Sewing Business Blog » Product Review

Handiest Product You Could Have In Your Sewing Room

Sarah J. Doyle — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:18:00 +0000

We have done product reviews on a wide variety of items, from button hole elastic to the Twelve In One Magic Ruler and a ton of other items that make the sewers and crafters work a little easier.

We’ve been getting quite a few requests to do an informational post on the Sewing Machine Repair For The Home Sewer book. Molly from Louisville, KY wrote in saying she’d really like to see a post about this book because since she bought it (nearly a year ago) she’s not taken a single one of her 14 machines to a repair shop! WAY TO GO MOLLY!!!

So, here we go —— ta dah!! Drum Roll Please…….

The Sewing Machine Repair for the Home Sewer covers nearly 90% of all problems sewers have with their machines — from timing issues to needles breaking, thread jamming and bobbin problems. It even tells how to take apart and put back together (with drawings) a tension so it can be fixed.

The Sewing Machine Repair for the Home Sewer is written in generic style so that it covers nearly every machine on the market. Keep in mind, however, that if your computerized machine has gone haywire, it would have to be taken to the dealer, as the dealer is the only one who can get the specialized tools to get into the computer chip / computer board area. You can still do other maintenance to your machine following the directions and instructions in this book — just not deal with the computer chips.

If you’d like to read more about this book, or the Serger Repair book, or Treadle Repair book, head on over to SewMachineRepair.com and check out the books. We think you’ll be glad you did.

Gypsy Gripper Sewing Tool

Sarah J. Doyle — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:20:00 +0000

Many times it becomes a major challenge trying to hold plastic rulers in place while cutting fabric. The fabric slips or the plastic ruler slips a little. Even when sewing with our 12 in 1 Magic Ruler, it can become a little difficult to hold in place while cutting, either with scissors or on a cutting mat with a rotary cutter.

We’ve found the perfect sewing and quilting tool to help hold those plastic measuring devices in place – the Gypsy Gripper.

The larger size Gypsy Gripper, shown above, has a comfortable grip handle and two large suction cups that have lock and release levers. You simply press the suction cups onto the plastic measuring tool, flip the levers to lock the gripper in place, and you’re ready to hold the measuring device in place while you cut. You can also easily move the plastic measuring tool to different areas of the fabric if you’re cutting quilt blocks, press down to hold the measuring tool in place and cut. When finished with that particular measuring tool, you just flip the locking levers to release the Gypsy Gripper from the measuring tool.

There is also a smaller gripper, the “little gripper” that can be used on the smaller plastic templates and measuring devices.

This tool is available from quilting and fabric shops or can be ordered directly from the GypsyQuilter website.

With so many of the newer quilting and sewing tools being made of plastic, the Gypsy Gripper is a very handy tool to have.

Sidewinder Bobbin Winder

Sarah J. Doyle — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:33:00 +0000

I have mixed feelings about the Sidewinder bobbin winder.

The cost is about $35.00 and can be purchased from many brick & mortar stores, as well as online mail order catalog companies.

On the positive side, the unit is small, lightweight and compact, making it easy to move around. The other good thing about it is that you can wind the bobbins without taking the thread out of your sewing machine, and have one ready in just a few minutes.

On the negative side, it winds the bobbins so fast that it doesn’t do the bobbin evenly. I used a pen to move the thread up and down on the bobbin in order to get it more evenly threaded. Also, it will only hold regular size spools of thread – you can’t fill the bobbin from a thread cone.

All in all, while I DO use mine sometimes, I wouldn’t give it as a gift to someone.

Xyron 510 Label Maker

Sarah J. Doyle — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:02:00 +0000

About a month ago my daughter bought a Xyron 510 label maker off Ebay and promptly started making refrigerator magnets, labels and name tag buttons for each of us to wear to the Honey festivals that we were participating in.

There are a couple models to choose from – the Xyron 510 and the Xyron 900. The model 900 is more expensive and is a little bigger (will laminate up to 8.5 inches wide) , but the model 510 is perfect for anything we’d be doing (the 510 will laminate surfaces up to 5″ wide).

You can use the xyron adhesive on small craft mirrors, buttons, ribbons, photos, applique and of course anything made out of paper. This is actually a wonder machine for laminating, making magnets and dozens of other projects. Actually at Michaels.com they have a list of 101 ways to use the Xyron machine. They also have a listing of hints and techniques for using the xyron machine.

Regardless of the hobbies or crafts that you enjoy, I’d recommend the Xyron 510 for your craft / sewing room. I believe you’d find so many things to use it for that you’ll wonder how you got along without it all these years.

Pattern Paper

Sarah J. Doyle — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:24:00 +0000

Whether you are a seamstress making clothing garments for customers, an alteration lady or a craft person, there is a regular need for some type of pattern paper. In pattern making, it is mandatory that some type of pattern paper is used to make the patterns.

We sometimes tell people to check out their local newspaper office for “end rolls” of newsprint paper. These end rolls sometimes have several yards left and they are very wide. Grocery bags can also be used for making changes to patterns and for pattern making; however they would probably have to be cut apart and taped together for the bigger items.

The most practical type of pattern paper would be the type that could be re-used without tearing and can be pinned to fabric without tearing, etc.

There are two types of pattern paper that we recommend — both of which are non-tearable, so could be used over and over again.

Pattern Ease - Non-woven tracing material for altering, duplicating and designing patterns and crafts. Won’t tear, can be used over and over. Make your basic patterns on Pattern Ease and you’ll be able to use them for years. Can be machine sewn. 45″ wide, 80% Polyester/20% Rayon, White.
3100-W is the item number.

Clear Red Dot Pattern Tracing Cloth – 100% nylon with 1″ square grid to scale drawings for needlework and to trace, alter and design patterns. Takes all type of markers and pins. Can be machine sewn. Clear.

Both types of pattern are readily available online – The Pattern Ease is around $2.00 per yard, and the Clear Red Dot Pattern Tracing Cloth is around $1.50 per yard.

I use Pattern Ease for nearly every pattern I make, as well as for making craft patterns, and doing alterations on clothing items. I have some patterns that were made over 15 years ago, and I can bring them out, press the pattern paper pieces, and they’re ready for me to use again.

Shape-A-Dart – Fits Patterns to YOUR Cup Size

Sarah J. Doyle — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:10:38 +0000

For a fit that flatters – use the Shape-A-Dart on commercial patterns to adjust the cup size to YOUR cup size.

Why use Shape-A-Dart? Misses size patterns are made with a standard “B” cup and half sizes are made with a standard “C” cup. If you wear a Misses size pattern and wear an “A”, “C” or “D” cup bra, your bodice will be baggy (A cup) or tight with wrinkles (C or D cup). The same thing applies to half sizes that wear an “A”, “B” or “D” cup bra. Shape-A-Dart has PRE-MEASURED dart widths to correct darts on all commercial patterns, beginning with size 6 and going through 24 1/2, and includes sizes 38 to 46. Simply find your pattern size and PERSONAL bra cup size on the Shape-A-Dart and make the correction. Every pattern will give you “a fit that flatters”!

Do your blouses, dresses and jackets look like the “before” pictures? Simply adjust the dart on the pattern with Shape-A-Dart, following the easy instructions that are included, and you will have a perfect fitting garment and a “fit that flatters”!

Do your customers a favor and have one of these handy tools available in order to be able to adjust the cup size on the garments you’re sewing for them.

SHAPE-1 – Shape-A-Dart $9.95 + $2.00 P&H.

(As seen in Sew News Magazine Pg 70 November 2001 issue)

Exclusively from Sarah’s Sewing Supplies.

Order by e-mail by writing to sarah@SewWithSarah.com, send check/money order to Sarah Doyle, 3412 Holt Circle #C, Pensacola, FL 32526, call 1-800-883-2348 / (850) 944-7570

Two Buttonhole Sewing Notions

Sarah J. Doyle — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:27:00 +0000

Everyone who sews has a drawer or basket full of handy little sewing notions. tools and gadgets - most of them are necessary tools, and some are just there because they looked like they’d be nice to have, so we bought them.

Today I’ll talk about two handy little tools that I find very handy to have. First is the Buttonhole Spacer and Sizer

This handy measuring tool can be used for many things, but it has been designed for spacing and sizing of buttonholes. Since there is a horizontal ruler and a vertical ruler attached, forming an “L” shape, it enables the sewer to determine both the spacing between buttonholes and the size of the buttonhole. The horizontal ruler slides easily up or down the vertical ruler to the point for the next buttonhole measurement.

Secondly we have a “Point Turner and Button Gauge”

The point turner is the part I use the most on this little tool because I either use the simflex gauge or buttonhole spacer and sizer for the buttonholes. The point turner is a super valuable tool for anyone needing to “turn” collars or even square corners on garments or craft items. With the point turner you can easily turn those corners for a professional look.

Both of these tools can probably be found at Joanns, or perhaps WalMart and can be purchased online as well – the cost of each of them is under $3.00 and are well worth the price!

What’s All The Fuss About Bias Tape Makers

Sarah J. Doyle — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:19:00 +0000

I’ve found the GREATEST tutorial about how to use a relatively new tool — bias tape maker. The tutorial is at NicoleMDesignBlogspot, and it’s a FABULOUS tutorial! My next purchase is going to be one of these handy little tools!

So what’s all the fuss about Bias Tape Makers…?

…They will CHANGE YOUR LIFE, that’s what!!! Little wonder that a few were mentioned on “This Is My Trade Secret” posts, or in the comments following. I particularly like the Clover Bias Tape Maker (well, Clover seem to do a pretty good job of just about EVERYTHING, don’t they?). Since discovering them I’ve bought one in every size and have been happily binding anything I can possibly bind. After years of doing this the LONG WAY around, I can’t get over how quick it is now.

A bias tape maker makes perfect bias tape in the fabric of your choice, and makes it so that the seam allowances go ALL THE WAY TO THE CENTRE (unlike the store-bought variety), so there’s little chance of fraying edges if you go a little bit wobbly with your stitching!!

A quick tutorial….Using both the 6mm and 18mm Clover Bias Tape Makers (in case you were wondering

1. Measure a bias strip to the width specified in the instructions (in the packet) for your particular size bias tape maker. A quilting ruler and cutting mat make this super-quick and accurate (both ruler and board usually have bias guides, so you can follow whichever is easiest for you).SnnnnnnnniP!… a rotary cutter makes this a breeze. If you haven’t got one you’ll just have to use old fashioned ruler, chalk and scissors. Cut your bias strip out.
3. Cut one end of the bias strip to a point to make it thread more easily through the little wonder-gadget. With the Clover 6mm bias tape maker there’s a handy little hole in the bottom that allows you to move the fabric through with a pin. Aren’t Clover clever…? They think of EVERYTHING!4. With the iron in one hand and the little handle of the bias tape maker in the other, simultaneously slide the bias tape maker backwards and press the tape immediately as it comes out at the front. The raw edges will be folded neatly into the centre of the tape.Now you have lots of lovely bias tape to make pretty bound edges or decorative applique on bibs, bags, purses, pockets, pot-holders… you name it.

Isn’t that easy…?

Twelve In One Magic Ruler

Sarah J. Doyle — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:09:00 +0000

For sewing, crafting, quilting and wood-working, the Twelve In One MAGIC RULER is a complete set of measuring devices all in one easy-to-use see-thru adjustable tool. And it’s all done with the twist of a knob! You’re not limited to just twelve variations of the MAGIC RULER. Use your imagination according to the project you’re working on. The obvious uses of the MAGIC RULER are these:

1. Yardstick
2. 35″ Scallop Template
3. Corner Maker
4. L-Square
5. T-Square
6. 45 degree Angle
(or any angle from 10 degree to 180 degree)
7. Inside Triangle Template
8. Outside Triangle Template
9. Inside Scallop Block Template
10. Outside Scallop Block Template
11. 4″, 5″, 6″, 7″, 8″ & 9″ Square Template
12. 13″ Square Template

And it’s all done with the twist of a knob!!

Use the Twelve In One MAGIC RULER for pattern making, altering commercial patterns, making quilt blocks, square templates for craft projects, scalloped edges on skirt and dress hems, sleeves, quilts, pictures, table cloths, and other crafts. Cut triangles for quilts and craft projects and use the corner maker for all perfect corners — all with the twist of a knob! Easy instructions included. Made of see-thru durable plastic for ease of use.

What would you pay for each of these tools if bought individually? $30 – $50, or more? The Twelve In One Magic Ruler will do it ALL for one low price of $17.95 plus $4.00 shipping and handling.

Indicate item number MR-1 and send $17.95 plus $4.00 shipping & handling to Sarah’s Sewing Supplies, 3412 Holt Circle #C., Pensacola, FL 32526; Call 1-800-883-2348 / (850) 944-7570 with Visa/MasterCard orders; or e-mail orders to sarah@sewwithsarah.com

Jiffy Grip Fabric

Sarah J. Doyle — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:15:00 +0000

Jiffy Grip non slip slipper sole fabric

Jiffy grip fabric has non slip rubber raised dot grippers on one side that makes it a perfect fabric for bottoms of childrens footed pajamas, house slippers and children’s soft sole leather shoes. Other uses for this fabric includes gluing it to lamp bases to protect furniture, put it under area rugs and under placemats or table top padding to prevent slipping and sliding.

Jiffy Grip fabric comes in a package and is 11 1/4″ x 24″. It is easy to cut and sew – can be glued as well, such as on lamp bases, or flower vases. This product can also be used for shelf lining to prevent sliding and breakage of glasses and china. Jiffy Grip is machine washable using warm water and dryable.

Cost is under $3.00 and available online and in stores.