[...]... embroidery silks and tapestry yarns These threads are too thick to go through machine needles, but they can be used in the loopers of overlockers for decorative flatlocking and rolled hemming Bobbin fill Silk threads are ideal for sewing both silk and wool fabric, and for sewing by hand as they are soft and gentle to handle, and tend not to knot A fine thread, normally available in black or white and used... cotton or cotton-polyester blends It is excellent for T-shirts, casual outerwear and underwear Spandex A highly stretchable fibre, not used on its own, but blended with other knitted fibres to provide comfort and stretch Formerly used only in lingerie and swimwear, spandex now finds its way into cotton and cotton-polyester blends for use in casual wear Sweatsuit fabric This heavyweight knit is warm and. .. furnishings and patterns for special occasions such as christenings and weddings Printing and assembling your downloaded pattern Purchasing a pattern online Technology has provided new ways to purchase paper patterns There are many online pattern companies and sewing shops to choose from They range from companies selling patterns to be delivered by mail to those where you can download and print the... find a stretch guide on how much elasticity is recommended for the design • Detailed diagrams of the garments showing both front and back views • A guide to the amount of fabric you will need to purchase for your chosen garment The diagram to the right shows where to look for information on how much fabric, lining and interfacing to purchase in the correct fabric width • A guide to the specific details... enough to hold pin tucks and smocking typical of children’s wear It’s a good choice for summer blouses and dresses Cotton poplin A tightly woven cotton with a distinctive horizontal rib, this will withstand heavy wear and many launderings, and is appropriate for skirts, trousers and summer jackets Denim A heavyweight cotton usually dyed blue and constructed in a twill weave with white weft threads and. .. stripes and checks of gingham, and ensure these match at seams and openings C h o o s i n g and blouses Cotton batiste is substantial enough to support hand or machine embroidery embellishments used in heirloom sewing techniques Cotton broadcloth A medium weight fabric with a fine rib, available in pure cotton or a cotton-polyester blend Broadcloth is commonly used for tailored blouses or shirts Cotton... beginners Stiff and bulky fabrics or those that are fine, with little body are more difficult to sew with COTTONS These fabrics were traditionally made from 100% cotton but are often blended or even replaced with man-made fibres like polyester or rayon today Cotton A natural product of the cotton plant, cotton readily accepts coloured dyes Cotton has a tendency to shrink, so it’s a good idea to preshrink... well as gathered waists and frills Circle (apple) Choose tops, jackets and dresses with pretty necklines that will draw the eye up and away from the waist Scarves, jewellery and shoes will also achieve this distraction Choose tops and jackets in soft fabrics that layer over the waist Oval u s e a Narrow rectangle Avoid tops and dresses that cling to the body Do not draw attention to the waist with belts... twice yearly The prices of patterns can vary from one company to another, ranging from £2.00 to £20.00 Pattern catalogues Pattern catalogues are divided into sections, with tabs to help you locate a pattern easily Take some time to look through these tabs because the categories will guide you through women’s patterns, figure types, designer labels, men’s patterns and children’s patterns The catalogues...10 To o l s a n d m a t e r i a l s Essential equipment To get the desired quality of finish in your sewing projects, it’s important to have the right equipment Over the next few pages, you’ll find a guide to the essential tools for dressmaking and for designing and adjusting patterns A guide to the different types of fabric can be found on pages 14–17 . for overlocker sewing. Silk thread Silk threads are ideal for sewing both silk and wool fabric, and for sewing by hand as they are soft and gentle to handle, and tend not to knot. Machine. book, but also how to manipulate them to different designs and styles that suit you. Find out about toiling your designs as an essential part of the making process, and how to transfer your. widths and exactly how much fabric (what length) you will need to buy. Cotton and linen fabrics are available in standard widths of 90cm (36in), to 120cm (45in) and sometimes even 130cm (54in) and