SewMendStitchSite Map
Every page on SewMendStitch: 171 lessons in six courses, 12 guides, and the reference and help pages.
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Guides
- How to Choose Your First Sewing Machine
- Sewing Thread Types and Weights Explained
- Interfacing Explained: Types, Weights and Fusing
- Clothing Care Label Symbols Decoded
- Pressing for Sewing: Iron Temperatures by Fiber
- Fabric Fibers and How Each Behaves When You Sew
- Cross-Stitch Fabric Count and Finished-Size Math
- How Much Embroidery Floss Do You Need?
- Visible Mending: Styles, Materials and How to Choose
- Is It Worth Mending? Repair, Alter or Replace
- Sewing Pattern Sizes vs Store Sizes and How to Measure
- Zippers: Types, Sizes and How to Fix or Replace One
Hand Sewing Basics
- Choosing a Hand-Sewing Needle
- How to Thread a Needle
- Measuring and Cutting Thread
- Starting and Finishing Knots
- How to Use a Thimble
- Choosing Thread That Matches the Fabric
- How to Sew Without Puckering
- Securing the Start and End of a Seam
- Pressing Seams and Folds Safely
- Working with Woven, Knit, Thick and Delicate Fabrics
- Choosing the Right Hand Stitch
- Running Stitch
- Backstitch
- Basting (Tacking)
- Slip Stitch
- Ladder Stitch
- Blind Hem Stitch
- Whipstitch
- Overcast Stitch
- Blanket Stitch
- Catch Stitch (Herringbone)
- Sewing on a Button
- Reinforcing a Seam
- Darning
- Gathering Stitches
- Hooks, Eyes and Snaps
- Patching by Hand
- Sew on a Loose or Missing Button
- Mend a Split Seam
- Fix a Popped Seam in a Stretchy Garment
- Hand-Hem a Pair of Trousers
- Mend a Small Hole
- Secure a Loose Lining
- Sew a Patch onto a Garment
- Make a Simple Drawstring Pouch
Sewing Machine Basics
- The Parts of a Sewing Machine
- Supplies You Need to Start Machine Sewing
- Choosing the Right Machine Needle
- Practice Sewing on Paper, then Scrap Fabric
- Setting Up Your Machine Safely
- Winding a Bobbin
- Putting the Bobbin into the Machine
- Threading the Upper Thread
- Bringing the Bobbin Thread Up
- Selecting a Straight Stitch
- Setting the Stitch Length
- Sewing a Straight Line
- Starting and Securing a Seam
- Sewing a Consistent Seam Allowance
- Pivoting at a Corner
- Sewing Curves
- Zigzag Stitch
- Finishing Raw Edges
- Changing the Needle
- Fixing Common Stitching Problems
- Cleaning Your Machine
- Straight Seams, Start to Finish
- Using Reverse Stitching
- Practical Uses for Zigzag
- Narrow Hem
- Basic Double-Fold Garment Hem
- Finishing Seam Allowances
- Topstitching
- Sewing Darts
- Elastic Casing Waistband
- Reinforcing Stress Points
- Sewing Woven Cotton and Lightweight Denim
- Simple Seams on Knit Fabric
- Applying Patches and Patch Reinforcements
Clothing Repairs
- Sew a Missing Button Back On
- Fix a Split Seam
- Repair a Popped Seam on Stretch Fabric
- Close a Small Hole in Woven or Fine Knit Fabric
- Darn a Hole in a Sweater or Sock
- Repair a Torn Pocket Bag
- Reinforce a Worn Pocket Corner
- Reattach or Replace a Belt Loop
- Mend a Small Tear in Woven Fabric
- Patch Jeans With an Outside Patch
- Mend a Hole in Denim From the Inside
- Fix a Loose or Fallen Hem
- Reattach a Loose Lining
- Mend a Small Tear Near a Seam
- Reinforce Areas Prone to Wear
Clothing Alterations
- Fit and Measurement Guide
- Preparation Checklist Before Cutting
- Alteration Tools and What They Do
- What Can and Cannot Be Altered Easily
- Shorten Trousers
- Shorten Jeans and Keep the Original Hem
- Shorten a Skirt
- Shorten a Dress, Including Curved Hems
- Shorten Simple Sleeves
- Hand-Sewn Invisible Hem
- Machine-Sewn Visible Hem
- Hem Knit and Stretch Fabric
- Take In a Waistband at Centre Back
- Adjusting a Skirt Waistband
- Take In Side Seams on a Skirt or Dress
- Take In Loose Trousers Through the Seat and Legs
- Take In a Simple Shirt at the Sides and Sleeves
- Use Darts to Improve Fit
- Let Out Seams
- When a Garment Cannot Easily Be Let Out
- Shorten Simple Straps
- Shorten an Elastic Waistband
- Replace Basic Elastic
- Repair a Loose Waistband Seam
- Adjust a Simple Neckline or Opening
- Reattach Belt Loops
- Replace a Drawstring
- Reinforce Pockets
- Secure Loose Seams and Facings
Learn to Embroider
- What Embroidery Is
- Embroidery Materials: What to Buy First
- Embroidery Floss and How to Separate Strands
- Choosing Fabric for Embroidery
- How to Use an Embroidery Hoop
- Transferring a Design to Fabric
- Starting and Finishing Thread Securely
- Tangles, Puckers and Uneven Tension
- Washing and Caring for Finished Embroidery
- Embroidering on Clothes: Needles, Stabilizers and Thread
- Running Stitch
- Backstitch
- Stem Stitch
- Split Stitch
- Chain Stitch
- Lazy Daisy Stitch
- Satin Stitch
- French Knot
- Colonial Knot
- Blanket Stitch
- Feather Stitch
- Fly Stitch
- Woven Wheel Stitch
- Couching Stitch
- Seed Stitch
- Whipped Backstitch
- A Simple Embroidered Flower
- A Leaf Sampler
- Initials and Simple Lettering
- A Small Decorative Patch
- A Floral Embroidery Hoop
- Embroidered Details on a Denim Jacket or Tote Bag
Learn Cross-Stitch
- What Cross-Stitch Is
- Aida, Evenweave and Fabric Count
- Choosing a Needle and Preparing Floss
- How to Read a Cross-Stitch Pattern
- Finding the Centre of the Pattern and Fabric
- Cross-Stitch Supplies for a Small First Project
- Finishing and Washing a Completed Piece
- Keeping Stitches Neat and Consistent
- The Basic Full Cross-Stitch
- Starting and Finishing Thread Without Knots
- Half Stitches
- Quarter Stitches
- Three-Quarter Stitches
- Positioning Fractional Stitches
- Backstitch Outlining
- French Knots in Cross-Stitch Patterns
- Working with Multiple Colours
- Avoiding Visible Gaps and Uneven Tension
- Tiny Heart
- Simple Flower
- Strawberry Motif
- Beginner Alphabet
- Personalized Initial
- Diamond Bookmark
- Decorative Wreath Hoop
- Small Sampler