Comments on: I Learned a Lesson About Tools from Sewing a New Purse

By: perpetualplum

perpetualplum — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:47:33 +0000

Arlene,

I’ll check into another foot. I’d probably the whole leg. My sewing machine needs some tuning. Maybe I’ll ask when I take it in to get serviced.

Thank you very much for the information about the Burda site.

By: Arlene

Arlene — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:58:16 +0000

I’m not sure about the cost, because my aunt gave me her old one, but you may be able to find a foot on a spring. That might help with the feed/upholstery fabric problem.

As far as patterns go, check out Burda’s site. They have user-made ones available for the price (free) of registering.

By: perpetualplum

perpetualplum — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:30:49 +0000

LOL. No that’s not a stock photo. That’s the purse I made. You are too funny, Don-Mae!

By: don_mae

don_mae — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:21:16 +0000

I like that fabric. So.. is that the purse you made up there or is that the stock photo?

By: perpetualplum

perpetualplum — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:27:39 +0000

Sheila I tried removing the foot and dropping the feed…still didn’t work well I never heard of rubbing lemon oil. It doesn’t get on the fabric?

Belinda, you know me. If I can make it without a commercial pattern, I’ll do it. I hate pinning and cutting out a zillion pieces. I do like the vintage patterns. I think the pattern companies didn’t use to scrimp on their instructions like they do now.

By: Belinda

Belinda — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:56:37 +0000

Sue, if you used a Butterick pattern, that was the problem. Although Butterick has some great designs, they often leave out very important instructions. In my experience, Butterick tends to assume that everyone knows, and has known, how to sew which is why they leave out instructions. I always told my beginning sewing students to avoid Butterick patterns. It’s not the more expensive patterns–in fact, if you were to buy Vogue, you would probably have the same problem.

My personal favorite company is McCall’s because I have found that their instructions–and the illustrations–tend to be clear. Simplicity is ok, but their pattern pieces don’t always fit together very well in some cases. New Look might be ok, too, but I really prefer McCall’s. You can often buy patterns for 1/2 price on a regular basis or if you’ll watch the sales at fabric stores, sometimes McCall’s patterns are on sale for 99 cents or $1.99 each. It really isn’t the price of the pattern, but more the pattern company. However, today’s sewing patterns don’t always give you the best directions anyway which is why it’s often a good idea to do your own thing if you know a better way.

By: Sheila

Sheila — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:50:13 +0000

Can you drop the feed dogs, put fabric under foot then raise the feed dogs?? Might that help with getting your thick fabric get under the foot and started? Also, I read a hint about rubbing lemon oil under the foot and on top of machine where fabric glides through and it suppose to make it fabric glide easier. Haven’t tried the lemon oil thingy yet.