I haven't joined, but I'm going to start learning

**AdamantEve** · 02-13-2009, 06:19 AM

OK, so here is my big commitment! I'm going to plunk down Senior Sewing Machine today and I'm going to start with the beginner's page. That's right, working on paper first (with an unthreaded machine)... the kiddie exercise.

I hope I can learn the basics... I'm dying to make a quilt.

**Spirit Deer** · 02-13-2009, 09:40 AM

That's great!

The big thing is to bring your large, industrial sized bottle of patience. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Most things can be fixed.

The only way you can get experience is to get experience, so go for it!

**homesteadmamma** · 02-13-2009, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by Spirit Deer

That's great!

The big thing is to bring your large, industrial sized bottle of patience. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Most things can be fixed.

The only way you can get experience is to get experience, so go for it!

I totally agree. And the most important thing....have fun.

**Michelle** · 02-13-2009, 12:00 PM

Good for you!

Have fun

**Contrary Housewife** · 02-13-2009, 12:05 PM

Sewing is a lot like driving. The foot pedal makes it go. You steer with your hands. You want to try and go straight and follow the lines. Take corners slower. Use the stick thing to go in reverse.

Once you get a feel for the machine, you'll be off and racing!

With quilting the nice thing is you really only need the basic straight stitch, and don't have to worry about the fancy stitches on the machine.

**fernykins** · 02-13-2009, 01:39 PM

Time and patience........and remember you can do anyting you put your mind to
Fern

**AdamantEve** · 02-13-2009, 04:43 PM

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I'll let you know how I do

**brook** · 02-14-2009, 11:04 AM

be sure to sign up at all your major fabric stores for their flyers. They send coupons in them as well as letting you know when things are on sale.

Also sign up in line too.

If Joann's has a sale, everything is on sale so use your coupons for scissors, Olfa Mat and Rotary cutter for quilting, purchase an Omnigrip ruler (6"x24). I recommend these specific items for quilting.

**AdamantEve** · 02-15-2009, 05:39 AM

UPDATE: I'm not sure if I'm supposed to start a new thread or just build on this one, but here is where I'm at with my sewing. I'm not as far as I'd hoped, but I am sick, so glad that I am still doing anything other than lying in bed.

Yesterday, I spent about an hour figuring out how to thread my sewing machine. It was a hand-me-down machine with no manual (and no manual online that I can find) Apparently I just couldn't see one of the arrows I needed to thread through. I still don't know how to properly thread the bobbin thread through the plate, but i am popping the plate off and pulling the thread through a hole in the plate instead of being able to catch it with a manual stitch and it's sewing so....

First thing I did was to practice sewing lines and curves on paper with an unthreaded machine. I did OKish on paper. Then I tried with thread and made what I call my "haute couture" paper bracelet, lol.

I tried to be patient, but I got the urge to make something, so I ironed out my fabric scraps (I'm re-purposing some worn-out flannel pants and a shirt) and believe it or not, I made a sanitary napkin out of them (I hope that doesn't gross anyone out).

I showed my work to my DH and I could see by his expression that my sewing skills need some work. I'm going to seriously have to practice sewing straight lines and curves... for a really, really long time.

**Spirit Deer** · 02-15-2009, 08:38 AM

It sounds like you're doing fine.

You should be able to just install the bobbin and then turn the flywheel over to pick up the bobbin thread and pull it up through the throat plate. If it does not pick up the thread, the timing may be off. But if it's stitching properly then you're good to go.

Pajamas are a good first project. The construction is usually simple, and you don't wear them out in public so any mistakes are less apparent.

Does your machine do zigzag stitching?

**AdamantEve** · 02-15-2009, 09:38 AM

Does your machine do zigzag stitching?

Yes it does. I tried playing with that too and I got it going on paper. I don't have an overlock stitch, but I do have about 9 stitches. I'm hoping one of them will finish edges, but I have no idea.

**wanderinggrandma** · 02-15-2009, 01:02 PM

You can use the zigzag stitch to finish seams.

Enjoy your projects what ever they are!! I have learned that I am the only one that really sees the little mistakes in my work so I just choose to not point them out to others.

Hope your feeling better and have fun sewing.

**Spirit Deer** · 02-15-2009, 01:17 PM

Robin's correct. We're always our own worst critics. Don't point out your mistakes to people! Better yet, always remember: THERE ARE NO MISTAKES, THERE ARE ONLY DESIGNER TOUCHES!

You can use your zigzag stitch to keep the edges from raveling by zigzagging close to the cut edges inside the seam allowances where it won't show on the outside of the garment. This is called overcasting, or at least it is here.

If the fabric is heavy, such as denim, then zigzag the edges of each piece. If it's a lighter weight fabric, such as a shirt weight fabric, you may be able to sew the seam first and then zigzag both layers of the seam after the seam is stitched. Thin fabric doesn't create so much bulk that it's a problem, like a heavier fabric might.

For quilts and other items where the seams will be fully enclosed, such as between the layers in a quilt, you won't need to overcast as long as the fabric is tightly woven and won't easily fray.

You can also use a pinking shears to cut your pieces out. That type of shears cuts the edges in a zigzag pattern which helps prevent fraying. You would probably not want to use pinking shears on small quilt pieces though, because accurate cutting is so important in quilting and pinking shears aren't quite as accurate a straight cut.