Stretch Sewing Handy Hints!

I've been doing lots of stretch sewing lately for the girls ~ cuddly hoodies, warm trackpants and fun bright t-shirts. I thought I might share a few things I've learnt along the way to help make your stretch sewing look "ready to wear".


1. Woolly Nylon It's a fantastic thread for both your overlocker and sewing machine. I use it in the upper looper on my overlocker and it gives an extra stretchy seam with a softer finish, perfect for baby and childrens wear. I love the Polyarn woolly nylon from Superior Threads, it really is the best on the market. It sews so smoothly and gives your seams a very professional look. QA woolly nylon is great for adding lots of colours to your thread range, while not breaking your budget.
When threading woolly nylon, it's helpful to use a small length of normal poly thread and tie it onto the end of your woolly nylon. Thread that through the overlocker and then just gently pull the woolly through.

Woolly nylon is also handy for your sewing machine as well. Wind a bobbin with woolly nylon to use when sewing knitted fabrics. It adds extra stretch and a lovely soft finish to your hems and seams.

2. Twin needles. This handy little needle is great for making your creations look really professional. I use a ball point twin needle when sewing hems on t-shirts and stretchy style pants. It helps to give yourself quite a deep hem to stop the stretchy fabric from curling back up and I often use a wider stitch length to help the hem to sit flatter.
Remember to use woolly nylon in your bobbin for extra stretch. I only ever turn the hem over once as too many layers might cause the twin needle to break.
When I've finished the hem I just turn it over and trim close to the edge of the stitching because knitted fabric doesn't fray like woven cotton fabric.


Hmmm....I think that will do for now but I will be back later with more hints. Happy sewing!!

Ahoy there!!

Fun pirate flannel to make something snuggly for your little one!

Coming soon to the Autumn Threads store.

For more info please email Evelyn

Everything is Blooming!

It may not be spring yet but there are blossoms on my fruit trees and daffodils in my garden! It inspired me to try out the new "Chenille Bias"

Of course I had to make something with the pink.......my girls wouldn't have it any other way!

I used Vliesofix and some fun spotty fabric from A Day in the Country range for applique and then used the Blooming Bias to edge the hearts.

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and the girls were tickled when I said this one was for them! I think next time though I will stitch around the applique first to make it extra secure and then attach the faux chenille. I only did one layer for this one as it was only a small applique but I'm sure with something bigger you could do 2 or more layers for an extra fluffy look.