Piping Cord

A piping cord is a thin rope-like flexible cord used as the inner core for piping. It is wrapped inside a strip of fabric (often cut on bias that is at 45-degree angle for stretchability), and the covered cord is then sewn directly into the seams of garment, upholstery or home decor items like cushions, pillows, slip covers etc. It provides shape, structure, strength, reinforced and decorative edge to the fabrics. The cord is typically made of cotton, polyester or polypropylene and comes in various diameters such as 1/8 inch for delicate fabrics and up to 1/2 inch or more for heavy-duty upholstery. It also adds color pop to garment edges, collars, pockets and waistbands.

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Long Bell Sleeve

Long bell sleeves are garment sleeves which are narrow at the top, set into a normal armhole and flare at the lower edge like a bell. Unlike other sleeves bell sleeves remain open with no cuffs at the hem. Introduced in the second half of 19th centaury they are commonly found in evening gowns, blouses and knitwear tops. Variations include subtle flare or a more dramatic width that creates a retro vibe.

Hook Enclosure Attachment

Thread the needle with four strings of thread and secure with a knot at the end.

Place the hook on the fabric (two layered with inner lining layer). Anchor the thread by piercing the needle adjacently to the loop of the hook and bring it inside the loop and pull the needle over the thread.

Pass the needle through the fabric just adjacent to the bottom ring and pass the needle up through the center of the ring passing the needle over the thread.

Sew three to four similar stitches around each loop until it is covered.

Pass the needle through inner lining layer and pull it near the head of the hook.

Pass the needle through the fabric just above the hook head, wrap the thread over the hook head and pull tight. Repeat the step until the neck of the hook is stable.

Finally lock the thread near the head to secure the hook.

Magnetic Cinch Cuff

 A magnetic cinch cuff is a clothing accessory that uses strong magnets for cinching or securing sleeves, blouses, jackets etc. or to tighten the fit without needing snaps, buttons or tailors. It acts as an instant cuff adjuster when you fold the fabric of your sleeve to desired length and place the magnets on either side to hold the folds in place. They replace safety pins and tailor-cuts which can ruin expensive or delicate fabrics by piercing or leaving holes. These are available in gold, silver and gunmetal to match any outfit or jewelry. They can also be used to adjust fit, hem adjustments and highlight curves.

Flare And Tube Silhouette

A flare silhouette combined with a tube silhouette creates a highly attractive structural contrast known as flare and fit shape. It consists of a wide or spread-out upper part and a straight cut tubular or columnar bottom. 

Dolman Sleeve With Gusset

 A Gusset is a triangular or a diamond piece of fabric often added under the arm to allow freedom of movement, improve the fit or reinforce the structural strength. As a dolman sleeve is a design where sleeve is cut as one continuous piece with the bodice of the garment, a gusset is often added under the arm to prevent the apparel from tearing, bunching or restricting movement when the arms are raised.

Dolman Sleeves

Instead of a traditional sewn-in armhole, a dolman sleeve is cut as a single continuous piece with the bodice. It consists of a deep, wide armhole that tapers towards the wrist, creating a roomy and relaxed fit. It forms elegant wings when the arms are raised and hence also called as 'Batwing Sleeve'. The underarm seam extends much lower sometimes reaching all the way to the wrist. This sleeve was popular during mid 19th century and today commonly used in sweaters, blouses, dresses and light jackets.

Cording Foot

A cording foot is a sewing machine foot designed mainly for the surface embellishment of fabrics, that is to sew thin cords, yarns, threads or elastics on the surface of the fabric. This foot can also be used for gathering. The top of the foot consists of slots which can hold lightweight yarns or cords which simply slip into the guide from the side. One can use one, two or all three slots depending on the necessity of the project. The bottom of the foot has a groove which allows cords and thick threads to pass underneath freely. Common uses of the foot include, surface embellishment, adding 3D patterns, decorative lines, texture, elastic threading, smocking, reinforcing edges and so on.

To Use It: Attach the cording foot to the presser foot holder, place the decorative cord into the grooves of the foot. The cord or yarn should be thin enough to move freely through the grooves. Secure the cords at the back of the foot by tying a knot. Select the desired decorative stitch with a stitch width wide enough to cover the width of the cord. Be sure that the needle swings back and forth over the cord securing it to the fabric without piercing the cord. To create unique combinations, experiment with different types of decorative threads and stitches. For gathering of fabric, finish the stitching and then pull the cord which will draw up and gather fabric. Adjust the fullness and place a knot at the end of the cord to secure. 

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Square Armhole Sleeve

A square armhole sleeve consists of straight and angular armhole opening rather than rounded like a standard set-in-sleeve. The sleeve is attached using straight seams rather than the typical curved armscye (typical opening for a sleeve). The construction requires sewing the sleeve into the angular corner of the armhole which usually involves clipping the corners (a technique used to create clean edges by removing excess fabric from the seam allowance) so that the fabric stays neat and flat. The angular cut offers, looser and broader underarm area emphasizing freedom of movement and comfort.

Bag Sleeves

Bag sleeves are loose fitting sleeves that are purposely designed with extra fabric that drapes around the arm for comfort and ease of movement. They are different from structured form-fitting look allowing air flow and unrestricted mobility. It adds a bold and dramatic effect to an otherwise plain outfit and are widely used in street wear and athleisure.

Braiding Foot

A Braiding foot is a specialized sewing machine presser foot designed to quickly add embellishments such as braids, cords, yarns, ribbons, rick racks etc. to your projects. It is a snap-on foot with a screw on the left-hand side that helps to loosen the guide plate to accommodate different thickness of the trim. The foot features a channel or small hole, usually at the front through which one can thread the ribbon, braid, yarn and so on. The common use of the braiding foot includes attaching trims, applying elastics, couching etc.

To use it: Attach the snap-on foot, insert the trim from the top through the guide hole leaving a small tail behind the foot. Adjust the front plate forward or backward according to the size of the braid so that it fits nice and snug. The main purpose of the foot is to guide the trim into the center of the presser foot automatically resulting in perfectly placed stitch. Next position the fabric under the foot, use a zig-zag or straight stitch to hold the trim down as you sew guiding the trim carefully.

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Tailor's Snipper

Snippers are sharp, portable, one-handed cutting tools used for cutting and trimming threads in sewing, crafting and embroidery. Thso called as yarn scissors or thread snips. They are made up of durable anodized aluminum handle and high-quality stainless-steel blade to ensure accurate and clean cutting of thread without fraying. These are compact, lightweight and the enclosed blade design helps prevent accidental cuts. The small size fits them easily in handbags, sewing kits or tailoring toolboxes.

Flare And Tight Silhouette

The flare and tight silhouettes represent two distinct shapes of garments defined by the outline they cast on the body. The flare component adds movement, romance and dramatic shape and the tight (fit) component of the garment snugs the body to highlight the torso and accentuate curved.

Pagoda Sleeve

Pagoda sleeve is characterized by a fitted upper arm, that flares into a wide, tiered funnel shape at the elbow, often worn with separate, delicate under-sleeve (engageantes) to cover the lower arm. They were common in mid 19th centaury in Victorian-era dresses, gothic, colonial or Renaissance costumes. They are also called as funnel sleeves.

Skater Silhouette

Skater silhouette in fashion refers to a style of dress where the top half hugs the torso that is a fitted bodice, snugs tightly at waist and the skirt flares out creating volume and movement. The design imitates the costumes worn by the figure skaters creating a youthful visual appeal. The length of the skirt usually ends at the mid-thigh or just above the knee. The overall shape resembles the A, but a skater dress has a sharp cinched waist and more voluminous skirt whereas A-line dress has a more gradual slope from the waist or hips.

Short Lantern Sleeve

A short lantern sleeve is characterized by voluminous ballon-like shape which is gathered at both the shoulder and the cuff ending above the elbow. It is more cylindrical and structured than a normal puff sleeve. The sleeve is fabulous for adding volume to upper arms and pair well with fitted outfits to create a dramatic look. These sleeves are generally used in blouses and dresses.

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Draped Sleeves

Drape refers to how the fabric falls on the body, hanging loosely and decoratively. Unlike the tailored sleeves draped sleeves are not fitted to the arm they are designed to hang loosely, freely from the shoulder often creating soft folds, ripples or a cascading effect. It is generally made of light, soft or sheer flowing fabric and is found in dresses and tops.

Lantern Sleeve

A lantern sleeve is plain at top and wrist balloons out halfway between the wrist and the elbow. cut into two pieces with a seam going around the sleeve at the fullest part. This sleeve offers an artistic look and is primarily used in blouses, tops, elegant dresses and occasionally jackets.

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Automatic Braider

The Automatic Braider makes braiding hair easier and simply effortless. The braider is battery operated and the head rotates 360 degrees with two-way rotation clockwise and anticlockwise for convenient braiding. The length of the braider is about 21.5 cm and width is 8 cm and comes with two settings one to first wind the hair up and other to twist the hair together making it great for both professional and personal use. The braid comes with a built-in sensitive detector that prevents the hair from getting struck. With one button automatic rotation the braider saves time and effort while braiding the hair.

Two Piece Tailored Sleeve

The two-piece tailored sleeve consists of an upper piece and under piece following the natural arm's curve for comfort and elegance two-piece design offers better flexibility and shaping reducing pulling and wrinkles compared to one-piece sleeve. It is commonly used in blazers, coats and high-end luxury garments for a sophisticated look.

Barrel Silhouette

The word barrel describes the objects that are cylindrical in shape. Barrel silhouettes are characterized by rounded voluminous lower half that taper inwards at the ankle resembling a barrel adding volume to the thigs while defining the waist. The barrel skirt or egg-shaped skirt redefines the vintage oversized tailoring.

Padded Shoulder Sleeve

In Padded shoulder sleeves, pads are sewn inside garment to male make the shoulder appear broader. The shoulders are stuffed with, reinforced with or lined with soft materials like foam, felt or batting which adds height or width to achieve a more structured silhouette. Introduced for women during the 1930's by Schiaparelli, became popular in mid 1980's and are frequently used in blazers and suits nowadays.

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Bell Sleeve

A bell sleeve is short or long sleeve made narrow at the top, set into the normal armhole and flaring at the lower edge resembling a bell. This style was introduced in the second half of 19th century and often used in dresses (especially Bohemian), blouses, tunics, evening wear, casual tops, knit wear etc.

Edge Joining Foot

The edge joining foot is a popular and widely used specialized presser foot used to sew fabric edges together side by side. This foot is used for stitch in the ditch sewing such as quilts and hence also called "Stitch in the ditch foot". It features a center guide blade that guides fabric edges for precise joining, topstitching and lace application. This versatile foot may be either snap-on, or some may have the presser foot holder attached, in either case the foot functions the same way. It works for most low-shank machines ideal for joining fabric edges, decorative stitches, quilting or attaching lace or edgings.

To carry out a stitch in the ditch sewing, set the needle in the center position aligned with the vertical blade of the foot which act as a guide as you sew placing the stitches perfectly within the seam lines. To join fabric edges first fold under and press the fabric edges making sure they are straight. Place the fabric so that the folded edges are touching the vertical blade positioned between them. Set the machine for a stitch wide enough to catch both the fabrics. Stitches that work best for this are zigzag stitch, multi-stitch zigzag, feather stitch and several other decorative stitches.

For the attachment of lace fold under and press the fabric edge. place the lace and the fabric so that the edges are touching the vertical blade position between them and stitch in similar way of fabric to fabric sewing.

Frill Sleeve

 A frill is a strip of fabric that is pleated or gathered into folds on one edge and attached to the garment. A frill sleeve features pleated, gathered or ruffled fabric added for decoration, volume or dramatic look. They can be attached at the shoulder or along the arm and uses lightweight, drapey fabric to add texture. These are frequently used on tops paired with denims, vacation dresses and so on.

Embroidery Shade Card

The embroidery shade card or color card provides a precise view of thread colors, displaying actual thread samples. It showcases numerous shades organized by color family which helps the embroiders to select and match the colors accurately. The shade card groups the color by shade like light, medium or dark and also indicates the availability in different thread types like cotton, pearl, satin etc. Hence the shade card allows one to visualize combinations before buying and to utilize color choices available for various projects. Popular brands include Maderia, Anchor, Royal. DMC 500 etc.

Peasant Sleeve

Peasant sleeves are loose sleeves gathered at both top (the shoulder) and bottom (the cuff) for a puffed look. This style sometimes also called a puff sleeve is derived from traditional European peasant clothing. It may be either short and puffed or long and full often featuring elastic for a nice, puffed look. This style is frequently seen in tops, blouses, dresses etc.

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Knotted Loop Stitch

Knotted Loop Stitch also known as the caterpillar stitch or centipede stitch is worked with three rows of square grid.

Bring the needle up at 'a' go down at 'b' and come up at 'c'. 

Slide the needle under the stitch a-b and pull through to create a knot. 

Go down at 'd' and come up at 'e', slide the needle under the previous stitch and pull through.

Continue the pattern till the end of the row.

In a variation, one can vary the lengths of every other loop stitch to create long and short loop stitch face.

 

Knotted Loop Stitch Back

Needle Minders

A needle minder is a small magnetic tool that will always help to save your needles. They are the general accessories used by the crafters, embroiders and quilters to securely hold needles when not in use, preventing them from getting lost somewhere. It features a front decorative piece about 2.5 cm diameter which is made up of either metal, wood, resin, or clay with an attached magnet and a second loose magnet. The front piece is placed on the top of the fabric while the second magnet is placed underneath, holding the minder in place. one can also use the minder to hold pattern to the fabric and also to hold scissors.

Cape Sleeve

 A cape sleeve is a short sleeve that drapes loosely over the shoulder, resembling a small cape to give more freedom of movement. They are stylish, flowing attached at the shoulder which offers a cape-like silhouette rather than a traditional closed sleeve. They are mainly popular on tops, blouses, dresses etc. for added flair.

Overcast Foot

An overcast foot is a specialized sewing machine presser foot to create a secure edge finish preventing the fraying of the fabric. This foot has a small bridge or prong within the stitching area of the foot which allows more thread into the stitch that wraps around the edge. There is also an extension at the front for guiding the edge of the fabric for seam or seam finishes. The foot can be used with a zigzag or multi zigzag or overedge stitch carefully placing the needle so that it does not hit the metal bar. This simple snap-on foot can be used for beautiful, finished seam allowances, decorative applications, garment construction, to create lettuce edges with ribbed fabrics, rolled hem, pin tucks, insert fringes etc. The style of the foot may vary depending on the manufacturer, but they all work the same way providing a serger-like finish.

Bracelet Sleeve

Bracelet sleeves are fitted, cuffless sleeve which has a length between the elbow and wrist allowing a bracelet to show hence known as bracelet sleeve.

Elastic Hair Bands

An elastic hair tie or elastic hair band is a stretchable loop used to fasten or secure hair especially for creating ponytails, buns or braids. They are primarily used to hold hair in place for specific hairstyles. They are available in various colors, sizes and materials (rubber or elastic) to hold different styles. Unlike a headband which goes around the head the hair bands are small, circular, elastic loops for securing gathered section of hair.

Plain elastic bands: A simple rubber or elastic band.

Scrunchie: An elastic band is encased in a fabric tube. These are gentle on hair and also acts as a decorative element.

Spiral or Coil ties: Spiral coils are generally used to hold thick hairs to avoid tangles and damage.