by GillyMac | Mar 3, 2021 | Beginners, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple
Years ago I was once in a class with a teacher who pointed at my thread and said ‘throw it in the bin’. It seemed pretty extreme when looking back, it was insulting, but did the teacher have a point? I think not. Where possible, I will always try and use up old...
by GillyMac | Feb 24, 2021 | Classes, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple, Virtual Retreat, Zoom
I’ve now been running online sewing classes for three years and pre-recorded, video-on-demand courses, for 15 months. As well as this, I have attended classes as a participant. I’ve drawn up this short list of question you should expect from an online sewing teaching...
by GillyMac | Feb 17, 2021 | Beginners, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple
The best way to cut fabric is the way you find easiest to achieve accurate results. Cutting fabric can seem simple, but can be the first problem that many of us encounter with any project. For all projects, other than dressmaking, I cut fabric in strips using a rotary...
by GillyMac | Feb 10, 2021 | Beginners, blog, Dressmaking, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple
What To Buy for Learning to Sew Be prepared for this to be a journey. Moreover, learning to sew is like any skill, it improves with practice, and there aren’t any shortcuts. Equip yourself correctly. A good machine does not need to be an expensive machine....
by GillyMac | Feb 3, 2021 | Beginners, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple
How Long Will It Take Me to Make My First Patchwork Quilt? Beginners ask this question frequently. The answer is ‘not long’ provided you choose a pattern that will help you learn and achieve results without too much fiddly stuff. Furthermore, simple...
by GillyMac | Jan 27, 2021 | Beginners, blog, GillyMac Community, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple
“Which sewing machine needle should I use?” There are two factors to consider when choosing a needle. What type of fabric you are sewing and the thickness of the thread to be sewn with. Type of Sewing Machine Needle You should match the ideal type of sewing machine...
by GillyMac | Jan 20, 2021 | Beginners, blog, Classes, Patchwork, Quilting, Sewing Made Simple
I believe that sewing is a great investment in you and will improve your wellbeing. It is a way to relax and enjoy life today and cope with pressure in the future. Those of you who come to my classes know that sewing is terrific and is like Pilates for the brain. It...
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...
