Sewing » Sewing Machines

Video tutorial: Finding your way around your sewing machine

anneweaver — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:03:10 +0000

The first step to learning to sew is to make friends with your machine. All those moving parts and dials can be overwhelming at first, but once you know what they’re used for then you’ll know how to make your machine work for you. If you need a guided tour of your sewing machine, check out this video by Chica and Jo. It’s part of their Sewing 101 series. Go to the video.

[photo from Chica and Jo]

[tags]sewing, tutorial, video, machine, 101, beginner[/tags]

How your sewing machine makes a stitch

anneweaver — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:07:44 +0000

Liesl from Oliver + S shares an animated graphic showing how the bobbin and upper threads work together in a sewing machine to make a stitch. I’m strangely captivated by it, like watching a lava lamp or something. It also satisifies the analytical side of me, in that it helps me visualize what is going on underneath the faceplat of my machine when I’m sending fabric through my machine. Watch the animated graphic at Oliver + S.

[tags]sewing, machine, stitch[/tags]

Lookie what she made: Journal with antique sewing machine graphics

anneweaver — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:53:08 +0000

Cathie Holden from Just Something I Made bought this old Singer sewing machine for $5. While the machine clearly is no longer working, she was still able to use it to make a project. Not by sewing with it, but by taking photos of the decals on the machine and cleaning them up on her computer. She used them to make a gorgeous journal cover, and offers the graphics on her website for you to use in your own projects. See what she made and download the graphics.

[photo from Just Something I Made]

[tags]sewing, machine, graphic, decals[/tags]

Which features should you look for in an upper end sewing machine?

anneweaver — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:42:14 +0000

So you’ve finally decided to take the plunge and buy yourself a fancy schmancy, whizz bang, make-your-sewing-friends-jealous sewing machine. There are many models to choose from and they’re all loaded with features, features, features. Which features are a must? Which just sound nice on the packaging? Sew4Home shares some advice in their article, Top Ten Advanced Machine Features.

[photo from Sew4Home]

[tags]sewing, machine, advanced, features[/tags]

Tutorial: Getting started with an older sewing machine

anneweaver — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:47:00 +0000

If you want to get into the world of sewing but don’t want to spend several hundred dollars (or more) on a fancy new sewing machine, why not give an older machine a whirl? Frankly, I prefer sewing on my 25-year-old machine to any new machine I’ve tried. Instructables user Marguerita M shares information about cleaning and setting up your older machine. Get the info.

[photo from Instructables]

[via Craftzine]

[tags]sewing, tutorial, machine, older, used, setting up, cleaning[/tags]

Tips: Keep your sewing machine happy and humming

anneweaver — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:05:59 +0000

Even though it may seem at times that your sewing machine hates you, Laura from We Wilsons explains how a little TLC for your sewing machine can keep your sewing machine (and your relationship with it) running smoothly. Read her tips at We Wilsons blog.

[photo from We Wilsons]

[tags]sewing, tips, troubleshooting, sewing machine[/tags]

Video tutorial: Threading your serger

anneweaver — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:05:24 +0000

Patricia Valery from evilneedles.com shows how to thread your serger. She also shows a quick way to change thread colors once you’ve gotten it threaded. Go to the video tutorial.

[photo from Evil Needles' You Tube video]

[tags]sewing, tutorial, video, threading, serger[/tags]

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All about sergers

anneweaver — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:08:47 +0000

Meg from Fashioned by Meg shares her knowledge of sergers with an article on Sew, Mama, Sew! blog. If you’re considering buying a serger, or if you have a serger that you haven’t quite conquered yet, this article will help you better understand all that these machines can do. Go to the article.

[photo from Sew, Mama, Sew! blog]

Tips for buying an old sewing machine

anneweaver — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:31:43 +0000

Newer is not always better. This is certainly true with sewing machines. If you’re thinking about purchasing an older sewing machine, Sew, Mama, Sew! has some tips for you. Go to the article.

[photo from Sew, Mama, Sew!]

[tags]sewing, machine, buying, purchasing, older, antique, vintage[/tags]

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Choosing the right needle for your sewing project

anneweaver — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 04:03:14 +0000

Don’t let choosing the right needle for your sewing project intimidate you! Manda from Tree Fall posts on Sew, Mama, Sew! about the different types of sewing machine needles out there and when you’d use them. Go to the article.

[tags]sewing, machine, needle, choosing[/tags]

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Questions to consider when purchasing a sewing machine

anneweaver — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:42:39 +0000

Buying a sewing machine can be pretty confusing. There are so many different types of features and functions available. How to make sense of it all? Sew, Mama, Sew! shares a list of questions to consider when purchasing a sewing machine. They provide it as a PDF that you can print and bring along with you as you shop. Get the list.

[tags]sewing, machine, purchase, beginner, questions[/tags]

Get a (presser) foot fetish!

anneweaver — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:17:36 +0000

Florence from Flossie Teacakes posts an article on Sew, Mama Sew! Blog giving a run-down of the most common types of presser feet. From the walking foot to the open toe applique foot to the adjustable guide foot, she gives the why and the how. If you don’t have a foot fetish already, you will by the time you’re done reading. Go to the article.

Get the tension right on your machine

anneweaver — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:54:30 +0000

Are you plagued by tension headaches? I don’t mean a headache caused by the stress of your everyday life, I’m meaning a headache caused by not being able to get the tension on your machine set right. Threads Magazine offers some tips for getting the correct tension. Go to the article.

[tags]sewing, machine, tension, thread[/tags]

Video tutorial: Spring clean your sewing machine

anneweaver — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:32:23 +0000

You may have given your house a good spring cleaning, but what about your machine? It needs a spring cleaning too. Bethany Mann of Bitter Betty Blogs shows what to do in a video tutorial. See the demonstration.

[via Sew, Mama, Sew!]

[tags]sewing, tutorial, video, clean, machine[/tags]

Tutorial: Spring clean your sewing machine

anneweaver — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:33:09 +0000

As spring arrives, our thoughts turn to cleaning. We spruce up our houses, thin out our closets, sweep the dust off of the porch. But what about your sewing machine? This trusty partner of yours needs a spring cleaning, too. Craft Nectar shows you what you need to do. Get the tutorial.

[found via Craft Leftovers]

[tags]sewing, tutorial, clean, machine, tune up[/tags]