockers are known as sergers.

Dressmaking, overlockers

Tags guide to overlockers, overlocker tutorial, what is an overlocker

Alfa Practik 9 sewing machine review

Post author By Jen Skedd
Post date October 12, 2020
1 Comment on Alfa Practik 9 sewing machine review

Alfa Practik 9 sewing machine review

You’ve probably not heard of Alfa sewing machines. But you will have heard of Smith & Wesson revolvers. That’s what the Alfa Hogar company used to make before they turned their hand to more peaceful and creative tools – thankfully.

Beginners Sewing, childrens sewing classes, Dressmaking

Tags sewing machine for a beginner, sewing machine for children, sewing machine review

Juki MO-644D Overlocker review

Post author By Jen Skedd
Post date May 4, 2020
3 Comments on Juki MO-644D Overlocker review

When it was time to buy a new overlocker for the studio, there was only one place I was going to go. And that of course was Pembertons, my trusted specialist supplier for almost 30 years. So after considering my requirements: Andrew recommended the Juki MO-644D. I then spent a fun 90 mins putting it through its paces.

Juki MO-644D overlocker review - image shows machine threaded with front safety cover open — Juki MO-644D Overlocker review

Dressmaking, overlockers, sewing

Tags Juki overlocker, overlocker review, Serger review, what is a good make of serger, what is an overlocker, what's a good make of overlocker, Where can i buy an overlocker

Some ‘not so stupid’ questions

Post author By Jen Skedd
Post date February 3, 2020

I’m asked lots of questions during every teaching session in the studio, and most of them start ‘this may be a stupid question but….’. Well do you know? I’ve never heard a stupid question yet! They have all been excellent questions, and I’m always happy to answer them. Chances are the person asking isn’t the only one who doesn’t know the answer. So if you don’t know, then please ask. Because the only stupid question is the one you don’t ask.

Some not so stupid questions - boy in dunce cap — Boy in Dunce cap – Clara M. Burd

Beginners Sewing, Dressmaking, sewing

Tags do i add seam allowance, not stupid questions, which needle should i use

A guide to fabric marking tools – Making your Mark

Post author By Jen Skedd
Post date June 24, 2019
1 Comment on A guide to fabric marking tools – Making your Mark

Fabric-marking tools

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:

Beginners Sewing, Dressmaking, sewing

Tags dressmakers pencil, fabric marking tools, how to mark fabric, tailors chalk, water-erasable pens

What pattern size am I?

One question I’m asked almost every day is ‘What pattern size am I?’

Probably the most difficult aspect of dressmaking is how to find the correct pattern size. . Sewing patterns aren’t sized in the same way as ready-to-wear clothes. So you can’t just buy your usual off-the-peg dress size.

Dressmaking

Tags how do I choose the best size, using dressmaking patterns, what size am I

Sewing Machine Tension

Sewing machine tension

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.