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How To Choose The Best Fabric For Curtains

November 19, 2020 · Leave a Comment

How To Choose The Best Fabric For Curtains

The Best Types of Fabric For Curtains For Your Home

This is a guest post from Yorkshire Fabric Shop.

Choosing the perfect curtain fabric for your home can be overwhelming. There are endless collections to choose from and you might not know the best type of curtain fabric for your house. We’d like to give you the basics of curtain fabric that’s perfect for your home.

Linen

Linen curtain fabrics are one of the leading fabrics for curtains. It drapes beautifully and provides a crisp and fresh look. Linen can let fresh air and light pass through while still giving the privacy a home owner wants.

This type of curtain fabric also gives out a good insulation whatever the season might be. During hot seasons, it does not block air breeze from the outside. While on winter, it traps heat inside which also contributes to decreasing your bills due to heat escaping.

Linen is easy to take care of, and it does not require special cleaning. Linen curtain fabrics can be washed in the washing machine and can also be dry cleaned. After every wash, it will soften while still maintaining its crisp look. It can also be ironed well. Add a dash of fabulous to your home!

Velvet

Want to make your room more elegant and sophisticated? We think velvet is the perfect curtain fabric for you. Velvet is a thick, and soft yet textured curtain fabric that can turn a boring space into a hotel style look. Velvet is perfect for homes with high ceilings. If your walls are not that high, just make sure your rod is set up to the ceiling. That way you’ll get the full benefit of your velvet curtains and it will make your ceiling look higher.

Velvet is also a great curtain fabric to block light from entering your house. If you prefer to have a blackout curtain for your home, then velvet’s the one for you. Too much heat no more!

How To Choose The Best Fabric For Curtains

Polyester

If you’re looking for a curtain fabric that’s budget-friendly and practical, we think polyester is for you. This curtain fabric is mould resistant and is very easy to care for. It’s also durable and won’t wrinkle or stretch easily. Polyester can also last for years if it is cared for and cleaned regularly. Washing polyester is very easy and can be washed in the washing machine. However, it’s a great odour conductor so we suggest not using it in the kitchen.

Polyester fabrics also hold dye and reflect colours well. Great for people who would want to bring out the best colours in their homes!

Curtains are designed not only to block light but also to be aesthetically pleasing. They contribute to the ambiance of our homes. Most homeowners want to use their curtains to give their homes a unique touch.

In addition to the overall feel of the house, it’s necessary to consider the practicalities of each type curtain fabric. If you are looking for curtain fabric, Yorkshire Fabric Shop offers a huge range of colours, fabrics, patterns, and textures.

 

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Filed In: Blog, Tips and Techniques / Tagged: curtains, how to

Tips For Sewing With Knits: It’s Easier Than You Might Think!

September 2, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Tips for sewing with knits

This post contains affiliate links.

Sewing woven fabrics, like cotton and polycotton, is without question easier to sewing with knits. A big part of this is because they don’t stretch and they hold their shape. There’s no need to faff with the settings on your sewing machine, and no extra skills or knowledge are needed.

So when people first learn to sew, they usually learn with cotton or polycotton.

Sooner or later though, you’re going to want to sew with different kinds of fabric, and jersey knits will probably be on the list!

What is a Knit Fabric?

Knit refers to the way in which the fabric has been constructed.

Woven fabrics are made with up and down threads (warp) and side to side threads (weft). These are woven together by passing the weft threads alternately over and under the warp threads.

Knit fabrics are made using a single thread in loops threaded through each other, like knitting.

This is why knits are stretchy and woven fabrics are not.

Knits also have a stretchy element in the fibres they are made from, like lycra or spandex, which also helps to make them stretchy.

Tips for sewing with knits

Why Would I Want To Sew With Knits?

There are lots of reasons for sewing with knit fabrics.

Clothes made from jersey often don’t need darts and rarely need zips.

You can make all kinds of things with stretchy fabrics, from skirts, tops and dresses to pyjamas and exercise clothes.

There are thicker sorts of jersey, including terry and sweatshirt fabric, which are more suitable for the colder months.

It’s very comfortable to wear.

Problems With Sewing With Knits

If you are new to sewing, or if you just haven’t tried it, the idea of sewing with jersey knits can be off putting.

How on earth do you sew something that stretches?
What if the edges curl up and make it impossible to sew?
Do I have to do something complicated to my sewing machine in order to sew it?
How do I sew hems without them looking frilly?
How do I use bias binding on this stuff when it doesn’t stretch enough?

Fortunately there are few things you can do to make sewing with jersey easier.

Tips for sewing with knits

Tips For Sewing With Knits

Choosing Fabric

Use jersey with a two way stretch. Usually this will stretch quite a bit between the selvedges, but won’t stretch very much the other way. It’s easier to sew fabric that only stretches one way than the kind with a 4 way stretch that will stretch all over the place!

Choose a cotton interlock jersey. Ponte Roma is similiar. It’s made using two layers of threads, so it’s usually thicker and more stable than other knit fabrics.

Check how much the fabric curls before buying. The thinner and stretchier it is, the more likely it is to curl.

If you buy your fabric from a bricks and mortar shop, check the fabric first. Assistants are often knowledgeable and happy to help, so ask them if you need advice.

When buying fabric online, this is a harder thing to check!

One clue to look out for is the percentage of lycra or spandex compared to the other fibres. The higher the lycra/ spandex content the more likely it is to curl.

If something is very lightweight, it will probably be more to be difficult to sew.

Often you can have samples sent to you if you want to check the fabric before committing to buy, or you could call the shop and have a chat with them before making a decision.

Tips for sewing with knits

Sewing With Knit Fabrics

Once you’ve got your fabric, there are things you can do to make sewing it easier.

Use a stitch for knits. Most modern machines have a stitch specifically for knits. If yours doesn’t, use a zigzag. This will allow the stitches to stretch with the fabric.

Try using a stretch needle. A universal needle might work perfectly well, but if you find that you’re experiencing problems, then try swapping it for a stretch needle.

Try not to pull the fabric through the sewing machine. It can be tempting to do this! But pulling the fabric will cause it to stretch and will result in puckering. If you are tempted to pull it, just guide the fabric from the back.

Use stabilising paper or tape on seams. This stuff dissolves in water, or you can use this which specifically for stabilising seams. Alternatively you can use tissue paper instead. Just slip it underneath when you are sewing and pull it away when you’ve finished.

If you need to use interfacing, use the kind for knits. Until a couple of years ago, I had no idea that this stuff existed! It allows you to add weight to your fabric where you need to, without losing any of the stretch.

Stay stitch necklines and arm holes. Using a long stitch, sew just inside the seam allowance. Doing this will help to stabilise the fabric when you sew the neckline and the armholes and reduce the chances of them becoming stretched and frilly looking.

If you’re finishing the raw edges with bias binding, use stretch bias binding. This was something else I’ve only discovered quite recently! Regular bias binding does have a stretch to it, but it might not stretch as much as your fabric. Stretch bias binding will stretch with the fabric.

Tips for sewing with knits

What Next?

Now you’ve read the tips, the best thing to do is to grab your sewing machine and some stretchy fabric and have a go! Practise first, then when you feel comfy, you might like to try one of these projects that uses stretchy fabric.

This is a tutorial for a half circle skirt made from jersey, so no zip required!

These are instructions for a dress I made from cotton interlock jersey. I wore it a lot and it was as comfy as pyjamas!

There’s a link here to an easy tutorial for making tracksuit bottoms for a child.


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Filed In: Blog, New to Sewing? Start Here!, Tips and Techniques / Tagged: dressmaking

A Beginner’s Guide To Buying a Sewing Machine

July 23, 2020 · 4 Comments

A Beginner's Guide To Buying a Sewing Machine

This is a guest post brought to you by Top Sewing Machines UK.

There is no better time than right now to practice a new hobby. Why not try sewing? Sewing is relaxing and meditative, and at the end of a project, you could end up with a fabulous garment or exquisite quilt. Buying your first sewing machine can be a bit intimidating; after all, sewing machines have quite a few settings, knobs, and buttons. Educate yourself on a few aspects of sewing machines, however, and you will be able to find the best one to fit your beginner sewing needs. 

Vital Features

There are several features that are on sewing machines that are definitely necessary if you are a beginner. Whether you decide to take up embroidery or garment making, the following are vital features you are going to want to look for on your new sewing machine. 

Built-In Needle Threader

When you sew with a sewing machine, you have to thread your needle every time. Why not make things easier on yourself and purchase a new machine with a built-in needle threader? This little gadget will save you tons of time and trouble, especially if you have difficulty seeing the eye of your needle.

Top Loading Drop-In Bobbin

Like threading your needle, you will definitely be using your bobbin every time you use your sewing machine. A poorly designed bobbin system can be a huge annoyance and will take the pleasure right out of sewing. 

With a top loading bobbin system, the bobbin can easily be popped in and out of place without the operator having to dismantle the bobbin casing in order to get to it. This bobbin system is also fitted with a clear plastic cover plate so that you can monitor the amount of thread. This way, you can easily see if you are running low on thread while you are sewing.

A Beginner's Guide To Buying a Sewing Machine

Free Arm

If you plan to be sewing and hemming clothing once you learn how to sew, then it is definitely worthwhile to purchase a sewing machine with a free arm. With an added free arm, you will be able to sew round garment pieces like sleeves, collars, and trouser legs. If you cannot convert your sewing machine to a free arm, it will be very difficult to sew these pieces. 

If you find a sewing machine with a built-in needle threader, a top loading drop-in bobbin, and free arm capability, then buy it! These three features will save you time and hassle again and again on your sewing journey. 

Needles

One of the biggest learning curves to overcome when learning how to sew is which needle to use with which project. Make sure that you keep your sewing room stocked with a variety of needles because you will need to use different sizes and shapes for different projects and different fabrics. Sewing machine needles are classified according to their point type and their thickness. These characteristics will change depending on what kind of fabric you are using. Sewing machine needles include regular point needles, ball point needles, stretch needles, and wedge needles just to name a few. 

Also ensure that you change out your needle with every new project. It is such a hassle when a needle breaks in the middle of sewing a hem or straight line. At the very least, be sure to change your needle after sewing with it for six to eight hours. 

Consider a Mechanical Model

When buying your first sewing machine, you may be tempted to get one that is computerised or electrical. Once you get good at the craft, of course you can add one of these more difficult to operate devices to your collection. As you are just starting out, however, we suggest that you go with a simple mechanical sewing machine. 

The first reason you should get a mechanical sewing machine is that computerized and electrical ones have an over-abundance of options and settings. These can be confusing and overwhelming when you are sitting down to learn sewing from scratch. Learning the basics on a mechanical sewing machine will make your life so much easier. 

Computerised machines also require regular maintenance from a professional. So it is always a good idea to have a backup mechanical sewing machine, even if you have a computerised one. That way, if the fancy machine is in the shop, you can keep on sewing with your simple mechanical one. 

If you follow these tips when buying your first sewing machine, you should be happy with your purchase. Make sure that you buy a simple enough machine that you enjoy learning how to sew, but check to see that it has the features listed above. Happy sewing!

I use a Silver 8000e and I would definitely recommend it for beginners! (This is an affiliate link)

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Different Ways To Use a Favourite Sewing Pattern

June 12, 2020 · Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that I love circle skirts! They suit all body shapes, they’re easy to make, and although I mentioned patterns in the title, I never use a pattern to make one!

When I was having a tidy up the other weekend, I found some fabric I’d bought to make another circle skirt. I’d intended to make it for our trip to Japan, then we couldn’t go and I didn’t make the skirt.

But last week I did, and here it is! The lining is flannelette (perfect as April has returned to Norfolk even though it’s June!), and the floaty layer is cotton voile.

I have a lot of circle skirts, in total probably half a dozen, not to mention several dresses that are circle skirts with a bodice added.

It’s tricky when you find something you like to not end up feeling that you’re wearing the same thing all the time. A cotton knee length circle skirt is perfect for summer. But what can you do to vary things a little bit? And what about when the weather gets colder and you still want something pretty and swirly to wear?

Something I’ve found with my pretty skirts is that it’s easy enough to change things up a bit, so that you are wearing things you like that suit you, but not things that all look the same.

The suggestions I’ve made below apply to circle skirts in particular, but most of them could be used with any favourite pattern.

And if you have an idea that I haven’t included, please share it in the comments!

If you haven’t made a circle skirt before and you want to have a look at a tutorial, there’s one here.

Change The Fabric

This is the easiest thing to do if you want to use the same pattern but end up with something that looks different.

Most of my circle skirts are made from cotton print, but I have others made from different fabric too!

You could try:
Wool
Flannelette
Silky fabric or taffeta
Tulle

My favourite winter skirt is this one made from a wool blend. I added a lining so it wouldn’t be itchy.

diy winter circle skirt tutorial

I’ve also got one made from flannelette that I wore in the spring with pink tights and pink shoes. It’s so nice to be able to have a pink day even when it’s chilly out!

The one I made last week can be worn in colder weather too as it has a flannelette lining.

Making a version in a shiny fabric like this one in a silky fabric, or from taffeta can make it look very different and suitable for wearing if you need to get dressed up.

9 tips for sewing with shiny fabric

I’ve made several from tulle, including this pink one which is the envy of 4 year old little girls everywhere I go! I cut 5 circles from tulle, plus one from lining fabric and sewed them to an elastic waistband. The tutorial is here.

diy tulle circle skirt

Even swapping prints for plains or the other way round can make achieve a different look, or by substituting pastels for richer or deeper colours.

Try Adding Some Net or a Foofy Petticoat

I’ve sewn a net layer into a circle skirt made from voile. I also have a foofy petticoat that I wear with my pretty skirts sometimes. It turns them from being normal ish nice to extra nice!

With a pair of heels it can be enough to wear a pretty circle skirt with a foofy petticoat and you’ve got an outfit for a wedding or another special occasion!

Add a Bodice

This is easier than you’d think!

The first time I tried this, I needed something to wear for a wedding and I didn’t have very long. So I had to keep it simple. The bodice was made from 2 pieces, with some darts. I didn’t bother with sleeves. The result was my cherry blossom dress which I have worn a lot! I’ve also made several other versions of the same thing, and it was this style of dress that we made in the sewalong 2 years ago.

cherry blossom dress sewalong finishing the raw edges

Changing an existing pattern drastically can feel scary, especially if you’re doing it all yourself without a pattern. But if you have a look at the clothes in your wardrobe, it’s usually quite easy to figure out how they have been made. You can even take things apart and use them as pattern pieces!

Having a dress form helps as well, but even if you don’t, you can try pinning pits of fabric to yourself and seeing how you can get them into something that looks a dress.

I wrote a post about drafting a bodice here, which describes the same process that I use myself.

Change What Goes On At the Waist

This can give a circle skirt a different kind of look too.

Usually I sew a waistband in this way, or I use elastic.

You could add a bow, a ruffly flower or ties.

Waistbands are often made from the same fabric, but you could use a contrasting fabric, maybe a print with a plain or the other way round.

Add Contrasting Sections

This is one of the things that I haven’t tried yet although I’d like to!

Probably the easiest way to do this with a circle skirt is to swap 2 of the quarters with a different fabric. Or you could cut the quarters in half to make eighths.

Another option would be to cut a chunk out of the top section and add a piece the same size in a contrasting fabric. Or you could do this at the bottom, but you’d need more fabric!

Add Applique

One of these days I’ll make this! It will have huge appliqued flowers at the bottom.

I also started making a Bob Ross dress. I ran out of steam before I’d done the back! It’s a circle skirt with a bodice added, and the whole thing is in the style of a Bob Ross painting.

Change the Shape of the Hemline

The hemline on a circle skirt is obviously a circle, but it’s easy enough to change it.

One option is to make one that’s a square instead.

If you’re concerned about it being too short in some places, you could cut 2 squares and overlap them.

Another possibility would be to cut across front of the hem in a straight line.This would give a hemline that is longer at the back and the sides.

Or you could cut upwards from one side to the other, to give it an asymmetric hem.

Another way to change the hemline is to sew a scalloped hem. To do this, it’s probably best to make a pattern piece for a quarter of the skirt so that you don’t get into a muddle with the curve.

Change the Length

This is another easy way of making something look quite different! You could try anything from from very short to very long, but even changing something from knee length to mid calf, especially if you change the fabric too, can make the same design look very different.

Add Layers

This works best with very light weight fabrics.

To make a tulle skirt, you’ll need several layers, but you could also try layering voile or something else floaty. You could add net or tulle layers, or if you are making one with a square hemline, you could try a couple of layers that overlap at different angles.

How to make a tulle skirt with a hanky hem

Make a Wrap Version

All you need to do for this is add an extra panel so that it will overlap. A couple of buttons will hold them together and you could add extra sections the waistband to make ties.

Add Pockets

I have major issues with the lack of pockets in women’s clothes! But when you make your own, it’s easy enough to add pockets at the side seams.

You could go one step further and add patch pockets. You can use them to add interest as well as somewhere to keep your phone! Try them in a contrasting colour, or applique a design to them.

Change What You Wear With It

A blouse will make it smarter, a t shirt is more relaxed. A foofy petticoat will make it fancier, as will smarter shoes. A cardi and a pair of tights will make it warmer. You could even wear a long sleeved thermal top under your favourite summer t shirt and pair of boots with your summery skirt.

Do you have a favourite pattern? What do you do to change it up?

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Filed In: Blog, Tips and Techniques / Tagged: circle skirt, favourite pattern, tips

9 Tips For Sewing With Shiny Fabric

March 5, 2020 · 6 Comments

9 tips for sewing with shiny fabric

When you’re new to sewing, working with cotton is by far and away the easiest sort of fabric to use. It doesn’t fray too much, it doesn’t stretch, it holds its shape and it will go through the sewing machine without getting stuck or sliding around all over the place.

But sooner or later, you’re going to want to sew with something else. Perhaps something shiny, floaty, thicker, or stretchy.

Sewing with shiny fabric can seem daunting, especially if you read people’s blog posts about how hard they are to sew!

It’s true that these fabrics do present with some challenges, but they’re not impossible! All you need is a few tips to point you in the right direction.

Recently I made this. I actually considered not posting this picture because I’m not happy about the extra padding that’s started to creep on around my middle.

9 tips for sewing with shiny fabric

I decided to post it anyway because there is to much out here in internetland where people look perfect. I am a real human. I’ve produced 4 kids and I like cake. And if any of you are feeling depressed because your house is messy, I’ve got pictures of mine that would make you feel so much better!

Anyway, the fabric’s beautiful, I love the colour, and a different top might help, so I’m going to wear it anyway.

Sewing With Shiny Fabric

Before I get into this, I just want to say that making this skirt was NOT a nightmare! Although the fabric is shiny, it’s quite thick so it holds its shape well. Because of that I didn’t have issues associated with those kinds of fabrics.

If you follow these tips, you can totally make something shiny and gorgeous without it being a disaster, and without wanting to throw your sewing machine through the nearest window.

1. Change the Needle

There is proper advice for how often you should change your needle. It’s after a certain number of hours but I can’t remember how many. I usually only change the needle if it breaks or if my machine is complaining!

When sewing with shiny fabric though, a blunt needle will pull at the threads and they will show. So before you do anything else, put a new needle into your machine, and ideally use a smaller than average one. It’s an easy thing to do and could make all the difference.

2. Check the Tension

It’s important that you change the needle before fiddling about with that little dial!

Issues with loopy stitches, pulling and skipped stitches are usually due to the needle, not the tension at all, so always try changing your needle first.

So if you are experiencing problems that look as though tension might be to blame, change the needle, the try sewing on a test piece of fabric. If that doesn’t solve things, then try adjusting the tension.

9 tips for sewing with shiny fabric

3. Use Sharp Pins

As with the needle on your sewing machine, you don’t want to ruin your beautiful fabric with something as easy to avoid as blunt pins.

For some reason, I find that the pins that are all metal are often sharper than the ones with the little plastic bobbles.

So check that your pins are sharp. You might want to buy some new ones, or check the ones you have and put to one side any that are blunt.

There might be a proper way to check the sharpness of pins, but if there is, I don’t know what it is. My method of testing pins is to jab myself in the finger!

Emery pin cushions are a good way to keep pins sharp. There’s a post here on Vicky Myers Creations showing how to make one.

4. Pin the Seam Allowance

Shiny fabric is often less forgiving than cotton when it comes to pin marks, so pin in the seam allowance where possible.

9 tips for sewing with shiny fabrics

5. Make Use of Selvedges Where You Can

A massive issue when sewing with shiny fabric is that it often frays like nobody’s business. I was very happy when I was making my skirt to find that I was able to use the selvedges for the side seams.

They don’t fray, so if you can use them, even if it’s just for the odd seam, then do!

6. Use a Generous Seam Allowance

And don’t trim it down too much! I made that mistake with this skirt that I loved and wore a lot until the fraying got too bad and I ran out of safety pins!

Sewing right next to a raw edge will make the fraying worse. If you trim the seam down too much, the fabric will fray into the seam and you’ll be left with a hole.

So allow a good couple of cm (an inch) for your finished seams.

9 tips for sewing with shiny fabrics

7. Use French Seams to Contain Fraying Hems

French seams offer a nice, neat solution to fraying hems, as the raw edges are contained inside the seam. This helps to prevent the fraying from getting much worse. So if you can’t use the selvedge, sewing French seams might be the answer. Just don’t trim the seams down too much! If you need to learn how to do this, there’s a tutorial here.

8. Finish Hems With Bias Binding

This is my favourite way of finishing a hem, especially on a circle skirt. The bias binding stretches with the curve of the hem which makes it much easier to sew.

With shiny fabrics, it means that the fraying raw edges are trapped inside the bias binding. For instructions for how to finish a hem in this way, there’s a post here.

9 tips for sewing with shiny fabrics

Use a Cool Iron

I hardly ever iron unless I’m making something! When I do, it’s usually something cottony that’s very creased, so I stick the iron on its hottest setting.

Unfortunately shiny fabric falls into the category of things that might melt if the iron’s too hot. So check the temperature first! Even if the hot iron doesn’t melt a hole in the fabric, it might take some of the shiny off.

Do you have a tip you’d like to share? Leave it in comments!

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Filed In: Blog, Tips and Techniques / Tagged: beginner

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I'm Anna and I live in rural Norfolk in the UK. My mum taught me how to use a sewing machine when I was 10 and I haven't looked back! I love making all sorts of things and I hope you find inspiration here.

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