Last updated: 4/10/11
Sewing Information, Advice, How-to
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Sewing Techniques
For even more sewing techniques, see Garment Construction
Below you'll find a collection of sewing articles from all over the web to help you master
specific sewing techniques and improve your craft!





















Machine Buttonholes, part 2: Style Savvy (pdf)

Step by Step Directions to Sew Bound Buttonholes

Bungled Buttonholes

How to Hand Sew a Blanket Stitch or Buttonhole Stitch


Casings                                                               

Fold-down casings (pdf)

Applied Casings (pdf)

Easy Waistband Casings -- Elastic and Drawstrings (pdf)

Sewing a Skirt or Pants with a Drawstring Waist


Corners                                                               

Tips and Tricks to Sew Corners

Conquering Inset Corners (video)


Fixes                                                                    

Bungled Buttonholes

Sewing 911: What to do When a Garment is Too Tight (pdf)

Replacing a Button (pdf)

How to Replace a Broken Jeans Zipper


Hand Sewing - click here


Hemming                                                             

Hems (pdf)

Simple Hems (pdf)

Mastering the Narrow Hemmer, Part One

Mastering the Narrow Hemmer, Part Two

Mastering the Narrow Hemmer, Part Three

How to Use a Sewing Machine Blind Hem Stitch

How to Mark an Even Pants Hem

How To Hem Pants

Hemming Jeans (pdf)

The Scalloped Hem


Interfacing - Click here


Laying Out & Cutting                                         

Pattern Layouts

How to Straighten Fabric Grain (SewingSupport.com)

SewBasic: Grainline (pdf)

Straightening Fabric Grain (pdf)

Fabric Grain - Lengthwise, Crosswise and Bias

Straightening the Grain on Fluid Fabrics (video)  

Preparing to Sew: Fabric & Pattern Preparation (pdf)

Cutting Out


Marking                                                               

How to Mark Fabric (SewingSupport.com)

Marking Tools (pdf)

Understanding Pattern Markings Part 1 (pdf)

Understanding Pattern Markings Part 2 (pdf)

How to Transfer Pattern Markings


Pinning                                                                

How to Pin a Seam

Fabric that Can't be Pinnned


Pressing - Click Here


Seam Finishes - Click here


Seams & Stitching (general) - Click here


Staystitching                                                       

Staystitching (pdf)

Back To Basics: Staystitching

Basic Directional Stitching to Sew Stay Stitching and Seams


Topstiching                                                         

Tools for Topstitchng


Tubes                                                                  

Tube Turners Part 1 (pdf)

Tube Turners Part 2 (pdf)


Zippers - Click here


More great sewing information:                     

Sewing Techniques from Simplicity
a collection of basic sewing tips

Husqvarna Viking's "The Sewing Room"
step by step video instruction for many basic sewing techniques

More Sewing Resources!

You might also find the following resources helpful:

Learn to Sew
a series of lessons to teach you to sew

Garment Construction
a collection of articles for sewing garments

Fitting How-to
a collection of garment-fitting articles

Working with Fabric
a collection of fabric articles

Working with Patterns
a collection of pattern how-to articles
Get FREE Sewing Patterns! Click here.
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Popular Sewing Books!
Basting                                                      

Running Stitch: Basting (pdf)

How to Baste

Diagonal and Slip Basting (pdf)


Buttonholes                                              

Machine Buttonholes Made Easy (pdf version)
Machine Buttonholes Made Easy (html version)

Machine Buttonholes, part 1: Tools and
Techniques (pdf)
Popular Sewing Project
Books!
Sewing Quick Tips:

If you need to duplicate a pattern, try using waxed paper. It’s lightweight, see-through, and
most of us have it on hand in our cupboard. And if you need larger pieces, just tape it
together.

When hand-basting finer fabrics, use a fine, silk thread. It’s less likely to leave noticeable holes
behind in your fabric once it’s removed.

When sewing lightweight fabrics, don’t backstitch to secure the thread ends. This can cause
your fabric to pucker. Instead, as you near the edge of your fabric, switch to a very fine
stitch, then continue stitching to the end of your fabric. The finer stitch should be enough to
keep your thread end from coming loose.

For more great sewing tips click here.
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Sewing Quick Tip:

To extend the life
of your thread –
especially thread
from natural
fibers, which can
become brittle over
time – store it out
of the light
because UV rays
can cause thread
to deteriorate. Also
store your thread
where it will be
protected from
dust.
Sewing Quick Tip:

Pressing over pins
isn’t usually
recommended. But
if you must press
over pins, use flat-
head or no-head
metal pins. They’re
less likely to leave
a permanent
impression in your
fabric and won’t
melt under the
heat of an iron.