| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| crumpled drapes | 5/1/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
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 | Claudia Buchanan |
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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| Re: Tension Issue? | 4/28/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: My top thread is being pulled to the back of the fabric several more times then needed...the right ...
A: I found this link that may be helpful because it goes into much more detail than I did earlier. ...
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| Re: Tension Issue? | 4/28/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: My top thread is being pulled to the back of the fabric several more times then needed...the right ...
A: First most important step is to clean the lint, thread, etc. out of the bobbin casing area and under ...
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| calculating pleats | 4/28/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: help. i have a dress, bottom width 73". i have a ruffle piece 138" wide. i want to pleat the ruffle ...
A: I am doing this explanation assuming that the measurements you have given me are with finished ...
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| Mens suit sleeve shortening + Taking in back seam | 4/27/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I have read your answer to Virginia, thank you very much for that info. I DO want to put the vents ...
A: Please write and let me know what has confused you so that I may help you get a finished look on the ...
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| loop tape | 4/27/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I have a wedding dress I want to put a back corset in like the one at ...
A: What is pictured is probably not a loop tape. Whoever made the dress made her own loops either from ...
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| trying to work out what kind of fabric I have | 4/24/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I am sorting through my craft room at the moment. Because I do lots of work with kids, a number of ...
A: The only way I can think of would be to wash the fabric and let it dry naturally. I think most 100% ...
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| Alterations | 4/21/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I am making a first holy communion dress for my god child and the pattern I had to alter as she is ...
A: I think you could put an extra piece of fabric in the armhole area, but I need to know what kind of ...
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| sewing | 4/18/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
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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| to do I get a "raw edge" look without rolling? | 4/16/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: Is there a trick to getting a "raw edge" or frayed look to a knit fabric edge? 100% cotton knits ...
A: The beauty of knit fabrics is that they do not ravel or fray. You will need to use a woven fabric ...
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| woven overlay on knit fabric | 4/16/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: Do you know if I can successfully use a 100% cotton WOVEN, tissue weight fabric as an overlay on a ...
A: Yes, you can use the woven fabric as an overlay over a knit, but realize that the woven fabric will ...
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| sewing with a ruffler | 4/12/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
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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| Singer 500a Rocketeer reverse stitching.. | 4/8/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: Bill! I just received an old Singer 500a Rocketeer and it did not come with a manual. I feel silly ...
A: Over by the right side is a lever that is your stitch length control. Moving it down will give a ...
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| Singer 328k Style-O-Matic | 4/8/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: Is there a buttonholer for this machine?
A: Yes, it is possible to make buttonholes with the machine if you have a book for it. Also you can ...
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| drapery making classes | 4/7/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: I am looking for some drapery making classes in the Michigan, Ohio or Ill area... any ideas? ...
A: I have several ideas of people who may be able to help you. My question would be where are you ...
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| Featherweight 221 | 4/6/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: I just got a Featherweight 221 at a G-sale. The flywheel would not turn, so I did a search and came ...
A: Yes, It sounds like there is threads stuck in behind the bobbin case base. Usually you can pick them ...
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| shirt length of mens casual shirt | 4/6/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: My husbands casual style button down shirts are to long when he leaves them untucked. What length ...
A: I believe that the shirt length should be where your husband is comfortable with it. I don't know ...
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| singer 128-23 restoration/repair | 4/5/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: I have a singer 128-23 manufactured in 1937. It doesn't sew a very consistent stitch (tension)- it ...
A: The 201-2 just seems to be a little bit more smooth running than the 15-91....however, others may ...
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| alter slacks | 4/4/2009 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: I have 6 pr. new, good quality slacks Size 22-24--all were "just a little snug" when I bought them, ...
A: Firstly, Congratulations on your weight loss! That is a wonderful achievement and I am so proud of ...
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| broke | 4/4/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: broke , motor runs up but needle does not move
A: That question is kinda like emailing your auto mech and saying 'my car is broke' how do I fix it. ...
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| sewing speed | 4/4/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: If i put a larger pulley on my industrial to slow it down will it upset the sewing. I am only a ...
A: It shouldn't if it is a machine that is run by a belt and you can make the belt longer. Shouldn't ...
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| Singer 500a Stitch Selector Jammed | 4/4/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: I recently purchased a Singer 500a "Rocketeer". The straight stitching is going great, but it's all ...
A: I am attaching an oiling diagram of the 500A. These sit for a while and the old oil makes them ...
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| singer 248 | 4/4/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: i've recently been given/lent a singer 248 machine, and found that it doesn't have the manual with ...
A: Just push in on the center button on the stitch length control knob! It is spring loaded so when you ...
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| sewing | 4/4/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: How does one enlarge a smaller pattern to fit a larger body size? Too late I realized my ready to ...
A: First, take your body measurements...bust, waist, and hips and compare these measurements to the ...
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| Fitting formalwear | 4/3/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I am making my wedding dress for my second wedding using Kwiksew pattern 3562. I did not find any ...
A: Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I really like this dress style. And it is a flattering ...
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| Singer Little Touch & Sew | 4/3/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: I got this little machine at our church's Thrift Shop and cannot figure out how to thread the ...
A: Sorry to disapoint you but you are wasting your time. Those were JUNK and we (Singer stores) sold ...
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| Singer 4228 - Top thread fraying and breaking | 4/3/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: I'm having trouble with the top thread on my Singer Inspiration 4228 fraying and breaking. I've been ...
A: I think first you should put in another new needle as this one may have a sharp place inside the ...
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| singer 128-23 restoration/repair | 4/3/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: I have a singer 128-23 manufactured in 1937. It doesn't sew a very consistent stitch (tension)- it ...
A: That machine isn't worth much and unless it has sentimental value I wouldn't waste my time on it. ...
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| Teddy bear patterns | 4/3/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: One of my friends is having a baby and I want to make a teddy bear for the shower. I've looke at as ...
A: Until attempting to answer your question, I never realized there were no good floppy teddy bear ...
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| Cutting and Sewing Slippery Fabrics | 4/2/2009 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: My daughter is having trouble cutting out a skirt from georgette fabric as it keeps slipping about. ...
A: I have a great tip for you and your daughter, to stop the fabric from moving around so much! Lay ...
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| kenmore sensor sew 100 | 4/2/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: I cleaned some caught threads now my needle, which I changed three times, hits the plate not the ...
A: Sorry, but I know almost nothing about the Kenmore Sensor Sew. Sears machine were never made by ...
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| Singer 626 - Bobbin not threading - Gears not touching | 4/2/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: Bill, My girlfriend has a Singer 626 that won't thread the bobbin. I opened the machine up and ...
A: Sorry, but I thought you were talking about the gears over by the hook! You would NEVER be able to ...
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| Silk/leather | 4/1/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I would like to know how to sew silk with leather and what tools I may need. I have a Kenmore sewing ...
A: There are special leather needles made for your Kenmore machine. They should be available at your ...
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| Singer 237 bobbin | 4/1/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: Hey! I just got a Singer 237 model machine and for some reason I can't get it to catch the bobbin ...
A: You may need to loosen that upper tension just a bit more because your stitching should be the same ...
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| tension problems | 4/1/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I have a singer 6235 machine. After threading my machine ("new" to me!), I am attempting to ...
A: First, make absolutely sure you are threading properly and that the thread is not catching anywhere ...
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| altering ladies pants | 3/31/2009 | Vinette de Phillipe |
Q: I am currently losing weight with weight watchers. I have lost 20 lbs. and my pants are getting ...
A: probably the easiest way is to use the inseam to adjust the legs. since you are doing great in ...
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| Singer 626 - Bobbin not threading - Gears not touching | 3/30/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: Bill, My girlfriend has a Singer 626 that won't thread the bobbin. I opened the machine up and ...
A: Chances are the plastic gears have just 'peeled' enough themselves so that they don't touch. They ...
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| Kenmore Sewing Machine | 3/30/2009 | Bill Eaton |
Q: All but one bobbin to my Kenmore Sewing Machine (knee run) was lost in a move. Kenmore Model 83, ...
A: Sears says no parts availible, but email Cindy Peters at stitchesintime.net I think this takes the ...
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| Making Canopy for Bed | 3/30/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I want to piece together 5 separate queen size quilts (cotton fabric and filling; purchased at ...
A: I would use the snap tape described in the following link. I don't think you would have to put a ...
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