Rubyjam Fabric Blog

Beeswax wraps are a great way to reduce your use of plastics in the kitchen. They are inexpensive, versatile, and make a fun activity for older kids to help out with.  To make them, you only need a few items, all of which are easily sourced.  Beeswax - This is now readily available at health food store and some craft stores, but you can also buy it online. If there is a local farmers market or beekeeping society in your area, you can get it there too. Some people prefer the bead or pellet kind as it melts quicker, but buying...

With the cold weather finally behind us, the only reminder I have of the winter that was is the dull dry skin on my face, body and worst of all my hands and feet.Scrubs not only help remove the build up of dry skin, they stimulate blood flow, and make you feel incredibly fresh and clean. The downside is that store bought scrubs often contain problematic ingredients like microplastics, or chemicals that cause havoc to my sensitive skin. Organic products are awfully expensive, and no matter what, there is always too much packaging, which drives me up the wall. Making my...

Using Freezer Paper to stabilise fabric, you can print directly on it with a basic inkjet printer. In this video you can watch as Tamara demonstrates the entire process, creating fun designs to applique on to cute toy storage bags to keep her kids organised. Buy here: Reynolds Freezer Paper - 2M sheetReynolds Freezer Paper - Large 15.2M roll - 50 Sq FeetReynolds Freezer Paper - Large 15.2M roll - 75 Sq Feet

Every hobby has its own language, but sewing, with such a long and complex history, is blessed with an especially large and varied vocabulary. While this can be overwhelming for those just starting out, even experienced seamstresses can find themselves confused by some of the terms. With that in mind, we have put together a guide to help explain some of the terminology you're likely to encounter when sewing, reading a pattern, or shopping for supplies. Anchoring StitchesMachine stitches that are sewn with zero stitch length, to keep them from pulling out. This term can also be used to refer...

Everyone was a beginner at one stage, and while asking for help online or in a sewing store can be intimidating, learning how to correct your mistakes before they become habit is incredibly worthwhile.  We've come up with the top three mistakes we made when starting on our sewing journey and how we learned to overcome them. #1 - Making the wrong size "Oh no, I'm not THAT size!" I would say to myself after taking my measurements and looking them up on the pattern chart.  I would decide that I know best and make the size I was used to...