The Sewing Room

shirlgirl2004

I noticed the 99P Store is selling cheap wadding for 50p a roll. The roll is 36 inches by 6ft. It is sold as a christmas decoration (sparkling christmas roll) so it has small glittery bits in it and it is only thin but ideal for adding to a bag or other items where thin wadding is required. I don't know what I'll use it for but I'd guess it normally would cost about £4 for the same amount in a sewing shop so worth buying to have on standby.

lindens

Violetta wrote: »

Hello- sorry to but in but I've spotted these machines toyota jeans plus £87.96 after 20%off or the toyota jeans £84 after discount, there are quite a few in the sale most would have a discount. I am tempted by 1 of the toyotas but really not sure, I got a machine out of Lidl's about 7 years ago & never really got on with it, would anyone be able to check these out & recommend 1 are the prices good? Thank you so much in advance.

I bought an older model Toyota Jeans about 4 years ago from Littlewoods catalogue. It's a simple starter machine and is easy to use. It has enough stitches for a beginner. It is slightly noisy i would say. I now feel I have grown out of it , lol, and hope to treat myself to a more complicated one that i can do free-motion on as well this year.
So it depends what level you are......

Bunny200

ali.b.123 wrote: »

Hi, back again been reading the last few pages and bookmarked some ideas that look quite good for a beginner to have a go at, but I haven't heard of heavy interfacing stabilizer is this an american term??? or could I know it under another name. This probably seems like a really daft question - sorry - hope someone could help thank you.

Heres a really good article written by a Brit explaining all about interfacing/stabilizer. She has a great bag shop so its mainly from that perspective but the principle is the same and she explains when to use which weight of interfacing and when to use sew-in or iron-on. Great blog in general!

hth

[Deleted User]

Ddraig wrote: »

Can anyone tell me how I do an invisible stitch please?By hand I mean.Im doing a sock monkey.Done backing stitch on the parts I could do inside out.But need to do a stitch I can see for the right side.
I am a sewing amateur so please give me the idiots guide version,lol.tia xx

Hi (I hope this comes out ok because I have never quoted a message before!)

I would suggest a slip stitch (or ladder stitch which is very similar if you are trying to draw two edges together). It is quite easy to do and is adaptable in stitch size. Basically you take a small stitch through one edge and then a small stitch in the opposite edge and alternate.
The illustrations are sometimes on a hem but the principle is the same

Look here

http://www.fiber-images.com/Free_Things/Reference_Charts/free_reference_charts_handsewing_stitches.html


(This also has a picture of diagonal basting which is one of the most useful stitches you can ever use but most people don't seem to know about it)

This is more detailed

http://www.wikihow.com/Slip-Stitch

the following is showing it on cushion edges
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CjOXMuTFXo

natc

Hi everyone,

Just wondered if anyone knows of a good pattern for a diary cover? I only have the slim ones that fit into your handbag but i have alsorts stuffed in it eventually, bits of paper, receipts etc! So would like to cover my diary, with some kind of pockets on the inside to but bits and bobs in, I even have a nail file in there! lol. Random. Any help, appreciated, thank you. : )

ali.b.123

Hi, just a real flying visit on my lunch break need to be back in 2 mins oops!!! lol but thank you to Pootleflump and Bunny for the help there, except Bunny I cant find the link to the blog you mentioned - sorry.

Bunny200

ali.b.123 wrote: »

Hi, just a real flying visit on my lunch break need to be back in 2 mins oops!!! lol but thank you to Pootleflump and Bunny for the help there, except Bunny I cant find the link to the blog you mentioned - sorry.

Duh, thats the second time I've done this week! Must be the shock of January, here you go....
http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2007/01/interfacinginte.html

rufusdog52

My sewing machine is playing up. My Dad bought it for me in the summer and it seemed to be going alright but every now and then it would do a little loop underneath. Then it started doing more and more loops until now it seems to loop all the time underneath. I have taken the bobbin out and rewound it, changed the needle, cleaned out the fluff etc. In the end today I rang the helpline and a man rang me back told me to check I was threading it properly, I thought I was so he talked me through it on the phone and I did it exactly how he said but still looping up at the bottom. He said someone will ring me on Monday and arrange to pick it up to have a look.

Was just wondering if anyone out there has had the same problem and might know something else I could try between now and Monday? I dont want it to go back and be away for weeks only to be told it was something simple.

nykied

rufusd!!!2 wrote: »

My sewing machine is playing up. My Dad bought it for me in the summer and it seemed to be going alright but every now and then it would do a little loop underneath. Then it started doing more and more loops until now it seems to loop all the time underneath. I have taken the bobbin out and rewound it, changed the needle, cleaned out the fluff etc. In the end today I rang the helpline and a man rang me back told me to check I was threading it properly, I thought I was so he talked me through it on the phone and I did it exactly how he said but still looping up at the bottom. He said someone will ring me on Monday and arrange to pick it up to have a look.

Was just wondering if anyone out there has had the same problem and might know something else I could try between now and Monday? I dont want it to go back and be away for weeks only to be told it was something simple.

I don't know if it's the same thing (I only got my first sewing machine at Christmas), but my manual says that if there's a loop in the seam, check the thread tension. But I'm sure someone who actually knows something about these things will be along soon

rufusdog52

nykied wrote: »

I don't know if it's the same thing (I only got my first sewing machine at Christmas), but my manual says that if there's a loop in the seam, check the thread tension. But I'm sure someone who actually knows something about these things will be along soon

Thanks nykied, my machine has automatic tension. I have tried altering it to see what happens but it doesnt make any difference. I am only sewing 100% cotton fabrics (quilt making) and using 100% cotton thread too.