Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Craft Workbook: Sewing
    Craft Workbook: Sewing
    Craft Workbook: Sewing
    Ebook166 pages54 minutes

    Craft Workbook: Sewing

    By Charlotte Gerlings

    2.5/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    These books are designed with the absolute beginner in mind, as well as those who would welcome a refresher in these most popular needlecrafts. Each book includes two or three specific projects for readers to get stuck into, with straightforward instructions and large, clear illustrations. With a section on choosing the right equipment, glossary of terms and abbreviations and even a section on aftercare of your handmade products - as well as including both UK and US terminology - this is the perfect starter series that caters for all.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcturus Publishing
    Release dateDec 2, 2013
    ISBN9781782128496
    Craft Workbook: Sewing
    Author

    Charlotte Gerlings

    Charlotte Gerlings was born in Reading, England into a home where her mother and grandmother were regularly occupied with dressmaking and stage costumes. She graduated in Publishing from Oxford Polytechnic (now Oxford Brookes) and began work in London as a design assistant with a leading art publisher, before moving into trade publishing. She gained an MA in Fine Art from Wimbledon School of Art and has written books on art history and crafts.

    Read more from Charlotte Gerlings

    Related to Craft Workbook

    Related ebooks

    Crafts & Hobbies For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Curves Without Curves – The ‘Slight’ Rectangle

      Dec 13, 2019

      Curves are the domain of women and, generally, the body characteristic creating most problems for the home sewer. However, for a small percentage of women the lack of curves on the figure is equally problematic. While the average home sewer makes the

      7 min read

    • Article

      Back To Basics

      Feb 18, 2021

      Back To Basics
      4 min read

    • Article

      Be Yourself

      Aug 11, 2021

      Be Yourself
      1 min read

    • Article

      25 Tips for Sewing Silks and Silkies

      Dec 26, 2021

      1. Tissue fit patterns before cutting into your silk. 2. Even silks that you plan to dry clean, after construction can benefit from pre-washing, before construction. Pre-washing eliminates permanent spotting from rain or grape juice. 3. Silk Dupion

      2 min read

    • Article

      Studio Makeover

      Apr 13, 2023

      Studio Makeover
      14 min read

    • Article

      WE Love The Robe

      Sep 3, 2022

      Justine White Bee Print Boot www.shoezone.com Faux Fur Open Toe Slipper www.marksandspencer.com Tasi Robe and Jacket $14 (USD) www.sewdiy.com Lambswool Mirror Knitted Cowl www.folksy.com This pattern is a fantastically flexible basic that can be used

      1 min read

    • Article

      The Solana dress Set

      Aug 3, 2023

      SIZES 6-30 (US 4-28/EUR 34-58) ■ Pattern sheets x2■ Instruction sheet Main fabric: ■ Option A&C Sizes 6-18: 2.7mx140cm Sizes 20-30: 4.1mx140cm■ Option B Sizes 6-18: 2.4mx140cm Sizes 20-30: 2.8mx140cm■ Matching thread■ Lightweight iron-on interfacing:

      4 min read

    • Article

      Paper Patterns

      May 11, 2023

      Paper Patterns
      2 min read

    • Article

      Sewing Buddies

      Aug 16, 2019

      Sewing Buddies
      4 min read

    • Article

      Sewing With Sequins

      Nov 6, 2022

      Sewing With Sequins
      2 min read

    • Article

      Machine Embroidery

      Feb 3, 2021

      Machine Embroidery
      2 min read

    • Article

      A Fitting Foundation

      Jul 23, 2017

      A Fitting Foundation
      4 min read

    • Article

      Geometric CATS

      Apr 3, 2019

      • 30cm ( 3/8yd) white cotton/linen blend fabric (background) • DMC Stranded Embroidery Cotton – Very Dark Cranberry (600), Medium Yellow (743), Dark Cornflour Blue (792), Mediterranean Sea (4022 – variegated) • DMC Perle No 12 – Black (310) • Anchor

      2 min read

    • Article

      The Mila Dress

      Nov 24, 2022

      ■ Pattern sheets x4 ■ Instruction sheet ■ Fabric:Sizes 6-10: 2.5mx115cm Sizes 12-20: 2.9mx115cm Sizes 22-30: 3.1mx115cm Sizes 6-20: 2.5mx140cm Sizes 22-30: 3.1mx140cm ■ Invisible zip: 56cm ■ Elastic: 10mm wide x 60cm ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing

      5 min read

    • Article

      The Pattern Designers of Etsy

      Sep 3, 2022

      The Pattern Designers of Etsy
      4 min read

    • Article

      A Love Affair

      Feb 17, 2022

      This issue is a love letter to the art of patchwork. Sometimes we sew for practical reasons, other times we make gifts for others… this month we’re quilting just for the fun of it! Feast your eyes on our collection of feel-good projects – from Satomi

      1 min read

    • Article

      We Love

      Jan 6, 2021

      We Love
      3 min read

    • Article

      Cutting Out

      May 11, 2023

      Cutting Out
      2 min read

    • Article

      The Nomi Dress

      Dec 22, 2022

      The Nomi Dress
      1 min read

    • Article

      The Astrid Set

      Aug 3, 2023

      The Astrid Set
      4 min read

    • Article

      Off the Shelf

      May 6, 2020

      Off the Shelf
      2 min read

    • Article

      5 Costume Historians & Fashion Enthusiasts To Follow

      Mar 4, 2023

      Bernadette is a dress historian and is best known for her YouTube channel that documents the reconstruction and interpretation of historical dress. She focuses on English and American fashion that predates the use of the electric sewing machine. She

      2 min read

    • Article

      Buttonholes Explained!

      Aug 5, 2022

      Buttonholes Explained!
      4 min read

    • Article

      Rugged Rope Basket

      Mar 27, 2020

      Rugged Rope Basket
      2 min read

    • Article

      Crafts ‘N Supplies

      Jun 3, 2020

      Crafts ‘N Supplies
      1 min read

    • Article

      Ahead Of The Curve

      Apr 22, 2021

      It’s easy to assume that anyone running a sewing business has been sewing from childhood. Not true in the case of Jenny Rushmore of Cashmerette, “I didn’t even learn to sew until I was 30!” laughs Jenny. “When I first started sewing, I couldn’t even

      6 min read

    • Article

      Waistbands – A Couture Method

      Dec 12, 2016

      Waistbands – A Couture Method
      2 min read

    • Article

      Make Your Own Shoulder Pads

      Nov 20, 2016

      Make Your Own Shoulder Pads
      6 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Craft Workbook

    2.5/5

    4 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Craft Workbook - Charlotte Gerlings

      To Thelma M. Nye, craft editor at B. T. Batsford Ltd for over thirty years and friend and advisor to many grateful authors and designers

      Font cover: Shutterstock

      Back cover: Photograph reproduced by kind permission of Janome (www.janome.co.uk)

      This edition published in 2012 by Arcturus Publishing Limited

      26/27 Bickels Yard, 151–153 Bermondsey Street,

      London SE1 3HA

      Copyright © 2011 Arcturus Publishing Limited

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1956 (as amended). Any person or persons who do any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

      ISBN: 978-1-78212-849-6

      AD001661EN

      CONTENTS

      Introduction

      PART I:EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

      Equipment

      Needles, pins and cutting tools

      Thread

      Fabric

      The sewing machine

      Paper patterns

      Notions

      PART II:HAND SEWING METHODS AND TECHNIQUES

      Threading a needle

      Straight sewing stitches

      Sewing an open seam

      Sewing an encased seam

      Curves and corners

      Mending

      Using a seam/hem gauge

      Hemming

      Casings

      PROJECT: Drawstring favour bag

      Binding

      Gathering and pleating

      Smocking

      Waistbands and cuffs

      Openings and fastenings

      Making a hand-sewn buttonhole

      Attaching set-in sleeves

      Trimming: Beads, sequins and bows

      PROJECT: Apron

      Trimming: Edgings, rouleau and appliqué

      PART III:MACHINE SEWING METHODS AND TECHNIQUES

      Threading the sewing machine

      The bobbin

      The importance of tension

      Troubleshooting

      Stitch width

      Machining special fabrics

      Machining an encased seam

      Machined seam finishes

      Making darts

      Shaped facings

      Inserting a zip fastener

      Topstitching

      Machining a buttonhole

      Shirring

      Making piping [cording]

      PROJECT: Dachshund draught excluder

      Laundry and aftercare

      Sewing terms

      INTRODUCTION

      The first needles were made from cattle bone and used to sew animal hides together with lengths of sinew. Between then and now, people have sewn clothes for warmth, tents for shelter, sails for voyages of exploration, and flags for nations. It could be argued that a needle and thread in a skilled pair of hands has played as great a part in civilization as the invention of the wheel.

      However, as everyday items around the home, needles and thread are mere clutter until we unlock their potential – together with our own – and master the basic techniques of sewing. This book has been prepared with beginners in mind, providing a step-by-step illustrated guide from threading a needle and learning basic stitches, to cutting and shaping fabric, and machine sewing with confidence. Whether you are just starting to sew or would like a refresher, this book aims to be a handy reference. The terminology used throughout is UK-standard, together with the relevant US terms in square brackets [ ] to make this a practical guide for all readers.

      There are sections on all types of equipment; threads, fabrics and trimmings; how to read paper patterns; and what goes into making a garment. One complete part is devoted to the sewing machine, especially useful nowadays when more and more households are investing in one. Other sections deal with smaller but important matters such as making repairs, using a seam gauge or inserting a zip. Finally, the book contains three easy projects for you to practise your sewing skills, before embarking on the more ambitious ones you have planned.

      PART ONE:

      EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

      EQUIPMENT

      A Needles, pins, pin cushion(s)

      B Fabric and reels of thread

      C Thimble

      D Seam ripper

      E Dressmaking shears

      F Scissors

      G Embroidery scissors

      H Thread snips [nippers]

      I Pinking shears

      J Seam gauge

      K Transparent ruler

      L Fibreglass tape measure

      M Tailor’s chalk

      N Beeswax

      O Iron

      P Sleeveboard for dressmaking

      Q Sleeve roll and tailor’s ham for dressmaking

      R Sewing machine

      NEEDLES, PINS AND CUTTING TOOLS

      Hand sewing needles are manufactured in a wide range of lengths and thicknesses; the higher the number the finer the needle. Decide on the best needle for the job from the following basic list:

      1 Sharps Medium-length and pointed, with a round eye, for general sewing with standard cotton or polyester thread.

      2 Crewel or embroidery Pointed like sharps but with a long oval eye like a tapestry needle, for thicker or multiple threads.

      3 Blunt-tipped Used for sewing knitted items, designed not to split the yarn.

      4 Betweens Very short and sharp, with a small round eye. Used for fine stitching and quilting.

      5 Milliners or straws Very long and thin, with a round eye, for

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1