The sewing thread

[Deleted User]

I have a ham, use it every time I sew anything with a curve, all tops, sleeves etc. It does make a difference and I have a bias maker, bought one after realising how easy they are to use and how difficult it is to find very good patterned bias. Cheap and useful

I go into my sewing room from time to time, it is retaining the good energy and ambience and is a completely different feel to my other rooms and ready for me to get going again. Yay, I have white set up on the sewing machine and overlocker. Lately I have been tying a new thread to the looper threads and been pulling them through, gently, saves a lot of time

Pinny making next and would be a good time to revise how to use my friller. Thank goodness for youtube

rachel6188

Hi everyone, iv recently bought a brother sewing machine to start making curtains etc and it's been years since I sewed but tbh I'm sick of buying stuff that doesn't last xxx

PollyWollyDoodle

It'll soon come back to you Rachel, I love the process of sewing as much as the finished item. Not curtains though!

Take that, overlocker! Last night I changed the settings and did a rolled hem on a scarf. It was a gift and I really liked the fabric, but each end was gathered into a shiny metal bauble, not my thing. I cut them off and did a nice rolled edge.

Them I decided to do another job I've had outstanding, to take in a jersey top I bought in a charity shop, a simple matter of new seams on each side. The overlocker decided to throw a tantrum, not sure what happened but I ended up unscrewing the stitch plate to free everything up. At midnight.:p

A good clean and a rethread and it was back on track, I find that's usually the answer. Kittie, they showed us the 'pull through' technique on my course and I'll be using it when I change colours.

[Deleted User]

the overlocker doesn`t take prisoners, does it polly? I remember when I first put my foot on the pedal, so so fast, I suppose it is to domesticate industrial sewing. wd on the rolled hem, its a magic machine and I know that when mine has gone wrong then it was down to me. I laminated the instruction summary eg 4 thread wide, 4 thread narrow and have the card hanging on a door handle in there. I soon learnt to check every single different fabric and the differential is magic, just one click up makes all the difference when sewing thin stretch

flissh

Hi ladies:wave:

Im not sewing much at the moment. I did get a nice dress in a sale, it was too long for me but I cut it and hemmed it and changed the neckline a bit. Got it on now and I'm very pleased with it.

All this talk of overlocker sewing is making me very jealous. I'll have to put one on my wish list;) I have got a bias binding gadget, (I know there's no comparison to that and an overlocker!) and find it really useful. Such a simple bit of kit as well.

Not long till I fly to the UK now. Leaving early Wednesday morning and will be touching down about lunchtime. I am leaving some space in my suitcase for plenty of fabric.

PollyWollyDoodle

While - as you can tell - I now love mine, it's taken me a while. I first saw one on the Great British Sewing Bee and that's what made me want one. However I've since realised that you can do a lot of it on an ordinary sewing machine, and the book I refer to above, Sew U Home Stretch, tells you how to sew knits on a conventional machine as well.

The really neat bit is the way it cuts off the waste as well. But it goes through thread like mad, makes a lot of dust and mess and if it throws a hissy fit, rethreading is very fiddly although not as scary as you might think. I'm keeping it now but not sure if I really needed one as much as I thought.

Sewing stuff away for a few days as I've got a visitor coming. Then I'm going to tackle new covers for the sofa :eek:

[Deleted User]

my overlocker is my most favourite machine while my sewing machine is the workhorse. The sm just cannot neaten seams as well as the overlocker and I often use the overlocker with the knife down while I wizz around edges. I don`t get a lot of dust, except around the cutting blade, all the bits slide into a waste bag that is close by and I just empty that from time to time. I would really like to explore the fancy sewing that the overlocker can do but one day I will just have to sit and try them all on scrap fabric

ooh sofa covers, I have been thinking about two large piped sofa seat cushions with zips but it`s only a thought

Emptynester

Hello
I have been reading since the thread started but didn't post as I haven't done much sewing recently. I sewed at school and made dancing costumes for my daughters 25 years ago, a few dresses for me and very little since.
I recently decided that if I want clothes to fit I need to make them myself. I have been preoccupied with a family wedding recently but am hoping that as soon as I put the garden to bed for the winter I can start sewing regularly. The little sewing I have done recently has been shortening things (losing height in mid fifties argh). I am pleased to say this has given me use of 2 tops that I haven't worn for a good while. Also taking in a pair of trousers so I feel a little less of a rag bag at work. I have a skirt to alter next and hope to make myself some clothes.
As others have said I find it hard to know if the finished garment will suit me. I suspect this will come with practise. I have never sewed with stretch fabric before so this is something I want to learn as I would like to be comfortable whilst looking good/decent/well dressed.
Hope we can keep the thread going and inspire and help each other.

TraySelect

All this talk of overlockers is making me itchy to have a go. But I need to think and plan a bit more as, truth be told, I'm still ok on the seams neatening side of things without overlocking. But there's more to it than that and I think it's only a matter of time though ...

PollyWD - was it a course you did on overlocking? I think that's what I should look out for.

I've made loose covers too, but I don't think I'll do it again. My sewing table in those days was barely 3'x2', and I made all the house loose covers and curtains and looking back I have no idea how I had the chutzpah to set about the task, let alone finish it.

Kittie, I had a sample of Croft Mills Bull Durham, a v strong denim type. I thought it might make a very good apron, a work overall sort of thing. Thick fabric and washable.

TraySelect

[Just re-read your earlier post Polly] ... about your doing an overlocker course at Morley College.

Bit far for me to roll up to, but I shall keep my eye out more locally.

I'm amazed - and really pleased - our local community education classes include sewing, so overlocking surely can't be far from the sewing curriculum in this part of the world.