I sew reluctantly. I do make table cloths and such but much prefer handwork. But, that is another topic! So, I shall post a helpful hint: Fabric for Swimwear When you choose a fabric for swimwear, make sure the fabric has at least 15% spandex and stretches both horizontally and vertically. Expensive ready-to-wear swimsuits have spandex counts in the 20-30 or more range (the more spandex, the more slimming the suit will be). This type of fabric is usually shiny, has great shape retention and is resistant to chlorine and salt water. In general, the greatest degree of stretch is the lengthwise grain. Place the pattern pieces so that the greatest degree of stretch is around the body. Since this fabric can become transparent when wet, line it with fabric that has the same amount of stretch as the fashion fabric. Pre-wash the fabric to take out chemicals and to allow it to resume its original shape.

i make clothes and curtains. am still learning this craft and would love to make a wedding dress for fun.

Lucky you have a daughter - I'd have to stick to the beading and embellishment, though I have made MANY long hostess skirts and other things, it just occupies me to such an extent that Nothing else gets done till the outfit is ready to wear - not practical for involved things like lined garments and set-in sleeves (done that, too)

Quick Thread Belt Carriers It is easy to make thread belt carriers with your sewing machine. Measure the width of your belt and add seam allowances. Cut and twist several strands of thread together. Hold the threads taunt while you zigzag over them with a satin stitch. Sew them in place when you sew your side seams.

Repair a Shirt Pocket Breast pockets are a frequent repair on a still-serviceable shirt. To repair a rip, fuse a piece of lightweight fabric to the wrong side of the tear. Re-stitch the pocket on the original sewing line, duplicating the stitch length. Finally, for reinforcement, stitch a triangle in each corner of the pocket edge.

Covering A Cord An alternate, no-sew method to cover a cord for use as a decorative trim involves a strip of Stitch Witchery. Place the cord inside the decorative fabric strip. Then, instead of sewing the cord inside the strip, place a strip of Stitch Witchery along side the cord. Iron close to the cord to fuse the strip together. This method eliminates a row of stitching when you apply the cord to your project.

Batting Alternative If you are making a quilt for everyday use, you may consider using an old blanket or two (just stitch them together) instead of commercial batting. There are several advantages: You can get additional use out of the old blanket(s) It can make a heavier/warmer quilt Commercial bats can separate and require close quilting No quilting � just tie the quilt. However, it is not easy to hand- or machine-quilt a quilt with a blanket as it is with the batting.

Ribbing for Knits Here are some things to keep in mind when working with ribbing for knit garments: Select a ribbing the same weight as the fashion fabric. Stand your flexible measuring tape on its side for accurate measurements of circular openings, such as necklines and armholes. For a round neckline, cut ribbing 2/3rds of the measured length of the opening plus seam allowance. V-neckline ribbings are cut to the same measurement as the garment opening plus seam allowance.

Notion: Jean-A-Ma-Jig An extremely handy notion to have on hand is a thick seam jumper or Jean-A-Ma-Jig. If you have ever tried to hem a pair of jeans or any other bulky fabric and have had your thread become tangled or your machine skip a stitch, then this is the item for you. When you place the Jean-A-Ma-Jig under the lowered presser foot, the thick plastic holds the foot level to allow you to sew over the bulky area without the usual problems.

To Clip or Not It is easy to fall into the habit of clipping every curved seam you work with, but clipping the crotch or armhole seam is not advisable. Clipping the pants/sleeve seam reduces the life of that seam because it allows the seam to straighten out and puts additional stress on the seam line. For the strongest crotch or armhole seam, sew once on the seam line and then, again, slightly inside the seam allowance. Finish the edges together and press to one side. To reduce bulk, you may want to trim the seam a little in the curved area.

Weighting A Stuffed Project While it is tempting to use rice or birdseed to add weight or poseablity to a stuffed project, use polyester pellets (a weighted stuffing material) instead. Rice or birdseed could attract insects or promote mold growth in your project. If sewing a child's toy, enclose the pellets in a separate bag before inserting into the project so they won't scatter if a seam breaks.