General Chat

Its a general question, but I mean in the sense of starting from scratch, threading it, replacing the bobbin etc. What sort of thread should I put in? Only doing basic lightweight work. Never used one before but suddenly have a passion for customising babys bibs, cot blankets, buggy liners and frilly socks etc. Im doing diamonte at the min which a monkey could do, but want to move onto sewing frilly ribbon round things. Also, how do you make the ribbon a 'ruffled' effect rather than just straight and flat? Thanks for any replies. Have already googled by the way...

(got to do dinner, be back soon!)

Having used a sewing machine for years and trained in my work it really depends how much you want to learn Romany :-)

I know there are stores where if you buy their machines you are given lessons,after Mam taught me when I was young Singer gave lessons at all their shops. Here in Newcastle I think there are still some shops/stores where you can go to learn the basics.
School nightclasses are another good idea to learn sewing techniques,or books from the library.

re: ruffled ribbon do you mean shirring? most machines have 'shirring feet'. If not tack stitches across material,leaving both ends open, and pull loose threads to form the 'ruffled effect'.
Hope you find what you're looking for :-D

Mau

Mmmn modern sewing machines are normally easy to use, if you are going to be only doing fairly basic sewing then don't buy one with too many extras that you will most likely never need to use. I have Brother machine which is lightweight but does what I need (seam repairs hems etc) it has a zip foot as well but I have never used it, the bobbin is very easy to put in and out .

Have you seen these links Romany?


http://www.hotcourses.com/uk-courses/Sewing-Machine-courses/hc2_browse.pg_loc_tree/16180339/0/p_type_id/1/p_bcat_id/1551/page.htm
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http://www.hotcourses.com/uk-courses/Sewing-How-to-Use-a-Sewing-Machine-courses/page_pls_user_course_details/16180339/0/w/51167630/page.htm

I bought one and had a lot of trouble with the bobbin, going on the printed instructions, but someone who had the same trouble with theirs of the same make had worked it out and kindly put a very simple video on youtube, when you could see it done it became simple!

THANKYOU ladies, I feel more confident now! Rose, I never thought of Youtube!! I should have, my sons on it all the time publicising his band. Its a 2nd hand machine (but only lightly used) so I won't get any lessons and Im just hoping its got a book with it :-S Thanks Mau, I'll have a look at the courses, a good value one would be ideal. xxx

If anyone can view this link this is my dream, if I could do ribbons like this Id be happy. The lady who makes things like this is very talented.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4048768811181&set=p.4048768811181&type=1&theater

Romany Star
Another way you could "frill" the ribbon is to pleat it. Some machines have a foot that does this for you.

If not then fold ribbon to make pleats and pin as you go. Then sew a line of stitching along pleats. Then attach to garment as normal.

Or another way I found on here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuHr-9FwUYM
Good luck.
Is the summer house up and running yet?
Take care
Von

Hi Von. Yes the summer house is finished :-) painted pink and white with a desk and chair plus comfy armchair, a dolls house (another project!) and kettle, fan, cd player. Got a pink carpet too :-) Hubbys going to hardwire the laptop so Ive got a good signal out there. Hes insulated it as well!
You're a star, I never thought of stitching the ribbon into pleats THEN attaching it to the garment, I was planning to do it altogether in one go, fold/pin/stitch on garment, thought it seemed a bit much! Ive no common sense whatsoever.
PS: Its a Beldray machine, are all bobbins the same, ie can I buy any? Thankyou!!!

Romany Star....just looked at the facebook picture, that's really lovely, looks like alot of work, but l'm sure you can do it:))

Von...just looked at the Youtube video, thats clever too and easy:)

Good luck Romany Star:)...we want to see what you make.

jude :-)

Romany Star....if you google the exact make you may find you can get the instruction book. l did for my 2nd hand one some months ago:)

jude

Thanks Jude :-D

We were taught at school, and I have had no end of use for a sewing machine. It is a skill worth learning. As someone said, try evening classes., or ask at the local library. They usually keep lists of classes.

Don't worry, I taught myself to use a machine.

Just bought a new one here, instructions in Greek and several ex Iron Curtain countries so OH Googled the make and machine model name or number and I now have a lovely booklet.

Go to the manufacturer's site and it should be a PDF file. Other sites may ask payment for the instructions.

Hope that helps, just a bit of patience at first. Do easy things. Have you any old clothes you could cut up and pratice on them?

Pat :-)

Thanks Pat. Ive charity bags full so I'll raid them, always got spare stuff with having 3 kids. Going to get one on Monday from Argos. x

Yes that's a good way to learn watching YTube. :-)

Didn't realise you meant pleating,that's how professionals stitch them up,at work we used to quickly guide the ribbon through using pin and finger.

Good luck and happy sewing
Mau

Hi Mau, I didnt know it was called pleating lol, but then I dont know any of the 'technical' terms. I adore pleating round baby bibs/cot quilts etc. So you would make the pleat first then stitch it on the garment? The internet doesnt seem to call it plaiting, I suppose I just mean 'frilly' ribbon. The sooner I get this machine and get it up and running (fingers crossed) I can muddle along hopefully. :-D

You can buy ready frilled lace edgings - this would mean less bulk and just need machining on.

Have a look at various haberdashery shops, market stalls, Dunelm, etc

Ive finally got it threaded (couldnt work out how to draw up the bobbin!), but after my glory moment of sewing a few stitches, the thing jammed. Inside all around the bobbin was a big mass of cotton. Each time I can only sew a few stitches and I spent ages dismanting the bobbin 'cupboard' to get all the tangled thread out. :-(