Sewing Machine Maintance

Sewing machine maintenance is just as important as your sewing skills; daily maintenance will prevent costs of up to one hundred dollars. It is important to know how to care for your specific sewing machine- it will save many headaches. Having a proper working machine will make sewing relaxing and easy.

The plating on the needle will soon wear down and cause it to become dull. A bad needle can ruin the motor in your sewing machine. How do you know when you need to change your needle?

When it….

skips stitches

creates crooked stitches

creates holes or tears in your fabric

makes an odd noise that sounds like a pop which indicates it is having trouble going through the fabric because the tip is worn down

Your machine won’t stay threaded

The changing of the needle is specific to each sewing machine.

Basic Maintenance:

Clean it regularly

Always cover it after every use

Do not sew things that are too thick that your machine can not handle

Your machine will come with a few tools to help take care of it

Clean your bobbin area regularly

How to Hand Sew

Hand sewing is a tool every great seamstress needs. It is used mostly for repairs but also comes in handy to sew on collars and buttons, for example. Hand sewing also allows you to hide your stitching. I will show a basic hand-sewn stitch and a hidden stitch demonstrated on a pair of torn jeans in need of mending.

What you will need:

Hand Sewing Needle

Thread

Scissors

Running Stitch

To begin, unroll a long piece of thread. Estimate how much thread you will need, and double that, then cut it. Thread the needle with one end of your thread. Fold the thread in half until it meets the other loose end, then tie a knot.

To start sewing, pierce your fabric from the top with the needle, and pull all the way to the end until the knot is tight on the fabric. From underneath, pierce through the fabric again, and pull from the top until the thread is tight. Continue this pattern.

When finished, bring your needle to the base of the thread. Wrap the needle tightly around the thread a few times, then pull the needle through the loops to create a knot.

The Back Stitch

Thread the needle as demonstrated above.

Determine how long you want your stitches to be. For example, I will use about a half-inch. Once you've decided, start that length away from the edge of where you want to begin your stitch.

A centimeter away from the edge, pierce the needle from the bottom, coming out at the top and pulling tight.

From the top position, pierce it back down to the bottom, at the edge of your fabric.

Pass your first sitch, then go a half-inch from the ending of your last stitch and pierce your needle back to the top. Just remember down and around.

Continue until finished and end the same way as your basic stitch.

Kowing how to effectively Hand sew will bring your sewing skills to the next level.

How to Make a Pencil Case

How To Make a Lined Zipper Pouch

Everybody needs the perfect pencil case to house all their precious writing utensils. Why not customize your own? In this edition of Fabric Overload you will learn step by step on how to make the easiest lined zipper pouch. These are not only used for carrying pencils; you can fill it with anything you desire. This best part about this case is that it is lined on the inside.

What you need:

• Zipper

• Fabric

• Scissors

• Matching Thread

1.) To begin you need to cut out four pieces to your preferred size. Make sure to add seam allowance and be sure your zipper size is adequate. Cut a front, back, and two lining pieces.

2.) Lay the zipper face down on the right size of the front piece. Put the lining piece right side down on top of the zipper and pin. Stitch the zipper on.

3.) Press down the front piece and edge stitch. Repeat this with the back piece: press and edge stitch.

4.) Repeat steps 2-3 with your remaining back piece and lining piece.

5.) Open the zipper. Pin the lining pieces right sides together. Pin the end of the zipper to the lining pieces. Pin front and back pieces together. Sew, but leave a few inches unsewn on the bottom of the lining pieces.

6.) Clip the corners. Turn it right side out. Sew up the opening that you used to turn it right side out with an edge stitch.

7.) Push the lining back inside and you're finished!