<p>This is a great thread. 
It also reminds me of my sister ( who is a lot like my brother in that she overbuys ), who bought a machine a while ago when computerized machines were new and very expensive.
It will do hundreds of decorative stitches- but she never uses them.</p>
<p>The overbuyers’ motto:</p>
<p>“You never know!”</p>
<p>Nudge, nudge.
Does anyone have any information about my blind-hem stitch question #19?</p>
<p>mafool,
I’d have to look in my manual. The only time I’ve done a blind hem was in the owner’s class when I got my Viking, so I don’t remember how to do it!</p>
<p>Janome. Take a look at Janome machines. Hands down, amazing machines.</p>
<p>I believe MY old Kenmore was made by the company that now makes/owns Janome machines, so some of the features that were comfortable on my old toy are similar on my new state of the art toy. HAVE SEW MUCH FUN!</p>
<p>My sewing machine (a Bernina) will do a single catch-stitch in either direction, so that would work for a blind hem, but I’ll be honest, I haven’t bothered with a blind hem in years, because frankly, I don’t care enough.</p>
<p>Well, being a member of the She Who Dies With the Most Fabric Wins club, I have tens of yard of fabric for window coverings. My husband has noticed, and even I am beginning to be embarrassed. I’ve already made a couple of sets. Blind hems on 3 edges of these lined drapes. And I have to feed 8-1/2 feet of the draperies through the right-hand side the needle on my tired, old machine.</p>
<p>Oh, CountingDown, how I can relate. I have a 30 yo Singer, a fairly new Janome and a Serger. The old Singer gets the most use by far, which is not much these days, though my knitting needles have been flying lately.</p>
<p>Oh dear. I added it up. The tens of yards of drapery fabric is really almost 100 yards. OMG. </p>
<p>I need a new machine to pull this off.</p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>I don’t have a longarm and I have successfully quilted many bedsize quilts. The key is to tightly roll an edge to the middle and fasten bicycle clips around the rolled tube-like section. Always quilt from the center out. Most importantly, baste in 2" intervals either with safety-pins or with thread.</p>
<p>There are domestic sewing machines that have a longer bed of about 9". Janome makes one and there may be other brands as well.</p>
<p>I just finished costuming a production of Mulan Jr. I made a total of 106 costumes on basically two machines. I have an Elna 634 serger (4 thread) and a Viking Platinum 730. I’m not a quilter and don’t do any embroidery. I rarely use a blind hem unless it’s a sheer. Most of my hems were basically sergered and turned under.
I have three great machines:
The Viking 230 was my first machine. Very basic but I still use it today.
The Viking Platinum 730 Viking 730 (computerized) This a great machine for garment sewing and has a very nice button holer that sold me the machine. I also have an Elna 634. This is a four thread serger and I do the majority of my sewing on it now. It’s a serious work horse and I would only trade it in for another Elna with a hem stitch that you see on the right side of most t-shirts, sweat shirts, fleece wear etc. After I learned to thread the machine without any trouble, I was sold. It finishes everything beautifully and feeds both the top and bottom piece of fabric at the same time.
Bernina machines also offer this “even feed” feature which is truly needed for good home dec. sewing.
Find a good dealer! It’s really important and here’s why:
- My Sew/Vac dealer repairs (although I’ve never needed it) and maintains my machines.
- He offers trade in’s, trade up’s and sells both quality new and used machines.
- The shop offers many classes and has an expert staff that has helped me several times and taught me to use my machines like a pro.
- The shop carries all kinds of machine accessories and great quality notions. I had no idea how valuable this was until I started costuming. Clover makes marking tools that are have saved me incredible amounts of time and frustration. If you’ve never owned a clover seam ripper, buy one. It’s a $5.00 purchase that you’ll never regret! I’m also a firm believer in Ginger shears and I love this little snipper thing that my kids bought me for my birthday last year. One more item that I’ve found to be invaluable is a good cutting table with a full sized cutting mat. I use my rotery cutters and sharp small scissors all day now and the table is just the right height so my back does not get tired. Sewing machine dealers sell these niffty tables and large cutting mats, but I got mine with a coupon at Joanne’s. It folds down on two sides and can double as a service table for parties. Happy sewing!</p>
<p>Before I bought a good machine and tools, I hated sewing. I am a convert and I love to sew.</p>
<p>mafool, why didn’t anyone tell me there was a club for she who dies with the most fabric wins? thank you for brightening my day! </p>
<p>& thanks Motherdear for the info on quilting without a longarm!</p>
<p>caution, sexist comment to follow:</p>
<p>{{Oaklandmom, I think it’s kept quiet so the husbands don’t find out.}}</p>
<p>^^^Haha, my friend hides her fabric in the attic! Obviously her H is not as patient as mine or Oaklandmom’s. :)</p>
<p>Mine is actually quite understanding. After all, if he were to comment excessively about my fabric collections, I might need to mention those fly-fishing rods…and the reels…</p>
<p>I have huge bins of fabrics, but not hundreds of yards! My H would be pretty upset if he realized how much I actually have. I’m also a pattern junkie. Whenever they go on sale for .99 I buy at least 10.</p>
<p>The almost hundred yards is just for draperies…for most of the windows in the house.</p>
<p>The fabrics for various quilts in various stages of completion (or not yet started) are not included.</p>
<p>Then there is the yarn…</p>
<p>Do I need an intervention for textile addiction?</p>
<p>mafool, some of the newer computerized machine let you switch sides for the hem-stitching like a mirror image. But I don’t know why you would have to have all the fabric to the right? I’m not sure if we are thinking of the same stitch. If you do a search for sewing techniques, actually Bernina has an online guide for its sewing machines intended to demonstrate the various feet, but it does show how to hold your fabric as well…</p>
<p>Not knocking Walmart and Target and such, but that is NOT the place to get a sewing machine. I love my Berninas and I also use a Singer 221, aka featherweight. I quilt :)</p>
<p>Zimmer07
It’s because I am sewing on a 25-year-old Kenmore!!! And the blind hem stitch works such that it is “catching” the fabric on the right, but the way the fabric and hem have to be folded, the bulk of the fabric passes between the needle and the machine.</p>
<p>So: I . Need . A . New . Machine.</p>
<p>Rght??? I just can’t spend more on the machine than it would cost to have someone make the draperies. (or can I? stroking her chin)</p>
<p>(I quilt, too)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>No, you just need a quilt guild to meet fellow textile artists!</p>