How to Buy a Sewing Cabinet
Pick Your Style – Do you often work on large projects? Would you like it to completely close it up when it is not in use? Should it have space for a serger next to your sewing machine? Do you need storage for threads, sewing tools and fabric?
Shopping Hints
Things to look for in a quality sewing cabinet:
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Egyptian Cotton
What Does Egyptian Cotton Sheets Have to Do With Sewing? I made my own discovery the other day while washing and drying 4 king size sheets. If you have had the pleasure of owning high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets you have noticed how LITTLE lint is produced and collected in the dryer trap. After drying the 4 king size sheets I barely had enough dryer lint to get a hold of to pull out! Wow, if there is this much difference between long staple, extra fine Egyptian cotton and regular cotton, just think of the difference when using fine Egyptian cotton thread verse regular cotton thread in a sewing machine.
Next time you need to buy more piecing thread, try our new favorite MasterPiece by Alex Anderson. This is truly nature’s finest thread. 50 weight, 2 ply extra-long staple Egyptian cotton can be used for piecing, detail quilting, bobbin lace and applique. This fine thread will also allow more thread to be wound on a bobbin giving everyone more time to sew! Available in 600 or 3000 yard spools.
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
A Sewing Machine Technician’s Check List
It’s been over a year since your last sewing machine service. Your machine is starting to sound a bit louder than when it was new, the stitches are not as even and lint keeps popping out of places that you thought you had cleaned. It’s time to have your machine professionally serviced.Our store is lucky enough to staff two full time authorized service technicians that can keep up on all the incoming repairs within 1-3 days. And their talents are something to behold. They are capible to cleaning ALL brands of sewing machines, embroidery machines and sergers including SINGER!
So what exactly do they do when you drop off your machine? Below is a check list of every part of the machine that they check.
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Embroidery Machines: Embroidery units require special checking of all sensors, belt tension and arm movement. They are cleaned of any lint and oiled. When sewing out an embroidery test pattern, they look for precise alignment of outlines and proper tension. Walking Feet: Walking feet can be cleaned and oiled for smooth quiet motion. Bring the walking foot along to have it checked through! What to bring with a machine for service? Machine, foot control, power cord, standard zig-zag presser foot (not a 1/4 inch foot), a standard zig-zag throat plate (not a straight stitch throat plate), bobbin case and correct bobbin. If bringing an embroidery machine, also include an embroidery hoop and the embroidery foot. A yearly service will prevent any heavily worn areas to be caught before they cause worse problems down the road. For example, if a shaft or barring is not properly aligned, the excess wear will eventually cause other areas of the machine to be prematurely worn out. Most machines do not need major replacement of parts when preventative maintenance is scheduled. Just like our bodies, teeth and car receive yearly check-ups, make sure your sewing machine receives equal treatment. Can’t live without your machine for more than a day? Call and schedule a “Same Day†service or plan to leave your machine next time you are going out of town. © 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved. |
Yellow-Aged Fabrics
Now that you are known as the quilter in the family, you may start being the lucky recipient of Great Grandma’s quilts. Whether you have inherited a finished quilt, a quilt top or unfinished quilt blocks, these treasures may have taken on a yellowed look over the years. Take time soon to restore these special pieces back to near original shape with Vintage Soak.Vintage Soak removes age spots, stains and will brighten items made from natural fibers. Wonderful for cleaning quilts, quilt tops, quilt blocks, Church Linens, fine linen napkins, table cloths and clothing Vintage soak is made of sodium perborate, the same product used in museums to clean fragile laces, cotton, and linen textiles. Safely clean cotton, linen, cotton lace, linen lace and other textiles by following the included directions. Sodium perborate is considered a nontoxic chemical substance by the E.P.A.
It is never to late to try using the Vintage Soak on your most treasured antique pieces. And next time you spy an old quilt or quilt top at a yard sale that looks pathetically hopeless because of its yellow color, don’t pass up the opportunity to take it home and breath new life into the special piece.
Healthy Sewing Habit – February 2007
Be good to yourself! Have the right tools for the job.