About me
My name is Olga Balasa.
I started this site because I am obsessed with sewing (as other people tell me) and would like to teach others how to sew and make easy sewing projects. I only wish all this marvelous Internet was available when I started sewing!
When you read my articles you may notice that English is not my primary language though I try very hard to hide it. Really, I check every word with online tools, I give some of my articles to editors, etc.
Still, I am sure everybody can understand I am not an English speaking native because sometimes my sentences might not exactly be the ones a native English speaking person would use.
But I am not producing literature or impressing you with my writing skills. I want to teach you to sew and I believe my 30 years of experience in sewing matters. I believe I can make great content and keep it helpful, fresh, engaging, fun and simple.
And if your English readership will stumble upon some obvious mistakes please don’t hold it against me and send me a note to this email [email protected] or leave a comment on one of my pages.
What will make my site different from many other sewing blogs and how will I catch your attention?
1. First of all, I want to convince you that sewing is a kind of art not just a useful hobby ( even if it is very useful ). You will learn together with me techniques that will achieve professional results yet can be done quickly and efficiently. I plan to make many pages with easy sewing projects on my blog and I want you to learn sewing by doing.
2. Second, let’s use natural and organic fabrics as much as possible. As I advance in age I notice more and more how well my body reacts to natural fibers and the adverse effects of artificial fibers especially if in direct contact with the skin and in a warm climate where the skin perspires more. No, I am not a purist, just a realist. I am not against using artificial fibers where appropriate. But really, why make a pure silk skirt and line it with polyester?
3. Third, I want to show you that even if sewing as an occupation is thousands years old, in the modern world it is so much different than it was even 30 years ago. Modern sewing machines are real computers. Do you know that your sewing machine can have WiFi and be connected to your phone? And what about all these modern sewing tools that help you to sew? Markers with disappearing inks, water soluble threads, self-threading needles and other wonders of modern technology will make your sewing effortless and enjoyable.
4. And forth – sewing is closely connected to style and fashion, so I will try to give you some recommendations going beyond sewing so you will never run out of design ideas.
And one last thought that bothers me all the time now.
Yes, I sew but I am not a sewer. English is a little strange for me sometimes. It is like calling a person who draws – a drawer. I positively refuse to be named a sewer. What pops up first when you put the word sewer in Google – “an underground conduit for carrying off drainage water and waste matter”. Yes, their pronunciation is a little different, but nevertheless, I will never accept that I am a sewer.
As a funny note, I read somewhere that American English is the only language in the world where you can say that we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway.
I wonder what word should I use for people who sew. When I write my articles, I need to use the word pretty often although I try to avoid it as much as possible. What word to use?
So, I tried to come up with some ideas, but they all failed.
How about fabricologist?
Or materialist?
I hope I made you laugh.
But seriously, what word should I use instead of a SEWER?
I saw some people use the word SEWIST. And I used it a few times but my spell checker doesn’t agree with this word and underlines it with a red line, it seems to be a newer addition to the English language that did not yet reach notoriety. Maybe SEAMSTRESS? The definition is “a woman who sews, especially one who earns her living by sewing”. It is not really my case, I am mostly spending money when I sew. And in the modern world this is no longer politically correct, what about the men that sew?
What about Tailoress? – a woman “whose occupation is making fitted clothes such as suits, pants, and jackets to fit individual customers.” It doesn’t sound very promising either because we sew many things for the home also. Modern society created so many amazing things in the world of sewing. Can we create some really nice word for people who sew and use it?
So, I need to know your opinion. Here is a poll where you can vote.
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Below you can see a list of my popular tutorials.
36+ simple and effective ways to sew faster
Over the years I discovered many ways to sew faster and to get professional results. I am going to share them with you in this list.
Sewing is often a slow process. It is so easy to let your imagination wander when you are choosing a design for your new dress, or fabric and a pattern to use in your next project. It takes a lot of time also to prepare the pattern, cut the fabric, sew all seams and press them. And usually we can’t sew all day long.
So I am always looking for ways to be more efficient and sew faster. I don’t want to stay with one project for a few weeks, I noticed actually that the less time it takes from an idea to the result the more I am enjoying the process and I am also more satisfied with my garment.
Most common types of silk fabric
There are many different types of silk fabric and it is very easy to get confused with all of them. It depends on the type of weaving, quality of silk threads, the country where silk was manufactured, and many other factors. You can’t easily find many kinds of pure silk in fabric stores ( like Joann fabrics in USA and Fabricland in Canada for example) to compare them, touch them and feel the difference.
To me, the most distinguished types of silk are Charmeuse, Dupioni, Chiffon, Organza, Velvet, Raw Silk, Jersey Silk, Silk Mesh. I have all of them and can see the dissimilarity.
But I am really puzzled about other types of natural silk fabric like Shantung, Georgette, Crepe, Satin, Habotai, Crepe de China, China Silk, Noil, Taffeta, Brocade, Broadcloth, Faille, Duchess Satin, etc. So let’s try to research more and define them.
How to make a leather purse
Did you ever want to make a leather purse yourself? I always wanted but I thought it will be too complicated. But it turned out nothing could be further from the truth.
I made this lovely little leather purse and got lots of compliments. One of my friends even said that it’s absolutely the most beautiful purse she has ever seen. Well, it’s unique and I have never come across anything like it in stores. So I am excited to show it off!
I decided to publish this tutorial how you can make the purse too because many of my friends showed interest.
How to sew a dress
In this article, I want to take you into my workshop and describe in detail how I made this blue dress. I will discuss how to get inspired, how to choose a fabric and a pattern for sewing projects, how to cut and sew the dress. I can’t bring it down to “5 simple steps” or “a 3-hour sewing project”; there are plenty of such posts out there, but this is not one of them. I didn’t strive for simplicity with this project.
Thank you very much for all your instructions, suggestions, and common sense you share. I’ve been sewing since I was eleven years old (several decades ago!) and I’m learning even more by reading your blog.
Thank you. We all learn, and I have fun discovering new things. Some of them I share on the site right here!
Dear Olga, I really appreciate all information you put out. I am a sewist with 50+ years. I still need to do much. You have showed me how to things easier. I enjoy your writing and will continue to follow you. My sincere thank you.
Thank you. I have fun sewing, and it probably shows. Nothing is difficult if it’s fun!
sewing is my passion. i love your tips and many ideas you share! they make sense!
Thank you!
Great info on safety pins! One omission – coiless safety pins I use them all the time to make jewelry!
Your English is excellent.
@Beth, Wow, thanks! Never heard about these.
Hi Olga, could you possibly make a video on how to use the dual feed on the Janome 6600P? I can’t figure out how to engage the A D foot much less sew with it! I am so happy I found your site! Thank you,
Cindy S
I will and I will contact you by email soon.
Thank you Olga!
I so appreciate how you make sewing understandable with all your explanations and pictures!
You are much appreciated!
GOD bless you for the work you do!
Nancy 🙂
Dear Olga,
I have no experience sewing except for sewing back buttons that have fallen off my garments or making my bra shorter in band length. Nevertheless, I feel such a passion for beginning to learn how to sew and express creativity this way.
Right now I am feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information to learn, and the fact that I do not have much time to dedicate to this passion at the moment. But slow and steady wins the race, as they say. I will continue to explore your site to see if I can find the beginners/basics practice tutorials and/or articles and take it from there.
Thank you for creating this website! I feel like I landed on an unexpected treasure!
Thank you!
Hi Olga,
I do a lot of hand sewing, I repair and restore Vintage Clothing. Most of my repairs are small, and hand sewn. I want to improve my machining skills for things like – gathering, replacing a zip, creating new waistbands, for instance. I look forward to reading your instructions and advice.
Cheers! Liz
Liz, the best lesson is try to do it, and if it does not turn out as you expect, try again. I have articles on how to sew a zipper here https://www.ageberry.com/sew-invisible-zipper-wonder-tape/ or here https://www.ageberry.com/invisible-zipper-foot-how-to-use/ (and probably other places). I have also articles on how to make a gathered skirt here https://www.ageberry.com/how-to-make-gathered-skirt-elastic-waist-without-a-pattern
I can’t find the downloadable templates for the reversible Thanksgiving/Christmas placemat. I could not download them from the tutorial. I was hoping there was a search engine for your site—which is so interesting—but couldn’t find a search box. I would appreciate being able to find it so I can download it. Thanks!
Please contact me via email using the contact form at the bottom of the page. Thank you!
I have fixed the issue, thank you for letting me know. The templates can be downloaded from the Resource Library.
SEAMSTER
According to “Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary,” a seamstress is a “woman whose occupation is sewing,” (a male is referred to as a seamster). A tailor is “a person whose occupation is making or altering outer garments.” Seamstresses/seamsters usually work with the fabrics, seams and hemlines.
I did not really hear this being used; but even so, this is not a generic word. “Sewer” is not either and seems to be the only one accepted, so even if I do not really like it, I need to use it sometimes.
I’m happy to find you. I’m excited to make the bone poop bag holder but am unable to find where to input the password. I did subscribe. I’ve searched and searched. A password was asked for to have access to your resource library to get the free pattern and I have never put in a password and cannot find where this step is.
Replied by email
Hi Olga: I make most of my clothes from stretch fabrics. There are times when I see a cotton and would love to use it. I’m not sure how to change my stretch knit patterns to non stretch. I could use your help. I’m sort of a heavy person!!
Maybe it’s possible to modify a stretch knit pattern for use with non-stretch fabrics, but it is certainly tricky and may require the help of a professional pattern maker. Because woven fabrics don’t have the same give and stretch as knits, you’ll need to adjust the pattern to fit your measurements properly. This may involve adding darts or other shaping elements to the pattern to ensure a good fit. I never used a pattern intended for knits to sew wovens.
If you want to make the transition from knits to woven fabrics, I’d recommend starting with a basic woven pattern that’s designed for non-stretch fabrics. This will give you a good foundation to work from and help you get a feel for how woven fabrics behave.
I really enjoyed “About me”. Yes, you made me laugh. I am really enjoying you. Thank you.
Debra
Thank you; but the question is, did I make it easier for you to sew 😀 ? I hope you find the site useful too.
PLEASE HELP!! I am about to buy a new sewing machine after over 50 years using a Bernina top of the range. I have been looking at Janome machines and have the opportunity to buy a new ( but discontinued ) Janome 7200. Having seen your video, your machine looks like it has everything I need for the sewing I will be doing. Will you please let me know which Janome machine you have in your videos. Hugs Angeline xxxx P.S. I have not sewn for a number of years and am looking forward to new projects.
I am using a Janome MC6600P which is in a different family of machines. The main difference I can see is the walking foot which is built in for the MemoryCraft series which the 7200 doesn’t seem to have. I don’t know the 7200 well so I might be mistaken. I see however that an accessory called “even feed foot” comes with the machine and in my mind that is actually a walking foot. In my opinion the 7200 is a solid machine as most of the Janomes.
I am unable to access the Resource Library because it is asking for a password and I wasn’t asked to set one up. How do I access the Resource Library?
As a subscriber to my newsletter you will receive the password in an email, after you confirm your subscription; if you do not receive it, please check your “spam” folder and make sure you place [email protected] in your contact list to avoid messages from me going to spam. And contact me directly via email for any issues, I will answer as soon as possible, most of the time the same day.
I sew a lot. I am converting my laundry room to a sewing/laundry room. Your article was timely and informative. I have lots of fabric as I inherited my mother’s staff of fabric after she passed. More information on storage would be helpful.
@Penn,
Correction:
I inherited by mother’s stash of fabric…
Indeed, I am in the process of writing more about storage. What keeps me from actually finishing the job is the fact that they still did nit invent that longer day I need to finish all tasks that I have …
Nice article for hiding large stomach. On the section showing a knit t-shirt and next to it is a white short sleeve tuxedo blouse, what pattern is that? i volunteer and must wear a white blouse under a blue jacket with kakhi pants, that would be perfect. Thank you.
That is an old pattern from a Burda magazine, probably mid-1990s. I looked for it, could not find the pattern again. I think I made it about 10 years ago.
Fantastic article about fabric shrinkage. Thank you! One question: In the article it mentions gentle detergent. Can you mention brands so I get an idea of what to buy. Frankly, I don’t trust advertisers and their promoting descriptions.
Right now I am using the “Tide Pods Free & Gentle”, in the white box. The orange box is the regular Tide. But the quality of detergent depends on many factors others might have different preferences, or might be allergic, or might not like the fragrance (or lack thereof), who knows. I am reluctant to recommend a brand also because the quality might not be consistent between different batches of product, and I have seen this with brand names too so what I buy in FL might not be what is sold in Seattle.
I think I’ve seen an attachment that can be used on a high shank machine to attach a low shank foot.
There are indeed many low shank adapters for high shank machines, this one from Amazon (my affiliate link) is a good example.
Hello Olga,
I have just happed on this sewing a dress & looked around a bit. I have always wanted to sew well enough to make a summer denim dress with fridge bottom & just can’t find a great sleeveless pattern…a lil form fitting but casual. I love what you did with yours but living in NC, it get HOT in summers. I am following you now on Pinterest & hope to watch some youtubes of yours this week! I am an embroiderer also, 6 needle older Babylock.
Hi Olga, sorry to post here but I signed up for your weekly newsletter and tried to download the PDF for the dog poop bag holeder but it says I need a password. Where do I make a password to use the resource library you said was accessable? Thanks for your time in advance
Replied by email. If you need help, please contact me using the contact form at the bottom of every page on the site.
I just read your July 5 blog about Sewing knowledge. I wanted let you know I have the Janome 6700P. It is a great machine as well. I just started working at a dealer/repair shop. A-1 Sewing located in Tucker GA if you would like to hear more you can ask me. We just took in a 6700p for a tune-up. The customer said she loved it as well. But…then she saw the 6700p. She is considering upgrading.
I own the MC6600P from Janome and I am very much in love with it, as everyone can see from my review here: The best sewing machine for advanced sewers: Janome 6600P. The 6700P seems to be a newer version and according to the manufacturer it is still in production, albeit at a much higher price than what I paid for my 6600. But yes, I consider this family of machines an excellent choice.
Hello Olga. I used to sew a lot – and loved every minute. I bought a fancy new machine about 10 years ago and I am so intimidated by it that I never sew anymore! I love getting your emails and wish I could just sit down and try out your ideas but I have so much anxiety about my machine that is way to complicated for me. But i still love to read your messages.
Lynne, there is a very simple solution for this: get a simple, mechanical machine from a local dealer or Sew & Vac store, and start sewing again! They might even have second hand machines perhaps a little older, but this should not be an issue if that is what you prefer. The shop might even offer you some free lessons. But I believe you will benefit more by trying to know your new machine. Sewing on scrap fabric should be good enough for you to familiarize yourself with the new features. Besides, you don’t really need all the new features. If you know how to stitch straight, zig-zag, change stitch length and zig-zag width, that should be ok for the beginning. You will need of course to be able to set the tension on the machine depending on fabric, but this should be the same as the old one.
Olga, thank you so much for sharing your sewing knowledge! Your hints, helps, and tutorials are very well written and easy to follow. I was very excited to find your site and newsletters some years ago. My mother began teaching me to sew when I was seven. I sewed as often as possible until I was about 20 and life was too busy to clear off a table to sew on whenever I wanted. Now at 60, I have a sewing room, a fancy, new sewing machine, and time! You have helped me in so many ways over these years to improve my sewing that got so rusty. Thank you and keep up the great work! By the way, that leather purse is amazing!!!
Thank you; if you’re happy, I am happy!
I found these titanium needles on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJ5T5EO?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
Bigger eyes. I have no control of my fingers and they shake a lot. Took a chance and ordered the 80 size. I don’t construct clothing anymore but use my machine (Singer 100 Aneversary) for repairs and heming. Not sure if you know about these. Plus, thank you for your ‘useful’ needle tutorial!
Thanks for the link. They are however for fine threads, they are also supposed to last longer but they are also A LOT more expensive than the regular needles. But I guess it is worth, if it makes your work easier.
HELLO! do you have any ideas on how to keep soft lamb skin leather with an embroidery design on it down on a shirt. i have found adhesives and im thinking about sewing the edges down. do you think if later i take it to the cleaners the leather will end up coming off. thank you in advance.
Olga is the 40th most frequent cristian name (first name) in my country Czech Republic in Central Europe. We have 10 million inhabitants. There are many modifications of this name used. For small girls and for loved women we use OLINKA.
So thanks for your work, it helps me absolutely, dear Olinka.
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Bonjour Mrs Balasa, I receive your e-mail on a regular basis for a few years now and you are a sewing school on your own. From beginners to more advanced “sewist/sewer/seamstres/tailor …” – whatever the title – I consider you as a real professional in the field of sewing. Your tutorials helped me – and will continue to help me – in many projects. Your site is a sewing dictionary at hand. Thank you so much. (P.S.: excuse my grammar; English is my second language …)
Thank you; English is not my first language either, and if you watch my videos it will become clear. I am not a professional either – just a self taught person with a desire to dress well but without the budget to afford custom made items.