But it doesn’t have to be all that bad – there are a few things you can do to make handling foam a whole lot easier!

So if foam is challenging, why even use it?

First of all, it’s a must if you’re re-upholstering almost anything.  Foam will give you cushioning and support that batting just can’t match.  And let’s face it – it’s so much cheaper to re-upholster something yourself, rather than having it custom made.

• Put down the scissors!  Unless you’re working with half-inch thick foam, scissors are pretty much useless.  The best tool I’ve come across for working with foam is a brand-new, very sharp razor blade.  I like to use an Xacto-style knife so I can have the blade extended as much as possible.  Some people like to use an electric knife to cut foam, but I have to admit, I’ve never tried it.  Serrated blades tend to make a mess, with little foam crumbles everywhere.
• Using a straight edge, mark your line with a permanent marker and then cut it.
• Don’t press the ruler into the foam, just hold it lightly enough so it won’t slide around.  This is another great use for a gridded quilting ruler.  That way you can ensure that you’re making a nice, even cut.
• If the foam has been freshly unwrapped and smells, just air it out for a couple of days first.  I find that the smell dissipates quickly.

image: Stock.xchg

Post from: Blisstree

Tips & Tricks for Working With Foam

Fleece is such a popular fabric at this time of year – it’s warm, cozy and light to wear.  I do get quite a few questions on how to handle it though. It dulls scissors and needles like crazy, and is even prone to breaking thread if it’s not handled quite right.

In Christine’s post, a pinking rotary cutter or scissors were used to make a decorate edge on the fleece.  I personally recommend never using your “good” fabric shears on fleece – it dulls those edges almost as quickly as paper does!

If you’re having problems with thread breaking or skipping stitches as you’re sewing, check a few things.  First of all, are you using a good quality polyester thread?  Fleece will shred cheap thread – it’s not worth the hassle.  Are you using a stretch stitch?  You can even try loosening the tension a little too.  Make sure to use a new needle and that it’s large enough.  Fleece is a pretty bulky fabric and can require a surprisingly large needle to sew.

So don’t be intimidated – try out this great non-raveling fabric and have fun

image: Stock.xchg

Post from: Blisstree

Sew With Fleece and Still Have Fun

I’ve shared a couple of different tips and tricks for altering patterns before you sew, but there’s one I haven’t mentioned yet…

It’s important to try garments on as you sew them!

Patterns are rarely shaped to fit you.  They usually need some tweaking to get them just right.  And let’s face it – if you’re going to go to all that effort of sewing something, why not make sure it’s done correctly?

For instance – I’m a “pear” shape.  That means my shoulders are slimmer than my hips.  Most sewing patterns are designed for someone who is evenly balanced, hips and shoulders.  If I use a sewing pattern, without altering it – my tops are either too loose in the shoulders or too snug across the hips.

The solution?

After you’ve sewn in any darts or shaped seams into your garment – baste it together and try it on.  That will allow you to see if there’s a spot that needs to be taken in or altered somehow.

Hey – I’d much prefer to make a change in the early stages rather than having to undo a bunch of my sewing at the end!

image: Stock.xchg

Post from: Blisstree

Tip Of The Day: Fitting Clothing As You Sew

It’s lightweight, stretchy and makes a great extra layer of insulation.

But there are a few little things that it can help to know when you’re sewing fleece…

Like what?

• I think the number one question I get asked is “how do you tell which side is the right one?”.  When you gently stretch the fabric, across the width (meaning, not the selvage edge) fleece normally rolls towards the wrong side.
• Fleece has a grain, so it’s very important to pay attention to the grain markings on your pattern pieces.  How come?  The fleece can actually look slightly different, depending on which way the grain is positioned. You don’t want your new fleece vest to look like a patchwork vest, right?
• Fleece is extremely hard on scissors, pins, sewing machine needles and rotary cutter blades.  If you’re going to do a lot of work with fleece, I recommend keeping a set of less-expensive scissors to work with it.  And definitely remember to change your sewing machine needle after you’re done!
• Are you having problems with seams breaking?  I recommend using a stretch stitch and a good-quality polyester thread.  You may also want to use a seam binding to reinforce seams for the shoulder or around zippers.  It takes some of the stress of the seam and makes it sturdier.

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Tips & Tricks for Sewing With Fleece

You really don’t need to be intimidated by sheer fabrics, but there are few tips and tricks that will make your life so much easier!

First of all, some sheers are easier than others to work with, so if this is your first time sewing with them, I’d recommend sticking with a crisper sheer.  Sheers with a “crisper” hand like organza are easier to work with over something very fluid like chiffon because they aren’t as prone to slithering all over the place.

You’ll need very sharp scissors, a cutting table that’s big enough to support the fabric and sharp pins.  Dull pins and scissors can cause the individual fibers in the sheer to pucker and fray.

A large work surface means that the whole piece of fabric can be supported on the table.  Leaving fabric hanging off the end can cause the fabric to distort as you’re cutting it.  I also like to use pattern weights, rather than pinning the pattern pieces in place.  You can adjust the fabric more easily that way.

Use a brand new sharp or ballpoint needle in your sewing machine – again, it will prevent the fabric from puckering as you sew it.  Pin the fabric closely and if it’s really causing problems, trying pinning a piece of tissue paper in between the layers of the fabric as you sew.

CraftStylish has an excellent how-to on hemming sheer fabrics as well.

image: Stock.xchg

Post from: Blisstree

Tips & Tricks for Sewing With Sheer Fabric

I normally pop my self-healing fabric cutting mat onto my sewing table, or for small stuff, set up a folding table (like a stable wooden tv tray).  It’s worked well for years – but my fabric is now stored on a different floor of my house.  I happened to be working in my basement and was just too lazy to haul all my fabric upstairs – so I plopped my mat down onto the dishwasher in the kitchenette….

And it worked!

Now that probably wouldn’t work for everyone, but the height of the dishwasher worked great for me.   Those backaches from hours of cutting fabric on a too-short table just aren’t fun!

The work surface is sturdy and stable, and large enough that my mat is well supported.  As a bonus, it’s right underneath a window so I get great natural light.  Now as long as I don’t need to use the dishwasher…

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Impromptu Work Surfaces

• Do want to do something with all those leftover plastic bags?  Craft has a great list of different projects to crochet, stitch and more.
• Create an enchanting Japanese “Sarubobo” softy with Mairuru’s step-by-step instructions.

• Are you going to be in Chicago in July?  “Chic Chicago” is a fabulous exhibition of dozens of couture garments, dating from the mid 1860s through to the current day.
• Sew Take A Hike has a great tip for transforming the standard slipper Omnigrid ruler into an “Omnigrip” ruler – without having to buy a new ruler!

Happy Crafting!

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Crafting Around the Web