Learning to sew....

mrbadexample

It sounds like the tension or incorrect threading to me. Do what Rikki said. :whistle:

Rikki

mrbadexample wrote: »

It sounds like the tension or incorrect threading to me. Do what Rikki said. :whistle:

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

I thought you'd taken up sewing then. :rotfl:

Churchmouse

No Rikki, he's just turning into a right little bluffer:rotfl: :rotfl:

wendym

Why are you pulling the material at all?

I know it's what you see when actors use sewing machines, but I simply guide the fabric if I need to (going round a corner, for example) and if I'm stitching a straight line I let the fabric move through on its own. There's no need to pull it through, and I know even my good-tempered Brother machine would have trouble producing an even stitch if I interfered with the timing in that way.

mrbadexample

Just tryin' to help.

Rikki

mrbadexample wrote: »

Just tryin' to help.

Can you solve this sewing problem I posted earlier for me? Click here

bs0u0128

thanks all, its a brother machine, and yes i pulled it cos i thought thats what u did lol ill try all the suggestions

Rikki

bs0u0128 wrote: »

thanks all, its a brother machine, and yes i pulled it cos i thought thats what u did lol ill try all the suggestions

You just guide the fabric through. basically so it doesn't make up its own route and you end up with a wonky seam. We've all done it at some point.

With some fabrics you need to hold the fabric from both sides.

Its just trial and error.

Triker

Hi everyone, I wondered if you could give me some advice and tips on learning how to sew and make things like bedding and curtains. I see lovely material in places like Dunhelm but don't know what to do, it actually costs a fortune to buy curtains so I'm looking to save money and recycle or make what I can.
I would also love to be able to make personalised things for people as pressies in the future.

I did some sewing at school under the guise of 'Home economics' however that was 'ahem' some time ago. (25 years :eek: )

I do not have a sewing machine or indeed the first clue how or where to start but I'm keen to give it a go.

Can anyone help?

Thank you from Triker,the disorganised, cack handed, clumsy one.:D

angelavdavis

Definitely worth learning to make home furnishings - I used to sew everything myself but clothes are so cheap now, its hardly worth bothering.

I would find out if the local college or parish run a sewing group. My mum and I went along to one a few years ago to learn pattern making. Its usually fairly reasonably priced.

Ref a sewing machine, I would go along to John Lewis as they will happily show you through the machines and how they work, etc. You don't have to buy but will get an explanation of the bells and whistles they have. My experience has been to go for a simple machine that offers you a straight and zip zag stitch, plus a decent buttonhole (even for soft furnishings they are often required) and a zipper function.

In an ideal world, you would also have an overlocker which seals the raw fabric edges, although a zigzag stitch will do just as well to begin with (especially when the edges are likely to be seen).