Today I took a class in serging. It was the first of three in a series, held by a sewing machine store in Santa Maria. It was very basic, very nitty-gritty, and I liked that about it. We learned to thread our machines from scratch, we labeled important parts, we sewed three stitches - the four-thread overlock, the three-thread wide overlock, and the three-thread narrow overlock. These last two require that a needle be removed and the thread to that needle unthreaded.
Serging requires detailed attention. It seems funny to me that because of its peculiarities and sensitivities, a serger needs its sewer to pay close attention to the way the stitch looks, to the tension, to numerous details, and this means, really, that one must be patient. Yet one big reason for the desire for sergers is their speed. They so outdistance standard machines in speed that it's stunning. That aspect seems to appeal to the impatient.
Next week we are to bring one yard of fabric and four rolls of wooly nylon thread. We are going to make rolled hems (Linda did show me that on her visit to my house but I would have to dig through my instruction manual to remember just what she did), among other things. The wooly nylon thread is for stretchy fabrics. I had never even heard of that thread before. We will make a set of napkins out of the fabric, so I asked daughter Mary if she'd like some. She said sure, taupe. So I'll find some nice material that's taupe.
I did not love the instructor but I like her approach. She wants us to be very comfortable with our machines. Thus, after we struggled with threading and changing needles she cut all our threads so that we'd have to thread the machine again. I managed to do so faster this second time but the first time I tried a stitch it jammed up part of the machine. I worked it out and solved the problem on my own, always a good sign. I need this kind of instruction to give me confidence.
I suspect many would not enjoy this way of teaching, including many in my regular sewing classes. Instead, they would want to get sewing right away, and learn by making mistakes. That method works as well. It's a little like learning a new language by studying grammar or by learning conversationally. A bit of each is good, I think.
Showing posts with label lessons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lessons. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Monday, October 5, 2009
Piecing fabric
One of the projects I am considering is the making of reusable shopping bags from pieces of different fabric. I did not know what the rules of "piecing" are and I am not in class right now so I did some looking on the web. I finally found these instructions, which are clear and complete. The others I found left a lot out, probably assumed I already knew part of it.
My sewing machine manual also has a section on piecing, mainly letting me know which presser foot to use and how to use it for both left and right seams. It also has a special stitch for these seams - I am not sure what the difference is, perhaps the stitch width. Of course one does not have to have this option. Any sewing machine with a straight stitch will do.
Armed with this knowledge, I will bring in the old clothes and leftover fabric I'd like to use in the bag tomorrow. I should be able to get one bag done by the end of the marathon.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
My first lesson
This last Monday, June 22, I drove back down to Santa Barbara for my first freebie lesson on using my new machine. Susan set me up on the table inside the shop and showed me several different seams, which I made one at a time on small pieces of fabric she had cut. She also told me about thread (the higher the number the thinner the thread; cotton threads have sizes on the spools but polyester does not; get better-quality thread so it holds up and does not break; different threads are suitable for different types of sewing and fabrics) and a bit about needles (sharps and "universal" - rounded tips - and something else - leather needles, which stab the fabric).
I used different presser feet for the different seams and got pretty good at changing them (it is very easy). She then showed me how to make a buttonhole (one step!!) and sew on a button.
An overcast seam
French seam
Flat felled seam
Two different stitches that are good on knits
Button and buttonhole
I used different presser feet for the different seams and got pretty good at changing them (it is very easy). She then showed me how to make a buttonhole (one step!!) and sew on a button.
An overcast seam
French seam
Flat felled seam
Two different stitches that are good on knits
Button and buttonhole
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
My first project
After I bought my machine and had it sitting on my dining room table I was hot to trot. I wanted to make something. Trouble was, I didn't know where to begin.
At the fabric stores I had picked up several remnants. I still remembered what those were, fortunately, and figured using remnants was one way to get into this world again relatively cheaply and to try different types of fabrics. Thus I had several different types of fabric that I hoped I could learn to use.
I settled on a couple of table mats. I wanted to make mats that had pockets for fork, knife, and spoon, that I could roll up and bring with me on the road. I am creating an "emergency travel kit" that will allow me to make meals in motel rooms with easily-obtained ingredients, a microwave, and a refrigerator. I could visualize these place mats on a round table in a motel.
I had two fabrics that looked complementary. One was a vinyl oil-cloth-like fabric, white with red dots. Cute. The other was a red print. I had bias tape in a wide red that looked good with the two. I used a straw place mat as a pattern, cut out rectangles from both fabrics using this pattern. I then cut out additional small rectangles of the vinyl fabric that looked a good size for the pockets.
I started with the pockets. I used a red thread and standard universal kind of needle and presser foot. I hemmed a pocket rectangle all around and then sewed it to one of the larger vinyl rectangles. I just eyeballed all of this, did not do any lining up. Then I sewed two large rectangles, one vinyl, the other cotton, together, wrong sides together, using the bias tape. I figured out a way to turn the corners, didn't do too badly. Here is the result:
Well, yeah, it's rough but it's pretty cute and it does the job. I then started on placemat number two. This time I ran into trouble. The sewing started jamming up and I broke the needle.
I looked into my manual, which is a decent piece of work, and learned that the problem was likely the presser foot, that I should be using the "no-stick" foot. The vinyl was sticking to the standard foot. Fortunately, this machine comes with a bunch of presser feet so I did not have to run out and buy one. I learned how to change feet (easy) and got it done. And that was, indeed, the problem. No problems sewing place mat no. 2 after that.
I also, of course, learned how to change the needle and I got additional experience threading the machine, so the entire project was a good learning experience.
At the fabric stores I had picked up several remnants. I still remembered what those were, fortunately, and figured using remnants was one way to get into this world again relatively cheaply and to try different types of fabrics. Thus I had several different types of fabric that I hoped I could learn to use.
I settled on a couple of table mats. I wanted to make mats that had pockets for fork, knife, and spoon, that I could roll up and bring with me on the road. I am creating an "emergency travel kit" that will allow me to make meals in motel rooms with easily-obtained ingredients, a microwave, and a refrigerator. I could visualize these place mats on a round table in a motel.
I had two fabrics that looked complementary. One was a vinyl oil-cloth-like fabric, white with red dots. Cute. The other was a red print. I had bias tape in a wide red that looked good with the two. I used a straw place mat as a pattern, cut out rectangles from both fabrics using this pattern. I then cut out additional small rectangles of the vinyl fabric that looked a good size for the pockets.
I started with the pockets. I used a red thread and standard universal kind of needle and presser foot. I hemmed a pocket rectangle all around and then sewed it to one of the larger vinyl rectangles. I just eyeballed all of this, did not do any lining up. Then I sewed two large rectangles, one vinyl, the other cotton, together, wrong sides together, using the bias tape. I figured out a way to turn the corners, didn't do too badly. Here is the result:
Well, yeah, it's rough but it's pretty cute and it does the job. I then started on placemat number two. This time I ran into trouble. The sewing started jamming up and I broke the needle.
I looked into my manual, which is a decent piece of work, and learned that the problem was likely the presser foot, that I should be using the "no-stick" foot. The vinyl was sticking to the standard foot. Fortunately, this machine comes with a bunch of presser feet so I did not have to run out and buy one. I learned how to change feet (easy) and got it done. And that was, indeed, the problem. No problems sewing place mat no. 2 after that.
I also, of course, learned how to change the needle and I got additional experience threading the machine, so the entire project was a good learning experience.
The sewing machine: a first step
For months I had dipped in and out of my search for a new sewing machine. After reading several reviews on consumersearch.com, consumer reports, and Amazon, I decided the Project Runway models looked about right for me. The reviewers said they were sturdy machines with versatility that were easy to use and did not get out of adjustment often. Sounded about right. On the other hand, there were some complaints about the automatic raising of the needle at the end of sewing, which concerned me a little. I figured I could ask.
Next, where to buy from? I considered ordering one online. I discussed machines with a friend who is always sewing, and she recommended a store in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is almost 100 miles from where I live but there are no sewing machines in my area any more. My friend Maryann has gone to this store for years and values their expertise and assistance. For a newbie getting back to sewing I realized it would be a good idea for me to find a knowledgeable person in a good store who could help me choose a machine and who could answer questions.
When I talked about getting a machine with my older daughter Elaine, she said she is interested in getting a new one herself, and she wants to get one that comes with classes so she can learn to use it right. That too sounded like a good plan. I decided to ask about classes when I went to the store in Santa Barbara.
About two weeks ago I drove down to Santa Barbara to Grant House. I met Susan there, and explained what I was looking for. I said I was new to sewing, needed something easy to use with some flexibility for different types of projects. I said I had looked at the Project Runway models and found them interesting. She showed me another Brother model that was similar to the Project Runway models but better. I tried things on the machine, asked questions, heard what she had to say about it, asked how it compared to the others, and finally decided it was a good choice. I bought it. I asked about lessons. Susan said she would be happy to schedule a time for me to get acquainted with the machine. She'd show me some seams, stitches, give me some information on sewing on that machine. So I signed up.
my new sewing machine
While I was waiting for the day to arrive, I stopped in at several fabric stores. I ran into things called "fat quarters" and I had trouble finding scissors. When I asked about fusible web I found there were many kinds and I had no idea what I wanted. I felt like I was in a foreign land without a guidebook. Fortunately, one of the clerks told me about fat quarters (and chubby eighths!) and reassured me that I would pick it all up quickly enough. I hope so.
Next, where to buy from? I considered ordering one online. I discussed machines with a friend who is always sewing, and she recommended a store in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is almost 100 miles from where I live but there are no sewing machines in my area any more. My friend Maryann has gone to this store for years and values their expertise and assistance. For a newbie getting back to sewing I realized it would be a good idea for me to find a knowledgeable person in a good store who could help me choose a machine and who could answer questions.
When I talked about getting a machine with my older daughter Elaine, she said she is interested in getting a new one herself, and she wants to get one that comes with classes so she can learn to use it right. That too sounded like a good plan. I decided to ask about classes when I went to the store in Santa Barbara.
About two weeks ago I drove down to Santa Barbara to Grant House. I met Susan there, and explained what I was looking for. I said I was new to sewing, needed something easy to use with some flexibility for different types of projects. I said I had looked at the Project Runway models and found them interesting. She showed me another Brother model that was similar to the Project Runway models but better. I tried things on the machine, asked questions, heard what she had to say about it, asked how it compared to the others, and finally decided it was a good choice. I bought it. I asked about lessons. Susan said she would be happy to schedule a time for me to get acquainted with the machine. She'd show me some seams, stitches, give me some information on sewing on that machine. So I signed up.
my new sewing machine
While I was waiting for the day to arrive, I stopped in at several fabric stores. I ran into things called "fat quarters" and I had trouble finding scissors. When I asked about fusible web I found there were many kinds and I had no idea what I wanted. I felt like I was in a foreign land without a guidebook. Fortunately, one of the clerks told me about fat quarters (and chubby eighths!) and reassured me that I would pick it all up quickly enough. I hope so.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)