At Your Service
Pictures speak louder than words…and we, at Heirloom Creations, see some pretty good, picture-warranted situations in the service department. Usually it is from not realizing that an annual service was needed five years ago!
If you buy a sewing machine, serger or embroidery machine from Heirloom Creations, we offer two years of FREE service to help keep your new machine in top running condition. Do make sure you take advantage of this offer – it’s FREE! Bring in your sewing machine around its first and second birthday and we will clean it from top to bottom for FREE.
Heirloom Creations’ sewing machine doctors, Gary & Ryan, are always in to help out with any sewing machine, serger or embroidery machine oddities that might arise during your next sewing project. Sometimes they can just walk you through fixing the problem over the phone. But, if your sewing machine has not been serviced within the last year or two, it is best to bring it in for its annual cleaning.
An annual cleaning will help keep a sewing machine in top running condition, often eliminating any frustrating issues that sometimes arise. Not servicing a machine annually may lead to some of those hair-pulling situations. Here are a few of our latest PROBLEMS that the Heirloom Creations sewing machine doctors have seen lately.
This owner did not know that the throat plate could (and should) be removed for basic removing of lint between sewing projects.
The Problem: This sewing machine’s hand wheel was starting to be hard to turn. This 6 year old sewing machine had never been serviced!
The Solution: One full sewing machine service. One Basic Price: $59.95
This needle was found in an embroidery machine upon delivery to the service department. Our question was, “How did it not break?” Wow!
This needle was found in a serger. (I put it in my personal sewing machine to take this picture). Solution: Change the needle.
This needle was handed to us during Diane Gaudynski’s quilting class. Watch out for those safety pins! Now only a top-running, quality sewing machine will have the penetration power to completely go through a safety pin without breaking!
This serger picture was taken years ago when I worked at a sewing machine store in Santa Barbara, CA.
The Problem: Something was preventing the moving parts of this serger from turning. The machine felt “locked up”.
The Solution: Pull out the entire box of crayons that had been inserted by tiny-fingers into a small crayon-size hole on the side of the serger. What a surprise to see all those crayons!
Hopefully you do not run into any of these major problems! But if this is not a testimony of why a machine needs an annual service, I don’t know what does!
If your sewing habits go in spurts, do keep in mind that not using a sewing machine from time to time can be WORSE than not cleaning it. Freshly oiled machines need to be run at least once a month to keep parts lubricated from time to time. If this is you, just take out the sewing machine and run it without any thread in it for 3-5 minutes. This will help keep all its joints running freely so when you are ready to use it, it is not all tight and cranky!
Do Your Part
Clean and oil your sewing machine after every 2-5 bobbins. We have some people who clean after every bobbin! Check your instruction manual for where (or if) the sewing machine needs oil and how to remove the throat plate from the machine. If you are unsure of exactly how to clean and oil your sewing machine, call us any time or bring in your sewing machine. Any one in the store would be happy to show you how to clean your machine.
Some of our favorite cleaning tools:
Micro Vacuum Attachment Kit
Convert any vacuum into a powerful micro vacuum and clean the smallest areas. Easily attaches to any vacuum hose. Clean computers, office machines, auto interiors, sewing machines, stereo and video equipment. Great Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift idea!
Mini Dust-It
This 6″ long sheepskin duster is perfect for getting the lint and tiny threads out of your sewing machine or serger. Dust adheres to the sheepskin immediately with just a quick wipe. It’s easy to keep your expensive equipment dust-free and protected and it will not scratch polished surfaces!
© 2008 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Having a Bad Thread Day?
Do you wonder why this happens?
You are sewing along and the sewing machine just doesn’t sound as smooth as it normally does. You pull out the fabric, flip it over and see huge, hairy loops of thread.
If you are using the same color of thread in your needle and bobbin, it is hard to know where the problem lies. Most people think that since the problem is on the BACK of the fabric, the problem must be from the bobbin. WRONG! This comes from the needle thread.
There are several possible reasons. These hairy loops may stem from the TOP thread not being completely embedded into the top tension disks.
With no tension on the top thread, the take up lever has no resistance to pull up the extra thread that went around the bobbin to form the stitch, hence leaving the excess thread loops on the BACK of the fabric.
Now if you are a little more sewing savvy, you may fix this problem by raising up the presser foot, take hold of the thread at the spool in one hand and the end of the thread from the needle in the other hand and gently floss the thread into the tension disks. To check that the top thread is properly seated in the tension disks, lower the presser foot and gently pull on the needle thread. It should be much harder to pull and will bend the needle slightly.
A reminder is to always thread the machine with the presser foot UP. When the foot is up the tension discs are open allowing the thread to settle into the tension. If you need to lower the foot to thread the needle, do it last after threading the rest of the machine.
If your machine grumbles and you get wild loops at the beginning, check to see if the thread is in the take-up lever. The next time this happens, realize that this is an operator error and usually NOT the sewing machine’s fault. To fix the problem, raise up the presser foot and re-thread the sewing machine from scratch. This means completely taking the thread off the machine and re-threading. Don’t try to cheat and only re-thread half way; this may not correct the problem.
If your machine is older and non-electronic you might experience hairy loops at the beginning of the seam because the take-up lever was not at the highest position when you started to sew. This type of machine requires manually repositioning the take-up lever at the end of every seam. Newer electronic machines will always reposition the take-up lever in the correct position for you, eliminating loops, and eliminating the need to always turn the hand wheel yourself.
If a sewing machine has not been serviced within the last couple years, we have seen thread ride out of the tension disks while in use. Excess gunk and thread residue can prevent the thread from staying properly seated deep inside of the tension disks. The dust and crud begins to push the thread up and in the middle of the seam – ugg! Those hairy loops are back. Solution: Bring in your sewing machine for a full cleaning!
After fixing the problem, resume sewing and smile!
© 2008 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Alzheimers Priority Quilts Update
Here are the three new quilts being shipped off to Ami Simms to auction off for Alzheimers research.
Kickin’ It Early #7 – Background donated by Sarah G, age 12 of Dell Rapids, SD. Thanks Sarah!
Kickin’ It Early #8 – Background donated by Amy Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD. Thanks Amy!
Kickin’ It Early #5
Watch for future updates regarding these quilts!
Going Green – FREE “Such a Simple Bag” Pattern
It is now cool to take your own tote bags with you to the grocery store. By reducing the number of plastic or paper bags used every time we go shopping, we can do our little part in helping the environment. And carrying a fabric bag is a lot more comfortable than carrying a plastic bag.
The last couple weeks, I have been trying to remember to take in the couple tote bags I keep in my car when I go into the grocery store. (OK, this habit takes a little practice). I do have to say it is a great feeling to carry groceries in a fabric tote bag that I know is not going to split open. Even if you shop for a large family, a fabric tote bag can hold twice as much as those wimpy plastic bags, yet you will still be able to lift them into the car. Did you know that HyVee offers a 5 cent discount for every bag you use?
Cleo has designed a very easy tote bag pattern that is perfect to take shopping! It was so easy that she named it “Such a Simple Bag”! Even as I was typing up the directions, I could have sewed it without looking at the directions once I had everything cut out. These bags are even reversible if you decide to put a different color on the inside! This could also be great Christmas gift idea!
Total yardage – only 1 ½ yards for the outside bag, lining and handles!
Cleo’s Tip: Cut up old denim jeans to put into the handles for extra support. One pair of jeans will make enough handles for 4-5 bags.
Here is how you receive your FREE pattern:
Come into the store, relax for a few minutes, tell us what your latest projects are (we love to hear what you are working on), buy 1 ½ yards of fabric of your choice, and we will give you the FREE “Such a Simple Bag” pattern.
If you do not live near by, check out the new fabric arrivals on the Heirloom Creations website, pick out your favorite piece and call with a credit card. We would be happy to ship out a minimum of 1 ½ yards of fabric and a FREE pattern!
So the next time someone asked you, “Paper or Plastic?” You can say, “Thanks, I brought my own bags!”
I would love to hear how many bags everyone makes. Help us keep a running total by sending me an e-mail or logging into this website and recording your sewn bag count!
© 2008 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Which Thread Do I Use for Which Project?
With so many types of threads to select from, it is hard to know which thread to use for regular sewing and which one for quilting and piecing. We get asked this question on a daily basis, and we would like to give you a great reference guide to print off.
Superior Threads now has a “Thread Selection Guide” on their website. Along with all their wonderful types of thread, thread tips and education topics, this is also a place to pick up new ideas.
Want to try out many of Superior Threads top selling threads?
Join us for one of five “Open Thread Bar” sessions, May 1 – 3, 2008. This workshop begins with a one-hour session discussing the dynamics of specialty threads, working with machine tensions and needle selection. This workshop provides students with instruction and hands-on experimentation with specialty threads. We will have a large selection of our threads available for the students to use. This is a rare opportunity for the quilter to experiment with many different threads and have the guidance and assistance of a professional teacher to help with any questions or concerns. Fee: $30
Session #1: Thursday, May 1 – 9 – 12pm
Session #2: Friday, May 2 – 9 – 12pm
Session #3: Friday, May 2 – 6:30 – 9:30pm
Session #4: Saturday May 3 – 9 – 12pm
Session #5: Saturday, May 3 – 1 – 4pm
Call Heirloom Creations at (605) 332-4435 to reserve your seat today!
Can’t Make it to a Hands-On “Open Thread Bar” Class? Sign up for the next best thing!
Superior Thread Seminar – Thread Facts & Fiction
Thursday, May 1
7pm
This is the absolute best and easy-to-understand information-packed seminar you’ll ever attend. We teach how to distinguish quality of all types of threads including regular and decorative. You will know what to look for and learn what the labels really mean. We will help you solve and avoid problems sometimes encountered when using specialty threads. Learn the pros and cons of all major thread types, thread characteristics, the importance of needle selection, and properly setting the tension for your sewing success. Learn how to use specialty threads successfully, regardless of the type of sewing machine you use. You will leave this seminar knowing about the newest threads in the industry. Fee: $10
Current Thread on My Sewing Machine:
Superior Threads So Fine by John Flynn
“Imagine a thread with the look and feel of cotton, but without the lint. That is exactly what So Fine! is — an extra soft #50 polyester thread that is etched in order to give it the look and feel of cotton thread. With the look of cotton and the strength of poly, this thread allows us to quilt without all the lint and thread breaks we would get with a similar size cotton thread. The range of colors blend beautifully into the fabric, showing off your stitching. It was important to me to learn that Superior’s spools are designed to spin freely on the machine so there is no friction or drag to interfere with the top thread tension. This is a great thread that comes on 3,280 yard cones and on 550 machine-friendly spools.
The folks at Superior are always willing to listen to suggestions and make every effort to satisfy quilters’ needs at every level, from individual artist to professional quilter.”
Sincerely,
John Flynn
Break Out of the Creativity Blues
Have you ever hit a brick wall creatively? Do you want to do something creative but you don’t know where to start? Or, maybe you are bored doing the same type of project. Then it’s time for a “Creativity Make Over!”
Join Heirloom Creations this March 13 – 15 for two awesome workshops guaranteed to boost your creativity to the next level. Join National and International award winning quilt artist Barbara Olson on an incredible quilt journey. Be inspired, learn new ways to approach your projects and be taken beyond the confines of our own limitations.
Any time we bring in a national teacher, you should jump at the opportunity to attend these workshops locally. Just think of what you will save by not having to drive, fly and spend a night or two in a hotel room! We hear so many times AFTER a teacher comes. “OH, I wish I had realized who they were and what they were going to teach.” Heirloom Creations has to book these teachers years in advance to get on their travel schedule. It would be a shame to have to wait another 2-3 years before they could return to Sioux Falls!
Though Barbara’s art quilts look pretty incredible, her approach to her work is what she teaches. Learn to understand a new way of visualizing fabric from a completely different angle. Don’t miss this special opportunity to attend these workshops.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
This technique is for the quilter who is ready to break out of the box and experience a playful way of creating. Too much thinking or fear often stops quilters from trying new designs and fabrics. A simple flower pattern is the first ingredient, a wide array of wild, powerful & playful novelty fabrics (polka dots, geometrics, florals, etc.) and few solid fabrics is the second ingredient, and a willing spirit is the third ingredient. A pattern will be provided. This is a one day workshop. Fee: $100 includes lunch.
Friday, March 14 & Saturday, March 15, 2008
Techniques: Innovative Design, Foundation piecing and Machine Appliqué. This 2-day workshop is for the innovative quilter whose quilt borders are often an after thought. Students will create a totally integrated small art piece, beginning with a foundation pieced border full of curves and some geometric shapes. Then it’s on to the main body of the quilt composed of geometric shapes and some curves. Machine appliqué piecing and foundation piecing techniques will also be used. All sewing levels (Basic sewing skills required) Fee: $200 includes two lunches.
Call Heirloom Creations at 605-332-4435 to reserve your space today! Or click here to visit Barbara Olson’s website and ready about her, her work and her book “Journey of an Art Quilter.”
Here are a few samples from some of her students:
