Tutorials & Guides

Body Shape Guide for Sewing

Have you ever spent ages making a garment, only to find this painstakingly-created outfit does nothing for your figure? Let's help you avoid that from the start... Here's a quick guide to help you decide what's best for your shape - before you start choosing a sewing patterns or cutting into that beautiful fabric ...
Author: Shelley Hong      


 How To Pad Up Your Mannequin

Create YOUR body double for a Perfect Fit Say you've bought one of our Adjustable Dressmaker's Mannequins ... You've carefully chosen the size based on your body measurements (because you know that dress size vary from brand to brand therefore NOT reliable). Now that you've adjusted her to match your measurements...
Author: Shelley Hong      


Stay Home & Sew

It's SEW cial i SEW lation Time Here - some sewing love for you :-) Hope you're safe, healthy, and keeping busy - instead of letting the news / social media distract you into worry-land. Here's something beautiful I want to share - in case social isolation is getting to you. ...
Author: Shelley Hong      


How To Use Sew Much Easier Coupon Code

Wondering HOW to use your Sew Much Easier coupon code? So you might have a discount coupon code to use for your next order from Sew Much Easier. In case you need a hand figuring out how to use the code for a discount, keep reading and I'll explain with a few screenshots. First, add your sewing goodie to...
Author: Shelley Hong      


Sewing Room Furniture - IKEA Hack

Here's a clever IKEA Sewing Room Hack.... Smart Sewing Table - with Sliding Tray for Sewing Machine by Cristina Marcon This is a smart idea because it has a sliding tray that makes it easy to store the sewing machine when you don’t need it. Makes it so easy to store and access the sewing machine. IK...
Author: Shelley Hong      


Tips for Perfectly Matched Points in Patchwork Piecing

Last week, while exploring Sewing Superpower - I named Point Matching as mine... and there is ONE obscure thing that I do. So, what's my secret in Perfect Point Matching? I'll get to it in a few minute. First, here are two basic points for perfectly matched points (pun intended. maybe)... 1. Cut your piece...
Author: Shelley Hong      


Sew to Reduce Everyday Plastic

Small things you can do to make a BIG difference - with your stash! With all the "Plastic Free" movements - I've been thinking... Why Not make plastic reduction an easy, enjoyable, everyday thing? Surely we can make small but permanent changes - while having a ...
Author: Shelley Hong      


How To Make Beeswax Wrap - with iron or Elnapress

Beeswax Wraps replace single-use plastic cling wraps - and I've been meaning to make some. As it turn out.... Something Nikki said piqued my curiosity. "I spent yesterday with a pile of fabric, some beeswax and an E...
Author: Shelley Hong      


How To Finish Seams Without an Overlocker

Here's How To Finish Seams (nicely)... Without Using an Overlocker For years, I didn't have an overlocker. When I got my first sewing machine as a teenage, I knew that an overlocker would be out of the question, budget-wise. And frankly, I was terrified of them - all those threads, plate change, and a blade that...
Author: Shelley Hong      


How to Choose the Right Mannequin: Comparison of Different Types

How to Choose the Right Mannequin for You Here's a comparison - by type. If you've always wanted a dressmaker's dummy to help you get that perfect fit, but not sure which one - this guide is for you :-) When choosing an Adjustable Mannequin , most people's first question is: "I'm a Size ___, which mannequin i...
Author: Shelley Hong      


Sewing Advice: What Wisdom Would You Share with a Beginner?

Who is new to sewing? Ever since I started Sew Much Easier , I've wanted to put together some materials to help people who are new to sewing get more out of their new-found love. Though there is a question I kept asking myself: Do...
Author: Shelley Hong      


Quilt Batting: Get to know your wadding for Quilting

By the time you’ve completed your first quilt top, you’ll need to choose a suitable batting for your quilt – whether you plan to do the quilting yourself or sendng it away for long-arm quilting. If you’re new in the world of patchwork, you’d probably be shocked when you go to buy your ...
Author: Shelley Hong      


Janome Stirling Review - What Kind of Sewing Machines Are They?

“I’ve seen this ‘Stirling by Janome’ brand of sewing machine and overlocker around – but cannot find them on Janome Australia’s website. Are they Genuine? The prices seem too good to be true.” We get this question a lot, especially around Mother’s Day. For good reasons. Let me explain. “Stirling” is Aldi’s own ...
Author: Shelley Hong      


How to Set Up Your Sewing Room - Ideas & Essentials

Sewing Room Envy? Don’t be. You don’t have to spend a fortune on kitting out your dream sewing room. Because you CAN create a fresh sewing space with a shoestring budget to get yourself started. I’d like to share some tips on setting up a fresh creative space to help you get the most out of your sewing. It’s tota...
Author: Shelley Hong      


Apple Slice Recipe (the Famous 5-ingredient one)

So – here’s our most requested Apple Slice Recipe . Enjoy! This Apple Slice uses only 5 ingredients , it’s really easy to make (and even easier to eat)! Ingredients 2 cups self raising flour 1 cup sugar 3 app...
Author: Shelley Hong      


How to Avoid the Tissue Pattern Monster

Approach with Extreme Care. You have been warned.... Have you even wonder how on earth anyone manages to get tissue patterns back into the envelopes? Here's a video that perfectly captures the frustrations...... Your browser does ...
Author: Shelley Hong      


Sharpening Rotary Blades & Scissors

Sewing Hack: Sharpening with Kitchen Foil Yes. Really. When your rotary cutter blade is blunt, there's no spare blades in the house, and you're in the middle of cutting up - probably in the middle of the night - What on Earth Do You Do?! ...
Author: Shelley Hong      


How to Choose a Sewing Machine - a Beginner's Guide

“I’m new to sewing and don’t want to spend a fortune on a sewing machine – which model should I choose?” Since I get this question at least once a week, I thought I’d explain it here for every one At this point, you might be doing heaps of research, and probably starting to get a bit overwhelmed. Amiright? To help clarify, ...
Author: Shelley Hong      


Run Out of Chalk? Emergency Hem Marker Refill

Sewing Hack: Baby Powder as Chalk Refill (this was new to me too and it really works) Whenever you run out of chalk from the Hem Marker in the middle of a project (AND possibly in the middle of the night), what do you do? ...
Author: Shelley Hong      


Pre-cut - What Size Quilt Does it Make?

This is a VERY popular question. So if you’re wondering the same thing, read on…. So you ask: “How Many Packs do I need for a Queen size quilt?” Here’s the short answer: If you are just stitching the precut pieces together, with no other additional fabrics, then you would need about: 9 x Charm...
Author: Shelley Hong      


Pre-cut Fabric Explained

“What on earth is a Fat Quarter ?” “How come my quilt pattern calls for Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes ? I’m making a QUILT – not baking!” If you’re new to the world of patchwork, you might well be wondering about the same thing So let’s look at the most common types of pre-cut fabric packs – a...
Author: Shelley Hong      


How to Choose the Right Mannequin: based on Your Body Measurements

When choosing a dressmaker’s dummy , most people ask: “I’m a size __. Which mannequin is right for me?” The assumption is to simply go for the size range listed. Right? Well – Not Exactly. Here’s my standard answer: “ Dress size can be unreliable , because they often vary from brand to brand. ...
Author: Shelley Hong      


Handling Denim with Your Sewing Machine

Don't Buy a Heavy Duty Machine just for Jeans... Your Current Machine is probably fine. I bet. Each week, I get a phone call or email from someone who wants to "upgrade" their machine to one that can handle denim. Because, you know, they are fed up with their current sewing machine that fails such simple task as takin...
Author: Shelley Hong      


How to Organise your Threads with Golf Tees (!)

Does your Thread storage look like this?! Neither does mine :-( If you're having a case of "Thread Storage Envy" (like me), then you'd be happy to find out all about my latest Sewing Hack trick - especially if you happen to have some golf tees lying around... ...
Author: Shelley Hong      


How to Wind a Happy Bobbin

Sewing Hack: How to Wind a Happy Bobbin :-) ... and avoid a Sad Bobbin If you've ever seen or used a sad bobbin, you'd know exactly what I mean. They ARE sad. And your sewing wouldn't be any happier either :-( And this is one of those tricks I learn...
Author: Shelley Hong      


How to Quilt Straight Line without a Guide

Sewing Hack: How to Quilt Straight Lines without a Quilting Guide This is an old trick - but I use it all the time :-) If you plan to cross-hatch straight lines with your waking foot, and your walking foot does not have one of those little guides, it can be tricky to stay parallel.... The trick is ...
Author: Shelley Hong      


"Will This Presser Foot Fit My Sewing Machine?"

Believe or not – this is by far the MOST asked question from Sew Much Easier customers And the answer? Depends. The best way to find out if a certain foot is right for your machine, first you need to understand what sort of sewing machine you’re trying to fit. Ok, Let’s start by looking at...
Author: Shelley Hong      


All About Binding Part 2: How to Mitre Corners

Have You Ever Wondered How to go around a square corner using a bias binding foot? This article show you how to put mitre corners on your quilts with your sewing machine the easy way! Since putting binding on a mitre corner relates to quilts, I will focus this article on how to finish a quilt using bias binding AND have the c...
Author: Shelley Hong      


All About Binding Part 1: Bias or Straight?

Since some of the most commonly asked question I get are binding-related, I thought I’d put together a small series all about binding – this is the first part. Hopefully you will find this helpful! What Do “Straight” and “Bias” Actually Mean? When we talk about straight or bias (in terms of sewing, that is – NOT gender...
Author: Shelley Hong      


A Quick Assembly Guide to Your Dressmaker's Dummy

If you are into sewing and designing clothes, chances are you already have your eyes on a dressmaker’s mannequin …. One of our most popular adjustable dress forms are the traditional UK ones with wooden legs. Almost all of my sewing friends have secretly (or rather, NOT-so-secretly) put a Lady Valet on their wish list....
Author: Shelley Hong      


A Quick Guide to Your Sewing Machine Presser Feet

If you're wondering about various sewing machine feet : what they are, how they work, what sort of foot you need, the differences between the different version, and whether the foot will fit your machine - Read on. Here is a brief article, an overview on various foot for your sewing machine – hopefully it will get you thinkin...
Author: Shelley Hong      


How To Attach Your Walking Foot  (and other Screw-On Feet)  to Your Sewing Machine

Finally ….. You got a Walking Foot, or Darning Foot, or Bias Binding Foot – for your Janome sewing machine. Wow, it looks like a piece of machinery all on its own! So you look at the foot, then look at your machine. How on earth do they come together? If you are anything like me – all thumbs when it comes to all things m...
Author: Shelley Hong      


How To Use Your Ruffler Foot

Lately, quite a few people have asked me all sorts of questions about ruffler foot: how the ruffler works, how to use it, what sort of ruffler they need, the differences between the different rufflers, and whether the ruffler they have in mind will fit their machine. The list goes on….. Seeing that I’m still working on my o...
Author: Shelley Hong      


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