Shop one of a kind handmade goods! June 10 - 12 at Treadle Yard Goods!
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Friday, May 27, 2022
Friday Fun Fact: Knit sewing tips!
Are you anxious about sewing knit fabrics?
Spring is a perfect time to sew with knits! If you're busy (and really, aren't we all at this time of year) nothing can beat the speed-sewing of knit garments!
Sure, knits do require some special handling; cut carefully, use a stretch stitch, and watch out for narrower seam allowances - often just 1/4".
Not sure which stretch stitch to use? A serger works great, but a basic zigzag is really all you need!
Use your scraps to make stitch samples to test the stretch of your stitches before you begin. Pull the seam and see if it stretches, feels tight, or breaks.
Need more stretch? Make your stitch width wider and your length shorter. For example, if you started at a width of 2.0 and a length of 2.5, try turning your width UP to 2.5 and your length DOWN to 1.5.
And knit-garment construction couldn't be simpler! Basic pattern pieces, no zippers, and simple finishing mean you can crank out knit garments fast!
Want more support? Check out a class! Collage Dress, Easy Tee, Continuing On, Sewing Salon, or Basic Sergery are all great places to start sewing with knits!
Spring is a perfect time to sew with knits! If you're busy (and really, aren't we all at this time of year) nothing can beat the speed-sewing of knit garments!
Sure, knits do require some special handling; cut carefully, use a stretch stitch, and watch out for narrower seam allowances - often just 1/4".
Not sure which stretch stitch to use? A serger works great, but a basic zigzag is really all you need!
Use your scraps to make stitch samples to test the stretch of your stitches before you begin. Pull the seam and see if it stretches, feels tight, or breaks.
Need more stretch? Make your stitch width wider and your length shorter. For example, if you started at a width of 2.0 and a length of 2.5, try turning your width UP to 2.5 and your length DOWN to 1.5.
Want more support? Check out a class! Collage Dress, Easy Tee, Continuing On, Sewing Salon, or Basic Sergery are all great places to start sewing with knits!
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Treadlette Tuesday: Rebecca's Funky Friends
Here's a herd of Funky Friends from Treadlette Rebecca! She loves these patterns for their unique design and great drafting that helps them sew together easily.
You can make your own herd in our Funky Friends class - see more and register here!
Friday, May 20, 2022
Friday Fun Fact: Choosing your pattern size
Today we're talking about choosing your pattern size!
The first rule here:Your pattern size is NOT the same as your store size.
Really. It's not.
Pattern sizes are based on your body measurements, while store sizes are based on nothing and change with the whims of manufacturers.
Making a dress or top? Choose your size based on your full bust measurement.
Making pants or a skirt? Choose your size based on your full hip measurement.
Did you notice we're ignoring the waist? That's because the waist is the easiest point to alter.
What if you're a different size in different areas of your body? Well, most of us are! It's okay to choose different sizes for the bust, waist, and hip, and blend between the lines to create your custom pattern. Modern multi-size patterns are designed to do this!
What if you're a different size in different areas of your body? Well, most of us are! It's okay to choose different sizes for the bust, waist, and hip, and blend between the lines to create your custom pattern. Modern multi-size patterns are designed to do this!
Still not sure? We are always happy to help you measure and choose at Treadle!
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Treadlette Tuesday: Laura's Remy Raglan
It's Treadlette Tuesday, when we share projects, inspiration, and ideas for you from our lovely Treadle Yard Goods employees, The Treadlettes!
Here's Laura's first Remy Raglan, made in a vintage fabric from a friend's stash.
Friday, May 13, 2022
Friday Fun Fact: Matching your thread
Have you ever been at Treadle and had our help matching threads? Here's our trick!
Pull a strand of thread out of the spool and lay it across the fabric. You are looking for it to disappear.
The color in the spool is not always a perfect indicator! Pulling the strand gives a much better idea of the thread's actual color.
With a printed or multi-color fabric, generally you'll want to match the background or the most dominant color.
When in doubt, go a shade darker. A darker thread will sink into the shadows and disappear, while a light one will pop and stand out.
Can't find your color? Often a grey, beige, or olive will blend in perfectly well.
Pull a strand of thread out of the spool and lay it across the fabric. You are looking for it to disappear.
The color in the spool is not always a perfect indicator! Pulling the strand gives a much better idea of the thread's actual color.
With a printed or multi-color fabric, generally you'll want to match the background or the most dominant color.
When in doubt, go a shade darker. A darker thread will sink into the shadows and disappear, while a light one will pop and stand out.
Can't find your color? Often a grey, beige, or olive will blend in perfectly well.
In each of these examples, we would recommend the center thread. See how it disappears? That's the goal!
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Treadlette Tuesday: Elizabeth's Collage Dress (and class!)
Elizabeth made this summery dress from a combination of knit and woven scraps. She calls it her collage dress!
You can make this improvised dress, too! It starts with a basic t-shirt pattern that you cut up and modify in our Collage Dress class!
Click here to learn more about the class and register!
Friday, May 6, 2022
Friday Fun Fact: Care for your linen
It's Linen season!
Okay, truly linen is an all-season fabric, but it really shines in the warm weather. Linen is cool and crisp to wear in the heat and feels great even when you're sweaty.
But how to wash it? Like most things, there's more than one approach.
Linen is famous for wrinkling, but we always encourage you to embrace the wrinkles. That soft, slightly rumpled look lends delightful texture, dimension, and personality!
Wash your linen in cool or warm water (not hot) and either air-dry or tumble dry on medium to low.
If you want to keep it really crisp, iron while damp for the smoothest finish. Linen can take a lot of heat at the iron, but you may want to use a press cloth to avoid shiny spots on finished projects.
Of course, if you prefer to dry clean, that's always an option, and might be best for tailored jackets that have layers of lining and interfacing.
Okay, truly linen is an all-season fabric, but it really shines in the warm weather. Linen is cool and crisp to wear in the heat and feels great even when you're sweaty.
But how to wash it? Like most things, there's more than one approach.
Linen is famous for wrinkling, but we always encourage you to embrace the wrinkles. That soft, slightly rumpled look lends delightful texture, dimension, and personality!
Wash your linen in cool or warm water (not hot) and either air-dry or tumble dry on medium to low.
If you want to keep it really crisp, iron while damp for the smoothest finish. Linen can take a lot of heat at the iron, but you may want to use a press cloth to avoid shiny spots on finished projects.
Of course, if you prefer to dry clean, that's always an option, and might be best for tailored jackets that have layers of lining and interfacing.
