tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post7300964253108024869..comments2024-03-29T03:54:45.048-04:00Comments on Diary of a Sewing Fanatic: New Sewists Thursdays - Needles and Thread!Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-56463852542137698332009-09-06T03:00:18.113-04:002009-09-06T03:00:18.113-04:00OMG my thread and needles are ancient - off to to ...OMG my thread and needles are ancient - off to to a big dump....SecondChanceChickenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08369002701413795400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-47814938475919804332009-08-26T13:47:28.452-04:002009-08-26T13:47:28.452-04:00The article in Threads was very informative and I ...The article in Threads was very informative and I went into my sewing and all the bargain threads I'd purchased now are used exclusively for baste stitching.<br /><br />Now, if only I can remember to change my darn needle.<br /><br />Thanks for a great post.Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03688900287732221253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-46634626700257636252009-08-23T08:13:05.824-04:002009-08-23T08:13:05.824-04:00When it comes to thread color matching (other than...When it comes to thread color matching (other than black or white), I don't usually go for a prefect color match because I find if I go down a shade for the thread its easier to see stitches if I have to rip, especially with a tiny stitch length.phyllishttp://coudremode.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-39122151643827377222009-08-22T19:09:11.628-04:002009-08-22T19:09:11.628-04:00Thanks for the great tips! :) Keep up the great wo...Thanks for the great tips! :) Keep up the great work! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15095461005416691369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-72483730308202403652009-08-21T23:33:26.399-04:002009-08-21T23:33:26.399-04:00Thanks for this marvelous post, Carolyn. As a begi...Thanks for this marvelous post, Carolyn. As a beginning sewist, I need all the help I can get. I was wondering if I could ask you a favor. I just started my own sewing blog, Teen Seamstress. I was wondering if you would mind giving a beginning sewing blogger a hand in getting some readers. Would I be rude if I asked you to link to me or mention me if you get a chance? It would mean a lot to me-I've been a longtime lurker in the sewing blogoshpere, and now that I have started blogging I want to become a member of this digital sewing circle. My site is http://teenseamstress.blogspot.com/. If you could give me a helping hand, that would be great! I feel so bad blatantly self-promoting here, but you're so nice and supportive of beginning seamstresses, and I thought that supportiveness would probably extend to beginning sewing bloggers as well. Thank you for being such an inspiration and writing such a wonderful blog!Jamiehttp://teenseamstress.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-37697331120741652522009-08-21T21:19:05.168-04:002009-08-21T21:19:05.168-04:00If you have a big stash of thread, some aging, sit...If you have a big stash of thread, some aging, sit down one night in front of the TV and one by one take each spool and give it a yank. If the thread breaks, chuck it. It should not break with a simple yank. It's either rotten, cheap or both. I threw out half my stash last winter doing this but my frustration level has definitely decreased.Bunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03672695141031447916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-4289074319376027422009-08-21T19:15:02.297-04:002009-08-21T19:15:02.297-04:00Hey Ms. C!
Just wanted to tell you Thank You for...Hey Ms. C! <br /><br />Just wanted to tell you Thank You for doing this series. For new sewers (like me) this is like the holy grail of info!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-62249081115901427872009-08-21T14:16:56.425-04:002009-08-21T14:16:56.425-04:00Thank you Carolyn for this great post. As a new se...Thank you Carolyn for this great post. As a new sewist,I didn't know I should be changing my needle after every project, although I use ballpoint for knit but I usually use my other needle forever, until they break. Thanks for this info, really appreciate. Have a lovely weekendAminathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17365142211845528219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-16086303725947005182009-08-21T08:03:07.506-04:002009-08-21T08:03:07.506-04:00Good post - I know it took a while for you to put ...Good post - I know it took a while for you to put this together. These are things I say over and over again in my class. There's so much to know about sewing needles sometimes I think it's confusing a new sewest. But we learn in baby steps and we never stop learning or teaching ourselves new things about our art. Heck - after over 35 years of sewing I'm still learning..we never stop learning.<br /><br />So - can't wait to hear your review on Project Runway and the All star challenge. I think it's going to spark us after a slow summer of sewing.Zephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682731203511053192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-31023851147686049042009-08-21T01:13:09.476-04:002009-08-21T01:13:09.476-04:00I'm with Tamara...I love microtex needles. San...I'm with Tamara...I love microtex needles. Sandra Betzina has been featuring them on her web videos and they do make a difference on slippery fabrics and edge stitching. For those of us who love Mettler poly and have used it for over 35 years....if there are puckers...just slow down a little. I use C&C thread for basting by hand as it rips out easily and breaks and shreds for removal if you stitch over it later in your final seams. If you can break thread easily by pulling on it...don't put that in your garment! When selecting thread I have always told my students to go one shade darker than the fabric for when the lights hits it as in top-stitching or button holes, it can look lighter and reflect back a cheaper look.Caroline you are such a gift to new sewers...God Bless You! <br />And what do you think of Project Runway tonight?????joannelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10470224920008873867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-36282738150702940522009-08-20T22:19:26.781-04:002009-08-20T22:19:26.781-04:00My mother used to buy the bargain bin threads (10 ...My mother used to buy the bargain bin threads (10 and 15 cents a spool) and then fuss about the tangling, knotting and breaking that was going on. She was all the while blaming it on her "new" machine! When I used the same type of thread years later to do some hand sewing, it behaved the same way. That was when we threw away all those "bargain" spools of thread. The only bargain about it was the price. Nothing else was worth what we had paid. It provided much more aggravation, wasted more of our time and was not good for the machine or our fabric. If it caused experienced sewists frustration, what was it doing to discourage new sewists? <br /> <br /><br />So, all that to say, great post Carolyn. I agree!Miriam in KSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-89945755615516538762009-08-20T19:06:04.809-04:002009-08-20T19:06:04.809-04:00I am also not new to sewing, however want to thank...I am also not new to sewing, however want to thank you so much for the work that goes into these posts. It is wonderful to learn something new no matter whether we are a new hand to sewing or have been doing it for ages.<br /><br />If any other Australian sewers are here, Australian Stitches has printed a number of articles on pressing and needles and if you like I have the indexes for Volumes 12, 13 and 14 on my blog which you can download to your PC.Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14691687252337993643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-9893064863401999492009-08-20T17:02:20.274-04:002009-08-20T17:02:20.274-04:00I don't think about my needles, either, and I&...I don't think about my needles, either, and I'm very certain that's wrong. I did buy the bargain collection of Guterman's thread based upon your Atlanta Thread recommendations, and it is beautiful. I have been inspired to sew by this lovely thread, and that's a lot to ask of thread!Marjiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14950085029835332900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-52928046170576753242009-08-20T16:22:59.176-04:002009-08-20T16:22:59.176-04:00Hi Carolyn. I'm another new sewist and just wa...Hi Carolyn. I'm another new sewist and just wanted to add my heartfelt thanks for putting in the time and effort to create this series. <br />Cheers,<br />ReneeReneenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-74415140938339569582009-08-20T15:56:27.841-04:002009-08-20T15:56:27.841-04:00You are sooo right about changing needles! We had...You are sooo right about changing needles! We had a student in one class who hadn't changed her needle at all - and she had owned her machine for a year! Yikes! She couldn't understand why her tension wasn't right and her machine was skipping stitches! It is amazing the problems that can be caused by an old/bent/blunt needle.<br /><br />I agree with cleaning the bobbin area each time also - except, as someone who sells sewing machines, I have been told to advise owners not to blow into the bobbin mechanism (to get rid of fluff) for 2 reasons - 1. it pushes all the fluff back into the machine workings, and 2. your breath is moist and moisture can cause rusting. I use a small attachment on my vacuum cleaner after I have flicked the brush around. <br /><br />Just my 2 cents worth, your new sewists posts are very informative :-)kiltsnquiltshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05662251436329585741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-44754131592399800602009-08-20T14:29:30.971-04:002009-08-20T14:29:30.971-04:00Those are some fantastic tips and great informatio...Those are some fantastic tips and great information - thank you for sharing!!!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02684383055670167563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-89988517239498131702009-08-20T14:23:33.291-04:002009-08-20T14:23:33.291-04:00I love the Barbie doll story. My Grandmother taugh...I love the Barbie doll story. My Grandmother taught me to hand stitch a skirt (gathered w/ waistband) and shirt (facings and darts)for my Barbie when I was about 10 or 11. I was hooked on sewing from that moment - what magic to take some scraps of fabric and see it turn into real clothes! <br />Hugs,<br />Pattifourkidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16396302386295985290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-79541411861043491982009-08-20T13:03:05.584-04:002009-08-20T13:03:05.584-04:00Thanks for the thread tips. I have been wondering...Thanks for the thread tips. I have been wondering about thread lately, so your post is very timely.Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10577304198119995552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-20187788576092225122009-08-20T12:43:48.529-04:002009-08-20T12:43:48.529-04:00Having a good supply of needles is so important. ...Having a good supply of needles is so important. I can't imagine how frustrating it would be to have to stop sewing because I ran out of needles. I usually stock up when JoAnn's is having 50% off the notions wall. I also recently discovered microtex needles. I love them and use them almost all the time. They are very sharp and come in all different sizes. I usually don't use them for stretchy fabrics but they are great for woven.<br /><br />Thanks Carolyn for all this great basic info!Tamarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06829330814654158050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-2848001401359665172009-08-20T12:06:40.587-04:002009-08-20T12:06:40.587-04:00Carolyn, THANK YOU! This information is great. I...Carolyn, THANK YOU! This information is great. I do have sewing machine needles on hand and will make a habit of inserting a new needle with each new project. <br /><br />The "Carolynisms" are WONDERFUL. You should compile them and create a booklet.Teresa aka MarieSewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10633130424915637147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-51704823202188527682009-08-20T11:50:56.667-04:002009-08-20T11:50:56.667-04:00I'm like Carrie above - not new to sewing but ...I'm like Carrie above - not new to sewing but have lots to learn still. I enjoy these posts and am looking very forward to the "fit" series.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-91545577770575471312009-08-20T11:19:08.644-04:002009-08-20T11:19:08.644-04:00I just wanted to say "thank you" for tak...I just wanted to say "thank you" for taking the time to do these posts. I am not "brand new" to sewing, but I still have LOTS to learn. These tidbits of info really do help me out. Love your blog, and your masterpieces :) (btw on my way out the door to get the magazine)Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09392415680386879677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-22765687537207307052009-08-20T11:14:54.469-04:002009-08-20T11:14:54.469-04:00Thank you for referring to sewing as an art form. ...Thank you for referring to sewing as an art form. It made me feel like an artist! <br /><br />I use a can of compressed air (the same as you would use to clean your computer keyboard) for keeping my sewing machine free of dust and thread debris. It works like a charm.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-23505103870631161982009-08-20T11:00:32.711-04:002009-08-20T11:00:32.711-04:00Great post! I'll leave you with a couple of th...Great post! I'll leave you with a couple of thoughts.<br /><br />I usually change the needle and do a clean up right before I start the project. That way I know the needle is fresh and the correct size for what I'm sewing. <br /><br />Linda Lee of the Sewing Workshop always recommends natural fiber threads for sewing, either silk or cotton. She says this the stretch inherent in poly threads is more likely to create puckers while the natural fibers won't. Also, the natural fiber thread "melds" better with the fabric for a softer seam. I confess, I usually still sew with poly.NancyDaQhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00609215745927535353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-80661148124496049102009-08-20T10:40:24.790-04:002009-08-20T10:40:24.790-04:00I'll add one more thing to your change your ne...I'll add one more thing to your change your needle after every project. Clean out your bobbin area at the same time. Makes a big difference in performance of your machine. I too keep a complete selection of machine needles on hand so that I will be able to change my needle often.Nancy Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02235347323004026695noreply@blogger.com