Sewing Tips from a Seasoned Seamstress
Published On: 12-02-2011 07:47pm
Comments: 0 - Hits: 62
Category: Days of my Life
I've been thinking about this post for a while, and thought I'd at least post a few helpful hints to get started.
I have taught quilting, crazy quilting and art to all ages, and have attended many workshops over the years where I've picked up some very helpful hints that even with over 50 years experience sewing, I was not aware of. So hopefully some of these will be new and helpful to you.
Hand sewing:
Threading a needle..... Easy, simple, no problemo...not always! There are times when a needle and thread become enemies and the frustration that follows will rile you, while they remain their same inert selves.
Sooooo...First hint: Never cut your thread from the spool until the needle is threaded. That way you know in which direction it was wound and you won't get all those pesky little loop knots as you sew.
However, if you do get those loop knots, most times you can release them by placing your needle in the center of the loop, and holding the 2 threads in one hand, gently and quickly tug on the loop with the needle in the other hand. Actually sometimes it takes a little more pull than gentle, but start that way before you go Godzilla on it.
Now, I got ahead of myself here. You have to actually thread the needle before you have the chance to get those pesky knots, so here's my next hint....
Cut the end of your thread at a 45degree angle rather than a blunt cut...you'll have a nice little point to poke through the eye.
However, sometimes even that doesn't even help, so try rotating your needle and thread from the other side of the eye. You see, the eye on needles is punched into the metal, so one side is actually bigger than the other, and this may solve a great many problems!
I always use a thimble on the middle finger of the hand holding the needle, it really helps keep your finger from getting punctured over a period of time.
Another handy little item is a little round beige disc of rubbery plastic which is used to pull the needle through thick or ornery fabric. They can be found in any quilt shop or notions department, and of course I don't have any packaging handy to give you an exact name, so you'll just have to ask or hunt for yourself. They are easy to spot since they come 3 to a pack and are behind clear plastic on a flat card.
I would love to have you ask questions for me to try to answer, as I'm never sure which info is most helpful, or isn't covering things that everyone knows and takes for granted. So please, if you are in need of any help, feel free to post here or send me a message and I'll answer either privately, or if I feel it is something that will help others, I'll answer here.
Thanks for reading...and happy sewing....jed
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