Sewing Skills

Fibre Identification By Burning Test

Learn How to Perform a Burn Test to Determine Fabric Composition! Indeed, this test (also called the match test) makes it possible to identify the fibers constituting a fabric since all the fibers burn differently. This is very useful if you find a piece of fabric but cannot tell by touch its composition. Thus, you will be able to know if you have to do with silk, wool, acetate, viscose, or nylon among others.

This test involves exposing a fabric sample to a flame and analyzing how it burns, the odor generated and the waste produced by combustion.

Material for combustion test

• Some samples (2cm by 2)
• An explosion-proof (fire-resistant) container such as a large ashtray
• Long matches
• Long forceps or hemostats

 You can do this test over a sink, just in case!

How to perform the combustion test

Carry out the test outdoors if possible or in a well-ventilated area, away from flammable objects.

Step 1:

Place a sample in the container and set a corner on fire

Step 2:

Pay attention to the smell that emanates from it

1. Burnt cotton smells like burnt paper and remains glowing at the end of the burn
2. A smell similar to burnt hair indicates wool or silk, but silk does not always burn as easily as wool)
3. A dark plume of smoke that smells of chemical or burnt plastic likely means the fabric is a cotton/polyester blend

Step 3:

Examine the ashes after they have cooled

1. Cotton ashes are light and fine and become dust
2. Black and brittle residues, which crush under the fingers are surely the remains of wool
3. Small, hard balls are the residues of melted synthetic fibers.

Step 4:

Unravel another sample to take a bunch of threads. Holding them with pliers above the container, slowly approach a flame towards these wires

1. Cotton fibers ignite as soon as the flame approaches
2. Synthetic fibers wrap around themselves to keep away from heat and tend to melt

You can have fun testing fabrics you already know the composition of. Download the table to keep the results of the combustion test in your sewing corner.

Fabrics that look like cotton

1. The flax product residue similar to that of cotton but burns more slowly.
2. Viscose continues to burn once the flame is removed and does not remain glowing 

Knitting Essentials For Beginners

You’ve decided to go for knitting. You’ve chosen a nice yarn, but then what is needed and what is not? It would help if you bought your equipment as and when your needs and especially your learning as a beginner.

Knitting Tools List

Straight needles or circular needles?

It’s just a matter of personal comfort. It’s up to everyone to find which needle suits you best. On the other hand, circular needles are essential for knitting in the round (to knit “tubes”).

The hooks:

You will not learn crochet, and you tell yourself that, therefore, you will not need it. Think again: hooks are handy for catching a stitch that has slipped from the needle, for picking up stitches for a neckline, or for assembling your work.

The tape measure:

Indispensable: it will allow you to ensure that its dimensions correspond to that of your model throughout your work.

Wool needle:

Unlike the dressmaker’s sewing needle, it has a large cat (the hole through which you thread) suitable for different types of wool and a point that does not prick so as not to damage your work.

Hair curler pins:

Yes, you read that right: hair curlers like our grandmothers used. Sewing pins are too thin and are easily lost in the knits to be assembled. In addition, their pointed end may damage your work. Hair curler pins are all good: clearly visible and a tip that does not sting!

“Stitch stopper” pins:

Sometimes it is necessary to leave part of the stitches on hold to work on another part of your knitting. These pins will allow you not to lose your stitches during this setting on hold.

Scissors:

A small pair that you reserve exclusively for this use will be sufficient.

Cable needles:

They allow you to cross groups of stitches and thus create pretty embossed cables.

Shuttles:

Also called “fish”, the shuttles allow you to change color to create a design in the knitting without tangling the balls.

Mesh brands:

In plastic or metal, with or without charm, these small rings allow you to place markers on your work: in height to (for example) delimit future seams or on the row to delimit the repetitions of stitches.

Intarsia Knitting

Small jacquard patterns require a particular technique. Impossible to change balls at each change of color as there are so many. Working with two balls is much easier. But it would help if you were not satisfied with letting the thread run at the back of the work: it is not pretty, and your jacquard may have holes. By using the intarsia technique, we get a perfect job.

The technique consists of crossing the threads at each stitch so no hanging thread and no ugly hole, and because pictures are better than words, I share with you this video which explains the technique very well:

Be careful; this technique only works well with two colors maximum! If you multiply the colors and therefore the threads, your knitting will become stiff and thick.

What To Do With Leftover Yarn

You have finished your work, and you have one left, see several balls of yarn. You’re not sure what to do with it, so here are some solutions:

1. Exchange them

Many shops accept exchanging your intact balls. It can be useful to inquire during the purchase on the conditions.

2. Do a laundry test

If you use this yarn for the first time knit this quality wool, you are not sure how it will react to the laundry. Knit a square, measure and write down its dimensions, wash it and compare the new measurements. A tip to follow especially for your precious wools: Mohair, Alpaca, Silk, etc.

3. Hats and scarves

You don’t need a lot of wool for this kind of work, and if you have several colors of the same quality left, why not mix them for a very “fun” result. To you, the mittens, the hats, the scarves, snoods, or even coats for small dogs.

4. Jacquards

Working with an inlaid design (jacquard) sometimes requires purchasing a ball just for a small pattern.
Look in your leftovers if you don’t have the right color.

5. Try a new stitch

A model tempts you, but you doubt that you will succeed in this point which seems complicated to you. Practice with one of your leftovers before buying the necessary yarn.

6. Participate in the dictation of points

You’ll have a voice that dictates you the stitches one by one, and you discover the stitch as you go (the result is a real knitting stitch and not a random “trick”). Another way to learn knitting stitches.

7. Make the assembly seams of your works

Some fancy yarns give a superb knitting result but do not allow the seam of the finished item. A remnant of classic yarn in a similar color will do.

8. Give them away

Do you really have a lot of leftovers, and you don’t know where to put them? Give them to a DIY friend, an association that makes blankets for the poor, a youth movement, etc.