NEW YEAR = NEW GOALS = NEW TECHNIQUES TO LEARN


It seems easy until you actually sit down and attempt to use the machine. Bringing your ideas to life may start off with a bit of confusion and frustration but ultimately end up with a cherished product that you are proud of.  Let 2022 be THE year for you!  Don't be scared! Creating templates, reading patterns, deciding what fabric to use, what supplies you need, the do(s) and don't(s) of creating and other issues become relevant. This post is dedicated to helping you start your new year off right, with your new goals to help get that new, completed, product in your hands.  It's all of the things I wish I knew when I started sewing! After many yards of wasted fabric, broken needles, thread removals and jammed fabrics, here is what I learned: 

1. Don't be afraid of fabric. 
The saying works, "Measure twice. Cut once."  Stretch it, feel it, rub it, find coordinating colors - if necessary - and look at it in different lighting before you decide what textile to use, then purchase! No kidding.... the lighting situation is real; yellow lighting -vs- white lighting! All fabrics are not the same.  The sooner you do this, the better it will be for you to decide if you are able to sew with that particular type of fabric which will require certain needles to be used and ultimately, tension changes.  Read the back of any patterns you are considering, for their suggestions on fabric selection. Creators of pattern pieces know their stuff and understand grain line, texture and designs.  (Don't know how to read a pattern?  Watch part 1 & 2 here).


Buying fabric just because it is cheap could prove to be a waste of your time and money without doing your homework first. Unless you are purposely trying to set a new trend.  I mean hey, some people enjoy wearing home decor fabric for blazers because it is said to be "durable." 

2. All needles are NOT the same!
Imagine pushing your fabric under the presser or walking foot and it getting stuck, ultimately tearing your fabric the moment the needle goes into it while attempting to keep up with the speed of your foot pedal..  Dull needles, thin needles, thick needles, flat needles, spikey needles or sharp ones will determine the outcome of your project. Needles have numbers on them. There are a variety of them based upon the thickness, or thinness of fabric selected. Be sure to read the back of the packaging.

3. Use Interface for stability.
Flimsy items are not quality items.  Every item should have some sort of stabilizer behind the fabric, no matter the item. Don't take a shortcut to save you time to sacrifice the quality of your product. There are various thicknesses ranging from featherweight to heavy weight stabilizers, for every item from purses to clothing.  Use the appropriate one after reading the end of the bolt and paper instructions that are wrapped around the interface. Your project will be a better quality.  Learn about the basic types of interface here.



4. Stitching it up!
Slow down! Use the lines on your presser foot to help you keep a straight line sewing. You know, the dashes on the foot....... those. They mean something. They are to help your seam lines come out even! Pay attention to your tension and adjust if needed.  Top tension works well at 3.5 on most machines.  The bobbin controls stitching tension for the bottom of your fabric so you don't need to concern yourself with that.  The tension will only be affected if you don't do #5 (below). Backstitch at the beginning and end of your sewing line to ensure the stitches do not loosen. Use the dial in the back of your machine, back of table, to adjust speed of your machine - along with touch of your foot on the pedal. Slower speeds may help your stitching look a lot better.  If your spools are not in a covered location, be sure to clean them for dust before inserting into your machine.  Don't buy the cheapest thread you come across.  It will be cheap for a reason = stitching threads  breaking in your product. 
 
5. Clean your machine.
The fabric that glides across the table of your machine will shred tiny particles of fabric fibers, and dust, into the dog feeds.  This builds up over time, along with fibers from interfacing, flannels and dust.  Removing the bobbin cover, taking out the bobbin and lifting the carriage will allow you to clean underneath the bobbin area.. (I have a video on cleaning your bobbin area if you need to learn how to do it). 

You will also have access to use a Q-tip, or soft felt brush inside of the open areas.  Cleaning the dust out will avoid tension issues and keep the thread from getting stuck and ultimately your fabric being snagged.  Clean your machine!  

6. Supplies are a must.  
Don't just stick with the bare essentials.  There is an entire notions section filled with helpful items.  The more you practice sewing, the better you will become. As that happens, your enthusiasm grows and taking on tougher project will require additional tools. Notions such as double sided tape, clips and pins prevent shifting of fabrics, bag feet, bag clasps, handles and more make your products a higher quality because you added additional notions which took time, additional money and effort to do.... 
Search the displays. Scan the shelves. 
There is a reason each item was created. A sewing person figured it could make your job easier or your product better!  Get organized with a sewing planner if you are trying to figure out what to sell, how to do it, how to learn to sew them, where to sell them, etc. You can support my blog here by purchasing mine right here --> Sewing Journal Organizer . : ) 

7. Make a lasting Impression.
Looking for the simplest way to improve the display of your item? I could tell you to purchase tags with your name on it - but you may just be starting out so I will tell you the simplest, cheapest route to take to make a lasting impression.  Iron your item. Iron everything! It is that simple. Get those wrinkles out of your fabrics. Turning the material right side out always involves a hole, usually only a bit larger than a few inches - which means wrinkles.  Don't attempt to just run your fingers over the item to smooth it out and consider yourself done. No. Get the wrinkles out. Poke out corners of your product with a chopstick, pull the zippers close, straighten magnetic strips and buttons and iron! Make the wow factor stay so you can be told your handmade item "looks so professional."  Sounds silly but it is one of the simplest steps some choose to skip and there is no need to.  You can have a finished product with only an additional two minutes!

Those little details are all you need to know to get started! I have a list of beginner tutorials you can watch on my channel where I walk you step by step creating products.  I discuss the WHY you need to do things AND the HOW to do them.  Take a look. If you have questions about how to create a particular item, fill out my tutorial request and you could possibly get the video you need! Try using these FREE PDF downloads to help you figure out your sewing journey and get to sewing and bring your ideas to life!




Get started. Have fun,

Nikki WO