Sewing? Know Your Machine

Time to figure out what you want to do with your new sewing machine. What kinds of things do you want to sew and how often are you going to use it? What kinds of fabrics are you going to be sewing on? There are many different types of fabrics and as many different sewing machines. One word of caution: Do NOT buy the cheapest one out there. You will not be happy in a year's time because, like with everything else, they will break down and you will have to buy another one. Shop around! Ask questions, get a feel for the machine. Most places that you buy Sewing Machines from will have a setup so that you can sew on the machines first before you purchase them.

The best places to purchase a sewing machine is in a sewing shop, although Sears sells machines and so does Walmart and other places. Take your time and ask lots of questions about it--especially parts and the availability of them. Do they do repairs and maintenance on them or where would you have to go to get these things done. Does it have a warranty and how long does it last? Again this ties into the repairs and warranty and availability of parts and such. I had a machine since 1975 and it was made by Wards. When they went out of business they stopped making parts for their sewing machines. I could get my machine in good working order regularly maintained but not replace any parts.  I had to give them my machine because they could not find a replacement part for it when it broke down. I never thought Wards would go out of business! Just try to get something that will last like forever. My machine was all metal and hard to break. Some have plastic parts and in my experience most times those plastic parts will be more expensive then the metal ones. So, shop around.

Once you get your machine and set it up and do your first project--you will love it!   One more thing. play with your machine and find out what all it does.  They don't all just do straight stitch anymore!

I don't own a serger so I shopped around the Internet for you so you can make an informed choice about if you want one of these or not. I have always used my sewing machine for hemming and seams. I will tell you more about that when I get to that lesson. At any rate here is the site that I got this information from:

Sergers 101

Serger Basics

What you need to know before buying a serger

A serger, or overlock machine, is a terrific addition to a sewing collection. Not only can it sew faster than the traditional sewing machine, it is also designed to create perfect seams while simultaneously cutting away the excess fabric. Here is a quick guide to the basics of serger shopping.

Know your needs

The more spools of thread a machine can hold, the more complicated stitches it can create and the more expensive the serger. But what if you don't need to make complex decorative seams? If you only require an overlock machine for the occasional simple seam, a less expensive machine that holds fewer threads is your best bet.

Another great first-time purchasing idea for a serger is to look for a used machine. If bought through a reputable seller, a used serger will be in good condition and may even be complete with a warranty. Beyond sewing machine shops, many online sites sell used sergers as well. But if you are buying your machine online, be sure to test out the model you're interested in as all machines have a slightly different feel. Most retailers have floor models that can be test-used by potential buyers.

1. When purchasing your fabric I always round it up to the nearest foot or yard.  This way you will have enough if you make a slight mistake or have to add to your pattern.
2. When you purchase your machine get extra bobbins. You will want to have a bobbin to match every color thread you buy.  Some bobbins are hard to find and not all bobbins fit every machine.
3. Put a piece of masking tape on the right side of the fabric when are are ready for placing patterns.  Some fabrics are hard to tell the right side from the wrong side.
4. You can wash your material first before you cut.  I usually don't unless it is more than 40% cotton.  Some Rayon fabric will fall apart if you wash them.  Read the label on the top of the bold of fabric for instructions and fabric makeup.  This will be discussed in a later article.
5. When turning a corner, place your needle in the fabric and then lift the presser foot.  Turn your fabric in the new directions and put the presser foot down and continue sewing.
6. Think of your sewing machine like your first driving lesson. The physical part is knowing how much pressure you put on the peddle in relation to how fast the machine goes.  This is why it is so important to *play*  or *drive* with your machine.