Skip to main content

The Sharp Stuff

ScreenShot2011-09-08at9.01.53PM-2011-09-9-06-30.png
Rotary Cutter- Cuts fabric on a cutting mat for sewing projects. Blades can be 18mm to 60mm in diameter. Smaller diameter blades are great for curves. Large diameter blades are perfect for thick fabrics or interfacing. Make sure to read about how the safety latch works with your blade.
Safety latches cover the blade when not it is not in use.
ScreenShot2011-09-08at10.18.26PM-2011-09-9-06-30.png
Rotary Mat- Mats are different shapes and sizes! Larger mats are fantastic for larger projects like dresses and skirts. Small mats are ideal for small projects like wallets, mini purses and gadget device covers.
ScreenShot2011-09-08at9.23.43PM-2011-09-9-06-30.png
Pinking Shears are scissors with sawlike teeth. Uses include clipping excess seam allowance, usually on a curve or cutting woven fabric to keep threads from fraying.
Scissors are a seamstress’s best friend. Make sure you keep them away from paper. Paper dulls fabric scissors.
ScreenShot2011-09-08at10.08.56PM-2011-09-9-06-30.png
Pins come in so many shapes and sizes. A Pin for Every Purpose by Threads has a great article on all the different types and how to pin in different situations.
ScreenShot2011-09-08at10.16.18PM-2011-09-9-06-30.png
Seam Ripper- The seamstress’s magic eraser is the Seam Ripper. If you make a mistake 90% of the time you can rip it out and try again.
If you make a mistake, just remember you have learned something new!!!!
If you have little ones make sure that you place your cutting tools super high, shelving works best. I have a magnet that I sweep the floor with to catch pins that have fallen off my work space.
ScreenShot2011-09-04at5.39.29PM-2011-09-9-06-30.png
Next week our Sew Teach Me series continues with where to find the best beginner sewing projects!! I will link and list the best books, websites and video tutorials. Even if you are an experienced seamstress you may want to explore these resources.
All month you can receive 15% off all Sew Spoiled Patterns by entering the Coupon Code: SEWTEACHME.
Only available in my Sew Spoiled Etsy Shop for the entire month of September 2011.
ScreenShot2011-08-01at9.33.15PM-2011-09-9-06-30.png

Comments

Mirna said…
One piece of advice- Make a list of the most important supplies you will need: rotary cutter, extra blades for rotary cutter,good scissors, pins, rotary cutter pad (self healing, measuring tape,pin cushion,machine needles, etc. Then hopefully you have a Walmart near that still has sewing area.Get as many of these items there. They are usually much cheaper for the same brands. This will leave you more funds for GREAT FABRIC..Don't use cheap fabric unless you are just testing a pattern. Well made fabric will give your end project that professional appearance and will last.

Popular posts from this blog

Sweet Coin Purse Tutorial for Teacher Gifts

This time of year is so special to me because I get to show my gratitude for all of the hard work that goes into teaching my daughters. I love to make handmade gifts and this year is no exception. Since money does not grow on trees around here, I looked at my stash (I keep my scraps in hat boxes ) and tried to see what I had a lot of; small zippers, trims, Peltex strips ( from making iPad cases ), fabric scraps and some hardware for key fobs. So I set to work.  Materials: Plastic multipurpose 5" Zipper  Fabric Scraps Lightweight interfacing 808 Pellon Trims (We clipped  key fobs  with 1.5" swivel hooks onto our coin purses . There are tons of tutorials on making key fobs .) Step 1: Print out the Coin Purse Template  PDF.  Cut 2 main fabric, cut 2 lining and 2 interfacing using the template.  Optional: Cut a 2"X2" square of your choice main fabric or lining. This strip of fabric is used to clip a key fob to your coin purse later....

Veruca Salt Dress

Every year we perform a musical and one of the highlights for me as a theater mom and seamstress is I get to make costumes! I love sewing and when I can sew for a show or for a music reason it is awesome! This year was Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and I was able to recreate Veruca's red dress. The first step is to find a sewing pattern that I can manipulate to look like what the character needs.  I wanted to make the dress out of Pont de Roma fabric so it moved with the actress. Then I remembered the  Marianne Dress by Christine Haynes , it is perfect because it also had a peter pan collar. The peter pan collar did have some issues. I did not want a t-shirt binding. Also, the back of the collar did not have a collar. I drafted a back collar piece and since the opening was not stretchy, I created a keyhole with a button and loop closure. I lengthened the sleeves and used the cuffs from the pattern for long sleeves. Next, we added the buttons! We al...

May 2011 Giveaway!

Thank you Sew Mama Sew for making today, May 23, 2011 Giveaway Day! Sew Love Fabrics will be sponsoring this month’s giveaway with eight fat quarters (18”X 22”) of Prince Charming prints in olive green, equaling 2 yards of gorgeous fabrics! If you would like to read more about Ruth, founder of Sew Love Fabrics , read her interview . Thank you so much for sharing your love of fabric with us! These are the fat quarters ready to ship to the lucky winner!! Giveaway Rules! +Our Giveaway will run May 23-27, 2011, with the winner being announced May 28, 2011! +The winner will be selected by Random.org +The package will be shipped to the winner by May 30, 2011. + To enter to win post a comment on this blog post! +Only one comment please per person. +This giveaway is open to everyone. +Leave your EMAIL ADDRESS, you can leave it as: leah(dot)sewspoiled(at)gamil(dot)com +This giveaway ends May 27, 2011 at 8PM Eastern Standard Time Thank you Ruth for sponsoring our May giveaway from Sew Love ...