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Posted by Emily Bengston on April 12, 2008, 7:49 pm
On 4/12/08 5:17 AM, in article
48008c46$0$14278$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au, "FarmI"
>
>>> :-)) Yu may have serger envy, but you need to get that sewing machine to
>>> sing before you think about a serger (I think the analogy would be walk
>>> before yu run).
>>>
>>> How are your progressing with the sewing machine so far? What have you
>>> done with it and what are you still having problems with?
>>> Thanks for all the wonderfull insights and comments. I
>>> appreciated the feedback. So far with the machine, I have learned how
>>> to wind the bobbin, thread the needle, change the feet, and learn how to
>>> adjust the stitches and what they do.
>> Basically, learning the hardware. I have ordered two
>> instruction books, and when they come, I will try and work threw them, to
>> get a better understanding on how things work.
>> I also purchased some supplies. A good scissor, a bunch of
>> extra bobbins, and some various types of threads. I also purchased some
>> small remnants of pieces that were in a bin, in order to fool around with
>> various types of fabric.
>
> As a very raw beginner, might I make a suggestion or six?
>
> Invest in some really cheap cotton (dunno what you call it in the US -
> perhaps calico, perhaps muslin, but it's a creamy colour and not
> particularly nice, but good to learn on) and then just dive in and have a go
> at basic things like seams and various edge stitches and manual button holes
> before you bother about moving on to other types of fabric.
>
> The reason why I suggest this approach is that cotton will 'behave' and sit
> where you put it, other fabrics don't always do that and for a beginner,
> behaving fabric is important because you need to know that you are the boss
> rather than the fabric.
>
> I've also suggested seams, edge stitches and manual button hole in that
> order because most of the things you will ever need to do on wovens (as
> opposed to knits) can be covered by using just those things and can easily
> be accomplished on any machine that does straight stitch and zig-zag. And
> also, if you can master those 3 things then you will have conquoured nearly
> all of the things you will need to to put together most garments. From the
> cheap cotton, then move onto other types of wovens then go onto knits.
>
> Here endeth the unasked for advice (but I know that I learned in that order
> and most other sewers I know) and if I was teaching anyone, this is the
> order in which I would teach them.
>
>> Also, it seems, I needed to purchase a large magnifying lens
>> with a light, as my old sharpshooter eyes are not what they once were. :)
>> I think that has been my most beneficial purchase so far. I can see the
>> stitching much better, read the small instructions and just have an easier
>> time of things. Oh to be twenty again.
>
> :-)) I know just what you mean. I can't see a thing these days without
> magnifying glasses on my face.
>
>
Farml, if you don't mind, I'd like to copy your suggestion for beginning
sewing to one DGD, who has a SM, but really doesn't know how to sew. I've
given her a few books including the Reader's Digest(1977) and the "Dummies"
book, as well as showing her a few things while visiting her; she is in FL
and I'm in Houston, TX.
But you directions are short, clear & concise. I think she'll enjoy reading
and be able to remember them more easily than what the books & my
instructions have taught her.
Thanks you,
Emily
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