| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| Sewing Machine Help | 7/3/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I have a Singer 2263 and my needle broke and when I replaced it, it no longer works. I know the ...
A: If you hit something with the needle causing it to break then it probably is the timing. The only ...
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| Mystery Presser Feet | 6/30/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I finally organized all of my presser feet and came across two that I could not identify. I wonder ...
A: Great question! The foot on the left is a gathering foot and the one on the left is a cording foot. ...
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| sewing knits | 6/30/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I am short waisted and have to alter some knit tops. I cannot get my machine to stitch the fabric ...
A: Some machines just do not like knit fabrics and it can be a challenge to get them to stitch without ...
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| recycled pillow stuffing | 6/30/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
Q: I'm on a big budget pinch and I have a project that I would like to do in the cheapest method ...
A: Christy, You could stuff your pillows with almost any thing at this point. But think about ...
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| Puckered Panels | 6/30/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: How can you keep the seams in panels or sheers from puckering when sewing seams together? I use a ...
A: Oh my, I hope I can help. There are several questions I may need to ask to try to figure out what ...
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| identifying a "part" used in sewing | 6/29/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: Invisible suspenders go under a blouse to hold up a skirt. It is like a garter--a metal hook or ...
A: Well, you almost stumped me with this one because I had never thought of what that part of a garter ...
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| Sewing Panels Together | 6/29/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: I purchased sheer panels and want to sew several together to use on a sliding glass door. What is ...
A: Good afternoon, sorry for the delay as I was teaching at the Slipcover Summit in Seattle Washington. ...
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| tension on my Pfaff 230-260 | 6/28/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I'm working on a simple quilt with my new to me Pfaff 230-260. I'm having a terrible time trying to ...
A: Tension problems can quickly drive you crazy! If changing the tension with the upper knob is not ...
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| cap sleeves | 6/25/2009 | Sarah |
Q: i am trying to change t-shirt sleeves into cap sleeves because they look nicer I think. The last ...
A: In order to make the armhole small enough, you need to start with a shirt that is a little to big, ...
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| singer 638 - replacement needle bottoms out | 6/24/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: machine worked fine till needle broke. have two packs of replacement needles, both packs are the ...
A: It sounds as if you are not getting the needles inserted quite far enough or the needles are not the ...
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| Sewing | 6/24/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I am making bean bags,on a few of them the material is giving out by the seam. What am I doing ...
A: Are you overcasting or zigzagging the seam edges? Finishing the seam edges will stop any fabric ...
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| alterations | 6/23/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I need to know how to let out a pair of suit pants waistband(size 18 child)
A: I am assuming this is a size 18 boys waistband. There should be a seam in the waistband in the ...
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| sewing a patch on a racing suit | 6/18/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I am using my machine to sew a simple circular patch on my son's racing suit instead of sewing it on ...
A: If the patch has the satin stitched edge, I would match the thread and sew it on using a zigzag ...
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| bobbin thread isn't picking up | 6/17/2009 | Vinette de Phillipe |
Q: The needle on my Singer Touch and Sew Model 640 won't pick up the bobbin thread while sewing. Any ...
A: could be the needle is wrong, the top of the machine is not threaded correctly, or there is not ...
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| beginner..obviously | 6/16/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: good to meet you. I currently have a couple pairs of jeans that need some stitching/sewing. I'm ...
A: I am sending along a couple of websites that give good instructions for repairs. I hope they are ...
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| Altering an elastic waistband in pull on slacks | 6/10/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I have lost some weight and want to alter a few of my elastic waist pants. They fit ok if I pull ...
A: Congratulations on the weight loss! To fix your pants, put them on and with pins, mark where you ...
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| Flat Drapery Panels | 6/10/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: We have a small problem at our workroom. We have a client that wants flat (sheer/gauze) panels. We ...
A: Okay... To recap... Client wants a flat piece of fabric hanging, it is a gauze/sheer fabric. Flat ...
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| Flat Drapery Panels | 6/10/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: We have a small problem at our workroom. We have a client that wants flat (sheer/gauze) panels. We ...
A: I would like to help... but I am not sure what you mean by a flap drapery panel? Is it a flat piece ...
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| zipper inserted and now splits apart | 6/10/2009 | Sarah |
Q: I inserted a zipper in a handbag I am sewing. I added the handle and when I went to close the ...
A: The zipper is salvageable, but it will take a little ripping at the base of the zipper, to get the ...
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| mens sleeve suit jacket cuff | 6/9/2009 | Sarah |
Q: just checking about taking up a suit jacket sleeve cuff with the buttons and all? my friends son, so ...
A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Yes, your inclination is right - you want to carefully ...
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| silk drapery | 6/8/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: I have been making draperies both lined and un lined for a number of years. However I have been ...
A: I hope I can help you with this project. I do have a few questions beyond what you have written. ...
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| shortening pants at crotch | 6/7/2009 | Sarah |
Q: I have elastic waist pants that the crotch is way to long almost to my knees. They also have pockets ...
A: You won't be able to shorten the pants from the crotch. If you think of a pant pattern, shortening ...
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| hemming cuffs | 6/6/2009 | Sarah |
Q: I have this mans jacket that needs the sleeves hemmed about 3", it has a lining ,,, so how do I ...
A: First, mark where you'd like the new sleeve length to fall. You're going to have to remove the ...
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| neckline heming of stretchy nylon material | 6/5/2009 | Sarah |
Q: I am trying to hem the neckline of a stretchy nylon material..(remember the silky, stretchy material ...
A: The first thing that comes to mind is that you are using too many stitches per inch. You can try ...
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| how turn a narrow tube right side out | 6/4/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
Q: I am making a cushion for a rocking chair. I need to make the ties to tie the cushion to the chair. ...
A: Roberta, It can be done with a lot of patience. Sew one end closed and then use a pencil or ...
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| Protecting fabric transfer-ons | 5/28/2009 | Sarah |
Q: ) I'm considering printing my own designs off the computer and transferring them onto t-shirts ...
A: There are a few ways to help protect iron on transfers, but they mostly have to do with the wash ...
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| Stitch witchery hem | 5/27/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I am in a pinch because the dress I'm wearing in a couple days is too long and it is a ...
A: No, I would not use one of the iron on hem tapes or stitch witchery because of the amount of heat ...
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| SEWING SPANDEX MATERIALS | 5/27/2009 | Sarah |
Q: i AM SEWING SPANDEX MATERIAL (WITH COTTON LINING). AM USING A ZIGZAG (#4 STITCH). SEAM DOES NOT ...
A: The first thing that comes to mind is that you are using too many stitches per inch. You can try ...
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| Crotch Problem ? | 5/27/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I am short and overweight. My problem is that the only pants that fit me correctly are the petite ...
A: This is not an easy alteration for someone who does not sew a lot, but if you are willing to try, ...
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| Making collars with stretchy fabrics | 5/23/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I almost exclusively work with stretchy fabrics (knit fabric, jersey, spandex...) and I was ...
A: You have discovered that knit fabrics do not work well when making garments that require sharper ...
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| What clothing cut/ fabric/ detail require tailoring | 5/23/2009 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: I am going to have my wardrobe tailored as I have to mingle with the rich snob and they look down on ...
A: Any garment can be mass-made or individually created and/or tailored. A simple skirt for example, ...
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| making a ruffled edge | 5/23/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: Not sure what this hem is called but on organza it looks like a curled or slightly 'ruffled' edge. ...
A: That is a rolled hem. It is done using a rolled hemming foot that comes with most sewing machines. ...
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| fitting a pattern to these measurements | 5/22/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: this person is 4'11 with a chest 35.5, a bust 37.5 a waits of 39 a hip of 38 back of neck to waist ...
A: When picking a pattern size, consider the style of the garment and how the person wants the garment ...
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| rolled hem | 5/20/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: how do I sew a rolled him, using a rolled hem sewing foot
A: It's funny you should ask this question because I just did a lot of rolled hemming on a chiffon ...
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| Making a Mao collar using knit fabric | 5/19/2009 | Sarah |
Q: I almost exclusively work with stretchy fabrics (knit fabric, jersey, spandex...) and I was ...
A: You can interface any stretchy/knit fabric w/ tricot fusing! Tricot is a fusible made especially ...
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| gusseted crotch | 5/18/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I have probably bitten off more than I can chew, but I've agreed to make hiking pants for my ...
A: I found a pattern for cargo pants at the following link that has the gusseted crotch. You might ...
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| Ballroom Dancing Gown | 5/18/2009 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: Do you know of anyone in the industry who will cutom make a ballroom dancing dress, I have been ...
A: You know, I really wish I could be more help but I did some searching too, and came up empty. The ...
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| Altering jacket for small bust | 5/17/2009 | Sarah |
Q: I have a jacket and also a simple black dress that apparently require a bigger and lower bust, since ...
A: I recieved updated information from you, quoted below. "Here is the item, and on me it looks much ...
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| Pants hem | 5/16/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I have a pair of pants that are too short(about 3 inches) to wear with heels. I had the pants made ...
A: I am curious as to why the pants are 3 inches too short if you had them made? The only way to ...
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| Sears model 385.8152X | 5/16/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
Q: I was wondering if the bobbin case is causing this machine to not stitch properly. needle seems ok ...
A: Nick, Even if the needle looks OK, I would suggest that you start by changing it. I suggest ...
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