Is it a 28mm rotary cutter or a smooth tracing wheel? If it is a tracing wheel, it's used with the wax tracing paper or carbon paper to transfer markings onto the fabric.
Fray check is the best stuff ive found yet. but to get around the whole "ichy skin" theory...use pinking shears after using the fray check. it softens the fabric gently without destroying the effect the "check" is supposed to have. Or you can skip that completely and just do a french seam. works on all types of fabric even the bulky ones. The trick to bulky fabrics is to "grade the seam" to take out the bulk, so the seam lays flatter and nicer.
To repair Jean pants with frayed hemlines without shortening the pants length:
Use an old pair of jeans that is similar in colour.
Cut strips out with about 4cm more in length than the frayed section and about twice the height of the hem allowance plus 1cm.
Fold and press the strip in half along it's length.
Open the top stitches of the hem section with frays and insert the folded strip inside the hem, aligning the folded edge with the hemline.
Pin and baste it in place.
Sew the top stitch of the hem with a sewing machine jeans needle.
Cut the frayed threads.
Sew slip-stitches by hand around the edge that's frayed - you could also use zig-zag or multi-stitches by machine (sewing the new fabric in place).
Trim the extended edge of the new fabric from the hem allowance and whip stitch its top edge to the top edge of the original hem allowance (this will prevent it from fraying).
Press the hem.
To repair Khaki pants with frayed hemlines without shortening the pants length when you don't have a similar type fabric:
Turn the frayed pant inside out and cut out a strip from behind it's pocket (against the body)
After cutting out the strip make sure to sew in the hole with another piece of fabric (it doesn't have to be the same exact fabric type). You could also just machine sew the top of the pocket to the pants with thread that is similar to the pant's colour (but this will make the pant's pocket unusable).
Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 of the jeans repair.
Pin the new piece in place.
Clip a notch at the top left and right corners of the frayed section.
Fold and tuck the sides and top of the frayed section a bit inside the hem (try to create a rectangular shape with the fold - this will frame the new piece of fabric) and baste it in place.
Machine sew stitches around the frame close do the fold.
Re-sew the original top stitch line of the hem.
Trim the extended edge of the new fabric from the hem allowance and whip stitch it's top edge to the top edge of the original hem allowance (this will prevent it from fraying).
Press the hem.
I hope you found the above instructions helpful. Let me know how things turn out and if you have any questions!
The feature that automatically notifies members when a reply on a form topic has been made is a little buggy and my developers are working on fixing this problem. Once it has been fixed we're going to make a guided tour explaining how the feature works.
Don't worry too much, the more your practice the more confident you will become!
I had no idea my question had been answered by so many, how do I set my account so that I am notified of an answer?
Thank you so much for your reply, I have not had a chance to even start my dress yet, I am affriad... but seeing your answer and advice helps me feel a little more confident. I will definately practice on an old t-shirt as you suggest.
Voice over is nice in newest videos. Nehzat your voice is wonderful. Especially soothing.
You may not realize how nice it is. Not only do I find your videos the most helpful I have seen (and I have seen alot lately) but your voice adds to experience and it does not distract.
When I was young, sewing was my hobby and I used to prick my finger all the time. Sometimes it was very painful when the end of the needle touched that spot, but still I didn’t want to take a brake for it, to heal. Then one day my aunt asked me: “Why don’t you use a thimble?”
I told her I do use it sometimes, but I don’t know why I keep using my other finger to push the needle instead.
She said: “tonight when you go to bed, wear your thimble. This way tomorrow when you wake up your finger will be used to it, and you will not have any thimble problems.”
I followed her advice and it worked!!!
I hope it helps you too.
Great! I look forward to seeing the new video ;-) I am looking over the waistline video now and am very grateful. I have been hemming pants like a pro, by hand, for the past few days and am VERY proud of myself... even though it is your expertise that has allowed me to do so. Thanks!
Thanks for sending me the links. I have printed out the pattern.
This pattern is suitable for small busted women. Once we publish the Bodice Block Pattern Making video title, you will easily be able to modify it to make your own smock according to your measurements.
Wooly Nylon is the thread. It's suitable for knit and stretchy fabrics.
You can also use regular polyester thread, I haven't experienced any problems when using them with sergers.
For jersey fabric when using a sewing machine another option for straight stitches is to use Wooly Nylon thread for the bobbin and Silk thread for the top (since silk thread has some give).
I have not gone through this particular video, but I have a pair of denim pants for my baby that need to be taken in so I know I will soon. I HAVE however, used the hemming videos and THANK YOU!! I have hemmed items before but they were never very good. In the past 2 days I have hemmed 3 pair of pants for my 15 month old son and they are perfect!! I haven't learned the talent of the thimble though and my finger is a bit sore. (It is rather used to it though since I knit and use that same finger to push my knitting needle ;-( ) You have changed the way I feel about hemming and I don't think I'll ever pay someone else to do it again.
I was thinking....yesterday when my serger thread broke, I also broke a needle at the same time. I put in a new needle, and since then, I have not been able to get my serger threaded correctly, it is a Janome Compulock. I am wondering if perhaps I damaged the machine when I broke the needle? I am refusing to give up, and have been persistently kept trying to get the machine threaded to no avail. Can you tell me this!
Step 1: When I thread the lower looper, does the looper thread get pulled back over the top of the upper looper arm, or does it go underneath?
Step2: The upper looper thread gets pulled straight back with the lower looper thread?
Step3: According to the instruction book, I thread the needle last of all. Now, I have all three threads pulled back....correct?
The machine starts sewing, but it never seems to make the chain? Does anyone have any clue what I could be doing wrong? I have even watched several video's watching the process. I just can't figure out why the chain is not made. Man, this is really buggin' me! Tomorrow morning I am going to take a road trip to Winston's Sewing in St. Peters, MO with my machine.
The lady who did it is BitterBetty and she has a segmented video on YouTube starting with this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSoAa6LbHJE . (This is how I found you as well... I think I found you both on the same day! How lucky was that!!). Here's the link to the .pdf file for the actual pattern http://www.sewmamasew.com/media/blog/smock.pdf . She explains how to modify the width of the pattern within the first 5 minutes of the first segment of the video, but it doesn't seem exactly right. I think I'm missing something. Maybe what I need to do is add an inch to the width (which she explains actually adds 4 inches due to cutting 4 pieces) AND then add an insert into the shoulder since the size of the pattern 'as is' brings the shoulders down. What do you think?
Thank you SO much for taking the time out to answer questions. I really appreciate your time!!
Would it be useful to use a special type of thread with jersey material? I have used... I think it is called Wooly Cotton... it is definately wooly 'something'.. and I was told it was for use with stretchier fabrics. Is this just an option and regular thread would be ok? Curious for myself as well since I have little boys who have lots of clothing made of these types of fabrics. Thanks ;-)
I cannot seem to find it.
There are all types of things im working on...now that i think about it i 18 projects...oh lord! i have to go sew now.
Is it a 28mm rotary cutter or a smooth tracing wheel? If it is a tracing wheel, it's used with the wax tracing paper or carbon paper to transfer markings onto the fabric.
Fray check is the best stuff ive found yet. but to get around the whole "ichy skin" theory...use pinking shears after using the fray check. it softens the fabric gently without destroying the effect the "check" is supposed to have. Or you can skip that completely and just do a french seam. works on all types of fabric even the bulky ones. The trick to bulky fabrics is to "grade the seam" to take out the bulk, so the seam lays flatter and nicer.
Dear Happy,
I have three sons and have mended many of their pants over the years. Please follow the below links for instructions:
To repair Jean pants with frayed hemlines without shortening the pants length:
To repair Khaki pants with frayed hemlines without shortening the pants length when you don't have a similar type fabric:
I hope you found the above instructions helpful. Let me know how things turn out and if you have any questions!
Dear Fiona,
When using a serger you can use the wooly nylon thread for all when sewing with knitted and stretchy fabrics as well.
On a regular sewing machine you can use wooly nylon on the bobbin and silk thread for the top when sewing knitted and stretchy fabrics as well.
Dear Fanny,
The feature that automatically notifies members when a reply on a form topic has been made is a little buggy and my developers are working on fixing this problem. Once it has been fixed we're going to make a guided tour explaining how the feature works.
Don't worry too much, the more your practice the more confident you will become!
Dear Fanny14,
Thank you for your kind words.
Dear Happy,
I'm glad you asked this question regarding the thread... and thanks for th answer Nehzat.
Would the two top threads on the serger be polyester and the other threads be the wooly nylon?
Thanks again
Fiona
Dear sewgirl,
Thank you so much for your reply, I will let you know how it gos.
I had no idea my question had been answered until now. I have been so busy that this is the first time in ages I have been on this site.
Thanks again
Fiona
Dear Nehzat,
I had no idea my question had been answered by so many, how do I set my account so that I am notified of an answer?
Thank you so much for your reply, I have not had a chance to even start my dress yet, I am affriad... but seeing your answer and advice helps me feel a little more confident. I will definately practice on an old t-shirt as you suggest.
Again, I thank you for your help.
Take care
Fiona
Hello Wondeful Nehzat,
Voice over is nice in newest videos. Nehzat your voice is wonderful. Especially soothing.
You may not realize how nice it is. Not only do I find your videos the most helpful I have seen (and I have seen alot lately) but your voice adds to experience and it does not distract.
Sincerely
Fanny14
I loved the ease of the presentation and the talent showcased in this video. I am looking forward to putting everything into practice!
Gelitza
Hello...here's a step by step video on threading a serger it and using it ....just click the link
serger-how-to enjoy let me know if I can be of any additonal help
wow, that was helpless.....no one answered my beacon plea...is that usual?
I ended up at the sewing store, my needles were in the wrong place. I had never changed them, they
came to me that way after being serviced at the store. I just thought they would know what they were doing. When
the needles were changed to the correct position it worked like a breeze. I just can't believe I spent that much time
on the machine.....I feel like such an idiot!!
JOY
Thanks for your kind words.
When I was young, sewing was my hobby and I used to prick my finger all the time. Sometimes it was very painful when the end of the needle touched that spot, but still I didn’t want to take a brake for it, to heal. Then one day my aunt asked me: “Why don’t you use a thimble?”
I told her I do use it sometimes, but I don’t know why I keep using my other finger to push the needle instead.
She said: “tonight when you go to bed, wear your thimble. This way tomorrow when you wake up your finger will be used to it, and you will not have any thimble problems.”
I followed her advice and it worked!!!
I hope it helps you too.
The voice-over is very well done, however, I miss hearing your voice on the video.
Great! I look forward to seeing the new video ;-) I am looking over the waistline video now and am very grateful. I have been hemming pants like a pro, by hand, for the past few days and am VERY proud of myself... even though it is your expertise that has allowed me to do so. Thanks!
Dear Happy,
Thanks for sending me the links. I have printed out the pattern.
This pattern is suitable for small busted women. Once we publish the Bodice Block Pattern Making video title, you will easily be able to modify it to make your own smock according to your measurements.
Dear Happy,
Wooly Nylon is the thread. It's suitable for knit and stretchy fabrics.
You can also use regular polyester thread, I haven't experienced any problems when using them with sergers.
For jersey fabric when using a sewing machine another option for straight stitches is to use Wooly Nylon thread for the bobbin and Silk thread for the top (since silk thread has some give).
Dear Joysmile,
I hope your trip will fix the problems you are having. Unfortunately without looking at your machine I can't tell what's wrong.
I have not gone through this particular video, but I have a pair of denim pants for my baby that need to be taken in so I know I will soon. I HAVE however, used the hemming videos and THANK YOU!! I have hemmed items before but they were never very good. In the past 2 days I have hemmed 3 pair of pants for my 15 month old son and they are perfect!! I haven't learned the talent of the thimble though and my finger is a bit sore. (It is rather used to it though since I knit and use that same finger to push my knitting needle ;-( ) You have changed the way I feel about hemming and I don't think I'll ever pay someone else to do it again.
~Happy
I was thinking....yesterday when my serger thread broke, I also broke a needle at the same time. I put in a new needle, and since then, I have not been able to get my serger threaded correctly, it is a Janome Compulock. I am wondering if perhaps I damaged the machine when I broke the needle? I am refusing to give up, and have been persistently kept trying to get the machine threaded to no avail. Can you tell me this!
Step 1: When I thread the lower looper, does the looper thread get pulled back over the top of the upper looper arm, or does it go underneath?
Step2: The upper looper thread gets pulled straight back with the lower looper thread?
Step3: According to the instruction book, I thread the needle last of all. Now, I have all three threads pulled back....correct?
The machine starts sewing, but it never seems to make the chain? Does anyone have any clue what I could be doing wrong? I have even watched several video's watching the process. I just can't figure out why the chain is not made. Man, this is really buggin' me! Tomorrow morning I am going to take a road trip to Winston's Sewing in St. Peters, MO with my machine.
Thanks,
Joysmile
The lady who did it is BitterBetty and she has a segmented video on YouTube starting with this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSoAa6LbHJE . (This is how I found you as well... I think I found you both on the same day! How lucky was that!!). Here's the link to the .pdf file for the actual pattern http://www.sewmamasew.com/media/blog/smock.pdf . She explains how to modify the width of the pattern within the first 5 minutes of the first segment of the video, but it doesn't seem exactly right. I think I'm missing something. Maybe what I need to do is add an inch to the width (which she explains actually adds 4 inches due to cutting 4 pieces) AND then add an insert into the shoulder since the size of the pattern 'as is' brings the shoulders down. What do you think?
Thank you SO much for taking the time out to answer questions. I really appreciate your time!!
~Happy
Would it be useful to use a special type of thread with jersey material? I have used... I think it is called Wooly Cotton... it is definately wooly 'something'.. and I was told it was for use with stretchier fabrics. Is this just an option and regular thread would be ok? Curious for myself as well since I have little boys who have lots of clothing made of these types of fabrics. Thanks ;-)
~Happy