Inspiration can be found in all sorts of places, and the inspiration for these appliqued roses came from some paper doilies I bought from Poundland years ago! Usually the approach here would be to draw the same thing over and over again until it becomes easy. By doing this, the thing you are drawing becomes simplified, and then it's possible to use this as a starting point. This can be difficult though, and it requires time and energy ... Read the Post...
Making Friends With Your Sewing Machine: How to Sew With a Sewing Machine
Now that you know what all the bits of your sewing machine are for, and you've got it all set up and ready to go, it's time to learn how to sew with your sewing machine! It's always a good idea to have a practice first on a scrap piece of the fabric you will be using. That way you can check that everything's alright before getting started on your project. Before You Start Double check that you have actually threaded the machine, ... Read the Post...
Designing a Handmade Wardrobe
There is really nothing like wearing something you've made yourself. Instead of being limited to what's available in the shops, you can choose the style, the fabric and the colours. With a little bit of creativity, you can even modify existing patterns to make something that is entirely unique. For lots of us, it is our dream to have a wardrobe of outfits that we have made ourselves. No more being limited to what the fashion people have ... Read the Post...
Kimono Style Dress: Sewing the Dress
In the previous post, I walked through drafting a pattern for a kimono style dress. It's here if you missed it! Once you have your pattern ready, you can start making the dress. It's tempting to get stuck in straight away, but it's a good idea to check a couple of things first! Before You Start Check that you have added a seam allowance to your pattern pieces. Make sure you have checked the fit, either by making a toile (cheap ... Read the Post...
