In this month’s live event with Nicki LaFoille, learn about everything from grading patterns to sharpening your seam ripper. Nicki also provides great information on how to fix common stitch issues like skipped stitches or thread tangles on the wrong side of your fabric. She also explains different types of sewing machine feet are and how to use them.
how do you sharpen a seam ripper
Hi Mary Ann. A seam ripper can be sharpened with steel wool or by using a tool called a bead reamer, which looks like a small rounded file. These can be found at most craft stores that carry beads.
Hope this helps!
Hope to find the solution to some of my problems.
You mentioned tracing original pattern. I used to use blueprint tracing paper to trace patterns in different sizes while keeping the original intact. Can’t find any resource for that type of large roll of paper anymore. What do you use to trace patterns on?
Hi, Mary. I actually use tissue paper. It is very easy to find and fairly closely resembles the actual pattern pieces, it is just slightly thicker which can make it last longer.
What can you use twill tape for?.can it be used for bias tape
Hi, Noella. Twill tape can be used to bind straight edges. I would only recommend using bias tape if you are binding something with a curved edge.
Hi I’ve asked the same question 3 times now. I’ll perfectly understand if you don’t know the answer to it but I would really appreciate it if you could email me back to let me know either way. My question was… I have 2 sided material. 1st side is suede & 2nd side is fur.(not real). I’d like to make a 2 sided coat. How do I hide the seams? I’d really like it if you could email me back. Address is saasca09@gmail.com
Hi Susan. I apologize that we have not answered your question before. I would recommend hiding the seams by covering them with a strip of fabric. This means if you have stitched your seam and ‘pressed’ it open on the wrong side, with fur now showing on the suede side, you would cut a strip of fabric to stitch over it with the suede side up. You may need to trim down the fur in both the seam and in the strip of fabric you use to eliminate some of the bulk. This is the technique I use, and have recently been using it in a faux leather project. I have sent you an email with this answer along with a quick sample of what I mean. I hope this technique works for you.
I’m having an awful time trying to put a neck in a t-shirt. Are there any tips you can offer?
Hi, Linda. I like to bind the neck esges of t-shirts. To do this, cut a bias strip about 2″ longer than the neckline, fold one short end 1/2″ toward the wrong side. Align the strip right sides together with the shirt and stitch, lapping the remaining short end over the folded end. Then turn that to the wrong side and stitch in the ditch or edgestitch on the strip using a triple stitch.
I love your work thank you
Where do I get snuggle fabric?
Hi Cindy. I am not sure where you are located, but Snuggle, Cuddle and Minky fabric can usually be found at your local fabric store. For me, that is Joann fabrics. If you don’t have a local shop and would prefer online, Fabric.com has a great selection. Here is the link:
https://www.fabric.com/find?SearchText=minky
Can embroidery really be done on a home sewing machine or is an embroidery machine needed?
How do i join bias strips
What kind of interfacing do you use with silk fabric, please??
What do I use at the shoulder seams, etc to keep knits from stretching ??
What are your favorite places to buy fabric and do you know what happened to all the $1.00 fabric they used to have available at Walmart?
If we still have questions,what is the web address to contact you?
Regrets but did not hear input on this question? Does metalic thread harm the sewing machine…does the metal wear on machine elements?
I’m wondering is it better to use small stretch zig-zag stitches to sew knits or use a serger to sew knits? I find when using the first option the fabric stretch and I hear the threads pop.
new be
What can I do to keep my quilt from puckering and the backing from sliding? I basted th entire quilt horizontally and vertically and I tried stitching in the ditch but it continued to pucker and slide.
Great info…but in normal speaking rate cant write as quickly as i would like. Can you repeat or say twice as u go, so we can get all info down on paper, Thanks so much.
When doing embroidery on machine ..Do you always need to iron on the stabilizer?
How to make hand made embroidered labels
How often do I have to change machine needle?
Problems with skirts, pants and jumpsuits
Looking forward to this event. Thank you.
when doing embroidery on machine do you always iron it on?
Does metalic thread harm the sewing machine…does the metal wear on machine elements?
Now it doesn’t I just made a beautiful dress with ruffles & sewed the edge with Gold Metallic thread, if you want your thread to stand out more, sew it with another thread, polyester which is a similar colour. So put both threads through the same needle. My ruffles looked fantastic. I had plenty of comments on how good it looked. Sewing it on its own didn’t stand out, but with a yellow thread with it made the gold stand out really well. All the best Andrea
Just getting back to sewing after many years. What’s the best reference regarding types of fabrics, what needs to be prewashed, special handling w/ machine, etc.
Every time I make pijamas for my grandchildren they are too big what should I do?
How can you beef up a fabric that is too thin for your apparel project, ex. a skirt , other than a lining?
I want to finish woven light weight fabric seams, what a your suggestions for the seam finish.
looks like a “paisley”
I don’t know how to sew. Where do I start ? Would terminology be first or hands on?
Google Surefitdesigns, This lady has the best tutorials & kits to get you started, with dvd’s & she explains everything to you, step by step. Her kits are Dresses, Shirts, Trousers, Childresn wear, Mens shirts. You measure yourself up then design your own blueprint pattern, once you become experienced then you can design your own clothes. It was the best thing I ever did going to her seminar when she came to Australia. I have never looked back. I don’t buy commercial patterns anymore I just look for nice designs then apply it to my blueprint. Her dvd will teach you how to do it. I wish you well in learning to sew. Andrea
We here in Florida have a program for children “Each One Teach One”. We teach children by giving them a 18″ x 18″ piece of muslin, show them how to thread the machine and let them try out the stitches on the machine. I would bring in a big box of thread and tell them to use as many colors as they want on the piece of fabric. To them it is a game but it is really a pass/fail situation. If they thread the machine correctly it works. If not it does not work.
What is your method for keeping metallic thread from breaking??
Try putting your thread spool in a plastic bag and then in the freezer for a few hours before using it. It moistens it a bit and makes it more pliable.
Can you sew shank buttons by machine using zipper foot?
like sew more on zippers
I am wanting to make some sheer curtains for my bedroom windows. They aren’t very long or wide but I need some advice on how to measure for them. I just want them to be gathered on a rod. Also what material would be good to use that would be machine washable?
Your sheer fabric needs to be 3 times the width of the rod that you are using them to hang on. Many years ago I worked as a home interior decorator and 3x the width of the rod is standard fullness. You can still use any fabric. If it is really sheer you may want to go fuller. If the windows are short you can turn the fabric sideways and use the width for the length. That way you will have no seams and washing will be a breeze without fear that the seams could ravel. When washing curtains wash them in the washer and hang them up wet. The weight will take out any wrinkles.
Do you always need to use a hoop when embroidering?
It is best to hoop it, however if you are running a decorative stitch as a border and it is small and doesn’t move except in an up and Down manner you can go without hoopin. You will still need to put some type of backing to support the stitches.
my first seminar
Expound on the curved ruler…???? What is it used for, what does it look like, what are alternates?
What is the best way to insert a collar into a collar stand?
nancy Zieman’s book is the best for pivot and slide help for resizing patterns
Where do you buy embroidery blanks that has a good selection and more than just things for kids?
How do I decide which stabilizer to use with different fabric weights when embroidering?
I would like to know how to do a outside zipper. I have seen a lot of pretty zippers and want to know how in put them in a dress.
Looking forward to the program!
Most of these patterns are long out of print!
I have a large number of patterns that are not my size. Can you name me some good reference works on how to up or down size a pattern to fit?
try using Nancy Zieman’s book Pattern fitting with confidence. old book is called Fitting Finess
Pattern Fitting with Confidence by Nancy Zieman is a great book! I’ve used or for years and the technique is solid!
If you google Surefitdesigns. Glenda Sparling will help you with her tutorials. Sign up to be a member. I never buy commercial patterns anymore, she has kits where you can make your own blueprint of you body measurements, then you can apply your commercial patterns to the blueprint just for the design. The kits are dresses, trousers, shirts, Childrens, Jeans etc. Once you have her kits you can design anything you like + use all your commercial patterns. Good luck Andrea
I use Magic Fit patterns that enable me to make a fitting shell that actually fits me. I then take the details from the patterns by lining up the center front of the commercial pattern with the center front of the Magic Fit Pattern and then line up the neckline. Works like a charm and I always have a pattern that fits with the design details of the pattern. Necklines with collars are easy to adapt – the stitching line of the bodice neckline and the stitching line of the collar from center back to collar termination point must equal. When the pattern tells you to ease in the collar you are actually easing in the difference of seam allowance due the neckline being a concave circle and the collar being a convex curve. Hope this is useful. Magic Fit also has a wonderful French Curve ruler that has slots for the 5/8″ seam allowances.
Do I need a certain foot to make a ruffle with cotton fabric?
Have you tried an actual ruffling foot? I can’t live without mine. You can also adjust your serger and run your fabric through to get a uniform ruffle.
Looking forward to watching
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