Sewing Gadgets Raves & Rants

[rilysmom]

Some of the newer machines don't have the screw hole for the seam guide. I like the guide for sewing straight lines but curves are hard to do...especially inside curves. I have the 1/4 inch quilter foot and I have found the same it true for it. Some people draw lines to follow on their machines with a fine sharpie, but I haven't done that.

[rilysmom]

Originally Posted by southernbelle04

And I too so want a serger! Especially since getting into clothes for women and children.

I used to make costumes for children's theater. A serger made that so much easier.

[rilysmom]

So sorry, I seemed to have killed this thread.....

[kjc]

Originally Posted by rilysmom

I like a gathering foot better than a ruffler.

I don't get good results with the gathering foot. Think I need more practice with it. I use my zipper foot a lot for doing piping.

I also have attachments out the butt for my treadle machine... one day I'll be playing with that too.

[capt_noonie]

Nothing specifically, but I hate when I pay good money for a name brand and it doesn't deliver. I spent about $120 on a Rowenta iron and it's a piece of crap!

I miss my mom's old vintage Singer. That machine was strong. I have a dumb plastic Brother now and it does the job but you can tell it's not the same as the old metal ones. I only do straight stitches bc I don't like serged edges, but then again when I sew I usually do high end costumes, so I will do different types of seams but all with a straight stitch. But in order to do some, you need a good iron first!

I need to get a magnetic pin cushion. I am always knocking my box of pins everywhere! or I want a wrist pin cushion but I want a pretty one. I guess I'd have to make one. It's really handing when draping instead of having to reach over to the table.

My fave trick is using Fray Chek. Esp when using fabrics like chiffon that fray easily. After I draw out the pattern I trace on the line with Fray Chek and after I cut it out, the edges don't fray.

[rilysmom]

Originally Posted by kjc

I don't get good results with the gathering foot. Think I need more practice with it. I use my zipper foot a lot for doing piping.

I also have attachments out the butt for my treadle machine... one day I'll be playing with that too.

I agree, Kathy. I had to practice with it at first. But when I realized that I could still adjust the ruffle as I pinned it in place, I found that much easier than pulling the threads the old way. When I made costumes, I had to work fast, so I would use dental floss and a very wide zigzag stitch. That worked very well for me too...this was before I got the gathering foot.

I am so envious of your treadle machine. Both my Mother and MIL had one, but both are long gone now.

[rilysmom]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Nothing specifically, but I hate when I pay good money for a name brand and it doesn't deliver. I spent about $120 on a Rowenta iron and it's a piece of crap!

I miss my mom's old vintage Singer. That machine was strong. I have a dumb plastic Brother now and it does the job but you can tell it's not the same as the old metal ones. I only do straight stitches bc I don't like serged edges, but then again when I sew I usually do high end costumes, so I will do different types of seams but all with a straight stitch. But in order to do some, you need a good iron first!

I need to get a magnetic pin cushion. I am always knocking my box of pins everywhere! or I want a wrist pin cushion but I want a pretty one. I guess I'd have to make one. It's really handing when draping instead of having to reach over to the table.

My fave trick is using Fray Chek. Esp when using fabrics like chiffon that fray easily. After I draw out the pattern I trace on the line with Fray Chek and after I cut it out, the edges don't fray.

Oh, I did the same thing.....bought a Rowenta iron...hate it. I have been looking for a good iron too. If you find one, please post.

I agree...I hate the plastic sewing machines out now. I learned to sew on an old singer and that was the best machine. EVER. My sister still has it and I want it back. Its just a simply, 2 stitch baby, but I loved it.

I love your Fray Chek idea...gonna use it!!!

[rilysmom]

I recently picked up one of these....so far I like it. It really helps my aging-eyes see the threads to rip without making a hole in the fabric.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by rilysmom

I recently picked up one of these....so far I like it. It really helps my aging-eyes see the threads to rip without making a hole in the fabric.

OMG I know what you mean about that!

[Tessa327]

What different type of footers are there and are they expensive? Curious.

[southernbelle04]

I have looked at Rowenta irons but have held back. You guys don't wont to know how often I knock my iron off the board by either bumping into the board or some mishap. I'd be so mad at myself if I did that to a $100+ iron. So far I've stuck with $30 and under irons. I've went through 2 since I started sewing. Lol


Great idea on the fray check! Thanks for the tip!


Love love that seam ripper with the magnifying glass. Neat! I'm only 29 but have awful eyesight. Without my contacts in I'd run into a pole right in front of me. Lol


I too would like to learn about different sewing machine feet.


And can anyone tell me about sergers? A good brand? How they work? I need one since I started sewing clothes for people I think. I currently do that fake a serge technique I found online on YouTube by doing a zig zag stitch right next to my straight stitch and trimming by hand with my gingher dressmakers scissors.

[Tessa327]

On that note I noticed some surgers hold 4 while others hold 5 threads. What's the difference?

I'm afraid to start sewing, I've seen lots of needles break while growing up.

[ldcox29]

Craftsy has a free sewing foot class online. You do need to set up an account, then just search "free classes"

I don't know anything about sergers, they look tricky. But I do use a cut and hem foot that trims away the excess fabric as you zig zag.

Cut & Sew Attachment, Slant Shank #R-CT-S: Sewing Parts Online

[Ldyrev1]

Amyee, this is a great thread. It will be so helpful for everyone that sews. A good refresher for some and opportunity to learn for new sewists! Thanks so much!

I don't have a "ruffler" for my sewing but I do have one for my serger. Haven't perfected using it just yet but it's one thing I really want to work on! Making Princess Sophie dresses is good reason to practice! LOL

Thanks again!!

[Ldyrev1]

Originally Posted by southernbelle04

And can anyone tell me about sergers? A good brand? How they work? I need one since I started sewing clothes for people I think. I currently do that fake a serge technique I found online on YouTube by doing a zig zag stitch right next to my straight stitch and trimming by hand with my gingher dressmakers scissors.

As for sergers... some do additional things but all are designed to provide the sewist the opportunity to finnish seems professionally. Some can make decorative seems as well. I believe all offer settings for wide or narrow serged seems and most require the sewist to manually thread the different ports/threads (3, 4, 5, - 8) and needles. This is my basic knowledge of sergers in general. Maybe someone who knows more about them can step up and provide additional info.

I have a Babylock Evolve serger and my machine is one of the more expensive models available but it allows me to do regular seem binding, rolled hem, and a variety of other possible seems as well as decorative wave seems. I love my machine and I'm sure I have shared about it in previous threads. I can thread and rethread my serger in less than three minutes and for me, that's worth the price itself.

When first looking for a serger, I was interested in purchasing from a dealer who was willing to teach me how to use everything my serger had to offer. I feel the availability of free training outweighs the cost of the machine, but that's just me.

I know others who have purchased lesser expensive sergers and have had difficulty threading and rethreading their machines almost every time they want to use them. I'm sure there are probably just as many who have no problems with their machines but I can only speak for the people I know and the brand I use. I wouldn't have anything but a Babylock at this point because of the ease of threading, the free training available, anytime I want it, and the professional look it gives my work.

Ok, that's my spiel and I'm sticking to it. LOL Hope this helps!