If you’re a regular Start To Stitch blog reader, or you’re a member of our fantastic Facebook group, Stitch Sewcial, it’s likely you’ll have seen me talking about my own experiences with body positivity. I have documented my experiences of body dysmorphia and my mental health struggles, and like many in our wonderful community, sewing provided a focus and an escape. But vitally, sewing my own clothing opened my eyes to the glaring issue that STILL plagues the fashion industry: people who have never met us are designing clothes to fit bodies they’ve never seen, based on UK sizes that were first standardised in 1951. Society’s beauty standards have created a world in which people are constantly over-critical about their own bodies. It is no wonder that many of us, women in particular, suffer from mental health struggles such as body dysmorphia and low self-esteem. We have been taught to accept a warped concept of beauty that is based on one’s weight and body shape. Those clothing designers who have never met us have no idea what our bodies look like and work on the assumption that if a person weighs a certain amount, then they must look a certain way. Let’s break the cycle and preach body positivity! I am sure if you’re reading this that you, just like me, want to break this vicious thought cycle. Clothing should be changed to fit our bodies; our bodies shouldn’t be altered and hated in order to fit into our clothes. In order to change the way we feel about ourselves, and indeed about other people’s bodies, we need to learn more about body image and body positivity. What does the term ‘body positivity’ actually mean? The term ‘body positivity’ has been used all over social media in the last year or two, especially on the highly visual, and often body-critical platform, Instagram. According to Wikipedia, the term refers to the “acceptance of all bodies, regardless of size, shape, skin tone, gender, and physical abilities, while challenging present-day beauty standards as an undesirable social construct.” The ‘body positivity’, or ‘bodiposi’ movement aims to challenge the unrealistic ideals of physical attractiveness that society has developed over the years. Instead of creating negative and self-critical views about one’s body, the movement encourages positive body image and the idea that ‘beauty’ is a made-up concept created by society. It preaches that this construct shouldn’t determine one’s confidence or self-worth. Want to learn how to become more body positive? If you are looking to learn more about the body positivity movement and start a journey to a more confident you, the following book recommendations may be extremely beneficial to you. Body Positivity Book Recommendations |
You will need: Childs coat hanger 1/2 m of curtain weight cotton or cotton drill/ twill or canvas 1m of minimum 2 cm wide bias binding Download the pattern here - and remember to print at 100%. It is only 3 A4 pages. The video tutorial to show you how is below! |
Quilters will know that having a straight edge is paramount, and garment makers everywhere will have experienced the disappointment of mismatched seams at least once in their life. It’s safe to say that no matter what type of sewing project you’re working on, having nice straight lines will make the entire process run a lot more smoothly. Because of this, it’s good practice to take your time when it comes to cutting your fabric and try your best to get it right the first time.
There are a couple of ways to ensure that you cut your fabric perfectly straight every time, and we’re going to cover them in this blog post, weighing up the pros and cons of each method. If you’re looking to improve your cutting technique, or you’re a beginner trying to sharpen (ha) your skills as, keep reading for some fantastic tips for cutting your fabric.
How to cut your fabric perfectly straight every time using scissors
Every sewist needs a good pair of fabric scissors, they’re part of the essential sewing kit that every sewist should be familiar with. It is very possible to cut perfectly straight lines using sharp fabric scissors, however, there are a few steps you need to take in order to ensure that you produce perfect, straight lines.
Wash and dry your fabric
First thing’s first - wash and dry your fabric! I have previously written about why it’s important to wash your fabric before you start cutting and sewing and the relevance here is that some fabrics shrink when washed. To ensure you cut a straight line every time, you will first need to make sure that you’ve washed and dried your fabric (some recommend tumble drying fabric, especially if it is a garment that’s likely to be regularly dried this way) and then iron it flat to remove any wrinkles that could warp your straight lines.
Find a flat surface to work on
This may seem obvious, but I’ve seen people waving fabric in the air trying to cut it and I’m telling you now - you will NOT get a straight edge by doing this, no matter how carefully you think you’re cutting. The same goes for cutting on a surface that isn’t flat, such as on the carpet or bed. Always stick to cutting on a hard, flat surface.
Tip: If you’re cutting fabric on a tabletop, make sure all the fabric is on the table too, not just the section you’re cutting. If fabric overhangs, the weight will pull the fabric and cause uneven lines when cutting without you even realising.
Make sure the scissors you’re using are SHARP
Don’t just use your kitchen scissors or any old pair you’ve happened to have found laying about. Use good quality, sharp scissors that are designed to be used with fabric. Once you’ve got yourself a pair of decent fabric scissors, they will last a long time provided that they’re only used on fabric (please don’t use them to cut paper!)
Find your fabrics straight edgeIn order to cut straight, you need to find the straight edge. Look for the selvage of your fabric - for more information on beginner’s sewing terms check out this A-Z glossary of sewing terms. The selvage is the term used for the finished edge of the fabric that keeps it from fraying or unraveling - it’ll often have the fabric designer or company printed on it.
The selvedge is usually straight, it might waver occasionally, but it is normally a good place to start from. Cut off the line of the selvedge to create straight edges.
Create a 90 degree corner
A clever way of ensuring you get the perfect 90 degree angle when cutting fabric is to line it up with the edge of a table, countertop, or cutting mat. First, make sure that this edge is actually 90 degrees - don’t put blind faith in your carpenter, everyone is capable of making mistakes.
Then line up the selvedge side of your fabric with the lower portion of your surface, ensure that the selvedge hangs off as we’re not going to include this area when cutting or measuring. Line up the side of your fabric with the side of your surface and check to see if the fabric is straight against the surface. Sometimes fabric can angle inwards or outwards, so trim that with your scissors until your fabric is in line with your table (you may need to use a ruler to help you trim this section).
Cutting perfect squares and rectangles
So, now that you’ve got two perfectly straight edges and a right angle, it’s time to cut the rest of your fabric into either a square or rectangle. Use a ruler to measure the amount of fabric you need, for example, if you wanted to make a 12 inch square, you would line your ruler up against the straight edge and measure out 12 inches, marking with a small cut (or sewing marker of choice).
From here, move a few inches up and do the same again, cutting upwards to meet the measurement or using your fabric marker to continue the straight line. For a 12 inch square, you would repeat this process until you have cut, or marked, 12 inches in height. If using a marker, you will now have a perfectly straight line to cut along.
Finally, turn your fabric to cut your fourth side and repeat the process to give yourself the perfect 12 inch square with wonderfully straight edges.
A good way to check your accuracy is to fold the fabric in half and determine whether the edges align; if not, measure and adjust accordingly.
The Pros and Cons of using scissors to cut straight lines in your fabricThis is a great method of teaching discipline and accuracy when it comes to cutting fabric. It teaches valuable skills needed in order to successfully sew quilts, garments, and accessories.
However, it is also a tedious and long process, with plenty room for error. Always make sure you measure twice before cutting.
Using a rotary cutter to cut your fabric perfectly straight every time
Rotary cutters have revolutionised fabric cutting and are an extremely valuable tool to have in your sewing arsenal. A rotary cutter features a round blade set in a handle designed to give you perfect, seamless, and quick cuts. They come in a variety of styles, sizes, and handle shapes.
Decide on the size of blade you need
The general rule with rotary cutter blades is that small blades are great for cutting corners and precise measurements, whereas the larger blades are useful for cutting a wide surface area and going through several layers at once. The size of the blade you’ll need will depend on the project you’re working on, therefore it’s generally useful to have more than one rotary cutter to hand.
Other equipment needed for cutting fabric with a rotary cutter
With scissors, you’re very unlikely to damage the work surface you’re using. That means you could cut fabric sat at your antique oak dining room table without worrying about slicing into a family heirloom. The same cannot be said for rotary cutters. You NEED to have a cutting mat beneath your fabric when using a rotary cutter to avoid slicing into your work surface. You also need to have a nonslip ruler to help you align the rotary cutter. A nonslip ruler is advised as other rulers can move whilst cutting and this is likely to cause some serious damage to your hands, fingers, and your fabric.
The Pros and Cons of using a rotary cutter to cut fabric
Rotary cutters make cutting fabric quick and efficient thanks to sharp blades that are able to cut precisely and go through several layers at once. This is particularly handy for quilters!
On the other hand, if you’re not careful and don’t use the correct equipment, you can injure yourself when using a rotary cutter.
Give them and go and decide which method works best for youSome people prefer to use good old fashioned fabric scissors and swear by them for all their projects. Others have found that the rotary cutter completely changed their experience of cutting and sewing in general, thanks to it’s speed and precision. Ultimately, which ever tool you choose to use, cutting straight lines into your fabric is definitely achievable, it just requires some patience and accurate measuring.
Join us at Stitch Sewcial!
What is your preferred method for cutting fabric? Is cutting in a straight line something you struggle with? Let me know in the comments. Alternatively, why not pop over to our Facebook group, Stitch Sewcial, and introduce yourself. Stitch Sewcial is also a great place to ask for advice, seek new patterns, and natter away with like-minded people.
Looking for more help and advice?
I also run three fabulous courses designed to help sewists of all levels expand their knowledge and skills in a fun, friendly environment. My beginner’s online course covers the basics and is brilliant for beginners and those in need of a little refresher. The intermediate online sewing course is designed to demystify ruffles, piping, zips, buttons, and more. Finally, the most recent online course installment is the Sewing With Stretch Fabrics course. This is a 6 module course covering everything you need to know about sewing with those pesky stretch fabrics.
All of these can be purchased for immediate start through the brand new Start to Stitch digital learning academy - but the genius of learning this way is that you ALSO get live access to a tutor whenever you need one for as long as it takes you to complete the course!
I am thrilled that thanks to a generous grant from Cultivator Cornwall I am able to offer an exciting employment opportunity for a creative, sewing minded, self-starter, for 21 hours a week, for an initial period of 6 months.
Read on for more information!
Marketing & Audience Relationship Officer (MARO)
Internship - PAID
Job Overview
Start to Stitch is an online sewing school providing excellent online courses to students all over the world. Students who learn with us learn not only basic and more advanced sewing skills but enjoy the mental health benefits of sewing together in a community, alongside other course participants, and within my wider community Kernow Sewcial - an active and buzzy Facebook group of 1400 members ( and growing )
Providing good quality, excellent value advice while empowering our customers to liberate themselves from ready to wear clothing and the poor body image that can come from changing room experiences while buying it, is the foundation of the business. As MARO you will help us to communicate this message, creating and nurturing our audience alongside the business owner, Annie Lucas, with creation of effective blog content, tutorials and marketing material - working together on out-put that dovetails strategically with the annual course programming, and other key events throughout the year.
In addition you will cover admin duties relating to the course enrolment and communication with students. The MARO will report directly to Annie Lucas, business owner and Creative Director
Responsibilities and Duties
- Creation of content for blog and social media in response to the marketing plan.
- Identifying opportunities for new course creation among current and prospective audiences
- Assisting with day to day management of enquiries via social media and email
- Contribution to development of tutorials and blog posts which can be utilised as SEO opportunities and lead magnets to grow email marketing list
- Admin and engagement on Facebook community group - Kernow Sewcial
- Admin and additional support for students on courses and programmes
- Contribution to development of email marketing strategy including content creations for community emails.
- Becoming proficient in the use of Kajabi to help integrate and update courses and programmes with funnels and email marketing processes.
- Assorted other light studio duties as and when required.
Qualifications and Person Spec
- Educated to at least A-level with demonstrable experience in the use of social media marketing. Although ‘on the ground’ social media marketing experience isn’t necessarily required as this is an internship post (which could lead to long term employment for the right person) you will be able to demonstrate effective use of social media tools personally or professionally. An understanding of how these impact audience growth and through that, sales, is also desirable.
- Creative, dynamic, and a self starter with a warm and engaging personality. All of our customer interactions are positive, friendly, and we err on ‘kind and friendly’ rather than ‘formal and business-like’ - though remaining professional is an almost priority.
- You will have excellent communication skills and not be afraid to ask questions if something isn’t clear - we are all about collaboration.
- Have a good sense of brand and aesthetic and how to apply that to graphics - experience in the creation of graphics would be useful, understanding of the use of Canva, even better!
- Working knowledge of sewing (but not necessarily a total expert) and a good understanding of the home sewing market, with a belief in the power of sewing to have positive impact on sewists of all ages and all genders with regard to their body image and sense of overall well being.
- Importantly you must see the potential of something as simple as sewing to change hearts and minds and really make a difference to our customers and their confidence and well-being.
Location & working hours
We anticipate that the successful candidate would work part time in our studio on fixed (but flexible according to Annie’s own studio presence) days, and in combination with home working. As such the ideal candidate would be Cornwall based (our studio is in Mount Hawke)
We anticipate using a tool like Slack to stay in contact and to manage workflow throughout the day if working remotely.
Happiness in ones working environment is a strong value to us as we grow the business and supporting, championing and being visible about mental health is part of our wider vision and mission.
We will support the MARO to craft a role that works for them, their lifestyle and needs, while ensuring that they also meet our own outcomes and objectives. Clear communication will allow us to fulfil our objectives while maintaining some flexibility in working arrangements as long as those outcomes are met.
Duration
Initially max 21 hours per week, for 6 months, paid at National Living Wage (currently £8.91 but rising in April 2022) Feb - July 2022 with possibility of extension. You must be registered as Self Employed, and will be responsible for your own tax and NI contributions.
Application
Applications will be accepted in the form of your CV and a covering letter detailing how you best fit the person spec and demonstrating how your experience/ambition meets the brief. Examples of graphics you have created (if applicable) will be welcomed. These should be returned to Annie Lucas starttostitch@gmail.com. Closing date 27 Jan 2022
Interviews 31 Jan / 2 Feb (can be day time or evening, in person or on-line depending on candidates availability - if you have a preference please state this in your application)
For more info and please visit https://www.starttostitch.com/blog/come-and-work-with-us
This role is funded by Cultivator Cornwall - supported by the European Social Fund, Arts Council England, and Cornwall Council.
You can download the Role and Person Spec here: |
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As I also mentioned in my live the challenge has had a little re-vamp for 2022 including lovely new graphics - and the introduction of GetsetsewBINGO!! I have made a little bingo card which you can stamp / cross out / whatever you like, your monthly challenges (10 in total - we have a break in May and June) and there may be prizes at the end.... you will need to share you bingo card either on Social Media or in Stitch Sewcial (my LOVELY group which is totally free and very very inspiring!)
getsetsewBINGO2022 | |
File Size: | 91 kb |
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THRIFTY STITCHERY.... Make something, anything, from fabric in your stash, using a pattern you already own, or that is FREE online... If you can up-cycle something pre-loved, that's fine - but this is all about burning through your stash which as it turns out is exactly what many of you has set as new years resolutions, so win win!! Its dead simple, nothing too complicated, and a nice way to ease us into the New Year.... |
Are you ready? Get, Set.... SEW!!!
Annie
xx
You’ve probably had lots of practice winding the bobbin up, changing needles, and figuring out how to keep your sewing machine in good, working order (URL to machine maintenance link). So let’s dive into something new - the presser foot.
What is a presser foot?Put simply, the presser foot is the part of the sewing machine that applies pressure to the fabric whilst you sew, thus keeping it all in place. There are many different types of presser feet - sometimes they’re categorised by their uses, other times by the way they attach to your sewing machine, and sometimes they’re categorised by the height of their shanks (this usually only applies to vintage machines). It’s unlikely you’ll ever need to use them all, but having a good collection on standby can really help take your sewing to the next level.
Changing your sewing machine’s presser foot.Before you can start playing around and experimenting with the different variety of feet, you’ll need to know how to change the presser foot. Most modern machines have a lever that simply releases the presser foot and allows you to easily click a different foot in place. Some older models of sewing machine may require you to unscrew to release the presser foot - this is obviously a bit more time consuming - so make sure to check your sewing machines manual for more information.
Looking for more help or advice?If you’re struggling with changing out your presser feet, or indeed any part of your sewing machine, feel free to head over to Facebook and join our free Facebook community, Stitch Sewcial. The group is full of like-minded sewists who are always happy to offer advice and support during your sewing journey. We also host monthly #GetSetSew challenges! These are completely optional, however they serve as a fantastic way to practice/learn new skills, support and advise others on the same path as you, and allow your creativity to run wild.
Sewing Machine Presser Foot Guide For Beginners
Standard Foot
The standard foot, or zigzag foot, comes with all sewing machines. The standard presser foot is great for straight and zigzag stitching, as well as a few decorative stitches, depending on your brand of sewing machine. The standard foot is a great presser foot for beginners to use whilst they get to grips with the machine and basic stitching techniques.
Regular Zip Foot
This presser foot comes with most sewing machines and has openings on either side of the foot. These openings allow you to sew close to your zip on either side, you can also use the regular zip foot to sew piping. Depending on the side of the foot you want to use, you’ll need to alter the needle to ensure it’s in the right position.
Quarter-inch seam foot
As the name suggests, this sewing machine presser foot allows you to sew the perfect quarter-inch seam every time. It’s a favourite among most quilters and dressmakers as it ensures flawless seams and perfect finishes.
Walking Foot
Another favourite of quilters is the walking presser foot. This uses teeth similar to the feed dogs and is ideal for thick and heavy fabric, or fabric that tends to stick. HOWEVER, this foot also comes into its own in all manner of garment making and is an absolute essential when it comes to sewing with knit fabrics ( we have a fabulous course on this!! )
Automatic buttonhole foot
Found yourself struggling when it comes to creating the perfect buttonhole? You’re not the only one! Luckily, the automatic buttonhole foot is a great little presser foot for your collection. This clever foot creates perfect buttonholes each time by measuring the button which is inserted into the back section of the foot. We cover all about buttonholes in our Intermediate skills builder course - LEARN TO SEW: Skills builder!
Piping/Cording Foot
This presser foot has open grooves on the underside which holds the piping or cording in position. The piping/cording then passes through the foot in a straight line, producing neat, even stitching every time. We cover all about piping in our Intermediate skills builder course - LEARN TO SEW: Skills builder!
Teflon Foot
This is the perfect choice for laminated fabrics, vinyls, leathers and suedes. The presser foot is coated in non-stick Teflon which allows the foot to glide easily over the fabric without the friction caused by a standard presser foot.
Satin Foot
The satin presser foot is usually made of a clear material to allow you to easily see where you’re sewing; it also sometimes has an open toe. This foot is used for decorative and satin stitching as it allows a build up of stitches to be sewn onto the fabric and gives you maximum visibility.
Darning/free machine/open toe foot
If being arty with your stitching is something you enjoy, this is a great addition to your presser foot collection. This foot is used primarily for free hand machine sewing which makes it ideal for quilters and those who like to produce patterns and textures on fabrics. In order to allow the fabric to move freely while using this presser foot, the feed dogs need to be lowered.
Easy Beginner Projects
At Start To Stitch, we want to share our love of sewing with as many people as possible. That’s why we offer FREE sewing patterns that are great for beginner sewists. If you’re looking for something that’s simple and useful, how about trying your hand at our Start To Stitch Free Bunting tutorial, our Free Facemask tutorial, or our free Twist Headband Tutorial?
What should I do next?
Practice makes perfect, so get sewing! Most sewing machines come with a selection of presser feet, so start by figuring out what you’ve got and from there you can learn how to release and change your presser foot. Next, start working with the presser feet you’ve got and notice the benefits each one offers.
Once you’re comfortable, you might find that you want to take your sewing to the next level. We offer beginner and intermediate online sewing courses. In each course, you’ll learn new techniques and troubleshoot common issues, as well as create wonderful handmade items. Both courses are held through a dedicated Facebook Group, with detailed video tutorials. Live video support and weekly tutoring calls are also included as part of the course, meaning that support and encouragement is always only a click away.
Head to our Online Courses page for more information.
Even better it is a fully pimped up cape design now complete with optional hood, and options for neck closures including velcro, button and tie fastening.
What's more - it is completely reversible! Which means that you can make two characters in one cape, saving time, space and money and allowing for hours of endless fun...
My kids have not complained though and we had a lot of fun creating this photo shoot in our local woods this morning.
So, I bet you want to know how you can make one?
Well, dear reader, read on! AND you may be glad to know that as with all of my other free patterns I have created a few free video tutorials to talk you through the making process - these will be linked below.
NB: This is for personal use only - not for commercial production.
MAKING THE CAPE
Contents: Cape pattern, tie fastening option, hood option, wizard motifs, hero motifs, hero mask.
Materials: 1 m fabric for each side of the cape ( so 2m in total - 140 wide ), felt and / or glittery felt for motifs and mask, button/velcro for fastening (if required)
In these examples I use a polyester satin from ebay priced at under £3 which is cheap, washable and perfectly silky for those fluttering cape moments. You could also use cotton or poly-cotton, a lightweight denim, velvet, or short pile fur (but this is not recommended for a reversible version) NOT SUITABLE FOR STRETCH.
First thing's first - you need to download the FREE pattern pack here
Printing: Set your printer to print at 100% to ensure that it comes out at the right scale. Print the first page only to make sure that the test boxes are correct. NB a couple of mm difference won't make much difference, but you don't want them to be any small than that.
Pattern assembly: If you have never assembled a pdf pattern before you can can watch my video on how to do it here. This is for another of my patterns - but the principal is the same and you will see how it all lines up when you print out the cape pattern. If you have any questions at all just drop me a line. | |
The rest of the instructions can be found in these videos as the construction method varies slightly depending on what closure you intend to use and whether or not you are going to make a hood!
(If you are making a hooded cape with a button fastening - just make sure you insert the hood as per the wizards video before you attach both sides together and stitch around the neck)
MAKING THE MASK
If you want to make a character mask to accompany your character dress-up cape - then I have made a super quick tutorial talking you through the assembly process. Materials: Felt piece for front and back 15 x 25 cm Elastic - 25cm | |
If you make this please do share it with me either in Stitch Sewcial or by tagging me @starttostitch on instagram or using the hashtag #stskidscape.
I would LOVE to see how this pattern pack is transformed into your creations and see your small people enjoying it as much as mine!
Don't forget you can always drop me a line through social or email if you have any questions about it at all :)
Simple classes, just like our best-selling beginner course, combined with independently practicing at home using our free simple sewing patterns will give you plenty of knowledge and skills needed to take on lots of exciting sewing projects. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you could work on using up those leftover scraps you’ve collected, or you could even decide that furthering your knowledge by enrolling in our intermediate sewing course is the right thing for you.
Regardless of your sewing skills, there will always be something that you can make. A quick Google or Pinterest search will bring up thousands of quick and easy projects, however, it seems that these are often tailored towards women. Women aren’t the only ones who appreciate a lovingly handmade gift, so in this blog post, we’re going to be talking about the type of gifts that can be sewn specifically with men in mind.
If you’re looking for something to sew for your husband, brother, child’s school teacher, friend, or any other male in your life, this is the post for you. Read on and discover some practical sewing gifts to make for men.
Sewing Gifts to Make for Men - Tool Organisation
Do you know someone who’s always tinkering away or working on a new project? A tool bucket could be the perfect gift for them. With plenty of space inside and slots for tools on the outside, homemade tool buckets are a practical way to keep all tools needed for a job in one place. Plus, you can add handles to make it easier to carry! This tutorial is a wonderful starting point.
Spanner/Screwdriver Organiser
Something simple like this tool rollup is all it takes to transform a messy tool shed into an organised haven for appliances, gadgets, and hand tools. A simple cloth tool roll up is a great make for beginner sewists, but it’s also an extremely practical gift idea.
Sewing Gifts to Make for Men - Garments & Accessories
Ties
Formal or funky, you can’t go wrong with a good tie! This tie tutorial is brilliant and the website also details how to make smaller ties for children.
Pocket Squares
Another option for the man in your life who often finds himself wearing suits - a collection of pocket squares. They’re so easy to make (I mean, they’re squares!), a nice little bundle would make a lovely homemade sewing gift.
Men’s Garments
If you feel more confident behind the sewing machine, some new male garments would make a beautifully thoughtful gift! You can start simple with t-shirts or shorts, or you could challenge yourself to something more complex, such as a suit jacket or collared shirt.
Sewn Gifts For Men - Travel
Everyone needs a travel bag to keep all their essentials in whilst they’re away. As you may know, my Mister is the adventurous sort, so he’s often off exploring somewhere new. A travel bag would make a lovely gift for fellow adventure husbands, or men who often find themselves away from home a lot. Great for storing all the staples, such as toothpaste and brush in, they’re also handy bags to have at home to safely store shaving equipment.
Messenger Bag
A handmade messenger bag makes a great gift for teachers and students alike!
Electronics Cover
Another quick and relatively simple make is a classic electronics case. Whether you are making a cover for a big reader who wants their Kindle to remain safe, or someone who’s always on their phone or tablet, a protective cover is a thoughtful and practical gift. This gift idea is also great for children who are learning about responsibility and looking after their things properly, like their tablets or first phones.
Sewing Gifts to Make for Men - Autumn & Winter
Fleece hats for winter
Who doesn’t love a nice cosy hat as the weather starts to change? Sewing with fleece is a topic that we cover briefly in our Sewing With Stretch Fabric course.
Infinity Scarf
You can’t go wrong with an infinity scarf as the weather starts to change. If you happen to have old or ill-fitting flannel shirts lying around, infinity scarfs are a great way to upcycling them. This free pattern here bases the sewing project on upcycling shirts, however, the tutorial can be easily adapted for any fabric you wish to use.
Neckwarmer
Another fleece make; the neckwarmer is such a good sewing project for those new to using the fabric. It is effectively a neck-sized tube, so it’s a great way to get in your stretch fabric practice, as well as making an attractive, practical gift for someone.
Sewing Gifts to Make for Men - House & Garden
Quilts
Quilting is such a fun and satisfying sewing avenue to explore. Quilts can be made using favourite sport team colours, favourite TV/movie logos, upcycled t-shirts or babygrows - absolutely anything! They’re great to have around for those cosy autumn nights in.
Oven gloves & Pot Holders
Oven gloves and pot holders are cute and practical gifts for the chef in your life!
BBQ Apron
We all know someone who calls themselves the “King Of The BBQ”! BBQ aprons are simple to make and can assist your BBQ king with keeping all his trust BBQ tools close at hand.
Men’s Wallet
There are quite a few different tutorials out there for sewing a wallet, but I quite like this one from The Sewing Directory. The measurements, equipment, and tips are all included and you could very easily print the page off or have it open on your laptop as you sew.
Let me know your favourite make!
I’d love to know what your favourite gift project from this blog post is. Are you going to try one out? Should I film some tutorials or write a detailed blog post for one or two of these gift ideas? Let me know what you would like!
Feel free to leave a comment, or pop over to our FREE Facebook group, StitchSewcial! We are an active, friendly bunch who are always around to give advice, support and have a natter about anything sewing related.
We also set monthly challenges (these are optional) that encourage members to try something new and step outside of their comfort zone. If you decide to join, please pop a post up and introduce yourself!
In this post, I’ve put together 5 of the most prominent reasons as to why I believe making your own garments is the way forward, no matter what your experience level is.
Sustainability:
The term ‘fast fashion’ gets thrown around quite a lot in the sewing community. The term refers to the replication of popular fashion trends and mass producing them at a low cost. These garments are then distributed at low prices to huge conglomerates that turn a high-profit. Cheap clothing sounds fine, at first, until you take a closer look at the environmental impacts.
Did you know:
- 350,000 tonnes of unwanted, but still wearable, clothing ends up being burned or buried in our landfills per year in the UK?
- A lot of clothing that is burned or buried in landfills hasn’t even been worn? It is simply the most cost-effective way to dispose of unsold stock.
- Fast fashion is a massive contributor to water pollution and climate change!
The only way to challenge the fast fashion industry is to become more mindful about our wardrobes and think carefully about the type of fabrics we’re using. Repurposing spare fabric and fabric scraps is one way to do your part in fighting the environmental impact of fast fashion, another is to start producing your own clothing.
Perfectly fitting clothes, every time.
I see social media posts about the variation in UK sizing all the time! You’ve probably seen them too - how a pair of size 12 jeans from one brand happens to be about an inch smaller than the same sized jeans bought from a different clothing brand. How crazy is that? Not only does that feed into the landfill disaster of unworn clothing being thrown away, but it also causes havoc with our self esteem.
These tremendous inconsistencies and the emotional impact that comes with them, can be completely avoided when you choose to make your own clothing. Learning how to measure yourself for clothing is easy, and once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll always have perfectly fitting clothes to suit your style and needs.
Boost your confidence, self esteem & your overall mental wellbeing.
Mastering a new skill is one of the most widely suggested ways to boost your self esteem. Learning how to create something new, or or improving a skill you previously struggled with gives you an overwhelming feeling of achievement and satisfaction. This in turn boosts your confidence and self esteem, as well as giving your whole mental state. 2020 was one heck of a year for many, however my trusty sewing machine, along with the Stitch Sewcial Facebook group, and Cornwall Scrubs kept me sane. Quilting and garment making is an act of self care for many, and I have personally spoken out about my mental health and the role that sewing has had in my own mental health progression.
Save yourself some money.
We spoke about how fast fashion mass produces popular fashion trends at a low price earlier, and I think many people fall into the trap that because the garments are cheap, they’re saving money. In actual fact, these clothes are often made to be disposed of; they’re made cheaply and aren’t built to last for more than a season or two. Many items break or become unwearable so quickly that the low costing items soon add up that you’ve spent more money on fashion items than you’d originally planned to over the course of a year.
Sewing your own garments can save you money in the long run because you will be making your clothing with longevity in mind. By using good quality fabric and thread, you can easily make simple garments, even if you’re a total beginner. All it takes is a bit of practice and patience. If you want to brush up on your sewing skills, our Beginners Online Course is great for going back to the basics, or learning everything you need to get started. We also offer an Intermediate Online Course which serves as the perfect introduction to garment making.
You are your own designer and creator.
By sewing your own clothing, you are effectively running your own factory. Sourcing your fabric well can bring employment and income to your local areas if you purchase your fabrics and supplies from small local businesses. By working on your own garments, you’re cutting the chemical usage that pollutes our planet with toxins, and, absolutely brilliantly, you’re cutting out the use of child labour.
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Sewing. pattern cutting, teaching, tea and Jelly Babies!
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