The American Seamstress

Do you have trouble getting sewing patterns to fit back in that little envelope? If you do, you are not alone. Watch how I store all of my patterns where they are all the same size and shape. MATERIALS: Paper Scissors 9x12 Office Envelope

In this video you will learn how to make super simple pattern weights from duct tape and large washers. FYI - This video is older and imported from another channel, but the content is good. Please be kind!

Do you have trouble getting patterns to fit you? Do you have patterns that are too small or too big? Pattern hacking is just another way to talk about manipulating pattern to either help fit your body (such as making bigger or smaller) or to make design changes (like adding pleats). Learn how to use slash and spread and slash and pivot to alter patterns - sewing or foam - to your body and for design. Want those mini pattern blocks I use in the video? Find them here on my store. https://store.theamericanseamstress.com/p/mini-practice-blocks-for-pattern-hacking/ 00:00 Intro 00:14 What is pattern hacking? 00:31 The Mini Blocks 01:10 Dart Manipulation on the Bodice 03:56 Sizing Up the Bodice with Slash and Spread (Grading) 08:16 Making a Flared Pant with Slash and Spread 10:02 Adding a Yoke to Pants 10:44 Wide Leg Gathered Pant with Slash and Spread 11:02 Pencil Skirt to A-Line Skirt 11:36 Flared Skirt to Full Skirt 13:00 Add Pleats to Skirt 14:10 Sleeve Manipulation (Full Sleeve at Wrist, Gathered Upper Sleeve) 15:30 Outro ************************************************************************* You can buy cool stuff in my store! I have free things too! https://store.theamericanseamstress.com/

Marking fabric is always a bit of a hangup for me. I tend to make projects over several weeks so selecting a marking method that will last for a long time, be easily removable, and not leave anything behind is important to me I love couture sewing and tailoring. Both of these "schools of sewing" use thread as a the primary marking method. I adapted a method that involves first using a tested fabric marking pen or chalk and then going back over with thread. For pattern markings that show up as dots, triangles, squares, etc. I tend to use the tailor's tack. The tailor's tack can be done with any kind of thread - although fine silk thread leaves no trace, even when ironed. The tacks are easily removed and stay put through ironing and fittings. To make a tailor's tack, place a small stitch in your marking point. Pull through leaving a tail and go back around on the stitch you just made. Cut leaving a tail and soldier on! ************************************************************************* Visit my Website for Free Goodies: https://theamericanseamstress.com https://store.theamericanseamstress.com

Continuing in my pressing tool series - here we learn how to make a seam roll. A seam roll is super handy for pressing seams in sleeves and pants! Check out the free pattern here : https://store.theamericanseamstress.com/p/seam-roll-pdf-sewing-pattern/ ************************************************************************* You can buy cool stuff in my store! I have free things too! https://store.theamericanseamstress.com/

Drafted a sewing or foam pattern and now you want a way to print it on letter sized pages? This quick tutorial teaches you how to make a letter sized, tiled pattern super fast!

Have you wanted to learn about machine embroidery? Did you get a new machine and don't know where to start? My machine embroidery series is right for you. This is the first of many videos, be sure to hit like and subscribe. Turn on notifications so you can see when I post new videos! ************************************************************************* You can buy cool stuff in my store! I have free things too! https://store.theamericanseamstress.com/ https://theamericanseamstress.com/

Learn how to get your paper or tape patterns scanned, traced, and fully digitized using Adobe Illustrator. Visit my store for free goodies: https://store.theamericanseamstress.com

MATERIALS: * 2mm EVA Foam - preferably from SKS Props * Paper or craft scissors - Not your good fabric scissors * templates or die cutter and dies (I use a Sizzix Big Shot) * Heat Gun * Respirator * Hobby or utility Knife * Acrylic paint * Paintbrush * Wax paper or surface for painting * Fabric Tape Measure and/or Ruler * Sharpie or marking tool * Sewing or Quilting Pin (optional) * Super Glue (optional) * Acrylic Gloss Varnish

Scale rulers or approportioning scales were used in many patent based systems for pattern drafting throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s. These rulers are based on a set of mathematical units that equate to fractions of an inch. This tutorial will show you how to use Adobe Illustrator and digitally drafted or scanned scale proportion rulers (also known as approportion rulers) to create an Edwardian shirtwaist front. You can buy my rulers at: https://store.theamericanseamstress.com/p/scale-approption-rulers/ Be sure to check back soon for part 2 where you learn how to turn this into a printable PDF pattern you can print at home. ************************************************************************* Visit my Website for Free Goodies: https://theamericanseamstress.com/

Pressing tools are super important! If you don't have a tailor's ham, you are missing out on a critical sewing tool! Follow along and learn and make with me. There are 3 other videos in this series on making a cup shaped ham, a seam roll, and a how to use pressing tools video. The pattern in my video can be downloaded for free (or with a donation) at: https://store.theamericanseamstress.com/p/tailorshampdf/ NOTE: If you are allergic or don't want to use walnut shells - no worries! Alternate stuffings include: * Sawdust * Cut up bits of cotton, silk, or wool scrap fabric * Cut up bits of cotton or wool batting * Cotton or wool wadding/stuffing * Wool roving or fiber ************************************************************************* You can buy cool stuff in my store! I have free things too! https://store.theamericanseamstress.com/ https://theamericanseamstress.com/ ************************************************************************* 0:00 Start of video 0:13 Materials 0:41 Pattern Assembly 1:46 Pattern Markings 2:13 Cutting Out the Fabric 4:51 Laying Out for Assembly 6:27 Sewing the Tailor's Ham 7:07 Turning and Stuffing 9:40 Hand Sewing the Ham Closed 11:18 Closing Comments 11:50 Free Pattern

I love to upcycle. This means I do use polyester fabric. I had some poly bridal satin i wanted to rescue from the garbage. It came from a smoking house and the smell was not coming out. Dye pot to save the day! I am using iDye Poly in this video. I highly recommend Rit Dyemore Synthetic as well! 00:00 Intro 00:12 Talking about polyester fabric and dye 00:53 Prepping the fabric 02:19 The dye process 07:54 Finishing up and the final result 09:36 Final thoughts and summary ************************************************************************* You can buy cool stuff in my store! I have free things too! https://store.theamericanseamstress.com/ https://theamericanseamstress.com/