Craftzine.com blog: Sewing Machines Archives

Archive: Sewing Machines

January 22, 2010

Upgrading a Sewing Machine

Wow, look what Matt Mets found in the MAKE Flickr pool!

Micah Dowty was frustrated with how poorly his sewing machine performed at slow speed, so he decided a sewing machine retrofit was in order. After adding a speed sensor, modding the foot pedal, and adding a beefier DC motor, he finally has the tool that he needed to produce cool projects, such as soft circuit RFID tags. He has a full explanation up on his blog, and more photos in a Flickr set.

January 15, 2010

Sewing Machine Converted to Scroll Saw

Matt Mets @ MAKE writes:

Here's an interesting, if possibly questionable idea. The folks over at Flowering Elbow converted a sewing machine into a scroll saw. If you've got an old sewing machine, it could be just what you need for cutting thin pieces of wood!

December 9, 2009

Ask CRAFT: Sewing Machine Cabinet

If you have a question for Ask CRAFT, shoot me an email at becky@craftzine.com, or drop us a note on Twitter! We'd love to answer your crafty questions on any topic: technique, projects, crafty culture, or anything else! Each week the answers are here; include your name, where you're from, and your website or blog if you have one!

Jean Ashley from Salt Lake City, Utah writes in:

I have been haunted by bad middle school home economics experiences, so I've not done any sewing for a long time, but my boyfriend bought me a new sewing machine last Christmas (yeah!) for my soon-to-be-completed craft room (double yeah!) and now I have a question.

A friend of mine said that I should get something called a "sewing cabinet" (presumably something like this) but I am a novice sewer, and I would prefer to not spend a lot of money, if I can avoid it.

My questions for you are:

1. What are the advantages to using a sewing cabinet over just placing the sewing machine on a flat desk or table?

2. Do you know of any "hacks" or other tutorials on how to convert a basic table/desk to a sewing cabinet?

Like I said, I'd rather not shell out the money for something I don't even know I need, but I also don't want to go cheap and have a bad sewing experience just when I've mustered up the courage to seam again!

No, you don't need a sewing machine cabinet. Old sewing machines used to come mounted in desks, and some of them could fold up and down to make the workspace useable as a flat table top when the machine was away. Most new machines are designed to be used on top of a table, not inside it, and hence have rounded edges that wouldn't form a flush surface even if you did put it in a sewing desk. Sewing machine cabinets can be useful if you have an older or hand-me-down machine that is designed to be used in that context. I wouldn't invest in a big piece of furniture like this unless you're really sure you want it.

As for hacking your own sewing machine table, all you'd need to do it create a recessed tray in the table top that brings the height of your sewing surface flush with the table. Ikea Hacker posted about this "open to craft, close to hide the clutter" sewing station made from two standard bookcases. you might be able to find a used sewing machine cabinet at the thrift store or on Craigslist.

Lets talk about sewing ergonomics for a moment. When working, your feet should be flat on the floor with your knees bend 90 degrees. With your shoulders at rest and elbows bent also at 90 degrees, your hands should be at the level of your work surface. If your sewing machine is on top of the table, you might find your sewing level is up too high. You can either cut a giant hole in your table and recess your machine, or simply raise your chair up. I'm really short, so when I raise my chair up to achieve the right working height, I need to use a foot stool to stay comfortable. A foot stool (and even an adjustable chair, if you don't have one) is a lot cheaper than a sewing machine cabinet or desk mod, so I recommend trying that route before making any major furniture decisions!

The above photo is CC Flickr user memyselfandkai.

November 13, 2009

Hawaiian Baby Quilt

I have finally finished the Hawaiian baby quilt I've been working on. It's been my back-burner project for, oh, almost four years! The baby it's intended for is now almost three and not really a baby anymore, but hopefully he'll like it anyway.

While it has certainly been a lot of work (the central portion is all hand-quilted), it's the most satisfying project I've ever worked on. The thread color isn't consistent, the applique is crooked, and I have a lot to learn about mitered corners, but I'm ready to start another, this time for my own baby. Hopefully it will be done by the time he goes to college.

Here's a closer look at the stitching on the back side.

And here it is in all its glory.

If you want to make your own (and I highly recommend it--quilting is very meditative and also a great way to pass the time when you're on the phone or chatting it up with someone), check out our Hawaiian Quilt Project from the pages of CRAFT, Volume 02.

September 5, 2009

Find an Old Sewing Machine on Which to Learn

Instructables user MargueritaM gives some excellent tips about learning to machine sew using an old machine. She points out some basics that make it easy to get up and running.

Old Sewing Machines are Hidden Treasures

August 5, 2009

Ask CRAFT: Sewing Machine Oil

Holly Winter from Kennesaw, GA writes in:

I was wondering when, how and what kind of oil I should use when oiling my sewing machine?

The short answer is to read the manual that came with your machine. It should recommend a brand of oil, show you which parts to oil, and how often. Many of us don't have our original manuals, however, and some manuals may not contain that advice. You can usually download a PDF of your machine's manual from the manufacturer's website (or email in to request one), which could help.

As for oil, look for something that is clearly labeled "sewing machine oil." It's a clear oil in a bottle with a long narrow nozzle. Some brands that make it: Singer, Dritz, Zoom Spout, and others. When you open up your machine, look for marked spots to oil, since some machines will have markings. Others won't, so you'll have to look up your model online to see if the manufacturer published the diagram, or perhaps another crafter has been kind enough to blog about his/her sewing machine oiling process. A few drops will do in each place.

Oiling your machine lubricates the moving parts so they run more smoothly, and it also prevents rust. After oiling, sew for a bit on some scrap fabric in case any oil wants to come out, after which you can resume sewing as normal. I've heard you should oil your machine after every 20 hours of operation, but how can you tell when that's been? I'd say that oiling your machine once every few months should be sufficient unless you're sewing all day every day. If you have more advice for Holly, post it in the comments!

July 16, 2009

Singer Curvy Review

Let me start this review by saying that most sewing machines typically drive me to the brink of insanity, where I end up preferring to do my sewing by hand than to wrangle with an uncooperative machine. My pile of mends and hems was reaching skyscraper status, so I went into the MAKE and CRAFT Lab here at headquarters and asked our interns if they could recommend one of the machines for me to borrow. They sent me home with the Singer Curvy.

I set up my workspace, and settled in with my pile. From winding the bobbin to threading the machine to sewing with various stitches and on various fabrics, the Curvy was my BFF. It was the most user-friendly machine I've ever tried. I worked through my pile of mends and hems with ease. I used regular thread as well as invisible thread, and I worked on fabrics including denim, velour, cotton, and corduroy (did I mention how high my pile was?) without a hitch.

It's not like I expect my sewing machine to do backflips and make me coffee; I just really need it to be easy to use and not problematic. No tangles, no hassles is what I got with the Curvy. I know how to use a sewing machine but I'm no expert, and the Curvy was very intuitive. I liked the work space that it offered (great lighting too) and the smooth feed and presser foot. It also has cool little helpful touches like beeping when your needle is no longer threaded. My pile of mending is complete, I feel like I have a new wardrobe, and I spent no time being frustrated. Awesome.

July 8, 2009

Ask CRAFT: Sewing Machine Tension

Why is it that sewing machine tension can be such a bear to deal with? Here are some symptoms of tension problems:

thread breakage
skipped stitches
knotting or jamming
top/bottom thread visible on the other side of the seam

Many of these problems can be alleviated by giving your machine a thorough cleaning and making sure it's threaded properly, but in some cases there's a bigger problem. Before taking it to the shop, you can change out a few parts to help troubleshoot and isolate the problem.

Plastic bobbins

If you have been using plastic bobbins, they can wear out. If your needle catches the bobbin it can nick it, causing the thread to catch. Swap out your plastic bobbin for a metal one to see if it fixes the problem. Plastic bobbins can be gently sanded with a nail file to get out nicks. Over time the plastic can wear down as well from all the friction of the bobbin casing and thread, putting the bobbin out of commission.

Needles

If your needle is bent, dull, or inserted improperly, this can also cause tension problems. A bent needle is more likely to nick your bobbins, so watch out! Make sure you're using the right kind of needle for your thread and fabric; the wrong one can skip stitches (like using a sharp instead of ball-point needle on knits) or break your thread (if, for instance, the eye is too small).

Thread

Use good-quality thread. I found a site that shows magnified images of many different brands, showing how tight, loose, or fray-prone different types are. A poor quality thread causes more friction on the plastic parts of your machine and can wear them out prematurely. Which brings us to the biggest and possibly most expensive problem...

Tension discs

Most modern machines are made with plastic tension discs. Metal parts are great for durability and industrial use, but they are meant to be used all the time or they gum up. Plastic parts means a lighter machine and fewer maintenance and lubrication concerns when it comes to less-than-everyday use. However, as mentioned, fuzzy thread tends to wear down plastic parts over time (we're talking years, here). Plastic tension discs can become grooved, meaning you're out of luck when it comes to adjusting it, since they can't get a reliable grip on the thread. The tension discs are usually pretty far inside your machine, which makes it really hard to get in there and see if that's your problem.

NM State has a good guide for regular sewing machine maintenance to help you through the processes mentioned above. If you've tried everything short of taking the machine apart yourself, take it to a professional and explain all you've done. It's possible that your tension discs are fine and your timing is just off, which is relatively easy for a technician to adjust. Depending on the repair estimate, you might declare it time to upgrade to a new machine, vowing to only use high-quality thread (a small investment to protect your new machine). Your model might have easily-replaceable tension discs, but some manufacturers don't sell the replacement part. Thanks to Debbi Schlegel for her help on this topic. If you've got advice about tension problems, leave it in the comments below!

March 30, 2009

How-To: Decorative Seams

Hoppo Bumpo has a great post on decorative seams: channel seams, piped seams, bound seams and top seams. And that's just for starters! This week's post ends a nine-week Seam Along. Hoppo-ver and check them out! (Sorry, just could not resist the pun.) Via Whip Up.

March 28, 2009

Heather Ross on Vintage Sewing Machines

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Cathy Callahan talks with Heather Ross on vintage sewing machines.

Cathy writes:

i complimented heather on her choice of sewing machine and she proceeded to tell me the most fascinating story about them. she then went on to tell me all about her grandfather's time as a singer sewing machine rep. you know i'm a sucker for crafty history so i was totally blown away. i knew that we had just the right topic for her stop at my blog on her tour! what follows (in bold type) is what heather sent me - i just love it and am sure you will too.

March 18, 2009

Patch 101

March Mending Month

Patching is a great way to extend the life of an item of clothing that had a run-in with a nail or is simply getting a little worn out. While a really great piece of fabric or store-bought patch can rescue something headed for the scrap pile, sometimes you want a little more subtlety. In this how-to, I'll show you how to repair two types of holes from the back: a tear and a worn-out hole. (Funnily enough, I noticed that all of my husband's pants in need of repair have tears, and all of mine are worn through. Read into that what you will about how we spend our leisure time!)

Read full story »

March 10, 2009

How-To: Spring Clean Your Sewing Machine

Check out this great post on how to clean your sewing machine over on Craft Nectar. (All the better to mend with, my dear!) Sewing machine maintenance is something I have never attempted, which probably explains why my bobbin thread is always getting tangled up in dust bunnies! There are some really nice step-by-step photos that demystify this slightly scary-sounding process. Via Whip Up.

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