How to Sew a Fly Zipper

Fly zippers are a popular tutorial request when I am with my private lesson students. Even though they are pretty simple, some pattern instructions can make them seem so complicated that I always have to consult the method that I learned from my favorite sewing book. 

In this written and video tutorial, I will walk you step by step through the process of sewing a fly zipper in a fast and easy method.  

How to Sew a Collar

Collars frame the face and neck, which makes them a focal point on your garment. They make or break a shirt, and if you want your collars to look professional and polished, they take some practice. 

The method I am sharing with you today came from a seamstress who shared it with me to speed up the production of sewing multiple shirts. Its a real cheat, because unlike most collar techniques, once you have it constructed, you pop it on and sew it all in one step!

How to Sew Flatlining

Do you have a dress that needs a lining, but you just know is going to be difficult to create a lining? 

I have been working on a dress that has a mock button down shirt built into the bodice, and the curvature of the way it sits, and the way the collar, placket, and shoulders are supposed to exist in the final garment makes it impossible to fully line the bodice. 

In today’s video and written tutorial, I will teach you flatlining, a quick and easy way to line a difficult garment. Click through to watch and learn!

How to Sew a Curved Hem

A curved hem took me a long time to really master, no matter how many tutorials I tried. It always curled, or had just really yucky looking pookies on the interior side of the hem. Finally, when I worked on a television show on the costume team, I had to admit my failings. Two things that I was shown really helped me, but it had nothing to do with using a different presser foot or super savvy stitch skill. It was all in the hands.

In this written and video lesson, lets go through it step by step. I'll show you what to look for and how to manipulate the fabric to create a beautiful, small, professional looking hem.

How to Sew Place and Sew Patch Pockets

Getting a patch pocket on straight isn't the easiest process in the beginning. Its one thing if its being sewn on a flat front of a shirt, but what happens when you have a princess seam that it needs to be placed over, or a bust dart? That's where it gets a little tricky- when the bodice is three dimensional, making sure that the pocket aligns to the proper place takes more work.

In this written and video lesson, lets go through it step by step. I'll show you how to prepare a pocket how to smooth the bodice so that your pocket ends up where it was intended.

The Simple Steps to Start Sewing: Lesson 6 Develop a Pro Sewing Practice and Grow Your Skill Set

Alrighty- if you have been following along with this 6 part series, I bet you are ready to get started sewing right way. In our last lesson, I’ll walk you through pro level practice tips to help you learn from your sewing, avoid getting stuck, and organize your projects so you can focus on them from start to finish- even if you only have one day a week to practice your sewing. 

In today's lesson you’ll learn:

  • A process I learned in graduate school for managing projects and learning while doing from professional artists and educators.

  • The process I use as a busy business owner to stay on top of my personal sewing and complete my projects from start to finish.

This post will set you up to sew, and create a long term plan that will support your investment of time, energy and materials. The challenge of learning anything new is that questions and problems will arise- this post will outline steps that will keep you from getting stuck while staying excited about your new craft.