> Sewing Basics

Sewing Glossary

A Tribute to My Sewing Teachers
I hadn't seen one of my 4H leasrs in over 30 years. I had thought of her many times but seeing her again stirred up all kinds of memories. Read about them here.

Hand Sew a Chain Stitch
A chain stitch is a simple hand sewn stitch when you know how to sew a chain stitch. Learn how here.

Sewing Darts
A dart is a basic component of many sewn garments and usually taken for granted until you start to sew a dart. Learn what makes up a dart and how to sew a dart here.

How to Hand Sew a Blanket Stitch or Buttonhole Stitch
Call it what you like but learning how to sew a blanket stitch or buttonhole stitch is what is important. Learn how to sew these hand stitches here.

Gifts for Someone Who Sews
Finding the perfect gift for someone who sews when you don't know anything about sewing can be challenging. This list will take you to ideas in all price ranges.

How to Baste
Baste is a commonly used sewing term and basting can save you time as well as test fitting before you actually sew. Learn how basting is done here.

Bias Tape Q&A
Bias tape may be purchased or you may make it your self to match your garment. Find details about bias tape here.

Sewing Alterations, Design and Accuracy
Help to understand sizing and variations when you are sewing your own clothes.

What You Need to Learn to Sew
Learning to sew can seem like an overwhelming task but it doesn't have to be. Learn where to start and what's important here.

Sewing Tools
When you aren't sure what a tool looks like, it can be difficult to shop for. See photos of sewing tools and learn what they are used for, how to care for them, when to use them, the available options and more.

Sew Seams
Seams are a basic sewing technique that are called for in almost everything you sew. Learning everything you can about a seam can assure perfect results. Find that information here.

Choose a Seam Finish
What a waste to sew something and have it fall apart the first time you wash it. Seam finishes preserve a sewing item and add strength to the seam. Find your seam finish options here.

Fabric Grain - Lengthwise, Crosswise and Bias Grain of Fabric
Almost any pattern you read will tell you to follow the lengthwise, crosswise or bias grain of fabric. Learn what these terms mean and understand their importance with the information you'll find here.

Thread A Needle
Threading a sewing needle can be an exasperating task. Here are a few suggestions to make the job easier.

Hem Pants
Information on how to adjust, take up, or let down the hem in a pair of pants can be found here. With information to obtain professional results.

How to Pin a Seam
Take the time to pin a seam before you sew. Pinning a seam takes care of holding the fabric together, leaving you free to concentrate on controlling the sewing machine. When a seam is pinned properly you prevent damage to your sewing machine.

How to Press a Seam Open
Pressing is the answer to avoiding a homemade looking sewn project. Learn how to properly press open a seam to achieve professional appearing results when you sew.

Sew on a Shank Button
Simple to follow text directions to learn how to sew on a shank button.

Sew on a Flat Button
Simple to follow text directions to learn how to sew on a flat button.

How to Sew a Seam
Seams are the mainstay of almost all sewing. Sewing great seams includes straight stitching and sewing curves. Learn how to sew a seam here.

Needle Threading Tips
Failing eyesight, shaking hands and other problems lead to difficulty threading sewing needles. Here you'll find tips and tools to make threading a sewing needle easy so you're ready to have fun sewing.

Press and Sew
Do you know the difference between irong and pressing as you sew? Find the key information you need to avoid a homemade look and have professional, eye catching results.

Save Money by Sewing
A few simple tricks to help you save hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars by sewing.

Stop End of Seam Thread Jams
As you near the end of a seam the machine seems to eat the fabric or you obtain a knotted ball of thread. There are ways to eliminate the problem!

Sticky Notes as Seam Guides
An unusual use for sticky back notes, but not all sewing tools are found in the sewing room.

Sewing 101 - Resources For Learning
Any new endevour can seem overwhelming! Here's the place to start learning everything you need to know to sew up a storm!

Sewing Glossary And Definitions Net Links
Links to all kinds to sewing definitions, fabric terminology and more.

Keep Your Cool! - Polymer crystal filled neck scarf - Sew News Library
You can feel cool and look great wearing an attractive neck scarf filled with hidden water-soaked polymer crystals. The scarf is an easy, fast project made from readily available materials. Whip up several for guests at your next barbeque, or join a charity project and sew some for U.S. troops. Free directions here!

The Basics - choosing a pattern - Page 1 - Sew News Library
This month explore things you may never have known about choosing a pattern. Links to pattern companies are included.

Home Dec - Leaf Printing - Sew News Library
Printing with leaves creates incredible nature paintings. Free directions for a table runner and napkins can be found here. Find out more here

The Basics - Marking - Page 1 - Sew News Library
Marking the pieces for your sewing project is an important--and actually timesaving --part of ensuring a successful project. Find a wealth of information here!

Quick Gift - Party Time - Apron & BBQ Mitt-- Sew News Library
Need a gift in less than an hour? This colorful, one-size-fits-most apron with matching oven mitt is the answer.

Fast Fleece Pillow
Looking for a great project for a beginning sewer? This whimsical pillow is fun and easy to make. And because it's made of fleece (a great way to use your leftovers!), it requires no edge finishing. Simply cut the pieces with a decorative rotary cutter blade, sew them together and embellish with some favorite buttons.

Using a Needle Threader
They come with some sewing needles and can be purchased in almost all sewing notion sections but many people set them aside rather then figure out how to use them. Here you'll find step by step instructions to using a needle threader. You'll never want to thread a needle without one again!

Directions for Making Flat Felled Seams- Sewing
You see them on jeans and they are one of the stongest seam options. Here you will find complete directions for learning how to make flat felled seams.

Patternless Robe
Find full directions for an any size "Summertime Terry Cloth Robe" here.

Clothing Publication Listing
An excellent resouces list for anyone just learning to sew and a wonderful refreasher course for even the most seasoned sewing vetran.

The Vintage Pattern Lending Library - Your Costume Resource Site
The Vintage Pattern Lending Library preserves, archives, and replicates historic fashion patterns from 1840 through 1950, vintage sewing publications, and fashion prints of the past.

Sew Young Sew Fun
A site for teens and beginner sewers to ask questions and read tips that are commonly asked.

National 4-H Council
More 4-H information to get your child or yourself involved in 4-H.

Sewing Prose: Kids Sewing Lessons
A program that breaks every step of sewing down in to simple understandable directions.