[Nfb-krafters-korner] SEWING MACHINE

[artist]

Cutting and aligning fabric is not easy and practice does not seem to 
improve my skills in that.   I mark all my fabric on the wrong side for 
color and for the correct side.  That way, I can leave the marker on until 
the seam is sewn  and it is where I can feel it without having to open up 
the pieces or ask someone else if I have done it correctly.

To help me with aligning
 the edges of the squares or other shapes, I baste my fabrics right side 
together before I cut them into shapes.  I use either spray baste or I 
machine or hand baste with a large easy to remove stitch.  Regardless of how 
you cut them, the pieces you plan to sew together will already be aligned 
and basted together thus eliminating the need to pin.  This alone is a big 
timesaver and you don't have to worry about whether your corners meet.  . 
This works well both with squares and with triangles.  Henrietta, Your 
method of placing a half square at ends of rows sounds like a good one and 
simplifies having to match seams.  I don't have a problem matching seams but 
plan to try it anyway .  JoAn----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Henrietta Brewer" <gary.brewer at comcast.net>
To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2012 5:58 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] SEWING MACHINE


> HI Terry,
> I decided since I can't afford the cutter either, I would just bask in the 
> fun of having someone else cut the squares. Joyce made me promise I 
> wouldn't use a rotary cutter and for now, I will agree with that.
>
> I know that sometimes I am way to tired to be doing the things I do.  If I 
> decided it was time to cut and should not be doing it and cut myself bad I 
> would not be helping anyone. So sewing is enough work for me now.
>
> I am still working on making the area more user friendly for myself.
>
> Henrietta
> On Mar 18, 2012, at 7:26 PM, Terry Knox wrote:
>
>> Henrietta,
>>
>> You are going on with it. I hope to be where you are soon, but like you, 
>> I
>> am getting use to using a machine again. I will probably a pinner also 
>> till
>> I get the hang of it. Right now it is finding the time to work at the
>> machine. I have the same problem with cutting and needs tips on that. I 
>> can
>> not afford the cutter everyone speaks about right now. I know there is 
>> some
>> who use a rotary cutter, have to get one of those also. So I am crawling
>> right now by purchasing precut squares to sew together. I know Joyce gave
>> some tips on making sure when you have fabric cut to place all pattern 
>> side
>> up and place a p in the pile, to know that is the pattern side. Maybe we
>> should ask for some cutting tips on line. Thanks for your knowledge it 
>> tells
>> me I will get there also.
>>
>> Terry K
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Henrietta
>> Brewer
>> Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2012 5:05 PM
>> To: List for blind crafters and artists
>> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] SEWING MACHINE
>>
>> Hi Terry,
>> You know? I found that the quilt squares are an easy sewing project. As 
>> long
>> as you have help cutting the squares and setting things up as far as 
>> color.
>>
>> We sewed a blue and yellow square together until they were all in twos. 
>> Then
>> pinned the top of the blue squares together. Now, I know to take a double
>> piece off the pin and carefully pin it to the bottom of the piece I am
>> working on. Making sure you pin evenly is important and not exactly easy.
>> But eventually I get it. I have to pin or otherwise attach the pieces
>> together straight. Many people just can sew the pieces together but I get
>> off a bit without pins.
>>
>> I sew a total of ten squares together for a row. When we put them 
>> together
>> we will off set them by having a half square on top of one row and a half
>> square on bottom of the other. That way the seams of the rows only have 
>> to
>> be straight with each row. Not with the cross squares. Hope that makes 
>> some
>> sense.
>>
>> At first I had fun sewing things like hems on pillow cases. I have huge
>> pillow cases with my sets and standard pillows. I hate that extra to fold 
>> in
>> or let dangle. so I made them to fit. But after a while I got bored with
>> that. lol
>>
>> I do love having the machine here to mend things. I mended a huge quilt 
>> the
>> other day. The edges were coming unsewn. that is because it is all but
>> rotten. But I like the quilt to put under the kids on air beds so I just
>> fixed it for a little more use. Couldn't ask someone else to do that. But
>> for me it is not a big deal if it only lasts another washing.
>>
>> I'm thinking about place mats soon. But not right yet.
>> Henrietta
>> On Mar 18, 2012, at 4:45 PM, Terry Knox wrote:
>>
>>> Thank you for the help. I have recently purchased a machine and
>>> learning from the beginning. I am not about to take on what you have
>>> been doing but I will get there soon. I really want to quilt.
>>>
>>> Terry K
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>> [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Henrietta
>>> Brewer
>>> Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2012 9:00 PM
>>> To: List for blind crafters and artists
>>> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] SEWING MACHINE
>>>
>>> Hi Terry,
>>> Yes, I think you can find them most places. I got mine at JoAnn's.
>>>
>>> I am still threading regular needles. Not the first needle though. I
>>> broke it, well bent it and two others before I gave up the pot holder
>>> and towel project. I will try it again with a sighted friend to see
>>> why I was messing up the needles. I had gotten heavier needles and it
>> didn't work either.
>>>
>>> No problems when I am sewing the quilt. my neighbor showed me that if
>>> you have a bit of a pucker you can stretch it out and make things
>>> right. I have one row of my quilt done.
>>> Henrietta
>>> On Mar 17, 2012, at 7:10 PM, Terry Knox wrote:
>>>
>>>> Henrietta,
>>>>
>>>> Can you tell me where you purchased the self-threading needles for
>>>> your sewing machine, can they be found at any store that caries
>>>> needles for machines?
>>>> Thanks
>>>> Terry K
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>> [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tanya
>>>> Wheatley
>>>> Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 8:25 PM
>>>> To: List for blind crafters and artists
>>>> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] SEWING MACHINE
>>>>
>>>> Hi Jewell,
>>>>
>>>> I use a wire needle threader. I first thread a regular needle then
>>>> put the needle threader through the needle on the machine. I then run
>>>> the threaded needle through the wire until it has pulled all the way
>>>> out the
>>> other side.
>>>> I then pull the needle threader out of the machine needle and it is
>>>> threaded.
>>>>
>>>> I think I will use Henrietta's trick of the masking tape next time to
>>>> see how that goes. It sounds like a little less work.
>>>>
>>>> I do have the self threading needles on my electric machines and they
>>>> work all right, except for the fact that the thread can come out at
>>>> times. I tried them on my treadle machines and they do not work at all!
>>>>
>>>> Tanya
>>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>>> From: "Jewell Boll" <jjboll at excel.net>
>>>> Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 7:11 PM
>>>> To: "List for blind crafters and artists"
>>>> <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] SEWING MACHINE
>>>>
>>>> For those who have a sewing machine, I need help.
>>>>
>>>> I have purchased a janome sewing machine and I am having a hard time
>>>> threading it.  I thought I had tried out the machine thoroughly at
>>>> the shop, but I guess not. Now that I have it at home, I notice that
>>>> it is more compact that I thought and there isn't a lot of room to
>>>> work with the needle and the pressure foot.
>>>>
>>>> If any of you can assist me with tips on how to thread without sight,
>>>> I would appreciate it.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>
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