Tips//Toiles

Part of the joy of home sewing is to be able to get clothes that fit you perfectly. To achieve this sewing nirvana, a toile is an invaluable tool to help you get that great-fitting, end garment.

- Lucy Sinnott

Toiling is basically the practice run for your final garment. Make it up in a similar weight, inexpensive fabric, to give you an idea of how the finished item will look and how it will fit you. Usually made in calico, it also allows you to practise the construction of the garment so that when you sew the final thing you have a better idea of how it all fits together and how best to go about each aspect of the sewing.