Tag: Quilting

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.

Are subscription boxes worth it?

April 26, 2025

It really depends. I’d ordered a Liberty Box from Fat Quarter Shop and really liked it, so I asked for a Sew Sampler Box subscription for Christmas last year. All the gift cards were redeemed and my 7 month subscription started in late December. For $37.00 each month, a small turquoise box of sewing/quilting goodness magically appears on my doorstep.

Four of the five boxes received so far have offered projects that appeal to me. Snowdrift is almost finished. Hot Cross Buns will be my next EPP project and fabric for Waterfall has already been pulled. This month’s Dahlia pattern will be made in a different colorway. I’m making the tote bag option from Sherri McConnell out of the included dessert roll instead.

There’s also a separate year long BOM program that’s exclusive to the Sew Sampler boxes. Apparently this is a big deal for many subscribers. Each month has a new block pattern. I like the first block in the new BOM.

Additionally, you’ll find 1-2 useful sewing notions in each box – pins, sewing machine needles, EPP needles, thread, rotary cutter, rotary cutter replacement blades, etc. Some of the gimmicky stuff like the clip-on charms, fabric sticker labels and mini-vacuum I could do without. I’d rather have a set of Sarah Hearts labels to sew in my projects instead. Even better – one box a year where ALL the supplies needed to complete the quilt top & binding are included in the box without any of the other knick-knacks.

My Sew Sampler Box subscription has been fun to try. The June box will complete my Christmas gift and I have no plans to continue the monthly subscription. Why? I already have a sizable stash and an abundance of projects in various stages of completion. I do not need to add any more projects, fabric or doo-dads at this time. If I lived in an area with limited access to sewing and quilting supplies, then this subscription box would be absolutely worth it. Same goes if you’re someone who can’t get to a quilt shop due to transportation or health issues. Even new quilters wanting to build their stash and tool collection, will find value and convenience in a subscription.

If you’re curious as to what’s included in a Sew Sampler box, click here to check out the past few monthly boxes or head over to YouTube to see any number of unboxing videos from different quilters.

Anticipated price increases coming on sewing machines, feet and parts

April 22, 2025

A local sewing machine dealer informed me Janome and Brother would be raising prices soon due to tariffs. I’ve heard something similar from the Baby Lock dealer, too. I was advised to move on my machine of choice sooner rather than later. While I appreciate the advice, I’m choosing to wait. It’s not essential that I replace my sewing machine right now. And when I do, it’ll probably be pre-owned and not subject to tariffs anyway.

Tariffs on sewing goods are confusing. Most sewing machines are made in China, Taiwan or Thailand. The stated tariff rates on these countries are 125%, 32% and 37% respectively. Yet, when you drill down on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to types of sewing machines, accessories and parts, some rates are free and others are up to 45%, depending on the item. I’d have to do more extensive research to figure out what it all means.

Meanwhile, I’m going to take a wait and see approach.

I’ve chosen a different route to finishing my quilts using a machine with a stitch regulator. I’ve secured a spot in the next longarm fundamentals class offered by my local quilt shop. Once I complete the 4-hour class, I’ll be able to rent time on their big machines (with a stitch regulator) to do E2E quilting using pantographs. The math to rent time and DIY quilting certainly makes more sense than buying a new machine. We’ll see how it goes.

Should the longarm option not be for me, that’s okay, too. I have the $$ set aside to purchase a new-to-me machine when I’m ready. The crazier the economy gets, the more important making the sale becomes to sellers. I’ll be waiting to buy when the price gets to what I think is reasonable.

NOTE: If you need feet or parts for your sewing machine, get them now while you can. This especially applies to vintage machine enthusiasts who use reproduction parts and accessories. It’s always a good idea to keep an extra spool pin spring, throat plate screws and bobbins on hand. You might also want to add an extra sewing machine belt and check spring (for FW and Singer 301 tension assemblies) to your parts inventory. A reproduction electronic foot control would also be advisable, if you don’t care for the original button-style foot controller. With tariffs, the cost of these items may become prohibitive or they may not be available.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels.com