Sewing & Fabric Essentials

As I've been sewing more, I'm finding that I'm using techniques that i don't even know the names of. I figured it's time to go back and learn some basics. I'll be going over some simple seams including a straight seam, a double straight seam, a curved seam, a cornered seam, a basting seam, and bar tacks. You may recognize some of these seams from my previous projects.

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The invisible stitch, also known as the ladder, slip, blind, or hidden stitch is a commonly used hand sewing stitch. In this example, I'm using it to sew closed the opening on a pillow cover.

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An overlock stitch is a great way to hem the edges of your fabric so they don't fray. You will see this type of stitch on the inside of a lot of manufactured clothing. It is often sewn using a Serger machine, but it can be done by hand, and we will show you how. To sew an overlock stitch, you will want to want to match up the edges of your fabric. I have seen this done with only one piece, and that will help to prevent fraying, but for this demonstration I will be using two so I can sew the pieces together while also creating a nice finished edge.

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A dart is a method used in sewing to add shape to a garment. Darts are often used on the busts of dresses and blouses, skirts and to minimize gaping at sleeve openings. There are a few parts of a dart that are important to understand before sewing them into your garment.

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