FREE Sewing Patterns and Tutorials
FREE Sewing Patterns and Tutorials Let's talk a bit about FREE Sewing Patterns and Tutorials this week. Almost every week I roll out a FREE sewing pattern and/or tutorial for something I've made. I make a LOT of stuff. None of the things I make are difficult. I can do...
Tea Dying
Using natural dyes at home Tea Dyed top I've done quite a bit of tie dying. See - here - here - and - here. The reason I dyed this top was because it acquired a massive stain. Tea dying is so easy and a great way to save my top. Stain it all over! You...
My Best Sewing Tips – Part 2
My 20 best sewing tips Find out how to make a belt with Strapping in Greenie Galleries Read tips 1 to 10 by clicking through to this post. 11. Never cut threads close to the end of seams. The seam will split open the minute you put the garment on. Rather sew...
My Best Sewing Tips – Part 1
Look in Greenie Galleries for this No Sew Scarf My 10 best sewing tips 1. Zig-zagging or over-casting edges is not always necessary. You can tell if you need to finish your edges, gently pull at your fabric, if threads come loose easily, then zig-zag. Or fold over...
Slim Fit Trousers
How to sew pockets closed Trousers before This blog post is a slight departure. I thought I would share how I create a slim fit with all my trousers. And skirts. It might not be for everyone. Especially people who use their pockets a lot. I put all my Pin pockets flat...
How to Set a Zip
Steps to sewing a zipper Hand stitch the zip in place with easy to see stitches There are a couple of things I really hate to sew. Button holes are top of my list. I never get them exactly the same size. Some machines do all the work for you. Just set the width and...
Dip Dye T-Shirts
How to dip dye clothes at home Dip Dye T-Shirts You would think I've had enough home dying but I keep finding new ways and new things to dye. Plus, I left my favourite Two Colour Tie Dye Scarf behind in South Africa. I've been looking for an excuse to make another...
Dyeing Fabric at Home
Tips for dying clothing The T-shirts before they were dyed I went a bit mad a few weekends back. First I did some bleach dying and then I moved on to fabric dye. Summer 2012 is going to be a riot of crazy prints so I decided to jump in early and up-cycle a couple of...
DIY Bleach Dye T-shirt
How to bleach a T-shirt for tie dye effect I have talked about bleaching and dying in this blog before. I don't often dye myself, but rather get our local laundry service to do it, as it's a really, really messy business. That's not all. Dying clothes is a lot like...
How to wash and Iron a Vintage Suede Jacket
Instructions to launder suede at home Vintage suede jacket My mother gave me this gorgeous suede shirt/jacket. She told me it was washable suede. How does one know when suede is washable and when it is not? Sorry, I can't help with that. She had washed it successfully...
Fabric Paint
Fabric painting tutorial Fabric paint on T-shirt I showed this revamped T-shirt on my model a short while ago. See here - hand painted T-shirt. The sleeves and neck were trimmed to make it into a tank top. I mentioned that I had not yet laundered the shirt and...
Top Twenty Packing Tips for Travellers
What to pack for a holiday I thought I would have a different slant to the blog today. Since I have been on the move, I decided I would give my top twenty travel packing tips. So here goes with the travel packing tips - 1. I pack an almost...
Choosing Sewing Patterns
How to choose a sewing pattern I do a bit of sewing but not enough to say I am a good seamstress or dressmaker. Sewing is a bit like running or riding a bicycle, you have to keep at it or you lose the knack. I don't have that kind of time. I make a point of only...