Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 08-16-2005, 02:29 PM (1 of 14)
I am pleased to say that I am confronting my fear head on, and beginning to use those "must-have" feet I purchased for my sewing machine (although I am ashamed to say some of them were purchased as much as 1 yr ago  ).Today I used my ribbon wizard to trim out the hems on a new pair of jean shorts I made for dd #2. It was SO EASY!!!! Now I could kick myself for waiting so long to try it out-lol! My excuse has always been I don't want to use it incorrectly and mess up the garment I am sewing. Can you tell that I am a perfectionist? But one of the worst kind--the kind that procrastinate on doing everything because it might fall short of perfect.  Anyway, I am proud of myself. Here is how the shorts turned out: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/PrincessJenny/patrioticshorts.jpg Now to tackle that annoying little elastic foot I can't seem to make friends with! He is the wiley sort! Definitely a learning curve for me on that one! Happy Sewing all! Jen |
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004 Total posts: 263 
|
From: AndreaSews
Date: 08-16-2005, 06:17 PM (2 of 14)
|
cute shorts. way to go. I still haven't bought any special feet for mine. I'm still working old-school style on everything I do (except it's not a treadle machine! I do use electricity!)
Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
|
From: bridesmom
Date: 08-17-2005, 01:05 AM (3 of 14)
|
Cute shorts~! I've never heard of a ribbon wizard foot, will have to check that one out. What exactly does it do?? I bought an edging foot and I use it all the time. Also have a gathering foot that I just HAD to have and never have used it. Inherited a cording foot but have never done any cording either. Maybe now with a little granddaughter to sew for I may try some new stuff out. Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 08-17-2005, 09:42 AM (4 of 14)
|
Like you I have feet, that I have never used. When I came to take care of the folks I started using my moms sewing machine and she has feet for almost everything. Some of them I have no idea what they are for, so therefore they still sit. A few I have figured out and after I have played with them for a while I think or this isn't to hard, lol. Let us know how the elastic foot goes. The shorts are tooo cute. Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: MaryW
Date: 08-17-2005, 10:30 AM (5 of 14)
|
I would love to know what a ribbon wizard does too and how it works.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 08-17-2005, 12:43 PM (6 of 14)
Thanks for the sweet compliments.  Here is a link to the ribbon wizard: http://www.getcreativeshow.com/wizard_attachments.htm basically it eliminates the need to pin the ribbon in place before sewing, and you can apply more than one layer of ribbon at a time. I bought mine at Wal Mart. The ruffling attachment was a bit of a learning curve, but now I love it; when you get a chance try out your gathering foot--I think you will really like it once you get the hang of it. Andrea, I taught myself how to sew 6 yrs ago on a DressMaker--a big heavy workhourse of a machine from the 1950's with only a straight stitch! So I can identify with the old-school style- lol! I kept it and that is what my 13 yo dd began learning on too!;perfect for mastering that straight, even line of stitching. |
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004 Total posts: 263
|
From: LadySloPokes
Date: 08-17-2005, 11:00 PM (7 of 14)
My new machine that I got for Christmas last year came with 10 bonus feet, one of which is a cording foot. The ribbon wizard looks very similar to it. It can sew on up to 3 (?) strands of cording at one time. I know how you feel about trying a new foot--I'm scared to death of a couple of them!  The shorts look just great-fantastic job Jen! I'm hoping to be able to try one or two of them soon--hopefully! 
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198 
|
From: patti2
Date: 08-23-2005, 04:54 PM (8 of 14)
| I also have a real fear of using new attachments. I ran across some very useful, and free to print charts on foot use while I was putting in an order on Clotilde. I printed them out and added them to my sewing info binder for when I gather up enough courage to try a new foot!! |
User: patti2
Member since: 05-28-2005 Total posts: 78 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 08-24-2005, 04:56 PM (9 of 14)
|
Ok Gals,don't you know that a sewing room is also called a play room ? Mine is at any rate.Get out all those new feet ( not at once though ) & start playing. There are some wonderful ones out there & they make the job so much easier & professional looking. Just dig out some scrap fabrics & have a ball. Have the ole trash can nearby & toss the ( no, that isn't right )ones.Most all feet comes with some directions. A ruffler looks complicated but it isn't.Have fun with your machines. Sure makes you feel good when you master something new.I've always figured if someone else could do it then I could too. Let us know what you conquered. That's my pep talk for the year !!!
|
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
|
From: Sewhappie
Date: 08-24-2005, 06:02 PM (10 of 14)
| Once you make a sample of what the foot does, save it. Make yourself a notebook and put the sample in it. Make sure that you note what foot you used the various stitch lengths and other settings used. This way you will always have a handy reference guide of just what the various feet do. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: vickki
Date: 09-02-2005, 03:01 PM (11 of 14)
| Speaking of feet,I had a difficult time finding an open-toe-foot.So I made one by taking my F foot and breaking the plastic out of the centre... |
User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 374 |
From: Sews4kate
Date: 09-04-2005, 09:47 AM (12 of 14)
|
cute shorts! I am really interested to know how the elatic wizard works. Have you tried it yet??? Or has anyone tried it? I looked at my walmart and couldn't find it. What section was it in? Wendy
|
User: Sews4kate
Member since: 08-20-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 09-04-2005, 11:28 AM (13 of 14)
|
Thank you. I tried it, but it takes some fooling with to figure out how tight to turn the screw to make it gather the elastic to the correct size. I did finish the waistline of a skirt for me with it, and it wasn't too bad. I found it hanging on the wall where the bobbins, needles, etc. are at my local Walmart in Southern CA. But all Walmarts seem to be arranged a bit differently in their sewing depts. HTH! Jen |
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004 Total posts: 263
|
From: Teri
Date: 09-17-2005, 11:26 PM (14 of 14)
|
Hi Jen, The ruffler is my very favorite foot. I just got one for my vintage Kenmore and can't wait to make one of those multi layered peasant shirts that are in style. I like to make the ruffled strip then run the strip through the serger to lock the pleats in and fnish the raw edge. An easy way to make self finished ruffles is to cut the fabic double the width of the finished ruffle, fold the strip in half, iron and run the raw edges of strip through the ruffler, this way the folded edge is the bottom of the ruffle. I just love the old-fashion way the foot works rachetting in and out. I also have an "automatic" zig-zagger for my old straight stitch Singer. I'm a sucker for the old mechanical gagets. Teri
"Where are we going, and why am I in this basket?" |
User: Teri
Member since: 09-14-2005 Total posts: 66 
|
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-16652.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft