วันศุกร์ที่ 28 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Sew Your Own Curtains and Learn Insider Tips Whilst Getting Top Quality Instruction At The Same Time


Image : http://www.flickr.com


When you're looking at those house interior magazines and admiring the beautiful window dressings do you find yourself thinking 'wouldn't it be great if I could have something like that at my windows'.

Then you tell yourself not to be silly, they are way too expensive. But have you ever considered that maybe you could make your own? Making your own curtains, or drapes, as they're sometimes called can seem like a very daunting prospect, but with practice you really can do it. With a little practice stitching straight lines on a sewing machine can become second nature to anyone. And it's not just plain curtains, you can create lined, interlined, thermal or insulated, they are all within the reach of the beginner. Other accessories include tiebacks, curtain headings and valances of differing styles such as pencil pleat, goblet pleat and pinch pleat.

Now that you're thinking that it might just be possible what do you need to make it happen? The first thing is somewhere to make them, a spare room is ideal, or perhaps a converted garage or basement. You can erect a simple table and leave it up (you're bound to have friends ask you to make theirs!), and the lighter and airier the room the better. If it's on the ground floor you won't have to lug great rolls of fabric up or down the stairs. It needs to be at least 8ft x 16ft, or maybe a little less in length if you have somewhere to tuck your sewing machine.

Also make sure it has decent lighting, I use a strip light as bright as daylight. The biggest piece of equipment you'll need is a suitable table and a sewing machine. My table is 8ft x 4ft, the biggest sheet of wood available, and even then it could be bigger, perhaps an extra couple of feet both ways, this is easily achieved by having a couple of drop-down hinged extensions. Another option if you don't have a spare room is to get by with a collapsible table which you could put up as required. One of the easiest designs I've seen is a flat board and a couple of builder's trestles to rest it on, but this isn't really ideal.

The dining room table is probably the worst choice, although it's big and flat you can't stick pins into it and it certainly isn't big enough to measure your fabric on. If you have no choice measure your fabric out on the floor, you can even make your curtains on the floor but oh, your poor back and knees! Your table needs to be covered in curtain interlining and topped off with curtain lining, this gives a firm but soft surface. I have two sewing machines, one small commercial machine which is perfectly capable of handling most fabrics but will struggle with thicker fabrics, and an industrial machine. An industrial machine can be bought pre-owned if necessary, they really are built to last. Other smaller items are a steam iron, cottons, needles and glass-headed pins and a tape and ruler. A weight, or clamps, are also useful.

If you have any experience with fabrics, either mending your spouse's clothing or perhaps even making clothing, then it's quite easy to build on that experience. A good source of information can be found in books or the internet, some resources, of course, go into more detail than others, more help on a personal level can be found on the internet. If you've never sat behind a sewing machine though don't worry, curtains are straight lines after all! A certain amount of dexterity can be useful as there is some hand-stitching involved in the better quality curtains.

If you don't have a lot of experience with a sewing machine then it's a good idea to practice runs on a piece of fabric which you've drawn straight lines on. This will help you to gain experience as well as confidence. Probably your best skill is going to be patience and the ability to follow instructions. With these qualities beautiful curtain and drapery creations can easily be within your grasp. See you in the sewing room.




Sally Harvey has been making curtains and soft furnishings since 1978. She's worked in commercial workrooms and latterly as an out-worker working from home. A 'Getting Started' ebook is available for download at [http://www.curtainsecrets.com]

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วันศุกร์ที่ 21 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Sewing Machine Demo

Pam Cortese Demonstrates how various machines work



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD-tyzqMi3M&hl=en

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วันพุธที่ 19 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Domestic Sewing Machines


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Sewing machine is a mechanical or electromechanical machine used to join fabrics using thread. It can create a wide variety of plain or patterned stitches. Sewing machines were introduced in the 1800s; it is one of the most important discoveries in the textile industry.

Of the different types of sewing machines, domestic sewing machines are the perfect tool for sewing. By the mid-nineteenth century, domestic sewing machines found a place in all U S homes to help women in the home production of clothing.

Introduced as a boon to the homemaker, domestic sewing machines are mainly used for domestic purposes and are manufactured to perform different tasks such as creation of buttonholes, stitching buttons on to the piece of clothing etc. Even though there are sewing machines that stitch using one, three, four or more threads, most of the domestic sewing machines use a two thread stitch called the lockstitch.

Also known as home use sewing machines, domestic sewing machines do not have feed dogs that pull the fabric to be sewn under the needle. As they don't have feed dogs, one has to pull the fabric with their hand. There are three basic types of domestic sewing machines-mechanical, electronic, and embroidery machines.

Lightweight sewing machine, straight stitch only sewing machine, embroidery only sewing machine, single-speed mini sewing machine, double-stitch double-speed home sewing machine and battery-operated handheld sewing machine are some of the domestic sewing machines available in the market.

Domestic Sewing Machine Company and Janome are some of the leading manufacturers of domestic sewing machines. Apart from providing sewing machines, they offer a wide range of accessories such as belts, bobbins, bobbin case, carrying case, fluids, guides, needles, organ, needle plates, presser feet, software, thread, and thread holders. Nowadays, it is possible to purchase domestic sewing machines through the Internet. EBay and Bizrate are some of the Internet dealers of domestic sewing machines.

While purchasing domestic sewing machines, be cautious to select the one that suits your needs and price range. Before purchasing domestic sewing machines, it is very important to determine the need for the machine, whether it is for mending or hemming, creating designer clothes, or for embroidery. Test the machine yourself once you have decided what sewing machine is best for you.




Sewing Machines provides detailed information on Sewing Machines, Industrial Sewing Machines, Embroidery Sewing Machines, Antique Sewing Machines and more. Sewing Machines is affiliated with Portable Steam Cleaners.

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