Sewing The Zigzag Stitch

 

Why Zigzag

A zigzag stitch isn’t all that complicated, especially once you have gotten to grips with your machine a little bit. However, it is a much sturdier stitch than the basic straight line, meaning that anything you sew using it will hold together much more effectively and is less prone to stitches come loose or tears.

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The Basic Sewing Essentials

If you’re just getting started in the wonderful world of fabrics and sewing, or even if you have experience already but could use a little help, it can often be a difficult to get everything that you need together to ensure that your project goes off without a hitch. After all, there is so much sewing paraphernalia available that choosing the right things to get started can be a bother, particularly if you are working to a budget.

With that in mind, we have decided to compile a short list of the things that you definitely need to have when you get started.

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Achieving the Perfect Fit When You Sew

One of the many frustrations that people have with modern clothing is the lack of proper fit that they provide. As they are made to set standards, it is rare to find an item that truly clings in all of the right places and provides that comfortable fit that means you rarely ever have to adjust.

Of course, one of the best ways to get around this is to sew your own clothes instead. This can range from crafting your own designs through to simply making changes to an existing garment so that it suits your body type better.

Here we will take a look at some of the tips that will help you to achieve that perfect fit. Continue reading “Achieving the Perfect Fit When You Sew”


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To Pin Or Not To Pin: Which Straight Pins Are For You?

As any experienced sewer will be able to tell you, a god set of straight pins is absolutely essential if you are going to get the job done right. In fact, they are right up there with your needle and thread in terms of things that you need to ensure you get the accuracy and quality that you are looking for from your sewing. However, there are also a whole bunch of different pins available, with all of them serving their own purposes. It can be a little bit intimidating for the sewing newbie, so here we will be giving you a brief breakdown of the different types of straight pins that you are likely to run into. Continue reading “To Pin Or Not To Pin: Which Straight Pins Are For You?”


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Using Fabrics For Backdrops, Banners and Exhibitions

Choosing the right fabrics for your exhibition or any other staged event is vitally important. Select the wrong ones and you run the risk of your event coming off as cheap, which in turn can lead to potential visitors deciding to give your exhibition stands a miss. A lot goes into the design of a great stand and it is means the merging of everything from the company’s marketing message through to the branding and the materials used to create the stand in the first place.

All of this combines to form the first impression on the visitor, so we thought we would provide a little bit of help with at least one of these factors. Backdrops, photography screens and much more can be incorporated into an exhibition stand. Continue reading “Using Fabrics For Backdrops, Banners and Exhibitions”


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Keeping you cool: Top Ten Fabrics for Summer Clothing

Summer is on its way and we are already feeling the heat thanks to what appears to be one of the warmest Aprils in recent memory if early indications are anything to go by. With the warmer weather comes a complete change in wardrobe, which the ardent fabric lover will relish as an opportunity to try out a few new designs to add to their summer clothes collection. With the heat most definitely on, it is crucial that you choose the right fabrics for your project, so here we aim to look at the top ten materials that are perfect for summer clothing. Continue reading “Keeping you cool: Top Ten Fabrics for Summer Clothing”


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How to Wash Your Curtains

The curtains are an oft-neglected aspect of the house when cleaning is undertaken. While some may beat them to get rid of dust, it is comparatively rare that people will go to the effort of washing them properly. After all, it’s not like they get covered in dirt on a regular basis.

This means that Curtainsif they do end up getting dirty for whatever reason, many people don’t know where to start when it comes to giving them a good wash. With this article we aim to provide a few tips that can be used should you find yourself in this situation.

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The Benefits of Buying Fabric Wholesale

The choice between whether or not to buy your fabrics wholesale really just boils down to simply whether or not you need a particular fabric in bulk. If you only require one or two lengths of a fabric then it is likely the best idea so simply purchase what you need in the traditional fashion.

However, if you do require fabric in bulk, whether it be for a large project or because you wish to sell it on in your own store, then buying wholesale works out a lot better for you. Here are a couple of the advantages of buying your fabrics wholesale.

Cheaper prices

The main advantage of buying anything wholesale is the ability to get individual units for a cheaper price than you would by buying them as normal. Buying in bulk is advantageous for the seller because it allows them to move a large amount of product in a single delivery in addition to providing them with a guaranteed large sale.

In most cases the wholesaler will pass on some of the savings made directly to you. If they are saving on delivery costs then this money can be taken off the bulk order, to an extent, leaving you with a cheaper per unit cost even if the main purchase is quite large.

Establishing a business relationship

Most wholesalers are especially keen to establish business relationships with bulk buyers as it will mean that they have a regular source of income from a customer who is guaranteed to order in generally large quantities.

Because of this they will often provide special privileges to those who buy fabrics wholesale, meaning that the prospect of a business relationship can appear. If you have a good relationship with your wholesaler, wherein both parties trusts the other, you may be able to negotiate prices for certain kinds of fabrics and be given more leeway in regards to payment times and deliveries.

Industry knowledge

For a company to be able to offer fabrics wholesale they will need to have knowledge of the industry. This means establishing connections with suppliers and people with the information needed to get the best possible deals.

This expertise is also of benefit to the person who buys in bulk from the wholesaler. Not only do they get the other benefits that come along with the package, they also often get years, perhaps even decades, of knowledge direct from a source that knows the business inside and out.

Furthermore, remember that your wholesaler is looking to make a profit just as any business who buys from them is. As such they will always be making the effort to source cost-effective solutions that can benefit customers in the long run.

Because of all this buying wholesale can certainly prove advantageous, assuming you need to buy in bulk. As with any purchase, always beware of the possibility of over-ordering to ensure you get the most out of the business arrangement.


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What to do with fabric you no longer need

It’s practically inevitable in almost any sewing or creative undertaking you partake in with fabrics that you will be left with bits and bobs left over that you have no idea what to do with. For some the simple solution is just to throw them away, however this is a waste of money and doesn’t consider the possibility that, somewhere down the line, you may end up finding a use for the leftover bits of fabric.

Of course, if you only have tiny slithers left then it is probably best to get rid of them unless you have something very specific in mind that might be able to incorporate them, but in cases where you have a decent amount remaining why not consider the following options instead?

Keep it for later

You never know when you might need a random piece of fabric for another project. For example, you might end up using it for a patchwork quilt or decide that you want to create something like a piece of artwork that will require the use of multiple types and patterns of fabric.

Furthermore, keeping the leftover fabric provides you with a little something to work with should you need to make minor repairs to the piece that you created using the fabric originally. Simply put, keeping your discarded bits and pieces in storage can have unexpected benefits down the line.

Practicing

We all have to start somewhere and, for those of us who don’t, it never hurts to get a little extra practice in using a technique we aren’t familiar with. Your discarded pieces of fabric are ideal for practicing new techniques with or for introducing somebody into the world of fabrics and fashion by giving them something to do where they don’t have to worry about getting things wrong.

Furthermore, having a stock of unwanted fabrics gives you something to play around with when you want to trial a new idea but you aren’t sure exactly how it’s going to go. Rather than wasting money on new fabrics only for the idea to not come out as desired, give it a crack with your leftovers and see what happens. You never know, you might even like the eventual result enough to keep it!

Trade it

If you’re particularly lucky you may have a local fabric exchange in your area where people come to exchange fabrics they no longer need for fabrics that they actually want. Engage with the local community and find out where these trades can be made, whether it be through a physical event or social media.

Furthermore, if you have friends with the same interest you can do the same with them. They will all likely have a little something left over from previous projects that they no longer need so get in touch and see if they would like to have a little something of yours in exchange for theirs. You may even come up with some ideas between you on how to use the spare fabrics in each of your collections.


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