I’m what you would call a classic perfectionist, but there are a few things I have learnt to keep in mind when it comes to my creative work, helping me to let go just that little bit more. I am not lowering my standards, but rather shifting them. Disclaimer: This article was originally published as a paid post for The Thread.   The views and opinions expressed are entirely my own and based on my personal experiences. I’m what you would call a classic perfectionist. I’m detail

There are so many different types available, from knit, woven, braided, and specialty (just to name a few). That’s not to mention varying widths, colours, and compositions. So how do you know which one to choose? Disclaimer:  This article was originally published as a paid post for The Thread . The views and opinions expressed are entirely my own and based on my personal experiences. Elastic is a really common notion used in sewing. You’ll find it on everything from waistband

There are so many different presser feet available for sewing machines, each designed with a specific purpose, whether that be creating particular stitches or working with certain fabrics. Disclaimer:  This article was originally published as a paid post for The Thread.   The views and opinions expressed are entirely my own and based on my personal experiences. There are so many different presser feet available for sewing machines, each designed with a specific purpose, wheth

From dressmaking shears and embroidery scissors to snips, pinking shears, and thread clippers, each one has its place in your sewing toolkit. Disclaimer:  This article was originally published as a paid post for The Thread.   The views and opinions expressed are entirely my own and based on my personal experiences. Just like you’d use a bread knife for bread or a pizza cutter for pizza, sewing scissors are designed for different materials and tasks. From dressmaking shears an

In this tutorial, I’ll focus on the crotch point and rise and a couple of the most common fitting issues that occur when these areas just aren’t quite right. Disclaime r: This article was originally published as a paid post for The Thread .   The views and opinions expressed are entirely my own and based on my personal experiences. Recently, I drafted a pattern and made a toile of a pair of drop-crotch pants. When I tried them on, I straight away noticed (and felt) they weren

In this article I will show you how to change both the needle and the presser foot, introduce the twin needle, and share some helpful troubleshooting tips for common issues that can happen when your machine isn’t threaded correctly. Disclaimer: This article was originally published as a paid post for The Thread .  The views and opinions expressed ar e entirely my own and based on my personal experiences. Now that we’ve covered the basics of threading a sewing machine in Part

Drape refers to how a fabric falls and behaves when worn. It can range from stiff and structured to soft and flowing. Disclaimer:  This...

Ease plays a crucial role in how clothes fit, feel, and function. Disclaimer:  This article was originally published as a paid post for...

Grading is the process of creating different sizes from a single base pattern or block. Disclaimer:  This article was originally...

In this Part 2, I demonstrate how to blend between sizes on a sewing pattern. Disclaimer: This article was originally published as a...

In this Part 1, I look at when blending between sizes on a sewing pattern might be a good approach. Disclaimer: This article was...

No one likes getting halfway through a project only to run out of fabric—or being left with scraps that don’t work for anything. I’ve got...

In this guide, I demonstrate two methods of dart manipulation—the pivot method and the cut and spread method. Disclaimer: This article was originally published as a paid post for The Thread .  The views and opinions expressed are entirely my own and based on my personal experiences. Dart manipulation is a pattern making technique used to reposition a dart on a garment without altering or adjusting its overall fit. Essentially, it’s a way to move the shaping in your pattern to

This article focuses on some more specialised examples of truing—hems, darts, and seam allowances. Disclaimer: This article was...

This article focuses on the basics of truing, breaking down the key concepts to help you get started. Disclaimer: This article was...

Overlockers make it incredibly easy to create professional-looking edge finishes. However, re-threading or changing the threads can be a...

Pressing is one of those often-overlooked steps in sewing, but trust me—it’s worth it. Sure, it might feel like an extra hassle at the...

Here is a list of some of the tools I would recommend to get you started in drafting your own patterns, or altering an existing one....

In this guide, I’ll share five key considerations to help you feel more confident about picking the perfect fabric for your next project....

Sure it isn't the most exciting thing to do, and it may be tempting to skip when all you want to do is dive straight into your new...