Read HSN Blogs for up-close and personal opinions, news and
stories from your favorite HSN celebrities and experts.
HSN Blogs
Jewelry

Get glamorous with buying guides from jewelry experts

Beauty

Get lovely with our beloved beauty brands and experts

Crafts & Sewing

Get creative and make something completely unique

Fashion

Get fashionable with advice from celebrities & trendsetters

Home Decor

Get decorating with expert tips and advice

Show Hosts

Get personal with our on-air personalities

HSN Blogs » Crafts & Sewing

January Blog

Submitted by Darlene Cahill on January 7, 2009 – 11:19 AM13 Comments

darlene blog January Blog
Hello Sewing Enthusiasts,Happy New Year! I’m typing this with arms that feel like wet dish rags due to my New Year’s resolution: Work on the old BODY!!! I signed up at the YMCA and have been beating myself up in classes. (I refuse to turn into the very foodstuff I detest…marshmallow!)New Year, New Leaf, New You… right? We all do it every year and then two months later, the resolutions fade into the background. This year we can keep them alive and growing and we’ll celebrate together in December of ’09 when we measure our accomplishments. Deal?I think that if you look closely at mass produced items, you’ll be surprised. There is little tailoring, poor fit and sloppy finishes. If you’re going to make something that looks mass produced, just go buy it, it’s probably less expensive. But if you want to make interesting items that stand out from the rest, unique garments that you can’t find in the stores, pieces that exceed your expectations, then you have to invest some quality time with your new love…sewing.My father always told me that anything worth doing was worth doing well so this year we’re going to improve our sewing skills. I’m asking you to put aside the gluegun (at least for sewing projects) and dust off the sewing machine. If you’re going to show it… You have to sew-it! We’ve got clothes to restyle and items to repurpose and throw-aways to recycle so set your thinking cap to ‘out-of-the-box’ and let’s begin.Let’s consider a quick wardrobe assessment. What patterns, textures and styles are pleasing to you? Do you love the neckline on one blouse and the sleeves from another? If you haven’t worn the garment for over a year, it’s time to cannibalize your old styles to create something exciting and new by using proven elements that you know will work for you. It’s the subtle art of borrowing.Think of being a sewing adventurer when it comes to mixing fabric types such as silk and knits or when using color waves in unexpected combinations. ‘Borrow’ a sweater’s full sleeves to add an unusual element of interest to a silk sheath dress or cut an old mini’s hemline on the bias and add diagonal layers to make it the length you want.If you get stuck, I invite you to Google me and write. Together in 2009, we can make a difference in your life with our sewing machines. I’ll be adding projects and introducing quilting this month so keep checking back and feel free to browse our website first for all your sewing needs.EMBROIDERY TIPS:FUTURA embroidery with AUTO CROSS STITCH is for embroidering any digital design in a finish that resembles the fine skill of cross stitching.  The advantage to doing it by machine is that the machine does all the work, it takes much less time and leaves no knots on the backside of the fabric. Below is a cross stitch of clip art or digital artwork. This is different than a photograph for which you would use the photo stitch software. Notice how all the stitches below on the pillowcase border are executed in tiny “X” patterns. You can set the size of these crosses in your AUTO CROSS STITCH wizard as it takes you step by step in the set up process when you’re planning your embroidery design. The default setting and  the one directly below are set at 2mm.

010809 darleneCahill1 January Blog 010809 darleneCahill2 January Blog

The stitches below on the kitchen hand towel are even closer and the border around the outside has been satin stitched for contrast. Remember that the larger the stitches are, the more ‘hand-cross-stitched’ it will look. So when you’re looking for that ‘heart-to-hand’ touch, delve into your auto-cross-stitch software and go to town discover the new generation of cross-stitching!

010809 darleneCahill3 January Blog 010809 darleneCahill4 January Blog

NEW ITEMS:

  1. Dritz Packaged Cheesecloth - 36" x 9'

    MELROSE CRAFT IRON
    Item: 362-263

    Introducing…My brand new “hot off the press” powerful Melrose Mini Craft Iron with temperature control and bursts of vertical steam that fits in the palm of your hand. It’s the perfect size for small clothes, quilt blocks, sewing & crafting —even travel! This charming dynamo sports a non-stick Teflon soleplate with 4 steam holes and a seven foot nine inch cord!!!

    The travel friendly Melrose non-stick iron has a detachable brush for vertically steaming napped fabrics while removing lint and pet hair. The vertical steam also helps to eliminate odors on dry clean items. This dual voltage wonder works dry or with steam to eliminate wrinkles and to set in pleats. The tiny presser is also a favorite among sewers and crafters for small piecework and appliqué projects.

    The Melrose Mini Craft Iron comes with a two ounce beaker to measure and pour water into the opaque Caribbean blue reservoir.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Q: How do I make the FUTURA do the serging feature?
A: Make sure that the sewing machine is turned off and disconnected from your computer. (removing the silver USB cable). 2- Reset the feed dogs to their uppermost sewing positions. 3- Change the tension back to regular sewing. 4-Thread the machine upper and lower thread now as it is extremely difficult once the serging attachment is in place. 5- remove the embroidery foot or whatever foot you currently have on the machine including the ankle or shank screw. 6- screw on the serger attachment making sure that the bent metal is grabbing the shank bar and that the lobster claw is around the needle bar on the opposite side . (see photo)

010809 darleneCahill5 January Blog 010809 darleneCahill6 January Blog

Once you have the foot in place,7- be sure to pre-clip the first inch BEFORE you set the fabric in place under the foot. 8- choose the overcastting stitch and give yourself plenty of room in the width to clear the center bar on the foot.

010809 darleneCahill7 January Blog

Q: What size needles do I use when I’m embroidering?
A: Your FUTURA comes with an assortment of needles for both wovens and stretch. I have the best success with the 14/90 for most embroidery, including those done with my Melrose thread. When you are embroidering a knit, use the ballpoint needles or else you could end up with a big jam of fabric in your bobbin area and subsequently, a ruined project. Remember to change them when you change projects or fabric types.

Q: My thread is shredding. What am I doing wrong?
A: If you’re using a 40 weight tri-lobal polyester and are experiencing shredding, loosen the tension a bit. I often embroider with my tension all the way to ‘O’. It doesn’t HAVE to be on “E”. I have to admit that when I use rayon thread on the FUTURA, I am also frustrated with shredding and disappointed with the results. Rayon is not as strong for high speed embroidery and the FUTURA really hauls butt when embroidering. If you’re using the size 11/80 needle, move up to a larger size such as the 14/90 or even the 16/100 if your fabric is extra heavy or the stitches are very dense. You may want to try my Melrose Polyester thread. It is a commercial grade thread available for home use in value packs.

WHEN TO WATCH:
January 29th – A new SINGER Sewing machine Today’s Special

You’re starting the year off on the right foot if you have made the commitment to learn new sewing techniques every month. Together in 2009 we will surprise ourselves with improved creativity and skills. You CAN do it!

Sew Your New Years Dream ,

 January Blog

» 13 Comments

  • Jessika, GA says:

    Darlene,
    I am another person wanting to know when and if HSN is going to get the SES1000 back in stock and for sale…do you have any idea? Also, does the serger part cut too?

  • crafty, MS says:

    Darlene
    When my machine begins to embroider, the stitch starts in the middle of the hoop. There is a line of thread that moves from the center to the place sewing is to start. My machine sews stiches instead of just moving a line of thread. Can anyone help with this problem?

  • Tiana, NY says:

    I would like to purchase the SINGER SES1000 ALL-IN-ONE SEW, EMBROIDER AND SERGE MACHINE.PLEASE HELP! I have been waiting a long time for one. I don’t have a lot of space to play with, so to have a ALL-IN-ONE would be great!

  • Tiana, NY says:

    I would like to purchase the SINGER SES1000 ALL-IN-ONE SEW, EMBROIDER AND SERGE MACHINE.PLEASE HELP! I have been waiting a long time for one. I don’t have a lot of space to play with, so to have a ALL-IN-ONE would be great!

  • Pat, FL says:

    HI I missed the singer ses 1000 and I don’t know when or how to find the next HSN singer machine special, can you tell me? I am interested in buying one if only I know when to watch. I have my email listed to let me know however I’m not sure if it will work to let me know in plenty of time.
    Thanks

  • Dena, GA says:

    I would like to see demostrations, in a video, on how to use the various feet HSN’s machines come with. These can be similar to the beauty videos since many of us own HSN machines that have all the feet, but not the video demostrating them.

  • Barbara, OH says:

    The package for the CE250 today includes software that I did not get when I ordered the same machine on Sept.30,2008. I would like to know if we can get all of the package shown today?

  • Julie, MO says:

    Hi Darlene, are there any plans to bring back the Singer XL6000? I still have it in my wish list, hoping it will return. Thanks!

  • Anonymous says:

    hi i got the futura ce250for my husband got it on flex pay but we did’nt get all the software you giving today with this machine do you if hsn will sell the other software that we did get with this machine I would like to get the the one for the fonts and to do the pictures

  • Nancy, AZ says:

    The Futura SES 1000 is wonderful. I had problems with the first one, but the replacement is great. The software is also so helpful and for those who don’t know what all the pressure feet are can be found in the software. I have never quilted or embroidered on a machine before but everything is coming out beautifully. I am working on a firefighter quilt for my grandson and am so excited on how everything is turning out so easy with this machine.

  • Lady D, NY says:

    Hi I am a beginner sewer and I have the singer inspiration I was wondering if this machine is able to sew denim and fleece. Also does anyone know about sewing clubs that are in the NYC area?

  • Dena, GA says:

    I took a chance on the Sunbeam 4267 Professional Iron from HSN. I’m glad I did. I’ve got a Rowenta that just doesn’t get hot enough to crease well anymore. This iron made my quit binding in under 5 minutes, WOW!! I will warn you. On the cotton setting with it set to dry iron, I scortched my first item ever!! It was so hot! I steamed the rest and they were fine. It heated up in about a minute, so even if it goes off because of the auto-off feature, it will be ready quickly!!

  • Dena, GA says:

    What kind of iron and feature do you recommend for quilting and applique work? I’ve looked at heavier classic irons and fancy professional irons. I’m practical so this iron will be for regular use and quilting/sewing projects. Thanks!



to know us

is to love us

FlexPay: Indulge today

See something you love? With FlexPay you can order now and pay in easy installments. (Plus there's no interest & no fees. Sweet!)

Internet Explorer Chrome Firefox For the best hsn.com shopping experience, please consider updating your browser to a newer version. We recommend Internet Explorer 8 or Firefox.