Community Sewing CLEAUDC2107 Joanna Spillman
Weekly outline
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Information taken from the course information sheet
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You can browse weeks here and find topics that interest you or work through your own projects with me on SewGood by video call or simply sending photos. There are lots of links and videos here to help you. If you let me know what you need instruction on I can guide you to the best video or handout and add anything that isn't already here.
I do not expect you to do everything or week by week.
LOVE YOUR MACHINE - LOVE SEWING If you don't treat your machine kindly it will not treat you well. Here are my top ten tips.
1. KEEP IT CLEAN - especially if you've been sewing fabric that sheds fibres. Each time you change the bobbin brush the fluff out of the bobbin race. Fluff and dust cause threads to become tangled.
2. USE COMPATIBLE THREADS (the same weight and fibres) not necessarily the same colour.
3. NEVER SEW OFF THE FABRIC WITH A DOMESTIC MACHINE it will jam.
4. LOAD THE BOBBIN CORRECTLY poorly loaded bobbins cause jams. Also use the correct bobbins.
5. USE THE BALANCE WHEEL TO CHECK THREADING turn a few times before starting sewing.
6. NEVER USE DAMAGED OR BLUNT NEEDLES
7. ALWAYS TRIM OFF LOOSE THREADS they can confuse the machine which may start sewing with them and jam.
8. DONT LET CABLES BECOME TWISTED it can cause over heating of the motor.
9. START SEWING SLOWLY then pick up speed.
10. LAST AND VERY IMPORTANT: THREADS TO THE BACK when you start sewing pull both threads back.
Some machines can be temperamental so follow these steps for easy sewing. We have Pfaffs and Janomes because they are so reliable. -
Introduction to the course and ACL
Initial Assessment - Please complete and submit the Induction Quizzes: Learner Profile and the Health and Safety Induction Check List and Future Opportunities. In the blocks on the right of your screen is a lot of the info and links to it that you can read to help complete the induction questions. Info on courses and centres is on the gateway home page and the learner handbook is below to answer lots of faqs.
Using the Sewing Machine - Threading
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This video demonstrates how to load and thread the bobbin on a Pfaff Hobby 1122
All machines are threaded differently so you may need to look for specific instructions for your own machine. This is usually very easy: google your machine, make, model and manual and you should find the basics about your machine.
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Learn to:
Applique and embroidery
Pin and Stitch
Pivot turns - read this one to help improve your sewing
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Hand and machine embroidery combining a range of fabrics
Raised areas can be made by padding with other fabric or cottonwool
Transparent: lace, gauze, plastic, can be used as overlays
Think about accent colours, or the opposite tones and hues of one colour, hot and cold colours
Pleating, gathering and folding can add texture
Quilting
Add beads, sequins, bows and roses if and where you like
Paint and or draw with felt pens
Cut letters from fabric if you want to add words
You don't have to use all of these and can try anything but do keep them simple and enjoy. They don't have to be perfect, interesting and fun is good.
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A useful link to many hand embroidery stitches with brief diagrams and videos that may help with applique projects. Don't worry if you haven't got an embroidery hoop, you'll be fine.
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Seams and seam neatening
How to sew French Seams and other useful videos demonstrating a range of seam finishes for different purposes, choose the best one for your project
Plan and prepare to make a bag, pencil, case or cushion,...…. You can use any of the methods in seam neatenings, french seams are the strongest, and of course use your appliques if you've done some.
Selecting and using needles, threads and tensionsMeasure using machine guides
Terminology: Machine Parts
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A selection of useful seam neatening techniques for a range of fabrics.
You can use the handouts and videos to choose the technique you want and then follow the instructions
Each video is very short and covers each technique.
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Darts
Online Pattern Buying
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Once you know the garment you are going to make you will need a pattern. See some options here.
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Whether you are using a pattern, copying something or simply cutting its great to measure the wearer first. You can see a few basic tips here and add anything you think you may need.
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Occasionally you can find GOOD free patterns online. If you do bring the link to class or email to me and we can add it to this list
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If you don't have pattern pieces you can use these templates to make your single and double pointed dart samples.
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Buttonholes
Mid Term Reviews
Make and Mend - Individual Projects: Discuss individual projects and plan
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There are different buttonholes for different fabrics and uses. This guide has a lot of information if you want to learn more than the basics about buttonholes
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How to sew a buttonhole using a one step buttonhole foot. And then so much more, tips on tension, zips, accessories, applique, embroidery. Well worth a look, skip the adds and forward to advice on numerous techniques.
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The best way to sew on a button by hand to make sure it lasts, includes creating a shank.
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A variety of body templates to choose from. You can print out or copy into a document and draw directly onto them or use grease paper (baking paper) as an alternative to tracing paper to experiment with your drawings and present them as overlays in storyboards.
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Simply the best youtube videos for cutting and making fast fashionable clothes, this one is for a tulle skirt but will take you to lots of other great ideas
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CUPCAKE PINCUSHIONS and TURTLES presents to make people smile?
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Used for trousers, front and side and skirts on the side
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A quick Demo on preparing to attach snap and hook and eye fastenings. Click on the button to view.
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Simply the best stitch for attaching snaps and hooks and eyes, will last and well worth learning, not difficult.
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Creating shape
Tucks: a lovely way to add shape and style to a garment
One to One Tutorials - Learning Reviews
Knowledge Check
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A short video on making pin tucks. This demo uses a twin needle and is incredibly easy and effective. If you don't have a twin needle or a machine that takes one they are just as good with a single needle.
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Here you can see links to some reasonably priced private courses and classes where you can learn particular techniques.
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Templates for cutting fabric and interfacing and instructions on how to complete facings.
This includes using bias binding for finishing round edges neatly in two different ways.
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This is on the verge of tailoring to ensure a jacket keeps its shape and wears well
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