The Sewing Room

MissPixie

Does anyone have any recommendations for the best place to get sewing machine needles? I have schmetz ones at the moment that came with my machine but not many left.

In_Search_Of_Me

Pixie I always thought you had to get special one but generic ones work pretty well for any machine! Jeans needle for thicker fabrics/lots layers but somewhere like dulelm, john lewis, hobby craft or local habidashery should be ok!

PootleFlump_3

MissPixie wrote: »

Does anyone have any recommendations for the best place to get sewing machine needles? I have schmetz ones at the moment that came with my machine but not many left.

I use the all purpose ones at moment although I had a class with a professional sewer the other week and she told me that if you are sewing with anything with a weave you should always use denim needles (apart from when quilting then use quilting ones). She says that it doesnt matter if its lightweight cotton or denim you should never use multi purpose and always use denim needles - obviously change the size depending on what your weight of fabric is.

She was adamant that I would notice a difference. Aint bought any yet though!! She spoke very highly of the Schmetz ones.

I normally get my needles in John Lewis or local fabric shop (have also bought from ebay)

rufusdog52

Ailsb wrote: »

Hi all sorry to "gatecrash". I have been reading this forum for just over a week now having stumbled here from Cross Stitch cafe.

When my mum died I inherited her craft supplies and have 9 fat quarters. I thought about making a bag but decided that a quilt would be more fitting as this could be passed down to my son. I have added another 3 fat quarters so now have 12 and I'm about to embark on my first quilt. Think I may need to add extra fabric - need to work out measurements.

As I am a complete novice (I did a bit of patcwork at school many years ago but all I do in the way of sewing now is curtains) I thought I should use squares. I am a little confused as to how it's best to start. Here's my plan:

Wash fabric, dry and iron.
Cut squares - thinking of using 5.5 squares using 9 to make an large square.
Sew 9 individual squares together with a 1/4inch seam allowance.
Sew the large squares together 3 x 4.
make a sandwich of patchwork, wadding and backing material and baste together.
Quilt the "sandwich" and then add a binding.

Does the above seem reasonable? Should I be cutting individual squares or long pieces and sewing two of these together before then cutting into individual pieces? Also, is it okay to cut out with scissors? I've read such a lot about using a rotary cutter but they seem expensive if this is the only thing I'm likely to do.

Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

You can do it either way, sometimes I cut mine into strips and then sew them together and then cut across the strips, only downfall with this method is it doesnt mix them up as much as you can if you have individual squares so would depend on the final outcome you are looking for.

As for scissors or rotary cutter, I used to use scissors and still do now and then but I bought a rotary cutter and use it much more often as it gives a lovely straight edge when used with a rule and mat and you can be precise with your cutting. Also after you have sewn together your squares to make block you can run the rotary cutter around the edges to make them all uniform in case any of them have gone a bit wonky or whatever.

MissPixie

Thank you both I was looking at them on ebay earlier I think I will get them from there because if I go into abakhan again I may well come out with more fabric.. lol

irishgirl62

gorgeous work pennib!

I had plans to sew today but it was one of those days that whizzed by and got nothing done!! and now heading out to work.
ISOM i looked in tescos and they didnt have the quilting magazine :-(

MissPixie

What I did today It is by no means perfect but I don't care!



It isn't for this room but it is a mothers day present so it is hidden away

MissPixie

And its me again after an hour of searching I am turning here hoping someone will know! I am looking for clips like the ones here for dummy staps:
http://projectsbyjess.blogspot.com/2011/01/pacifier-clip-tutorial.html

That aren't fro hong kong lol. All the ones I find don't seem to have the same metal loop for you to pull the fabric through and sew. Does anyone here know where you can get them?

PootleFlump_3

Miss Pixie, I love that fabric. Well done - looks great!!

BTW, I think its maybe brace clips you are looking for. Can get some here but there are loads of places that sell them. Just google brace clips.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-Pair-Brace-Clips-30mm-Bronze_W0QQitemZ180617549918QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=222641564846&rvr_id=222641564846&cguid=1e2a01b112d0a47a2ec32973fffdbff9#ht_1201wt_905

MissPixie

Ahh thankyou! I tried search so many different things never even considered that