Good tailored men’s jackets are usually closed off at the shoulder. The sleeve is hand stitched in which makes it impossible to get to the body of the jacket through the sleeve. In this case, open the side seam and do the work you have to do, then when you are ready to close, open […]
All ladies jackets have an opening in the lining in the inside sleeve. Turn the sleeves inside out and you will see which one is stitched down on the outside. Usually it is only about 6″ of stitching. Undo and pop the jacket through. To do this put your hand inside and grab hold of […]
Most manufacturers sew pockets up during manufacture. If you purchase a lined jacket and the pockets are closed, try pushing your little finger into the side of the pocket at the opening. If you can get your little finger in, then it is more than likely only sewn closed. Use a quick unpick, and carefully […]
Every time you slice a button hole, do you worry about cutting through the button hole and slicing into the garment? One way to prevent this is to insert a pin at one end of the button hole, and slice towards the pin. That way if you do miss, the pin will stop you cutting […]
Try hanging your wedding dress in the bathroom when you have a shower. The steam from the shower should help to take out creases in the dress.
Happy sewing
Judith aka genie
The band fits perfectly, but the sides stick out like junipers. If you don’t want to unpick the band, then you can begin sewing just below the band. If the sides are over locked together, then you can sew one side from the top down, and the other side you can begin sewing a little […]
If you don’t have a sewing machine, then hemming tape is an option, HOWEVER, I do not believe it is a good option. The problem with hemming tape, is that if the person changes their mind and wants the garment hemmed properly after the hemming tape has been ironed on, the sticky on the tape […]
For those of us with eye sight challenges, here are a few tips for threading your needles:-
1. Instead of cutting the cotton straight across (blunt) cut the cotton on an angle. The thread slips into the eye of the needle easier.
2. Use a pair of tweezers to thread your sewing machine needle. Once you get […]
I recommend you pin the hem under, rather than out when shortening pants. Also I do not believe pinning up at the knee area is a good idea, because pants that are tapered or flared with be different when altered from the base, so you are better off seeing what it will truly look like, […]
I am always asked the same question by new customers, “Will the hem look the same as it is now after you shorten it?” The answer is a resounding “YES”. Putting a professional jeans hem on jeans CAN be done on your domestic sewing machine. If you want to do it and have a fool […]