Today I'd like to address another
apparel-based problem. Skating dress design and sewing is one of the
hottest topics on my blog, so I'm hoping to answer a really important
question for all you wannabe skating dress designers out there: what
sewing machine should you use to make a skating dress?
If you're a complete novice, and you're
looking to find information on the very basics, this is the right
post for you. If you've got a few years of sewing experience under
your belt already (perhaps you love perusing the plethora of blogs
that span the internet, chock-full of tutorials on how to make
everything from dog bow-ties to tablecloths?!) then read on anyway,
you might pick up something skating-specific you'll find useful.
In order to answer the question of what
sewing machine to use to create skating apparel, all you really need
to understand is the basic requirements you will have of your
proverbial machine. Once you know the key features it must have for
successful couture creation, all that's really going to limit you is
the range that's available to you in your area (and even that can be
swiftly overcome by Amazon.com!) and of course, your budget (fear
not, there are some great
prices out there!).
What's more, once you've got the hand
of your machine, I'm sure you'll find yourself using it for other
projects too! A sewing machine is a wonderful investment – not
only financially, but also personally! I have spent many an hour of
fun at mine, yielding not only skating costumes, but Christmas
presents, hair accessories, turbans, aprons, tables runners, blade
soakers, and more besides! {this way for a tutorial on making blade
soakers!}
What Your Machine Needs To Do
You really aren't
going to have many requirements of your machine. Even “basic”
machines these days come with a multitude of stitch settings, and you
only truly need a few to get you on your way.
So, without
further a do, here's what your little baby needs to be able to handle
for the successful sewing of skating fare:
Straight Stitches
You'll use a
straight stitch to hem chiffon and non-stretch fabrics
Zig-zag Stitches
You'll use zig-zag
stitches for any stretch fabric, because they will stretch with the
fabric.
If you can imagine
attached a skirt to the bodice of your dress (which is essentially a
leotard), and the fact that your skater will be pulling the dress on
over her hips, it becomes evident that the skirt seam must give as
does the stretchy fabric of the bodice, so that the construction will
fit over the largest parts of the body, and then resume normal
function once in place (i.e. on the waist).
Reverse Stitching
The ability to
stitch both backwards and forwards really comes into it's own when
you need to stitch elastic into your costume. A classic example of
this is securing elastic in the leg holes of your bodice.
You want to make
sure that before you close the casing (the “tube” of fabric
within which the elastic is encased), the elastic is truly secure,
and won't go PING! in the middle of a competition. Not only would it
be uncomfortable, but also a bit embarrassing, with one baggy leg
hole that causes the bodice to ride up!
So once you've
sewn in the entire length of your elastic, securing the ends together
with a couple of runs of forth-back-forth-back stitching really makes
sure your elastic ain't going anywhere. Perfect.
Changing Needles
The single most
important thing I can tell anyone about stitching for skating is to
use ballpoint needles. These are the needles of excellence for
sewing with stretch fabrics, and will allow you to keep seams flat
and avoid any sort of bunching of the fabric as you run along,
stitching. Regular sharp needles causes puckered, unsightly seams.
Thus, your machine needs to allow you to change your needle. As far
as I'm aware, all machine do so, because sooner or later needles
break, so you need to replace it. But perhaps some budget machines
aren't so clear on the subject, so I thought it best to include this
point.
Light It Up
A
light built in to the machine is a really great extra. It will let
you see your stitching close up, as it is under the foot of your
machine. This helps with precision seam sewing, and general lining up
of fabrics. Sure you can put all the room's lamps on, but having a
little light bulb right there
above your piece, really, really helps.
And there you have it! Those are the few factors I really couldn't
live without on my machine.
I bought my machine from the La Redoute catalogue about 6 years ago
now, and she's still going strong. I paid just over $120 for her, so
this is proof that you needn't break the bank to invest in your new
tool.
Once you've received your sparkling new machine, it's time to start
the action! There are a few accessories and tools which really took
my skating sewing to the next level that I would recommend you guys
get if you're serious about making a professional job of your
dresses.
These
include a self-heal cutting mat, and a rotary cutter (I bought mine
from eBay for cheaps, and you can too!). This combination of tools
essentially allows you to lay your fabric and pattern flat, and then
cut from the top, without disturbing the fabric at all. This is so
much more efficient and precise than using scissors, which lift the
fabric to place the lower blade underneath it. If you'd like to read
more about the tools I use, let me know by one of the means of
contact below, so I know you're interested, and I'll set about
writing a post on the subject.
Until next time,
sew sew sew my pretties!
XOXO
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I love sewing things just finished a nightgown for myself, really soft and nice to sleep in.
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