What is open weave and what is closed weave?

Open weave and closed weave. What are these things and what do they mean?

These are sewing terms, and are used to described the weave of a fabric. Ever looked really closely at the fabric? You will see that there are tiny stitches there that make the fabric. When the stitches are close together, this is called a closed weave. When they are far apart, this is called an open weave.

Sometimes the needle or fabric you buy can depend on closed weave or open weave. For example, can a thick needle with a large eye fit through a closed weaved fabric? These are very important things to think about before sewing.

How to make a pocket book

I recently made a pocket book late one night out of some spare material. It was the first time I'd ever made one.

What you need:

- { you can always adjust the size }

   17 cms by 13 cms of strong cotton fabric                       

- 1 matching button

- Sharp needle

- Pins

- Iron

- Fabric scissors

- Cotton scissors

- Matching thread

How to make a pocket book:

1. Cut your fabric with your fabric scissors.

2. Iron it carefully.

3. With the faded side of the material, fold it forward 10cms.

4. At the 2 sides of the fabric fold a seam and pin it in place.

5. Thread needle and tie knot in end. 

6. On both seams, do running stitch until you reach the end of the seam.

7. Turn the pocket book inside out.

8. Fold half a cm back of the flap on each side { there are three sides }

9. Along these sides do the hemming stitch in matching thread.

10. Fold your flap forwards { facing you } and find a position for your button.

11.  Fold your flap backwards { facing you } and sew the button on the actual pocket. Do not sew it on the flap, but make sure it matches the proposed position.

12. In the same position your button is in, cut a small slit on the flap.

13. Around the slit, do satin stitch.

14. Put your button through the slit and your pocket book is done!

Sewing Repairs

After my basketball match today, I looked at the bottom of my top and realised it was undone. As soon as I got home, I whipped out my sewing kit and repaired it. It was nice and easy to do while watching TV. All I did was a simple blanket stitch of the two fabrics, in matching colours.

Now I feel extremely satisfied with myself. Always remember: ' It's only work well doing when it's work well done'.

Below are a few images of my repaired uniform.

Coming soon- Tapestry Needs

Before you begin tapestry, you need the correct materials.

About tapestry:

People do tapestry to create pictures, sometimes known as ' pixel pictures ' . Some tapestry pictures can be so small that you can turn one into a brooch or a key ring.

What you need:

- Plain tapestry canvas

- Tapestry needles
- Tapestry wool
- Coloured textas
- Graph paper

Below are a few images of what you need.

Tapestry needles

Tapestry wool

Tapestry canvas

Graph paper

Coloured textas

Tip: Make sure your tapestry wool is pure wool. This is always the best quality.

Op-shop Hunting

If you want to find affordable good quality fabric, you should look in op-shops. People who haven't got the time for sewing { mostly } donate their wonderful materials. I reccommend going to op-shops such as Salvos http://salvosstores.salvos.org.au/ , Vinnies http://www.vinnies.org.au/donations-in-material-national or any random op-shop.

Support your local op-shops.

Advice-Posture

Correct posture is extremely important when you are sewing. If you have bad posture, you will most likely damage your back and find sewing tricky.

When sewing, keep your back straight. Keep your project near the end of your rib cage. Relax your shoulders and hold your sewing 2 inches away from your chest { roughly } . Avoid straining your eyes. Have good light coming over your right shoulder.

This will feel better and is good for your body.

How to make a phone pouch

Follow the instructions for a normal pouch, and make it higher and wider enough for your phone.

Coming soon- Tapestry

Very soon, I will do a post on tapestry. I have recently boght some tapestry wool, and later I will buy some tapestry canvases. I hope you look forward to my future post on...tapestry!

Tool box

This is my tool box. It is not main my main one, as it is small, but it is one that travels with me. This tool box is strong and capable of holding heavy things.

Sewing Books

I have three favourite sewing books that always come in handy to me. The one one the right is my mum's, Step by Step Sewing. I like it because it is the most informative of the three, including tips about your sewing posture.

The one in the centre, Made by Me by Jane Bull, is a great book with creative ideas. Jane Bull has written many books, including several more craft books. If you want to find out more about her works, visit http://www.goodreads.com/author/list/56363.Jane_Bull .

Finally, the one on the right is Sew! by Cath Kidston. This book has a huge variety of sewing ideas which I really love.

How to make a pouch

Making pouches is one of the easiest things to sew. I like them because they are simple, fun and you can make them in a short space of time.

What you need:
- Sharp needle
- Cotton
- Pins
- Safety pin
- Ribbon
- Cotton fabric

1. Choose your fabric [ try to use cotton as it's easier to work with ] and cut it 10cm x 17cm [ 4 inches x 7 inches ] .
2. Fold the top of the fabric down and pin in place. [ Make sure you leave enough room for the ribbon].
3. Thread needle, tie knot at end and sew it down using running stitch.
4. Fold the fabric in half and pin the two edges in place.
5. Sew the edges down using running stitch [ leave the top where the ribbon will go open ] .
6. Turn pouch inside out.
7. Attach ribbon to safety pin, and thread though the top fold.
8. Once all the way round, unattach safety pin.
9. Sew the two ends of the ribbon together to prevent fraying.
10. Sew the 2 top folds, at the end, to prevent fraying.

Note: The size of these pouches can be altered. 

How to do running stitch:


Running stitch is a simple stitch. It is, as many other stitches, used to join fabrics together.

1. Thread needle and tie knot at the end.
2. Bring needle up through fabric.
3. Bring needle back down a stitch length away.
4. Bring needle up through fabric a stitch length away.
5. Repeat sequence.

As you will see, your needle is going in and out.