Sew News magazine is a complete resource for sewers of all skill levels. Each issue of Sew News magazine is packed with practical sewing information, how-to guides and the latest on fashion, fabrics, books and new products.
DEAR READERS, I’m so lucky to be the content director for the sewing division of F+W Media. Many people ask me how I came to be the editor of three sewing magazines, how I got to be the host of Sew it All on PBS for 9 seasons and what I did to rise through the ranks from editorial assistant to editor-in-chief. Abby Glassenberg, of the While She Naps website, interviewed me for her podcast and asked those very questions. (Get to know Abby in her new column, appearing in the Feb/March Sew News.) The download is available on iTunes if you’d like to listen to the full story, but I’ll summarize it here. I wasn’t afraid to ask for what I wanted, I stayed true to my love of…
JEN CARLTON BAILLY (“Gnome for the Holidays” — page 50) can be found covered in thread and searching down the latest inspiration for a quilt. A self-proclaimed master at curves, she finds pleasure in creating quilts with secondary patterns that make you stop and wonder. bettycrockerass.com AIMEE DAVIS (“Circle of Joy” — page 42) sleeps under quilts that her grandmother made, her head rests on pillowcases that her aunt embroidered, and her memories are of watching her mom and grandmother sew. The majority of her skills are self-taught, and she likes to think there’s a little bit of genetic love seeping through. daisyeyes.com MEG HEALY (“Pattern Play: Prada Party” — page 24) has a passion for sewing that led her to study Fashion Design in NYC, where she also interned…
1. STRIP THE NOISE Attach adhesive-backed felt strips to the underside of your sewing machine to keep it from shifting and quiet the vibration noises. Karen P., Facebook 2. FOAM-TASTIC! Use a foam block for needle storage when changing the needle. Cut a scrap of fabric from the project you were sewing with the needle, and pin it to the foam with the needle to remember what needle type it is and for how long you used it. Sandy H., Facebook 3. HOT FIX Purchase a hair stylist’s heat resistant glove to protect your fingers when ironing or pressing difficult areas. Rhonda R., email 4. MAGNETIC POWERS Keep a magnet in your straight pin dish to keep pins contained yet easily accessible. Patricia B., letter 5. MAKE IT COUNT Save…
1. Add SEWING CHARMS to your key chain, zipper pulls, bracelet or on a gift tag for someone who loves to sew as much as you. The five unique charms in this collection are made of high-quality rubber and feature a thimble, thread spool, button, scissors and a sewing machine along with four silver beads. smartneedle.com 2. Sewing machine lovers, here’s the shirt for you! The LOVE MACHINE T-SHIRT is made of wonderfully soft 100% cotton and is so pretty in peach. This exclusive design was created especially for Keepsake Quilting by Life is Good®. keepsakequilting.com 3. ROXANNE GLUE-BASTE-IT is now available in a handy two-way applicator bottle. Use the fine tip for precise positioning, especially handy for appliqué. Use the wide tip for a larger portion control. This temporary…
Kelli Ward Kelli Ward is the writer, creator, and designer behind True Bias. She lives in Denver, CO, where she designs patterns for home sewists and enjoys sewing clothing for herself and her family. Learn more about Kelli and True Bias patterns at truebias.com. Describe what your perfect day would be? What’s the last hobby you picked up? What’s your best way to decompress? What is your greatest extravagance? Which talent would you most like to have? What do you consider your greatest achievement? What is your must-have tool in your studio? When did you learn to sew? What is your favorite fabric to work with? Where do you find inspiration? What is your motto?…
Selecting the correct pattern size is confusing and frustrating, especially if your body measures different sizes on the top and bottom or front and back. Ready-to-wear doesn’t help because there are no set sizing standards in the industry, and sewists often incorrectly apply off-the-rack sizing to their sewing patterns. Instead of focusing on matching a certain size, learn how to understand pattern fitting and how to work with any pattern to make it match your body for successful results. Pattern Sizing Custom patterns are created for an individual based on unique body measurements, but commercial patterns are created to a standard set of measurements. A group of measurements for any given size is determined by the clothing line or pattern company, and there are no required standards across the industry.…
