How To Tie a Knot

I know it seems silly to record a video about how to tie a knot - but this knot is so awesome it's worth teaching. And it's easy. With just a little practice you can look like a sewing superstar.

Video link here.

How To Transfer Embroidery Patterns

In this video I show you three different ways to transfer an embroidery pattern - including my favorite method - that even works on black velvet.

I mention a couple of products in this video. One is Sulky Solvy. You can find more info here and you can buy it here. The other is an iron-on transfer pen. You can find info here and you can buy them here.

In the video I showed you a transfer pencil (not a pen) - which works just fine and is available at any fabric store. But the pencils sometimes bleed just the tiniest bit on certain fabrics. I prefer my Sulky transfer pen - but I couldn't show it to you because mine ran out of ink and I can't find them ANYWHERE in a brick and mortar store. They're not in many online stores either, so I decided to order a big bunch (every color of the rainbow - whee!) and add them to my own store. If there are any more specialty items that you all would like to see me carry - please just let me know.

Video link here.

How To Embroider Stretchy Fabrics

I love to embroider on T-shirts, but you can't just pop a stretchy fabric into a hoop and start stitching away. Well - you can - but the results will be terrible. In this video I show you the one simple thing you need to do to prep your stretchy fabrics for embroidery. I mentioned a product in the video and promised a link in the post - so here it is. The product is called Sulky Totally Stable. You can buy it here.

Video link here.

Pattern Cutting Basics

 

In this video I give you an introduction to some pattern cutting basics. And when I say basics I do mean basics. This isn't about transferring complicated markings from garment patterns to your fabric - cutting clothing patterns will be a whole other video later on. This is very basic stuff about how to lay out a pattern piece and cut around it. And it may seem like I'm overemphasizing the "lay your pattern out as close to the edge of the fabric as you can get it" stuff - but every time I teach a sewing class I come home with at least one large piece of fabric with a small hole cut smack out of the middle of it.

Video link here.

The Most Dangerous Tool in the Sewing Room - The Iron

Did you know that the most dangerous tool in the sewing room isn't the machine with the fast-moving super-sharp needle - it's the iron. Really! And did you know that there's a difference between pressing and ironing? From safety to maintenance to proper use - it's everything you ever wanted to know about your iron. The fun never stops here at Shiny Happy World! I promise - we're almost through all the boring basics. We'll get to some actual sewing lessons as soon as the new year starts.

Video link here.

How To Choose Fabric

You've got your machine and all your tools and you're ready for the fun part - choosing fabric. Woo hoo! What you might not know is that some fabrics are a dream to work with - and some are a nightmare.

In this video I show you what to look for when you're cruising the aisles of your local fabric store. Hint: It's not the velvet and satin! At least not for beginners. After you have some of the basics under your belt we'll have a few special lessons on working with all the "tricky" fabrics I mention. You will learn to sew with velvet - just not for your first project. :-)

Video link here.

I Have a Sewing Machine - Now What?

Now you have to learn how to take care of it. It doesn't take much - just regular cleaning and the occasional drop of oil. You'll have to change the needle pretty often too. I show you how to do it all in this video.

Basic Sewing Tools

If you're a beginning sewer there are a few basic tools you'll need to invest in. you'll add more later as you learn more advance techniques - but these are all you need to get started.

All of these links go to the tools & supplies section of my Amazon shop in case you need to shop online - but I made this post light on the pictures so you can easily print this list out and bring it in to your local fabric store. Just hand it to one of the employees and they'll set you up with everything you need.

• seam ripper - Oh yes, you will be ripping out stitches. I promise.
• needles - Look for sharps, applique needles, or betweens - all will work for hand-sewing. Start with a pack of assorted sizes so you can try out several and see what you're most comfortable with. Many people start sewing with a larger needle and then progress to smaller needles as their skill improves.
• sewing gauge - Such a handy little tool - you'll use it all the time.
• marking pencils - You'll need at least two - a light color for dark fabrics and a darker color for light fabrics. I often use a regular pencil to mark on light fabrics, and I like this assortment for marking on darker fabrics.
• flexible measuring tape 
• bent shears - The bent shape on these makes it easy to cut through layers of fabric without shifting it around too much. You can buy really expensive shears and have them sharpened regularly or you can buy inexpensive ones like these. If you use them ONLY FOR FABRIC and do a lot of sewing you'll probably need to replace them after about a year. If you cut paper with them you'll need to replace them a lot sooner.
• thread snipper - You'll need a pair of small scissors for cutting threads close to the fabric. I love my spring-loaded snips, but any small, sharp scissors will do.
• pinking shears - You won't need these until we start sewing garments, but that will come up pretty soon - and they're fun to have for other projects too.
• pins - You need long, sharp pins with large colored heads that will be easy to spot.
• pin cushion - The tomato is for storing your pins. The strawberry is for sharpening them. Don't store pins in the strawberry or they may rust.
• clear straight-edge ruler

If you want to buy some thread now, go ahead and get a couple of spools of all-purpose thread in black and white. You'll buy other colors as you need them and you'll want to match them exactly to your fabric.

Of course - you'll need a sewing machine too. Here's some info to help you choose a good one for beginners. You'll also need an iron and an ironing board - but I'm guessing most people already have those. You don't need anything fancy - just an iron that will make steam.

That's it! Gather up your materials and come back here to learn how to sew!

How to Choose a Sewing Machine for a Beginning Sewer

 
If you're just starting out you do NOT need a fancy sewing machine. Please - do not buy a $1000 machine unless you know you're going to use it all the time. At the other end of the spectrum - do not buy a toy sewing machine. I've seen a lot of them, and every one has been an utter piece of junk. They work for a little while and it's all very exciting - but they die quickly - and sometimes spectacularly. What you want is a good, basic machine. A used machine is a great way to save some money - just make sure to bring it into a shop for a thorough cleaning. They can also give you a threading lesson and show you the basic maintenance required for your machine.

Whether you buy a machine used or from a sewing machine store, here's a list of things to look for. . .

• Smooth sewing. Try it out. If it makes your teeth rattle and the table shake so hard that you can't feed the fabric through smoothly - don't buy it. If it makes a grinding sound or a ticking sound - don't buy it.
• Even sewing. Sew a row of regular stitching, then take it out of the machine and look at it. Are the stitches all the same length? That's good. Does it skip stitches - some are twice as long as others? Don't buy it.
• Easy threading. Relatively speaking. If you've never threaded a sewing machine before it will seem insanely complicated at first. Some newer machines have numbers or a diagram right on the machine to help with threading - and that makes it especially easy for younger kids.
• A manual. Especially important for used machines.
• A drop-in bobbin. It's easier for kids to load than a front-loading bobbin.
• Straight stitch. Every machine has this.
• Zigzag stitch - all but the oldest machines have this. Don't be sucked in by hundreds of available stitches. It's like cable - you'll only use a couple of them. 
• Stretch stitch. It's not really necessary - you can always use a zigzag stitch instead - but it's really nice to have and I end up using it fairly often.
• You do NOT need a buttonhole stitch. You can use a zigzag stitch to make any buttonhole - and I actually get better results with a zigzag stitch.
• The ability to backstitch. This allows you to easily "knot" at the beginning and end of your stitching. Again - almost all machines have this feature.
• A foot pedal. Some machines have a knee pedal instead, but those are often difficult for kids to control. It's also hard to get the height just right for them.

Of course, you'll also need some hand tools. You can find a complete list of everything a beginner needs (with links for shopping!) right here.

That's it! Happy hunting.

Video link here.

You're Invited!

I'll be the guest of Michael Kline and Stacey Lane at the Toe River Studio Tour this weekend. Come join us! 

Michael will have plenty of warm pots, fresh from the kiln, as well as his new lamp designs! Alan helped him and Courtney Martin stoke the kiln yesterday. The man does love to burn things!
 

Stacey will show several new styles of pearl jewelry and work featuring recently found, lovely stones!
 
And me? I'll be bringing brand-new bears. . .

bunnies. . .

. . . a handful of ragdolls. . .

. . .lots of colorful stockings. . .

. . . and unbreakable ornaments.

Friday December 3rd, 12 noon-5 pm
Saturday, December 4th, 10 am-5 pm
Sunday, December 5th, 10 am-5 pm

We're at Studio No. 30 on the TRAC studio tour map. And here are directions to Michael's studio.


While you're out and about in the area, stop by Courtney Martin's for more pots. . .

and John Geci for some glass. They're both at #19 on the map - just a mile or so from Michael's studio.

Also visit Erin Peters for a special Bulabags open house on Sunday from 1-6. You can even look through her fabrics and design your own bag - and get it in time for the holidays. Woot!

Looking forward to a fabulous weekend!

Thanks!

Thanks so much for your order! If you haven't visited Shiny Happy World before - welcome! Take a look around! There are lots of sewing videos and embroidery videos - and a whole bunch of free patterns.

And I'd like to invite you to sign up for the mailing list! You'll receive a monthly round-up of all the new patterns and lessons from Shiny Happy World - plus an exclusive discount every month. Who doesn't love a good discount?

Happy stitching!

Best,
Wendi