Video Tutorial- How to Thread The Sewing Machine

Finally, finally, I have put up my video tutorial! We created these iMovies in textiles class and this is mine. It is operated by Riddhi [ http://livingmylife-riddhi.blogspot.com.au/ ] and film and audio is done by me. My voice sounds really weird in it though so please don't laugh! :-)

So, please sit back, relax and enjoy the show! You can refer back to this video if you forget how to do it.

Please note the 'go fishing' part, is a term where you continuously bring the hand wheel forward until the thread from the bobbing pulls though to where the other thread is.

My next video is How to Thread A Bobbin! Coming soon!

How To Thread A Sewing Machine- Delay due to technical diffuculties

Unfortunately there has been another delay of the video tutorial ' How To Thread A Sewing Machine'. This time it's due to major technical difficulties which should be over soon.

So now the tutorial will most likely be available within the next 2 weeks.

Sorry for the delay!

How to make an Apron- Part 1

It is completely necessary to make an apron at least once in your sewing years. They are really basic to make and are cute when cooking. Speaking of cooking, go visit my friend, who is a fabulous sewer, Suzzy!
http://suzzy-craftandcooking.blogspot.com.au/

What you need:

- Sewing machine [ must-have ]
- Sewing tool box, must include many, many pins!
- Fabric of your choice for the apron. Make sure it covers your front and is the length from about your collarbone to your thighs.
- Iron
- Thread that blends in well with your fabric [ for mine I used a type of yellow] and a relatively similar bobbin.
                                                                                                      Steps 2-3 below

How to make an apron- Cutting out the pattern

1. Iron your fabric if you haven't done so already.
2. Fold your fabric in half. Your fold should be facing towards you.
3. At the top right hand corner, NOT the fold, cut a round shape [ picture shown on the right ]. This is where your arm will come out, just beneath the shoulder. If you want, you can hold the fabric up against your body, in place, and trace the round part so it secures the best result. Make sure you cut through both sides of the fabric.
4. Unfold your apron. It should look like picture
3. Hold it up against you again and inspect the round sides. Should you make any adjustments?
5. Fold back half a centimeter from every outskirt, including the round parts. Repeat step. You may like to iron the folds down. This will make your apron smart and look very classy! In other words, you won't be able to see the frayed edges.
6. Pin together the folded edges.

Sewing your apron                                                                            Steps 1 to 4 below

 1. Set your stitch length dial to 2 and your stitch width dial to 0. This guide may vary on different sewing machine brands so just make sure you are using a small straight stitch.
2. Thread up your sewing machine [ see tutorial video ]
3. All your fabric should be on the left side of the machine. Also consistently through the whole sewing process, your stitches should be quite close to the inner edge of the fold.
4. Begin sewing at the bottom of your apron. It is best to start somewhere that is less visible because if you make an error, it will not draw attention. Make sure you do a reverse stitch.

Remember to stop sewing about half a centimeter [or wherever you are comfortable with] before your foot reaches your pins so you can take them out. Don't push too hard on the pedal, this will make you go fast and you could injure yourself and damage your apron. Slow and steady does it.

When you reach an edge where 2 folds meet, stop pushing on the pedal, and, using the flywheel, which is the large circle located on the right hand side of your machine and sew manually.This would consist of you bringing the flywheel towards you. Further directions are below if you have trouble with this .

How to manually sew the edge where 2 folds meet


1. Turn your flywheel in a forward motion, towards you. Release your hand.
2. Repeat step until you have reached the end of your fold.

During this time, your needle and presser foot should be down as usual. Please note I mean, foot, not pedal!

When it comes to sewing around the round parts, go slowly and on a slight angle, making sure your stitches match the roundness, not just a wonky line. When you do this you will have to rotate your fabric a lot.

Make sure when you start sewing and finis sewing, you do a reverse stitch a few time so that your stitches are secure.

At the end, this is what your apron should look like. All sewn around the edges.

This is the major part of how to make an apron. Part 2 is coming soon!

Apologies, Posts are coming soon!

Yes, I know I have not done posts for a while. But don't  worry, there are more coming soon! I have been busy with thinking of some new projects and...

- Making a video tutorial!

This video tutorial is on how to operate and set up your sewing machine. It will be coming in a few days or a few weeks, I really don't know.

So yes, Thread Thrills readers, we are moving into the Sewing with Sewing Machines stage!

This will unlock many more exciting and advanced projects, and ones that won't take as much time!

How to make Bunting

Bunting is a display of colourful flags hung up on string. Usually the flags have an appliqued letter on each one, to spell out a sentence or message, such as 'Happy Birthday!' or a person's name.

Here you can learn how to make your very own bunting. Enjoy!                    

Please note: I do not recommend making bunting if you are unfamiliar with a sewing machine or plan to make it by hand. Only make it by hand if you are doing a few flags, otherwise it will take a while.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: Depends on how many flags you are making but 1 flag takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes [ approximately ]

What you need:

- Fabric of your choice [ lots ]                                    
- Sewing tool box
- Iron
- Different fabric for letters
- String
- Sewing machine [ recommended if doing many flags ]

How big should the flags be?

The flags can be any size you want but the standard size is 25cm long and quite wide at the top.

What shape should the flags be?

You can choose any shape you want, but most bunting shapes are a triangle, like the one I have done or the one on the right. Be creative!

To make the flags:

1. Iron both your fabrics, if you haven't done so already.
2. Trace the templates below and cut.

3. Pin the template to your flag fabric and cut. Repeat step for all flags.

4. Fold back half a centimetre on the two edges on the side. Pin in place. Repeat step for all flags.

5. On the top edge, fold back half a centimetre. Repeat step. Pin in place at the bottom of the fold. This is where your string will go. Repeat step for all flags.

6. On the two side edges, sew a stitch of your choice along the fold [back stitch is the most common] Repeat step for all flags.

7. Poke a thin object, such as a pencil, through the top edge fold. Repeat step for all flags.

8. Sew a stitch of your choice along the bottom of your fold. Repeat step for all flags.

How to make the letters

1. Cut out the letters of your choice, and sew onto each flag with a stitch of your choice.   

Make sure your letters are a good visual size. I also recommend a blanket stitch for attaching the letters to the flags. Or, if your fabric is non-frayable, you can do a neat running stitch, back stitch or chain stitch.

To finish

1. Put your flags in order according to letter. Thread your string through the top edge of the flags. Tie a knot at both ends onto where you will hang it from.

You can also do some embroidery onto your flag and create images, such as a cake to go with the message ‘Happy Birthday!’

Some people make a bunting collection of 26 letters for the alphabet, and then sell them in a pack. Others make several copies of each letter in the alphabet and let people choose

Either way, bunting is fun to make and an awesome decoration.