If you’re just beginning your sewing journey, you may be intimidated by the seemingly complex machinery of your sewing machine. It seems like there are tons of gears and compartments to contend with, and what on earth is a bobbin? Sometimes it seems easier to just give up and hand sew everything for the rest of your life. If you feel overwhelmed by your sewing machine, do not fret! Like any machine, it has a lot of moving parts, but once you understand the basic mechanics, you’ll be stitching with ease. In this article, we’ll go over the history of the sewing machine, some key terms, and give you everything you need to know about how your sewing machine works. ...
The bobbin is an incredibly important part of the sewing machine. It’s essential to the way the machine creates stitches. However, if you’re a newer seamstress, you may be a little confused as to just how to thread your bobbin. Don’t worry; it’s pretty simple! All it takes is a little practice. In this article, we’ll go over what the bobbin does, as well as how to wind and thread it. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be equipped with all the knowledge and tools you need to get your machine prepped and ready to tackle your next project. What Is A Bobbin? If you’re new to sewing, you may not be familiar with what a bobbin is. The bobbin is...
Rotary cutters are super handy tools that allow you to cut large sections of fabric quickly and accurately. They’re especially useful in projects like quilting, where you want to create a variety of identical squares of fabric. However, there are so many different types of rotary cutters. How do you know which one is best? A rotary cutter is also a sharp tool, and if used incorrectly, it can damage your fabric or even lead to injury. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about rotary cutter usage, safety, purchasing, storage, and more. What Is A Rotary Cutter? If you’ve never heard of a rotary cutter, they’re handy little tools used to cut large swaths of fabric...
Elastic is a wonderful tool to use when making garments. It’s commonly used for waistbands, but can also be used to create fitted sleeve cuffs and collars, and to cinch in other areas of a garment. There are many different types of elastic, and the type you select will depend on a few factors, such as the method of elastic sewing you use, the area of the garment it’s being used on, and the desired look you want to achieve. Before the invention and patenting of elastic by English inventor Thomas Hancock in the early 19th century, people relied on buttons, belts, and other fasteners to keep clothes secure. This was particularly troublesome for garments like socks and underwear, which often required...
Learning to use a rotary cutter for fabric is an essential tool that every sewer and quilter must know. It’s a great time saver when cutting long strips of fabric for quilting projects and can give clothing crisp, clean lines. A rotary cutter is a tool with a handle and a circular blade, not unlike a pizza cutter. The blades are extremely sharp and can be replaced when they get dull. They come in a variety of different sizes; smaller ones for curves and corners and larger blades used for straight lines. Rotary cutters are a relatively new invention. The first one was developed in 1979 by a man named Yoshio Okada, who sought a solution to blades constantly losing their...
