Must-Have Tools Here’s a list of some of the basic sewing tools that belong in every sewing basket. You should gather them over time and keep them handy for all your sewing projects. Awl—Use an awl to move fabrics through the machine without your fingers getting too close. Basting thread—This is silk thread, but any brightly colored thread works. Bobbins—Make sure bobbins are specific to your sewing machine. Chalk—I recommend the wax-type tailor’s chalk because it disappears with steam. Cutting mat—Cutting mats are available in many sizes depending on your space and project needs. Fabric marking pens—Fabric marking pens feature ink that is not permanent. The ink disappears over time, with the application of water or steam. They are wonderful tools for marking guidelines, cutting lines, and designs for decorative stitching or embroidery. Hand sewing needles—Keep a selection handy for basting and finishing. I like sharps and betweens; they’re small, sharp, and easy to use. Marking pencil—Use this pencil to mark sewing details and keep your sewing oriented and on track. Pinking shears—These cut a zigzag edge to finish raw edges inside a garment quickly, minimizing bulk. Old-school simplicity at its finest! Pins—I prefer long, sharp quilting pins. They’re easy to see and handle. Rotary cutter—Not just for quilting, rotary cutters can be used to make bias tape and cut out patterns. You’ll need a cutting mat to use a rotary cutter. Rulers—Rulers are helpful for making patterns and marking hems. Screwdriver—This comes with most machines and is used to attach presser feet and adjust tension. Seam ripper—It’s a good idea to have a few; they seem to fall in the wastebasket! Seam sealant—Seam sealant is great for dabbing a tiny spot behind a freshly sewn button or on the cut end of a decorative trim so it doesn’t fray. Spring-handle shears—These are easy on your hands, as the spring does half the work. Tailor’s points 5" (12.5 cm)-long scissors—These are good for clipping corners and curves. Tape measure—It’s always good to have more than one tape measure on hand because they tend to get lost. Thread snips—My favorite, Gingher thread snips, have a loop at the top of the cap so you can wear them around your neck on a ribbon or piece of twill tape. Great for keeping handy during fittings. Tweezers—These are handy for grabbing thread after you’ve threaded the needle. Projects Boho Knit Skirt Skirts like this one are easy to wear and to make. The only drawback is sometimes, when you gather all that fabric into the waist, it makes your waistline too bulky. The method described attaches a gathered skirt to a smooth elastic waistband to streamline the look. To make this skirt, you will use the gathering foot and the overcasting foot and you will practice decorative stitching, using embroidery thread and a decorative stitch for the hem. You will also learn how to create a slim waistband and use a straight stitch plate for sewing with lightweight knit fabric. Oilcloth Gardening Apron This simple project is a great way to try working with oilcloth or vinyl-coated cotton. Choose two contrasting oilcloth prints, plus a cotton fabric for the ties. I chose commercial bias tape for the binding, then found matching colored fabric for the ties. Using a roller foot keeps the oilcloth from sticking and it rolls right over bulky seams. Although it isn’t required, the ¼" (6 mm) guide foot makes it super easy to sew ¼" (6 mm) seams on the apron ties. To make it easier to bind the edges of the apron, I cut the basic shapes following the dimensions below, then I rounded the bottom corners by tracing around a cardboard spool approximately 3" (7.6 cm) in diameter. Lace Appliqué Dress Refashion Trends come and go, and most fashion trends seem to come back around, eventually, but in slightly different ways. Lace adds dimension and texture to fabric and is a quick and easy way to update an older garment. You can add pieces of lace with the free motion foot (see page 118), but you can also apply the lace with a straight stitch and then cut away the backing, as shown in this classic shirtdress. If you have a favorite shirt or dress in the back of your closet or find a dress in your local thrift shop that just needs a bit of updating, simply insert lace trim for a completely new look. Plan your design before you purchase the lace so you can determine exactly how much lace you need. Be sure to wash and press the garment before you start planning your update!
✔ Author(s): Steffani Lincecum
✔ Title: Sewing Machine Magic: Make the Most of Your Machine--Demystify Presser Feet and Other Accessories * Tips and Tricks for Smooth Sewing * 10 Easy, Creative Projects
✔ Rating : 4.6 out of 5 base on (614 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 1589239504
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about Sewing Machine Magic by Steffani Lincecum
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