Linda

Sergers…Do You Need One?

By: Linda May 22, 2009April 26, 2023

Alterations, Hemschain stitch, Consumer reports overlocker, consumer reports serger, cover stitch, differential feed, do you need a flatlock machine?, Do you need an overlocker?, How to choose a serger, how to use a serger, Should I buy a serger?, What is the advantage of a serger?, What is the advantage of an overlocker?, Why would I want a serger?, Why would I want an overlocker?5 Comments

For many years I lived without a serger (also called an overlocker). First of all, they weren’t even invented when I started to sew. But even years after they were available, I still hadn’t forked over the money to buy one. I hemmed (no pun intended) and hawed about the cost and wondered if I’d ever…

Cover a Foam Pad..Bench Seat…Final Steps

By: Linda May 21, 2009October 9, 2021

Alterationscushion, cushion cover, foam pad, how to cover a piece of foam, how to cover benches, how to sew a pad, sew, sewing12 Comments

This is Part 3 in a series on how to cover a foam pad for a bench seat or cushion, the final steps. Note: If you missed Part 1, click here to find the instructions for How to Cover a Foam Pad Bench Seat Cover. If you missed Part 2, that was the How To…

How To Make Piping!

Update: April, 2023 Let’s look at some examples of piping, I’ll teach you how to make piping, and then show you how to install it in your project! If you’re not familiar with it, piping is a decorative edging that gives definition to pillows, cushions and all sorts of home decor items. Sometimes, you’ll find…

Cover a Foam Pad…Bench Seat Cover…Part One

By: Linda May 18, 2009October 9, 2021

Alterations, homewareAlterations, bench seat, cover, How to cover a pad, How to sew a cover, How to upholster a pad diy, reupholster, upholster2 Comments

Today, I am going to show you how to cover a foam pad to make a bench seat cover. This process can be applied to covering any sized foam pad (cushions for a couch, chair, boat seat, outdoor furniture, indoor furniture, etc.) All you need to know is how to sew a straight line and…

How To Sew on a Thread Shank

By: Linda May 16, 2009February 7, 2021

Basic Skillshow to sew a button on a heavy coat, how to sew a button without puckers, sewing a button on a denim jacket4 Comments

You probably already know how to sew on a button, (we’ll cover that in this post if you don’t), but do you need a thread shank on your button? Let’s talk about that. Some buttons come with a built in shank. It is usually a metal loop or a molded plastic piece on the underside…

How To Choose a Sewing Machine

By: Linda May 13, 2009April 26, 2023

AlterationsBernina, Kenmore, sewing machine, Singer, what does it mean to be born again?, What does the Bible say?, what sewing machine brand should I buy?24 Comments

Update: February 15, 2021 This is my baby. It is 37 years old this week. My Dad, who taught me how to sew, got it for me for my college graduation gift and it has never let me down. The only thing it has needed in 37 years is one new light bulb, a new…

How To Hem Pants and Skirts

By: Linda May 11, 2009February 22, 2021

Alterations, HemsHow to hem boot cut jeans, how to hem pants, how to hem pants with a lining, how to hem straight leg pants or jeans, how to hem straight legged pants, how to make pants shorter, how to shorten pants and skirts6 Comments

I realized after posting yesterday on How To Hem a Pair of Pants that are Flared that I hadn’t shown you how to hem a pair of straight leg pants (or skirts. The application here can be applied to both.) So, let’s look at how to hem pants and skirts. In this post, I will…

Jean-a-ma-jig…what is that?

By: Linda May 7, 2009February 10, 2021

Alterations, Hemshem, hemming, how to sew over the big hump on jeans, how to sew over thick denim, how to sew over thick seams, how to sew over thick seams on jeans, how to stitch over thick seams, Jean-a-ma-jig, jeans, Levi jeans19 Comments

Yesterday, we covered how to hem your jeans the professional way. There’s also a post entitled, How To Hem Jeans Using the Original Hem, and both of these posts recommend that you use a Jean-a-ma-jig to help you hem them easier. A Jean-a-ma-jig, what is that? Well, they are a tool that helps you maneuver…

Hem Your Jeans the Professional Way

By: Linda May 6, 2009March 17, 2023

Alterations, Hemshem, hem jeans, hemming, hemming jeans, How to hem boot cut jeans, how to hem your jeans the professional way, Jean-a-ma-jig, jeans, professional jeans hem, Schmetz, stitch33 Comments

Want your jeans to look good after you hem them? It’s easy. You just need a few pointers, the right needle and thread and a special inexpensive gadget. This method on this post is for straight leg jeans only. (To hem tapered or bell-bottomed pants, there’s a few extra steps involved, and you’ll want to…

Mending a bed sheet

By: Linda May 4, 2009February 3, 2021

Alterations, homewaredon't throw it away, how to fix a torn bed sheet, how to mend a torn bottom sheet, John Denver, Kramer vs. Kramer, mending, repurpose, save the planet, zig zag22 Comments

Can you save the planet by mending one bed sheet? Probably not, but it will save you alot of money to do it yourself and repurpose it. I have a large hole in one of my bedsheets. Typically, my washing machine eats these on a regular basis if I don’t have a full load. I…