The sewing thread

Anoneemoose

I'm just about to start reading the whole thread, but I have just bought a very basic sewing machine, which was mainly for hems and easy projects for school.

I really would love to learn how to sew properly though, so wondered if anyone can recommend what easy things I could start with please?

PollyWollyDoodle

Cushion covers are a good place to start - straight lines and you can start with an 'envelope' type and then progress to more technical things like zips, piping, and so on. There are lots of tutorials online. Why not see if you can find a workshop day locally to get you started?

[Deleted User]

I did two rolled hems on the overlocker today, I have a years old babylock. I put the cutter down and was able to go straight onto the edge and got good results. Very pleased as I haven`t done a rolled hem for many years. Trouble was that my lower looper was unthreadable, it uses puffs of air to put the thread through and I think there must be a bit of fluff blocking the flow. I spent a long time on the net looking for a solution and eventually realised that there is a very thin and long babylock threader, which you put down the hole and it comes out of the looper. Then I lost it, blooming could not find it anywhere, not helped by a ridged sisal carpet. Two hours later found it and forced it through. Anyway got the overlocker threaded. I`ll have to take it for a service but it is so darn heavy and I need to go to park and ride and then bus and then walk. I did finish and did get a result but it was one of those days that has left me very tired

PollyWollyDoodle

That sounds like hard work - my overlocker doesn't have any fancy attributes, it's just fiddly threading it. I'm very impressed with your rolled hem. My course begins next week, and I'm hoping after that I'll understand how to do such things- I've got a book and I know how in theory, but I don't think I could just sit down and do it.

[Deleted User]

The rolled hem was easy polly. it was the lower looper threading that took too long but I needed a change of colour today, so just fastened the new colour to the old colour and pulled it through the lower looper. I need to give both machines a good clean and oil and then I`ll cover them and leave them alone for a while

Anyone new to sewing, needles make a huge contribution to good sewing, This week I changed between a 80 jersey ballpoint, an 80 universal and a 70 universal. Anything stretchy needs a jersey or stretch needle. I bought dozens of schmetz needles years ago, boxes of 100, then I used a US site and even with tax and shipping, they were much cheaper than in uk but not any more. Also thread is important, stretch fabric needs polyester thread and I always use either gutermann or mettler seralon on my sewing machine. Mettler from quilt direct.http://www.quiltdirect.co.uk/acatalog/mettler_seralon_100m.html#.WMGuD2dBrIU
I also keep silk and cotton threads and have a large selection of overlocking threads on cops, mainly from empress mills. I tend to wind a full bobbin and then keep the reel and thread together with bobbin mates and then they just line up in an old rectangular box

snoop2008

Morning everyone.. what a lovely post.. I haven't really been on for nearly a year and I am a beginner in sewing.. I am still working out the thread needles for the machine as regarding fabrics.. lol.. have got several books from Debbie shore, half yard gifts etc.. and I learn a lot from youtube videos.. its been really lovely but lots to learn. My daughter bought me a singer legacy.. its computerised,, got the hang of some of the intructions.. but can not understand how to do the embroidery as its all in one.. I was nervous to use it for nearly 6 months, but now I sew the basics,, never have to buy another cushion cover or curtains anymore!! buy most of my fabric from ebay, as I am mostly housebound and have chronic joint problems. but I always keep an upbeat attitude and love sewing as well as other crafts, like basic jewellery making, but its the sewing I love.. I have made some comestic bags too and little purses from leather for my daughter.. I tried to make a cat bed for my fluffy, but he is not having it.. lol... Thanks for tips on the needles.. I didn't understand them at first but got a better idea.. I just the regular needle for most of my projects and it seems to do the job..


Happy sewing everyone.. lovely thread..

PollyWollyDoodle

Well, every day's a school day - I didn't know those big reels used on overlockers were called cops, and I'd never heard of a bobbin mate! They look like a good idea - at the moment I store bobbins separately in a little case. I tend to just use the nearest match but if you've chosen thread for a specific project I can see you'd want to keep it the same.

I'm guilty of using the same needle for everything ... and yes, I know I should start a new needle for each project!

If anyone is tempted by the idea of an overlocker, I see that Lidl have got one of their special promotions on from 19th March. It's a Singer, so it's a known make.

-taff

I got a couple of overlockers from ebay, both singers, 14u's, they are virtually indestructible and I think retailed in the 80's, cost about 50 each

Highly recommend them....both 4 thread, one with differential feed, one without...

[Deleted User]

welcome snoop, it is such a good uplifting hobby

I needed a carrot cage and looked on amazon and ebay, they work out at over £10 each for what is a 70cm high strip of fine mesh. I made one this morning, I had the fine mesh and made channels for canes. The mesh was problematic to sew at first, it was being pulled down, so I put my single hole throat plate on, must remember to put the wide hole plate back. Used a 90 needle and decided to lay some tissue paper on the back. It worked fine and then I realised that I had missed a step in threading doh, that is why the machine played up. However the tissue paper tip is worth remembering for tricky fabric

I have a new sewing book, it looks amazing and is full of tips and help. Called fine machine sewing by Carol Ahles, it goes well beyond the basics

[Deleted User]

I did a gentle de clutter in there last night, found five new boxes of pins so got rid of all my old pins stacked high on my magnetic pin holder. I am liking longer pins best and am going for clover fine quilting pins lately.

Thoroughly cleaned my sewing machine, only needs one drop of oil and sorted my machine needles, having read in that book a tip ie putting part used needles in an empty needle box. I found an empty red box and its good for that. I also re-discovered a puffy felt ball shape marked in needle sizes, so have put another 4 part used needles in that. and will be using those needles first, unless I sew something delicate

Overlocker needs a good de-fluff but will do that before my next use. Re-read the instuctions and does not use any oil but I will use my micro tools on my vacuum as it is hard to get into nooks and crannies

I will be sewing today, fleece and long zip, from empress mills, all cut out to size. Dressing gown. Lots of tips learnt from craftsy and will use wonder tape to help with the zip

something is making these posts awful wide. Is it the picture?