Updated May 2023
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Sewer Works Fabric Stores by Thread DenSewing Journal
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.
We use it to find new projects (a fav’ is searching by yarn weight for patterns to use up the stash) and check reviews of patterns for potential new projects. But, you can use it for so much more. You can favourite patterns, queue up your dream projects (hello, 2027 sweater goals), and even organise your yarn stash online! Perfect for those moments when you’re this close to buying the same skein for the third time!
Have fun… and don’t lose too many hours on there.
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.
Melbourne Trench Coat by Tessuti
We can’t go past a coat named after our hometown. Designed by Australian brand Tessuti, this single-breasted trench coat is unlined and features a button-through opening with a hood. It’s perfect for layering in Melbourne’s unpredictable weather.
Stella Coat by Style Arc
Another home-grown brand brings us the Stella – a fully lined below knee length wrap style coat, panelled back with yoke, tie belt with belt loops, back vent and inseam pockets. Style Arc instructions known for being concise, but they have created a tutorial for this pattern.
Straight Cut Coat by Waffle Patterns
This is a minimal and chic style coat with various design options. The biggest feature is the collar variations, you can choose from the classic tailored or basic round neck. There are several tutorials to support you through various steps making the coat.
Named Clothing – Isla Trench Coat
This timeless, straight-cut and lined trench coat sewing pattern features plenty of details, such as a belted collar with large lapels, a cape, welt pockets, sleeve opening tabs, and a belt.
If you are looking for support making a coat, whether it is your first or something trickier than you have tackled before, take a look at our Coat Club – click here, to make it.
What 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.
Papercut Patterns Courses
These courses feature sewing patterns by Papercut, based in Nelson, New Zealand.
With a focus on freedom of expression and positive body image, Papercut Patterns are dedicated to creating fashion with a consistent premium quality and a unique signature style.
We believe in eco-friendly fashion revolution and the sustainability of sewing your own wardrobe without compromising on style.
papercutpatterns.com
Elbe Textiles Patterns Courses
These courses feature sewing patterns by Elbe Textiles, based in Perth, Australia.
By encouraging more people to make their own clothing, I am hoping this can help shift the focus of an industry dominated by fast fashion, and lead consumers to a more thoughtful, curated and ethical wardrobe. After experiencing the time, effort and reward that goes into the creation of a garment, it’s hard to go back to a mass produced, chain store item.
Lauren
elbetextiles.com.au
Filming with Retro TV
Retro TV dropped in to film a segment at Thread Den. Miss Lee gave Courtenay the fabulous fifties hair she had always dreamed of. Subscribe to the Retro TV YouTube channel to watch the episode the moment it drops and learn how to do a brick set and create stunning 1950s hair waves.
If you ever want your own hair lesson with Miss Lee contact us! We can even organise a fab’ party with all your friends. It will be just like the sleep-over scene in Grease. “Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee…”
The Ulysses Trench Coat
Elevate your dressmaking skills!
Our newest course is the Ulysses Trench Coat by Victory Patterns.
This pattern from Victory Patterns goes up to a 113cm bust, therefore we are going to be grading custom patterns for participants needing more inclusive sizing. Bookings for a bust over 115cm will close two weeks prior to the start to allow grading patterns.
The list of dressmaking skills covered in this course is extensive: Taking measurements, choosing the right size and shortening or lengthening if needed, pattern placement and transferring markings, and cutting technique. Applying bias binding on unlined seams, some French seams, stitching a lining to the rain guard overlay, notched out holes for the belt and patch pockets with flaps. How to handle some pattern pieces that have been cut on the bias. Creating a professional centre back vent, using a buckle or creating a buckle with D-rings, optional – making self-bias binding. Phew! What a list!
In this comprehensive new course, we are going to take you through the whole process from beginning-to-end of using a tissue paper pattern. The course cost includes a pattern and instruction booklet. Participants should expect to do some homework during the course to ensure you stay on track and finish the trench coat during the course time frame.
See the course description and view more photos – click here.
Road Trip Idea – Visit Ararat’s Textile Art Museum
A 2 hour & 45 minute drive from Melbourne (or catch the train out via Ballarat!) you’ll find Ararat, a town that is part of Victoria’s Central Highlands. The Ararat TAMA (Textile Art Museum Australia) has been operating since 1968.
The dynamic growth in textile practice from the 1970s into the 1990s is reflected in a wide range of acquisitions including quilts, tapestries, baskets and embroideries, as well as experimental mixed media works that reflect the enthusiasm and optimism amongst textile artists during this period.
Ararat TAMA – araratgallerytama.com.au
Current exhibitions include;
The Lady Barbara Grimwade Collection
Barbara’s interest and appreciation for well-tailored clothing and fashion began during her school days and her early adulthood. As a young woman Barbara favoured Marlowe of Sydney, a designer who had studied in France and was highly proficient in haute couture. Following a move to Melbourne, Barbara was a dedicated patron of Arija Austin, the owner and designer of Tu in South Yarra. Following her death in March 1990, Barbara’s son Mr Angus K Grimwade generously donated over 400 items from her wardrobe to Ararat Gallery, including clothing, hats, handbags, shoes and assorted accessories of gloves, belts and scarves.
Runs Until Sunday 19th March 2023
FREE
A tribute exhibition to local artist Carole Mules
Carole Mules (nee Anderson) was born in 1946, after studying art and teaching at the School of Mines in Ballarat, Carole moved to Melbourne to raise a family where she developed her interest in photography, textiles and ceramics. Carole created a rich pallet of textures and colours using combinations of contact printing with native plants and found objects, freehand machine stitching, hand stitching, cut and collage, floral resist, and tying and folding fabric. Carole passed away in September 2021.
Runs until Sunday 19th March 2023
FREE
Notions of Care
Notions of Care explores the ways in which art and nurture are interlinked. Through the works of Arini Byng, Snapcat, Polly Stanton, Kate Tucker and Katie West, ways of caring are unfolded, cultivated, and enforced. The exhibition asks questions about the ways that art can care for both viewers and artists. Throughout the exhibition, care is explored through a variety of means. From soft sculptural forms, bodily interrelations, field recordings and the scent of local flora, the exhibition welcomes a personal and intimate reverence of calm.
Runs until Sunday 26th February 2023
FREE
