1000 Things to Do with a Sewing Machine!

Now, now, I know that sometimes you might feel like doing this (as do I!), but don’t throw out your baby… that is NOT one of the 1000 Things to Do!

Instead, here’s the start of my “1000 Things to Do with a Sewing Machine!” 

ARTICLES:  Colette Patterns Pants Fitting Cheat Sheet

BAGGING THE LINING:  sewing the jacket outer shell and the lining separately, then sewing the two together along certain edges, turning them inside out perfectly –  example, example, example

BIAS TAPE/BINDING:  narrow strips of fabric cut on the bias for piping, binding seams, finishing raw edges; double fold bias tape looks like single fold bias tape that has been folded and ironed in half along the centre line

• SINGLE FOLD BIAS TAPE – example, example, example, example, example, example
• DOUBLE FOLD BIAS TAPE – example, example, example
• SELF MADE BIAS TAPE – example

BODICE, SELF LINED:  the bodice and lining are sewn together on certain edges, then tuned inside out – example

BOOKS:

• Create the Perfect Fit by Joi Mahon
• How to use, adapt, and design sewing patterns by Lee Hollahan
• Pattern Fitting with confidence by Nancy Zieman

BUTTON HOLES:  My good, bad and ugly – example

COLETTE PATTERNS PANTS FITTING CHEAT SHEET:  here

COLLARS:

• STAND UP COLLAR – example

COWL NECKLINE:  example

DISTRESSING JEANS:  using 220 (fine) sandpaper to distress cotton denim – example. example, example

DRESS FORM FITTING:  Some dress forms are just fine out of the box, but here is how I changed “Dolly” – example

ELASTIC CORD:  sewn in to fabric to gather it – example, example

GODET:  triangular pieces of fabric put in the bottom hem of a dress or skirt to make it flared – example

HEMS:

• hemming polyester chiffon with Wonder Tape – example
• hemming polyester lycra with single fold bias tape – example

INFINITY SCARF:  example

INVISIBLE ZIPPER:  example

JEANS – BUTTONS AND RIVETS:  example

MATCHING STRIPES:  example

MUSLIN:  PANT/TROUSER – example

PANT/TROUSER FITTING – example

PATTERN BLOCKS:

• BODICE – example, example
• PANT/TROUSER – example
• SKIRT – example

PLEATS:

• BOX (INVERTED) PLEATS – a pleat with two edges facing in opposite directions – example, example, example, example

POCKETS:

• FAUX POCKETS with a side zipper – example
• PATCH POCKETS –  example
• SLASH POCKETS – example
• WELT POCKETS – example
• ZIPPER POCKETS – example, example, example

SEAM BINDING:  example, example, example

SEAMS:

• FLAT FELLED SEAMS – a really strong seam finish, often on jeans and shirts – example
• FRENCH SEAMS – good for sheer (polyester chiffon) silk fabrics; it’s sewn twice, once on the right side and once on the wrong side – example, example
• POLYESTER LYCRA SEAMS – example
• PRINCESS SEAMS – example

SERGER:  

• MAKING A ROLLED HEM – example

SET IN SLEEVES – example

SEWING MACHINE FEET:

• 1/4″ INCH FOOT – sews a 1/4″ seam or you can sew a neat row of top stitching 1/4″ away from your fabric edge – example, example, example, example, example, example, example
• BLIND HEM FOOT – used with a blind hem stitch to invisibly sew up your pant hems or if you position your needle to the left you can sew a neat row of top stitching very close to your fabric edge – example, example, example, example, example, example

SEWING NEEDLES:

• TWIN NEEDLE – example, example

SLEEVE GUSSET ZIPPER:  example

SLOPERS:

• BODICE – example,  example
• PANT/TROUSER – example, example
• SKIRT – example

STITCHES:

• TOPSTITCHING – one or two rows of straight stitching on the right side of a garment edge. Can use contrasting thread.  Easy to do with a 1/4″ foot and/or a blind hem foot – example, example, example, example, example, example
• UNDERSTITCHING – example, example, example, example

TRACING/MARKING PATTERNS:  example, example, example

UNDER CHEST ELASTIC BAND:  example

VINTAGE SEWING MACHINE RESOURCES:  Websites:  Ismacs.net, Sewalot.com, OldSewingGear.com, TreadleOn.net, and on Facebook:  Vintage Sewing Machines, Vintage Singer Sewing Machines, Vintage Sewing Machines (Non-Singer)

WAIST BANDS:

• PANT/TROUSER – elastic waist band – example, example
• SKIRT – elastic waist band, either all around or just in the back – example, example, example
• YOGA PANT – elastic waist band – example 

WONDER TAPE:  example, example, example, example, example, example

ZIPPERS:

• FLY FRONT ZIPPER (jean’s style) – example, example, example, example
• HAND PICKED ZIPPER – example
• HOUSE COAT/ROBE ZIPPER – example
• INVISIBLE ZIPPER – example, example, example
• SIDE SEAM ZIPPER with a faux pocket – example
• SLEEVE GUSSET ZIPPER – example
• ZIPPER POCKET – example, example, example

Have I missed anything?  Of course I have!  But as with any sewist, there is lots of room to grow.  So I will be updating this list periodically as I try more!

If you have questions, suggestions or would just like to leave me a comment, please do!  You know how I love to talk!

Happy Sewing!

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