What's Your Favorite Non-standard Sewing Machine Foot? - Threads
Sewing has been a long-time hobby for me. It has woven through my life since as long as I can remember--sometimes as an essential part and sometimes as a minor part--but sewing has always been important to me. In fact I bought my first sewing machine in college because I just couldn't tolerate not having a sewing machine at my finger tips. I've always wished I had the time to sew more than I'm able to, but all too often my family, job and life in general get in the way.
When I do sew, I treasure the specialty gadgets I use, especially my sewing machine feet. They help to make sewing easier, more precise and less frustrating. But sometimes they are difficult to use, and unless I'm sewing a huge project, I don't bother with them. I recently read the book issue #145--available on newsstands around 9/8). It's a fabulous book, and once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. It contains a little bit of historical and descriptive information and lots of suggestions and instruction regarding how and why to use each specialty foot. It even helped me discover what some of my mystery feet are actually used for!
My standard zig-zag foot is definitely the foot I use the most. I leave it on my machine even when I'm doing straight stitching. But aside from the zig-zag foot, my moveable zipper foot is the one I could never do without. I use it for zippers, of course, but I also use it for piping, binding, top-stitching, and any other time I need to keep my stitches close to a fold or previous stitching. I love the fact that you can adjust it so easily and precisely. Maybe that's why I like it so much. It's intuitive and easy to use without requiring the need for an instruction manual.
I have lots of other feet. Some I bought, and some were handed down to me, but I only use them on rare occasion. It always takes so long for me to figure out how to use them properly, that I often feel as if they're not worth the effort. One of these days I'd like to buy a walking foot because I've heard how marvelous they are. I've yet to use one, so at least I don't know what I'm missing!
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The Lost Art of Sewing - TotallyHer.com
Back in the day, our parents and grandparents use to sew, crochet, and knit not only for enjoyment, but also out of necessity. They made and repaired clothing items, as well as accessories, that were to be worn or used inside and outside the home. In recent years, as clothing and accessories have become more affordable and readily available, our society has moved away from creating these items at home. Instead, people have opted to purchase something off the rack, sometimes spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on one shirt, one scarf, or one pair of shoes just because of the name on the label. What’s even crazier is the availability of items that look hand sewn, crocheted, or otherwise homemade, or the things that look worn (like faded or ripped jeans, or sneakers with holes on the toes).
Well, with people cutting back on expenses and spending more time at home, the lost art of sewing is starting to be found again. Even the least creative person can make some really cool things if they can follow a simple pattern. Keep in mind that sewing is not just limited to clothing items, either. Things like blankets, purses, wallets, makeup bags, and crayon/marker rolls are also great sewing projects, regardless of your level of ability.
Whether you are a complete novice or returning to the world of sewing after a long hiatus, there are a few things you’ll need first.
Find The Right Sewing MachineWhen you have the right tools, you can do anything. Modern technology has transformed sewing machines from heavy, clunky, big needle-and-thread machines, into more really cool, user friendly, lightweight machines that can do all sorts of fancy stitch work and embroidery. However, with all the available choices, how do you determine which machine is right for you?
Well, if you do not currently own one, find out if any of your family members or friends have a machine you can borrow. Find some scraps of fabric, such as old rags or clothes that are no longer wearable, and a spool of thread. Take time to play around with the machine and the different available features. This will allow you to get comfortable with at least the basics of how a sewing machine works and help you determine what features you like before buying one.
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Rustic Daisies: Halloween Garland
Hello there and a happy Thursday to you all! It's Becky with you this afternoon with a fun little garland to share. I trimmed out thirteen kraft colored scalloped squares with my Accents Essentials cartridge. Then I stamped them all with white ink and a star image from a $1 stamp set I picked up at Joann's. Then I inked the edges of all the squares with dark chocolate ink.