Have you ever looked at a garment and wished you could create your own unique version? Well, you're in luck! In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the art of making your own sewing patterns. From draping and drafting to modifying and deconstructing, we'll cover various methods to unleash your creativity. Whether you're a seasoned seamstress or a beginner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills to design and sew your dream projects. Let's dive in!
Draping: Draping involves manipulating fabric directly on a dress form to create a pattern. Pin and shape the fabric until you achieve the desired design, then trace the draped fabric to create your pattern.
Modifying: Take an existing sewing pattern and customize it to suit your vision. Adjust the length, neckline, or add embellishments to make it uniquely yours.
Deconstructing: If you have a favorite garment you'd like to replicate, deconstruct it carefully to create a pattern. This method requires precision to ensure you capture all the components accurately.
Drafting: Drafting a pattern from scratch involves using measurements and mathematical calculations to create a pattern on paper. It's a versatile and rewarding way to design your sewing projects.
Pattern Paper: Sturdy pattern paper is essential for drawing and preserving your sewing patterns. You can find specialized pattern paper rolls designed for this purpose.
Tracing Wheel and Tracing Paper: These tools help transfer the pattern from the muslin or fabric to the pattern paper without causing damage.
Ruler and French Curve: Precision is vital in pattern making. A transparent ruler and a French curve will help you create smooth and accurate lines.
Pencils and Marking Tools: Use good quality pencils or markers to trace and label your pattern pieces.
Measuring Tape: Accurate body measurements are crucial for drafting a pattern that fits perfectly.
Muslin Fabric: Use inexpensive muslin fabric to create a test version (toile) of your pattern before cutting into your final fabric.
Take Measurements: Start by taking your body measurements carefully. These include bust, waist, hips, and any other relevant measurements for the garment.
Draft or Modify the Pattern: Depending on your chosen method (drafting, modifying, draping, or deconstructing), begin creating your pattern on pattern paper. Remember to add seam allowances and markings.
Create a Toile: To ensure a perfect fit, create a toile using muslin fabric. Make any necessary adjustments to the pattern based on the fit of the toile.
Finalize the Pattern: Once you're satisfied with the fit and design, finalize the pattern by transferring it onto a clean sheet of pattern paper, including all notches, grainlines, and labels.
Achieving a well-fitting garment is essential for a successful sewing project. Here are some tips to make your sewing pattern fit you perfectly:
Make sure to take precise measurements and compare them to the pattern's size chart. Choose the pattern size that aligns best with your measurements.
Adjust Seam Allowances: Seam allowances can significantly impact fit. Check the pattern instructions to see if the seam allowance is included or if you need to add it.
Perform Fittings: During the sewing process, perform fittings at various stages to check the fit and make any last-minute adjustments.
For most clothing projects, the straight stitch and zigzag stitch are the two most commonly used stitches. The straight stitch provides a clean and sturdy finish for most seams and hems. On the other hand, the zigzag stitch is perfect for finishing raw edges, preventing fraying and adding flexibility to stretchy fabrics.
When it comes to pattern making, a sewing machine with versatile features is ideal. Look for a model with adjustable stitch length, an automatic needle threader, and various stitch options, including straight stitch and zigzag stitch. A computerised sewing machine with digital controls can offer more precision and convenience.
Remember, practice and patience are key to mastering the art of pattern making. So, grab your materials, get creative, and let your imagination run wild as you design and sew beautiful garments that fit you perfectly.
Drop by the Sewing Direct online shop to find everything you need for your next clothing project, including sewing machines, overlockers and sewing accessories. We also have a wide range of fabrics available so you’ll be sure to find one that works for you. Happy sewing!
The ability to be able to sew a zip into whatever creation you have in mind is a truly underrated skill. Of course, it can be quite an intimidating idea if you don’t know how to sew a zip. But not to worry, this is where we come in. With years of experience helping hobbyists all over the UK improve their sewing skills, we know what it takes to help every skill level.
Before you jump straight into sewing in a zip into your fabric, it is a good idea to make sure you have everything you need before you get started. Here is a comprehensive list of items you need to successfully sew in your choice of zip.
If you’re short of a few of these items, check out our collection of sewing accessories.
Before you begin attempting to sew in your zipper, make sure your sewing machine is equipped with your zipper presser foot. What this presser foot allows you to do is to stitch right next to the zipper teeth creating a far neater stitch line. It also helpfully conceals the edges of the zipper tape, improving the overall finish.
The first step is to finish the edges of the fabric you intend on placing the zipper on. We would recommend finishing these with a zigzag stitch. Ensuring you’ve left enough space on each side of your fabric for your pattern’s recommended seam allowance, sew the two pieces together with a regular stitch. Only sew up to where the zipper will be installed.
Using a long basting stitch, stitch the rest of the seam including over the section that will open for the zipper. As this stitch will be removed, there is no need to backstitch the endpoints. With the fabric’s wrong side facing up, if the seam allowance won’t sit flat when pressed open, use an iron to flatten it.
With the fabric the wrong side up, lay your choice of zipper along the basted section of the seam allowance. Start at the top, ensuring you align the top of the zipper with the top of the fabric. When you’ve settled on your preferred zipper placement, mark the stitch lines with your fabric marking pencil.
The penultimate step in learning how to sew a zip is pinning your zip in place. Make sure it is lined up from top stop to bottom stop. Pinning at the top and bottom alone is unlikely to give you as much control so we would recommend using multiple pins or sewing tape.
With the correct side facing up and starting at the top of the zipper, ensure your first stitch is just past the zipper pull. Be sure not to stitch too close to the zipper pull in order to maintain a straight stitch.
Once you have reached the bottom of the zipper, stop and turn the fabric 90 degrees to sew a few stitches along the bottom of the zipper. Rotate the fabric again to stitch the other side of the zipper. Ensure you backstitch in order to secure your stitch.
Now your zipper is attached, remove your basting stitches using your seam ripper. Remove any stray threads for a professional finish. This is the time to test your zipper.
If you’re looking for the best equipment to make sewing as easy and effortless as possible, look no further than our collection here at Sewing Direct. With a wide range of sewing machines and accessories, you’ll never be short of new ways to fall in love with sewing all over again.
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with us and a member of our team will be more than happy to help you with your sewing query.
When you’re new to sewing a lot of guides can come across as confusing and ultimately put you off trying new techniques and stitches. Here at Sewing Direct, we aim to keep our guides as simple as possible to ensure that everyone has a chance to learn a fantastic life skill.
How to hem with a sewing machine is one of the most popular questions we get asked, which is why we have put together this guide. In 4 simple steps, we will teach you to single-fold hem with a sewing machine, as this is the most useful technique. This is because it can be used on woven and knit fabrics.
The reason for this is simple, as the single hem is just a single fold of fabric, nothing gets enclosed. So with this in mind, by having the edge of your fabric finished in some sort of way you can improve the presentation. It will also help to prevent knit fabric from unravelling or woven fabric from fraying.
Use your sewing machine to run a zigzag stitch along the edge of your fabric to tidy it up in a quick and easy way.
We would recommend using a seam gauge to measure your hem allowance as it is the most accurate. You can also use a tape measure but be sure to double-check your measurements. Single fold hem would typically see a 1 cm and 1.5 cm allowance, however, deeper single hems have also been turned too.
Regardless, it is important to remember that there will be one line of visible stitching on the right side of the fabric at the edge of your fabric’s raw edge.
Now you need to apply heat and pressure to the fabric in order to create a crisp fold to your hemline. Using an iron, press down on the fold whilst being careful not to knock any of the pins holding the hem in place. These are what are holding the fabric in place at the length you measured before.
The final step is to begin sewing your hem allowance into place. By sewing a stitch line that is 2mm or 3mm less than your hem allowance, you ensure that it is securely caught in the stitches. To guarantee a straight stitch, use the marked lines on your sewing machine’s footplate. Sew with a medium-length stitch around the hem as you gradually pull the fabric through the machine.
Be sure to use a thread that suits the colour of the fabric you are hemming.
If you need more guidance on not only how to get the most out of your sewing machine, but also how to take proper care of it, please get in touch with us today. Here at Sewing Direct, we treat all sewing machines as if they were our mothers, so you can be sure we will handle your pride and joy with due care and attention.
The new 2023 season of The Great British Sewing Bee is finally upon us. As you can imagine, we’re huge fans of the program – it’s full of everything we hold near and dear to our hearts at Sewing Direct. Some of our absolute favourite sewing projects have come out of this event, and we’re excited to see what the latest batch of contestants can cook up this year.
With that in mind, now is the perfect time to pick out some great sewing project ideas that we can’t stop thinking about. As it’s Great British Sewing Bee season, now is the perfect time to get creative and pick up a new project to work on!
The Great British Sewing Bee is all about testing contestants’ raw ability, creativity and technical sewing skills. As such, there’s an element of challenge that really brings their creations to life.
The below 5 project ideas fit this mould, so feel free to pick one out to test your own abilities!
Create a showstopping evening gown with intricate details such as hand-sewn beading, lace appliques, and expertly constructed draping.
This is a challenge certainly not for the faint of heart; your precision sewing, fitting skills, and ability to work with luxurious fabrics will all be tested. However, it’s a challenge that can be extremely rewarding with enough patience and dedication.
Nothing beats a classic. The tailored suit project is a popular challenge, as it requires excellent pattern matching and attention to detail, as well as a strong understanding of tailoring techniques.
Fitting the trousers, jacket and shirt to a model’s proportions is a great way to flex your tailoring skills and develop them further. With some practice, mastery is not out of reach!
Upcycled projects always go down a treat, and they can be as easy – or as difficult – as you want them to be. Taking old garments or textiles and transforming them into fashionable, unique pieces can result in some truly irreplaceable gems, and it has the added bonus of being a sustainable approach to sewing. It can also give you a newfound appreciation for old clothes, so pick out some unused pieces and engage those problem-solving skills – this one will test your ability to repurpose materials effectively while maintaining a high standard of craftsmanship.
Patchwork is a passion of ours at Sewing Direct. There are more ways to go right than wrong with these sorts of projects, and while not ‘garments’ per se, they’re still a brilliant way to test and develop your sewing skills.
Choose a variety of fabric combinations and work to piece them together in a complex but visually satisfying pattern. Quilting can be an intricate process, so read our beginner’s guide to quilting with a machine if you need a hand getting started.
This is one that always seems to come up each year on the Great British Sewing Bee, and with good reason. It’s the perfect challenge for pushing you out of your comfort zone by recreating an outfit from a past time, such as an Elizabethan gown or a Victorian frock.
In addition to testing your research skills, it requires attention to historical details and encourages you to experiment with techniques you won’t be able to use elsewhere. If you’re feeling inspiration strike at the thought of it, this may be one for you!
We’re often asked what machines we’d recommend based on what contestants use on The Great British Sewing Bee.
While they use a variety of home sewing machines, there are a few standouts that we can recommend if you’re looking to take your projects to the next level. See our blog on sewing machines fit for the Sewing Bee to find out more.
Feeling inspired? You’re in the right place!
Get into the swing of Sewing Bee season by exploring our sewing machines and sewing patterns for sale. We have something for sewers of every skill level, so feel free to browse what’s on offer or get in touch with us if you’d like some advice on picking out the perfect product.
Getting into quilting is a great hobby that yields great results, but with so many different styles and methods it can be difficult to choose your favourite quilting technique.
Paper piecing is a quilting technique that is both effective and a fun challenge, and at Sewing Direct we have created a handy guide to paper piecing to help you get started.
Paper piecing is a way to create fun quilting patterns, sewing fabric to paper for a strong quilt block no matter the shapes of fabric you are trying to use.
Paper piecing allows you to apply patchwork sewing techniques to your quilting project, creating intricate designs and unique patterns. A paper pattern template is used, with fabrics being sewn directly onto the paper to ensure you create the correct shapes while stitching. Once you have finished piecing your quilt together the paper is either torn or washed off of the fabric, leaving you with a quality quilt without any stress.
Now you know what paper piecing is, how do you make it yourself?
Paper piecing is great for those wanting to unleash their creativity on their next sewing project. From geometric styles to bold but simple designs, a paper piecing project is only limited by your imagination.
But how do you begin?
When you have your design in mind it’s time to put it to paper. Paper piecing is easiest to create when using straight lines, allowing you to quickly create fun, geometric designs.
Paper piecing can be started on any regular paper you have lying around. Print or draw your design onto the paper in the exact sizes you prefer, this is because you will be sewing your fabric directly to the pattern.
Next, you will need to cut out your fabric into large enough sections to cover the area of the pattern you will be sewing it onto, leaving an inch of buffer room along the edges.
You will need to pin your fabric sections onto the pattern with the face of your fabric facing up underneath the paper pattern. Once all pieces of fabric are pinned and ready you can begin sewing your project together. You may find it easiest to sew one line at a time, trimming edges as you go to avoid any mixups. Don’t forget to press your edges as you go!
Paper piecing is a form of quilting, so using a sewing machine that you would use for quilting is a great idea. Bernina provides some excellent sewing machines that are perfect for those looking to get into quilting or paper piecing.
When choosing your fabric you should aim to use light fabrics that are easy to sew and press to create outstanding patterns. Quilting fabrics are an ideal choice to get started with your project.
Why not get started with a classic paper piecing star design for your first project? Or keep it simple with an easy geometric pattern.
If you are looking to get started with quilting Sewing Direct is here to help with useful quilting workshops, fabrics and sewing machines that will help you to bring your idea to life.
For more tips and tricks that will help you get started with a paper piecing or quilting project check out our Beginners Guide to Quilting, or get in touch with a member of our friendly team for more information about workshops and products to help with your quilting journey.
The applique sewing technique is one of the easiest to learn and involves the process of sewing two pieces of fabric together. Thanks to its simple nature, applique is a great way of decorating your favourite fabric household items such as cushions, tea towels, as well as clothes should you want to put your own twist on them.
It is really easy to get to grips with and with our beginners' guide, you will be using this wonderful technique in no time.
The first step to efficiently applique your chosen object is by deciding on the design and the layout. Ensuring that the shapes you go for are not too complicated or fiddly will mean that it will be easier to do. The easier it is to do, the more likely it will turn out to the standard you wish.
Should you want more detail, you will need to consider how you will obtain the results you want. Decide whether it is best to do it by hand or by machine, does it require buttons or does it need an element of embroidery?
For the best results when you applique, we would recommend that you use fabrics that are of similar weight. Using shapes cut from lighter fabrics sewn onto a heavier material is also fine, but be wary of doing the opposite (heavy onto light).
A common issue to look out for with applique is the possibility of the fabric fraying. The way to avoid this is by using some fusible interfacing that you simply apply to the fabric and then iron onto the main fabric.
Now that your shapes are all cut out and lightly ironed onto the main fabric using fusible interfacing, it is time to begin sewing. This is the simple part, all you need to do is pin your shapes in place and sew around them.
From this point, the choice of stitch is up to you. For those new to sewing, we would recommend using a simple straight stitch. Zigzag stitches are the middle ground between the aforementioned straight stitch and the traditional satin stitch. The advantages of this are that it covers the raw edges of the shapes, giving your applique a smooth finish around the edges.
On the large majority of sewing machines you are able to adjust the distance between stitches, whether straight or zigzag, so have a play around with your machine’s settings and work out what distance you prefer. Of course, if you need any help or guidance on how to do this, we are only a phone call away.
If you have any questions about your machine or a specific sewing technique, we would be more than happy to help you with your query. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
For more tips and tricks on how to make your sewing experience more enjoyable, why not visit the Sewing Direct blog? Here you can find guides for all the most popular sewing techniques.
Whether you’re an experienced sewer or merely just starting out, a good way to make the experience more fun, as well as a better standard, is by using sewing machine accessories. With so many on the market nowadays, it can be tough to know which ones are really essential and will make a difference to your sewing.
However, worry not, here at Sewing Direct we’re always on hand to make your sewing experience as enjoyable as possible. Join us throughout the course of this blog as we run through some of our favourite sewing accessories available in the UK.
Not only does a sewing machine bag make your machine easier to transport but it also makes it considerably easier to store. We’ve all been there where we’ve needed to quickly pack our sewing machine away for one reason or another, a bag makes it easy to make sure all the components you need are in one place.
These bags also double up as protective cases which means your machine is less likely to be damaged in the rough and tumble of everyday life. With handheld and trolley options, you will find transporting and storing your sewing machine has never been easier.
If you’re looking for an additional type of needle that can do it all, the topstitch needle is a great choice to turn to. Designed to ensure that there are fewer skipped stitches, these are the perfect option for a stitch-heavy project, such as a quilt.
To get the most out of your topstitch needles, thread 2 threads at once (or use thicker thread) to perform beautiful decorative and topstitching work.
Just like denim needles, leather needles are capable of stitching smoothly through some of the thickest fabrics, such as leather. Having additional needles to accompany your standard ones is a great accessory to have to hand. This means you will never be limited in what you can make.
As a part of the Bernina Big Book series, the Big Book of Embroidery is packed full of over 200 pages of helpful information and inspiration for every level of embroidering. Covering everything from basic editing functions to stitching techniques. A must-have sewing accessory for anyone looking to take up embroidery.
One of the best ways to do your best sewing is by being organised. Available from a handful of brands, a Bobbin Box is ideal for storing those additional bobbins you may have laying around.
Explore our full range of sewing accessories available here at Sewing Direct. Including branded accessories from Bernina, Singer and Bernette.
If you have any questions about an accessory or a machine, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us and a member of our team will be more than happy to help you.
For more sewing inspiration and tips, why not head over to the Sewing Direct Blog?
Getting started with a sewing project as a beginner can be exciting, but it can also be daunting. There are so many different projects that you can start with, as well as using different techniques, stitches and fabrics, that knowing where to begin can feel like a big decision.
Below we have found some of the best sewing projects for beginners so that you can choose the perfect project for you, and create something you can be proud of.
Patchwork is a great place to start your sewing journey. Whilst you can use a simple running stitch, the patchwork effect looks impressive, and it’s something you can show off, or make into thoughtful gifts for friends and family.
Discover an introduction to patchwork and create pillowcases, placemats or blankets to add some colour to your home.
Scrunchies are a quick, easy project for a beginner, using a straight stitch to create a cute accessory that will impress your friends.
Making a scrunchie is as simple as folding a long rectangle of fabric on the long side while inside-out, and stitching lengthways. You can then flip the fabric so the stitching is on the inside of your tube and fill it with a shorter length of elastic. Stitch the fabric and the ends of the fabric into a loop to create your own scrunchie!
Velvet, satin or cotton, you can use whichever fabric you like for this, although some fabrics are easier for beginners to use than others.
Coin purses are a great starting point for sewing beginners. Whether you choose to make a drawstring pouch or try your hand at zips or poppers, a coin purse is simple but effective.
Choose your favourite fabric and get your sewing machine set up for your first project! Once you have learnt how to sew a coin purse you can move on to bigger and better things, like making your own tote bag or handbag.
Now you have started your sewing journey, a pincushion is a must-have for all of your future projects. Create your own with your newfound sewing skills.
You can use scrap fabrics for this project (including for the stuffing!), or you can start fresh with the fabric of your choice and a sturdy stuffing that will hold your pins.
A pincushion is a helpful item for your haberdashery stash, but it’s also so simple to make!
Maybe the reason you started sewing is so that you could begin making your own clothing.
Getting started with sewing patterns is a great way to start making clothing, they provide you with measurements and cut-outs to follow, as well as how-to instructions that will help you create a quality piece of clothing like this Tilly and the Buttons COCO Dress.
Sewing is a fantastic hobby to have, and with the right training can turn into more.
Start your sewing journey with Sewing Direct today, and discover a range of easy-to-follow sewing patterns that you can follow to create beautiful clothing.
Find the perfect beginner's sewing machine for you, and begin creating and making at your pace. Get in touch with our friendly team for more information on our sewing machines and haberdashery, or check out our workshops for great introductory classes.
Whether you are making your own garment, or just want to replace a loose button on a jacket, knowing how to sew a button on effectively is a relevant skill.
Buttons can be an important finish to a homemade item that takes it from homemade haberdashery to a high-quality piece of clothing that you will be proud to show off.
Sewing buttons onto your chosen garment couldn’t be easier with help from Sewing Direct.
When repairing a garment, or sewing on limited amounts of buttons, it may feel like sewing your buttons by hand will be the easiest choice, rather than getting out your sewing machine.
Sewing buttons professionally by hand takes a little bit of time and some haberdashery tools. You will need buttonhole thread in your chosen colour, scissors, a needle the correct size for your buttonholes, buttons and your article of clothing.
For a raised button with a singular hole on the back, you should stitch in a circular motion through the button and the fabric. These buttons are best stitched by hand.
Sewing buttons with a sewing machine is much faster than hand sewing a button, and can feel more secure. Sewing buttons by hand can be a time-consuming task, so using a sewing machine can be very beneficial when sewing on multiple buttons at a time.
Firstly set up your sewing machine with the correct colour of thread you would like to use, we recommend using a Singer 9985 Quantum Stylist Touch.
Next check your sewing machine accessories to see if you have a button foot, if you don’t there’s no need to worry, it would just make sewing a button on even easier as it prevents your button from moving during sewing. If you don’t have a button foot just remove the presser foot from your machine.
Now you can begin the process of sewing on your buttons!
Line up your buttons and use a fabric pencil to mark their positions. To hold the button in place you can use clear tape to tape your button to the fabric, the needle will easily pierce the tape and it can easily be removed after you have finished.
Some sewing machines have ‘feed dogs’ on the bottom plate of your machine, these can be lowered to prevent your fabric from moving as you stitch your buttons. For sewing machines like the Bernette 77 Sewing Machine, your feed dogs should lower automatically when the button function is selected.
Next, you can choose your stitch, some machines may have only one option for this. For machines that do not have a button function, you can use a regular zig-zag stitch.
Position your needle above the leftmost buttonhole and lower the foot into place to keep your button secure while you stitch. If your needle goes straight through the middle of each hole when tested then you are ready to add your thread and get stitching, sew 8-9 stitches for an expert finish.
Finally, you can remove the tape that was securing your needle and pull the remaining thread through to the back of the button using a hand needle and knot it securely against the fabric.
Once you have done this a few times you will find that you will get faster at the process.
Now you know how to sew a button using a sewing machine.
If you are just starting out on your haberdashery journey, or are looking to update your sewing machine, discover our range of sewing machines at Sewing Direct to help you with your sewing projects.
If you don’t know where to begin then get in touch with our friendly team with any questions or queries you may have.
When you have patches, badges or labels that you would like to sew on to an item of clothing it can be difficult to know where to begin. There are so many stitches and fabric choices that it is important to pick the correct technique to avoid damaging the fabric or the patch you are sewing.
No matter if you are planning to sew by hand or with your trusty sewing machine, this guide is here to help. From discovering the correct haberdashery to knowing what stitches to use and when, we’re here to help.
When receiving a new patch or badge you may be tempted to resort to fabric glue instead of sewing, but fabric glue can warp the shape of the patch and underlying fabric over time as well as losing its stick when put through a wash cycle. Sewing badges and patches is much more secure, and when done correctly can last for years.
Bound edges are common in badges and some patches, and they can be challenging to sew through as the edges are so tightly bound. As sewing through the bound edge can either break the needle of a machine or leave you with sore fingers after trying to push the stitches through, the best options are usually to stitch alongside the bound edge, or over the edges.
If you are planning to hand stitch a badge with a bound edge then a whip stitch may be your best option. This will be your best option if you are trying to sew onto a pocket that your sewing machine can’t reach.
Sewing a patch or badge with a bound edge using a machine is quicker if you have multiple to sew at any given time. Choose a zig-zag stitch and set it so the stitches are landing on either side of the bound edge, securing it without trying to sew through the edge itself, which could break your sewing machine needle.
If your sewing machine is an older model, or a straight stitch is your preferred stitch, stitch along the inside of the edge using a similar colour to the background of the badge or patch.
Knit fabrics are made of interwoven loops, making them more flexible and stretchy than woven fabrics. If you are looking to sew patches on woollen jumpers you should make sure you have a sturdy backing or interfacing on the inside of your fabric to hold your knitted fabric firm and ensure no warping of the fabric happens mid-stitch.
For any internal stitching on knitted fabrics, an overlock sewing machine would be helpful, however for an external addition to your knitted item you could use any sewing machine as long as the fabric will fit. The interfacing will provide a strong background to your stitches, allowing you more options when it comes to choosing your stitches.
Knitted fabric is more delicate than woven fabric in that it is very easy to pull or cut a stitch accidentally. First, pin your interfacing onto the inside of your knitted garment.
Next, try using a jersey or ballpoint needle, the rounded tip won’t snag on any knitted fibres. If you don’t have a ballpoint needle to hand try out the needles you do have on an inconspicuous area of your fabric to test out which works best for you.
Finally use a stretch stitch or zig-zag stitch along the edges of your patch or badge, the zig-zag format works against the natural elasticity of your knitted fabric. You may want to test different stitch lengths on a hidden piece of your fabric first to make sure you get it right when you begin sewing the patch.
Knowing how to sew on clothing labels can be useful if you have started to make clothing, either as a hobby or to sell. Labels remind people of where they found your brand, or what the washing instructions for that particular item are.
Hand stitching a clothing label is more delicate than using a sewing machine might be. Firstly you should find your smallest needle and thread for the task, you want your label to look seamless.
Positioning your label should be an easy task. If you are looking to sew a neckline label, measure an equal distance between the shoulders, or line it up with pre-existing buttons or zips. Once you have found your ideal label position, pin it in place to secure it.
Start stitching your label by adding secure stitches to the two top corners of the label. If you’re planning to completely secure the label on all four sides you can add secure stitches to all four corners at this point.
Now you can border stitch along the sides you wish to secure. To create a secure border you can use a variety of border stitches, from a regular running stitch to more decorative stitches such as a blanket stitch, they’re easy to learn.
Hand stitching is a great way to secure a label, but if you plan to stitch multiple labels a machine may save you time.
Sewing labels using a machine is much faster if you are looking at stitching multiple labels at the same time.
To be able to sew your label with a sewing machine your label needs to be big enough for the stitch length of your machine, if the label is smaller than the foot of your sewing machine you will not be able to hold it in place as you stitch. If your labels are too small you can hand stitch the corners of your label to secure it before running it under your sewing machine, this will prevent it from moving around.
When using a sewing machine to label clothing there are a few things to remember:
Discover our range of sewing machines and haberdashery products at Sewing Direct to help you complete your sewing projects with ease. If you’re not sure where to start, get in touch with our helpful team for help with any questions or queries you may have.
