Posts Tagged sewing machines

Repair Clothing with a Brother Sewing Machine

Friday, October 23rd, 2009


Brother Sewing Machines were one of the early sewing machines to appear on the market. When women were showing interest in sewing items at home, Brother met the need by creating sturdy machines at an economical price. In 1932, Brother was mass-producing these domestic machines. Brother International is a global corporation, they also manufacture fax machines, printers, typewriters, laminators, industrial sewing machines, and a labeling system.

Brother Sewing Machine $69.99

Brother Sewing Machine $69.99

For those interested in using a personal sewing machine for embroidery projects, the Brother Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine is an excellent pick. The touch screen panel makes changing from embroidery to a traditional stitching a breeze. This Brother embroidery and sewing machine is ideal for beginners because it has three sewing speeds and features a self-threading function. As an added exciting feature, the Brother SE270D can be connected to Internet in order to download free patterns directly to your machines. You may wish to compare the Bernina sewing machines as well.

Quilters may enjoy using the Brother Computerized Free Arm Sewing Machine it has Multiple Stitch Functions. It is designed especially for handling the large quilt projects with ease. It is also ideal machines for creating home decor, crafts, or garments with stitch functions at your fingertips. The model includes a plastic fitted wide table that is good for supporting large quilts.

A brother sewing machine is built so well that they easily compete with top models from Singer. Instead of constantly working to keep up with other companies by creating new technology, they continue to perfect their machines by offering a unique combination of design and function. They’re appreciated not only for its top-notch performance, but also for the stylish appearance.

Another attractive feature of this machine is that each and every foot that can be used on this model comes standard when you purchase it new. It is necessary to note that some customers who purchased this machine mentioned the quality wasn’t what they expected from Brother sewing machines. However, customer reviews overall are very positive about the model. The machines from Brother are on the cutting edge of technology and jammed with attractive features.

Brother embroidery sewing machine

Brother embroidery sewing machine

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Essential Sewing Gadgets You Can’t Do Without

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Sewing is a unique hobby that is both fun and very useful.  You can sew clothing items and decorative items for your home simply by learning the basics of sewing.  You may also choose to start a new business. Whatever you want to do, there are some essential sewing gadgets you can’t do without.

Sewing started out as a primitive and simple stitch to make clothing and utilitarian items.  However, it has progressed to more advanced and interesting clothing and decorative items.  Today, people all over the world sew, mostly women as home sewers but also men who tend to be more professional such as tailors.

A sewing box is perhaps an essential sewing gadget for all households.  Whether you sew or just simply mend things from time to time, a sewing box will keep your supplies in one place.  By having a dedicated sewing box for your supplies, you will always know where things are when you need to sew that button on.

Using dull scissors is one of the most frustrating things you can use when you are sewing.  Dull scissors make your project much harder to complete than it needs to be.  A good quality pair of very sharp scissors will save you a lot of frustration and time.  Your projects will also turn out better and have cleaner lines to them.

Pinking shears are a special type of scissors which cuts fabric so that the edges are zigzagged and this helps prevent fabric fraying.

A stitch gage looks like a small ruler with a sliding gage on it and helps you measure and also to help you sew straight seams and hems every time.

Taylor’s chalk is a must for making markings on your fabric and cutting out patterns.  The chalk is easily removed from your final product.

Anti-fraying solution can be applied to the edges of your fabric to keep it from fraying while you work with it.  The solution can safely be used on most fabrics but please read the instructions on the can.

A magnetic pin holder can make your use of pins and needles easier and is an excellent alternative to a fabric pin cushion.  Also, when you are finished for the day, you can simply wave your magnetic pin holder over your work area and attract up all of the stray pins before someone treads on them.

Elastic pullers are used to pull elastic through casings in your projects.  They are very inexpensive and indispensable if you will be working with elastics.

In addition to these gadgets and to help avoid expensive maintenance, you should also consider a good cover for your sewing machine to keep out dust and dirt.

Another good item to have in your sewing room is a comprehensive reference book on sewing techniques. My favourite is the New Complete Guide to Sewing (Readers Digest)

By purchasing the sewing gadgets above as well a sewing machine cover, and a good sewing book, you will be well on your way to happy sewing.  Sewing isn’t really that hard to master, and when you have all of the tools you will need, it is much easier.

Readers Digest Sewing Guide

Readers Digest Sewing Guide

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What is the Best Beginner’s Sewing Machine?

Friday, August 21st, 2009

When you look at sewing machine, you are likely to be impressed at the amazing array of things these machines can do: all sorts of stitches, embroidery, quilting, and so forth. And these machines come at an impressive price as well.

Then there are the specialty machines, such as Sergers (overlock stitching machines). If you are a beginner, it can be overwhelming. When you begin to sew, there are a lot of low tech things to learn such as how to cut out material from a pattern, how to handle seam allowances, how to sew straight lines, how to handle pleats, and so forth.

When you begin a hobby, it is difficult to tell whether it is a hobby you will want to continue to do or if it is something that is ultimately not interesting to you. Based on these two factors, the beginner should get a relatively simple sewing machine (not a Serger) for under two hundred dollars. These basic machines have a range of stitches to play with and they are great machines for learning all the foundational techniques of sewing with a machine.

Spend the extra money on books to help you learn these techniques rather than on a machine that gets confusing. If you fall in love with sewing, then pass your beginner’s machine onto another beginner and go get one with all the bells and whistles. By then you should have the skills you will need in order to really enjoy the fancier machine.

You can get a good and versatile machine such as the Brother LS2125I for around $79.95, you get a 10-stitch machine that also has an automatic 4-step buttonholer (buttonholes are my nemesis!). This machine is popular with newbies so it may be an idea to check it out and see more pictures.

Brother LS2125I

Brother LS2125I

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