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Posted by Phaedrine on October 4, 2006, 11:46 pm
The single, most important thing I learned about sewing was: Change
needles often! Change your needle for every significant project or
every other small project. I use Schmetz needles for garment
construction. 80/12 is the most common size so I buy 80 sharps by the
100. I also keep some universals and ballpoints as well. Find yourself
a good needle/thread/fabric chart on the web and make a copy for
yourself if you don't have one already in a book. For silkies, you'll
need 65-70 sharps, broadcloth 75-80s, twill wt 90-14s, jeans/denim
16-18. etc.
The second most important thing I ever learned about sewing is that,
while a tad more expensive, sewing with natural fibers (cotton, silk,
wool, linen, ramie) is not only more comfortable but vastly easier to
sew and achieve a top notch outcome.
And the third thing is to use excellent thread. For some good thread
lessons, read here at the Superior Thread website:
<http://www.superiorthreads.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=categor
y§ionid=7&id=67&Itemid=100>
Avoid threads like Coats & Clark... the kinds of thread you would
normally buy at JoAnns or Hancock. Bad thread will waste your time and
sour your sewing experience. And it can really mess up a good sewing
machine. Gutterman is sometimes OK but not always. What I've seen
lately is terribly linty. Mettler, Superior, Robison-Anton, Aurifil are
all high quality threads. Thread from China is unreliable--- little
quality control.
Take lessons at a really good shop. I'm not talking about "project"
lessons like making a pillow case or a thingy you can hang on the wall.
I'm talking about technique lessons like beginning, advanced and master
sewing lessons, tailoring, mastering the different feet, etc. Ask
around. The shops that sell the best machines are usually the ones that
give the most professional lessons. Have fun!!
Phae
> I am very new to machine sewing. Just got a used machine a couple weeks
> ago. I have done repairs by hand, so I so have some threads, regular
> needles, tape measure, pins, that kind of thing......
--
I fear me you but warm the starved snake
Who, cherished in your breasts, will sting your hearts. (Henry VI,Shakespeare)
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Posted by Kathleen on October 5, 2006, 9:30 am
Hi Meghan,
I'm thinking that maybe your sister isn't the ideal instructor for you.
Mastering a new craft is tough enough without dealing with a bunch of
emotional baggage as well. Take a couple of lessons from someone whose
skills are up-to-date and take your sister's comments with a grain of salt.
Like the others have said, needles, needles, needles! Novices are prone
to blaming themselves when things start to go wrong, but you really need
to look to your equipment first. Change the needle, re-thread the machine.
You've received some really good advice on basic equipment so far. I
would suggest getting yourself a pair of thread snips - little bitty
scissors mean for trimming the thread at the end of a seam. Also, a
roll of water soluble basting tape (WonderTape). This stuff makes
installing zippers a breeze.
Let's see, what else... Oh! A comfy chair. What works best for me is
having my hips higher than my knees, so look for a used office chair
with adjustable height and tilt.
Kathleen
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Posted by cycjec on October 5, 2006, 11:14 pm
> I am very new to machine sewing.
Here's what I recalled of the first lesson I had,
long before I knew that sewing machines existed:
"Man pin mouth naughty"
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Posted by Sharon Hays on October 6, 2006, 6:15 pm
You've gotten such great answers. I just wanted to reiterate a couple
things. ;) And add one more.
The reiterate stuff:
Wash Away Wonder Tape. This stuff is Marvelous. When my summer student
"graduated" sewing class and went off to design school, I sent her with a
new package of it. It is great for "basting" zippers, patch pockets, lace
trim, etc. I am always finding new uses for it. Again, make sure it says
Wash Away, there are some fusible craft tapes out there (that you iron on)
that look similar and some other tapes that are just made for taping things
together. This stuff you can sew through and it won't gum up your needle or
machine.
Glass head pins. I LOVE glass head pins. Know why? An iron won't melt
glass. It will melt plastic. And there are many times when it's handy to
pin the project pieces together and press.
Black & Decker irons. No matter which model you choose. I have been very,
very pleased with this brand. Like most other brands, you can spend as much
or as little as you like. My current one was around $40 at a discount store.
Love it to pieces. And you will need a really good iron. (BTW, haven't
seen this mentioned... Remember in sewing that you will Press not iron.
Pressing means just that. You position the iron and press down. No sliding
around side to side. That's ironing. Ironing is what you do when your
clothes get wrinkled. Pressing is teaching the fabric how you want it to
lie in the garment.)
New thing:
A really good seam ripper. You will make mistakes. I've sewn since I was a
teenager, and that was a coupla decades ago. ;) I still make mistakes.
Sometimes those are the most valuable lessons you will have. Remember, as
long as it is a fabric that you can close the needle holes on, you can
remove a seam and redo it the right way. (If you are sewing something like
vinyl or leather, you only get one whack, those needle holes won't close up.
But you won't be diving right into that stuff for a while! lol) There are
all kinds of seam rippers available. (that says a lot about how many seams
get opened up huh?? lol) I prefer plain old razor blades. Cheap, and
sharp. I get them at the hardware store. A box of 100 is about $3 or $5.
(I sent a big baggy of these with my student too. She was tickled with both
graduation presents. lol) The only trick with these is to hold the seam so
you only cut the stitches, and don't cut yourself. ;) There are plenty of
other types out there if those are intimidating.
Here's a few:
http://store.atlantathread.com/seamrippers.html
http://www.havelssewing.com/c18950.html (this one is my other favorite.
it's a scalpel. You can change the blades when they get dull. The handle
has a great weight. And with the curve on the blade, it's very easy to get
into a seam. I use this on really delicate fabrics. I can cut one stitch
at a time with this.)
And remember to Have Fun with this!!! We will always be here to help too,
so don't be shy about posting questions. We love newbies around here! ;)
Sharon
--
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of time and just annoys the
pig.
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Posted by Kathleen on October 7, 2006, 6:38 pm
Sharon Hays wrote:
<snip>
> http://www.havelssewing.com/c18950.html (this one is my other favorite.
> it's a scalpel. You can change the blades when they get dull. The handle
> has a great weight. And with the curve on the blade, it's very easy to get
> into a seam. I use this on really delicate fabrics. I can cut one stitch
> at a time with this.)
<snip>
And on the topic of "off-label" use of medical supplies, I find locking
hemostats to be very helpful with heavy projects. The cheap ones are
not impossible to break, though, so keep your face back if you're
clipping about 6 layers of heavy stuff, and trying to use a hammer in
close proximity to drive in a zipper stop.
When I found a vendor selling a box of the things at a flea market I
bought a dozen of them, which got me a pretty weird look from the guy
selling them. I felt like telling him, "Dude, they're only roach clips
if that's what you use them for".
Kathleen
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