Types of stiches

Sewing easy sewing stitches is the best way for beginners to get started. There are often times when machine sewn projects also need some hand sewing done. Once mastered each sewing stitch can add to the beauty when you sew dresses, make a sewing tote or add to any other handmade ideas I added some sewing directions below.

Tacking stitch is used to hold the fabric in position while it is being permanently stitched. Similar to running stitch but with longer stitches. Also known as Basting. It  instructions image Work with single or double thread, knotted at the end, and make evenly spaced stitches by taking the needle in and out of the fabric.
End a line of tacking with 1 backstitch or a knot.
To release the tacking stitches, cut off the knot and pull out the thread

Running stitch is made of up and down stitches of equal length. When finished, take needle through to other side and run under the stitches on the wrong side of the fabric for 3 to 4 stitches. This stitch is used to sew seams, as a gathering stitch, when quilting and is great for outlining in decorative thread.

Hemming stitch is made by beginning the stitch inside the fabric that is folded down and taking a few threads from the outer fabric, then bring the needle back up through the edge of the fold. This stitch is mainly used when hemming any sewing project.

Catch stitch, also known as the Herringbone stitch, is worked making a diagonal stitch from left to right across the fold, turn the needle to the left and make a small stitch in the fabric from right to left, bring the needle out and up towards the right to the folded fabric (forming an X with the thread), then with the needle still turned to the left, make a small stitch in the fabric from right to left. Continue making small stitches from right to left but crossing over the previous stitching to form an X. This is another stitch used to hem sewing projects or to securely attach something like handles to a sewing tote.

Back stitch is made by bringing the needle up from the back of the fabric, stitch back to the right and bring the needle back up to the left leaving a space between where the needle comes up and the beginning of the last stitch, continue across repeating these steps. The back stitch is the strongest hand stitch and is made to imitate machine sewing and as an outline stitch in decorative stitching.

Overcast stitch is made by making diagonal stitches over the raw edge of the fabric. The stitches should be the same length and equally spaced. Overcast stitches are used to prevent the fabric from fraying. The length of the stitch should be related to how badly the fabric will fray.

 Practiced often will make sewing easy each sewing stitch.

Make Own Curtain

Making my own curtains isn’t too hard.
I start by choosing a fabric and deciding how much to buy. I brought organza fabric from Nagoya Textile.

Before I get started with the scissors and tapes, figure out the perfect door drape to fit my need and decor may help.

Measurement  Single Door treatment width.

I decide where the treatment will extend — to the edge of the frame, 1 inch outside the frame, or even 3 or more inches, depending on the look . Measured from the edge of the extension on one side to the edge of the extension on the other side of the door. Divide the total in half if my treatment will separate in the middle.

Once I measured the door, use a marker to mark the areas that needs to be cut. For double-paneled door,  will need to cut the fabric into two equal halves. Remember to leave an inch or two along the edges for hems. For single paneled doors, it’s best to keep the in as one single sheet.

Next, folded the edges of  my drape at least half inch backwards and hem sew the two long sides and one short side with sewing machine, leaving one short side unstitched.

For most treatments that require fullness, the fabric for my width needs to be 2-1/2 times the width of this measurement.

Add 2 inches if you plan to have 1/2-inch side hems, 4 inches if you plan to have 1-inch side hems.

For my length, I measured from the top of  the  mounted rod or pole to where I want the treatment to end , to the floor.

For the top and bottom hem, double the measurement of my desired hem depth and add it to the total length. For example, for a 1-inch hem, add 2 inches.

To calculate the heading (the extra, decorative fabric that extends above the rod sleeve or other casing), if necessary, double the desired measurement.

For example,I took  for a 3-inch heading, add 6 inches to  length.



I  needed curtain rods and hooks to hang my drapes. I also used curtain loop to hang my drape. For that, I   folded the top end of my curtain towards the back and stitch it. A 1 inch wide rod will need a 2 inch pocket. So, before I stitch the pocket, roll the top end of the curtain around the rod and mark out the lines to allow maximum room for the rod to slide in.

My personalized curtains are ready to grace the door!

Get The Right Needle

Got the sewing machine,

Got the thread,

Now the needle.

TYPES OF NEEDLES

People who are involved in sewing should be aware of the types of needles that exists.There are different kinds of needles available in market. Let us see them.

• needle no-7

• needle no-8

• needle no-9

• needle no-17

• needle no-18

• needle no-22

NEEDLE NO-7 ,8,9 These types of needles are used to sew with hands. Starters who wish to learn embroidery can use these types of needles.

NEEDLE NO-17 This needle is used for embroidery on canvass cloths. It is used to put embroidery on tough thick cloths.

NEEDLE NO-18 This needle is used for tarning purpose. The opposite ends of the needle are bigger. Particularly it is used in woolen cloths to do knitting work.

NEEDLE NO-22 This is used for embroidery works. It has sharper ends and smaller length.

KINDS OF NEEDLE

• sharps - n0. 7,9

• betweens - no. 8,6

• embroidery -no.7,9

• darners -no.18,5

• tapestry -no.17,22

• chenille -n0.18

Sewing Tools

1. INCH TAPE OR CENTIMETER TAPE

Inch tape is an important tool for a sewer. Recent inch tapes have centimeter counts on other side which is easier to measure. Inch tape of length 60 on one side and centimeter of length 162 on the other side are marked.

2. SCALE (FOOT RULE)

12 inches marked in 1 foot scale or 30 centimeters marked in 1 foot scale should be noticed. It is used to draw lines and measure .

• 1 inch = 2.5 cm
• 12 inch = 1 foot
• 30 cm = 1 foot
• 100 cm = 1 meter

3. TAILORS SCALE

Tailors scale is used to draw lines of small distance with accurate measurement. It is helpfull in cutting crosspiece which is used for neck part.

• 1 inch = 4 inch
• 1 inch = 6 inch
• 1 inch = 8 inch

4. MARKING CHALK

Marking chalk is used to draw lines on cloth . The measurements on cloth are marked using marking chalk.

5. TAILOR'S SQUARE

Tailor's square is used to draw straight lines on stitching pattern and cloth . It is also used to draw corner lines .

6. FRECH STENCIL

French stencils of different shapes are used to draw shapes on cloth. It is made up of plastic or wood.

7. PENCIL , RUBBER

Pencil is used to draw patterns and rubber is used to erase if any mistake is made.

8. SCISSOR, TOOTH SCISSOR, SMALL SCISSOR

 

Scissors are used to cut cloth and it is also know as master scissor. Always have a seperate scissor for cloth and paper. Tooth scissor is used to cut the cloth corners so that it looks decorated and the threads dont come out. Small scissor is used to cut the extra threads that hang out during sewing . It can be kept closer to the machine during necessaries.

9. PIN CUSION

While cutting cloth , pins are poked into the cloth from moving. These pins have to kept safely in pin cusion.

10. BRUSH

Brush is used to rub the markings on cloth made by marking chalk. Beginers need brush for practising.

11. FINGER GUARD

Finger guards are used to guard the fingers of people who work with needles.

12. IRONING MACHINE

Ironing machine is used to iron cloths after the dress is stitched.

13. NEEDLES

There are various types of needles. Hand needles are used to put stitches using hand and machine needles are used to put stitches using machine. There are also various sizes of needles.

14. CIRCLE BLADE

Circle blade can be used to cut different shapes. Shapes are drawn on paper and placed on the cloth . Then the circle blade is used to cut along the shapes.