All in SEWING AND DESIGN

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.

Problem Solving in Fashion Design: Learn How to Design Fashion Using Problem Solving Principles in this Free Workbook

At first glance, problem-solving and fashion design may seem completely unrelated. But after reading today’s post, you’ll see how every “problem” in fashion design is a unique opportunity to create garments that are as functional as they are beautiful.
In today’s post I cover:

  • How I used problem solving when developing the original Fair Fit project…

  • How to create purposeful designs as an aspiring fashion designer — even if you’re a complete beginner!

  • The most common “problems” you’ll encounter in fashion design and how to “solve” them in your designs…