Tips and inspiration
We write about the things we love… fabric, sewing, design, and tradition. If our shop is your source for fabulous fabrics, our blog is your source for useful and diverting information on the topics you care most about. Join us for a close look at textiles (silk and all the others), what makes them special, and practical tips for working with them in your sewing. See how particular fabrics fared in our in-house tests. Check out our step-by-step tutorials, useful tips, and reports from the field, including our own Silk Road adventures. Dive into the history of textiles and discover what lies behind the fabrics we use today. Consider this blog your own personal repository of useful knowledge… as well as just a great read.
It’s no wonder silk has always been the choice of royalty. Sleeping on natural silk can smooth the complexion and put an end to bedhead. But there’s no reason to trot down to your local luxury boutique to pick up a fancy cosmetic pillow when it’s so easy to make your own using the gorgeous silk of your choice and at a fraction of the cost. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
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The Empire dress, it’s a look we’re still wearing 200 years after it first came into fashion – clean, simple, classy, with its high waistline and long, slender silhouette. Here’s the story of how the French gave Rococo the boot, turned fashion on its head, and introduced a revolutionary new way of dressing.
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Linen is an ancient fabric that’s well worth getting to know better. Practical, easy to care for, and very durable, it’s superior, in any number of ways, to cotton. What’s more, today’s modern linen is soft and comfortable—and it comes in an array of colors and patterns to suit any taste. Versatile linen can be used for just about anything!
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As you browse our silk selection, you may be mystified by the abbreviation “mm” in our fabric weight column. Millimeters? No. The mm stands for momme (pronounced moe-mee), a traditional measure of silk weight that comes to us from Japan. What can it tell us? Read on for enlightenment.
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Planning a summer dress, you go online to pick out some linen but there’s so much to choose from in various weights. Is 160 gsm too much or just right? Here’s the lowdown on linen fabric weights so you can choose with confidence every time.
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As young women in Regency England swooned over Mr. Darcy, what were their counterparts on the Continent up to? Both sides of the Channel saw the rise of a middle-class esthetic, demure and practical. Gone were the arch tastes of Empire fashion. In the heart of Europe the Biedermeier brought an idealization of hearth and home, the return of the hourglass figure, and a flurry of dainty floral prints.
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Restart your interior with new curtains. Our step-by-step tutorial shows 4 easy styles anyone can sew, whether you’ve just moved in or have a serious case of cabin fever and absolutely need to make a change. This tutorial shows you how to make simple curtain panels for the 4 most popular hanging options – ring clips, rod pocket, curtain hooks, and tabs. Treat your windows to a new look in linen or silk from our large selection. Let’s get sewing.
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Fabric weight is one of the key elements in any fabric description. It’s an indicator of what a cloth is actually made of and what it could be good for. In online fabric shops you’ll find it listed alongside textile content and width, in brick-and-mortar shops it’s on the sticker at the end of the bolt. So, what exactly does it tell you?
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A good tailor is the cure for all that ails you. But how to pick the right one for you? Whether you want to save the planet, need something that flatters your figure, or just want to look great, a good tailor is the key. But how does it work? What should you expect? This article takes you through the process of identifying a good tailor and working with them to produce the results you want.
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Once little more than a substitute for natural silk, rayon is starting to look a lot like the material of the future. EcoVero, its latest iteration, is an eco-friendly fiber that outperforms not just synthetics in terms of environmental responsibility, but many natural fibers as well.
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Silk pillowcases are having a moment, and it’s no wonder. Not only are they a dream to sleep on, they keep your skin hydrated and even prevent bedhead. We’ll look at what the fuss is all about and help you choose the right fabric to make your own. Find out what silk can do for your beauty sleep.
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Did you know there’s more than one kind of natural silk? It’s true, and not only do different silk moths made different kinds of silk, there are also different types depending on the quality of the yarn itself and how it was made. Each kind of silk has its own characteristics that you should know if you plan to wear it. To make an educated choice it’s good to know the basics. So, here we go!
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That silk dress was a real find, but – d’oh! – the tag says dry clean only. At a loss? Here are a few tips on finding a good cleaner. It’s easier than you may think and it’s certainly worth the effort. If you’ve been living in jeans and a t-shirt and this is your first foray into the world of professional cleaning, take a deep breath and read on. Levels of service and know-how can vary widely but a good dry cleaner can be worth their weight in gold. Choose wisely (we tell you how) and your clothes will thank you.
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Planning a historical costume but you’re not sure which fabric to choose? No need to wade through piles of history books – we’ve done the research for you. This short guide to historical wools covers everything from traditional wool processing techniques to pointers for choosing an authentic weave.
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Wool is the ultimate cold-weather warrior. Here’s a look at the many varieties that are out there, what makes them each special, and tips on how to tell if what you’re looking at is even wool to begin with. We’ll cover all the bases, from soft merino to virgin wool, recycled wools and fine worsteds. They all have a place in our wardrobes in everything from warm overcoats and sweaters to thermal underwear. Why not get to know them better?
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You don’t need an advanced degree in textiles or years of expertise working with fabrics in order to recognize whether what you’re buying is natural silk. All you need is a little knowledge and a dose of caution.
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Name a sturdy, breathable, natural fabric… what comes to mind? If the first thing to pop into your head is linen, you’re not alone. But today we’re talking about ramie, an exotic alternative to linen that offers great potential for home decor and garment making.
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Does pure linen bedding make you think of a modern, eco-friendly household? Or a rustic cottage? Linen is a unique material with undeniable charm. It is durable, comfortably cool, easy to care for, and a dream to sleep in. If you’ve been flirting with the idea of sewing a linen duvet cover, this article will answer all of your questions.
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Silk is an absolute classic, sought after for its beauty and exquisite softness, shunned for its price tag and supposed frailty. But is natural silk really so expensive or so impractical? How many kinds of silk are out there? And what makes silk so utterly irresistible? Let us clear up some questions (and bust some myths) for one of nature’s most intriguing materials.
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Silk bedding is a luxury you can treat yourself to every night. Make your own duvet cover and tuck yourself in without spending a king’s ransom. This guide will help you navigate our silk selection to choose just the right fabric for dreamy results.
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The circle skirt is a classic that will make a great addition to any summer wardrobe, and with this “sartorial” (eh-hem, Sartor + tutorial ;-) absolutely anyone can make one. Our detailed, two-part tutorial takes you through it step by step. In part one we outlined how to make your pattern and calculate fabric use. Now we’ll get down to the nitty gritty of cutting and sewing the skirt. After all the theory in part one, the hands-on work in part two will be a cake walk. Let’s get sewing!
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How well do you know your silk fabrics? Dupioni, serge, habotai… don’t be dismayed if it sounds like the roster of some pirate ship to you. We’ll help clear away some of the mystery and explain the types of silk fabric and what sets them apart. We’ll cover terminology, characteristics, tricks and tips for sewing, and which projects call for which fabrics. No two silks are the same.
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Ever wonder what those funny symbols on care labels mean? The washtub, the triangle, that little box with a circle inside? Get your decoder rings ready! This overview gives you the key to decipher what the manufacturer is trying to say. Now you’ll always know just how to wash, dry, and press your clothes. Never be vexed by the hieroglyphs on a care tag again!
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How to make a circle skirt pattern for full, three-quarter, and half circle skirts and tips for fabrics and effects.
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