| Tips |
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Sewing Tip
For accurate cutting of fabric,
always rest the lower blade of the scissors on the work surface. Raising the
blade off of the work surface will result in jagged cut edges. |
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Sewing Tip
When sewing with plaid fabrics,
choose styles with simple, straight lines and few pieces or seams. The dual
feed foot works great while matching plaids on seamlines and for quilting! |
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Reducing Shrinkage
You can reduce shrinkage of most fabrics by not
"cooking" washable fabrics in the dryer on the hottest, cotton setting.
Fabrics also last longer and don't shrink as much when you dry them on your
dryer's perma-press setting. |
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Taking On Small Tasks With a Seam Gauge
A tape measure suffices for most measuring jobs, but
for measuring small and narrow things, such as hems and buttonholes, use a
seam gauge. This 6-inch, stiff ruler has an adjustable slide. When
you measure a hem, you use the slide to see how deep the hem s as you move
the seam gauge all the way around the hemline. When measuring buttonholes,
simply set the slide to correct length and mark away. |
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Removing Dust Bunnies
Because removing dust bunnies from your sewing machine
sometimes involves taking pieces of the machine apart (and then putting them
back together), learn how to clean the machine by taking the after-purchase
lessons offered by the Stitching Post. For really heavy, once a year
cleaning and tuneup, bring your machine to any Stitching Post location. |
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Quick-Fix Hemming with Res-Q-Tape
You're getting ready for work and reah in the closet
for the only suit that isn't at the cleaners. With one leg in the trousers,
you slip and catch your big toe in the hem and rip it out. You really don't
know one end of the needle from the other, so you grab the Res-Q-Tape. The
hem is fixed, and you're out the door in five minutes. Res-Q-Tape is a very
sticky, double-faced tape that won't harm fabric. Find it on the notion wall
at the Stitching Post Super Store. |
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Wrong side of fabric
If you can't tell the right side from the wrong
side on a piece of fabric, make a decision and mark the wrong side with tape
or fabric marker. |
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Protect your Edges
Always sew or serge the cut edges of your fabric
before pre-shrinking, this will keep the edges from fraying. |
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Care information
When making garments, embroider care info onto a
small piece of fabric and stitch it into the seams. |
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Protect your Threads
Use a press cloth when pressing designs stitched
with decorative or metallic threads. This will help prevent melting the
threads |
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Quick Fix
Use a fabric glue stick to temporary hold fabric
together before sewing. Works great for holding pockets or buttons in place
before sewing. |
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Create unique custom buttons
by stitching
decorative stitches on an interfaced piece of fashion fabric and use to
cover a button. An elegant idea! |
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Sewing Tip
Pressing Fray Check until it is dry
will keep it soft and pliable |
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Sewing Tip
A tape measure is 5/8" wide and can
be used to gauge a seam. |
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Sewing Tip
To determine the wrong side of
fleece, pull along the crosswise grain, the fabric rolls to the wrong side. |
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Sewing Tip
Make Earrings With buttons to match
your blouse |
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Sewing Tip
Stitch your decorative stitches on
your machine onto a piece of fabric and you will always have a ready
reference of how each design actually looks stitched out. |
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Sewing Tip
When sewing two rows of top
stitching, use a double needle for perfect placement and sew them in half
time! |
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Sewing Tip
After finishing a garment, make a
note on the pattern of any alterations that you made
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Stabilizers |
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Tear-A-Way
Recommended for stable fabrics-denim, woven, cottons and blends. Tear off
when done. Comes in black and white. |
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Tear-A- Way Light
Recommended for delicate or lightweight fabrics. |
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Dissolve-A- Way
Recommended as a topping for napped and looped fabric such as terry cloth
and as a stabilizer for very delicate fabrics. Dissolves with water, fabrics
to be washable. |
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Clear- ' N-Melt
Disappears with setting on iron, no residue or excessive heat. Perfect for
lacemaking, open work, nap fabrics. Works with all fabrics. Does not affect
iron surface, residue rolls off. |
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Cut-A-Way
Recommended for lightweight knits and all unstable fabrics. When done, cut
away close to stitching. Comes in black and white. |
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Cut-A-Way Light
Recommended for all lightweight knits and all unstable fabrics. When done,
cut away close to stitching. |
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Stick-On
Hoop a piece of Stick-On. Score top paper, peel away top paper to expose
sticky surface. Place fabric or garment on sticky surface to hold. Holds
small objects, like pockets, in place for embroidery. Tear away excess when
done. |
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Hydro-Stick
Hydro-Stick was developed for embroidery applications that have been too
difficult with traditional hooping. Hydro-Stick allows you to adhere and
secure articles without having to hoop it. Hoop the Hydro-Stick, spritz with
water then adhere the fabric or garment. Great on velvets, pile and napped
materials, slippery silks, shifting knits, vinyl, leather and any material
requiring a better hold. |
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Fuse' N Tear
Recommended for knits, fleece, tricot and sweater knits. Fuse to fabric or
garment with dry iron, then hoop. Tear away when done. |
