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About Claudia Buchanan
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I can answer most all questions about sewing and fabricating home decor projects. I can not answer questions about kniting,crafts,etc.

Experience
Yes, I have owned a professional interior design workroom for 10 years. We specialize in window treatments, bedding, slipcovers, pillows,etc. I also teach hands-on sewing and business classes in my studio.

Organizations
Window Coverings Association of America, American Sewing Guild, Workroom Association of America, Slipcover Network, Drapery Pro

Publications
Press Release in local news paper

Education/Credentials
Attended workshops and training class at trade events.

Awards and Honors
Slipcover Fabrication awards from the Custom Home Furnishing Conference in Greenville,SC

Past/Present Clients
I sew retail and wholesale for the Interior Desing Trade.

   

You are here:  Experts > Home/Garden > Arts and Crafts > Sewing

Questions Answered By Expert  Claudia Buchanan 
In Category  Sewing

SubjectDate Asked

dense foam pillow11/20/2009
  Q: 3 questions actually: 1. I have the piping filling and the fabric. The fabric has a stripe in ...
  A: Mary 1. Yes you should cut the welt cord fabric on the bias. You could make your bias in a accent ...
Tailored twin bedskirt with split corners11/13/2009
  Q: I want to make a split corner tailored bedskirt for an unusual bed. As you can see from the photo ...
  A: Mother Barbara, 1. I prefer all of my bed skirts, I don't like the ready-made look and it they ...
Sheer curtains11/9/2009
  Q: I have to shorten by 10 inches some very expensive decorative polyester sheer window panels. I have ...
  A: Personally, I send my sheer draperies out to another workroom and I have been sewing draperies for ...
taking in seam9/18/2009
  Q: Can you help me take in my pants in the legs...they look to baggy and i would like them to be ...
  A: Start by taking out the hem. Put the pants on wrong side out and have some one pin the area that ...
Singer 401A8/17/2009
  Q: My Mother's estate includes a Singer 401A we're thinking she purchased in the early 70's. How much ...
  A: This machine is my favorite machine. I got one for my 8th grade graduation in 1961. I have ...
recycled pillow stuffing6/30/2009
  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 ...
how turn a narrow tube right side out6/4/2009
  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 ...
Sears model 385.8152X5/16/2009
  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 ...
crumpled drapes5/2/2009
  Q: We have just bought some expensive curtains (as we in U.K. call drapes) made for us and they appear ...
  A: Andy, I have found that some fabrics are not woven on the straight of the grain, so if you ...
crumpled drapes5/1/2009
  Q: We have just bought some expensive curtains (as we in U.K. call drapes) made for us and they appear ...
  A: Andy, It could be static, but it looks like the fabric is not hanging straight. If you had a ...
hammock4/29/2009
  Q: i bought 9 feet of canvas to make a hammock, but I'm noticing that the edges are fraying. I know now ...
  A: Daren, Yes it would be very important to sew a hem on each side of the fabric. I would suggest ...
sewing4/18/2009
  Q: Can you please instruct me to make a canopy topper for a double hung window. I purchased cotton ...
  A: Linda, Could you describe what your canopy topper will look like? or is it a awning topper? What ...
sewing with a ruffler4/12/2009
  Q: I'm sewing with Pfaff expression 2034. I'm adding a ruffle to already made curtains. I'm going by ...
  A: Jenny, I understand! You will need to do a test with your ruffler to see the fullness of the ...
Ladies jacket alteration3/30/2009
  Q: I have bought a beautiful suit on clearance and the jacket is a size too small. It is too tight at ...
  A: Tatjana, If you were to alter the jacket you would only gain 1/2 inch? Would that be enough? Most ...
crotch too long3/25/2009
  Q: I just purchased a jumpsuit, love the suit, but the crotch is too long and the bottom needs hemming. ...
  A: Dana, Sorry to say, if you don't raise the pants up to the waist line you will still need to take ...
thread breakage3/24/2009
  Q: I have an older Singer machine-# 6105. My thread from the top is breaking. I start to sew and it ...
  A: Monica, Have you tried changing the needle? The next thing I would suggest is to take the machine ...
Singer Stylist 5333/22/2009
  Q: How can I adjust the tension of the bobbin, the top stitch looks great, but bottom is extremely ...
  A: Robin, Let me clarify what you are saying, the stitch on the top of the fabric looks OK, and the ...
polar fleece sewing3/11/2009
  Q: I keep having trouble with my machine skipping stitches, especially when sewing the velcro, but ...
  A: Tamara, It sounds like your machine could be out of time, you might need to take it in to the ...
Singer 99K sewing machine2/27/2009
  Q: I purchased this machine at goodwill for 15.00 it works good, except the bobbin thread keeps ...
  A: Mysty, When the stitch is a mess on the bottom of the fabric it usually meant that the tension is ...
Lower bobbin trouble2/25/2009
  Q: I just recently was given a Kenmore sewing machine model # 158.13250. I'm somewhat familar with ...
  A: Linda, Can you tighten the screw? If not I would suggest taking it to a repair person. There also ...
fitting sleeves of a jacket2/23/2009
  Q: I am making a jacket and the top of the sleeves had to be increased as my arm is large from the ...
  A: Bonnie, I would add extra at the side seam. You could add a little at the shoulder seam, but not as ...
Waistband Sewing2/13/2009
  Q: i make custom boxing trunks for pro boxers and i was wondering if you could tell me what would be ...
  A: JJ, I don't sew much clothing anymore. But I would sew a longer straight stitch. A ziz zag would ...
reducing size of comforter.2/5/2009
  Q: How do I go about reducing a full size comforter to twin? It's polyester filled.
  A: Kathleen, 1. I would suggest measure and mark the comforter to the size needed and allow a large ...
elastic measurements/application1/31/2009
  Q: How do you measure for and apply elastic to an oval shape. I am trying to make a table cover (oval ...
  A: Patricia, The elastic length should be 3-4" smaller than the circumference of the table top, so that ...
elastic measurements/application1/30/2009
  Q: How do you measure for and apply elastic to an oval shape. I am trying to make a table cover (oval ...
  A: Patricia, 1. Measure the diameter of your table + height of table + inches that it is going to fold ...
Wool Coat1/23/2009
  Q: My daughter is making a wool coat for a 4-H project. What type of needle would you recommend ...
  A: Lisa, Sorry I missed your follow up e-mail. Yes, I would serge them individually before sewing the ...
Wool Coat1/23/2009
  Q: My daughter is making a wool coat for a 4-H project. What type of needle would you recommend ...
  A: Lisa, So glad to hear your daughter is in 4-H, I was a state award winner in 4-H sewing win I was a ...
Prom Dress1/21/2009
  Q: Ok, I'm a senior in high school, and i wanna make my prom dress for our up coming prom. I have ...
  A: Kalieah, I suggest that you go to the local fabric store and see if they have any classes. You ...
bobbins1/18/2009
  Q: i have just been given a singer 720 sewing machine,i am having problems with the bobbin ,it has a ...
  A: Anne, I'm sure I will not be much help! But did you change the needle? and make sure there is no ...
speed of machine1/18/2009
  Q: My machine (singer magic 22) is from the 80's but was/ is working fine. However, it seems to run at ...
  A: Diane, Most likely it is not the foot petal, call the repair location and ask them if the can set ...
replacing a zipper in a jacket ,1/8/2009
  Q: i am trying to replace a zipper in a hunting jacket and the zipper i had to purchase is one that ...
  A: Jacque, If the zipper pull is plastic maybe a hammer! Just joking of course. If is is metal ...
skating attire1/7/2009
  Q: I need to know when sewing 2 way and 4 way stretch fabric what type of needle do I use in my machine ...
  A: Cathy, Use a ball point needle, and a longer stitch but not a basting stitch when sewing this ...
Walking Foot11/30/2008
  Q: I have a Brother LS-1217 and just tried to install a Creative Sewing Solutions walking foot. The ...
  A: Becky, Is the walking foot from Brother? Most likely they sell one with a longer shaft for your ...
Fabric Length after Blind Hemming Sides11/12/2008
  Q: I have a Tacsew blind hemming machine that I use for fabricating draperies. When I stitch the side ...
  A: Tanya, Yes you can make the bottom hem a tench longer at the outside edge, also using weights will ...
Fabric Length after Blind Hemming Sides11/12/2008
  Q: I have a Tacsew blind hemming machine that I use for fabricating draperies. When I stitch the side ...
  A: Tanya, Are you using the guide? Is it eating up the hem edge or is it getting narrower in the width ...
using Velcro11/11/2008
  Q: I want to attach a fabric skirt to an "L" shaped counter I sew on ---to hide storage underneath. My ...
  A: Roxanne, Use the sticky side to adhere to the counter and buy the soft side in a not sticky velcro ...
How to thread?10/21/2008
  Q: I have used a sewing machine before in highschool. But recently I recieved an older model and I'm ...
  A: Renee, Here is a lead for a instructions manual. Singer 354 Genie Instruction ManualBlack and ...
Singer 401 machines10/16/2008
  Q: Is there any difference between the 401 and the 401A? Will the 401 Instruction booklet work for the ...
  A: Anne, I think they are the the same? The A just came out later. I have a 401A and love the old ...
Fringing a jacket10/7/2008
  Q: I have some fabric that ravels and I want to fringe the collar, sleeve bottom and the bottom of the ...
  A: I would suggest that you create a stitch line at the breaking point of which you want your fringe to ...
help with bobbin for Kenmore 385.152124009/18/2008
  Q: I am new to sewing and have only sewn one blanket so far. I decided to try another project but I ...
  A: Weslee, There are several things that could be causing this to happen: 1. Change the needle 2. ...
Making lined drapes8/27/2008
  Q: I have two windows that measures 34 1/2" wide by 60" long. My fabric is 52" wide. If I cut the ...
  A: Barbara, I did understand, I own a professional drapery workroom and we sew custom draperies so my ...
Making lined drapes8/26/2008
  Q: I have two windows that measures 34 1/2" wide by 60" long. My fabric is 52" wide. If I cut the ...
  A: Barbara, The minimum fullness would be 2.25 times fullness for your panels. If you use a 1/2 width ...
Singer 401A Model8/24/2008
  Q: I have recently pulled out my mother's Singer 401A sewing machine. Taken it to a repairman & had it ...
  A: Donna, I have 3 401A machines and I love the old work horse machines. They never let you down. ...
lost Herrschners Kit8/20/2008
  Q: IN about 1986, my mother bought a kit from a Herrschners catalog. In this kit was a white Baby crib ...
  A: Ladybuguboo, I forgot all about Herrschners Catalog, It has been so many years. You might post your ...
singer600E/ bobbin holder7/1/2008
  Q: After filling a bobbin the bobbin case became dislodged I need to know how it goes back. Please ...
  A: Helen, I think there is a better person to ask, I a have a 401A but I'm not familiar with the 600 ...
there is aproblem with something6/20/2008
  Q: I properly threaded my string! But evertime i begin to sew my stirng kept on breaking, after about ...
  A: 1. Have you changed your needle? (should change every 8 sewing hours) 2. Is your machine correctly ...
Altering Pants6/19/2008
  Q: I have recently lost about 70 lbs and all of my clothes are too big. I would love some information ...
  A: Bonita, I would take up the side seams and take off the waist band and alter the darts(if any) and ...
i want 20 general safety precautions of sewing machine6/18/2008
  Q: can you give me some general precatuions how to used the sewing machine properly
  A: 20 precautions? I can only offer the most important safety rule! Think about it... They have a ...
sewing with lace6/7/2008
  Q: I am making a long dress to wear at my son's wedding. The dress ( Simplicity 5561) is solid fabric ...
  A: Vicky, I looked at the pattern and I would suggest using the dress fabric and making a bias tape ...

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