Technorati Tags: beginner, instructions, patterns, projects, sewing help, sewing resources

What is a good sewing machine to buy, if i’m just learning to sew. They go pretty fast for me, i’d like one that i could adjust the speed. I also want automatic threading and one that ties the thread for you. What should i be looking for in a sewing machine and do you have any suggestions? Any price is okay.

Don’t bother with automatic threaders… they’re more trouble than they’re worth, and often broken. I also wouldn’t bother with an automatic tieoff feature unless you have severe muscle problems in your hands — you can accomplish the same thing by simply preventing the fabric from feeding for a couple of stitches. Never have to take you hands off the fabric.

As far as the rest goes:
http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

What I want for beginners in sewing:

- a machine that doesn’t scare you
- a machine that isn’t balky (cheap new machines are often very
balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable –
just too frustrating to learn on!)
- very good straight stitch
- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
handling issues)
- accessory presser feet that don’t cost an arm and a leg
(machines that use a "short shank foot" typically handle
generic presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use
proprietary or very expensive presser feet)

If the budget stretches far enough:

- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
- a couple of decorative stitches (you won’t use them nearly as
much as you think)
- electronic machine because of the needle position control and
because the stepper motors give you full "punching force" at
slow sewing speeds — mechanical machines often will stall at
slow speeds.

Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them
to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used
machines you can afford. You’ll get a far better machine buying
used than new, and a good dealer is worth their weight in sewing
machine needles when you get a machine problem — often they can
talk you through the problem over the phone. While you’re trying
things out, try a couple of machines (sewing only, not combo
sewing-embroidery) over your price limit, just so you can see
what the difference in stitch quality and ease of use might be.
You may find you want to go for the used Cadillac. Or you might
want the new basic Chevy. Might as well try both out.

Suggested reading: John Giordano’s The Sewing Machine Book
(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles’ Fine Machine Sewing
(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
Hazen’s Owner’s Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
library.

Used brands I’d particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota

New "bargain brand" I’d probably pick: Janome (who also does
Kenmore).

I'm going to be sewing by machine and I want to make something fairly easy. What was the first project(s) you more experienced seamstresses made?

Take two towels. wrong sides together
Mark top at half point, one quarter point and three quarter point.
Stitch from the one quarter point to the edge
Then turn inside out and right sides together
go down about seven inches and stitch to about four inches from the bottom.
Turn right side out
It's a beach cover up. Seriously my grandmother helped me pin and stitch this project when I was five.
We used two hand towels and I wore it till it fell apart.
Think about it Two beach towels and with a ribbon belt you can wear it most of the day.
For the childs hand towel cover up you sew the same neck hole but with the fringed edges on a hand towel, you can stitch from the neck to about two inches from the outer edge making a shoulder fitting line that makes the cover up more fringy and cute on a kid.
Also………….cut a wash cloth in half diagonally and hem the long edge. Right side wash cloth sewn to the wrong side of a matching towel on both edges, and when you turn the wash cloth over, you have a baby bath towel.

Take a place mat and flod it into thirds.
fold one flap up and sew the seams on both sides to create a purse. Turn right side out, fold flap down and add a snap or velcro spot and you have a new clutch purse, you can add a ribbon shoulder strap.

I’m 17, and I got a sewing machine for my birthday.
What are some cool things I can make that I’d actually like?

http://www.haancrafts.com/

This is the site where we ordered our sewing kits off of for a sewing project in school. They have some reallly cool stuff. Pillows, stuffed animals, bags and clothes. It’s really fun stuff, I made a tiger from that site it was white. It was hard. I recommend beginning with a simple pillow. The directions are a little tough though to follow. I needed a lot of help from my teacher. But the tiger was one one of the hardest things. So get a simple pillow. Good Luck! Have fun!

I want to sew something simple. And need recommendation for beginner sewing machine that is under $100. Durable and easy to use. Please help!

http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

What I want for beginners in sewing:

- a machine that doesn't scare you
- a machine that isn't balky (cheap new machines are often very
balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable –
just too frustrating to learn on!)
- very good straight stitch
- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
handling issues)
- accessory presser feet that don't cost an arm and a leg
(machines that use a "short shank foot" typically handle
generic presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use
proprietary or very expensive presser feet)

If the budget stretches far enough:

- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
- a couple of decorative stitches (you won't use them nearly as
much as you think)
- electronic machine because of the needle position control and
because the stepper motors give you full "punching force" at
slow sewing speeds — mechanical machines often will stall at
slow speeds.

Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them
to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used
machines you can afford. You'll get a far better machine buying
used than new, and a good dealer is worth their weight in sewing
machine needles when you get a machine problem — often they can
talk you through the problem over the phone. While you're trying
things out, try a couple of machines (sewing only, not combo
sewing-embroidery) over your price limit, just so you can see
what the difference in stitch quality and ease of use might be.
You may find you want to go for the used Cadillac. Or you might
want the new basic Chevy. Might as well try both out.

Suggested reading: John Giordano's The Sewing Machine Book
(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles' Fine Machine Sewing
(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
Hazen's Owner's Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
library.

Used brands I'd particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota

New "bargain brand" I'd probably pick: Janome (who also does
Kenmore).

I need one for mending and maybe to start on some easy sewing projects. Nothing fancy but I want something with quality. Any recommendations are appreciated.

I bought a sewing machine at Walmart for $99. It's a Singer and has the basic plus a few fancy stitches and accessories. I wanted it for the same reason you do. It's the best sewing machine I have ever had and even sews through heavy material (like denim). That's what I recommend!

I am asking based on price, durability, and performance. I am well aware of all the brands available. I am mainly focusing on Brother, Kenmore, and Singer.

I'd have to say that Janome is probably about the best for performance at a low price — and Kenmores seem to be Janomes in disguise. Every Brother and Singer I've tried recently I wouldn't give houseroom to.

The Huskystar E10 is quite nice, it is very basic and simple to use, it can sew stretch, do a buttonhole, and of course straight and zig zag (with a few bonus stitches). The only thing it does not do is have a stitch width adjustment (for your zig zag) . I have spoken to some people who are happy not to have the width adjustment. so that’s up to you- the Huskystar E20 has a few more features like, a 1 step buttonhole, adjustable width and length and a few more stitches, which makes sewing a little easier. Maybe get some advice from the place you will be purchasing the machine from. Make sure they can give you back up service as well like lessons, which are helpful! But yes, the E10 or E20 are good sturdy machines.

This is the second part of the video.. for more detailed instructions and the answers to all the questions I am sure you have please see my blog post http://tinyurl.com/mn2j2z

Duration : 0:3:7

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Technorati Tags: auroras garden, DIY, handmade, part 2, plus size, sewing, smocking, Tutorial

This is part 1 of my tutorial on how to smock a dress. I go into more detail with more instructions on my blog post I made about this http://tinyurl.com/mn2j2z
See blog post for instructions on how to make this for toddlers and babies too and for more detailed instructions on how to select fabric for this project and what to do!

Duration : 0:2:6

(more…)

Technorati Tags: auroras garden, baby, plus size, sewing, smocking, toddler, Tutorial