We are entering an era highlighting the custom, the
handmade, and the artisan produced products. This is great news for us. We love
to create, design, and enjoy our visions and aspirations. We see something eye
catching and inspiring but these great designs are not attainable because of
pricing or availability. So what do we do? We don’t let it go. We create it
ourselves!!!
It is Do-able!!!
We can all be creative!!!
Some of you may be discouraged by the level of difficulty or
by other people that may not believe in your ability, but ignore all that. I
can and will help you, my readers, fight the negativity and leap over all
bounds.
Issues that usually arise for beginning sewers are
understanding your machine, its parts, and the basic notions, such as needles
and thread. It is also difficult to understand all the fabric options
available. What is the difference between woven and knit? Why use one for a
specific garment and not the other? Figuring out how to mix colors and patterns
can be confusing. This multiple part blog discussion will review all these
issues and many more.
We will have a lot of fun, so get out some paper and a pen
and start taking notes. Comment below with any questions and concerns. Remember
I am here to help you.
Part
1: Machines!
In this first portion of my multi-part post we will review
sewing machines, sergers, coverstitch machines, blind hem machines, and briefly
embroidery machines. What do you really need to start sewing? What is the hype?
What do all of these machines do?
I will answer many questions, so be patient with the length
of this post.
· What type of machine do you need to complete a project?
o If
you are just starting out, just getting your feet wet, or just completing a
small project, all you will need is a basic sewing machine. A machine under
$100 will be more than enough to complete basic projects. I used a basic Singer
Sewing Machine for the first few years. It had the capabilities to do a
straight stitch and a zig zag stitch and that is all that I needed. There were
other stitch options but I did not use any of them. Your first machine does not
need to be a Singer (I bought one because it was on sale for about $50 at the
time).
o Then
there are embroidery machines. I have a simple Brother Pe500 that I scored
during a Black Friday Sale last year. This machine allows you do stitch out or
appliqué a 4X4 radius. It works great for my needs at the moment. There are
other brands and other embroidery machine that can do larger embroidery areas.
It all depends on your purchase for the machine and your budget. If you
purchase an embroidery machine, be mindful of the file your machine stitches.
If you would like some site for embroidery stitch file and appliqué files
please email me and I will gladly share the ones I know of, use, and prefer.
· What brands are available and what fits your budget?
o Singer
o Brother
o Janome
o Bernina
o Kenmore (NO real online site but can be found in stores)
These are the major brands
available. These are the readily available and can greatly vary in price
depending on capabilities and brand. Singer, Brother, and Kenmore have
inexpensive machines that are great for beginners. By no means buy a pricey
machine if you are not sure you will be sewing much in the future. Janome
machine are in the next price point. Then Husqvarna and Bernina after that. I
will have to make a point to say that the more pricier machines have more bells
and whistles, are longer lasting, have better if not longer warranties, and
make sewing faster and easier.
Check with your local sewing
machine store, fabric store, and machine dealers for machine available locally.
Some of these locations will allow you to try out a machine and may even
provide classes on how to use them.
I, myself, use a Singer Confidence7470 sewing machine and the Singer Pro Finish Serger. These machines do just
what I need them to do and they have lasted a great bit of time. I love my Confidence because of the various decorative stitches available. I do on the
other hand have my eye on some new machines and look forward to testing out
some other brands. I also own a Brother PE500 for my small embroidery projects
but plan to purchase a more commercial Brother Embroidery machine.
· What is a serger?
o This
is the most handiest tool when working with knit fabric. Knit fabric is like
t-shirt material, stretchy jersey. It is also very useful for cleaning up the
edges of exposed fabric. Just take a quick look at the inside hem at the bottom
of your t-shirt. Notice all that crazy zig-zag threading that keeps your shirt
from unraveling? That is what a serger does. It protects the garment you just
sewed up. It allows you to wash and rewash that cute top you just made
yourself. If you do not have a serger, no problem. Remember I used a basic
sewing machine for quite a while. A zig-zag stitch can also help prevent your
fabric from unraveling.
o A
serger can use 2, 3, 4, and even 5 thread spools at the same time. Some sergers
come with a coverstitch feature as well.
· What is a coverstitch machine?
o Now
a coverstitch machine is a little more difficult to explain in words so I have
attached a video I found on Youtube.com. (Click Here to view) Please note this is not my video but I do believe it is very helpful in
expressing what a coverstitch machine is. I advise to hold off on buying one of
these until you fill comfortable with your abilities as a seamstress and feel
that it is completely necessary to purchase one. Sewing your one décor and
garments can get pricey and the goal in to equip yourself with the essentials
so that you still have money for fabric and thread. You cannot make anything
without fabric and thread.
· What type of stitches are available and which are essential?
o Straight
Stitch- this is the stitch you will use the most, so practicing sewing in a
straight line. A straight stitch will be the most widely used to close the seam
of a garment or a décor project. It will also be used when doing a topstitch.
o Zig-Zag
Stitch- This stitch can be used in place of a serged edge. It is used when
stitching up stretch/ knit fabric.
o Blind
hem Stitch- This little magically stitch is used to hem the bottom of your
pants. Take a quick look at some dress pants or slacks. Do you notice how the
inside of the hem has thread but the outside of the hem does not? That is a
blind hem stitch. The manual for your sewing machine will show you exactly what
steps to take to be successful in completing a blind hem but it will still
require practice.
o Buttonhole-
This stitch is just as it sounds. It’s a buttonhole. My current machine has 6
types of buttonhole stitches. I only use two. They are dependent on the type of
button I use. If the button is a normal flat shirt button I use the buttonhole
stitch for that and if it is a thick, leather button, I use the specific
buttonhole stitch for that.
**All of the stitches and machine capabilities will require practice to
become versed in their functions and purpose. My advice, DON’T BE SCARED!! Try
it all out. Work with new features you have never tried. Youtube.com,
Facebook.com groups, google.com are all search engines equipped with visual
data to help you learn how to use you machine.
***This youtube video goes over a straight stitch and zig-zag stitch. (Click Here to View Stitches Video)I recommend subscribing to Made To Sew’s channel. She has some great
tutorials. They are detailed but great for beginners and intermediate sewers.
Remember to post any questions or comments in the comments section below. You can also Email Me at sm.beausandbeauties@gmail.com.
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