So many of you have wondered how to hem your jeans by using the original rolled hem. I had never done this before as I hadn’t personally had any customers ask for it. Until now. My own daughter asked me to hem hers that way. So, who better to try a new technique on than…
Read MoreAll articles filed in Linda
Sew Many Projects, Sew Little Time
I am working on a few detailed alteration posts which I hope to print soon, but in the meantime, I thought I’d get this off my mind…. I counted up my UFO’s (unfinished objects) today and there are over 30! Isn’t that pathetic? I can’t believe how far behind I get. It was only four…
Read MoreHem Stays
For a long time, I used a six strand cord of embroidery floss to make my hem stays. Is that what they are called? Hem stays? I couldn’t think of a better term for them. They are the cords that keep the hem of dress pants and its lining from straying too far from each other.…
Read More
How To Put Gussets In a Dress or Top
Update: October 19, 2020 Do you know what a gusset is? It’s an inverted triangular (or diamond shaped) piece of fabric inserted into a garment to make it fit more comfortably. If you’d like to put gussets in pants or a top that has sleeves, look at this post on How To Put Gussets in…
Read MoreWhat Brand of Thread Should You Use?
The topic of thread has been on my mind lately. I just got the annual tune up on my sewing machine and the technician scolded me. Wow, I wasn’t expecting that! She asked what brand of thread I use. When I told her “Sometimes Coats and Clark and sometimes Gutterman”, I got a sharp reprimand.…
Read MoreHow To Sew a Button on By Machine
Do you know how to sew a button on with your sewing machine? For those of you who don’t know how, or feel a little intimidated in trying, here’s my technique. Find a button for the garment and push the button through the hole to make sure it fits. Place the button over the original…
Read MoreAre You Overcharging for Alterations?
A college student sat in our kitchen last week and told me of his experience at a local alteration shop. He had needed some sewing done and noticed a shop along the road. He didn’t know to call around and see what the going rate was for what he needed. He needed three repairs done…
Read MoreHow To Fix Boning Issues
I’d like to address how to fix a few problems with the boning in your wedding dress, formal dress, corset, tops or really anything that has boning! Please read to the end because I address more issues other than this one that pertain to other problems you might have with boning. Recently, a customer tried…
Read More
How To Take in Side Seams and Facings
This is a mother of the bride dress and jacket that a customer brought in. The short jacket needs to be altered at the sides. The jacket does not have lining, but it does have facings. And because of the facings, we will need to alter both. So, let’s learn how to take in side…
Read More
How To Alter Tulle or Netting on Your Dress
This is an older post that has some great tips on how to alter tulle or netting on your dress. After reading this post, click on How To Hem a Dress with Tulle or Netting for an updated version. This particular dress, below, had two layers of satin and two outer layers of netting on…
Read More
The Sewing Garden 