Sewing Fabrics - How Do I Chose?

By Linda Keaveny

Part of the fun with sewing lies in matching fabric to patterns. Spend a little time choosing the right fabric to match your colors, style, and personality.

Always, look at the way the fabric hangs in the picture on the pattern envelope, is it loose and flowing or very crisp and structured ? If the pattern lists more than one type of fabric then your choice would depend on the look and feel you desire. Check the pattern for suggested fabrics, be sure to follow their suggestions as patterns are designed for specific types of fabric, using fabrics not suggested could result in failure of your project.

When a pattern calls for stretch knits only, DO NOT use any other type of fabric, doing so could result in the item not being usable. i.e. you might not be able to get it on without the proper stretch. On knits only patterns there will be a gauge on the pattern envelope, you can hold the fabric you are thinking of purchasing to the unstretched gauge and stretch it to the stretched marks and then let go. Did the fabric stretch the necessary distance and just as important did it return to its original size. If you answer no to either question then it’s not the fabric for that pattern. Return is just as important as stretch.

The object is to make the fabric look good on you, just because it looks good on the bolt, doesn’t mean it will look good on you ! Pay particular attention to textures and patterns as they can emphasize areas that you may want to minimize and visa versa. Fabric stores with mirrors would be great as you could see how colors and texture look against your skin tones. Unfortunately, The fabric stores here do not have mirrors, in which case it would be a good idea to take along someone whose opinion you trust, if you are new to sewing or just unsure.

The final step before purchasing your fabric should be to read the cardboard it will show you the width of the fabric, the price per yard, the fabric content and the care instructions. The most important consideration, is it machine washable, hot or cold water, machine dryable or do you have to hang or lay flat to dry, or will this fabric have to be dry cleaned! VERY IMPORTANT to match your lifestyle.

Spending a little time in choosing your fabric will make your project easier to sew and more likely to turn out correctly.

Linda Keaveny operates http://www.sewingquiltingcrafts.com/ a blog all about sewing. quilting and crafts. She loves giving away free stuff. and is now giving away memberships to her newsletter.

You're not going to believe what you get when you sign up...and it's all free! More information here:

http://www.sewingquiltingcrafts.com/

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Tracing Sewing Patterns

by Carol Slinker

Do you have expensive, out of print or vintage patterns you cannot bear to cut? The best way to preserve your patterns is to trace them onto pattern tracing cloth or paper.

Do you have a favorite pattern that you use over and over?

If the pieces are already cut, an easy way to preserve them is to fuse each pattern piece to a lightweight, non-woven interfacing. Just cut a piece of fusible interfacing the size of the pattern piece and place the adhesive side to the wrong side of the pattern on an ironing board. Set your iron on synthetic (no steam) and fuse the interfacing to the pattern in smooth even strokes. Press until the pattern is thoroughly adhered to the interfacing and trim the edges to finish.

If your pattern is not cut, tracing or copying each piece is an excellent way to preserve original expensive, out of print and especially vintage patterns. Tracing a vintage pattern is especially satisfying, as you can cut out, sew and enjoy your vintage-style garment while the fragile pattern remains intact.Most pattern pieces are printed on large pieces of tissue paper, such as the patterns currently available in fabric stores today. Tracing the pattern pieces is a practical way to reuse these patterns which are commonly printed with multiple sizes and views on each pattern piece. By tracing the pattern pieces, other views and different sizes can be cut from the same pattern without destroying the original, and you can always go back and make the same style for someone else.

Some pattern magazines have four or five or more patterns printed in different colors on one sheet, so you have to trace them off to use them at all. Other patterns come as "master patterns", and tracing them off is good if you want to modify the pattern for one garment without losing the original. Examine the fit and try to make as many adjustments as possible while tracing. For example, most of us have standard adjustments to make to a pattern to allow for arm length, waist or hip size, etc. Instead of tracing the pattern exactly and then making the adjustments, either gently fold the original pattern piece or mark the ending point, and then move your tracing paper up or down the correct distance and fill in between.

The materials used to trace patterns are many and varied, from the packaged tracing paper kits available in fabric stores to using kitchen waxed paper, which is easy to see through, sturdy and if a larger piece is needed, just fuse two pieces together with a dry iron set on wool. Other tools required are an iron, a pen, French curve and ruler.

Before tracing the pattern, press each pattern piece lightly with a cool, dry iron (no steam – it could shrink the pattern) to remove any creases. Lay the pattern on a smooth hard surface, position the pattern tracing cloth or paper on top and secure with tape or weights. Use the French curve and ruler to trace the cutting lines and any necessary markings, adjustments, etc. and remember to label each piece with the pattern number and view, etc. Remove the tape, if used, and cut out the new duplicate permanent pattern. The original pattern remains intact and uncut.

If you're looking for quality sewing patterns to make your own stylish aprons, tote bags, hats & accessories or children's wear I hope you'll visit my eBay store. Where Saving Money is Good!

Thank you so much and Enjoy!
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Profitable Home Sewing Businesses

By Randy Wilson

If you’re interested in home sewing businesses, you’re onto a good thing. Home based sewing businesses have benefited from tremendous improvements in technology in the last few years.

The opportunities for home sewing businesses range from sewing specialty clothing to monogramming to commercial sewing. There are some absolutely fabulous machines and software out there that do everything from intricate embroidery to monogramming shirts, jackets, and caps for all sorts of businesses and sports teams.

So how do you go about starting a sewing business? First you have to decide on the type of home sewing business you want. As mentioned earlier, you can make specialty clothing such as wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses on a machine you likely already own.

You may, however, want to break into the commercial area where you embroider on caps and such for local sports and Little League teams. Before you can have any home based sewing business, you have to know what exactly type of sewing service that business is going to provide.

The next thing you want to do when looking into sewing businesses is to look at the costs involved if you are going to be purchasing equipment. There’s a wide range for you to choose from, and you can likely find exactly what you need at exactly the right price for your budget. Just make sure you deal with reputable companies. This is especially important if you’re going to purchase used equipment for your home sewing business.

Now develop a business plan for your sewing business. It should include a budget and how you’ll use profits to grow your business in the future. You need to consider who the target market is for your home sewing business, and develop a plan for how you’re going to reach it. Also, you’ll want to look at accounting needs, tax requirements, and liability insurance.

You also want to decide whether you want to have a partner or not. Often, it’s a good idea to have a partner, but make sure that person shares your vision of what you’re doing. Also where you want to take your sewing business over time.

Once you have a business plan, follow it. It takes effort and determination to establish and sustain all businesses, whether they’re home sewing businesses or Fortune 500 corporations. There will be bumps in the road, but your business plan will help you manage them when they pop up. Be vigilant, and you can be the owner of a successful home sewing business.

And, please, don’t forget to consider your family when considering home sewing businesses. Talk about how having a home based sewing business will affect them. Make sure everyone understands what it will mean to them. You’ll be home, but you’ll be working.

This can make it hard for family members to know when you can stop and chat or go out for a bite to eat. Having everything out in the open will be a big help in the future when you’re going crazy to meet a deadline and your family wants to go out for ice cream.

Once you’ve considered these aspects of home sewing businesses and have taken the plunge to actually start a home based sewing business, you want to get the word out. How much advertising you do depends on your budget, and you may not be able to do the type and amount you’d like when your first start your home sewing business.

Some simple, inexpensive advertising and marketing materials you should consider are flyers and business cards. You should also look into placing small ads in your local newspaper.

Websites are something else you should look into for advertising and marketing your home sewing business. They aren’t nearly as expensive as you might think—and are well worth the investment for the amount of business one can bring your way.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has dozens of home based business articles such as Soy Candle Business Opportunity and Spy Products.

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Carol's Tag Sale - New Items

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