Darlene’s Thread: Making Thread Trim with Your Perfect Finish Singer Sewing Machine
The Original Sewing and Quilting Expo in Lakeland, FL was fantastic! I’m still working through all the tips from the tailoring classes I attended. There were some new and exciting vendors in the EXPO hall, and sewers from all over were stuffing their shopping bags. There’s no doubt that sewers from every state and age group are striving for command of their skill set. At HSN, we wrapped up National Craft Month with the Perfect Finish Today’s Special on March 30th! Thank you all for your orders, and for flooding my mailbox with kind e-mails.
Making Thread Trim with Your Perfect Finish Singer Sewing Machine
Knowing that “practice improves proficiency”, I couldn’t wait to unpack all the Today’s Special bins and boxes, and continue to experiment with a few new techniques that I showed you on-air. If you’re going to practice, wouldn’t it be nice to have something to show for your time spent acquiring your new skill? I ordered quite a few new serger threads such as Candlelight, Pearl Crown Rayon, and YLI Designer 6.
I cut 1/2″ bias strips (diagonal cuts across the grain) of organza and folded them in half lengthwise and pressed them to 1/4″ –doubled. Set the serger for 3-thread with left needle only. Engaged the stitch finger, and set the width to 7. Used one of the cool new threads in the upper looper–upper looper tension had to go to ZERO–and tightened the lower looper regular thread just a bit, and balanced it with the left needle tension. In other words, test a few strips until it looks right. Now you can enjoy making yards and yards of new Thread Trim!
A
h…but what to do with all this trim when you’re done? Turn the strips thread side down on the ironing board and press flat. Cut 1/4″ strips of Wonder Under (paper-backed heat-activated fusible web—if you have it flat by the bolt—it also comes pre-cut and in rolls). Position the sticky side of the strip on top of the wrong side of the Thread Trim and press in place over the trim to adhere. Allow to cool. Now remove the paper and position the Thread Trim on your project, and carefully press in place. Resist the temptation to blast it with steam. Once all of your strands are in place, press a piece of Fusible Tear-Away Stabilizer under the entire area for stability–this step is critical for no pucker results!
Set your machine for 2.0 zig-zag and stitch completely around each Thread Trim being certain to back-tack and sew extra stitching on the ends to prevent unraveling. Instant wearable art! I added some glass teardrop stones that I harvested from an old Burlesque costume, and a small beaded flower from my stash to bring focus to the center and contrast with the light blue Thread Trims. When I was happy with the design, I completed the tee-shirt with my serger, and topstitched the collar seam allowance down for the final step!
Perfect Tension: Three Tips to Keep in Mind
If you’re new to the world of sewing or new to the top loading drop in bobbin keep these three tips in mind:
1) When you’ve finished threading the bobbin, you should see the bobbin thread crossing over the top of the bobbin on its way up through the needle plate. When there’s tension problems as in “Birds Nests” in the bobbin area, you may not have threaded the bobbin correctly.
2) Only use the manufacturers needles and bobbins. Tiny ‘frog-hair’ differences can wreak havoc with your tension.
3) If your bobbin looks great and you’re still getting tension problems make sure that the take up lever is threaded. With take-up levers hidden behind machine housing in most of today’s machines, this is an easy one to miss.
Wishing each one of you a glorious Easter holiday!
Here are my show times for April and May:
April 27th at 7am and 9pm
April 30th at 8am and 3pm (Singer sewing)
May 1st at 2pm (Singer garment press)
May 16th at 6am (Singer ironing)
May 17th at 5am and 5pm (Brother sewing), 8am and 4pm (Smart Cover)
May 24 at 6am and 5pm (Singer sewing), 9am (Singer ironing)
May 25th at 7am and 12pm (Singer sewing)
May 31st at 5am (Singer Ironing)
See you on air,
Darlene
More Sewing Tips from Darlene Cahill:
» Top 10 Sewing Tips to Always Remember
» Choosing the Right Scissors to Make the Cut
» Which Sewing Machine is Right for You
More Sewing and Crafts from HSN.com:
» Shop sewing new arrivals
» Stay steady and organized with a great sewing table
» Shop all crafts and sewing supplies
Darlene, I bought the Computerized machine this morning Item 191-864. How can I get a copy of those stitches that you had on the top of the machine?
Also, you should start a sewing CD school for us to purchase to learn all that you are doing on the show. Thanks
Hi, Darlene
This is Cheryl. As far as embroidery machines, is the Quattro that much better over the SES-1200 (or something like that). I bought the singer SES, and I was wondering what are the real differences are for the two different sewing machines. The only thing that I can see is the larger embroidery size. Are there more differnces than that? I appreciate the help you have already given me in ideas. You’re one of a kind. Thank you.
Darlene
Watching you on HSN is more than a joy. Because of you, I purchased the Brother PC420 sewing machine and the Brother Serger 1034D. I love them both. Thank you for all you teach in your delightful way at that. And thank you for all the free sewing tips which I do use and find useful. You have great ideas that you share and inspire me to start sewing …. I even have the reminder set up so HSN emails me and shows me the dates to watch you. Youre the best and HSN is lucky to have you.
Darlene, Above you wrote: “1)When you’ve finished threading the bobbin, you should see the bobbin thread crossing over the top of the bobbin on its way up through the needle plate.” I’ve boughten 3-1 was gift-Singer top loading drop in bobbin machines in the last 2 years, this is something I had to figure out myself as it is not pictured or stated in any of the manuals! Thread often comes up without laying across bobbin. I think Singer needs to put this VITAL info in the manual with a picture!
Hi Judyan,
Sounds as though you have everything you need—-except an embroidery machine with the larger field and software. Look for the Singer Quartet in September or October…..not quite sure yet but the buyers are working on it!You may want to pick up the Singer® Expert Finish 1700-Watt Steam Iron
Item: 960-258; I’m lovin’ mine!
Happy Sewing!
Darlene
Love your shows I learn so much from them. I purchased the PERFECT FINISH pair and love them. I also have the Singer Pro 5 thread serger, Brother PC420 runway and the Brother PE700II. Do you know if HSN will be carrying the Singer Quartet or the XL400 Embroidery machine. I love the larger embroidery field that they have.
Thank you for all your great sewing tips.
Judyan