Hints and Tips

Hi guys thought it would be kool to start a wee chat about what little tips we do when crafting.

Here's a couple to get us started....

- Use a chopstick to get the stuffing into small parts of your plushie.

- Use straightners to take creases in small bits of paper and fabric.

- Use baking paper if you don't have tracing paper.

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6 replies since 3rd March 2012 • Last reply 3rd March 2012

Reply #1:

oo I do the straightners thing for small bits of fabric! I like the chopstick idea though! I like drawing round your clothes if you don't have patterns Happy xx

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Reply #2:

yeah hairdryer quite handy too. Thats kool about the clothes thing I'm not brave enough to do clothes yet.

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Reply #3:

Oh, I never thought to use a hair straightener.

hmmm...
- I use a crochet hook and a safety pin because I don't have a turning hook, when sewing narrow straps or stringing through elastic
- Needle nose pliers are your best friend no matter what craft you're doing

And Miss Tea Pot: Don't be nervous about clothes! The most difficult thing is that it can get expensive but other then that, start simple, follow directions, read your sewing machine manual and you should be fine! If you still want a confidence boost check out this amazing book called The Sewing Bible. It's an awesome reference book and will show you all the basics.

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Reply #4:

Hi thanks Emmyann07,
I will try and do clothes at some point but not very confident with my sewing machine yet.
I would like to alter clothes tho, you know stuff you get from a charity shop and its to big or not quite what you wanted. Do you do that?

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Reply #5:

I've done a few simple alterations. If things are two big by an inch or so it's easy to follow the seams to take it in... if it's larger then that the proportions change, so be sure to take your body measurements (you can go to Simplicity's website and see where to take them) so you can know exactly how much to take in and where. A fun way to practice is by using old t-shirts. Everyone always has a million of them and if you mess up or make something you don't like just toss it and start another Happy

Oh and a good way to work with excess fabric is by adding tucks, darts, and pleats

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Reply #6:

Wash all your fabric before you sew with it.
Keep beads on a surface where they won't roll when you try to sort them or pick them up.
When making clothes for yourself, take a lot of measurements to get the absolute best fit from your pattern.
Most importantly: keep everything organized!

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