Sewing Journal

Woven-shirt construction illustration with a button-front shirt, collar between two stand layers, a front placket, and a sleeve opening above a cuff.
Sewing GuidesHow to Sew a Woven Shirt: Placket, Collar and Assembly OrderFollow the joins that shape a woven button-front shirt, from flat plackets and yokes to a stand-first collar, sleeve openings and the...
Mini-skirt construction illustration showing a waist dart stitched toward its tip and a face-down centered zipper behind a basted seam, with stitching below the stop.
Sewing GuidesHow to Sew a Woven Mini Skirt: Darts, Zipper and Hem ChecksWork through a fitting sample, single-point waist darts, a centered zipper and the final hem on an adult woven mini skirt.
Circle-skirt geometry illustration showing two perpendicular fabric folds, the inner cut and waist seam, the outer cutting arc, and the unfolded full ring.
Sewing GuidesHow to Make a Full Circle Skirt: Fold, Cut and Level the HemPlan a full circle skirt around the right waist opening and fabric layout, then stabilize the waist, sew the zipper and level...
Cross-section of nested pajama legs, showing the outer leg’s wrong side facing out, right sides at the contact surfaces, and the inner leg’s wrong side facing in.
Sewing GuidesHow to Make Woven Pajama Pants with an Elastic WaistA practical guide to adult woven pajama pants, from mirrored cutting and nested crotch assembly to an adjustable elastic casing and a...
Illustrative two-panel maxi skirt layout with example top and hem turns, beside an elastic-casing cross-section.
Sewing GuidesHow to Make a Gathered Maxi Skirt With an Elastic WaistPlan a gathered woven maxi skirt, allow accurately for a folded elastic casing, check hip clearance and finish the hem after assessing...
Schematic sewing pattern piece with a fold edge, cutting edge, dashed seamline, grainline arrow, notch and dart markings.
Pattern ReadingHow to Read a Sewing Pattern: Grainlines, Notches and Cutting MarksRead the marks that control cutting, fabric direction and assembly, then use a practical checklist to preserve the information you need at...
Diagram comparing a labelled 100 mm test square with a paper copy measuring 98 mm wide and 100 mm tall, showing unequal X −2% and Y 0% scaling.
PDF patternsPDF Pattern Test Square: Unequal Print ScalingCompare both dimensions of your PDF pattern's test square, spot unequal scaling and check the print settings before printing the full file.
Fabric diagram comparing the same marked span at 10 cm, stretched to 13.5 cm and released to 10.3 cm: 35% stretch and 3% remaining extension.
FabricHow to Measure Fabric Stretch and Record RecoveryMeasure fabric stretch in a consistent way, calculate the increase from the original span and record what remains after release.
Illustrative cargo practice pocket with a separate flap and free centre pleat, beside the article’s 9, 11 and 13 cm inverted-box-pleat marks.
how to sew a cargo pocketHow to Sew a Cargo Pocket: A Pleated Practice Sample with a FlapPractise a cargo-style patch pocket with a centre pleat, separate flap and reinforced opening, using a small fabric panel before sewing a...
Illustrative woven and knit structures with direction arrows, alongside two labelled fabric-and-elastic test strips with matching interval marks.
choose fabric and elastic for sewingChoose Fabric and Elastic for Sewing: Measure Stretch and Test RecoveryMeasure stretch percentage, compare recovery, select a suitable needle and make an elastic sample before committing to a garment.
Inside-view woven camisole diagram with adjustable straps and a shaped facing, beside an opened-seam sketch showing understitching on the facing side.
how to sew a woven camisoleHow to Sew a Woven Camisole with a Clean Facing and Adjustable StrapsA step-by-step workflow for a woven camisole, from stable cutting and strap placement to understitching, fitting and a level hem.
Wire-free bralette construction diagram with mirrored seamed cups, adjustable straps, a level elastic band and a fold-over-elastic edge detail.
how to sew a braletteHow to Sew a Bralette: Cups, Elastic and a Useful First FittingBuild a wire-free bralette in a controlled sequence: sew matching cups, finish the edges, attach the band and check the first fitting...