The easiest way to get a drawstring is to buy one; any twill tape or ribbon will make great drawstrings. But sometimes you just need one in the exact color and fabric that you like. I found myself in that situation all the time, so I do have some practice making my own. My secret weapon […]
I have been making a lot of bias tape lately because I am using it to finish my seams. When I need a large amount of bias tape, I always use this method. For a lack of a better term, I call this the “continuous loop method” of making bias tape. By stitching only two […]
In store-bought clothes, you’d usually see that the waistbands of pull-on pants or skirts are topstitched. At home, I try to achieve that same look too. But it’s not just a matter of esthetic; by topstitching the waistband, the elastic inside does not roll or move anymore, so you will never have to fuss with it. […]
This post is about installing a lining with an invisible zipper. Part 1 addressed how to sew an invisible zipper, and this post, part 2, deals with the lining. ++++++++++++++++ In the last post, I mentioned that I came up with a new way to sew the lining along with an invisible zipper. For the […]
This post is about installing an invisible zipper. Part 2 will be about installing the lining with this invisible zipper. ++++++++++++++++ I was never truly happy about my way of installing a lining with an invisible zipper. It looks fine from outside, but there is still a little bulge and a bit of pull at the top […]
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 […]
Hello sewing world! Today I’m going to share with you how to sew a welt pocket to the Belize Shorts, but you can really use this tutorial to put a welt pocket on anything that you think needs one. When the Belize Shorts were released I just knew I would love these shorts and adding […]
Well, it’s been awhile since I’ve joined in here at Itch to Stitch. I’m a teacher and back to school time is a crazy, exciting, hot mess as I’m sure many of you know. Do you know what else used to be a hot mess for me?! Removing serger seams! Honestly, I didn’t used to […]
One of my favorite features of the Bonn Shirt & Dress is the collar. For a lack of a better term, I call it a “modified mandarin collar”. However, on a normal mandarin collar, the left and right front meet each other at the center. Also, mandarin collar essentially is the collar stand that supports […]
When sewing a curved seam, you are supposed to be clipping or notching the seam allowance, so that the seam can stay flat and smooth. The rule is that when the seam is concave, you clip the seam allowance; when the seam is convex, you notch the seam allowance. This is an important step. Without […]
A while back, I talked about making chain stitch when I discussed four easy ways to tack your lining. The lowly chain stitch is actually quite versatile. Besides tacking the lining down, I also use it to make carriers for bra straps and belts. Because my pattern, Bonn Shirt & Dress, has a thread chain carrier for a sash, […]
Not to brag or anything, but to me, sewing a set-in sleeve is not much more difficult than sewing a sleeve flat. I know that many don’t share my sentiment; I have seen sewists going great length avoiding sewing anything in the round, even when the end result would be better otherwise. Knowledge is power. The first step […]
