All posts filed under: Tutorials

Matchmaker – Dahlia meets Mr Zip

Whilst inserting my zip today into my Dahlia dress I decided to take some photos of how I match everything up when inserting zips, as it can make or break a garment. This is just how I do it.  There might be an easier way out there, but after making 5 Yasmin Yoke Skirts I feel practiced and competent enough to share my way with you. Firstly, buy a decent zip!  I learnt the hard way today: This post will not show you how any special tricks to inserting a concealed zip, there’s loads of fab tutorials out there and even a free craftsy class (I always refer back to this if I’ve not inserted one in a while). Insert one side of the zip. Zip up the zipper and mark the important seams that need to match: Unzip and place where it needs to be.  Pin if you like but it doesn’t make it any more accurate!   Stitch in place – long basting stitches just near the seams that need to match: Now, zip it …

How come my rotary cutter doesn’t spin round?!?!

On Sunday I treated myself to a rotary cutter and mat, today was the first chance I had to try it out. I decided to make a simple A-line skirt that I’d seen in Sew magazine. I was all ready with my measurements, fabric, rotary cutter and mat but couldn’t understand why my cutter didn’t rotate. After much googling and watching You Tube I discovered much to my surprise how to use it. It wasn’t like a circular saw after all!! But, I love it!!! Loads!!! I made my skirt in an hour and here it is, modelled by Gertrude….

Thank you By Hand, London

Whilst browsing By Hand’s website I found a tool they have which does all the calculations for 1/4, 1/2 and full circle skirts!! Amazing!!! Thank you so much! After making one for my niece I found the calculations scary as I didn’t want to make a mistake with the lovely fabric I bought. Here’s one I made earlier…. And I blogged about it here….. I can’t wait to make another (for myself!) now I’ve found this App. Thanks again By Hand!

Organising PDF Patterns

I usually roll my PDF patterns up into a tube after using them but today I had a brain wave of a better way to store them. Strengthen one corner with lots of cellotape then make a hole with a hole puncher. Do this for each pattern piece. I then cut the straight end of a plastic ‘D’ ring and slipped each pattern piece onto it. I then put the ring onto a coat hanger. Now all I need to do is find somewhere to hang them up!

Tartan Half Circle Skirt – a bit of a tutorial…My First!

Today’s my niece’s 16th birthday. She asked me to make her a tartan skater skirt. After lots of googling we went shopping to Fabworks in Dewsbury on a fabric hunt. As soon as she saw this fabric it was love at first sight. It was also the most expensive one we saw at £10/metre. It was a wool mix, but was machine washable. My sister would hate me if I made something that was dry clean only.  Originally I intended to make her a 3/4 circle skirt but I wasn’t sure how the seam would match up to I chickened out and made a 1/2 circle. I had a trial run in my size as I’d never made one before. I made mine in a thick silver fabric which ended up being a nightmare to work with, it just curled up at every stage.    After pressing the living daylight out of it it eventually behaved, but alas, I have produced another UFO. I’ve not idea when I’ll ever where it so can’t bring myself justify the …

easy outfit from only 1 metre of fabric

Here’s one of the first things I made when I recently got back into sewing. I bought a metre of fabric from minervacrafts.com intending to use it to line a bag I was knitting. When the fabric arrived in the post it was much too nice to be hidden in a bag. I draped it all sorts of ways around me wondering how I could make this metre into a dress. It HAD to be a dress! Eventually I plucked up the courage the cut into it………not able to make a dress I opted for a long skirt and ‘boob tube’ style top…… My bust measurement is about 105cm so I only sewed a narrow side seam and adding the elastic to the top just helped hold it in place. I overlocked the top, and turned over the top just enough to fit the elastic. I did the same with the skirt. This had a little more ease and enabled me to be able to walk! On reflection tho’ I wish I’d have made a …