| Subject | Date Asked |
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| dense foam pillow | 11/20/2009 |
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 ...
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| Tailored twin bedskirt with split corners | 11/13/2009 |
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 ...
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| Sheer curtains | 11/9/2009 |
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 ...
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| taking in seam | 9/18/2009 |
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 ...
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| Singer 401A | 8/17/2009 |
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 ...
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| recycled pillow stuffing | 6/30/2009 |
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 ...
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| how turn a narrow tube right side out | 6/4/2009 |
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 ...
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| Sears model 385.8152X | 5/16/2009 |
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 ...
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| crumpled drapes | 5/2/2009 |
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 ...
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| crumpled drapes | 5/1/2009 |
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 ...
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| hammock | 4/29/2009 |
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 ...
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| sewing | 4/18/2009 |
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 ...
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| sewing with a ruffler | 4/12/2009 |
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 ...
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| Ladies jacket alteration | 3/30/2009 |
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 ...
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| crotch too long | 3/25/2009 |
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 ...
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| thread breakage | 3/24/2009 |
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 ...
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| Singer Stylist 533 | 3/22/2009 |
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 ...
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| polar fleece sewing | 3/11/2009 |
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 ...
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| Singer 99K sewing machine | 2/27/2009 |
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 ...
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| Lower bobbin trouble | 2/25/2009 |
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 ...
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| fitting sleeves of a jacket | 2/23/2009 |
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 ...
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| Waistband Sewing | 2/13/2009 |
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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| elastic measurements/application | 1/31/2009 |
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 ...
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| elastic measurements/application | 1/30/2009 |
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 ...
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| Wool Coat | 1/23/2009 |
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 ...
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| Wool Coat | 1/23/2009 |
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 ...
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| Prom Dress | 1/21/2009 |
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 ...
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| bobbins | 1/18/2009 |
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 ...
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| speed of machine | 1/18/2009 |
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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| skating attire | 1/7/2009 |
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 ...
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| Walking Foot | 11/30/2008 |
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 ...
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| Fabric Length after Blind Hemming Sides | 11/12/2008 |
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 ...
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| Fabric Length after Blind Hemming Sides | 11/12/2008 |
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 ...
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| using Velcro | 11/11/2008 |
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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| Singer 401 machines | 10/16/2008 |
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 ...
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| Fringing a jacket | 10/7/2008 |
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 ...
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| help with bobbin for Kenmore 385.15212400 | 9/18/2008 |
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. ...
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| Making lined drapes | 8/27/2008 |
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 ...
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| Making lined drapes | 8/26/2008 |
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 ...
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| Singer 401A Model | 8/24/2008 |
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. ...
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| lost Herrschners Kit | 8/20/2008 |
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 ...
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| singer600E/ bobbin holder | 7/1/2008 |
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 ...
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| there is aproblem with something | 6/20/2008 |
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 ...
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| Altering Pants | 6/19/2008 |
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 ...
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| i want 20 general safety precautions of sewing machine | 6/18/2008 |
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 ...
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| sewing with lace | 6/7/2008 |
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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