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| Juki F600 Stretch stich 3 |
Showing posts with label Sewing Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sewing Tips. Show all posts
Easy Kwik Sew Cardigan
Finally after spending so much time fixing my overlocker I didn't need it because my thread was not an exact match to my fabric...This would have bugged me for ever thread not matching so I re-cut the cardigan and used French seams then turned over the hem so it looked tidy.
The pattern I used was Kwik Sew 3721 Sizes: XS-S-M-L-XL. It is a loose fitting cardigan designed for double knits etc. The fabric used is a 2-way stretch Merino blend. Very easy patter to sew I didn't change or alter the pattern...
Sewing New Look 6103
Help I'm having a bad sewing day! If anything was going to go wrong it did, and I think the type of fabric (from my stash) played a big part in this. It was a type of heavy taffeta like fabric. So the front of the skirt didn't sit right, I needed to alter the darts and make them longer so the front of the skirt sat flatter over the tummy part...
I had difficulty easing the waist band onto the skirt body no matter how many times I pressed the fabric it still puckered at the waist band. Personally I don't like sewing these type of waist bands (makes fitting harder).
I thought my zip sewing was perfect, but it wasn't. I had a slight excess of fabric so it didn't look as good as it should of. But I wasn't going to unpick it as I hated sewing this fabric. Also I wasn't too sure if the skirt was going to look good anyway...
Overall this pattern is an easy sew and I'd make it again in a different fabric. Also maybe I wouldn't have a waist band I'd just use a facing like Style B....Has anybody else had trouble easing the waist band?
Pattern: New Look 6103
Fabric: Heavy taffeta type
Size: 14
Zip: 7"
I had difficulty easing the waist band onto the skirt body no matter how many times I pressed the fabric it still puckered at the waist band. Personally I don't like sewing these type of waist bands (makes fitting harder).
I thought my zip sewing was perfect, but it wasn't. I had a slight excess of fabric so it didn't look as good as it should of. But I wasn't going to unpick it as I hated sewing this fabric. Also I wasn't too sure if the skirt was going to look good anyway...
Overall this pattern is an easy sew and I'd make it again in a different fabric. Also maybe I wouldn't have a waist band I'd just use a facing like Style B....Has anybody else had trouble easing the waist band?
Pattern: New Look 6103
Fabric: Heavy taffeta type
Size: 14
Zip: 7"
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| Finished and not too bad...pleased that's over but I do love the colour! |
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| The back..this is probably more of a winter skirt as the fabric is heavy. You'll get too hot wearing this in the summer... |
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| Oops she fell it's really windy....the waist band looks better lying down! I'm still not happy with it. It doesn't sit as well as it should. |
Twin Needle Twist
I have wanted to learn how to use a twin needles for a while. House of Pinheiro has a good post on using twin needles so I followed the instructions over there. I also looked on You Tube for a Bernina Activa to see if there were any tutorials on twin needles. Click here to view a video on using a twin needle on the Bernina Activa.
My first efforts were a total disaster 'practice makes perfect' right? I soon sorted it and all I needed to do was put both my threads through the same side of my tension disks. Once I did this my efforts were good....I think though I need to loosen the bottom tension a bit. But I'm not to sure how to do this though. More practice I think!
My first efforts were a total disaster 'practice makes perfect' right? I soon sorted it and all I needed to do was put both my threads through the same side of my tension disks. Once I did this my efforts were good....I think though I need to loosen the bottom tension a bit. But I'm not to sure how to do this though. More practice I think!
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| Twin needle sewing on the Bernina Activa 220 |
Learning to use the Hump Jumper
There is a teaching video I at S N Designs Co for learning how to use your 'Hump Jumper'. You can also find more information on the Hump Jumper and other sewing products on Sandy's other website. The Hump Jumper can also be purchased here too. SN Designs Co. ships internationally as well...
Basic Bias for Beginners
Making Bias Binding with the Simplicity Bias Binder Machine
Firstly you need to fold your fabric and how to do this can be found @ Sew4Home. It's a really good idea to press your fabric first before marking your strips (I didn't though).
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| The first batch |
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| It folded well at the back.... |
Firstly you need to fold your fabric and how to do this can be found @ Sew4Home. It's a really good idea to press your fabric first before marking your strips (I didn't though).
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| Measure and mark 2"fabric strips to make 1" bias binding. When it's re- folded it becomes a 1/2" bias...... |
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| Cut the strips with scissors or a rotary blade. I think a rotary is best if you know how to use it. I still go wonky with it hence I'm using scissors. |
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| Cut the ends straight and pin on right angle...... |
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| Sew right angle with a straight stitch.... |
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| Cut the excess fabric off. My seam is a fraction big.... Then press open creating a flat diagonal seam |
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| Right side of bias strip is now all ready to press |
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| Wind the bias strip onto the spool...... |
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| Not too tight though, but firmly wind...... |
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| Place the spool into bias machine...... |
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| Just about there.... |
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| Now thread the fabric strip through the 1" bias maker. You may need to use something pointy to help guide it through. Next heat up the machine at right setting. I used cotton...... |
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| Now remove the cover over the iron. Follow the instructions that come with the bias machine on how to do this part (you slide it back) |
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| Ready now to put the cover back on.....don't burn your fingers! |
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| Press the 'run' button and out comes the folded bias.....fantastic! |
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| Yay! it's all done and ready to roll or press in half if you want to...... |
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| Now the bias binding is all ready to use. Keep the bias binding wound up on a spool. I didn't have anything fancy so I just used the inner of a plastic wrap roll..... |
Neddle Threader
I did it, I can now work the Juki F600 needle threader! The foot has to be down.....
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| One thing I do like about the Juki Exceed is that it has really good lighting...... |
When you have no Needle Threader...
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| Anything white I kept a white card by the sewing machine until I lost it .......Now I just rip any bit of white paper to put behind the sewing machine needle....... |
Magnets & Pins
I can't live with out my magnetics when sewing.....Too many of my pins end up on the floor. When I was about fourteen my father bought a brand new Bernina 730 Record to hem his overalls........I can't remember how I started to sew........I've always had a curious mind and it's my guess I just had to try it out this new sewing machine.......I think I take after my Granny and sewing just came naturally to me.
I would always make the mistake of leaving my pins everywhere........My father always complained that I was always dropping pins and someone would step on them (I used to sew on the kitchen table)....... He'd pick up a pin, peer at me and tell me off in his broad foreign accent. Being young I never took much notice and kept on dropping pins.......I was always engrossed in my latest project. If only I had a magnet to pick up my pins back then......But the best part was my father let me take the sewing machine with me when I married and then it became me who hemmed his overalls for him.......
My big blue magnet I give to the button thief and he runs around and picking up my pins off the floor.......The yellow magnetic pin holder I keep by the sewing machine and if I drop a tin of pins I just magnet them all up!
I found a good blog site for making your own magnetic pin holders.......Why didn't I think of that? Such a good idea and good way to use up old dishes, etc. Click here.
I would always make the mistake of leaving my pins everywhere........My father always complained that I was always dropping pins and someone would step on them (I used to sew on the kitchen table)....... He'd pick up a pin, peer at me and tell me off in his broad foreign accent. Being young I never took much notice and kept on dropping pins.......I was always engrossed in my latest project. If only I had a magnet to pick up my pins back then......But the best part was my father let me take the sewing machine with me when I married and then it became me who hemmed his overalls for him.......
My big blue magnet I give to the button thief and he runs around and picking up my pins off the floor.......The yellow magnetic pin holder I keep by the sewing machine and if I drop a tin of pins I just magnet them all up!
I found a good blog site for making your own magnetic pin holders.......Why didn't I think of that? Such a good idea and good way to use up old dishes, etc. Click here.
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| I've had the magnetic pin holder for years......... |
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| My first sewing machine Bernina 730 Record...... A very heavy sturdy sewing machine that my father liked to over oil.....I ended up with oil spots all over my sewing....... |
What's inside my Bernina 801?
The Bernina 801 is a 'free-arm zig-zag sewing automatic buttonholer and built-in plain and utility stitching'. Here are a few pics of the inside workings of the Bernina 801. As you can see she is really a simple machine, very easy to pull apart and clean the hook and the hook race when sewing thread jams the bobbin case.
She hasn't been serviced that much in her 30 years, I just oil her and a way she goes....In the last ten years her foot peddle gave up and that was replaced with another (not new) and this now has just been fixed with parts found in an auction. I also managed to get a spare foot peddle on another online auction just in case this one breaks down.
Sadly no parts are made anymore for this machine as the Bernina factory lost everything in the Tsunami in Thailand (I think that's correct). But if you ever see a good second hand one snap it up it will go for ever. I also think you can get generic feet for it too.........
Maintenance tips:
Oil the shuttle and run a lead pencil around it for maintenance of the machine.
Thread the machine with the foot up....
Test bobbin tension by holding it by the thread in it's case and shuttle
Use new needles every garment ( I forget)
These four tips have kept my sewing machine in good order for years.......
She hasn't been serviced that much in her 30 years, I just oil her and a way she goes....In the last ten years her foot peddle gave up and that was replaced with another (not new) and this now has just been fixed with parts found in an auction. I also managed to get a spare foot peddle on another online auction just in case this one breaks down.
Sadly no parts are made anymore for this machine as the Bernina factory lost everything in the Tsunami in Thailand (I think that's correct). But if you ever see a good second hand one snap it up it will go for ever. I also think you can get generic feet for it too.........
Maintenance tips:
Oil the shuttle and run a lead pencil around it for maintenance of the machine.
Thread the machine with the foot up....
Test bobbin tension by holding it by the thread in it's case and shuttle
Use new needles every garment ( I forget)
These four tips have kept my sewing machine in good order for years.......
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| Everything is all metal......weight of machine approx. 8.1kg Easy to pull apart the bobbin |
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| Inside the bottom of the free-arm...... |
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| Inside the top of the machine....... |
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| Because I mostly use the Bernina 801 with a free-arm I have the joy of putting all my pins underneath the arm.... |
How to fix Stiff Squeaky Sewing Scissors
Don't you hate it when someone uses your favourite sewing scissors?.......I lose the plot because I hate it when they stop cutting well, if you re-sharpened them they are never the same (well that's my experience)....... I guard mine with my life, except I can't watch them all the time.........A young man found them and used them and they were never the same.......Although they are very sharp and can still cut fabric. They have become very stiff when I open and shut them, they squeak too!
Well I have fixed them by using a drop of Tsubaki Oil (Camellia oil). Now they open and shut perfectly and no more squeaking.....You need to give the scissor blades a wipe to remove the excess oil, then you snip away happily without a squeak (they are almost like new again).
Well I have fixed them by using a drop of Tsubaki Oil (Camellia oil). Now they open and shut perfectly and no more squeaking.....You need to give the scissor blades a wipe to remove the excess oil, then you snip away happily without a squeak (they are almost like new again).
Looking After Those Patterns
I don't know if your like me ......You cut out your sewing pattern use it then can't fit it back in the envelope. I know I should press the pattern pieces, then they all would fit back into the pattern envelope. But lately I've been lazy (well too busy too) to keep my sewing patterns in an orderly way......
I found these perfect zip lock plastic bags which I use to put patterns in. I use them for my sewing patterns I have not packed away properly, or for the ones I'm about to sew. It keeps everything all tidy and I also put my sewing notions in there too. Saves me hunting for the exact matching cotton later on......
I found these perfect zip lock plastic bags which I use to put patterns in. I use them for my sewing patterns I have not packed away properly, or for the ones I'm about to sew. It keeps everything all tidy and I also put my sewing notions in there too. Saves me hunting for the exact matching cotton later on......
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| Something to make in the future maybe?....packaged in Family Choice Slide-Lock Freezer Bags |
Froggy & Pins
I found this little frog when I was cleaning up the garage. Froggy is filled with wheat I suspect.......a mini bean frog.......He's mine now I'm keeping him ( no I didn't sew him)....he'll make a great pin cushion, the pins just stick in wonderfully. I've left him by the old Bernina....he's guarding it!
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| Finding a use for a beany frog....so cute! |
The Button Jar
Do you have a Button Jar? I have had one for a very long time, my mother had one and no doubt my Granny would have had one too........I am ever so possessive over my Button Jar........no one can take out buttons with out my permission. A bit silly really who is going to make off with my button jar with just contains plain old buttons.......there are no precious buttons in it.
A tiny witch on a broomstick once lived in that button jar....... I put it there to frighten a little boy away who liked to steal my colourful buttons......I rather suspect he stole the little witch too as she's not living in that button jar no more........
Even today I still cut buttons off old clothing in case they may come of use some day.......It saves money and it nice way to recycle buttons and use them again.......Now not only do I have a Button Jar I started an Odds & Ends jar and a Lace Jar......
A tiny witch on a broomstick once lived in that button jar....... I put it there to frighten a little boy away who liked to steal my colourful buttons......I rather suspect he stole the little witch too as she's not living in that button jar no more........
Even today I still cut buttons off old clothing in case they may come of use some day.......It saves money and it nice way to recycle buttons and use them again.......Now not only do I have a Button Jar I started an Odds & Ends jar and a Lace Jar......
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| The Odds and Ends jar has a Teddy in it.... Poor thing he's waiting to be fixed |
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