From winter walks to evenings out, take your seasonal stitching to the next level with our expert advice
Q I want to make a loungewear outfit for a lazy Christmas morning. What threads are the best options for soft jersey knit picks?
Ashley Rinton Duncan says: Lounge and leisurewear is growing in popularity with every passing year, with so many stitchers wanting to introduce comfortable clothing into their wardrobes. This is especially true during the long winter months when we are all having to contend with the cold. If you are planning a loungewear look for this upcoming season, it is very sensible of you to spend some time thinking about the type of thread you will be using. When making this decision, the first step is to consider your fabric. Loungewear is usually made from materials with plenty of stretch, mainly cotton jerseys that offer a soft feel and handle. This kind of material works particularly well alongside texturized polyester threads that have been designed with stretch fabrics in mind. Texturized polyester threads boast an extremely soft handle, but also have the key ability to provide elongation through the length of the thread. This means that the fabric of your loungewear, along with the thread, can move and stretch in unison, ensuring your garments have the perfect fit and feel in all conditions. A truly professional asset when sewing with jerseys, Aeroflock from Madeira is a texturised polyester that will give you all of the elements listed above. Available in store, you can visit madeira.co.uk to find out more.
Q I’d love to sew a party outfit, but I am new to working with materials like velvet, sequins, and lace. Do you have any advice you can share with me?
Antonia Reece Holly says: The materials you have mentioned are all brilliant options for sewing items of evening wear, as they have all the necessary properties to create beautiful and interesting garments. If it is your first time working with these types of fabric, my recommendation would be to choose a non-stretch version. Controlling the stretch element could potentially add another challenge to an already complicated choice. However, without the stretch to contend with, you can focus on the other aspects of working with these more unusual fabrics. In terms of lace, I would recommend working with a thicker, cotton-based, nonstretch option when you are starting out. It will have more structure to it, making it much easier to sew and press.
When cutting out velvet and lace, you will need to make sure that you are using
