Parts of a Machine

by | Jan 4, 2016 | Beginner Tips, Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique

Knowing the parts of a machine is the most important part of sewing.  Seriously!  All that tech garbage just gets in the way of creativity. But, nonetheless, these parts of a machine are extremely important to know. If you do not know the thingamajig is actually the feed dogs, no one can help.  Because when you ask for help they will have no way of explaining to you how to accomplish what you want. I’m including a video to help you through the darkness of the valleys.  Hopefully encouraging you not to quit sewing before you get started just because the parts of a machine are bullying you.

I promise over time you’ll learn these things and sewing will be a breeze. Pretty good graphics but they are not exactly the same on every machine. the best place to look is your menu. Once you learn about your machine.  How to thread the needle, what the parts of the machine do, and most importantly how to turn it on, you’ll be ready to practice sewing some straight lines.

Some people start sewing on paper, following a pre-drawn line. I was afraid it would somehow kill the sewing machine.  I started with making curtains and pillows.  Those are two simple projects that can be made quickly and are fulfilling.  ENJOY!

Brand New Sewing Machine, now what?

by | Jan 2, 2016 | Beginner Tips, Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique

New Sewing Machine

Christmas was a few weeks ago. Who received a brand new sewing machine? Now what? If new sewing person or it’s been about say, 25 years or more, I may be able to help.

  1. Threading the needle on your new sewing machine.  It seems something that should just happen, right?  In reality it’s not that easy.  Read the manual, if you still cannot threat it or the bobbin.  YouTube has amazing tutorials.
  2. That’s a great accomplishment. Now, when you start sewing make sure to hold onto the bobbin thread and the top thread for a few (10) stitches.  If you don’t, you get a horrible thread mess and hate yourself for wanting a machine. Trust me on this.
  3. Another helpful hint, make sure your first stitch onto the fabric is no on the very corner edge.  Even one centimeter down is better than the corner.  This sometimes causes the fabric to get stuck in the machine under the feed dogs. Yeah that is a pain for sure.
  4. If the fabric happens to cause a few problems for you like getting stuck and not letting your needle or machine operate, rock the wheel on the right end back and forth until you can free the needle.
  5. I discuss bird nesting, that horrible annoying bobbin mess, here.
  6. Once you get past the initial learning curve of your machine, you’ll be ready to work on some straight lines. You’ll probably need a few supplies to get started.

Important Supplies

*Pins with glass heads

*Pin cushion

*Titanium needles (you will thank me for this later

*Seam ripper (save your project tool)

*Fabric scissors (fiskars…..I made the mistake of buying singer to match

my machine) No skimping here.  Good scissors will save you a lot of

trouble.

*Tape measure it’s horribly shocking to have to measure yourself, but

much needed.

A Sewist Purchasing Guide

A Sewist Purchasing Guide

by | Dec 23, 2015 | Beginner Tips, Blog, Fitting, Lucy's Sewing Lab

I wish I would have had a Guide to Sewing tools and accessories guide with me my first sewing Christmas. Christmas for a sewist is a dream come true! My sewist’s first Christmas was so fun!  That was me last year, with gift card in hand and twinkle in my eye.  I had an idea of what I wanted, but the things I bought were and still are, lifesavers for me.

Even though a purchasing guide would’ve been a great help, I still spent the money!  The first purchase was cutting board.ds. I bought a and have never regretted it.  Actually I purchased two!  One extra large cardboard one like this,

I also purchased a recovering cutting mat that works perfect with my rotary rotary cutter.  It’s perfect for any sewist, it cuts through several layers at once and never seems to dull.I also purchased a roll of iron on interfacing.  Good grief, we go through that like mad, don’t we?  The purchase was wise, because I’m still working on that roll.  I’m so glad I have no need to panic when I’m sewing and realize I don’t have the supplies I need.

Since it was Christmas, I splurged on some really nice scissors also.  It changed my sewing game.  They are so sharp and cut so well. I bought these but wish I had seen the gold ones, aren’t they cute?

Of course I hit the fabric bargains and stocked up on fabric I just knew I couldn’t live without.  If I had it to do over, I may have purchased a dress form.  I still don’t have one of those. I really think a dress form is a must have for any sewist. The hanger just doesn’t do the garment justice.  Maybe this year I’ll purchase one?  I’ve been eyeing the Dritz one, I don’t know though. I’m pretty thrifty so I’d really have to consider  all the options before making that purchase.  Maybe if she came in pink?  lol

Those are my suggestions for purchases if you happen to receive a gift card or some cash for Christmas.  No matter what, I hope you ENJOY!

Janome, Singer Comparison which comes out on top?

by | Dec 9, 2015 | Beginner Tips, Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Reviews

As sewists, are we continually researching and Right now I am enduring the Janome, Singer comparison. Are either superior  machines to the one we use the most? Right now I’m smack dab in the middle of a Janome or Singer Heavy Duty comparison.  I own the boastful best machine according to the best of list here. I love my Singer, really I do. But, we seem to fight a lot.  She’s not enough for me.  I work that poor girl to death and beyond.  I need a machine that can handle the pressure I put on it. You and your machine become like an old married couple.  It is very important to do a lot of research and analyze your needs prior to purchase.

  1. WHY? Where will I find the time and why am I really considering buying a sewing machine? Some of us came back from a sewing hiatus although many more are fresh beginners. For this very reason, learn from my mistakes. Purchase the best machine with the fewest options.  Learning to sew is hard enough. Learning all the functions adds to the complications. Unless you are planning to make everything in the world, a basic machine is more than enough.
    • If your plan is to make a career change, a basic machine is going to frustrate you. Most prefer an overlock machine for speed and complicated projects, otherwise go back to plan A.
    • You can always upgrade later, and most sewists own more than one sewing machine to meet all their needs.
  2. HOW? How much can you afford to spend without feeling guilty if you are not sewing 24/7? I set my limit around $150.  I really wanted that pretty black computerized anniversary edition Singer machine.  It didn’t fit my budget, and it did not have the options I was looking for in a machine. A lot of machines are plastic, I am sorry about this especially when that plastic costs $100 and up. I made a list of the things I “thought” I needed in a sewing machine.
    • I wanted state of the art
    • New and fancy
    • Pretty
    • Which should I choose? Janome or a Singer
    • Yes, I’m shallow and didn’t think beyond those things.  The machine I balked at, was my second purchase, and I never use the fancy pretty state of the art computerized machine.
  3. WHO This is often more a sentimental answer than logical.  Without a doubt I was only looking at Singer machines.  To me, they are the only machine, lol.  I learned on them and felt a certain comfort using a singer.
    • Learn about the different brands prior to purchase. The Sewing Machine Wizard, found here is the most informative site I’ve found.  Real people tell you what they love and hate about their choice of machine.


I did my own research and actually, sad for me, because I wanted a reason for another machine, my Heavy Duty Singer outperforms the Janome of the same class. Sewing is an art and no two people are going to have exactly the same opinion on sewing machine.

Janome, Singer Comparison

  1. Best Reviews– made a great comparison chart for similar Janome and Singer machines.
    • Singer’s selling point is the 1,110 stitches a minute. I love sewing fast 🙂
    • Janome paled in comparison, their strongest point being ease of use.
    • The Singer sales currently on Amazon for $126 and the Janome for $135.  Fewer options and a higher price?  I’m sticking with my Singer, for now.
  2. Amazon– came up with completely different results via purchasers reviews.  It was a Brother and Singer war.  Still the Singer 4423 ranked 3 while the Janome 2212 came in eleventh.
  3. Everyone has their own opinion based on their needs.  Today, until I have about $400 to blow, I’ll stick with my Heavy Duty Singer.  At least now I know my machine is superior.

 

 

3,000 Lucy’s Sewing Lab Subscribers!!

by | Nov 28, 2015 | Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab

I LOVE MY subscribers!

You all are so loyal and dedicated!  I love you for hanging in there with me.  Since April 2015 when the site launched and I started my first real serious blog, 3,000 of you wonderful readers have enjoyed my space on the internet enough to subscribe.  THANK YOU SO MUCH! We are growing so rapidly I’ve had to upgrade software. We are growing, keep coming back, you can look forward to a members only area soon with paid tutorials as well as FREE tutorials of my own designs.

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Saturday GOODIES at Hancock

by | Nov 27, 2015 | Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab

Just a quickie reminder today is NOT the last day of sales!

Black Friday door-busters run from 6 a.m to noon. Sales include an extra 15% off your entire purchase, including door-buster deals. From noon to close, take 10% off your entire purchase, including door-busters.

Door-busters include:

Saturday-only specials include saving an extra 15% off your entire purchase with coupon from 7 a.m -noon.