Sewing Skills

Tips To Sew Heavyweight Fabrics:

If you want to sew heavyweight fabrics comfortably by hand, then there are various things that you can do to make your work easier. You should start to sew the heavyweight fabrics strong tools so that you can move them easily through fabrics like denim, canvas, wool, or even leather.

With the help of some useful tools and a bit of patience, you can sew your thick fabric in no time.

3 Methods To Sew Thick Fabrics

Method 1:

Use Right Tools

1. Choose The Needle That Is Of Size 4 Or Larger

Depending on the fabric type on which the sewing is to be done, needles are used that come in different sizes. So, first pick out the needle that is of size 4 since the size 4 needle works best on thicker fabrics like upholstery, denim, or canvas.

When you visit a craft store, you can see all the packages of the needles and choose the needle you wanted as the needle’s size remains retained on them.

• A needle of size 4 is best for denim, and a needle of size 3 is best for working with leather fabrics.
• On the packaging itself, many needles will tell you for which type of fabric they are best for.
• For thick fabrics, choose a wedge point needle-like vinyl or leather to pierce the heavy fibers more easily, and for other fabrics like canvas, choose a sharp tip for woven. 

2. Opt For Heavy Duty Thread Or Upholstery To Sew Thick Fabric

For your thicker fabric, choose a heavy weight thread so that it won’t tear. Search for threads labeled as “extra strong” or “upholstery weight” or something that is similar for your project.

• Matching with your fabric, choose a heavy weight thread color.

3. Try To Use A Sewing Awl For Sewing Heavyweight Fabric Quickly

To sew the thick fabric in a much easier way, use a sewing awl, which is a small tool in size. Feeding the thread through the hole put the needle in the awl. 

Using the needle punch a hole all the through your fabric and pull the thread out from the bottom. Since the thread is attached to the sewing awl’s needle, this process will be easy to do.

• If you are working with leather or canvas, a sewing awl is a great tool.

4. Thread Should Be Waxed To Make It Slide Through The Thick Fabric Easily

Buy the wax for your thread, which is popularly known as the thread conditioner. To make the thread slick, slide the thread through the wax. It will make the process of moving through your thick fabric for the thread to be easy.

• After the thread is waxed, pull the yarn through the needle.

5. To Protect Your Finger From The Sewing Needle, Use A Thimble

While sewing something from hand, it can be easy to prick your finger with the needle. To protect your finger from accidental pokes, wear a thimble on the pointer finger on the opposite hand that you use to sew.

• Search for a thimble at a big box store or at a local craft.

Method 2:

Choosing A Stitch And Seams

1. Use Backstitch

For doing a backstitch, poke your needle through the fabric from the back and come up through the front. Through the fabric, bring the needle back down about 1 cm (0.39 in) away from the original stitch. Later, pull it back up through the fabric another 1cm (0.39 in) away from the stitch.

Start a loop back down into the fabric located right next to your first stitch and then continue this process for the backstitch.

• For thick and heavy weight fabrics, the backstitch is a great stitch as it is simple and holds the fabric tightly in place.

2. Catch Stitch, Sew Your Fabric To Join The Heavyweight Fabric

Catch stitch is made in a line along the fabric’s edge by sewing zig zags next to one another. This stitch is sewed in such a manner so that the stitch overlaps the folded edge of the fabric.

3. Baste Stitch To Sew Thick Fabric Quickly

By threading a needle, weave the needle in and out of the fabric in a straight line. A space of about 1 cm (0.39 in) is to be left between each stitch while stitching for a quick and easy baste stitch.

• Sewing a baste stitch is not a heavy-duty option, but it will help you to keep your fabric together.

4. Bias Bound Seam To Cover The Edges Of Thick And Heavyweight Fabric

At a craft store, pick out a bias binding that matches with your heavy weight fabric. Sew the bias binding onto the edge of the thick fabric in order to hide it using a straight stitch. This is the best way to create a smooth edge.

5. Opt For French Seam For An Invisible Sewing Job

By sewing the seam on the inside of your project, make a French seam so that it cannot be seen. Moreover, your fabric should be folded along the seam. It means it should be done in such a manner that they remain hidden and face one another. Later, you need to sew a seam down them.

Along the seam, trim your fabric, and you can also iron it so that it remains flat and then sew another seam to finish it off. Pins must be used, which will help you to hold the fabric in place while sewing.

Method 3:

Press And Hold The Fabric

1. Iron The Edges And Fold To Keep In Place

Fold the edges of the fabric where sewing is to be done and then use an iron to cease them so that the thick fabric remains folded. Between your fabrics, lay a cloth and then iron it to protect your fabric.

• Lay a cloth on the top by folding the edges before using the iron.
• Avoid touching the hot sections of the iron in order to protect yourself from burning.

2. Use Pins To Hold The Folds Together As You Sew

Through the thick fabric, push long pins to hold the folded edge or several pieces of fabric together. Through the fabric, slide the pins and then remove them carefully once you have done sewing in the specific area.

• Be very careful and attentive while using the pin and do not poke yourself with the pin when you are pushing it through the fabric.

3. Use Clips To Hold The Folds If Your Fabric Is Very Thick

To hold together very thick and heavy weight fabric or several pieces of it, regular binding clips or something similar to that can be handy. By attaching the clips to the edge or the area you want to sew, start sewing, and then remove the clips once you are done sewing.

• One might use clips to hold the folded edges of the thick fabric so that you can sew a hem.

4. Hit Thick Seams With Rubber Mallet To Flatten And Smooth Them

While using an extra thick fabric, your seams may feel bulky, especially if they cross with another seam. To help the fabric to get flattened out, tap the seam with the help of a hammer or rubber mallet. Repeat this process a couple of times to smooth out the seam so that it does not remain so thick.

If one has to list down the essential life skills that everyone should learn, then Sewing will be among the top five. Read on for why sewing is one of the most essential life-skills and steps on how to sew, to make your first stitch. Also, check out the basic types of hand stitches and their uses.

Now let’s imagine a situation…

You have a very important meeting to attend, you are already running late and all of a sudden the stitch out of your crisp ironed white shirt comes off. In such a crisis situation one definitely needs to have a basic idea of how to sew, in-order get the shirt fixed. Therefore, it becomes imperative to know the ABC of Sewing.

Having a basic knowledge of sewing definitely saves you in times of emergency but also cuts down on your expenses. There is no need to rush to the tailor’s shop for getting some basic easy stitches done, and in-fact having a basic-moderate level of skill-set in sewing also allows you to stitch apparels, some décor pieces, handmade crafts, etc. With technological developments, today sewing is done using various kinds of machinery on a large scale at factories or shops. However, the traditional old school knowledge of a seamstress still prevails both in the commercial and personal spheres of life.

Let’s get into the basic tools needed to sew at home, and an easy guide on how to sew your first stitch.

What are the different types of stitches?

Now, Sewing is an essential skill-set and there exist various kinds of stitches. Some of the popular kinds of stitches are listed below-:

• Running Stitch, the simplest and basic of all the different kinds of stitches
• Back Stitch
• Basting Stitch
• Blanket Stitch
• Shadow Stitch
• Slip Stitch and many more types of hand stitches

These stitches again have various utilities, meaning the purpose of the different types of stitches varies from simple hand sewing to embroidery. For example, backstitch is used in hand sewing for its strength and durability in holding the fabric together, but in embroidery, it is predominantly used either for outlines or for adding definition to embroidered lettering.

A BEGINNER’s GUIDE TO SEWING

a) Tools  Needed

As a beginner, you need to have certain tools with you for you to perform the most basic stitches. These are:

1. Sharp Set of Needles.
2. Sharp Scissors
3. Spools of Sewing Threads
4. Fabric.
5. Ruler for Measurement/ Measuring Tape 

b) How to do a Basic Stitch – Running Stitch

Beginners do not worry about how to sew your first stitch, we have got you covered. Here are the steps you need to follow to do your first stitch and have all your worries sorted-

• First of all, take the needle and insert the chosen thread through the eye of the needle. This is perhaps the most difficult and time-taking part of sewing.
  
• Once the thread is inserted into the needle, figure out how you would prefer to have your thread— single-threaded or double threaded.
  
• In single-threaded, the thread is simply inserted through the eye of the needle, and a knot is tied onto the longer side of the thread. In double-threaded, once the thread is inserted through the eye of the needle, both the ends of the thread are brought  together, ensuring they lie adjacent to each other. A knot is tied to join both the ends of the thread for them to form a loop.
  

What are the necessary steps for a running stitch?

STEP 1

Take the chosen fabric, and insert the needle through the wrong side of the fabric (the side which won’t be visible), and make way for the needle to the top, i.e. the right side of the fabric.

The needle is first inserted through the wrong side of the fabric ensuring the knot is not visible on the outside. 

STEP 2

Now the needle which has already made its way through the right side of the fabric now should be inserted towards the wrong side of the fabric again, through a short distance away. If you are a beginner and practicing for the first time, make sure the distance should be around 5-6mm (1/4 inches)

And there you go, you have your first stitch ready. Now that the needle is again underneath the fabric, the above steps need to be repeated till the end of the fabric. The motion of the needle should be essentially Down-Up-Down-Up-Down-Up.

Once the end of the fabric is reached, then you insert the needle with the remaining thread again towards the wrong side of the fabric. Now that the needle is underneath the fabric, a tight knot is tied to the previous stitch, to ensure the stitches aren’t loose and come off. Congratulations! Your first endeavor with hand sewing is an absolute success.

TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND

Hand Sewing isn’t a very difficult task to do, but to ensure that the experience with learning this skill turns out to be a smooth ride- here are certain tips one should take note of. These are

• In order to ensure that the thread is easily inserted into the eye of the needle, make sure to dip it into some water. This makes it easy for the thread to be inserted into the eye of the needle. You can also take the help of a tool called threader for this process to be hassle-free.
• If you are a beginner and want to practice before you actually start sewing, instead of fabric you can practice on craft felt sheets. It’s a great material for practicing and very easily available
• Make sure you have two pairs of scissors- a small and a big, to cut threads and fabric respectively.
• As a beginner, if you do not want to invest in too many different colors of sewing threads, make sure you at least have two basic colors- white ( for light-colored fabric or buttons), and black for dark-colored fabric.

Following these tips is definitely recommended for your first experience with hand sewing to be absolute bliss. Showcase your creativity and start beautifying each clothing piece that you own, that too using your own hands! 

Checkered Patterns: 17 Best known types of Checks

Checks are a type of pattern which can blend with all sorts of seasons. Maybe a winter evening, or a summer daylight outing or in a fall season, checkered patterns are always to opt for. Regardless of any trends or styles, the different types of checkered patterns were always there. But you have to know them first accurately, their types and the occasion type in which the particular type of checkered pattern can be worn.

Not all checks are the same. Even though they look similar with crisscrossed lines perpendicularly crossing each other, the patterns are different from each other if you look closely.

Here are some examples of checkered patterns that you can understand before choosing a particular type for a particular occasion. From buffalo check to the checkerboard pattern, there are various checkered pattern types.

1. Buffalo Checks

Just like apple pie, it is also an American famous checkered pattern. A lumberjack initially wore it, and due to its catching visibility, the two-toned type of pattern resembles the household checkboard of your house or maybe a chessboard. One of the two colors is black. For maybe a casual outing or attending an official event, this pattern suits.

2. Gingham Checkered Patterns

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Gingham is maybe one of the most iconic check designs, for the most part comprising of a white background and one other color and shading. Vertical and horizontal stripes are always a similar shading lying on a white background. Dorothy’s notable blue and white checkered dress in Wizard of Oz is a significant example of gingham. The patterns can be transparent depending on the color which is used.

3. Shepherd’s Check

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This pattern almost resembles the gingham, Shepherd’s Check is effortlessly recognized by its twill weave. Shephard’s Check usually is produced in a flannel or fitting material, and settling on it is an excellent decision if you want to go for light outerwear. This is a stunning classic pattern for wearing it in any official event.

4. Houndstooth Checkered Pattern

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Sweden being the origin, houndstooth is a subsidiary of Shephard’s Check. Except for the squares have a notch and point, taking after a canine tooth. This check is traditionally found in black and white during fall seasons, but it’s currently in assortments of colors that you can use in all overwork outfit.

5. The Mini Checkered Pattern

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Mini check is a pattern having small checks which almost resemble the gingham pattern, but the checks here are much smaller. Great for fabrics in suiting, and you can use it as a casual outing pattern as well as in the official events. It is a beautiful pattern which, if you wear, will attract some eyes definitely on you.

6. Pin Check

Pin checks are a similar idea as small-scale checks yet considerably even smaller. The squares that make in this pattern are so little that they look like small dots. This subtle example makes a phenomenal complement as pin checks are relatively understated or downplayed, yet sophisticated. This is an excellent suit checks pattern and the best choice for office outfits and casual outfits.

7. Graph Check

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The Graph Check looks like a graph paper. This example comprises of pencil-thin, single-hued lines that cross equally, framing singular squares. This check, alongside window pane and tattersall, has such slim lines that the boxes in the pattern seem open rather than “filled-in” like the checks listed beforehand. This is a great casual outing pattern when you are going for a daylight outing with your friends or family.

8. Window Pane Check

Windowpane checks take after window panes, but at the same time, they’re similar, like the check of a graph yet somewhat bigger. Both window pane and graph checks convey a moderate appeal or intrigue—this pattern you can use in your winter outfits or dresses for an official and casual outing with your family and friends.

9. Tattersall Checkered Pattern

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These checks are the same as a graph or windowpane, aside from the lines alternate in colors, making it somewhat more visually compelling. This pattern got its name from Tattersall’s horse market in London, where this type of cloth pattern was sold and used to blanket the horses. Additionally, tattersall stripes are generally darker than the base shading. This is an incredible example of summer and spring patterns, typically seen in lightweight fitting textures.

10. Argyle Checks

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This is an all-over example of diamonds (or Lozenges). More often, the diamond themes or motifs will be overlapping with each other in this pattern. Most popular pattern in men’s sweaters and socks as well as woolen wears. The simple colors in this pattern make the garment very elegant.

11. Dupplin Checks

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This is a combination of simple checks and windowpane checks. The checks look similar to a dog’s tooth and hence a check pattern within a check pattern. This pattern usually appears in casual outfits that you wear at home as well as outside. You can use this pattern when you want to go for a casual and straightforward pattern type in your wear.

12. Glen Checkered Pattern

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This pattern is a blend of large and tiny checks (like a dog’s tooth checks), making a pattern of random checks. For the most part, suiting textures have glen checks – usually with dark and light stripes substituting with dark and light stripes in a subtle checkered pattern. Also popular as Prince of Wales check. This pattern has a sporty yet polished appeal for using it in suit jackets and office-wear as well.

13. Madras Checkered Pattern

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This pattern example with uneven checks will form by groups of different attractive colors ( of fluctuating thickness ) crossing each other ( not equally divided) in vibrant shades. It is a shirting design but also used in casual outfits. This is an attractive option to go for if you are going out for casual outings.

14. Plaid Checks

This pattern example has brilliant stripes mismatching one another, like Madras checks yet in progressively muted colors. In contrast to Madras checks, you will find that the checks are all the more evenly or symmetrically positioned. It is likewise, a Tartan and can be used in your winter wear as well as workwear. The word “plaid” came from a Gaelic word, which meant blankets; that is why you’ll see this pattern mostly in the blankets.

15. Glun Club Checks

This is an example of a pattern of double checks. In this type of pattern, different bands in two or more shades or colors cross on a light background making beautiful checks. The traditional black, red-brown, and pine green colors go well with this pattern. You can wear this type of patter in-home outfits or casual wear sometimes workwear shirts as well.

16. Ichimatsu Checks

This is a pattern example with two squares of colors, on the other hand, to frame the checks. It is equivalent to a chequerboard design, the thing that matters is that this example may have different designs inside the checks. Kimonos are one of the famous Japanese examples; The Kabuki entertainer Sanokawa Ichimatsu utilized this plan for his Hakama in front of an audience; in this way, this example got its name.

17. Checkerboard Checkered Pattern

The equal-sized checks are crossing each other in the checkerboard pattern. It is the pattern just like a checkerboard game or a chess game. Different colors with contrasting color combinations such as grey and blue, black and white, red, and black look good. This is a pattern which you can use in the simple outfits as well as work wears.

These are the different checkered patterns from which you can choose the types and colors of your choice and flaunt it on any occasion. You can never go wrong with the different checkered patterns as they are never out of style. Catch some eyes by slaying it gracefully.