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image courtesy of AllFreeSewing... |
Several weeks ago, I opened up an email from AllFreeSewing and
found the unexpected bonus that I'm about to share with you today. Given that
we've just flipped the calendar to September, it's also an apt celebration of
National Sewing Month.
I have to admit that the mailings from AFS come too fast and too often (several times a day) and I'm more likely to delete them than look through them. Whenever I do open one, it's to scout out new projects, but I'm glad I read further in this particular edition.
I have to admit that the mailings from AFS come too fast and too often (several times a day) and I'm more likely to delete them than look through them. Whenever I do open one, it's to scout out new projects, but I'm glad I read further in this particular edition.
The best part is, whether you've been sewing for two months or two decades,
something here is sure to be new and informative to you.
From absolute basic stuff like how to sew buttons — divided up into shank
buttons, two-holed buttons and four-holed buttons — to what finger to put a
thimble on (there's really no right answer to that, by the way, it's wherever
you feel it provides the best protection for you), there is a section that
answers basic questions about sewing in general. It even includes an article
on the origins of sewing; the earliest evidence of threading cord through
holes in material dates back to 45000 BC.
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And while I know what topstitching is, it never occurred to me that people
might do it by hand. (I suppose it's the same as hand quilting.)
Sewing Notions & Stuff
Did you ever wonder why the word "notions"? I mean, if you look the word up
in a dictionary, it doesn't give you the meaning that it has with us sewers.
Unfortunately, while one of these articles does go in depth on what
sewing notions encompass — i.e., basic supplies, cutters, fasteners, trims,
measuring implements, and pressing tools — it doesn't go into why the word
itself was chosen. Too bad.
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image courtesy of AllFreeSewing... |
Among the collection of articles found here is one that covers
unconventional sewing tools. You know those hacks that we've come to
adopt and use? (Binder clips, anyone?) Maybe there's something new for you
to discover.
There's also a discussion on the best glues for fabric. Obviously, it's
going to be the kind that's been developed for fabric, but I had an issue
with their dismissive assessment of glue sticks. No, they're not going to
hold anything together permanently, but they are quite handy for
temporary adhesion.
Fabrics
What are fat quarters? Well, I certainly asked that question about a
decade ago! A few seconds on Google got me the answer then, but this
article not only describes the iconic rectangle that's been so personally
useful to me, it also includes a guide to the other oddly named precuts of
the quilting world. (Which must have been named by some poor soul who was
on a diet depriving her from various sugary baked goods.)
Apart from the ways in which fabric can be cut and sold, this section
provides tips on how to care for various types of materials from felt to
vinyl.
One of my favourite discussions? How to "thrift" fabric; i.e., how to find and
purchase unconventional sources of material. I started my sewing journey
that way and have made it a priority to conclude it that way.
Sizing & Measurements
If you're into making clothing, this section is for you. Information on
all aspects of sizing and measuring, from body types to types of clothing
can be found here.
One of the articles tackles the subject of whether making your own
clothing is cheaper than buying. If you're of a certain age, you already
know the answer to that. (At one time it certainly was cheaper, but not
now.)
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All About Sewing Patterns
Again, this section may be of more interest to you if you're a sewer of
clothing and need to interpret a traditional "pattern". (I haven't sewn with
a clothing pattern in decades.)
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image courtesy of AllFreeSewing... |
I like how the articles acknowledge the fact that sewing patterns are very
expensive these days and give you guidance on how to alter and reuse them.
My favourites here? Two articles on how to draft your own pattern to make
clothing. I've covered the method here on my blog with
a pair of shorts, but the process is the same with any item of clothing.
Simply choose something that fits you well and you're off to the races.
Sewing Machine Essentials
It's debatable whether or not you'd be reading any of this if you didn't
already have a sewing machine, but perhaps if you've outgrown the one you
have, you may want consult this section for some sewing machine and serger
essential facts.
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image courtesy of AllFreeSewing... |
I took a quick glance through the "choosing a sewing machine" article and
smiled when I came upon a heading that stated,
the best sewing machines last for decades. I truly don't know how the
adage of "you get what you pay for" applies to modern day sewing machines,
because I've never had to consider buying a machine in today's marketplace.
I was a teenager when I purchased the sewing machine that I am currently
using and I'm pretty sure I won't be needing to buy another one before my
personal sewing journey is done.
Important one not to miss: how to clean your sewing machine. I've covered
the question of tracking when
here on my blog, but if you need a refresher course on the "how to" part,
give this a gander.
Stitching & Hemming
This part covers everything from hand stitched embroidery to mending in
terms of stitching.
I like the suggestions for topstitching using a decorative stitch (as in the
photo here). I have often thought to do my "next" bit of topstitching using
the
decorative stitching cams
that came with my sewing machine, but the plan has never come to fruition for
some reason. Maybe next time! ◔ ⌣ ◔
Miscellany
The first article listed under the last section has to do with
covering up mistakes. I'm a true believer in that when something is done, it should be done
right, so never hesitate to take out the seam ripper and do it over. (If need be, put it aside and wait until you're in the proper frame of mind.) But sometimes, things are just hard to fix and you may need a work-around.
Other articles here run the gamut from how to prevent puckering to how to
sew elastic. It finishes off with a compilation of fifty-plus sewing
"hacks", many of which are fun to explore and have in your sewing toolbox (some of which were covered in this previous post of mine).
The entire collection of links that I've described above can be found here
in
one central "index"
at AllFreeSewing.
One final link that I'd like to share today is this one for
historical sewing patterns.
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image courtesy of AllFreeSewing... |
It's a collection of sewing patterns through the decades spanning styles
from pioneer and Victorian days through to the 1990s.
Even if you don't make any of them, it's an interesting read. (And
I'm not just saying that because one of my projects was featured in their
1980s collection!)
In closing, I'd like to express my gratitude to the folks at
AllFreeSewing for their support over the years... and for
providing me with enough material for a post that almost wrote itself. ◕‿↼
Oh, and mustn't forget: you can join in on the National Sewing Month 2022 celebrations throughout September (with giveaways galore as usual) over at AllFreeSewing by clicking here.