Sewing Tips: Using Serger Thread On a Regular Machine

Do you ever see those big spools of thread for the serger and wonder...'Does serger thread work on a sewing machine?' They can work on a machine, but only if you have one of these funky looking gadgets.

I dunno what they are called, but I found mine on the notions wall at Joann's. I know it cost around five bucks with a 40% off coupon. (Or you could get it when their notions wall is 50% off or BOGO.) Using serger thread is much more affordable. I usually buy most colors this way, then have the smaller spools for colors I don't use as much.

Happy Thursday!

Sewing Tips: Yardage Card

So I've had a boring piece of paper holding the vital info of  'how many inches are in 5/8 of a yard?' in the front of my sewing binder for far too long. This weekend I decided to make it not-so-boring. I ended up making it business card size because well...smaller is cuter right? I could even put it in a tiny frame and put it on my sewing table. Hmmmm....just might do that.

When I was done, I figured I wasn't the only one who easily forgot how many inches are in 5/8 of a yard. So here it is for you all. I even made it in different colors. Are you shocked that it involves polka dots?

To print: Right click on the color you like. Click 'Save Image As'. Then click on the image in its saved location and print. (Now my printer defaulted to make the card take up the entire page. I just clicked off 'Scale to Fit' and clicked on 'Scale' and set it to 100%. Now each printer will be different...so can't help you much on that.)

Enjoy!

More Sewing Tips!

As promised more tips! These are some of the things I do that help me be a more efficient sewer. Everyone learns something that helps them in their situations.
These are just my favorite:

1. Bobbins. I bought a case for my bobbins, this should have been listed as one of my favorite gadgets. It keeps all those bobbins from rolling all over the place. Anyways, besides the case, I always have at least 3 bobbins wound in black, beige, and white. This way, I don't run out of a basic color in the middle of a project which causes me to unthread my machine to wind the bobbin.

2. Two rotary cutters. Yes, I have two. One I use ONLY for fabric, the other I use for felt, interfacing, and thicker fabrics. My blades last much longer if I do this. Rotary blades notoriously can dull quickly. Especially when you use them to cut materials besides cotton. I hear you can buy a sharpener for rotary blades. The ladies at the fabric stores say they don't work well. But owners of sharpeners say they are amazing. A sharpener is on my wish list.

*Oh, an aside about blades on scissors/rotary cutters. If you cut a lot of fleece do not use your good scissors or rotary blades. A worker at Joann's told me that fleece DESTROYS their cutting scissors at the cutting counter. (This is because fleece is made from plastic.) They had a couple of pairs that they only used for fleece to keep the other scissors nice and sharp for fabric. (She was mad cause the new girl next to her was using the good scissors on fleece.)*

3. Chain Stitching. When you are sewing quilt blocks or lots of straight seams, sew the seam then continue sewing off the fabric. Then, put your next item under the presser foot and continue sewing.  This helps save on thread and makes sewing quilt  blocks or the like very quick. When you are all done,  just clip the connecting threads. I also do this when I top stitch handles for totes and anything else that is just a quick straight or slightly curved seam.

A picture just incase you are a visual learner!



The promised pattern is on the way. Hopefully on Friday... I was hoping to post it today. Yesterday we had major power problems which of course prevented anything productive from getting done.

Happy Wednesday...is it Wednesday already?

Sewing Tips: Just for Beginners

Well. I have my second 'Sewing Tips' post waiting to be published, but I have to add a couple of quick pictures. However, today I was doing some googling for making baby clothes and in the process found some great info I found helpful when I was a beginner.

One of my favorite sewing blogs is SewMamaSew. (I think they recently updated the look/organization of their blog and I am sooo happy. I couldn't find things very easily before.) I am sure you all know about it, but if you don't now you do. They have some awesome posts on so many different sewing topics. I thought I would share some here that I found helpful when I was first diving into the world of sewing. (My mom taught me when I was little, but even she says I know more than her now, so much of what I am able to do now is self-taught.)

General Sewing Tips
Sewing Machine Buying Guide - Great resource if you are looking to buy a sewing machine.

Sewing Machine Feet Guide - If you know you want to get some new feet for your machine, this is a great guide to give you the run down. Personally right now, I am eyeing a ruffler and walking foot.

Button Holes - Check out your sewing machine's instructions too. Usually all newer machines comes with a button hole foot standard.

Putting in a Zipper - Nuf said.

Interfacing Guide - AHHHH! When I found this it was truly a 'Eureka!' moment. I was always so confused when I would go to the fabric store and try and figure out what interfacing I needed. Plus, it is written by the amazingly talented Amy Butler.

Sewing Skills
Altering a Pant Pattern You Have to Make Almost Any Type of Pant - This is almost a must if you don't want to buy a pattern for capris, wide leg, cropped, etc. Great for kids if you have those pants for them 'you love' but they out grow them.

Machine Applique - I love to applique! This is an awesome post that includes easy templates to help you get started. She has a second post that follows up with some more 'advanced' tips.

Finishing Seams - I wish I had a serger! If you are like me and don't this post gives awesome info on how to finish seams without a serger. This is almost a must for kids clothes, otherwise they get all itchy. Make It and Love It also has a great post on this topic.

Sewing Tips: Sewing Gadgets I Would Die Without

If you've been to Joann's lately you know it is National Sewing Month. I don't know what you do to 'celebrate' National Sewing Month, but I thought a post answering common questions and my favorite gadgets would be appropriate.

I get questions from people who want to start sewing. 'Yay!' Is my first response. Of course I love sewing and think that until the last few years it was becoming a dying art. So not only do I find it fun and enjoyable, but a very practical skill. Then they ask, "What do I need to start?"

So let's start at the very beginning a very good place to start. When you sew you begin with the sewing machine.

#1

One of my favorite sewing gadgets, of course, is my sewing machine. My mom and sister own a Viking and Bernina. (Sigh...one day!) I own a basic Singer Touch and Sew 7462. I got it for a great deal and it had all the functions I was looking for. My advice to anyone looking for their first machine is to find something you are comfortable with. Go to the store and test drive some. Ask questions and make your choice. Once you get your machine, READ THE ENTIRE MANUAL that goes with it. Many of the problems that people have with their machines can be solved by reading the manual. If you are getting a hand-me-down and don't have a manual go to the manufactuer's site. Many times you can download a PDF of the manual for free.

#2

Sewing Feet. Sewing machines usually come with three to four basic feet. You can buy all sorts of feet that can do different things. My favorite foot is the 1/4" 'quilting' foot. It is not exclusively for quilting, but 1/4" is the standard seam allowance for quilting so hence the name. Basically one side of the foot is 1/4" so you just line the foot or gauge up with the raw edges of your fabric...and what do you get?! The perfect 1/4" seam allowance. It is a must if you do any amount of quilting.

A great place to get feet for a STEAL is sewingmachinesplus.com. (On average I save $20.00 - $30.00 a foot if I buy it through them. They also have great deals on machines.) You can find what particular feet work with your machine by checking out your manfactuer's site.

#3



Sewing Machine Needles. You maybe thinking...ah the needle...thrilling! But truly. If you have a junky needle, your stitching will look junky. If your machine is skipping stitches or you can't remember the last time you changed the needle; change your needle. The general rule is to change your needle after each project. Now some of my projects are kinda quick. So for me it is once a big project or after I make a few tote bags.

Now you don't have to buy expensive needles to get a good project. I buy what my manufacturer recommends. I can find mine at Walmart for under $2.00. Another tidbit of info is that different kind of needles do exist. Did you know that? The two I commonly use are size 80/11 and 90/14. 80/11 is for light weight fabrics, like the broadcloth that you use to line a bag. 90/14 is for medium weight fabrics, like linen and cotton.

#4

Cutting Tools. Good cutting tools are a must. If you watch sales or use coupons at Joann's or Micheal's you can get your cutting tools for a decent price. However, cutting tools are something that you may have to spend some money on. But trust me they will be worth EVERY penny. I think I bought most these items with a coupon or on sale, except for my rulers. ( I bought my rulers at a quilting store.) I would recommend getting a cutting mat, rotary cutter, one long clear ruler, and good fabric scissors first. The rest you can fill in as you are able.

The cutting tools I have in my stash:

• Olfa 36" Cutting Mat

• Gingher Dressmaking Shears - Buy them, love them, never let them touch paper. Ever. Ever. Ever. (With that being said, I also keep a pair of 'paper' scissors in my sewing basket so I am never tempted.) I've had mine for close to 10 years and will be sharpening them for the first time next week. They last FOREVER.

• Creative Grids 24" x 6.5" Clear Ruler - This is their best selling size. I use this size far more than my 8.5" square. I would DIE without this ruler. Truly. I love this brand because they have clear grippies on the back that prevent slippage. And whoever said, "You only need it if you quilt." was wrong. A straight cut of fabric is worth a million bucks when you sew. ( I cringe at fabric stores when they cut fabric so APPARENTLY crooked.)
  

• Creative Grids 8.5" Square Clear Ruler

• Dritz 45mm Pressure Sensitive Rotary Cutter - I love this rotary cutter. I like it because you can lock it, so it is safer with kids around. Also, the blade only comes down when you apply pressure to use it for cutting. However, I DESPISE Dritz blades. They are horrible in my opinion. I use Olfa blades...they are the best and they fit this brand of cutter. (As long as you get the right size blade, for example 45mm for a 45mm cutter, they will fit.) To me they are worth the extra expense. I buy the 5-pack when they are 50% off. They come out to be less than $3.00 a blade...not too shabby.

• Friskars Pinking Shears - Again a tool I would DIE without. I almost bought the Gingher brand, but these are MUCH easier to open and close.

• Westcott Titanium Trimmers - I love these. This is what I use to cut out my small applique pieces. They are also great to have right next to your machine to clip threads.

#5 Joann Coupons

I have only mentioned this a few times. If you do any amount of sewing...sign up for their mailing/email list. If you use to get their mailers and are wondering why they have stopped this is why. The mailer coupons have a bar code that they scan with your info on them. If your mailer coupons are not scanned they assume you do not use them so they stop sending you a mailer. I get both the mailer and the email. You can sign up for both here...they send you a 40% off coupon right off the bat. This week is Coupon Commotion and the entire store is basically on sale. Seriously. Almost all the fabric is at least 30% off.

Also. You can use Micheal's coupons at Joann's. However, you cannot use a Micheal's coupon ON FABRIC at Joann's. This is because Micheal's does not sell fabric. Makes sense. I also saw a sign recently at Micheal's that they accept competitor's coupons...so I am guessing you can use Joann's at Micheal's.

Tomorrow I will be back with a couple of tips and common questions I get asked.

Happy Sewing Month!