Sew Better, Faster & More Creatively!
For decade (centuries?) sewing machines had one type of needle and it was always in center position. It did its job, carrying thread through the fabric, which locks with the bobbin thread to create stitches. Even though the basic mechanics and methods of a sewing machine are the similar today, needles and what you can […] Read more…
Summer is coming and this simple drawstring tote is great for trips to the beach or swimming pool, sleepover parties, and just about any place you need to carry supplies and/or a change of clothing. 4-thread Overlock Stitch This fully lined bag has a finished size of 18” x 18” but is easy to resize […] Read more…
While browsing the Amazon app (not an affiliate or being sponsored), I saw this metal sign and was immediately enamored. I love the look of it and I agree with the sentiment. I’m impressed and inspired by the quantity of fabric and the fact it is so organized. I especially like the notes on the […] Read more…
It’s no secret that I love using specialty presser feet to help me stitch more precisely, sew unique and fun techniques, and be more creative with my sewing. Most sewing machines come with a few presser feet and many have optional presser feet that lets you expand the capabilities of your machine. I sew on […] Read more…
Pintucks are a great way to add texture to a fabric. This post is about a variation of pintucks that results in creating beautiful wavy pintucks on your fabric. To start, you need to thread the machine with two spools of thread, a double needle, Pintuck Foot #30, Pintuck Cording Attachment, and s 30 wt. […] Read more…
I have always had a love of thrifting and recycling, especially when it comes to reusing fabric, turning it into something new. In fact, my first published book was entitled Second Stitches (long out of print), focusing on recycling as you sew. This was in the early days of the Internet, and I thought it […] Read more…
One of the most important tasks when piecing a quilt is sewing ¼” seams that are consistent throughout the entire pieced quilt. It is imperative to have perfectly matched seams, creating blocks that are the desired finished size. What if I told you that the easiest way to do this is using your serger? Not […] Read more…
If you’ve been sewing as long as I have, you probably remember using scissors to clip threads as you stitched. At the end of every seam and line of stitching, you lifted the presser foot and pulled the fabric away from the machine with tails of thread still attached, and then clipped the threads. Historically, […] Read more…
One of the first challenges for new sewers is learning to sew a straight line. Even some sewers with more experience sometimes struggle with this simple sewing task. It is important to be able to sew straight because crooked or wavy seams can affect the look of your finished project. If you are sewing clothing, […] Read more…
I sew on a BERNINA machine and most current BERNINA machines have a little-used feature called the eco Mode. This shows up on the front of the machine to the right of the screen, near the bottom. To activate this function, simply touch the eco icon. Eco Mode Function So what happens when you activate […] Read more…