The sewing thread

purpleivy

It's worth googling for this one. It's quite often possible to find sewing machine manuals on line.
I found the one for my Elna Lotus, which is quite an old machine.

This_calls_for_cake wrote: »

Polly I also have a second hand over locker, it was given to me sans instruction book, I have had a couple of goes but I do really need to learn how to use it properly. The problem is I don't even know if I have all the necessary bits, once the children are back at school I will have to pull it out and see if there are any useful numbers on it that might help me find the instructions online or something. In the meantime I'm pinning with gay abandon to my sewing inspiration pinterest board!

purpleivy

I prefer hand made binding to purchased on the whole.
Quite often the purchased ones are very hard and kind of crisp,
not what I want next to my skin.

I use the funnel type of maker and if I have a lot to do, then I use the 'continuous' method.

PollyWollyDoodle wrote: »

Ooh, I want a Tailors' Ham - I'm planning to ask for one for my birthday along with a few other sewing items. Let us know how you get on with making one.

I've got a bias maker, just a simple metal funnel-type - you feed the strip of fabric in one end and then press it as you pull it through. They're quite cheap on Amazon, is that the sort of thing you mean, Tray Select? I wouldn't say it's better than purchased binding, but it means you can self-bind, use contrast fabric, use up scraps and so on. If you do get one, look up one of the many tutorials on how to cut a continuous strip. I don't use mine much, but I haven't needed binding for anything recently.

PollyWollyDoodle

Thank you very much for those tips, PurpleIvy - especially the one about feeding fabric through the overlocker. I haven't done it yet but I know sooner or later I'm going to cut something that wasn't intended to be cut, it's always a risk.

Not much has happened here as pesky things like work keep getting in the way, however bills must be paid so I'm working all weekend too

I started making some pattern weights a while back, they were going to be for myself but they've turned into a present for a friend who's learning to sew. Making the little fabric bags took no time (they're just square bags with a twist, like a beanbag) but filling them seems to be taking forever. I've run out of 'value' rice - I started looking at craft pellets and lead shot etc until I realised rice was much cheaper! I've also made a drawstring bag for her to keep them in. I've decided they'd just be something else to store, and sardine tins and soup cans do the job perfectly well for me.

elf06

PollyWollyDoodle wrote: »

I've decided they'd just be something else to store, and sardine tins and soup cans do the job perfectly well for me.

I use my coffee mug, scissors, corner of sewing machine - whatever is to hand :rotfl:

silvasava

I've always pinned my patterns but after watching the Sewing Bee where one of the chaps used pebbles I think I'll be doing that in future!!

PollyWollyDoodle

I've seen some made from metal washers covered in ribbon and so on, there are lots of examples on Pinterest. I should have picked up some pebbles on my last beach holiday!

Storage is a thing; I've been looking longingly at Horn sewing cabinets after Kittie mentioned them, I even came close to bidding on one on eBay. But I realised it would take up space that I don't have to spare.

At the moment my sewing stuff is hidden throughout the house, machines and fabric live in a built-in wardrobe, buttons, ribbon etc in jars on a bookshelf, and some other supplies are in an old wooden sewing box on legs that was my mum's. It means before I start sewing I have to gather stuff from lots of different locations which is a pain, but I like sewing on my kitchen table, the light is good and the kettle is nearby!

I think my next home in four or five years time (I hope) will have a dedicated sewing space. It would be nice not to have to put everything away in between sewing sessions.

PollyWollyDoodle

Craftsy free access day alert!

You can view any classes today - obviously you can only stream them, not download them - but it's a chance to see if you want to buy something or maybe get some useful tips!

silvasava

POLLY - I bought a little cupboard with two drawers for my spare room and its holds my machine and my sewing box and all the bits an pieces. There's some underbed drawers that hold fabric so it is all in one room but like you I like the dining room table to work on so everything has to be brought downstairs. We're planning on a kitchen/diner revamp and my dining room has a bay window. I'd like to have a window seat that will hold my sewing stuff so its out of the way but accessible. I sorted all my zips, bias bindings, ribbons etc into ziplock bags - no more tangle and I can see what's in there!

flissh

Dining table for me. I've got acupboard next to it that I can keep everything in. I cut out on a sticky out bit of worktop I n the kitchen
Last week of my holiday today. I have got lots of
Lovely fabric to take home. Got to Brighton today went to fabric land and ditto. Now I have to stop or I won't get it all in my suitcase
Im holidayed out now and missing home comforts

PollyWollyDoodle

I've come across Fabricland's website - some real bargains, I don't know what the quality is like but it looks perfect for craft projects/costume making etc. Flissh, is it sad that when I'm away I look forward to coming home and getting the sewing machine out?

Silvasava, I think I should probably move to Ziploc bags - in Marie Kondo style, I've been repurposing storage but some work better than others. The see-through jars do look quite pretty, though! Zips are awkward, I acquired a lot when my friend cleared her dad's house, but I can see that a bag for each length would be good, make it easier to sort them. Ah, I may have forgotten to mention the underbed drawers. And the plastic crate .... I really need to sort the fabric 'stash' out as I suspect a lot of it is not likely to be used.