Do you find troubles finding patterns that fit your measurements? Sometimes I find clothing patterns will fit well in one area of my body (say the chest) but then they are ill-fitting in others, such as across the shoulders. It can be frustrating to try and alter commercial patterns so that you can get a good fit.

I stumbled across some great software and I just had to share! Wild Ginger Software is custom apparel pattern drafting software that allows you to enter the measurements that you desire, and then adjusts the pattern to fit your measurements. You can then print it off, along with instructions, and sew away! The Wild Ginger PatternMaster consists of six programs that allow you to design and print patterns for your entire family, while Click&Sew patterns are digital patterns that offer limited designs, just like a commercial pattern but you can customize to your size and measurements.

I was happy to see a free program on their site, WildThings! Accessories. It was a super fast download, and there are a variety of different patterns included, from wraps and aprons to slippers and sandals The program is really easy to use, and I was able to print off a pattern for an apron adjusted to what I wanted in under 5 minutes.

I would definitely recommend trying the WildThings Accessories if you are interested in sewing different bags and items, and it also gives you a feel at customizing patterns

I found this amazing little illustration over on Meg’s site and it’s a great way to explain how a bobbin works on a sewing machine. Actually, it’s pretty relaxing to just watch it over and over. Okay, maybe that’s just me.

I’m a thrifty shopper and crafter, so I’m always looking for a good bargain. This always leads me to the remnant / discount section of my local fabric store. Unfortunately, they are all labeled as remnants, with no indication of the fabric content listed on them anymore.

I had bought a few really cute prints that I wanted to use as outers on fitted diapers, but I had no idea if they were cotton or polyester or a mixture of the two. A quick internet search led me to this great page, and I was able to identify my fabric contents in no time at all!

How to determine fabric content by using the burn test.

Snip a piece of fabric equivalent to 1″ square. Using a butane lighter and holding the fabric with a pair of tweezers ignite the fabric over a non-flammable surface in a well ventilated area.Examine the quality and color of the flame, the odor produced, and the quality of the resulting ash or cinder. Use this table to help determine your fabric’s content.

FABRIC	FLAME QUALITY	ODOR	ASH QUALITY	COMMENTS
WOOL	orange color sputtery	burning hair or feathers	blackish turns to powder when crushed	flame will self extinguish if flame source is removed no smoke
SILK	burns slowly	burning hair or feathers	grayish turns to powder when crushed	burns more easily than wool but will self extinguish is flame source removed
COTTON	yellow to orange color steady flame	burning paper or leaves	grayish, fluffy	slow burning ember
LINEN	yellow to orange color steady flame	burning paper or leaves	similar to cotton	takes longer to ignite than cotton but otherwise very similar
RAYON	fast orange flame	burning paper or leaves	almost no ash	ember will continue to glow after flame source removed
POLYESTER	orange flame, sputtery	sweet or fruity smell	hard shiny black bead	black smoke
ACETATE	burns and melts,sizzly	acidic or vinegary	hard black bead	will continue to burn after flame source removed
NYLON	burns slowly and melts, bluse base and orange tip, no smoke	burning celery	hard grayish or brownish bead	self extinguish if flame source removed
ACRYLIC	burns and melts, white-orange tip, no smoke	acrid	black hard crust	will continue to burn after flame source removed

A couple other sites I read noted that if you have a blend of fabrics (ie 50/50 cotton polyester) then you will see a combination of both types of flames / burning properties. While this wont tell you the exact percentage, at least then you know that it is a blend.

I thought this was a great resource, and I hope it can help someone else identify their unknown fabrics!

Have you ever wanted to make a needlepoint project with a particular picture on it, or perhaps incorporate some words into your knitting or crochet?
Check out this great free resource, knitPro 2.0. This is a great site that allows you to upload a picture into the program, and it generates a chart for your use as a pdf file, allowing you to follow it and make any personalized project you desire.

This program will generate charts for needlepoint, cross stitch, crochet and knitting. A great way to make a special personalized gift and expand your techniques!