Tag: handmade

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.

DIY Project Bags

March 29, 2025

My upcoming quilt retreat has a project bag exchange as one of the activities. It’s optional. Attendees can make or buy a bag for the swap. I considered buying a project bag from my largest local quilt shop to take. That is, until I saw a YouTube video showing how simple they are to make.

My project bag finishes at 10″ x 13″. I merely made it the same size as my favorite ready-made vinyl project bag.

Project bag first attempt

This was my first attempt at making the bag. I used random vinyl I found in my stash along with leftover fabrics from samples I’d made for the Beginning Sewing classes. This bag was constructed entirely on my 301. I will say that I learned a lot about my 301 during this project. I also chose to attach the binding separately rather than doing the self-binding method shown in many tutorials.

Project bag second attempt

This was my second attempt. Much better! I used By Annie 16 gauge vinyl in this one. OMG, what a difference! I also used my Elnita EC30 with a walking foot to do the sewing. In hindsight, a red or yellow zipper would have added a little more zing to the bag, but my options at midnight were limited to what I had on hand in the correct length.

Supplies you’ll need to make my version:
Zipper: regular nylon zipper minimum 14″ length (longer is actually better)
Fabric for zipper insertion: (1) 2″x13″ strip and (1) 4″x13″ strip
16 gauge vinyl for front: (1) 8-1/2″ x 13″ (leave tissue paper on)
Quilted piece for back: 10″x13″ (make a quilt sandwich with 2 FQs and quilt with a simple design; trim to size)
Binding: (2) 2-1/2″ x WOF strips

Make front piece: Fold 2″ strip in half lengthwise and press. Fold 4″ strip in half, bring raw edges to middle and press. Fold over again and press (similar to making a strap). The single folded edges will be sewn to the zipper. The vinyl will be inserted into the double folded edges and topstitched in place. Here’s a video with a good explanation of how to sew the zipper and add the vinyl piece on the front. Start watching about the 19:20 mark in the video.

Assemble bag and bind: Lay the front piece on top of the back piece. Align raw edges and baste in place all the way around. Trim away excess vinyl, if necessary. Attach binding using back-to-front method (leave tissue paper on vinyl). Tear away tissue paper after attaching binding. Fold binding edges to the front. Use wonder clips to hold binding in place, fold miters for corners and stitch.

Wonder Tape (wash away 1/4″ wide double-sided tape) really helps with the zipper installation. I may also try using a tearaway stabilizer or tissue paper underneath when attaching the zipper to the folded fabric edges. Wonder Clips are a must as pins will leave holes in the vinyl. Also, tissue paper is a necessity when sewing requires the vinyl to be next to the feed dogs – when you are attaching binding to the back and flipping it to the front to sew down. It keeps the vinyl from sticking and/or getting caught in the feed dogs.

No vinyl? No problem. Use a quilted fabric panel for the front piece instead of vinyl.

Since I didn’t have to buy anything to make these bags, I consider these projects as freebies. (Yes, it did take 45-60 minutes per bag to make). This means more $$ for shopping at my upcoming retreat!

Joann’s future is doubtful

February 23, 2025

The winning bidder of the bankruptcy auction was a partnership of Great American Group and some of the lenders. They bought the assets of Joann with the intent of liquidation rather keeping it as a going concern. The bankruptcy court will approve/disapprove of the sale on February 26th. This means all 800+ stores will most likely close on or before May 31, 2025. FYI, Great American is the same group that liquidated Hancock Fabrics almost 10 years ago.

The Hancock’s closures didn’t bother me as much as the closure of Joann does. I have a personal history with Joann. Cloth World, the fabric store I grew up with, was bought by Joann in 1994. Shortly after, I helped reset one of the Gwinnett Cloth World stores to the new Joann format. As we moved around the country with hubby’s job, finding the local Joann store in our new town was the same priority as finding the nearest library. I am a librarian, after all.

With the closing of Joann, crafters have lost a major option in where to buy supplies. In some areas, Joann is the only fabric/craft store for miles around. Even in markets served by Amazon, Hobby Lobby, Michael’s and Wal-Mart, some crafters refuse to shop any and all of these stores for various reasons. Besides, Joann is open on Sundays and allows Sadie to shop with me. The teacher discount and sales meant this teacher could afford to do craft projects with her students without breaking the bank.

Practical me has been surveying my fabric and notion stash to see if there’s anything I need to stock up on should I find a great price during the closing sales. Honestly, I don’t need a thing at the moment. Should I need more Pellon SF-101 interfacing for a t-shirt quilt currently in the queue, I have other ways to get it. Hobby Lobby usually runs a 40% off fabric promotion every 2-3 weeks. Today, I learned that interfacing by the yard is included in that promotion. Bonus? Hobby Lobby is much closer to home, too!

Fortunately, we still have options to source materials our creative endeavors. It’ll be an adjustment to figure out where’s the best place to get certain things from now on, but I’ll survive. Something will eventually come to the marketplace to fill the void left by the closure of Joann stores.

Photo by Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels.com