I’ve learned a few things over the years about sewing these “multiple” projects and I would like to pass along a couple of my “learn the hard way” hints.

** If sewing items for the children or grandchildren, TRY to get fabrics that you can use the same color of thread on — don’t get red fabric for a skirt, blue print for a blouse and green for a pair of shorts for another child.  The past few years I’ve gotten just a little bit smarter in this regard, so I can decide what I’m going to sew today — using BLUE thread.  Perhaps tomorrow I’ll be making craft items or kids clothes using WHITE thread.  By putting together all the projects that use the same color thread I can get tons more work done!

** Before starting any major project, or projects, I always be sure to have 3 or 4 bobbins filled with whatever color thread I’ll be using for the day.  It is very annoying to run out of bobbin thread in the middle of zippers or button holes, etc and have to stop and fill another bobbin.  By having a couple extra filled ones I can just pop them into the bobbin case and keep on sewing.

** On every pattern piece that I sew I always clip the threads as I go, and go from one pattern piece to another then another as often as possible so there are fewer “long” beginning and ending thread lengths.  By finishing one piece, then put another piece at the end of the first one and continue stitching, all I have to do is clip the thread between the sections to separate the pieces.

Do you have any little secret tips for making the sewing process easier and faster that you’d like to share with us?  Let me tell you – those of us who do a lot of sewing would LOVE to hear any and all little tips you guys might want to pass along.

Read an article by you when machine was not working
quote:
NEEDLE: Probably 25% of machine repair jobs I go out on, the only problem was that the needle was put in backwards. I know you’re probably saying “I’ve been sewing most of my life and I know how to put the needle in the machine”;

I never would have checked it, daughter new to sewing, guess what?

SOOOOOO, for those of you who may have not seen the article, which is an excerpt from the Sewing Machine Repair For The Home Sewer book, here is the article again:

Sew, What’s Your Problem?

There never seems to be enough hours in the day to do all that we have to do. The last thing a sewer needs when she sits down at her sewing machine is to have everything go wrong! The needle breaks, thread jams in the bobbin area or keeps skipping stitches or a number of other frustrating problems that keep the project from being completed. These problems happen to the novice sewer as well as the seasoned pro, and while we would like to blame the sewing machine and perhaps “throw it out the window”, there are measures the home sewer can take to correct most problems or even prevent them from happening in the first place. 

The sewing machine needle is probably the number one cause of problems for sewers and crafters. This may sound silly, but the first thing to check when having stitching problems is whether the needle is in backwards. Oh, I know you’re saying “I’ve been sewing most of my life and I know how to put the needle in the machine”, but in about 25% of the sewing machine repair jobs I go out on, the only problem was that the needle was put in backwards. If your machine will not pick up the bottom thread or skips stitches badly, in most cases it’s because your needle is in wrong. 

Each sewing machine requires the “flat” side of the needle be put in a specific way – facing the front, the back, etc., depending on your particular make and model. Sewers in a hurry to get a project done may simply insert the needle and not pay attention to the position of the flat side, and immediately begin having problems. If by chance you have a sewing machine that takes a needle that doesn’t have a flat side, you’ll notice that each needle has a groove in it where the thread lays as it penetrates the fabric. Depending on whether your machine shuttle system faces to the front or to the left, the groove of the needle will also face front or left. 

A needle that is dull, bent, or simply the wrong size or type can cause major sewing problems. Just because the needle “looks good” doesn’t mean that it is good. A small “snag” on the tip of the needle can cause runs in the fabric, and even a slightly bent needle won’t sew properly. A good rule of thumb would be to change the machine needle before each new project, and, because some fabrics and fabric finishes can increase wear on the needle, you may need to change the needle during the project if you notice stitching problems beginning to appear. 

Always use the right size needle for the type of fabric you’re sewing. I’ve seen sewers trying to sew denim with a fine lingerie type needle simply “because the needle was in the machine and still a good needle”, and others trying to sew fine fabrics with needles that are much too large. A needle too fine for heavy fabric can bend or break when it hits the fabric, while too large a needle for the fabric can make puncture holes in the fabric and also cause the thread to pull unevenly while stitching. Do yourself a huge favor and check the machine needle before you begin any new project.  The second thing to check is the thread itself. We have found that “cheap” thread is definitely not a bargain! The fibers of the “bargain” thread splits easily while you’re sewing and can cause knotting of the thread, breakage of the thread and can also cause a build-up of lint in the bobbin area and along the thread line from the spool to the needle. If you hold a length of the bargain thread up to a light you can readily see the frayed edges and roughness of the thread. Stick to a good quality thread and you’ll minimize the potential problems. 

An additional area to check for stitching problems is whether the sewing machine is threaded properly. Each machine has a certain sequence for threading, and it only takes one missed step in the sequence to cause your machine to skip stitches. If you’re in doubt, take the top thread completely out and start all over again. 

Many times it’s the small things that cause much frustration and loss of sewing time. Taking just a few minutes before starting a project to make sure everything is in order can save hours of “down” time, not to mention frayed nerves and the possibility of having to take the machine to a repair shop unnecessarily.

Before you start any sewing project – and most especially those tedious ones like zippers and buttons/buttonholes, make sure you adhere to the following few tips!

BOBBINS – regardless of where you wind the bobbin, inside the machine, on the top of the handwheel or on the front side near thehand wheel, the basic “bobbin” rules apply.

* Always use bobbins that are specifically for your machine.  My husband had commented to me many times as he was doing customer sewing machine repair jobs, about the “variety” of bobbins the customer had – plastic bobbins, metal bobbins, old looking worn and rusty bobbins, etc.  Bobbins are one thing that need to fit the machine right in order for them to sew properly.

* Always start with an empty bobbin; never mix different colors or sizes of thread on the bobbin.  This is the easiest way to ensure that you’ll have problems in the middle of an important project!

* Most sewing machines have an automatic “shut off” when the bobbin gets full, but if yours doesn’t have this feature, be careful not to fill it too full, as it will not easily fit into the bobbin case if filled too full.

NEEDLES:

* Sometimes while trying to hurry through a project, we slip up and do the worst possible error – putting the needle in backwards!  Even if you can still thread the needle, it won’t sew properly if the needle isn’t positioned right in the machine!  Each sewing machine requires that the “flat” side of the needle be put in a specific way – facing the front, the back, etc., depending on your particular make and model.  If you have a sewing machine that takes a needle that doesn’t have a flat side, you’ll notice that each needle has a groove in it where the thread lays as it penetrates the fabric.  Depending on whether your machine shuttle system faces to the front or to the left, the groove of the needle will also face front or left.

Don’t laugh and make a joke about the previous tip — per my husband, the sewing machine repairman, probably 25% – 30% of all sewing machine repair jobs he went on the only problem was that the needle was put in backwards.  If you’ve changed out a broken or nicked needle and start having problems with skipping stitches, or if the needle won’t pick up the bottom thread, stop what you’re doing, take the needle out and check to be sure you’ve inserted it properly.

Be honest now, have you ever been in such a hurry that you stuck the needle in backwards?  Or have you grabbed the first bobbin available in your sewing drawer that had “only a little” thread on it, so you quickly filled that bobbin in order to get on with your project?  These little “time saver” things we do can actually add way more time to the project as we try to re-do and undo the things we did trying to save a little time.

The home decor items we’ll talk about today could be ones that you own that are no longer being used, OR you can get any number of the items from yard sales, flea markets or thrift stores.

** Old worn towels can be used to make pot holders.

** Old worn towels can be used to make mop covers and broom covers to aid in cleaning ceiling corners and under furniture and appliances.  The covers can be removed and washed after using.

** Old sheets and/or curtains can be cut into 1″ strips, then braid 3 strips together and make the braided pieces into place mats, pot holders or decorative hot plat mats for the table.

** Old sheets can be cut into smaller sizes for baby doll quilts — decorate them with fabric flowers or cut flower appliques from other outgrown garments to attach to the baby doll quilts.

** Decorative pillow cases can be used to make smaller throw pillows for a child’s room.

Look around at what you have that is no longer being used to see if it could be used for making craft items to sell, or into gifts for those on your Holiday gift list.  If you’re like me – when I started looking around for “no longer being used” decor items, I came up with a stack of stuff on the couch, so now I have to start digging in and deciding what all I can make.

If you have any other ideas and tips on how to recycle home decor items, let us know and we’ll pass it along.

Today’s tip is no surprise — September is National Sewing Month, and we’d like to encourage all of you to dig into your sewing supplies and get started on sewing something special.  You could also take it upon yourself to teach someone to sew.  In this economy teaching someone, old or young, to sew could make all the difference in whether that person or their family could get some new clothes, toys or home decor items this year!

Many cities and towns don’t have fabric stores and I know that some of you have to travel quite a distance just to get to a fabric store.  We know the feeling because in our town (which is not small, by any means), all the fabric stores except one have closed within the past few years.

Our suggestion to you is to check out the online fabric stores, such as Jo Anns, or Fabric.com — these are the two that we purchase fabric from on a regular basis and have always been very satisfied with the fabrics.  You can also get a variety of fabrics from an assortment of vendors at ebay.

Are you looking to purchase a new sewing machine or serger?  Again, the online store we’d recommend is AllBrands, which carry a wide variety of sewing machines, sergers, notions, etc.

If you already have a sewing machine and/or serger and would like to learn how to repair your sewing machine, or at least keep it running smoothly so it doesn’t “die” in the middle of your sewing project, we’d recommend you check out the book, Sewing Machine Repair For The Home Sewer.

Good luck on your sewing projects!  And remember, we’re looking for some great tips from our readers – you could be first!

The haut indie online magazine Viva La Moda now has their new issue #10 available for free online.  This edition of the handmade fashion magazine highlights summer fashion and knits in addition to the Project Reconstruction contest where some amazing designers were challenged to reconstruction a mens shirt for the magazine.  Check out all the exciting projects and get a few ideas of your own!

What type of business do you have?  Sewing? Crafting? Alterations?  That’s the easy question.  Now think about what it is that you do that people can say “you’re the only person I know that makes these” or “you’re the first one I’ve seen that has this or that”.  The “niche” in your business would be that service or those crafts that nobody else is doing or making.  The step to take next is to expand on that particular product or service.  You may have the “corner on the market” with Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy dolls, or with the particular type of purses that you make, etc.

Once you’ve figured out that particular product or service that you have that very few or nobody else is doing, make a variety of styles or sizes, or personalize the products for customers, then promote them in as many places as you can.  If you’re online, see about linking your website / blog to other websites that would compliment what you have in order to increase your sales.  If you do craft fairs, highlight those items that only you have available – make sure they are visible from all sides of your booth.

As a couple of examples of finding a niche and following through with it, I will have to add my own “niche” website, PlusSizeChildren, which was started because of a friend’s very overweight and obese child that my friend could never find clothes that fit.  By making a series of patterns for this child, word got out about the patterns I was making and immediately I got the “you’re the only place that has patterns using actual plus size children’s measurements”.  There you go – the answer then was to expand on what I had that nobody else offered.

A second example would have to be my own daughter, whose love of sewing, crafting and designing found herself “thrown into” a niche of making designer coupon totes when she and her husband lost their “day” jobs due to the economy.

What do you do or make that nobody else does, or that nobody else does as well as you do?  Now think about where you could do some marketing of that product or service.  If you have a hometown newspaper, you might talk to some folks there as they are always looking for things to write special articles about — you could be the next featured article in the paper.  Write to a few websites that are in a similar marketing area as what you have and ask about doing a “giveaway” of one of your special products.  This could lead to quite a few sales once all those people who have entered the “giveaway” go to your site and check out those special items.

Don’t let your special sewing or crafting talent just go by the wayside — get it into the public eye and watch your sales increase!

HOWEVER, since the doctor won’t let me do hardly anything but “rest”, I’ve been looking at all my material waiting to be sewn, scraps for projects, sorting the scraps, etc.  All of a sudden, the light bulb went on, and as my daughter would say “two brain cells rubbed together”!  My mountains of scraps are going to be my money maker this Holiday Season!!!

Think about it!  Gifts for yourself to give AND gifts to sell in your customer area AND gifts to sell on ETSY and other places ALL MADE OUT OF YOUR SCRAPS!

I’m so excited I can hardly stand it — thinking of all the things I can make, not only for family gifts, but for selling in my customer waiting area and most likely on ebay as well. 

Think about things like scrap tote bags, leather bead necklaces, kids balls made out of scrap fabric, soft baby blocks,  and one of my favorites for home decor are these Octogan Placemats

There are dozens and dozens of patterns for children, for teens and for adults that can be made from scraps!  Check out Patterns2Go for additional ideas and check out other websites for “scrappy” ideas.

I’m here to tell you that THIS Holiday season IS going to be my most profitable one yet!  It can be YOUR most profitable Holiday season as well, and use up those boxes and bags of scraps.  WHOOHOO!   I can’t believe I thought of this in time to actually do something with the idea for this years’ income!

Get your thinking caps on, and let us know what all you come up with for gifts and to sell, using those scraps and not having to go out and buy new fabrics for the items!

*  If you have a pattern piece that says “cut four”, it might be best to photocopy that piece or make one out of pattern paper, and transfer all the markings so that you’ll have 2 of them, and therefore won’t forget to cut 4 from the one piece.  (We’re creatures of habit you know – lay the pattern piece on the fabric and cut 2!)

* When using a pants pattern the first time, it is wise to make 1″ seam allowances rather than the usual 5/8″ — this will allow a little extra for fine-tuning the final fit of the pants.

*When using one of the “multi-view” patterns, it will be much easier to locate the individual pieces needed for a certain view if you will first re-fold the pattern pieces so that the “view” number or letter is facing out.

*To transfer an exact dot from a pattern to the fabric, make a small cross over the center of the dot.

*Since the bodice of most dress patterns is the most difficult to fit, it is wise to choose your dress pattern size according to the bust measurement and make the necessary adjustments to the skirt.

*If you extend the grainlines on your patterns all the way to the top and bottom of the pattern pieces, it will give you greater accuracy when you begin cutting.

* Raglan and dolman type sleeve styles flatter a small bust, as well as helping to minimize heavy arms and broad shoulders.

* To hide a tummy, keep the waistband loose on all slim skirts.  Keep the band 3/4″ to 1″ larger than your waist size.  (Try cinching in a waistband tight around your waist and see what it does to your tummy!)

If you have other pattern “tricks” to make cutting and sewing easier and quicker, we’d love to hear from you, so we can post those tips for our readers.