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!