[NFB-Krafters-Korner] Sewing Machines?

Fri Aug 31 23:04:40 UTC 2018

I would totally be interested in taking a sewing class. I got a sewing machine about three years ago for my birthday but haven’t found anyone to help me use it yet. So it’s just sitting there collecting dust.

Thank you, 

Kaila
Blind Beauty Crafts

The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.   Nelson G Henderson

> On Aug 31, 2018, at 3:16 PM, Judy Jones via NFB-Krafters-Korner <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Oh yeah, what you want to do sounds definitely possible.
> 
> There has been a book out there called, So What About Sewing.  If you Google
> the title, you may be able to find it.
> 
> I have not used a surger, so can't address that, but first started sewing in
> our home ec class in junior high at the Colorado school for the blind.  I've
> made dresses and pants for myself, but has been a long time ago.
> 
> When taking something in, in general, pin where you want to sew, then, once
> sewn, trem the extra off from the seam.  Much easier than cutting first,
> then making this narrow narrow seam.
> 
> While raising kids, and now, I mainly use my machine to do mending, put in
> zippers when I want one, and modify clothing.  I always have to hem my
> husband's new pants, they are always 2 or 3 inches too long.
> 
> Seam guides are great, but for those times when not appropriate, I position
> my cloth under the presser foot where I want to start.  Lift the presser
> foot leaver up, and slowly turn the wheel counter clockwise with your right
> hand, and you will feel the needle tip coming down with your left hand under
> the lifted presser foot.  You can position it exactly.  Then turn the wheel
> the rest of the way so the needle penetrates the cloth and sort of anchors
> it for starting.  Push the leaver back down to put the presser food back in
> place.
> 
> On the presser foot, there is a notch in the middle aligned with the needle,
> so if you sew, you can keep your fingers close to that presser foot notch,
> or make sure everything is aligned correctly before you start and sew
> slowly.  Make sure your fingers are flat so  the moving needle doesn't catch
> them.  I usually have my right hand up by that presserfoot, and guide the
> cloth with my left.  If I'm not sure or feel I need to check my needle
> placement, I stop the machine.
> 
> You can sew a curved seam in this way as well, as well as using those
> selvage finishing stitches.
> 
> If you want to check your needle placement, stop the machine in the needle
> down position, lift up the presser foot and you can feel exactly where your
> needle is.
> 
> For sewing zippers, I like to pin my zipper in first, then use the regular
> presserfoot and sew from the top of one side, taking out pins as I go.  Then
> sew across the bottom, turn, and back up the other side toward the top,
> taking out pins as you sew.
> 
> Not too long ago, my daughters gave me a tie robe, but I wanted a zipper, so
> put one in.  If you're doing that, you want to make sure the zipper is on
> the straight edge, and not on the rounded part that makes the garment flair
> out.
> 
> For patterns, the only sighted assistance you need is cutting the extra
> tissue from the pattern edges on the inked line, and tape to mark any darts.
> People in fabric stores are great at helping with that.
> 
> Practice on some sheets of paper or scrap cloth.  Make yourself some curved
> or rounded edges.Let us know how it goes.
> 
> Judy
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFB-Krafters-Korner [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Dani Pagador via NFB-Krafters-Korner
> Sent: Friday, August 31, 2018 2:02 PM
> To: List for blind crafters and artists
> Cc: Dani Pagador
> Subject: [NFB-Krafters-Korner] Sewing Machines?
> 
> Hi, Everyone.
> I'm coming out of lurkdom to ask if it's possible to learn to use a
> sewing machine beyond just sewing straight seams. I have a seam guide
> and access to a surger and an industrial strength sewing machine--my
> Mom used to sew out of her home and has four or five different
> machines that she might let me use if I could help her be comfortable
> with the idea, and could get help learning how to use them. I need too
> decrease the size of a bed encasement, which would mean taking it
> apart and cutting the fabric down to fit my matress, then sewing it up
> again, including a zipper and Velcro closures. The concept seems easy
> enough to do aside from the zipper learning curve. What are your
> thoughts?
> 
> I know I could probably bring it to Mom and get her to do it, but I
> want to be able to work with the machines and materials and concepts
> myself and manage my own sewing project needs. I've always wanted to
> learn to sew, but there's no local resource. My local VR center has a
> manual arts/woodworking class, but no sewing class. And I don't want
> to have to enroll in the whole program just to be able to take a
> sewing class.
> 
> Mom is in her seventies, and I want her to be around for a looong time
> yet, but have to think about that she might not be for some unforeseen
> reason. I want to learn to sew to keep her with me after she's gone.
> 
> Thanks,
> Dani
> 
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