There are a number of ways to put the original finished hem back onto jeans, and you can do it using your domestic sewing machine. My book Clothing Alteration Secrets Revealed covers one of the techniques, but there are other methods, depending on what the existing hem looks like. For more information on my technique […]
The plastic bikini clasps tend to break when they are in the washing machine. Instead of putting them into the machine loose with all your other clothes, buy or make yourself a bra bag/laundry bag and put the bikini top into the bag to protect it.
If you are going to make your own, buy some […]
Designers come up with beautiful designs, however if there’s a zip involved, you could be stuck when it comes to replacing it if the zip breaks. Most haberdashery businesses, only provide the standard zips. That means if you come up against something out of the ordering you may find it difficult to find a replacement. […]
How frustrating is it when you have to replace a zip and you can’t find the same colour? This has happened to me a few times, and in garments that are quite expensive. So here is the solution. Get a white zipper in the same style and length and dye it. You can buy the […]
If you find that your over locker (serger) is not sewing properly, you may find that its the quality of your cotton. I did an alteration recently and the customer brought the cotton with her. She wanted a rolled hem on a piece of chiffon that she would wear as a wrap. Ordinarily it should be […]
This is usually done on school jackets. Usually for a child who has become a prefect or excelled in sports. The pocket will be embroidered with the childs achievements and the old pocket is taken off and the new one sewn on. You can sew around the sides, but it doesn’t look as good. Unpick […]
Instead of having the knot of the cotton on the underside, put the knot underneath the button. Push the needle through the garment from the right side through to the wrong side which will place the knot under the button. Sew the button on, and when knotting off do this underneath the button again.
Happy sewing
Judith […]
After you have taken up your pants, try ironing then hem on the inside. I actually don’t turn them inside out, I just open the leg and iron the hem flat. This means you will not accidentally put an iron scource on the fabric, and it gives you an idea as to whether you should […]
If your pants have a reasonable hem allowance and are going to be taken up one more hem, then you can put cuffs on in a quick and simple way.
Unpick the original hem, and sew some polyster Gros Grain (15 mm wide) onto the edge of the hem over the top of the overlocking. Now turn […]
If you have pants with a zipper in the front, you can sew some firm fabric across the front to firm up your tummy. Join the fabric on both front panels at the side seams, facing or band and onto the side of the zip flap.
The fabric should be a little lower than the zipper, but […]