by GillyMac | Jan 13, 2021 | Beginners, blog, Dressmaking, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple
How often you should change your needle is a topic that everybody has an opinion on, and most of them are different. This is not very helpful when you want a simple answer. Let me tell you when I change my needle. I think about my needles like pencils. I...
by GillyMac | Jan 6, 2021 | Beginners, blog, Dressmaking, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple, Teens
If you are new to sewing machine purchasing or upgrading, it is often hard to know which sewing machine you should buy. Because of this, it can be easier to narrow down the options by price. This is a fine way to start, but really only removes some of the alternatives...
by GillyMac | Sep 14, 2020 | Beginners, GillyMac Community, Tutorial
Did you know that September is Sewing Month in the USA, a tradition started by Ronald Reagan in 1982? Thinking it was a shame in the UK there was nothing like this, I decided to create my own annual Sewing Machine Discovery Week which this year will from 21st-25th...
by GillyMac | Jun 22, 2020 | Beginners, blog, GillyMac Community, Patchwork, Quilting
Whilst searching through my stash of fabrics looking for something for a children class I found a number of drab and unappealing fabrics that I knew I would never use. For me, fabric can be like clothes, sometimes you fall out of love with them, wonder why you ever...
by GillyMac | Feb 13, 2019 | Beginners, GillyMac Community, Patchwork, Quilting, Teens
It is always useful to have some creative projects ready to go at any time of the year and this post is JAM-PACKED with ideas. These are my top 5 go-to projects for children aged 12-16 years of age. They take a morning or an afternoon to complete and will keep the...
by GillyMac | Dec 27, 2018 | Beginners, GillyMac Community, Patchwork, Teens
This is a simple way to package any note or card which is quick to make and looks fabulous. In my teen Christmas classes last week we were making a version of these envelopes and filling them with chocolate coins as extra family gifts, however at this time of year,...
by GillyMac | Feb 1, 2018 | Beginners, Classes, Designing, Dressmaking
With so much dressmaking in full flow at GillyMac Designs, I thought it would be an ideal time to share with you some tips on how to work your way around a dressmaking pattern. UNDERSTANDING THE PATTERN: Unless you are using a modern pattern, you will find that...
