Encyclopedia

  Nap refers to the direction the fabric fibers are brushed in textured fabrics such as velvet and corduroys.

A needle book is a small case for storing needles.  Years ago you were given a small piece of fabric to hold a few pins and a needle when you first learned to sew.   A more elaborate needle book often became a beginner’s first project.  In the 60’s and 70’s home economic students made… Continue reading Needle Book

    There are many styles of needle threaders to make the task of threading the needle easier for you.  In the above photo, I’ve gathered some different threaders rather than the thin wire ones found in most sewing kits.  The red needle threader includes a stand for thread and a holder for the needle. … Continue reading Needle Threaders

Needle turn applique refers to a hand sewing technique. Your pattern is first drawn on top of a piece of fabric. The appliqué pattern is placed on the background fabric. As you sew around the design, the seam allowance is cut and turned under using your needle. Needle turn applique is a type of hand… Continue reading Needle Turn Applique

“Needle up, needle down” (or sometimes just “needle up”) is a handy feature found on some sewing machines.  It gives the sewer the ability to program the machine’s needle position after sewing.  When the needle up function is in use, the needle ends in the up position – out of the fabric.  If you press… Continue reading Needle Up, Needle Down

There are many different sizes and shapes of sewing needles available. Each type of sewing needle is best suited for a certain sewing job. Always try to use the proper needle for your sewing project. For example, you wouldn’t use a thick needle with a large eye when working with delicate fabric.  You would want… Continue reading Needles

Nine patch quilt squares are popular blocks. Each block has nine sections placed in three rows of three squares.  There are many techniques for making nine patch blocks.  Check out  the video below for more info about nine patch blocks and how they are constructed. The quilt top in the photo below features pink and… Continue reading Nine Patch

The term novelty fabric describes material with silly and fun images.  The photo shows the range of themes that can appear on novelty fabrics; from eggs and bacon to elephants in skirts.  There are so many different and unusual novelty prints available in the market place today.  Collecting novelty prints can become an addictive hobby!… Continue reading Novelty Fabric