The Thrifty Stitcher Blog
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Hello! Learn to sew with me Claire-Louise Hardie, The Sewing Producer and Mastermind for The Great British Sewing Bee! I'm a Professional Stitcher with a passion for teaching beginners to sew!
The Thrifty Stitcher
3w ago
Are you itching to fast track your sewing, or just want to learn on your own with a teacher all to yourself ..read more
The Thrifty Stitcher
3w ago
Are you itching to fast track your sewing, or just want to learn on your own with a teacher all to yourself ..read more
The Thrifty Stitcher
1M ago
Discover everything you need to know about interfacing for sewing. Learn the differences between woven and non-woven interfacing, how to choose the right type, and tips for perfect application in your sewing projects ..read more
The Thrifty Stitcher
7M ago
My exciting news…I’ve written another sewing book
Everyone has their favourite items of clothing that they love because they fit them perfectly and look great.
This practical guide for home dressmakers explains how to remake your wardrobe favourites without having to unpick and ruin the originals.
Discover how to create a wardrobe full of your favourite items that you know will fit perfectly and can be remade again and again in various fabrics simply by using a combination of techniques including tracing and measuring to create your own dressmaking patterns.
To get a truly a ..read more
The Thrifty Stitcher
8M ago
Exciting news coming soon! I’ve been beavering away over the last year on something that’s almost ready to reveal.
I can’t wait to share this project soon, but it’s not quite ready yet….
Stay tuned though, I’ll be revealing all on 19th April at 10 am.
Make sure to sign up to the newsletter below if you’d like to hear my news updates.
Sign up now ..read more
The Thrifty Stitcher
8M ago
Have you ever tried cloning your clothes?
Imagine being able to make multiple versions of your favourite clothes without having to take the original apart….. If this sounds like you, read on for a couple of free video sessions on how to clone your clothes
My favourite dress clone
As a costumer, I’ve had to clone a garment many times when it’s been ripped beyond repair, or melted by an enthusiastic Laundry assistant prepping for that show that night…..
It’s an essential skill for costuming and is my favourite method for creating patterns when I sew for myself. Often when I find a dres ..read more
The Thrifty Stitcher
9M ago
New to sewing and need to change the sewing machine needle? I’ll show you how in this step by step tutorial, and share some top tips about sewing machine needles too…
Sewing machine needles are not a purchase for life! If you’ve still to purchase a machine, head over to this post to help you choose
They should be changed for every 8 hours of continuous sewing, and for each new project or different fabric. EG if sewing denim, and you try and use the same needle for chiffon, you will very likely snag the chiffon.
Most brands of domestic sewing machine needles are generally ..read more
The Thrifty Stitcher
9M ago
Ever wondered how to construct a classic tailored waistband with canvas like they do in traditional menswear?
Join me and my membership club on Tuesday march 5th at 19:30 GMT for a live zoom class with bespoke tailor and part time Lecturer Greg Dunn who will be showing us exactly how to make a traditionally tailored waistband.
Can’t make the live zoom class? No worries, a recording replay will also be sent to those who sign up for the class, so you can watch along at your own pace later on.
It’s just £7.99 to join me, Greg and my elevator club members tomorrow night ( session is inc ..read more
The Thrifty Stitcher
11M ago
For day 11 of my 12 days of sewing series, I wanted to share my top tips and tricks for choosing and getting the most out of an adjustable mannequin.
So you might be thinking that to choose your size you merely get one that matches the biggest part of you right? Well that coulod mean that the mannequin or dress-form will be too big all over for you.
Watch the video to learn more and see my process when working with an adjustable mannequin.
Happy stitching all CL :)
Download my fit buddy measurement form
Download my how to create a fit buddy handout ..read more
The Thrifty Stitcher
11M ago
It’s day 9 of my 12 days of sewing series, and I couldn’t do a sewing series without helping anyone who is an absolute newbie too.
Maybe you’ve just got a sewing machine, or you’re thinking about getting a sewing machine? Or maybe you’re teaching someone to sew? If so then download my free Make friends with your sewing machine beginners handbook.
It’s a 12 page booklet all about getting started on the machine, and includes hyperlinks to some of my beginner sewing videos too.
Keep it somewhere safe on your computer to refer back to, or even print off a copy. And do feel fr ..read more