Sewing & Fabric Essentials

Every sewing project is best completed with a specific type of needle. Some needles can be used for more diverse projects but as a general rule of thumb, it's easier and important to have the right needle for whatever you are working on. Here is a guide to the many needles we sell here at OFS. The best way to start looking is by using the filters on the left hand side of the needles homepage. If none of the options fit what you are looking for, leave it blank.

Finding the right type of fabric for your project can be a tedious task if you're not sure what to look for and are unable to touch them. Many fabrics made of the same material can look the same when shopping online, however, their weight and application can be different. Here is a guide to help choose the right basic plain weave cotton fabric for your next project.

The basic use for sew-on snaps is to hold overlapping edges together. They are nickel plated brass and come in various sizes. There is a flat surface on one side and a rounded surface on the other. These snaps are found in a lot of hand bags, coin pouches, and can also be used in apparel.

Bias tape adds a nice trim to a project. You can use a solid color or a print. You can also use a bias tape maker or just fold the edges over manually and iron. The bias tape maker helps with control and makes a nice and neat fold.

Sewing with sheer fabric can be difficult. Learn these simple tips on how to create a beautiful stitch on a fabric that is very slippery. Needle For best results, use a sharp #70 needle. This needle is made for lightweight fabrics and will sew smoothly without puncturing big holes in the fabric. It may also help to use thin paper such as tracing paper or wax paper to put under the fabric when sewing.

It seems like it would be pretty simple. Fabric shears are for fabric only and paper scissors are for paper. However, there will be that person who uses them on paper not realizing it, not caring, or not knowing the difference. If you're a maker who works with fabric and knows the importance of a nice sharp pair of shears that cuts smooth like butter then you'll feel the pain when those shears cut paper. Maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but there is a difference between fabric shears and paper scissors.

There are so many options for interfacing, choosing one can be a bit overwhelming. Learn what kinds are best for your project and how to make sure they are compatible with your fabric.

You've been asking the questions and we have been hearing you. Now, we are here to bring you a series about dyeing fabric so you can be the most informed you can be before you start dying!

Rit Color Remover is a great product designed to remove colors from fabrics without having to use harsh chlorine bleach. Regular bleach damages the fibers in fabrics so if you go to re-dye them a different color afterwards, your results may not be consistent or may not turn out how you are expecting them to. Rit Color Remover works on cotton, linen, silk, wool, ramie, rayon and nylon and leaves a blank slate that is ready to be dyed.

A few weeks ago I brought you 6 Sewing Kit Essentials. And those are great and all but they're really just scratching the surface. There are so many tools out there that cut down on work time, stress, and generally make my life easier when I am sewing. So, I compiled a list of 10 things that I recently added to my sewing kit that have seriously changed my life.

Looking to get into sewing? It's a really great skill to have if you are looking to save money or if you have a hard time finding clothes that fit you well in stores. It's also a great trick to have under your belt if you are a thrifter because stores will usually sell clothes for cheap if they need any work done before the customer can even wear it. There's a million things you can do when you learn how to sew, there are a million tools as well that can help you make your life easier (maybe not quite 1 million, but you get the idea. ) So, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about the 6 most essential tools to start your sewing kit.

Sequin is a trendy fabric that can be used in a variety of projects from décor and crafts to apparel. But while it is beautiful and great for adding lots of sparkle and dimension to your project, sewing sequins can be a little tricky. Weather it be a dance costume that's being made from scratch or your favorite party shirt that your friend ripped when they borrowed it last, you might need a hand in sewing it just right (and this is important) the first time. Here's a guide to help you through it.