The Sewing Room

littleowl

I haven't sewed for a while but recently made a bed cover and cushion covers. I noticed my dressmaking shears were not as sharp as I remember them - and not cutting straight (I know that sounds impossible!).

Anyway, can anyone recommend some really good shears? Those I have are Wilkinsons' Sword and I am quite disappointed in them.

sp1987

Bunny200 wrote: »

Dunno if you've seen these but here a couple of great tutorials on shirring
http://flossieteacakes.blogspot.com/2010/06/shirring-tutorial.html
http://www.rufflesandstuff.com/2010/02/shirring-tutorial.html
http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/03/sweet-shirred-summer-dress-pattern.html

but basically they all say the same, don't adjust the bobbin tension, hand wind the bobbin with a little bit of tension on it, lengthen the stitch length and then try it on scrap of your fabric and then adjust the top tension if its needed. Also completely rethread the top thread as I find that sometimes sorts out the top tension. I do find that the top thead can be a little loose but it all comes right in the end. Maybe you could psot a picture and we could see whats going wrong!

hth

It slacks/releases to the stage that it unthreads itself and sends the end of the cotton wherever it feels like.

Basically it's like a mini cotton explosion...and then everything is twisted and stuck by the sewing foot. I thought the sewing machine had totally broken the first time (and a bit every subsequent time) but if you put cotton in the bottom bobbin and rethread the top it sews fine like it's forgotton what it's done.

I already hate sewing. I wish I hadn't refused to learn in school (didn't help that the teacher was very much a you need to find a husband to cook, clean and sew for woman and I didn't want to be repressed, lol).

Savvy_sewing

some of the things that were on my stall last week.

sm1971

I've just set up shop on Folksy with all my handmade goodies so pop across, have a look, add me as a Favourite (it helps my profile) or even buy something! http://www.folksy.com/shops/sm1971?page=1

Thank you!

danemi1

littleowl wrote: »

I haven't sewed for a while but recently made a bed cover and cushion covers. I noticed my dressmaking shears were not as sharp as I remember them - and not cutting straight (I know that sounds impossible!).

Anyway, can anyone recommend some really good shears? Those I have are Wilkinsons' Sword and I am quite disappointed in them.

will it help to cut a few pieces of foil with them - this is supposed to sharpen scissors up - worth a try?

Justamum

danemi1 wrote: »

will it help to cut a few pieces of foil with them - this is supposed to sharpen scissors up - worth a try?

Would cutting some sandpaper help?

littleowl

Thanks - I'll try the foil and sandpaper.
Anyone have scissor recommendations if neither works?

shirlgirl2004

littleowl wrote: »

Thanks - I'll try the foil and sandpaper.
Anyone have scissor recommendations if neither works?

Fiskars are really good but expensive although you can get them cheap on Ebay sometimes. I bought a pair of Fiskars pinking shears for about £16 and they are normally nearly double that price.

danables

Bunny200 wrote: »

Or of course I could just read one of the blogs I subscribe to! Look what arrived today in Google Reader http://pickupsomecreativity.blogspot.com/2010/07/sewing-101-with-kari-quilting-basics.html

all questions answered!

Thanks for this bunny, its explained so well, I would definitely advise using pins as well as spray baste, all i used with my pillow was spray and it was a bit puckered in places, i probably didnt use enough though! This has encouraged me to finally take the leap into a proper quilt (and I wont be using batting this time either!)

23rdspiral

hello everyone, i've not been around much but have tried to keep an eye on all your great makes. i'm happily plodding on with my hexies and now have over 300 basted .


i also have quite a pile of new and 'new to me' fabrcs after raiding various quilt shops scrap bins, and car boots and charity shops, and also due to Fabric Rehab's new bargin bundles (i've bought 5 so far!). oopsie!

maman wrote: »

I've got loads of patchwork (hexagons) that I did by hand years ago when I had a lot of train travel to do and I keep meaning to turn them into something. You're an inspiration.

ooh, i'm quite addicted to hexagons... here's a link to lots and lots of lovely pics of people's different hexi projects... you might find some inspiration... http://www.flickr.com/groups/1360481@N24/pool/

danables wrote: »

This has encouraged me to finally take the leap into a proper quilt (and I wont be using batting this time either!)

humm, what will you use instead? or will you make it a 'quilt cover'?

Pootle Flump & Bunny - good luck with your adventures in patchwork!

Drinking Fabric blog - sorry i cant remember who that is here - i just Love your quilted cushion. it's beautful! and your tilda stuffies look just like the ones in the book, brilliant!