Embroidery Designs, software, machines

8:40 PM | Labels: Sewing

Discover how to sew a spa wrap or beach cover-up with this simple sewing lesson.

Spa wraps are great gift ideas or bazaar items, too.

Sew spa wraps for all the men, women and children in your family. Everyone needs one. Use for after the shower, bath, or when you do your hair or at the spa or pool or the beach.

Spa wraps have elasticized tops that can be worn above the bust or at the waist.

Sewing a spa wrap is a quick and easy sewing project. All you need is a beach towel, approximately 1-1/4 yards of 1 inch to 1-1/4 inch wide sport sew through elastic and about 6 inches of hook and loop tape or large snaps.

Here is the how to sew instructions.

First of all, make a decision about what you want to use to sew the spa wrap. Colorful beach towels are great to use as well as fabric. Your choice may be based on what size you need the spa wrap to be.

Smaller towels work well for small children.

Lighter weight towels work better than heavier ones. They aren't as bulky to sew or wear and also dry faster.

Sewing Tip: Always preshrink all fabrics including towels before you sew.

The average beach towel is about 62 inches long x 34 inches wide. Find some good bargains at your local flea market.

The length of the beach towel will generally go around most bodies with some over lap. If you need more, sew 2 towels together or add half a towel.

Cut a piece of 1 inch to 1-1/4 inch wide sturdy sport sew through elastic to be about 2/3 of the length of the towel or fabric that you are using. This depends on the stretch of the elastic.

Example: For a 62 inch long towel, cut the elastic about42 inches long.

Divide the towel and the elastic into eighths. First fold in half, then again in fourths, then again in eighths. These smaller sections are easier to handle at the sewing machine.

Pin the elastic at the eighth marks to one long edge on the wrong side of the towel.

Set your sewing machine for your largest and longest zigzag stitch.

As you stitch, stretch the elastic to fit each pinned section of the towel.

First stitch along the outer edge of the elastic and then go back and stitch along the inner edge of the elastic also stretching as you sew.

If you prefer, you can sew a lightweight fabric casing to the wrong side of the towel and insert the elastic drawing it up to fit the size you want.

Cut two strips of hook and loop tape about 3" long.

Pin the rough (hook) side of one strip to the inside edge of the overlap on top of the elastic.

Stitch around the hook tape to hold securely.

Pin the soft (loop) side of one strip to the outside edge on the right side of the underlap.

Stitch around that tape.

Now place the corresponding pieces of hook and loop tape up against the stitched in place pieces of tape.

Put the wrap on your body to help determine where to sew the corresponding pieces of tape.

Pin those pieces where they should go and unhook them from the stitched tapes. Remove the wrap.

Stitch around these tapes where you have them pinned.

WOW! You just made a spa wrap!

Now, for some designer touches, try these ideas:

Add a large pocket cut from contrasting or matching fabric or even mesh fabric on the front.

Monogram or use one of your embroidery designs on the pocket before applying it to the wrap.

You could bind the outer edges of towel with fabric to match the pocket.

If you decide to bind the outer edges of the towel, round the square corners first. It looks better and is easier to bind. See the following sewing tip to make a nice curve.

Sewing Tip: Lay a dinner plate down at the corners of the towel lining up the edges of the plate with the edges of the towel. Draw the outer curve of the plate to get a very nice even curve.

If you are using a plain towel, add a fun embroidery design using instructions to embroider on terry cloth to decorate your wrap.

Applique a unique design on the spa wrap.

If you prefer not to use hook and loop tape, use very large snaps or heavy duty gripper snaps to hold the wrap closed.

You are the designer! Have fun with it!

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8:35 PM | Labels: Sewing

Buttons provides detailed information on Buttons, How To Sew A Button, Sewing Buttons, Antique Buttons and more. Buttons is affiliated with Rubber Wristbands

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8:33 PM | Labels: Sewing

Sewing is a great kids craft. Kids love to sew and show what they accomplished. They are very proud of their sewing projects and other creations.

Whether it is sewing or any other craft that you teach or share with your child, even if it is coloring, drawing, cutting and pasting, it is time well spent.

If you want to really spend some quality time with your kids and grandkids, turn off the TV and do some kids crafts or sew with them. It is great therapy for all ages. The added bonus is the treasured memories that you create for both of you.

Whether you are planning a kid party or homeschooling, babysitting, teach a Sunday School Class or just want to keep the kids entertained, there are a number of sewing and kid craft resources to help you be successful and make a real "hit" with the kids.

Sewing and kids crafts are a sure-fired way to bond with your kids. Sew or make something together today! Have fun!

It just makes sense!

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8:28 PM | Labels: Sewing

When looking at machines for purchase, it is important to sew on the
machine yourself, in fact, you should insist on it. You should plan ahead,
and when you go to the sewing machine store, know the kind of things you
are interested in doing. Take pieces of fabric, or whatever you plan to sew
on. Do not let the sales rep do the sewing on your fabrics.

1) Explain to the sales rep what you are interested in, what the problems
are with your current machine (if any?).

2) If the sales rep immediately takes to the most expensive machine in the
store and this was not your intent, be firm and insist upon seeing a
machine more in your price range. You may well end purchasing a machine
that is outside your price range, but that should be your decision and not
that of the sales rep.

3) Let the sales rep give you a demonstration, make sure that when you sit
down you can see what the sales rep is doing. Sometimes the sales reps have
a canned demonstration and they go to fast, they make it flashy and
impressive, but the demo may be more technique rather than what the machine
is capable of doing.

4) Ask your questions and then ask to sew on the machine yourself. If you
do not have fabric pieces, ask to test sew on real fabric, not the stiff
demo cloth that most sales reps use. Your own swatches are better because,
you can carry the same fabric around to the different shops, and truly have
an accurate comparison.

5) If you try something on a fabric (your own) and it does not work
properly, for example using a machine with a lot of embroidery stitches,
you generally have to stiffen the fabric, use a tear-away type of product.
Decorative stitches generally look nicer using 100% cotton thread and not
necessarily as nice using cotton-wrapped thread. Check out the thread.

6) Contrary to what a sales rep may say, swear to, etc. THERE IS NO SUCH
THING AS A MACHINE THAT HAS AN AUTOMATIC TENSION ADJUSTMENT.
Remember, when using a regular sewing machine (as opposed to a serger)
there is thread on top of the seam (your top thread - when threaded goes
through tension system of some kind) and the bobbin thread. In machines
with a bobbin case, the tension is still adjusted by adjusting that
little bitty screw on the side of the bobbin, there is no one, etc. that
jumps out and automatically adjusts this little screw. You must. The
machines without a bobbin case (so-called drop-in bobbins), also have a
tension adjusting device. There may be some "automatic" mechanism to
adjust the top tension.

7) The stitching quality of a particular machine depends on a number of
things (a) the machine, (b) needles, (c) thread, (d) tension, (e) sewing
technique, and (f) the operator. All of these items are important. A good
machine is wonderful and can make sewing more pleasurable. You can hear it
and see the results, between a good machine and not so good machine.

8) If you are looking at the high end machine, for example Elna or Pfaff
(there are the two machines I own, so biased), be aware that both companies
have a line of machines that are of a different quality than there top
line. Top line of Elna is made in Switzerland, top line of Pfaff is
Germany. The other line is either made in Japan or China (not that these
are necessarily bad, but they are not the top of the line, the line that
gives the brand its reputation). For example, New Home is a Japanese built
machine, they may have other lines that are built in either Taiwan or
Korea. When it comes to sergers by these companies, it is most likely their
sergers are made in either Japan or Germany/Switzerland, but for sergers,
this is okay. The original home-use sergers came from Japan, they had the
original technology.

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8:26 PM | Labels: Sewing

The sewing machine has been around for more than two hundred years now and is still as popular today. Most households have a sewing machine, whether it’s for ornamental use or for taking care of those sewing chores.

The sewing machine was invented to help join fabric together using thread in order to make clothes. In order to create stitches, which are used to join pieces of fabric together, these machines take two threads and join them together within the machine and put them through the fabric.

There are many different model sewing machines available today and many of these can produce a great variety of both plain and patterned stitches that include cross stitch, chain stitch, and zig zag stitching. Regular sewing machines use what is called a lockstitch. This is a stitch that is created using two threads. Older model sewing machines have been known to use chain stitches and sergers.

There are hundreds of models of sewing machines and they all vary considerable in both price and performance. The more expensive models are sophisticated electronic machines that are also computerized. Even with all this technology however, these machines still work based on one main principle, and that is the loop stitching system.

Sewing machines consist of a number of different components and these include the electric motor, the spool holder, the tension disc, the drive wheel, the bobbin holder, the needle, and the foot pedal. Of course these are only the basic components, there are many more. The motor on sewing machines is controlled by the foot pedal and this lets the user vary the speed they require when sewing.

Like most devices, sewing machines do take a little bit of practice and patience especially when it comes to threading your machine. Perseverance however does have its rewards and in no time you could be mastering the art of sewing and creating your own garments.

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8:24 PM | Labels: Sewing

You have the ability to control your looks if you know how to enjoy sewing. A person who sews well doesn’t worry about the fashion and its influences. They can find the right fit of clothe for themselves in the color of their choice. You need not worry that the color you like is not available in the market. Moreover there is no necessity to restrict yourself to a particular style. You should know that the clothes worn in the old movies are being revived by the youngsters and some of the clothes worn in these movies are evergreen and will not be out of date at any time. Can we say them as future-proof? Some of the modern movies like Dick Tracy and Titanic bring the old classics to this modern day.

With the help of the internet you can easily find the old patterns that are used in the classic clothes. It is easy to make vintage clothes using the vintage sewing patterns.

Why you should go for the vintage?

You can use the vintage sewing pattern so that you are accurate in the time for that pattern. Some of the vintage designs include patterns that are modern like zippers. These patterns change the look of the old clothes. The attitudes and comments at the time of the styles are included in the vintage sewing pattern. For different styles and ages there are many be some accessories that are recommended. References to the Hollywood or Paris or the queen of society would be there that were popular at the time of the style that you adopt.

Using a vintage sewing pattern adds fun. This is one of the reasons for using that pattern. Find a vintage sewing pattern in original and good condition is very hard. However there are methods available to copy the vintage sewing pattern so that the vintage sewing pattern is available to you at affordable cost. By having a copy you have access to the same pattern, the instructions and the comments. With that you can add your modern touches to that pattern with confidence.

Problems with the vintage patterns

Of course nothing comes without a problem and so is the vintage sewing pattern. Changes to the pattern have to be made so that you can use the modern fabrics that are available in the market. You may need to alter the pattern to fit the modern figure. If the instructions are missing then it poses you a challenge to get the exact pattern needed. Due to these reasons the vintage sewing pattern should be reserved for the experienced people rather than the adventurous beginner in design. Sometimes adventures pay off. So you can give it a go even if you think it is a little bit difficult for you.

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8:23 PM | Labels: Sewing

Koala cabinets for sewing machines are used by many people around the world who like the nice, yet functional design of these sewing machine cabinets. The Koala sewing machine cabinets are stylish, durable and functional, which is why people who enjoy sewing look for the Koala name when they are buying sewing machine cabinets.

Unlike other cabinets, Koala cabinets were designed with the sewer in mind. Every aspect of these cabinets is geared towards making sewing more efficient and easier, while also being efficient and minimizing wasted space. Available in a number of different styles and colors, the Koala cabinets are among the most sought after.

One of the most liked features of these cabinets is the fact that they have lift-off doors which make them easy to remove when you need the ability to move quickly around your space without the fear of bashing your legs against the opened doors. These cabinets are also on rollers which make them easy to move around your workspace as you need to.

Everything from the work surface to the draw space to the overall design and layout of these cabinets were clearly designed with efficiency in mind. You can keep your workspace neat and clean with these great cabinets while not breaking your budget to do so.

Super easy to set up, use and maintain, the Koala sewing machine cabinets are sure to make you love spending time in front of the sewing machine. Consumers looking for these great cabinets find the best selection and pricing online and that is why there is a complete assortment of these cabinets for you to choose from.

Retailers simply cannot stock these cabinets and keep the price down because of high overhead charges. Internet retailers have significantly less overhead and therefore can pass those savings along to consumers while also offering a wider selection of Koala cabinets and related accessories. You can choose the design and color you need to make your workspace neat, tidy and efficient. Koala cabinets are among the most popular in the industry.

You can keep your home or workspace looking great yet remaining highly functional when you invest in great Koala cabinets. For the serious sewer and the amateur sewer alike, the Koala cabinets are a must have. Choose the right cabinet for your needs and enjoy spending time with your favorite sewing machine.

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8:18 PM | Labels: Sewing

Sewing machines today are very well-built machines. They will usually last for years without much trouble. When trouble does arise, only a few sewing machine parts will require replacement. Case in point is the myriad of antique sewing machines that are still in use today. Although they are still capable of doing the job, replacement sewing machine parts are becoming harder to come by, especially if the original manufacturer is no longer in business. In most cases, the original manufacturer is the best source for sewing machine parts. However, there are now companies whose specialty is making sewing machine parts. A good machine will last a lifetime.

Sewing machines are a mixture of old-time form and durability with modern electronics. Most parts need only a regular schedule of maintenance. Some parts will require replacement more frequently, such as belts, needles, and light bulbs. These smaller parts are easily replaced and can be found at many sewing-oriented retailers. When you buy replacement parts, you can either buy them from the original manufacturer or buy universal parts which fit many brands of sewing machines.

Some replacement parts are not as easy to find or replace. For example, bobbins, feet attachments, and needle plates can only be found from a sewing machine shop or dealer. To ensure that the replacement parts fit your particular sewing machine, the dealer or sewing machine shop will need the specific model and part number.

Like an automobile, many sewing machines can be retrofitted with after-market parts to add to its functionality. New sewing machines usually come with basic accessories, such as a zipper foot or a pressure foot. Specialized jobs such as quilting or ruffles can be done by purchasing an add-on attachment from the dealer. When buying after-market parts, make sure that the accessories are made to fit your particular make and model of sewing machine. Typically, after-market attachments made by a manufacturer are limited to their specific brand.

If you have one of the more popular brands, such as Singer, you can find dedicated suppliers or repair shops whose sole function is to sell and service that one particular brand. They can also help you to maintain your sewing machine. Maintenance is key to a long lasting machine. You can search the internet for suppliers of parts on the famous name brand and you will be surprised at the fact that there still are people who sevice the old machines

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