Fair Fit is an individually run sewing studio in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where you can learn how to sew and make your own clothing. I teach individualized sewing instruction for students at all levels of experience, from absolute beginner to practiced and seasoned sewers.
All in SEWING TUTORIALS
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!
In today's video lesson and written tutorial, we are going to take a look at how to transfer the dart accurately and quickly from the pattern, and then how to fold it to make sure its sewn accurately. And of course, we are going to sew the dart.
In this video and written tutorial, I'm sharing with you the technique I use every time to put in an invisible zipper. I used to HATE THEM, but now I use invisible zippers almost exclusively on all of my clothes. Click through to watch and learn!
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!
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.
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.
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.
Let’s get inspired- a huge part of learning to sew is the time spent in actual practice. But what does that look like and how do you go from wanting to learn how to sew, to sewing some actual clothes?
In today’s post, I share with you a case study- I taught my husband Paul Eastin how to refine his design and sewing skills, however, he actually started out sewing clothing as a teenager. In this interview you will learn :
How to start sewing- using materials you have on hand and practice without spending tons of money.
How Paul went from throwing cloth under the machine and stitching it, to designing his own clothes.
You will get to know the both of us, and how we create clothing and design collections in a live radio interview where I talk about the development of Fair Fit and Paul shares his story of sewing and how he stays active and inspired.
Let’s clarify one HUGE part of sewing that in the beginning can be very confusing- What kind of fabric are you supposed to buy? Learn the two most common fabrics you will sew, and how to make your own swatchbook! In Lesson 4 in this series, 6 Steps and Start Sewing you will learn:
The 2 kinds of fabric you will sew the most often.
All about woven fabric and how to recognize it.
An introduction to knit fabric and how to sew it.
How to build your own fabric swatch book. If you are new to sewing, you need to read this post so you can get the right fabric for your projects. This post will get you started and help you build your own fabric swatch library!
The hardest part when learning anything new is attaining an understanding of what are the best and essential tools and supplies that you need to work the craft. In today’s post, I give you a complete review and outline of machines and tools you MUST have in your sewing kit to start sewing and complete any project.
In part 3 of this series you will learn :
Exactly what I consider to be a GREAT machine, and how to know if what you are purchasing is really going to help your sewing.
The 3 types of cutting tools I use for all of my sewing projects.
The types of needles and thread you need to buy for most projects.
Measurement, marking, and tools for correcting mistakes that you have to have to keep your project moving forward and looking great! This post is a frank and brutally honest look at what you need to begin your sewing and busts through a lot of common misconceptions about machines that set beginners back.
