Sewing Basics

Learn the essential sewing skills every beginner needs to get started with confidence. This category covers sewing fundamentals such as fabric types, tools and equipment, sewing terminology, cutting and pressing techniques, machine setup, and simple stitches. You’ll find step-by-step tutorials, practical tips, and troubleshooting advice designed to build strong foundations for garment sewing, pattern drafting, and DIY projects. Perfect for beginners and a helpful refresher for experienced sewists looking to master the basics and improve sewing accuracy and results.

Sewing pattern with seam allowances added on paper, showing outer cutting line and original seam line

How to Add Seam Allowances to Sewing Patterns (Drafting & Fabric Cutting Guide)

Leave a Comment / Pattern Drafting, Sewing Basics /

In this blog post I will show you how to add seam allowance to your drafted or traced sewing pattern at the drafting and cutting stage. I draft my own garment patterns for personal wear and blog tutorials, working primarily with natural fibres such as cotton, linen, hemp, rayon, and wool. The seam allowance recommendations […]

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Completed reverse appliqué T-shirt for school number day made without an embroidery machine

Easy Reverse Appliqué T-Shirt Tutorial for Beginners (No Embroidery Machine)

Leave a Comment / Children’s Clothing, Sewing Basics, Women Clothing /

In this tutorial I will show you how I apply a reverse appliqué to a T-shirt for my child’s School’s Number Day using a standard sewing machine. It is a fantastic upcycling technique and an easy way to add visual interest to a plain or worn T-shirt. I have been sewing garments and drafting patterns

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Finished DIY wrap skirt sewn from an A-line skirt block with extended waistband ties and rolled hem

How to Sew a Wrap Skirt from an A-Line Skirt Block (Beginner)

Leave a Comment / Sewing Basics, Women Clothing /

In this beginner-friendly wrap skirt sewing tutorial, I’ll show you how to sew a simple wrap skirt using an A-line skirt block—no zips, no buttons, and no complicated construction. This tutorial follows directly from my wrap skirt pattern drafting guide, where I show how to draft the pattern from a basic A-line skirt block. I’m sewing

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Colourfast dyed hemp fabric ready to be sewn into a handmade garment

How to Dye Hemp Fabric at Home (Step-by-Step Guide for Even, Long-Lasting Colour)

Leave a Comment / Sewing Basics /

In this step-by-step tutorial, I share my first-hand experience dyeing hemp fabric at home using fibre-reactive dye and a washing machine. You’ll learn whether hemp fabric can be dyed successfully, which dyes work best, how to avoid patchy colour, and what results to realistically expect. This guide is written for home sewists and sustainable makers

How to Dye Hemp Fabric at Home (Step-by-Step Guide for Even, Long-Lasting Colour) Read More »

Finished waterproof mattress protector corner with fixed elastic, securely holding mattress in place and preventing slipping sheets

How to Fix Loose Elastic on a Waterproof Mattress Protector (Easy DIY Repair)

Leave a Comment / Home Textile, Reusable Items, Sewing Basics /

In this beginner-friendly sewing tutorial, you’ll learn how to fix loose elastic on a waterproof mattress protector instead of replacing it. This quick repair keeps the corners tight, stops sheets from slipping, and extends the life of your waterproof mattress protector with minimal materials. I have a waterproof mattress protector on my mattress! This does

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Finished handmade hair scrunchie sewn with low-waste sewing method

How to Sew a Hair Scrunchie: 4 Easy Methods Using Less Fabric (Beginner-Friendly)

Leave a Comment / Accessories, Reusable Items, Sewing Basics /

In this beginner-friendly hair scrunchie sewing tutorial, you’ll learn four easy ways to sew a scrunchie using less fabric, including low-waste cutting methods and clean finishing techniques. This guide is ideal for beginners and anyone interested in sustainable sewing projects. This beginner-friendly guide covers measurements, fabric choices, elastic length, and multiple construction techniques. Oh, and my intended

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Household tools for attaching metal snap buttons without pliers, including a flat-head screwdriver and ceramic coaster.

How to Attach Metal Snap Buttons Without a Tool (No Pliers, No Press)

Leave a Comment / Accessories, Reusable Items, Sewing Basics /

Why You Should Skip Snap Pliers and Press Tools In my sewing career, it is surprising that I have not used metal snap buttons very often. When I finally tried to attach metal snap buttons using the pliers that came with the kit, the result was disappointing. The baby dungarees I made ended up with

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Handmade women’s fitted jersey T-shirt with clean neckline and smooth waist fit

How to Sew a Fitted T-Shirt for Women Using a Custom Bodice & Sleeve Block

Leave a Comment / Sewing Basics, Women Clothing /

Sewing a fitted T-shirt that actually fits is difficult when you rely on commercial patterns. In this beginner-friendly guide on how to sew a fitted T-shirt for women, you’ll learn to create a custom jersey T-shirt that fits your body perfectly using a bodice and sleeve block drafted to your own measurements. This tutorial builds directly

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Completed DIY t-shirt sleeve block for stretch fabric sewing

How to Draft a T-Shirt Sleeve Pattern (Step-by-Step for Stretch Fabrics)

Leave a Comment / Children’s Clothing, Pattern Drafting, Sewing Basics, Women Clothing /

In this beginner-friendly tutorial, I will show you how to draft a T-shirt sleeve pattern step by step, designed to match a custom T-shirt bodice block. This sleeve drafting method uses stretch jersey measurements and creates a sleeve block that fits the arm comfortably without restricting movement or overstretching the fabric. This tutorial builds directly on my T-shirt bodice block drafting

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Natural fabric washing and preshrinking before sewing to prevent shrinkage

How to Pre-Wash and Prepare Natural Fabrics Before Sewing

Leave a Comment / Home Textile, Sewing Basics, Women Clothing /

After following my previous post on natural fibres, you went out and bought some wonderful cotton, wool and rayon fabrics and are itching to get started because the fabrics are so beautiful. But wait! Before you go near the colourful stash with the shears, you need to prepare and prewash the natural fabrics before sewing to

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