Sew Spoiled

These are inspirational sewing blogs and websites that will give you so much sewing information that your head might explode if you sit down and read all of it at once. I was going to list them in a top 10 format but they are All so awesome I could not rank them. Blogs: thelongthread Cluck Cluck Sew Make It and Love It Sew Mama Sew Craftiness Is Not Optional MADE: TUTORIALS A Lemon Squeezy Home Made By Rae :: verypurpleperson :: Noodle head and of course Sew Spoiled These are websites you may want to belong to or join. Websites: BurdaStyle.com - you can create a profile account and show off your sewing projects. CraftGossip - Shows you the news craft projects online. Sewing.org - you can look up sewing instructors, free projects and more. Threads - For People Who Love to Sew - This is through Threads Magazine. They have a section on learning to sew. All Free Sewing - Free sewing patterns One Pretty Thing - DIY craft tutorials - Show...

We are so lucky in today’s age of information. You can learn about any subject online through video, podcast, pictures or literature. Patterns are no longer diagrams that are hard to translate and even magazines are wonderful resources with templates inside. This week I am going to share some of my favorite websites, patterns and books. Here is the line up... Tuesday- Online blogs and websites, Wednesday- Books, Thursday Videos and Friday- Free Sewing Patterns and Collections 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.

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. 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. 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. 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....

Fabric is super important when it comes to sewing. If you buy poor quality fabrics you will notice the color fades quickly, the bobbin casing gets clogged with huge dust bunnies and you might even loose interest of a potentially cute project. That is why I like to buy fabric online or from local fabric shops. It is also great to support these smaller shops because many of them are WAHMs (Working At Home Mom’s) and/or local people in your own community. I have also experienced better customer service with these types of shops. Recently, at a large fabric store, who will remain nameless. I saw a fellow seamstress ask for help. The manager was on the phone and the register line started to back up. The fellow seamstress had bought an Amy Butler pattern and wanted to find the fabric on the cover. The register line was beginning to get long, the manager said that she could not help her and then proceeded to ignore her. The seamstress left the shop in distress going straight out the door. If...

Choosing a sewing machine is a very personal thing. Everyone is different, however as a beginner I really believe there are a few basic qualities you need in your first sewing machine. Qualities in to Look for in a  Sewing Machine 1.) foot pedal (so you can adjust the speed with foot) 2.) straight stitch 3.) reverse stitch 4.) zigzag stitch 5.) buttonhole stitch 6.) zipper foot and 7.) easy to read manual You might want to start by borrowing a sewing machine from a friend or neighbor. If you have an older model make sure it is in good working condition before you start. The worst thing to do is start sewing on a machine that doesn’t work properly. You will become frustrated and quit. (Just like starting to play a new musical instrument you want to learn to play on a good quality instrument.) You might think the problem is you and it is really the machine. Here are some helpful Sites! PatternReview.Com Top 5 Beginner Sewing Machines Under $100 Sewing Machines for Beginners Best Sew...

Supplies Check List! #1 Start by getting a basic Sewing Machine . Tomorrow we will talk more about different sewing machines. #2 Fabric and Thread I would buy fabric that you love. I have always bought fabrics that speak to me. The reason I suggest good quality fabrics is if you happen to make a mistake you will try harder to fix the mistake therefore learning from it. If you buy fabric you have no attachment to, when you get to a mistake you will let it sit there and most likely quit. #3 Simple Pattern(s) Try to start with a pattern that uses only straight stitching skills. Next week we will cover online sites, books and simple patterns that are perfect projects for the novice seamstress. #4 Scissors/ Rotary Cutter Sharp pair of scissors, pinking shears and rotary cutter/ cutting mat #5 Pins and needles pins, hand-sewing needles, extra machine needles and pin cushion! #6 Seam Ripper The seamstress’s magic eraser is the Seam Ripper.  If you make a mistake 90% of the time you ...

Each month I am starting a New Blog Theme! This month’s Blog Theme is Sew Teach Me! I have so many friends who do not sew. I think somehow along the way I became their seamstress. Which I really do enjoy, I am not complaining. However, I realize that if I continue to make everything for them they will never learn. So for my friends who do not sew, this month is for you. September; Learning to Sew Blog Contents Week 1= What do you need to start? Week 2= How to learn from online websites, patterns or books? Week 3= Reading a Pattern Week 4= Try a new sewing adventure on your own. & A Sewing Goody package Giveaway! Also 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.