Sewing Machine Maintenance

Sometimes our sewing machines get dusty, sometimes they start making a strange sound or have a strange smell. These are all signs that your machine might a need a cleaning.

*Every sewing machine is different, what I do on my machine may be different than what you are supposed to do on your machine, please refer to your machines manual for the proper care instructions.

Even though we take care of your machines it is important to have it serviced by a professional regularly. If you use your machine often, for large projects, once a year is a good idea. If you just use your machine for small projects every once in a while, it can wait longer.

Some sewing machine care quick tips:

-Never pull thread backwards through your machine, this ruins the tension disks causing the thread to be too loose.
-Never turn the wheel of the sewing machine away from you, always towards you, turning it backwards will knock the timing off causing the machine to skip stitches.
-Never try to sew with the presser foot up, it should always be down when sewing. Putting the presser foot down engages the tension disks. Without the tension disks engaged the thread will be too loose and will knot and tangle in the bottom of the machine. If you need to do free motion sewing there are specialized presser feet for it.

Phases of Crafting

Whether your just a beginner or so good you can do it with you eyes closed, every crafter goes through these phases when they craft something.

Design Phase

This is where you start with any craft. It can be a simple as looking as picking out a patter, or as complex as making a detailed drawing of what you want to make, with colors and materials listed.

-For Jewelry again you can look at instruction book, or make a drawing.
-Picking out blueprints
-Grabbing as many reference pictures as you can and putting them together is always a good place to start

Planning Phase

This is how you figure out what you are going to do to actually make the design a reality. Again it can be simple or complex.

-Make a task list of things that need to get done.
-Are you going to follow the instructions or pattern exactly or are you going to deviate.
-Are you going to make a pattern from scratch or are you going to work off other patterns.
-Gather the pattern you plan to use and then list which parts you are going to use from what
-List how you are going to use the patterns
-List the materials you plan to use, satin or crepe, rondelles or bicones, acrylic or wool.
-Figure out how much of each material you are going to need
-Choose your colors, even if this means buying swatches and taking them home for a week you need to pick exact colors before it's time to make the item.


Test Phase

This is the time to test to see if your plan works.

-If you drafted your own pattern, this is a good time to make a mock up
-line up beads to see if you like the combinations
-make a quilt block to see if the plan works, or the colors work, or whatever
-if it doesn't work here go back to design of plan phase to see what needs to be changed.

Make Phase

This is easy, make your item. Sew the dress, build the table, make the necklace, knit the scarf. You know what I mean.

and finally

Show it Off

You know what I mean. Take picture, show people, wear it, be proud you made something.

Every crafter from beginner to expert goes through these phases and you will see yourself doing it. Want to start a complex project this is where you start, you have to design and plan before you make.

Happy crafting

Renaissance Festival Dress: Picking a Pattern

Since Hoshicon is over the next even on my list is the Carolina Renaissance Festival, and I want to make a dress for it. I decided that I don't want to do anything overly complicated, so instead of designing my own I'm going straight from a pattern. Let me take you on the journey while I narrow down my choices.

Honorable Mentions
At this time the fall previews (2015) for both McCall's and Simplicity are available. Since I do not own any of the patterns from the fall preview yet, I did not include them in my selections. There are two that are worth mentioning though.

Simplicity 1094
McCall's M7218

The frozen fever one (Simplicity 1094), I would consider but probably not make because of the sort sleeve issue.

The peacock dress is one I could see working if I were going for enchantress or sorceress.

Runner Ups
All patterns that came close but didn't make it.

Simplicity
1137
1347(not currently available)

1487 (not currently available)

9891 (OOP)

4940

Butterick

4377

4571
McCall's
6940

Winner

Butterick 4827

Accessories:
Butterick 5371

Apple Bloom Boots

How I painted my Apple Bloom Boots.

I kind of wish I had mixed the paint with a textile medium before I started painting, or used the fabric spray paint. It might have worked better but you live and you learn. With this I am done with my Apple Bloom Cosplay.

Happy Crafting

So You're in the Market for a Sewing Machine

Whether you’re just getting interested in sewing or have been doing it for 40 years, whether you’re a home hobbyist or a professional seamstress, there comes a time when you start looking at getting a machine or getting a new machine. Before you delve into the wonderful and confusing world of sewing machine shopping you should ask yourself a few questions:

• What is the Budget?

Yep, hitting this one the head first your answer to this question will be the biggest deciding factor in how you proceed. I’m not going to sugar coat it, a good home sewing machine will cost anywhere from $100 to $15,000. Decide your budget first, because if you don’t want to spend more than $1000, you don’t even want to look a Bernina, they’re cheapest is $1,500 (awesome but expensive machines).

Sewing machines are priced like everything else, the simple, basic machines are going to be cheaper and the more features the more expensive. So if you’re a beginner you can probably get away with a cheap $100 machine but if you’re a seasoned sewist looking for more out of your machine, expect to pay more.

You may also notice that different brands have different price ranges. Brother and Singer tend to be on the low side of the price spectrum and you can get them at any walmart or craft store. Janome tends to be middle of the road on price while Viking and Bernina are at the high end. You tend to have to go to a dealer to buy the latter three, which gas is another thing to think about but that’s something you worry about after you’ve answered the rest of the questions.

• What is it for?

This question is just as important the “what is the budget question”. Do you just want it for simple mending projects, do you want to make clothes, do you want to quilt, or do you want to embroider? You have to answer this question because you don’t want to waste your time and money on a machine that’s not going to do what you want it to do.

If you want to do mending projects, or simple projects like curtains, a simple or basic starter machine will work wonderfully.

If you are going into garment sewing a machine will a few more options may be necessary, like the zig zag stitch, an automatic buttonhole, and a free arm. Also think about adding a serger along with your sewing machine.

If you are going into quilting, think about a large sewing space, also consider one with a table attachment. For large quilts you could also think about a long arm machine instead of a regular sewing machine.

If you are going into embroidery, you will need one that has the hoop attachments and most likely a way to connect to a computer.

Another thing to consider is the type of materials you are going to be using with it, if you are going to be working with heavier fabrics like canvas or upholstery fabrics a heavy duty machine will last longer and work better than a standard machine.

• Who is it For?

Is this sewing machine going to be for a child or an adult. Is it for someone with really large hands or fairly petite hands. Your answer to this question can help you decide on some of the features you’re looking for.

• If you are getting a machine for a child, you may want to consider a smaller lightweight machine. Also a machine with a speed control might be something to think about.
• If you are getting a machine for an adult or someone with larger hands you want to consider a larger machine.
• If you are getting a machine for someone who doesn’t have good foot control or can’t use the pedal you may want to consider a machine with a “cruise control” or start and stop option.
• If you are getting a machine for someone who doesn’t work well with computers you probably want to concentrate on simpler models. Without complex touchscreens.

Also think about how quickly someone could outgrow their machine. Basic machines, like the Singer Start or the Brother LS 2000 are generally only good to get started and do basic projects like curtains. For someone who wants to do more they will eventually outgrow a simple machine, and how quickly they will outgrow their machine will be different with different people. An adult will need a more advanced machine sooner, while a child could probably stay with a basic machine for a while.

The answer to this question will lead into the next question.

• What is the Skill Level or Experience of the User?

Is the machine for a beginner who’s never touched a sewing machine, or for a seasoned sewist with 40 years experience. For someone who has never touched a sewing machine you should stick with a simpler model, the fewer confusing features the better.

If you are looking for a more advanced machine you probably already know what features you want and features cost extra. It may be hard to find a machine that has all the features you want and at the price you want. You can save money on a more advanced machine by prioritizing which features are the most important for you and your personal situation and which features you can get by without.

I always suggest for beginners to start learning on a mechanized machine, then move into a simpler computerized machine before trying a more advanced computerized or embroidery machine.

Once you answer these questions you will be ready to look into the sewing machine that will be right for you and your situation.

Crafting on a low Budget Pt 3 Materials

 

 

 

Your materials, your yarn, your beads, your fabric, thread, you know all the things that you need for your individual projects. Materials are one of those ongoing purchases when it comes to crafting. For every project, you have to find the right the color material, the right weight (for fabric or yarn), and the right shape and size (beads).

 

 

You can try to buy used but finding enough yarn or fabric for the project you need can be difficult. Not to mention finding the right color, shape, size, weight, etc. This is one category where I would not fault you if you only bought new.

Buying all new materials can get expensive, especially if you have to do trial runs an such. Save as much as you can from project to project. You’d be surprised how little fabric you need to make an applique or even to quilt. Then you only buy what you absolutely need for each project. I find that a spool of thread can last two or three projects especially neutral colors like white, black, and tan.

You can, also, be very diligent about checking clearance sections, just be aware that clearance sections are items that the store will not carry anymore so grab as much as you are going to need because getting more may be difficult.

When buying new plan your project well ahead of time so that you can scope sales and coupons. Nothing like having to pay full price for a last minute costume (i see that one a lot). Planning ahead also gives you a chance to do any practicing and trial runs on cheaper or leftover materials so you don't mess up your more expensive materials, and then have to pay full price last minute for new material to start over.

Materials will always be a recurring cost but planning ahead and buying on sale will make it less daunting.

Happy Crafting

Crafting on a low Budget Pt 2 Patterns, Instruction Books, and Classes

When you start doing a craft many times you rely on taking classes and reading instruction books to learn how to actually go about making crafts. It’s difficult to save money on these items because you can’t really buy a “used” class. As always there are things you can do to make it cheaper on yourself.

CLASSES

Classes are a wonderful way of learning a craft but you have to think about whether or not they are necessary. Classes can be $10 to $100 even more for a private instructor and with google and wide array of blogs and Youtube channels you can learn many techniques without even stepping foot in a classroom. Now I’m not completely against classes, nothing compares to having an actual instructor, in front of you, walking you through a process or technique. My tip when it comes to saving money on classes is to learn what you can on your own and then see what you might need help with before you take a class. You may find you skipped the beginner class and need a more advanced technique class. Also, when taking classes at a chain store, wait until you can get the classes on sale, sometimes up to 50% off and, look for short classes, Jo Anns offers 1 hour classes for $10 that focus on one specific technique. This is reminiscent of the “Buy what you need when you need it”. If a class teaches stuff you’re pretty proficient in I wouldn’t buy the class.

INSTRUCTION BOOKS/PATTERN BOOKS

Books are the way we learn how to make the specific items  in our craft. My advice when it comes to these items is to look online first. With pinterest, google, and youtube, it’s amazing what can be found. Also I find it easier to find a specific project when I’m able to type it in a search bar. If you really want a book scour ebay and amazon for used books before buying a new one. Of course if you have to use a coupon or buy it on sale and you can save money.

SEWING PATTERNS

This has more to do with sewing, if you don’t sew you can skip this part.

Ah patterns, those lovely little envelopes that cost anywhere from $3 to $35. I bring these up because I know all too well about trying to save money on these. Sewing patterns are difficult to buy used because of how they are used, if you buy one used you may not be able to use it yourself which is what makes buying patterns cheap fairly difficult. Most chain craft stores will have sales of patterns every once in a while. I don’t buy them from chain stores unless they are less than $3 a piece. One of my suggestions, when it comes to sewing patterns, is to buy as many as you intend to make when they are on sale. Even if you don’t have the skills yet to make them, go ahead and get them any way, because you never know when they will go out of print. When they go OOP the only way to get them is online and the websites don’t tend to have sales and the shipping cost can be pricey. Be mindful of limits the store puts on patterns, they usually don’t allow more than 10 per transaction, this is to prevent resellers, even though smart resellers will find a way around this but that’s a rant for another time.

So in closing when it comes to learning material see what you can find for free online first, then try and buy what you need used, and finally try to buy it on sale or with a coupon.

Happy Crafting

Read Part 1 Here 

Crafting on a Low Budget Pt 1 Tools

Let's get one thing straight, crafting can be expensive. Whether it's knitting, crocheting, sewing, jewelry making , scrapbooking, or whatever you like to do it can get pretty pricey. I'm not going to lie, as someone who works at a craft store the amount of sticker shock I see is phenomenal.

I don't want to turn anyone away, crafting is a very fun and fulfilling hobby. Where else can you find items that are just you, they fit you perfectly, fit your lifestyle, and your personality but sometimes we run into the one major problem how to afford it when you don't have much money. Here are some tips to help bring those costs down.

1. Buy only what you need when you need
2. Buy used when you can
3. Buy when on sale or use a coupon

These are my biggest tips, every other tip will probably lead back to these three tips let me talk a little bit about how they pertain to the tools part of crafting.

Tools

Tools, they are the most important part of crafting. They are what you use to craft, your sewing machine, your needle nose pliers and wire cutters, your crochet hooks, your knitting needs, your hammer and nails, etc. Without the tools you may not be able to craft.

I, especially, bring  up tools for beginners because when you first start a craft you may not have the tools needed. When you walk into a craft store and look in the tools section of the jewelry department you may get a little overwhelmed by the amount of tools available, from crimping tools, flat nose pliers, round nose pliers, wire  cutters and flush cutters, and that’s just the beginning of available tools. Same thing goes for knitting, different types of needles, sizes, brands, and specialty needles. Have you ever been down the sewing notions isle at any craft store? It can be overwhelming.

Now we come to the first tip, buy only what you need when you need it. When you first get started you most likely aren’t going to need every single knitting needle or crochet hook available, or every single jewelry tool that’s on the wall. In fact you probably don’t even need half.

Just to get started you need:

• Knitting - A set of needles and some yarn.
• Loom Knitting - A loom and some yarn.
• Crochet - A hook and some yarn.
• Sewing - A needle, thread, and fabric.
• Scrapbooking - Paper, Scissors, and Glue.
• Jewelry Beadworking - bead string and beads.
• Jewelry Wire working - wire cutters, flat nose pliers, round nose pliers, and wire.

That’s all, I know this list is very minimalistic but it is a start. Before you get started on actually making projects you have to learn the basics. To learn the basics you really don’t need a lot of stuff. Then after you learn the basic you start on simple projects, this is “the when you need it” happens, if you buy the extra tools as you find you need them for specific projects. You may find 20 projects down the road and you still haven’t found a need for some of the “beginner” tools that are advertised.

Now if you do find that you need every tool available, this step doesn’t really save you money more than it spaces out the cost so you don’t have such a large investment up front.

Which brings up my second tip, buy used when you can. Shop yard sales, search craigslist, scour ebay, and even facebook for used tools. Especially for some high dollar items like a sewing machine, desk, or many organization tools. Personal story: I managed to get a huge set of different knitting needles for $2 because a lady’s mother had passed away and no one else in the family knitted. Same thing happened to me with some sewing supplies, I got three huge boxes full of thread, notions, and other tools, that I didn’t have at the time, for $1.

If you have friends that craft see if you can borrow their tools to learn off of to see if you like the craft before you make the investment. Don’t be afraid to look around and ask around you may be surprised what you find.

Now buying used is not always possible, and some items are better bought new which is where shopping sales and coupons comes into play.

When buying new tools always shop around, sometimes you may be able to get something cheaper at a different store. Now cheaper doesn’t always mean better quality but if you have to, cheap will get you where you need to go.

Now I am not a fan of buying craft supplies from Wal-mart, they are cheaper than cheap and it shows, but I also have other options in my area. If you have a Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Jo Anns, Ac Moore, or Hancocks in your area go ahead and join their coupon program. Jo anns is closest to me so I do most of my craft shopping there, I know Jo Anns will send you coupons by Mail, E-mail, and text, you can also download their app that will send coupons straight to your phone, and their website always has coupons. Other stores have their own coupon program so don’t be afraid to use them. I bought all my jewelry tools from Jo Anns, I made sure to buy them on sale, they were actually cheaper on sale at Jo Anns than at wal-mart and better quality.

You may live in an area where you don’t have many specific craft stores, my simple answer, shop online. Amazon, Ebay, and all websites of the aforementioned stores will deliver straight to your house. Shipping may be expensive but most websites have a free shipping price threshold, like $35 for amazon, Jo anns has a $50 threshold for free shipping, $60 for Hancock. Don’t forget the online only deals that all these websites have, and the fact that any coupon you can use in store can also be used online, unless the coupon actually says “in store only”. Don’t be afraid to look to the Web.

Crafting is not cheap but there are ways to make it less expensive.

Happy Crafting

Read Part 2 Here