Site-Wide Activity

I played around with blind hems last night. Having never done them before, I’m not sure what the typical overhead for switching a serger into blind hem mode is, but “automatic” is probably a bit of an oversell. Assuming you already have the right number threaded, here’s the process:

Shorten the stitch length. If using the two-thread rolled hem,…[Read more]

A very cute little sailboat skirt in khaki drill sits on my dining room table. Meanwhile the hopscotch top is still in pieces😕

A very cute little sailboat skirt in khaki drill sits on my dining room table. Meanwhile the hopscotch top is still in pieces😕

I am trying not to watch the news right now as I see images of something happening in Paris again.

My thoughts are at present with those in the south west of my state battling a huge a very fast moving bushfire. I am so sad for the town of Yarloop. 95 homes gone – only one house left standing in the whole town. I am thinking of my friends who…[Read more]

I am trying not to watch the news right now as I see images of something happening in Paris again.

My thoughts are at present with those in the south west of my state battling a huge a very fast moving bushfire. I am so sad for the town of Yarloop. 95 homes gone – only one house left standing in the whole town. I am thinking of my friends who…[Read more]

I am trying to convince myself I don’t need an embroidery machine but the cost of monogrammed uniforms, those designs on Urban Threads, and dd’s upcoming communion (for which I will be making the most beautiful dress I can manage if it kills me) are pulling hard…

i got a deal awhile ago on a Brother 1034 and have no complaints… I wouldn’t buy a Brother sewing machine, but this serger and I get along just fine. It has made working with knits and spandex such a breeze, I can crank out a new t-shirt, or leotard for dd in about 30 minutes.
It makes rolled hems in both fine and bulky fabrics, and blind hems…[Read more]

+/- on setting in sleeves are well it can be fiddly to get the easing right in the round. Also to get the sleeve seam and the side seams to match up perfect can be fiddly. I just find it easier to do the sleeve and side seam in one on little garments. It’s faster. But the other way is I guess the proper way.

Hope that made sense (I had a broken…[Read more]

+/- on setting in sleeves are well it can be fiddly to get the easing right in the round. Also to get the sleeve seam and the side seams to match up perfect can be fiddly. I just find it easier to do the sleeve and side seam in one on little garments. It’s faster. But the other way is I guess the proper way.

Hope that made sense (I had a broken…[Read more]

+/- on setting in sleeves are well it can be fiddly to get the easing right in the round. Also to get the sleeve seam and the side seams to match up perfect can be fiddly. I just find it easier to do the skeeve and side seam in one on little garments. It’s faster. But the other way is I guess the proper way.

Hope that made sense (I had a broken…[Read more]

Can you use those buckle closures that are sewn onto the outside?
Or maybe make tabs with your own fabric and have snaps – bit like view B….

Can you use those buckle closures that are sewn onto the outside?
Or maybe make tabs with your own fabric and have snaps – bit like view B….

Request for miscellaneous advice, please! I’m sewing a School Days rain jacket and made a bad error — I stitched the front placket to the coat and forgot to put in the loops for the toggles. Should I forgo the toggles and just use velcro alone?

Also, I am a bit nervous about stitching Velcro only to the lining and not all the way through the…[Read more]

Request for miscellaneous advice, please! I’m sewing a School Days rain jacket and made a bad error — I stitched the front placket to the coat and forgot to put in the loops for the toggles. Should I forgo the toggles and just use velcro alone?

Also, I am a bit nervous about stitching Velcro only to the lining and not all the way through the…[Read more]

Request for miscellaneous advice, please! I’m sewing a School Days rain jacket and made a bad error — I stitched the front placket to the coat and forgot to put in the loops for the toggles. Should I forgo the toggles and just use velcro alone? Also, I am a bit nervous about stitching Velcro only to the lining and not all the way through the coat…[Read more]

Heidi:- thanks for your advice and experience with a Janome serger.

~D~

Deb, I haven’t. I’m willing to give it a shot tonight (US Mountain time zone) and take some photos of my raw novice attempts!

I’m attempting to alter Mccalls 7254 for myself, despite the pattern saying it can’t be altered above the waist. I’m attempting to add length and do a FBA. I think I’ve nearly done that bit then the tricky bit of altering the collar/peplum comes next.