Patterns, Techniques, Articles, Blogs, and other resources to learn how to sew
Rian from Presser Foot shares her needle chart that shows which type of sewing machine and hand sewing needle to use with different types and weights of fabric. She keeps a copy next to her sewing machine so it’s right where she needs it. Get the needle chart.
[tags]sewing, machine, hand, needle, chart[/tags]
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]
I have 2 different sergers recently purchased. They are used and only have 1 needle in each serger. My Singer serger (14u13) manual says to use Singer cat. no. 2053 #10,#11, #12, #14. The other serger is a SergeMate 5040L. Can I use the same needles in this machine as the Singer Serger? Thank you so much for you help. Confused, Terri
Terri, I’m not sure. I’d call your local Singer dealer and ask them. –Anne
Yes, I have the Companion Sergemate 5040. It can use the same needles that you use in your sewing machine. It can use Singer needles, universal needles. It was made by Tacony at the same time that they were making Babylock. Just remember to thread it right to left and to replace the sewing needle or needles. This serger has a very long life if treated right.
i have tacony made bl 5030 sergemate and looking for owner instruction manuals this unit purchased 3-3-90 to my mother who never get around to using it ,still in box but no manuals, please helpme find this information so I can use it to make throws, blankets and to cut down some of our clothes thanks for any help on this ,
I have companion 5040L serger machine the needel I used is either universal or overlock needles, it used to work properly ,now it started to berek the needel frequently the left needle. How can I fix the problem?