Learn to use the sewing machine you have

May 2, 2025

Thirty years ago, a wise old sewing machine repairman shared the following advice with me, “You don’t need a new machine, you need to learn how to use the one you have.” This was in response to me whining I really needed a new machine like the one he had for sale in his shop so I could do certain sewing techniques. My 60’s era Elna SU from the Atlanta Public Schools surplus is long gone; however, Mr. Vinson’s words still ring true in 2025.

Carefully curated social media plays right into our ongoing struggle with bright shiny object syndrome. Do you watch project tutorials from ambassadors of Baby Lock, Bernina and Janome sewing machines? Those machines they are using are the TOL machines. Same goes for all the sewists who whiz through things on their Juki machines. The really well known Juki users seem to be migrating toward industrial versions nowadays. While there is certainly educational content in the project tutorial, it’s also designed to sell you a new sewing machine or companion products.

Remember this: you do not need a fancy machine to make the same project. Look carefully. Most projects use use a straight stitch or zigzag stitch. Sure, fancy stitches might be used on a project, but you can just as easily substitute a different stitch on your machine or add ribbon and trim instead of fancy stitches. If doing applique, use a small zigazag instead of a blanket stitch. If you don’t have the curvy serpentine stitch that’s so popular right now, experiment with a 3-step zigzag stitch. Remember, the purpose of these tutorials showcasing the TOL machines is to SELL machines. Learn how to use the machine you already have.

How can you learn more about your sewing machine?

  • Read your sewing machine manual.
  • Watch instructional videos from the sewing machine company’s website or search YouTube for tutorials on your specific machine. Bet you’ll find more than one.
  • Make a stitch sampler. Stitch out about 6″ of each stitch on a piece of fabric. Adjust the stitch settings to see what you like best. Record them on a sticky note or directly on the stitch sampler.
  • Spend time each week trying out each presser foot that came with your machine. Figure out the best way to consistently topstitch 1/8″ from the edge and how to get a scant 1/4″ seam. Write those settings on a sticky note and put it on the front cover of your sewing machine manual for easy reference.
  • Visit the local dealer or sewing machine company website to see if there’s a hack, new foot or accessory that might make sewing easier or more enjoyable for you.

My helpful hint for those with the $88 Brother mechanical machine from the big box store: buy a walking foot. A number of students brought these machines to my kid’s sewing classes over the years. They are good for basic mending, piecing quilt blocks and sewing craft projects. However, my students struggled with the machine when it came time to sew anything more than two layers of quilting cotton – like a potholder or placemat. Adding a walking foot was an inexpensive solution.

Expanding our therapy dog visit reach

April 30, 2025

A while back, I posted that some fellow therapy dog teams who live north of me had decided to focus on visits in the far flung NW metro Atlanta suburbs. Sadie & I were invited to join them for events whenever we can. Since my own Tuesday R.E.A.D. kiddos are in the thick of standardized testing through May 6th, I’ve done exactly that.

Yesterday, our group visited with 7 first grade classes at a school in Cherokee County. Sadie & I will help out on another visit with fifth graders next Wednesday. Fortunately, the drive is a reverse commute, so these visits fall within my preferred 30 minute travel window – even if the distance is a bit farther. Distance-wise, it’s similar to other specialty events we attend around the metro area, minus the traffic hassles. I will say it was great to see some folks and dogs we haven’t seen in a while.

Until this year, all of our visits have been done under the umbrella of a local therapy dog group. Sadie has a logoed vest and I have several logoed tops to wear on visits. Now that we make visits independently and with another group, Big Girl and I need to add some generic therapy dog items to our visit wardrobes. My friend suggested a therapy dog harness/vest for Sadie, a therapy dog t-shirt/non-logo polo for me and some trading cards (minus any group logo) to hand out at events. He said this will make things easier, and a lot less expensive, for me. Wise advice.

Stitchy fun available with a library card

April 27, 2025

Do you have a library card? If not, get one! It’s usually free for local residents or for a small annual fee for non-residents. Takes less than 10 minutes to get one. Well worth the investment! Following is a sample of what’s available to patrons via the Cobb County Library System.

Inspiration Awaits
Would you like to visit one of the following places for free? It’s possible with a library card and a pass that you check-out from the library.

  • Alliance Theatre
  • Atlanta History Center
  • Chattahoochee Nature Center
  • Georgia Parks Pass (for ALL parks in the state)
  • Marietta – Cobb Museum of Art
  • Marietta History Center
  • Smith-Gilbert Gardens
  • Zoo Atlanta

Magazines and Craftsy Access
Download the Libby app, add your library card credentials and voila! You have instant access to many popular quilting, sewing and crafts publication. FREE. The library’s research and digital databases include Craftsy access, as well.

Maker Spaces and Creative Studio
Is your sewing machine acting up? Curious about a 3D printer? Want to explore a Cricut Maker? The Switzer and North Cobb Regional Branches offer maker spaces with sewing machines, Cricut products, button makers, 3D printers and a host of other crafty equipment for you to use. Sewell Mill offers a Creative Studio where you can work with audio/video equipment to create videos, record podcasts and transfer old family videos and photos to modern digital equivalents.

Learn Something New
Most branches offer free classes or take home kits in a variety of craft mediums. All you have to do is sign up.

Meet New Stitchy Friends
Want to hang out with like-minded crafters or learn how to crochet, cross-stitch and do macrame? Several branches host groups that meet on a weekly/monthly basis. Some are led by a volunteer instructor who will teach you how to crochet and supplies may actually be furnished for these events. Unless otherwise indicated, assume that any stitchy meet-ups will be limited to handwork only. Do EPP, cross-stitch, embroidery or hand-quilt/sew binding while you visit. Some people even bring small projects to cut out. This seems to be okay as long as there’s enough room for the cutting mat.

Meeting Space
Need a quiet place to plan projects? Reserve a study room. Sign up the same day. First come, first served. Need a place to sew with friends? You can reserve a room for $25.00 per meeting date. Given all the events at the regional libraries, I’d suggest trying to reserve a room at a smaller branch if you can’t be flexible with meeting date and time. The library also limits reservations scheduling to 3 months out. Working with a smaller branch and offering to be open to the public wanting to join in may give you a regular meeting space at no cost. This is how my Friday Sew Squad got their space.

Photo by Antoni Shkraba Studio on Pexels.com