SEWING GENERAL
Work in progress - contribute and fill this shit out.
Learning resources:
(add here)
Patterns:
https://dr-cos.info/
http://aslipintime.blogspot.com/2017/06/free-online-historic-sewing-patterns.html
https://freesewing.org/designs
https://copa.apps.uri.edu/
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BASIC SHIT YOU NEED
- Fabric shears: Nice long sharp ones that are ONLY used for fabric and nothing else house-hold related. paper dulls shears very quickly, and you need sharp scissors to cut fabric
- Thread snips: Tiny scissors to cut threads closely and accurately
- Tracing paper: Get multiple colors so that the tracing lines are visible on many different colored fabrics
- Tracing wheel: I like the flat wheel, but the ones these days trace dots; either works
- Disappearing marker: The purple ones that disappear to air over time are easier than water-soluble, but either works ok
- Tailor's chalk: In multiple colors or at least white and blue
- Long see-thru quilt-style ruler: Good for making adjustments along an edge, and essential for quilting
- Pins: Glass-head pins won't melt under an iron, but plastic-head pins are ok if you iron carefully
- Extra machine needles: Ballpoint needles are good, an assortment of heavyweight and normal needles are nice to have, and it's good to have a backup sewing machine needle in case one accidentally breaks mid-project (you won't have to stop what you're doing to run to the store)
- Hand needles: Especially with garments, bags, plushies; there is a certain amount of hand-stitching required for closing some seams up. get a variety and also a needle-threader if you have a hard time getting the thread in the tiny hole
- Extra bobbins that are compatible with your machine: So you can have an array of bobbins to go along with your differently colored threads
NICE TO HAVE SHIT
- Self-healing rotary cutter mat with measurement markings: 24"x36" is ideal--if you can get 2 and butt them up together on a big table, then it is super comfy
- Rotary cutter: The bigger one for cutting quilting pieces, the smaller one for cutting curvy garment pattern pieces
- Invisible zipper foot made for your machine model: If you plan on making dresses or installing invisible zippers
SEWING MACHINES
(To be filled in by somebody with experience in this regards)
FABRICS
(To be filled in by somebody with experience in this regards)
THREAD
- Nylon is best thread
NEEDLES
Pulled from https://www.jjneedles.com/needles-guide
Machine needle sizes are always quoted in imperial and metric. Regular point machine needles are designed for domestic regular sewing machines and are used for basic stitching.
NEEDLE SIZE
| Needle Size | Description |
|---|---|
| Size 9/70 | Suitable for light fabrics, silk and taffeta. |
| Size 11/80 | Suitable for medium fabrics, cotton, linen and satin. |
| Size 14/90 | Suitable for medium to heavy fabrics, this is an ideal in between needle. |
| Size 16/100 | Suitable for heavy fabrics, denim, tweeds, curtain fabrics and soft furnishings. |
NEEDLE TYPE
| Needle Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Ballpoint | These machine needles are ideal to use on jersey, stretch and synthetic fabrics. |
| Superstitch | These needles create trouble free seaming and are the perfect complement to jersey and synthetic fabrics. |
| Jeans | These needles are designed for heavy duty stitching and are suitable for denim fabrics. |
| Leather | These needles are designed for heavy-duty stitching and are suitable for leather materials. Generally not recommended for domestic sewing machines, but your mileage may vary depending on your type of sewing machine. |
| Twin Pointed | This needle forms parallel stitches. Ideal for giving a more professional finish for hems on clothing. |
Not all sewing machines can use twin pointed needles - check your user manual if you are unsure!
GENERAL TIPS/ADVICE
- Buy an extra 1/4 meter of fabric for any project you work on so you have test fabric to practice stitching and calibrate thread tension properly (very valuable when dealing with any kind of stretch fabric)
- Clean your bobbin area, you may have some fuzz.
- Use a holding stitch; this is likely the FIRST one you see on your machine. It's just a dotted line.
- Make at least 2 extra bobbins as backups.
- If you need a mini kit, buy some black nylon thread, small scissors, a spare needle, and a small carrying case. You don't really need more than that. Shit, I used to keep a spare needle in my hat sticking out but in the right place where I wouldn't get stabbed in the head.
- Iron your fabric, damnit. Flatter seams will make the finished product go from obvious DIY to a much more polished appearance.
- Get a good chair, as you will be sitting a LONG ASS TIME. LUMBAR SUPPORT MY FRIEND! (get up once in a while and stretch)
- You're never too good to practice on something.
- Make something for your mom/dad/sibling/pet/horse damn it, even if it's a pillow.