Updated January 2026
Sewer Works Fabric Stores by Thread DenSewing Journal
With or without nap?
Have you seen the note on the fabric requirements: *with nap or *without nap?
“Nap” means that the tiny fibres lie in one direction on the surface of a fabric.
[Read more…] about With or without nap?What is stay-stitching?
When you are following sewing patterns, you may come across the instruction to stay-stitch an edge (often a curved neckline is stay-stitched), but what on earth does that mean? We are here to help!
[Read more…] about What is stay-stitching?School holidays and after school sewing
Not sure where your sewing enthusiast should start?
We’ve broken it all down for you:
Summer dreams ripped at the seams… But, oh! Those summer Nights!
We’re vibing Danny and Sandy as we plan Summer nights sewing up stylish fits!
Warm nights, creative vibes and the hum of sewing machines, Summer Saturday Nights at Thread Den are launching in 2026. We’re turning your summer Saturday evenings into stylish, skill-building adventures with two of our most popular garment workshops.
Across January, February and March, join us in Fitzroy for our Unisex Bomber Jacket Sewing Course, the incredibly flattering Zadie Jumpsuit by Paper Theory Sewing Course and the popular but challenging Fortnightly Coat Club. Whether you want to master structured outerwear or sew a modern, relaxed-fit jumpsuit, these evening sessions are the perfect way to unwind, create, and head home with a garment you’ll be proud to wear.
[Read more…] about Summer dreams ripped at the seams… But, oh! Those summer Nights!An op shop for fabrics!
Swim Style Patterns Courses
These courses feature sewing patterns by Swim Style Patterns based in New South Wales, Australia.
Sharon, owner and creator of Swim Style has been pattern making for 40 years. She has always shared the joys of sewing with her daughter, Justine. Now Swim Style is run by both Sharon and Justine, doing what the love the best – sewing!
Hooked on Yarn? Your New Favourite Corner of the Internet: Ravelry.com!
Many knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, and general yarn whisperers will have already discovered Ravelry.com, if not, you’re in for a treat! Ravelry is a free online community made just for people who love working with yarn. Whether you’re a seasoned shawl-maker or just learned how to chain stitch, there’s something here for you. It’s part inspiration board, part digital project tracker, and part bustling social club.
[Read more…] about Hooked on Yarn? Your New Favourite Corner of the Internet: Ravelry.com!Making a Winter Coat
Does the cold weather have you thinking about making a coat? We’ve had a look at popular coat patterns the sewing community loves to make.
[Read more…] about Making a Winter CoatDoes the cold weather have you thinking about making a coat? We’ve had a look at popular coat patterns the sewing community loves to make.
[Read more…] about Making a Winter CoatWhat does fat quarter mean?
Thread Den suggests a fat quarter as the fabric requirement for the week 1 workshop in our Sewing Basics for Beginners Course. So, what is that and what does that mean?
A fat quarter is a pre-cut piece of fabric especially popular with quilters. It is an economical way to purchase small fabric requirements that have become standardised. Most fabric stores that cater to quilters will have a wide range of fat quarters available either in bundles of complementary colours and designs or sold individually.
A fat quarter is usually:
- 50cm x 50cm square (approximately)
- 100% cotton plain weave fabric
- Cut on the straight grain and including the selvedge on one side of the square
A fat quarter is cut by; first cutting half a metre of quilting fabric off the bolt (producing a rectangle), then cutting that directly in half (achieving a square).
The size of the square produced is not exact because:
- In the USA the first cut is half a yard (45cm) not half a metre (50cm)
- The width of a bolt of fabric varies
Image from The Fabric Fox UK.
Why pre-wash your fabric?
For best results, wash and press your fabric before class. You should launder your fabric exactly how you plan to wash and care for your finished garment.
Fabric should be pre-washed to pre-shrink, to remove the chemicals from the manufacturing process and wash out any dirt. Have you noticed how much softer your fabrics can feel after washing? That is due to sizing. Applying a sizing agent (a bit like starch) improves the strength and helps the fabric resist the mechanical stress applied through the manufacturing process.
Most fabrics from natural fibres shrink when you wash them. Cotton fabrics often shrink around 5%, however, shrinkage up to 10% is not uncommon.