UPDATE: Out of Action

Hi guys, Jess here.

Just a quick update to let you know I am out of action at the minute. Dear Betsy is missing stitches again and I have tried everything Google and I can think off to fix it. So she is going to see the lovely men at the repair shop and we should be back on track soon.

Till then, keep stitching!

Course Update: The 5 Main Presser Feet

Hey Everyone! Just to let you know I have finished the sewing machine section of the course and will be starting the sewing section soon.

Anyway in the last few lessons today, we covered the different types of presser feet and their functions.

Something I didn't know is there are two types of presser feet. These is a whole presser foot like Bernina uses and a snap on plate presser foot.

The 5 main presser feet for everyday tasks are: 

1. Zigzag foot - This foot is used for straight and zigzag stitching at the same time. 

2. Denim/Jean foot - This foot is used for thicker fabric. This foot has a hole and groove which makes the needle move around less therefore it's able to penetrate thicker fabric. 

3. Button sewing on foot.

4. Button hole foot.

5. Zip foot - This foot is very thin and has two grooves, one on each side, which allows you to get in close to a zip. 

Additional Feet: 

• Invisible zipper foot.

• Leather roller foot.

• Patch/ quilting foot. 

• Walking Foot. 

3 Top Sewing Tips To Wet Your Early Morning Whistle.

Good to see you again sewing addicts, get your morning off to a great start with these 3 quick and easy to digest sewing tips. 

• If you cant find a thread with a colour that matches your fabric exactly, go one shade darker. It will draw less attention to the fact you couldn't find the perfect colour, or for new sewers like me your hems are perfectly straight.

• For the health and longevity of your sewing machine give it a clean every 4-5 weeks. No I don't mean give the plastic or metal a wipe over. Use the brush provided with your machine to clear out any lint and fabric fibres which could of gather inside your sewing machine.

• Keep the scraps of left over fabric when cutting out your pattern to practice on. By doing this you can check you are happy with the tension, length of stick or the way a decorative stick looks before doing it with the real pattern pieces.

Update: The Course

I am now about two thirds of the way through the sewing machine section of the course and am learning so much about my machine, it's unreal!!!

What what have covered today:

• Cleaning the sewing machine.
• Sewing machine needles.
• Thread tension and feed dogs 

Tips I have picked up and wanted to share with you.

•  You want to clean machine every four to five weeks. Using a brush which should have come with the machine and some sewing machine oil. You need to clean the machine to remove lint and fabric fibers which could of gathered in the feed dogs. 

• The numbers on the needle pack when you buy them are to indicate the thickness of they can handle. For example 70 would be for thin fabric and 100 for Jean fabric. 

• To check the tension is correct in the bobbin, place the bobbin in the case and hold the thread and let it hang if the bobbin falls out or begins to wind down the tension needs to be adjusted. To do this use the screw driver which came with the machine.

Update: The Course So Far.

Hey guys! Sorry it's been SOOO long since I've posted, I've been rather busy this week. So let me give you an update on what's been happening on the course so far...

The Sewing Machine:

In the first set of videos we have covered the basics of a sewing machine. I have learn a lot about my machine especially since the example machine is a Bernina. Something very interesting I've learnt is that my machine has a lever which I can push with my knee to lift the foot. So that will defiantly come in handy when sewing clothes. Another thing I didn't realize is you can buy extras to complement your sewing machine. (For example different tread holders.)

Other topics we have covered:

• The different types of spool holders.
• Changing the bulb on your sewing machine.

Great tips I picked up:

• Have two sets of scissors, unpickers and tape measures. Keep one at the sewing machine and one at the ironing board when working on a new project.
• Use embroidery scissor to cut loose 'whiskers', because they're the sharpest. 
• You can never have enough sewing machine needles. 
• Keep some tailors chalk around to mark darts and notches on your fabric. (Must get some!) 

Introducing Betsy

So you are all probably wondering who Betsy is? Well she is my sewing machine, yes I know why would it have a name? Well she is getting on in years, temperamental, loved very much and we spend a lot of time together.

Anyway Betsy is a Bernina record electronic sewing machine. 

She can:

• Over-lock
• Darn
• Do basic and fancy stitches
• Embroider. 

Yes very fancy I know for a beginner sewer. I got this sewing machine from my very kind boyfriend's Granddad. It belonged to his wife and when she passed it was sitting there unused, so when I'd borrowed the mother in laws machine so much I decided to ask for one for Christmas, and when I told him what I planed to get he offered Betsy to me, and we've been together ever since. 

So far she has had; a new light bulb, new needles and a service will be coming up very soon. Yes this is one pampered sewing machine.