by GillyMac | Jan 6, 2025 | Beginners, blog, general, GillyMac Community, Sewing Made Simple
Have you ever felt frustrated by your sewing tools or bought gadgets that gather dust? Trust me, you’re not alone. Choosing the right equipment can make all the difference when you’re starting out or even after years of sewing. Over the years, I’ve pared down my...
by GillyMac | Jan 2, 2025 | blog, Classes, Dressmaking, general, GillyMac Community, Improv Sewing, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple, Teens
2024 was a busy and exciting year at GillyMac. Working with Janome, the WI Learning Hub, and being involved in filming later in the year stretched the business in different directions. The core of GillyMac remains the weekly classes and sewists who transit through...
by GillyMac | Apr 20, 2022 | Beginners, blog, free, general, GillyMac Community, Sewing Made Simple, Tutorial
Last month the gorgeous participants in the GillyMac Junior Sewing Bee made bunny cushions. The pattern was such a success, I created instructions for the GillyMac Club and thought I would share it here. The pattern covers the cushion top. If you need help making a...
by GillyMac | Mar 2, 2022 | blog, general, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple, Tutorial
I rarely create facings for my work, but I resolve to do it more frequently because it looks great every time I do. Quilt facings are a different way to finish an edge. Typically for quilts, we add a binding to cover raw edges, and for garments, we have hems. It is...
by GillyMac | Feb 2, 2022 | blog, general, GillyMac Community, Sewing Made Simple
I have run several weekly adult and teen sewing groups for some years. Fortunately, the groups switched seamlessly to online during 2020 and the first part of 2021. Over time, each group has taken on its vibe. So much so that I can tell what a group will enjoy working...
by GillyMac | Jan 26, 2022 | Beginners, blog, general, Sewing Made Simple, Tutorial
Like many of us, when we start to sew, we are often too excited or impatient to properly investigate our machines. A great product is dependent on more than just sewing accuracy. We must also trace out any paper pattern precisely and cut it out perfectly before we...
by GillyMac | Jan 12, 2022 | blog, general, Sewing Made Simple
Over the past couple of months, I have enjoyed experimenting with a Wing Needle. Let me share with you what I have learnt. What is A Wing Needle? At a 100/16, a Wing needle is a larger needle that we typically use for everyday sewing. Its shape is similar to a...
by GillyMac | Jul 27, 2021 | blog, Classes, Dressmaking, free, general, GillyMac Community, Sewing Made Simple, Tutorial
This week we are starting the first week of our online beginner’s garment making course. The course outline is as follows Week 1 – (28th July) Understanding the pattern sleeve, measuring yourself and selecting the correct size. Week 2 – (4th August) Choosing the...
by GillyMac | Jul 21, 2021 | Beginners, blog, Dressmaking, free, general, Sewing Made Simple, Tutorial
Whilst the majority of the sewing I do is patchwork and quilting, I love to make clothes. The skills are very broadly the same, but the sewing terms used are very different. I find that sewing garments are often simpler than patchwork and quilting. However, getting to...
