Buying A Sewing Machine Week

I've had a lot of people ask my advice about buying a sewing machine, so I thought I'd write some posts about the process. I own three different brands and have sewn on several brands and models. I've also had a lot of different machines show up in the studio. I do not consider myself brand-loyal - instead, I approach the buying process with an open mind. I believe that you need to get a machine that fits your budget and your brain (in other words, it's intuitive and works for you). So don't be influenced by what one person says. Also please do not pay any attention to what reviewers have written in magazines. Please...please...please. Owners are brand-loyal, so they will say their machine is the best. Magazines recommend the company that advertises with them (or promotes the machines that are the top-sellers, which doesn't mean a thing!). Honestly, my typical reaction to the articles that rate sewing machine is, "Did they ask people who sew to test out those machines?" 

For today, make a list of the type of sewing you like to do. Do you quilt, sew accessories? clothing? home dec? Do you want to embroider? Do you like artsy stuff? Do you like simple knobs (a mechanical machine) or are you willing to try something with buttons (an electronic/digital machine)? The answers to those questions will help you focus on where to start.


Monday's post will be about setting a budget. What are you willing to spend?!

Cutting and Making Bias Strips

A little baffled by bias binding? This is a great tutorial from Cindy and Jina at Riley Blake Designs. They show you how to fold the fabric to make cutting easier; then you'll get a quick lesson in sewing the strips together!

One thing, though, I don't recommend her ruler placement - I'm a from the school of "put the ruler over the piece you want." So I would use the marks on the ruler to cut the bias strips.

Fabric Woes: Puckering

In my Beginning Quilting: The Basics class last night, one of my students was struggling as she sewed two different weights of fabric together - one was stiffer/heavier and one was softer/lighter: the softer one puckered. This resulted in uneven seams and wonky blocks. We put in a new needle, adjusted the tension, slowed down...nothing worked. Then I got out the spray starch. We got the softer fabric pieces out and sprayed (then pressed until dry) and sprayed again. The starch stiffened up the softer fabric so it would feed evenly with the other fabric. VIOLA! Problem solved!

Here is a great article on starching quilt fabric from Generations Quilt Patterns; it includes directions on making your own starch!

Learning To Sew

Last week I was organizing old photo albums and scrap books and stumbled upon my collection of sewing samples from when I earned my Girl Scout Sewing Badge in the mid-1970s. The pages were yellowed and the sewing was crude - and all by hand. 

I learned to sew from my mother, who could make and alter anything...and I mean anything. And they all looked beautiful and perfect. It's no wonder I didn't take sewing seriously until I was in my early 30s - nothing I did could compare with what my mom made! She mostly sewed and altered clothing - two things I have very little interest in. But what I learned from my mother was to make things that look both nice and well-made. My mother was all about quality; and to quote my brother, "Mom was not store-bought." 

My mother was born on a farm in rural Michigan in 1925. And as you can see from the picture, she had a keen sense of fashion at an early age. Up until the day she died (at age 85), I think she wore jeans only once. I don't think she ever sported anything remotely close to a sweatshirt. And her friends never influenced her style.


One of the things I tell my sewing sisters (and occasional sewing brother) is to do what you like and to develop your own style. So when they ask me what I think about their fabric choices or design styles, I usually answer, "Well, do you like it?" I do voice some opinions if they seem conflicted, but I don't offer advice when they are looking for approval. If they did what I liked, they'd become me. 


So the first important lesson is to find your style and be proud of it. Come up with some words that describe you, then find fabric and patterns to match that. When you do, you'll love to sew!

Lovely Labels

I'm a big fan of labels - they identify you as the maker and show the world what you've created. Personalized labels also may an item look professional!

I purchased my satin labels online at Heirloom Woven Labels. But I've found some at All Things Labels and Namemaker.

You can also make your own labels. Allyson Hill has a great tutorial.

If you'd like to learn more about lovely labels, go to Sew4Home. They have some wonderful examples so you can see exactly what is available to you!

Our Feet Don't Wear Shoes: Buttonhole Foot

Buttonholes can be used to make buttonholes for buttons, but they can also be used for a decorative element - make a row of them and insert ribbon through them. Super cute! I've also used button holes for curtain hooks, for a drawstring/casing, and to reinforce holes I've cut for purse feet and magnetic closures.

Buttonhole attachments vary greatly from machine to machine. I've included some links that may be of help. Don't be intimidated by this foot! Watch the videos below and practice, practice, practice.

BERNINA: Automatic Buttonhole Foot #3

JANOME: Janome Accessory Tutorial - includes videos for lots of attachments. Here is a guide to the basic Janome Automatic Buttonhole Foot R. And here's another handy-dandy tutorial for the 11000.

HUSQVARNA-VIKING: There a few - The Buttonhole Sensor Foot and the Adjustable Buttonhole Foot. These website are really basic, though - no instruction.

Here is a great tutorial from Sewing With Niler! She's got some GREAT tips!

Want to learn how to sew on perfect buttons? Check out the video below:

 

Our Feet Don't Wear Shoes: Piping Foot

When you want to add piping, you can use a narrow zipper foot, but I prefer the Piping Foot. There is a groove in the bottom the sits directly over the piping! YAY! I've used the Bernina Foot #12 - Janome Piping Foot - and Husqvarna Viking Piping Foot. 

To learn more about inserting piping, go to Sew4Home. 

See this foot in action below!