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Diagram 1 - Gaping at bust

For those of us with generous busts, the embarrassment of a gap in our shirts around the bust area is usually fixed with a safety pin - not the best way to fix the problem! Press Studs are an option; however they usually pop at the most inconvenient time. Try this technique I came across from a uniform shirt manufacturer.

The label on the shirt said "THE WONDER BUTTON" - No gaping! Intrigued to see what this was all about, I searched for a new wonderful invention, only to find that all they had done was sew a button and buttonhole in between the buttons at the bust (but the button and buttonhole was reversed). In other words, instead of the buttonhole being on the right hand side, it was on the left, and the button was attached to the underside of the buttonhole panel.

Diagram 2 - Concealed button

It works fantastic. The button is slightly smaller, which means the buttonhole can be slightly smaller, and because of the position the section does not gap. Try it on an old shirt and see for yourself. The button will have to be sewn on by hand, so that the fabric is not caught at the top, and for that you can use four threads rather than one.

Diagram 3

If you are looking for a book that helps you understand how to alter clothes, or would just like to learn a little bit more about altering for free, subscribe to my monthly newsletter at www.geniecentre.com. If you would like to ask me a question please email [email protected] Happy altering, Judith aka genie.

Creating something at home can be a real challenge, but for a lot of people, making your own clothing and upholstery can be a real source of enjoyment and relaxation. Getting your knitting needles out and making a loved one a new winter scarf, or designing your own curtains, there are so many different things you can do. But are you using the right fabric in your creations, and are you getting the right amount? After all, you don’t want to go through all that effort only to find that you’ve used the wrong material or that you’re half a foot short.

Just like when you bake a cake, you want to ensure you have all the ingredients before you start, otherwise you get halfway through and realise you’re missing a key part – disaster. At Abakhan we specialise in providing everything you need to make whatever it is you’ve set your heart on creating, then it’s down to you to get the right amount and the correct materials. Choosing the right, or wrong fabric can make or break your creation, so taking your time over your choice and doing your research will really pay dividends.

Taking curtains as an example, it makes sense to measure the area where you plan to hang them, both horizontally and vertically, to make sure that you know exactly how far down the wall they’re likely to hang, and whether or not the amount you choose is going to cover the whole window.

Once you’ve established how much you need to make your new curtains, you need to decide on the material you’re going to use. With so many options out there, from linen to velvet and cotton to satin, sometimes you just never know what to use until you’ve got it wrong once or twice. However, when you get it right, the final result can be fantastic, and creating your own can save you huge sums of money that you would have spent in a store.

Finding a way of coordinating the colour of your new curtains with the room you’re putting them up in will give the room a vibrant and stylish feel, leading visitors thinking you’ve had a professional interior designer round!

To get the fabric you need for your next creation, look no further than Abakhan. With various sizes, colours and materials in stock, you’re sure to find everything you need either in one of our stores or online. To find out more, click here to find the contact details for your nearest store.

Christmas is a time for giving, and also for wandering around the seasonal markets, taking in the smells of German sausages and roasted chestnuts. If you go to one of these Christmas markets, you’re likely to see a number of stalls selling homemade fleeces, jumpers, hats, gloves, the lot. You name it, they probably sell it.

What makes these stalls so popular and successful is the homemade factor. Getting hold of the right fabric and making something for a friend or loved one will certainly put a smile on their face when they open their present on Christmas morning.

The trends at the moment seem to be around the wooly hats with the animal faces and the dangly parts over the ears. Unfortunately, such is their popularity that the major stores have started producing their own and the prices have consequently gone up. So what’s the alternative? Paying over the odds for it? That’s just silly. Order the fabric and make it yourself and give the recipient something you know they will love.

You know the person better than the retailer, who might not stock their favourite animal hat, so by making it yourself you have the opportunity to personalise it for your loved one. At Abakhan we stock everything you would need to make it, so the rest is down to you.

The person you give the gift to is not only guaranteed to love what you’ve made for them, but they’ll really appreciate the effort you’ve gone to. After all, it really is the thought that counts.

To find out more information on our range of fabric and other essential accessories for all your home requirements, such as curtains and knitting equipment, get in touch with Abakhan by clicking here to find the details for your local branch.

The Christmas and New Year period is a time of celebration, with friends and families getting together to exchange presents or to go out and watch the New Year arrive in style with a beverage or two. At these times, many choose to hit the town for the party atmosphere, while others throw house parties with only their nearest and dearest invited round to share the festivities, with many of these parties having a fancy dress theme.

But for many this poses a big problem. How do you come up with a unique costume for the party that (a) nobody else is going to be wearing, and (b) doesn’t cost the earth? You make your own of course!

At fancy dress parties, you can spend upwards of £50 each time on a costume, either renting one from a store, or buying one online that you’ll quite possibly never wear again seems a bit of a waste of money, particularly when you’re a dab hand with a needle and thread. With plenty of fabric available either online or in shops, you have the creative freedom to create a costume that will definitely be unique, and provide a real talking point at the party.

Part of the whole fancy dress party experience is to get people talking with your costume, so you’ve got nothing to lose. If you’ve gone to the expense of splashing out on a spaceman or princess costume in the past, only to see someone there wearing the exact same one, you’ll appreciate how infuriating that can be.

Creating your own costume out of fabric and with a needle and thread or sewing machine can also be the ideal last-minute fix. Going down to a fancy dress shop or trying to order online around Christmas and New Year is bound to end with you buying a costume you don’t really want because all the others are sold out. Making one yourself allows you to make the necessary alterations before you leave the house for your night of fun.

At Abakhan, our fabric range is extensive and covers all kinds, from lace to imitation leather, and jersey knits to 100% cotton. To find out more information about any of our products or to find out what we have in stock, contact us today by calling your nearest branch, which you can find by clicking here.

After an article appeared in the Oxford Mail before Christmas, the John Radcliffe Hospital’s special care baby unit has been inundated with volunteers offering to knit special clothes for premature babies. Women at the Wantage Day Care centre began knitting the clothes for the tiny children back in 2007, and what started out as a few blankets, hats and booties has grown and grown, with regular deliveries of clothing now arriving at the centre.

Knitting is something that a lot of people enjoy doing as a hobby, opting for the enjoyment and challenging nature associated with the pastime, anxiously waiting to finish so they can marvel at what they’ve spent, in some cases, weeks or months creating.

When it comes to a new born baby, you can almost guarantee that the parents will be inundated with gifts including various items of clothing – with many knitted by the friend or family member – but the problem with premature babies is that they are often much smaller, so the baby clothes available in stores are simply too big for the child. This project has helped the parents find a solution to their clothing issues, and the coordinator of the project, Margaret Fell, has admitted that she has been “overwhelmed” by the support and donations they have received.

She told the Oxford Mail that “Mums often come to the unit underprepared, but these kind people have helped to clothe many children, and shown extraordinary skill in doing so.”

Many of the volunteers saw the article in the newspaper and rushed to help the unit out with their project. Knitting, after all, is a hobby that can be very fulfilling, but it isn’t restricted to making things just for yourself at winter or whenever your child needs a new wooly hat.

As all knitters will know, you get a real thrill out of completing a project and seeing the face of the recipient when you hand it over to them. The love and effort involved in creating a unique garment almost adds an extra layer of warmth to it, and by helping out premature children and their parents, you’ll be able to feel as though what you’ve done has really made a difference to someone’s life.

For more knitting news and for all the accessories you could possibly need for your next project, visit the dedicated section on the Abakhan website. Simply click the link here and you’ll be taken to the store. Alternatively, give us a call today on 01745 562133 to speak to one of our members of staff.

I'd just like to say how delighted I am with my purchases and the excellent service I recieved on my weekend order. Of course 70% off helped ;o) but the daylight lamps I purchased (for my Mum and me) made such a difference to my crafting last night - it was a pleasure instead of a difficulty. And the next day delivery and even a time slot was first class! Thank you very much!.

A Hayes, 11th January 2012

A lot of the United Kingdom will have applied – probably unsuccessfully – for tickets to this summer’s Olympics and Paralympics in London, and while there will be many travelling to the capital to take in the sights and sounds of the sporting showpiece, others will be confined to watching on the television. But there is a way for you to get involved – by knitting.

A shop in Ely in Cambridgeshire is giving locals the opportunity to participate in the national Woolsack competition, which is aiming to get people throughout the UK knitting special cushions to commemorate the games coming to London, with them being presented to the athletes taking part as a souvenir.

Ginette Herd, the co-owner of Yarn on the Square, said that “We’re trying to get as many people as possible to grab their needles and start knitting. These cushions will be presented to the athletes as personal gifts, so they can take a little bit of Britain away with them, whether they’ve been successful or not.”

The cushions can be made in any colour, and any size, but the one stipulation in place is that those involved must use British wool in their creations, giving the final product a true British feel.

So while others are putting up the bunting in the streets and settling down to watch the athletes fight it out for the glory, you can be doing your own special thing, and really contributing to the whole Olympic experience for the athletes. Creating something that reflects everything great about Britain will hopefully make the games truly memorable for those taking part, watching at the venues and in front of their television sets at home.

With the games fast approaching, knitters are being encouraged to get down to business as soon as possible, so if you want to be a part of the Olympics, get knitting!

To get yourself all the knitting equipment you would need to take part, visit the dedicated section on the website, or to find out more information about our products, contact your local Abakhan branch today.

When it comes to Valentines Day, choosing the right gift can be particularly tricky. You need to show your partner how you feel about them – without spending less than they do on you – and also reflecting how they feel about you. For instance, if you turn up with a bouquet of garage forecourt flowers, and they buy you an expensive, personalised watch, you could find yourself single by the 15th February. For that reason, we’ve come up with some great ideas to help you make your Valentines gift at home.

Creating something from scratch allows you to put your heart and soul into the gift, with the recipient immediately aware of the effort you’ve gone to in order to make them the perfect present.

Going shopping for the perfect gift can be a chaotic process. You finally find yourself a couple of hours to hit the high street, (normally the day before), and after what seems like a week of window-shopping, you’re still uninspired. Unless you’re born with that unique trait of knowing exactly what to get your loved one, (please share it with me), making your own can be the way to go.

As mentioned earlier, you can show your loved one how you feel by making them something unique that you’ve poured your heart into, and there are several other advantages to making your gift. For instance, nobody knows your partner like you do. If you pop to the shops for a gift, it’s inevitable for the item you want to be unavailable in their favourite colour or size. By creating your own gift, you have the opportunity to make it according to the tastes of your partner, making it extra special for them.

It can also be a way of saving money, without it looking particularly inexpensive. Using materials bought from the Abakhan store, you can get everything you need for the perfect gift, such as wool, card, sewing patterns and accessories, without having to pay the over-the-top high street prices.

Still struggling for ideas? Well don’t tell your partner, but here’s a couple from us. Firstly, you could try making them some jewellery. If you’ve made it yourself, it’s certain to be unique, using the materials and colours they love, and you could customize it if you wish to let them know it’s from you, or include your Valentines message. Another option is to make them something for the home. If your partner is always talking about their love for throws or cushions in the living room, make them one to fit the décor of your home. Or if your partner loves to cook, you could make them something for the kitchen; They’ll need something to wear as they make the dinner! (Only joking!)

For all your essential accessories to make the perfect Valentines gift, including those mentioned here and anything you may already have in mind, visit or contact your local Abakhan store, or place an order online.

One of the most in-demand materials on planet earth, fabric has been used for a number of different purposes over years. Obviously, clothing and drapes are two popular uses, as are curtains and sofas, but many people are unaware as to where it actually comes from. Well, courtesy of an exhibit in London, they’re about to get a bit of a shock!

A cape created from golden silk spun by more than a million spiders is going on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum in the capital. The hand-woven garment and its partner, a four-metre long piece of brocaded fabric, took more than four years to create and involved around 1.2 million female Madagascan Golden Orb spiders.

Madagascar-based Simon Peers and Nicholas Godley made the cape, and they are the only large textiles to have been made from spider silk. The last known spider silk textile was made for a Parisian exhibit in 1900, but no examples are in existence today.

The spiders, which are not harmed in the creation of the pieces, are collected in the mornings and their silk harvested by trained handlers, before the eight-legged creatures are returned to the wild at the end of the day.

Peers said that he created the pieces, as he was “keen to show the spider silk textiles at the Victoria and Albert Museum, being the most appropriate place to premiere this work in Europe. The unique and historic costume and textile collections have been a constant source of inspiration over the years, and as we know, the museum has never before shown anything made from spider silk, despite its diverse collection of art.”

Many people love arts and crafts as a hobby, with people loving the opportunity to be innovative and unique. Everyone has a creative spark in them, whether it’s creating their own clothes, or stitching a breathtaking design into cushions. Either way, you can personalise your whole home with a bit of thought. To get your hands on some fine quality – but not spider-spun – fabrics, visit the Abakhan website. Should you have any questions about our range, or other products available such as beds, contact your local store.

The recent cold snap has taken many of us by surprise. In the UK you expect the snow and ice to arrive before Christmas – skipping the period where we actually want it to snow i.e. Christmas day – and disappear by mid-January. As is so often the case with the British weather, that hasn’t happened. A lot of people have been stuck in their villages with no way of getting to the nearest town or city to buy their winter essentials. Normally that would mean the world stopping around them, but there is an alternative to buying a new winter hat - knitting your own.

While many people will have put learning to knit onto their list of New Years resolutions and then forgotten about the whole thing, others are seeing the opportunity to make their own hats as the first step into achieving that goal.

Using some of the products from the Abakhan range, we’ve devised a plan to help you on your way to making your own wooly hats to keep you warm through the cold weather.

What You Need

• Needles – it goes without saying that needles are an essential for knitting. We recommend our 35cm x 10mm needles as these give the user much more to hang on to.

• Wool – again another essential part of making any wooly hat. By using even yarn beginners have a much better chance of success as it’s easier to work with than the more ‘knobbly’ form.

• A plan – by coming up with an idea before you start and then sticking to it, you’re much more likely to get your hat right. Problems occur when people attempt to change their plan halfway through a project so only start when you’re absolutely happy with it.

Key Terms There are a few terms and abbreviations associated with knitting. Some of the main terms are ‘cast’ which is to get the stitches on to the needle. Another is ‘knit’ – a basic stitch – and ‘purl’ is another basic stitch. Some of the abbreviations are a bit less clear to beginners. One of which is ‘k’ short for knit. ‘P’ relates to ‘purl’, ‘K2tog’ means to knit two stitches together and similarly ‘P2tog’ is to purl two stitches together.

What To Do With us so far? Right, well, here goes!

1. The Headband Cast on 36 stitches. For a fitted hat do eight rows of k3, p3 all the way to the end. For a baggier hat, increase that to ten or twelve rows but ensure it is always an even number.

2. The Middle Four, six or eight rows of stocking stitch (one row of knit stitch followed by one of purl stitch). Number will differ depending on the size of the hat but again – ensure it is an even number.

3. The Top Unlike the other two sections, the number of stitches here does not change. Row one – K2tog, K4 six times. Row two – P. Row three – K2tog, K3 six times. Row four – P. Row five – K2tog, K2 six times. Row six – P. Row seven – K2tog, K1 six times. Row eight – P2tog.

4. Cast Off and sew the sides together to finish.

By now you should have a very good wooly hat to keep you warm on those ventures out of the house into the arctic conditions outside. For more information on any of the products available at Abakhan, contact your local branch where the staff will be happy to help you with your enquiry. Good luck!