Category: Blog

Mrs Bowden’s top tip – making a tailor’s ham Having the right equipment when dressmaking will help produce better quality work and make the process more enjoyable. A Tailor’s Ham is such a useful item as it allows you to press curved seams and retain the shape you have created. It is an easy item…
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Pressing is such an important part of sewing that learning to do it as you go along is really helpful. Having the correct equipment is terribly important too. Ironing board – get a stable board with plenty of wadding underneath the cover to protect seams when pressing. Sleeve board – a great asset to ironing…
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In the run up to Christmas I was overtaken by festive enthusiasm and bought 3 lengths of fabric suitable for Christmas frocks.  The one featured here is a 100% viscose with a bit of a 30’s vibe showing almost Disneyish bambi’s set amongst pastel geometric shapes and grids.  Having always admired the novelty prints used…
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Some of the best tips are the simplest. This week’s top tip is about pinning for woven fabrics and knit fabrics. It’s pretty self-explanatory but here goes.   For woven fabrics; pin at right angles to the cut edge so that the head of the pin is sticking out at the right hand side. This…
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January, for me, conjures up romantic notions of snow ball fights and skating rinks……so inspiring the first top tip of 2016.   In order to avoid the foot pedal on your sewing machine skating about on your floor, use a rectangle of non-slip matting (available from shops where everything costs only £1.00 good British pound).…
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Whilst considering the Christmas decoration of my home I realised that storage of long stringey items (tinsel) can be problematic.  Hence this week’s top tip – to do with embroidery floss management. I feel sad when I see this… It doesn’t have to be like that…   Grab a trusted cereal box and cut out little rectangles…
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A point lacking in crispness is to be avoided! When creating a point – for example if one is making bunting, trim the end of the point and a little from the sides making sure you leave 2 or 3 mm seam allowance to prevent the point popping through.  Then turn your pendant the right…
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The EADT recently published a Christmas supplement featuring a cute DIY tutorial for making gingerbread kits.  Here is the link which will pop up in all it’s glory to show you how to make a charming present – suitable for all ages.  I do hope you enjoy it!  in stitches,  Amanda x Gingerbread gift

Taking accurate body measurements is essential to successful fitting.  Use this rather elegant chart to complete a record of your body measurements and take head of the tips below! Be honest about your measurements. Don’t be disheartened if your body measurements are different to ready-to-wear garment sizes. Get a friend to take your body measurements.…
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