Patterns, Techniques, Articles, Blogs, and other resources to learn how to sew
Threads magazine shares some quick tips for using your serger for more than just a standard straight seam. Their article explains how to use a serger to gather fabric, how to create a lettuce edge, how to serge around corners (both inside and outside corners), and how to serve around curves. Go to the article to read about these techniques.
[photo from Threads]
It doesn’t matter whether you sew by hand or by machine, you need a pincushion. You need a spot to parks pins and needles and keep them within easy reach for when you need them again. There are a lot of styles of pincushion to choose from. Some magnetic, some fabric. Some cute, some purely functional. This “little bit extra” pincushion has a spot to store all the different types of pins and needles you might need while sewing. Polka Dot Chair has a free sewing pattern you can use to make one for yourself.
This handy little pincushion has a circular shape and is divided into sections to store different types of pins. The bottom section is for your regular straight pins. Just poke them in and they’re ready for when you need them. The top has one section with a felt flap perfect for holding your sewing needles. I don’t know about you but I don’t like mixing my hand sewing needles in with my pins on a pincushion. It makes it hard to find the needle when I want it. So having a separate section for the needles is a great idea.
This “little bit extra” pincushion also has a spot to hold a few fabric clips. Fabric clips have become popular alternatives to a traditional straight pin. They hold fabric pieces together without piercing the fabric, which is important when sewing leather, vinyl, or other materials that will show permanent holes from pins.
You can sew the “little bit extra” pincushion from large fabric scraps or small fabric cuts (fat eighth). You probably already have all the supplies you need to sew one in your sewing supplies already.
Get the free pattern for this “little bit extra” pincushion over at Polka Dot Chair.
[photo credit: Polka Dot Chair]
For anyone considering purchasing a serger….please take the time to test drive a Babylock. When you see the jet-air threading and the stitch quality, you will be sold. I bought my Evolve 11 years ago, and recently attended a 3 day Serger Workshop where we used the new Evolution. Once you use a Babylock, none of the others will do.
My choice is the 1300 BERNINA serger! It is as easy as it comes to thread, use and experience many different techniques a serger can do! 🙂
Chain stitching and the coverstitch are included with this model.
Definitely a must have!