SIO Tips no. 74 - Sew and Sew: Keeping it trim!

Getting to the end stages of a project is exciting but it is important to take the time to finish things off properly so your work looks polished no matter what you are making, whether you are sewing up a new dress or making a soft toy.

My number one tip is to trim your seam allowances after sewing, making sure to snip around corners and curves as you go. Press the seams out once you've finished trimming so that the fabric doesn't bunch up or look bulky when you turn it the right way out.

This makes the most of your careful pattern cutting and gives you professional results every time.

SIO Tips no. 73 - Sew & Sew: Using your pins

One nifty trick has seen me through many sewing projects (thanks Mum!); it's very simple and makes sewing using a machine so much easier.

When sewing by hand most people pin their project together with the pins pointing away from them running parallel to the edge of the fabric. This can mean they get in the way when machine sewing and slows the whole process down. 

Try pinning at right angles to the fabric edge instead, this means that you can sew right over the pins and pull them all out easily once you're done. 

Make sure the heads of the pins are on the outside so that they don't go under the foot of the machine, you only want to sew across the thinnest part.

SIO Tips no. 67 - Care for your Sewing Machine - Part One

Keeping your Sewing Machine running nicely takes a little input on your part.  
Here are a few tips on keeping yours at it's very best, simply:


1. Use your sewing machine's manual for care at home instructions and have it service by a professional annually.

2. Regularly clean lint from the bobbin case area & lubricate with a drop of oil.

3. Change the needle often. Blunt needles will make your machine work harder & won't give you such a good finish on your project as sharp ones.

Look out for Part Two coming soon...

SEEKITOUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time. 

SIO Tips 63: Snipping Corners and Excess

If you are sewing something that needs to be turned inside out when finished, make sure you snip the corners before you turn it right side out. This will make it easier to push the corners out and a neater final project because there won’t be so much excess fabric making lumpy edges. The same applies if you have excess fabric on the seam; trim some of it off, avoiding clipping the stitches before turning the fabric right side out as well.

 

SEEKITOUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time.

SIO Tips no. 57: How to measure a Zip

 Measuring a zip might seem like a simple task but you need to remember one important thing; measure only the zipping part, from the top stop to the bottom stop (or retaining box on a zip that opens all the way down) it's important not to measure the tape part of the zip otherwise you'll end up coming short.
 

SIO Tips no. 56: Using up wool oddments

Wool oddments can make your craft box look a real mess; there are some great ways to use up the funny assortment of colours out there. 
A big favourite is to knit a whole lot of squares for a knitted patchwork quilt; great for a baby blanket and family heirloom. 
This also makes a great project to teach a new knitter as the squares can be whatever size you like, great practice to get the hands used to knitting and quick to put together with amazing results.
 

Wrap it up! - Creative Gift wrapping tips no. 4

There are lots of ways to make your pressies stand out from the crowd; Here is our latest fab idea to make your wrapping unique this year:

You can buy simple card boxes which you can paint, decoupage or cover with sparkling beads, not only does it hold the gift, it goes on to be a second bonus gift.

Luggage tables, lino cutouts and even key rings can make brilliant gift tags.The world is there for the taking, go on enjoy yourself.

SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time.

Wrap it up! - Creative Gift wrapping tips no. 3

There are lots of ways to make your pressies stand out from the crowd; Here is our latest fab idea to make your wrapping unique this year:

Why not write a little poem to appear on your wrapping, personalise for each gift. Old photos also make great gift tags. Use tubes from kitchen roll, cover and pinch the ends to make great necklace gift boxes.

SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time.

Wrap it up! - Creative Gift wrapping tips no. 2

There are lots of ways to make your pressies stand out from the crowd; Here is our latest fab idea to make your wrapping unique this year:

Brown paper, wall lining paper or even newsprint (go for the glossy not the daily, it rubs off) makes for unusual and fun wrappings.  There are lots of £1 shops on the high street and chains offering budget craft supplies.  Look out for sticker books, ink stamps, discount ribbons and coloured pens. Armed with this lot you can take simple brown paper and personalise it to make a present special, thoughtful and unique.

SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time.

Wrap it up! - Creative Gift wrapping tips no. 1

There are lots of ways to make your pressies stand out from the crowd; over the coming weeks we'll give you a some fab ideas to make your wrapping unique this year: 

Inexpensive fabric remnants make for lovely wrappings. You can turn over and iron quick hems with wonderweb or stitch using zigzag or other pretty stitches in a contrasting colour. Glue a remnant of the fabric to card and cut out designer gift tags to complete the look. 

SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time.

SIO Tips no. 46: Easy draw scents

When you have nice soap, keep the wrapper and pop in your undies draw to leave a lovely smell. Ensure you shake out any loose bits of soap before doing this.

SIO Tips no. 43: Sewing Machine Tips 2.

Cheap cotton is just that, cheap! and so those lumps and bumps, however fine, have to work their way through your machine and can damage the machine over time. The cotton often snaps during work. Buy good quality thread and treat your machine with the respect it deserves. Use the right thread for the job, ask your haberdasher which is right for the fabric if unsure.

 SEEKITOUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time.

SIO Tips no 30

Roof windows allow in a lot of light but can also fade your furnishings or clothes, make a simple light floaty blind to reduce the damage but keep the light.

SEEKITOUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time.

SIO Tips no. 23

Polycotton sheets gone a bit grey and no longer white? Give them a second life - use for curtain interlining or lining cushion covers.



SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time

Craft Tips No. 17

Old jumpers make fab cushion covers, remember to overlock or hem the edges well to stop fraying



SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time

Craft Tips for Newbies No. 15

Thread looks darker on the spool than it will on fabric. Choose a thread a shade darker than the material you'll be using it on.

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Craft Tips for Newbies No 9

Low cost curtain linings: Use budget polycotton bed sheets in co-ordinating colour, lots of fabric for low price, try supermarkets or charity shops or even the back of your linen cupboard.

SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time

Cutting your cloth accordingly

We hear much of make do and mend just now but not sure we are quite back to unpicking hand knitted jumpers to re knit.  However, it is clear that the mix of recession and environmental worries has got the public thinking.

Simple things can be achieved, we all know that clothing bargains can be found in charity shops but so can many other things.  Old quilt covers can make fantastic simple curtains or blinds, sheets to line those curtains, old jumpers to make hot water bottle covers or even iPad covers.  The ideas are endless, all we need to do is think of alternative uses for everyday items.

The dress for Africa from pillow cases is a brilliant but simple idea, helping to give little girls a dress of their own.  Another we love here at Seek It Out is Turtle Doves, a very clever lady who makes old jumpers into the best ever gloves and more.  Those gloves are winter kit for the SIO team.  So I am sure if you sit a while and just look at everything around you, you will soon have a brain wave and be making bags from old denim's, discovering charity shops all over again and learning new cost effective ways to buy bargains to turn into something new.

Seek It Out: changing the world a stitch at a time.
ButtonBag sewing tin available on the Seek It Out website