:) Sewing Machines For Beginners

This helpful article describing what a beginner needs in a sewing machine is courtesy of Author: Rosie Andrews and Articlesbase.

Sewing Machines for Beginners

Sewing is not only a great hobby and fantastic ceative past time it can even earn you some extra money. developing sewing skills is well worthwhile because they are a skill base which is growing in demand. As the old corner shop taylors have virtually disappeared people are finding it difficult to get basic sewing alterations done to their clothes. this is a market you can easily fill if you develop some sewing skills.

Learning to sew will also give you the ability to totally transform your home furnishings and allow you to sew yopur own personality into them.

You'll be able to take an ordinary pair of curtains and transform them into how you want, just adding small touches makes a huge difference. As well as home furnishings you'll be able to create shirts or dresses for yourself and  your family, with sewing skills you can virtually transform any piece of material directly into how you like. It's really satisfying to produce your own clothes and to dress your children in clothes you have produced.

The problem that confronts people new to sewing is which is the best sewing machine to start with. I have been asked this question hundreds if not thousands of times over the years from friends and students. And to be honest I can't pick out one machine and say this is the best sewing machine for beginners. it's just not possible, it can only be subjective.
There's so many wonderful sewing machines to choose from on the market.Singer, Janome and brother to name merely three superb sewing machines.

Which is the best sewing machine for beginners can only be a matter of opinion and we all have our views and opinions about just what is the best sewing machine. I can give you a number pointers to guide you in the right way, but in the end the choice will have to fall with you.

To begin with I'd select a computerized sewing machine. These are the basic standard at this time and I firmly believe in staying up with technology. I really don't see the reason for training with older machines when you're able to learn on modern-day computerized machines.

Some people would reason that it's far better to learn on older machines and move up little by little. This may be a sensible point, but is not one I agree with. If you're beginning from a blank canvas you might as well learn on a new computerized sewing machine with all the mod cons on it.

If you learned on an older machine you'd quickly prefer to move to a much more sophisticated machine and take advantage of all of the computerized capabilities that simplify many tasks. So you may as well start on a computerized model. You wouldn't want to learn to drive in a 1920s ford would you? So why would you want to learn to sew on an old machine?

The good news is that the price ranges for a good machine are really reasonable at the moment, and the features these machines have are amazing. You can do things on a small machine in your house today that needed much bigger machines not so long ago.

Nearly all today's new sewing machines are computerized,  whatever you can perform on a sewing machine is made easier due to computerization. You can even get embroidery machines that will instruct you step-by-step on the way to make things. The instruction occurs on the LED display screen.

You need to be looking for a sewing machine that doesn't cost too much to start with. If you are just taking sewing up you can check out a second hand machine. The argument for getting a second hand sewing machine is that it's safer to shell out $120.00 on a second hand high-priced sewing machine than to invest $120.00 on a completely new but far inferior machine.

This is an excellent strategy, although not one I agree with. A few years ago this might have been a very good method, however, the price of sewing machines has come down a lot and I  think looking for a brand-new sewing machine is the best option. As you become a more knowledgeable sewer you will come to love particular sewing machines. The best way to select a sewing machine is always to ask yourself a number of questions.

A newcomer will require a sewing machine with a number of fundamental stitches; every machine available will give you this. Typically the more stitches the sewing machine has got the more costly it will be.

Think about what you are looking to do with the machine. Are you looking to create outfits, home furnishings, repairs, quilting or other homemade projects? For garments for instance you will want machine with a "free arm" this will make sewing sleeves and things like a whole lot of easier. Should you be looking to do quilt-making you will want a machine with a broader variety of stitches. If you are searching to do upholstery you will require a strong high quality machine. A low cost machine is not going to handle upholstery.

How frequently do you think you will use the machine? If you plan to get into sewing in a major way you will need to purchase a more expensive machine that will endure heavy use. It's extremely hard to name a sewing machine and say this is the best one. I know people who swear by Janome sewing machines, stating they're the best sewing machines available on the market, others may swear by singer sewing machines, we all have our personal favourites.

You can get an outstanding sewing machine for between $150 to $200. The more you're happy to commit the more you're going to get. The first thing you need to do is get familiar with what a sewing machine does and learn about all the parts on the machine and what they do. Do your homework, possibly download some manuals. Singer has superb manuals that you can download and read. These will familiarize yourself with the parts of sewing machines.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/crafts-articles/sewing-machines-for-beginners-3705375.html

About the Author

Rosie has been sewing for over thirty years and is a life-long sewing enthusiast. She has taught sewing in colleges and at evening classes. She contributes articles to a number of sewing sites and has her own webpage, "Best Sewing Machines" where she is slowly building up a resource of sewing knowledge. Visit her website: http://bestsewingmachines4u.blogspot.com/

Women's Halloween Costumes You Can Sew Yourself

The season of ghosts and ghouls is almost upon us, and it's time to break out your Halloween costume sewing projects! For Halloween, if you don't want to spend a lot of money on costumes then you can sew up your own costumes. 

Halloween costumes you can sew yourself image courtesy of Pixabay

 

Women's Halloween Costumes To Sew 

Sewing Halloween costumes can be a very fun and cheap thing to do if you know how to do it. By sewing Halloween costumes, you can show off your creativity to your family and friends. 

Types of Women's Halloween Costumes to Sew

There are a wide variety of costume themes that you can sew for Halloween. The best types of women's Halloween costumes you can sew are traditional Gothic or Victorian ones. These types of costumes seem like the most appealing costumes to everyone on Halloween. 

Sewing notions for making Halloween costumes image courtesy of Pixabay

Gothic Halloween costumes are the most appealing types of costumes for anyone who might be a fan of Twilight or Harry Potter. There are many DIY tutorials today on websites like Reddit or YouTube that will show you how to make your own Halloween costume regarding Gothic or Victorian themes. 

Gothic Halloween Costumes for Women

One common type of Gothic costume a woman may be looking for to sew is a "Mortuary Mama" costume. This type of costume most perfectly resembles a graveyard-like Gothic character from either a book or a movie. 

Halloween Costume Accessories for the Win

One other suggestion for a Gothic costume is to have face paint as well as it will make you look more scary and appealing. 

Budget-Friendly Halloween Costume Sewing Projects

Looking at the Mortuary Mama costume, note that it's one of those costumes you can sew without spending more than $40 on sewing supplies. 

Be Ready for Halloween Costume Competitions

Many stores sometimes have shows for women's Halloween costumes on how to make the best one. Costumes you can sew are a great way to show off your creativity on Halloween. 

Cosplay Costumes for Beyond Halloween

Costuming has become a thing not just for Halloween, but for cosplay's as well. Costuming for Halloween and for cosplays can be a fun and rewarding thing. 

Directions for Using a Self-Drafted Sewing Pattern

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The Basic Technique for Making a Knock-Off of a Garment

By Laure Justice

Today, I headed to the work table in the basement to make a video about making your own patterns for the Sewing Lessons From Stitching it Right YouTube channel. I thought I would write out the details, too, in case you prefer reading about it, or if you have a hard time hearing what I'm saying the sewing tutorial video.

Reasons to Make a Sewing Pattern From a Garment

There are several reasons to take a garment that fits and use it to make your own sewing pattern.

1. First, if you have something that fits perfectly and it starts to wear out, you already know the fit is on point, so making (and using) a pattern made from the perfect-fitting garment is a way to get another perfect-fitting garment.
2. Second, If you can't find a sewing pattern for a garment you want to make, such as a vintage garment or a new style that you can't find patterns for yet, making your own pattern from an existing garment is a way to get that hard to find sewing pattern.
3. Third, it can be a way to get a customized or couture garment before patterns are available to the general public. (According to the teacher of my patternmaking class, this is completely legal.)
4. Fourth, it gives you a way to recreate your favorite clothing without paying retail prices and without going to the store to buy a similar pattern - only to have it not provide a perfect fit.

What You'll Need to Make a Sewing Pattern From Clothes That Fit

To begin with, you just need a few things to make your own patterns, and you don't have to take the garment apart to make patterns using this patternmaking technique.

You need the garment, waxed paper, and something to mark the waxed paper with. If you're making your pattern in a store's dressing room (it can be done if you carry the waxed paper in your purse - for exactly this purpose) you can use a penny or pencil cap to mark on the waxed paper. I used a permanent ink marker in the video.

The Steps of This Patternmaking Technique

In the linked video, I show how to make a copy of a plus-sized tank top that has a yoke and curved bottom hem. The only difference between making a plus-sized garment pattern and smaller garment pattern is piecing, or not piecing, the waxed paper t make it fit across the panels of the garment.

1. Find the midline of the garment. 
1. The easiest way to do that is to fold it so the side seams are aligned. 
2. Lay the waxed paper over the garment with one edge against the fold. 
1. Write cut on fold along this edge.
3. Trace all the way around the panel of the garment, if there are seams, you can feel them through the waxed paper.
1. Or, you can lift one corner to confirm that you're marking the right part. 
4. Trace around each panel used to make the garment.
1. Make any notes needed to help yourself remember what to do when you get ready to sew. 
5. Make notations around the edges to remind yourself to add a  seam allowance when you're ready to cut out the pattern. 

Special Patternmaking Tips to Consider

This is a really easy technique for making a pattern that gives you an exact-fitting copy of a garment that you already have. But, there are a few things you can do to make sure it turns out the way you want.

• Use a similar type of fabric to the type of the original garment if you don't want to throw off the fit or adjust the pattern. 
• After you draw the lines, they tend to look jagged and uneven, use a ruler or French curve to smooth out the lines before you cut out the pattern. 
• After you make the pattern and cut out the pieces, hold them up against the original garment to make sure you got the size and design elements in the right places.
• Make your notes right on the pattern, and take photos of anything you think you might forget when you're working. 
• If the fit of the garment is a touch off, you can add or reduce specific areas of your handmade sewing pattern. 

In the linked patternmaking video, I share the full process for making the pattern in about 13 minutes. This was, however, a very simply constructed garment and I've made numerous patterns using this technique. A garment with more pieces would take longer when it comes to pattern making, and you would also need to prepare more detailed notes.

Also, here's a link to some patternmaking books on eBay. It's an affiliate link, which means if you click it and also buy one of the books, it in no way affects the price you would pay, but a small percentage price of the sale is paid to this site, and it's part of the way we fund the site and keep our video tutorials free to help others learn how to sew.

Be sure to add us to your favorites and like and follow the YouTube channel if you're interested in learning more about how to sew. Thanks for visiting Stitching it Right. Comments and questions are welcome both here and on the Sewing Lessons From Stitching it Right YouTube Channel. 

What Happens If I Use Old Thread?

By Laure Justice

If you're fairly new to sewing, or if you've been sewing a while but are still a bit of a novice, you may have heard about the risks of sewing with old thread - that sewing with old thread can mess up your sewing machine - that clothes made with vintage thread you make may fall apart - that kind of thing. Well, those things can happen, so I wanted to share a bit about how to tell if vintage thread is too old to use.

Old thread image courtesy of LisaRedfern and Pixabay

Wooden Spools Are a Sign You Have Old Thread

Thread used to come on wooden spools, until about the mid-1970's. Since then, it's been wound on platic and hard foam spools, so if you're looking at a length of thread wound around a wooden spool, it's probably been there a while.

Can You Use Vintage Thread Or Not?

Does that mean you can't use old thread? Some people will say don't use it at all - to just glue the old spools to some craft project - and that's cool if the idea interrests you - but it isn't necesssary - old thread can be used for certain things. Ideally, once thread is that old, it should only be used for certain things, such as crafts that don't take any abuse.

How Do I Know If Old Thread I Safe to Use?

While this isn't a very scientific way to test vintage thread for tensile strength, pulling on it is one of the easiest, fastest ways to find out how strong it is.



This is a short YouTube video I filmed that shows how to test old thread to see if it's strong enough to use to sew seams in pants. (It wasn't.)

Basically, if you're sewing clothes, you don't want to use thread that's likely to break and leave you exposed. When I filmed this, I was getting ready to sew a crotch, inner thigh area, outer thigh area and hip area on a pair of uniform pants for a mechanic, so I wanted to be sure the thread i used was going to helpd up to some heavy movement and strain.

Thanks for visiting Stitching it Right, if you're interested in learning how to sew, it would be so great if you watch the video and click the YouTube "Subscribe" button and notification bell icon for Sewing Lessons From Stitching it Right.

Information About Fabric Glue to Mend a Hole in Clothes

Fabric glue can be a real time saver when you need to quickly mend a hole in something, but it can be tricky to apply properly, so I wanted to share a bit of information about it. I also would like to share a bit about my experience with applying fabric adhesive to patch a small hole in a pair of dress slacks, which I documented in the YouTube video shared near the end of this article.

Info about using fabric glue to mend clothes image courtesy of Pixabay

Types of Fabric Glue to Consider

Basically, fabric glue can be permanent or semi-permanent.

• Temporary repairs: If you're trying to mend something you plan to properly fix later, look for semi-permanent fabric glue. It may be labeled semi-permanent or the label may mention that it washes out.
• Repairs that last: If you're using fabric glue as a final repair, or if it's in a spot you don't want to risk tearing out at an inopportune moment, look specifically for the word permanent on the label. 

Basics of Applying Fabric Adhesive

Applying fabric adhesive is fairly simple if the place you're putting it is easy to access. In the video below, I'm applying it to the inner layer of lined dress slacks, which made it fairly complicated.

• Make sure the fabric and patch are both clean and as free of frayed threads as possible.
• Use an artist's paintbrush or cotton swab to apply the fabric glue so you can put it neatly where you need it to be.
• Try to only apply the fabric glue where the patch will be placed because it can leave a shiny, coarse surface if it's exposed, plus it's more likely to peel if it sticks out from under the patch. 
• Apply a heavy coat of fabric adhesive, it may seem like you're just drenching the fabric with this glue, but it's more likely to bond well if you apply a thick coat of adhesive. 
• Check the label of the glue, fabric, and patch to make sure they're compatible. Some fibers simply won't bind well with fabric glue no matter how much you apply or how careful you are when applying a patch with fabric glue.

Video Showing How to Apply Fabric Glue to Mend a Hole in Clothes

With the pants in the pants in the video, I didn't apply nearly enough fabric glue, but I did also do some hand sewing to mend the hole.

The glued patch stayed very well on one side, but it was loose on the other.

I could have reglued it, of course, but I was already planning to sew the frayed ends and the parts that did stick well added enough strength to the pants that there was no worry of the hole getting bigger any time soon.

Here's a link to fabric glue on eBay in case you're interested in finding deals on this product.

Tips for Making a Cute DIY Muffin Gift Basket and Strawberry Muffins

Stitching it Right is honored to partner with Village Bakery to bring you this post about how to make a yummy muffin gift basket.

When you're looking for a great, thoughtful gift, maybe a muffin gift basket would be a good choice. After all, muffins are tasty, baskets are pretty, and if you stitch up a little basket liner to put in the basket, it makes it look even cuter. It also gives the recipient a way to temporarily cover up the muffins when she or he isn’t eating them.

Muffin Gift Basket image courtesy of Pixabay

Prepare the Muffin Basket

Get started by choosing a basket the size you’re thinking of giving. Keep in mind that a really big basket, while it may look cool and exciting, can mean a LOT more time baking, plus, if the recipient doesn’t have a large family, the muffins may go stale before they get eaten. A basket that’s big enough to hold six to twelve muffins or twelve to twenty-four mini-muffins is usually ideal.

Make sure the basket is clean inside and out. Put a layer of plastic wrap, parchment paper, or waxed paper in the bottom to help keep food particles out of the basket’s weave.

Sew a Simple Basket Liner

Take a large bandanna or piece of fabric and lay it in the bottom of the basket. Press it down in, to line the entire bottom of the basket with the edges of the fabric hanging over. The excess fabric will fold over the muffins for a pretty cover.

Use a needle and thread to sew small pieces of ribbon onto the liner right where the handles of the basket are - this will let you tie the liner to the basket so it doesn't shift around after you put in the muffins.

My Favorite Strawberry Muffin Recipe

(You’ll have to let me know if you try these berry muffins and like them. I really love them, but I know everyone’s got their own preferences. I’ve also made them with blackberries, and those were tasty, too.)

Strawberry Muffin Ingredients:

• 1/4-cup cooking oil
• 1 lightly beaten egg
• 1/2-cup milk
• 1-cup minced strawberries
• (If using strawberry preserves, reduce this to 1/4-cup and puree the jam)
• 1&3/4-cup flour
• 1/2-teaspoon salt
• 2-teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2-cup sugar
• 1-teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (optional)

Steps to Make Strawberry Muffins:

1. Gather your ingredients and your baking supplies, including mixing bowls, a mixing spoon, a hand mixer, muffin tins, and muffin papers.
2. Combine the wet ingredients in one small mixing bowl and the dry ingredients in a larger mixing bowl.
3. (The minced strawberries go in the dry ingredient bowl - who knows why - but it works!)
4. Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir just long enough that the dry ingredients are coated, but still lumpy.
5. Fill the muffin tins
6. (this makes about 8 large or 16 mini muffins)
7. Bake in a 375-degree oven for about 20-25 minutes for full-size muffins or 15 to 20 for mini muffins. (When they turn golden brown, they're done.)
8. Let the muffins cool before loading your gift basket and presenting your friend or loved one with your DIY muffin gift basket.

(If it's going to be a while before you see them, take advantage of a sealing food container or zipper bag to keep the muffins fresh in transport.)

Thank you for visiting Stitching it Right! Comments are always welcome here and on our Facebook page, and if you're interested in learning how to sew, it would be great if you subscribe to our Sewing Lessons from Stitching it Right YouTube channel.

Laure

Things to Do on Vacation in Scranton

When you're planning a vacation in Scranton, there's a lot to get ready. You have to come up a with some sort of schedule or itinerary that includes something for everyone. You have to plan out what to wear and which necessities to pack.

Scranton Vacation Ideas image courtesy of Pixabay

If you sew, you may even want to stitch up a  few new outfits or a new swimsuit. So, because this is a sewing website, I wanted to mention a few fun things to do in Scranton, and suggest an idea or two you can sew up in a jiffy to wear while enjoying your Scranton vacation.

Things to Do in Scranton

There are a variety of fun and interesting things to do in the Scranton area when you travel there for a vacation.

• Historic Sites and Museums: There are a number of great historic venues and museums in Scranton. Places like the Electric City Trolley Station and museum, the Pennsylvania Anthracite Museum, and the Steamtown National Historic Site all give you a sense of the area's history and culture. 
• For these destinations, you'll want comfortable clothes and shoes. 
• If you're stitching up a special outfit to wear visiting historic sites, choose comfy shorts in summer or slacks in winter. 
• Be sure to pack a light jacket, too, in case the weather changes while you're out.
• Vineyards and Wineries: If you enjoy sipping wine and nibbling on small plate foods, you may want to visit one of Scranton's vineyards or wineries. Enjoy the views at the Capra Collina Vineyard, the Ferrona Family Winery, or enjoy a traditional wine tasting session at Bartolai Winery. 
• Choose comfortable outfits for this type of destination, though consider sticking to business casual. 
• If you feel like sewing up an outfit for a trip to the winery, consider a simple sundress or dress short and slacks with simple, classic lines. 
• Resorts and Spas: In the mood for some pampering? Consider heading to a spa or resort like Montage Mountain Resorts. The resort is only open in winter, so think skiing and pack warm. 
• If you want to make an outfit for this type of outing, consider making some simple fleece scarves, a warm polar fleece hat with face covering mask, or insulated leggings. 
• You'll want to be layered up and warm when you head out to enjoy the winter activities.
• Scranton Nightlife: There are so many great places to visit in the evening in Scranton. Whether you're in the mood for a traditional pub with a rowdy, earthy quality or an upscale venue where you can wear your best clothes and dance the night away, there's something for you in the Scranton nightlife scene. 
• The type of club you choose to visit can help you decide what type of outfit to wear. 
• A casual pub is perfect for a casual outfit while an upscale club is a great place to wear a cocktail dress or dressy outfit. 

Something for Everyone to Enjoy in Scranton

I tried to pick some thigns that are suitable for kids and some that are more adult-themed for this piece about things to do when you're vacationing in Scranton. Historic and outdoor activities are a fun way for families to spend an afternoon, and enjoying Scranton's nightlife scene or visiting wineries is a fun way for adults to relax in the city.

If you've been to Scranton, or would like to share your ideas on my choices, comments are welcome here or in the Facebook Stitching it Right Sewing Talk group.

Thanks for visiting Stitching it Right, 
Laure

High-Volume Sewing and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

For the most part, someone doing household sewing or crafting doesn't have to worry too much about getting carpal tunnel syndrome. It's people who sew professionally who tend to see the kind of repetitive stress injury that leads to a carpal tunnel diagnosis. 

(I used to work in a sewing factory, and several of my co-workers had carpal tunnel pain and even surgeries for it.)

Carpal tunnel wrist brace image By zyang 

(http://sabies.eu/0/Wrist_brace.jpg) 

[GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) 

or CC BY 3.0  

(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

What to Do if You See Signs of Carpal Tunnel

So, if you're starting your own high-volume sewing business, you may need to be aware of ways to protect yourself from injury, and what to do if you start to notice carpal tunnel symptoms in yourself or your employees.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by damage to a nerve in the wrist that lays alongside the carpal ligament, and according to My Carpal Tunnel, 60 million people worldwide have encountered this painful issue. 

The Link Between High-Volume Sewing and Carpal Tunnel

When you're sewing to make money, such as making a product in a factory or even putting out a large quantity of crafts to sell from home, you establish a rhythm and a way of moving efficiently, and you keep doing it over and over and over. 

With sewing, the main stress is already on your hands and wrists if you're properly seated at the machine, so if you're at all prone t repetitive stress injury, it's just kind of natural that that stress would affect your hands, wrists and forearms. 

Early Carpal Tunnel Symptoms to Watch For

If you notice a problem with carpal tunnel developing, you can sometimes slow its progression by doing some gentle forearm stretches and wearing a cockup brace that holds your hand in a slightly elevated position. 

The reason the brace helps, especially if you wear it while you sleep, is it extends the tunnel the carpal ligament runs through in your forearm. This lets swelling go down and reduces the pain. 

Just be sure to ask your doctor if a brace is right for your situation before you go get one so you don't waste your money or make your carpal tunnel symptoms worse.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery for Advanced Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Very few people actually WANT carpal tunnel surgery, but if the pain is too intense and can't be treated by non-invasive methods, your doctor might suggest an operation. It's important to know that even after the operation, you'll have to treat your wrist with care because carpal tunnel syndrome can return even after surgery. 

What's worse, something could go wrong in the surgery, leaving you in even more pain. In a case like that, you may end up looking for a medical malpractice attorney Pittsburgh to help you with a claim of malpractice. 

Recovery from carpal tunnel surgery is a long process, too, which is another reason to be sure you need it. Sometimes the pain lets up as quickly as the same day of your surgery, according to WebMD, but you have to keep the bandages on for a week or two. Full recovery can take months. 

Your doctor will probably advise you to try some gentle wrist exercises after the surgery, and if your hand strength doesn't return, the doctor might prescribe occupational therapy to help make sure you don't end up hurting your wrist worse and needing a second surgery.

By Laure Justice

Thank you for visiting Stitching it Right. Comments are welcome here and on Facebook. And if you want to learn how to sew, it would be great if you would like and subscribe to our YouTube Sewing Lessons from Stitching it Right channel. 

Why Personal Branding is So Crucial to Entrepreneurial Success

Personal Branding and Entrepreneurial Success image courtesy of Pixabay

If you are setting out in the world with the goal of becoming a successful entrepreneur, you have a lot on your plate. For starters, you need to have some sort of venture – maybe a white label digital marketing company - which you are working hard to make a viable business. Everyone knows that the odds are stacked against new businesses, so you’ll have to bring something interesting and valuable to the market if you are going to stand out from the crowded field.

At the same time, you are also trying to establish yourself as a known brand in your own right. This is called personal branding, and it is particularly important for entrepreneurs. Let’s take a closer look and what it is about personal branding that makes it so valuable.

Investors Are Critical

For most businesses, getting off the ground means finding investors. You can have the greatest idea in the world for your new venture, but it probably isn’t going to go anywhere if you don’t have the necessary money behind you to get started. When looking for investors as an entrepreneur, you are basically selling yourself. The business does not yet have enough value to be of interest to the investor, so they are investing in your ability to make it profitable.

If you have a strong personal brand, it should be much easier to convince those crucial investors that you are worthy of their trust. You can point to the reputation that you have built over the years in order to demonstrate your qualifications and experience. It’s never easy to draw investors into a new venture, but it will get a little bit easier when you have a personal brand to lean on.

Opening Up Options

You never know where the business world is going to take you when attempting to go down an entrepreneurial path. Sure, the first venture you launch may take off, but that is probably not going to be the case. More likely, there will be a series of stops and starts along the way, before you eventually find your footing.

With a powerful personal brand on your side, you should have more opportunities available to you as times goes by. When others know who you are, and what you can do, it’s amazing the doors that can open. Taking the time and effort initially to lay the groundwork for your personal brand may be the difference in finding exciting opportunities or being stuck working on something that just pays the bills.

Thank you for visiting Stitching it Right! If you would like more information on starting your crafting or sewing business to help you get started on your entrepreneurial journey, be sure to check back often, join the discussion on Facebook, or check out the Sewing Lessons from Stitching it Right YouTube channel.

How to Design and Hand Embroider a Logo for Your Business

A logo is part of your brand. It's what helps people recognize your business when you're out in the marketplace. So, I'm working on improving mine today, and I detailed how I did it in a YouTube video on Sewing Lessons from Stitching it Right.

(If you check out the video channel, and want to learn more about sewing, please like and subscribe so you'll be notified when new video is uploaded.)

Hand Embroidering Company Logo image by Laure Justice

Designing a Simple Company Logo

The first step of creating a hand embroidered logo for your business is designing it. For the simple one I'm creating here, I used my computer's Paint program.

I knew I wanted my logo to reflect the fact that I love sewing, so I really wanted it to be a heart themed design.

It didn't take me long to create a dual heart logo, because I loved its simplicity as soon as I saw the pink heart surrounding the red heart.

I had actually planned to create something intricate and detailed, but when I hit on the look that resonated with me so easily, It didn't make sense to add more.

Using Hand Embroidery to Enhance the Appearance of a Company Logo

I used the stem stitch to create the borders, which are the drawn lines on the fabric.

I used a fabric marking pencil to mark out the shapes, as shown in video, so they will wash out if needed.

To add texture to the white strip between the two hearts, I added satin stitching.

(This isn't shown in the video because I didn't want to keep anyone sitting at the computer watching the same stitch over and over.)

Video Showing How to Hand Embroider a Self-Drafted Logo

Some other ways to come up with a logo are having a design company create one for you or visiting a site that has extra tools so you can add more to your own self-drafted logo designs.

It's a great idea to experiment with colors and shapes until you come up with something that really speaks to you and your vision for your business.

Like I mentioned, I wanted my logo to reflect my passion for sewing, so I picked hearts, and of course, for me, the logo needs to be sewn to really reflect what my business is about.

By: Laure Justice

Comments are always welcome here, on the above-mentioned Sewing Lessons from Stitching it Right video channel, or on the Stitching it Right Facebook page.

How to Use Fabric Adhesive to Mend a Small Hole in Clothes

While sewing is an ideal way to fix a hole torn in pants, or any other garment, iron-on patches and patches glued on with fabric adhesive are also worthwhile parts of the garment mending process.

Fabric Adhesive to Mend a Hole in Clothes image by Laure Justice

Tips for Using Fabric Adhesive to Mend a Hole in Clothes

Unless the support patch you're applying is a perfect match for the fabric that has a torn spot you're covering, it's ideal to put the support patch on the wrong side of the fabric.

A support patch is just a patch of fabric that's used to strengthen damaged fabric, and if you're using fabric glue, to catch loose fibers around the hole.

The patch in the image below is a bit hard to see, but I'll give you some details...

I applied Fabric Fusion permanent fabric adhesive to a small silk square. I applied a thin layer because the fabric is thin, BUT - it didn't adhere - it needed a thicker layer of fabric glue.

(By the way: That's an affiliate link, which means, if you click it and buy Fabric Fusion through it, I'll earn a few cents from the purchase - BUT - it doesn't EVER affect the price you would pay.)

Glued-on Fabric Patch image by Laure Justice

I kept the amount of glue used to a minimum because I didn't want it to soak through the thin fabric of the pants.

Since a few frayed spots still show, once the glue dried, I used a fine back thread to gently weave around the hole and stitch the patch in place for extra security.

Video Showing How to Apply Fabric Glue to a Patch for Mending Pants

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By: Laure Justice

Why You Should Iron While Sewing

If I were asked to choose which part of sewing is the most important to creating a successful project, I don't think I could choose between cutting, sewing, and ironing, because they're all key parts. I would even add that preshrinking the fabric is pretty vital with some fabrics, but that's another story for another day.

Why You Need to Iron When Sewing image by Laure Justice

The Importance of Ironing When Sewing

It's fairly common for people who are new to sewing to underestimate the importance of ironing when sewing. I know, for me, I spent a lot of time on projects that just came out... well... lousy.

It was always disappointing, and such a waste of time and fabric. My lesson in this came fairly early in my sewing 'career' - though I have on occasion forgotten and was always quickly reminded by wrinkles and puckered seams.

Always check the care information on the fabric, or test in a small spot if you don't have the information handy, before pressing your fabric with a hot iron. 

If you don't want to prewash your fabric, you can press it with a steam iron or damp pressing cloth to successfully preshrink it.

Why Preshrinking Is So Important

If you're making clothes or anything to a specific size but you don't preshrink the fabric, when you end up laundering the completed item, it could shrink and all your work could be lost because it won't maintain its size.

If you're making things to sell, you may not want to launder the fabric in order to maintain its crispness and unwashed, new feeling - and that's a great time to use your iron to prepare the fabric.

The dampness of the steam or damp pressing cloth provides enough moisture to let the iron's heat shrink the fabric fibers.

Video Showing How Much Difference Pressing Fabric Makes

This video shows the difference when your fabric is un-ironed and after it's been ironed. (I'll be back with another video to show how to press seams when you're sewing.)




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Embroidery Embellishments to Cover Stains

Clothing takes up a big part of a family's budget, so if something gets a stain that won't wash out, finding a way to embellish it can keep your garment looking nice.

Video Showing Flower Embroidery to Cover a Stain

This short video tutorial shows how to make a textured and embroidered rose to cover a stain, but any design or even an applique could be used for someone who doesn't want a rose embroidered on their clothing.





I've used this technique to turn stains into flowers on garments and a quilt I had made that caught a nasty spill and stains wouldn't come out.

Tips for Disguising Stains on a Quilt

On the quilt, it had stains all over it and looked really awful.

I had obviously spent hours and hours making this quilt, so I was really upset when it got stained, but life goes on, and I wanted to save it.

I started looking at options, and considered using fabric paint to make a design over the stains, but I wanted to maintain the classic quilt look as much as possible.

Using this hand embroidery technique saved it and actually added a unique look to it, almost like someone had scattered a handful of colorful flowers across it.

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How to Fix a Hole in Pants or Shorts

This post covers how to fix a hole in pants with an iron-on patch and how to sew a cargo pocket back on after it rips.

Hole in Shorts image by Laure Justice

Fix a Hole in Pants or Shorts With a  Cargo Pocket

If the fabric is frayed and weakened, it's best to put some kind of stabilizing support on the fabric.

I used an iron-on patch for this tutorial, though with some types of fabric you have to just stitch the patch in place to strengthen the fabric.

Iron-on patches are great for some types of repairs, and if you're in a hurry, you can apply an iron-on patch and go where you need to go, but you'll want to sew it in place later because they don't always stay put.

Be sure to check the care tag on the garment you're fixing to make sure it can withstand the wool setting on your iron - synthetics can melt if you try to put iron-on patches on them.

Iron-on patches image by Laure Justice

Turn the garment inside-out and apply the patch on the back of the fabric for the best result if there's any color variation between the patch and the garment.

Video Showing How to Apply an Iron-On Patch

Iron-on Patches are one of my favorite sewing hacks when I need to mend clothing, but like I mentioned, they won't work in every situation. 

In addition to not working on synthetic fibers, they aren't very effective on stretchy fabrics because the patches aren't stretchy. 

Video Showing How to Stitch the Pocket Back On

This video has some sound problems and cuts out - so I want to mention that the closed captioning can be turned on by clicking the (CC) icon so you can follow along with the text until I figure out how to do a voiceover or re-record this episode (with a  different pair of pants.)



With the patch in place to strengthen the fabric, turn the garment right-side-out, then follow the original stitch lines wherever possible.

If you need to sew off the original seams, try to sew parallel to the original lines to make it look like the stitching belongs there.

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Laure