Basic Supplies
Sewing Needles - various sizes with sharp for stitching and rounded for knit wear.
Thread - various colours and thicknesses to suit different
clothing.
Buttons - various colours and sizes to suit different
types of clothing.
Fasteners - hooks and snaps.
Chalk - to mark out fabric before cutting it.
Thimble - wear it on the middle finger so that you can
push a needle through fabric.
Pin Cushion - stick pins into it to avoid losing them.
Scissors - a strong pair such as dressmakers shears to
cut fabric of various thickness and and to prevent fabric
fraying some pinking shears.
Tape measure - to measure out fabric.
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Hand Stitches
The three basic hand stitches are the backstitch, the
slip stitch and the running stitch. First thread a needle
with a 60cm length of thread and put a knot at one end.
Backstitch
This is a strong stitch and is suitable for sewing seams.
Place the front sides of the fabric together and push
the needle through both layers. Push the needle back though
the fabric approximately 1/4 of a centimeter to the right
and up approximately 1/4 of a centimeter to the left of
where you began. Repeat this process, ensuring that each
stitch overlaps the previous one by 1/4 of a centimeter.
Slip stitch
This stitch is suitable for sewing hems. The thread is hidden
from view in the fold of fabric where it experiences little
wear and tear and should therefore last a long time. Make
a fold in the fabric small enough to just encase the edges
of the fabric. Make another fold of the width you want for
the hem. Place the needle within the fold and then push it
through the fabric to the front layer. Push the needle back
into the fold and repeat the process.
Running stitch
This is a temporary stitch which can be used to hold fabric
together before sewing. Push the needle through at even
spacings apart a few times and repeat the process as required.
Finishing off
When you have completed your hand stitching it is necessary
to tie of the thread. Take a small stitch on the reverse
side of the fabric and pull the thread through, pushing
the needle through the loop of the thread. Pull the thread
to form a second loop, pushing the needle through that
loop and then pull it tight.
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