It’s August… it’s hot… schools and colleges are ready to resume fall semesters. It’s time to get the sewing machines out and make some back-to-school projects or get a head start on holiday sewing.
Before you begin sewing, take time to do some simple maintenance on your machine if it’s been sitting over the summer. Check to make sure a new needle is in place and good thread is in the bobbin and needle. Make sure the bobbin area is lint-free. If the machine has been sitting a year or more without use, a check-up with a technician may also be a good idea. The technician can check and oil the parts of the machine that you cannot reach.
Another item to check on the machine is the bobbin. Be sure the correct bobbin for the machine is in place. Bobbins are not always interchangeable between machines. The owner’s manual will identify the correct bobbin type to purchase for your machine. Using the wrong bobbin can also cause poor quality stitches. Make sure the bobbin is wound correctly and is inserted correctly. Refer to the owner’s manual for instructions.
If machine embroidery is part of the back-to-school sewing, be sure to have the correct stabilizers needed for your projects. Knit fabrics will need a different type stabilizer than a woven. Some items embroider better with an iron-on stabilizer while others may require a non-fusible stabilizer. Instructions with your stabilizers can help you determine which is best to use.
As for some sewing projects, there are always some quick and easy items to make. A cloth lunch sack would be a good use for part of your stash. This is washable and reusable. Pillowcases are also a quick and easy project to sew. Choose a school-themed fabric to make them. These are a great idea for dorm-bound college students, as well. If you have embroidery capability on your machine, personalize with the name of the recipient or the school. Easy instructions for lunch bags and pillowcases can be found online.
Personalizing items for school continues to be popular. Consider adding initials to hoodies, raincoats, backpacks, purses, and yes, even shoes! Make sure any of these will fit under your embroidery area. You may need a heavier needle if the backpack or tote bag fabric is tightly woven or thick. Slowing your stitching speed can also help ensure good results. For the above-mentioned shoe, you would need a multi-needle embroidery machine with the special shoe hoop!
If you are needing to upgrade your sewing machine, we would be happy to assist you in finding a model that meets your needs. We also offer free owner lessons with the purchase of any sewing/embroidery machine we sell. A new machine OR servicing your current machine can help make your back-to-school stitching much easier!
Tips for Hemming Jeans
This time of year, many sewers are making basic repairs/fixes to school clothes. One of the more common repairs is hemming jeans. Stitching denim can be a bit tricky, especially when trying to stitch over bulky seams. We do have a few suggestions that may help with this:
1. Use a good quality thread; a couple of companies do have “jeans” thread that is a bit heavier to use for hemming. This thread comes in denim blue or gold.
2. Use a denim needle, size 16. Several needle manufacturers make needles designed especially for tough denim fabric. These needles have a large eye to accommodate heavier thread and a very sharp point to pierce the fabric.
3. Try a Jean-a-ma-jig™: This is a device that helps the machine “walk” over the thick inseams. It sounds crazy but every jeans-hemmer needs one of these!
-submitted by The Sewing and Vacuum Center
