How to sew: 6 steps to choosing the right needle for sewing

The Needle
Your project and the fabric you purchase will determine the choice of a needle and thread. If you are sewing a project requiring batting or a project which requires heavier fabric the choice of your needle will be totally different than compared to when you are sewing a fabric or project which is medium weight or light weight. Although most of the patterns do not mention the needle and thread size, the following guideline will help you make a fair choice of a needle and thread for any project.

1) There are three types of needles
Sharp point for woven fabrics
Ball point needles for knit fabrics
And wedge point needles for leather and vinyl material

2) Delicate fabrics like silk and lace need size 9 needle of Sharp Point needles

3) If your fabric is Light weight for example Chiffon, Organdy, Crepe or Batiste then the Sharp point needle size would be 11/80 and thread size would be 60.

4) For medium weight fabrics such as muslin, wool crepe, linen, gingham, gabardine, flannel or corduroy use Sharp point needle of size 14/90 and thread of size 50.

5) For medium to heavy fabrics like bonded woven, canvas, coating, denim, duck, sailcloth, or for projects with batting use needle of size 16/100 and thread size 40 or heavy duty thread.

6) Knits such as jersey tricot, bonded or double knits you need to use Ball Point needles which are specifically designed for knits and are available in sizes from 9 to 18 the larger the needle size, the more "rounded" the needle point is. Ball point needles push between the fabric yarn rather than cutting through the fabric yarn.

Before starting any new project always use a new needle and be sure to use the same size and type of thread in the bobbin as the top thread. For most fabrics cotton wrapped polyester size 50, thread can be used. If in doubt ask the stores clerk when you purchase the fabric on the size of the needle to be used.


Express yourself

Jini Pinto

Sewing machine for beginners: 5 Tips to consider before buying one

Buying a sewing machine especially when you are a beginner is a daunting task; add to that the brands and their different models it becomes much more difficult. There are five things to consider before parting away with your money for a sewing machine:

Purpose: Like with any other product, before buying a sewing machine you need to ask the purpose of why you need a sewing machine Jotting down the reasons why you need the machine may help you zero down to the one which is best suited for you.

Questions: As a beginner you may need to ask the following:

What is your budget? How much are you ready to pay for a sewing machine now?

Do you want to go for a simple sewing machine or a computerized one?

Will you be sewing simple home décor projects or fashionable clothing?

Will you be quilting?

What about embroidery? Will you need to embroider often?

Do you want a lighter and portable sewing machine?

Do you have enough space in your house or room for a sewing machine and consequently area?

Features: The minimum a beginner should look for in their sewing machine is

a very good straight stitch

a very good zigzag

simple method of making buttonholes

adjustable presser foot pressure

Stitch lengths from 0-6

Price: A good sewing machine starts as low as $60 for a very basic model, and can go up to thousands of dollars for the technologically advanced models. If you're a beginner stick to basic models rather than machines with loads of features, although if you're ambitious it's worth buying an all in one machine, so that you have the features as you become more experienced and familiar with them. Either way, consider all options and question yourself on what you're planning to use the machine for, and then choose accordingly.

The machine: There are a number of home sewing machine brands in the market, Singer, Brother, Juki, SewPro, Consew, Bernina, Simplicity, Viking Husqvarna and more. In the beginning, it is advisable to stick to a simple sewing machine like the Singer 4200 series or the Brother 25-Stitch Sewing Machine or Singer 30-Stitch Function Sewing Machine. If you are looking to buy for a child then the Singer Zigzag Sewing Machine and the Singer Chain Stitch Sewing machine is recommended.

For more information on learning to sew or step by step sewing instructions and guide to sewing a homecoming sash, a tea cozy and other accessories, visit http:/www.step-by-step-sewing.com. You will find advice and tips on sewing plus free patterns for learning to sew as a beginner.

Express yourself

Jini