I can help. My sewing is my stress relief. My passion, my something I always have to do! I love sewing, and love talking sewing. If anyone has a sewing question, I'm happy to answer!!!!
-nobia

What do you recommend for hemming jeans? The needle size and thread strength.

About a 10/70 needle should work for jeans. You can also find thread specifically for jeans at places like JoAnn's.


Sgt Mom

When you're hemming the jeans, are you planning on totally removing the current hem threads? If not, they'll be very bulky, and tough on any needle.

I usually use Singer needles 90/14 I believe is what they say.

Denim thread is great specially if you want them to look like they did when you bought them, but it's a pain to thread sometimes. Gutterman makes it in several color ways. Personally I just use regular thread that matches the seam thread.

Does anyone know how to make name tapes?? Please email me at through profile

This message has been edited. Last edited by: theainjmtant,

I've gotten the sewing down, now I am trying to work the talent a bit. I do have problems with hems. What stitch should be used? I notice my slacks when I buy them have kind of a zigzag stitch. I have been doing a straight stitch and lengthening the stitch a bit so the hem is not too tight. My hems tend to come out a little crooked. It just doesn't look the same as in store bought pants hems.

Any advice on hemming?

Store bought hems are done with a blind hem stitch. Some machines come with that stitch and some don't. Read through the manual for your machine and if it has the stitch it will tell you how to set it up and do it.

Hope that helps.


Sgt Mom

Thanks Sgtmom! I'll check it out!

Thought I'd revive this thread. Now that I have a little time before my next college classes start, I'm going to catch up on my sewing projects.

DH asked me to repair a small tear on his leather vest. Can anyone tell me what size needle to use on leather and if a heavier thread needs to be used? Can any sewing machine work on leather or does it have to be a special one that can handle the thickness of it?

Thanks.

You'll need a heavy duty needle and thread. Your machine may not be able to handle it. Some of the newer machines are such lightweights I don't know if it would stand up to the job. I know Schmetz makes a leather needle in 11/75 and 14/90 sizes.

Worst case scenario is a shoe repair place should be able to handle it for you.


Sgt Mom

Thanks sgtmom! I may just take it out to be sewn. My machine is pretty basic.

Ok, I finished the sewing projects that I have been working on for the past few months and haven't had time to finish. Hubby's pj bottoms are done and another decorator pillow.

Tomorrow, I'm going to the fabric store. I have a pattern to make a summer dress. I can't wait to troll the fabrics and pick out what I want!

Looks like I'm the only one posting, but that's ok, I'll just keep on rambling! LOL!

I am getting ready to tackle my first "complex" sewing project. I'm going to make myself a summer dress. I trolled the fabric store for the "perfect" fabric to make it. I found a very pretty lavender fabric with very small flowered print. Very feminine and very pretty. It will make a nice sundress. Today, I'm going to launder the fabric and iron it to get it ready for cutting.

Anyone else working on a special project?

No special projects on sewing at the moment.

I'm working on a custom needlepoint piece for a customer. It's about 30 X 30, so it's a big one.

Had the design meeting with staff for Biddeford High and now I'll be working on designs for the guard for uniforms and flags this fall.

I have plenty of "to do" sitting there waiting on me. I have several pj bottoms I want to make, I'm in the middle of knitting a pair of socks for my husband, etc.




Sgt Mom

My favorite fabric store was having a 50% off sale the other day on most fabrics. I took Tony in there and we both picked out some fabrics that we like for me to make some shirts, pj bottoms and such.

Bought 3 yards of each of the fabrics we picked out. I learned from the past, to buy extra fabric in case I want to make assessories to go with something you make.

I'm planning in the future to take a quilting class to learn quilting. I'll use any extra fabric that I have to make a quilt!

Now, I just need to set some time aside each week to work on sewing. My college classes are demanding this semester so it's going to be a challenge!

Shoot, I don't have college and sometimes I have trouble finding time to sew. LOL Unless I'm doing a custom order that is. Towards the end of summer I'll be sewing a lot for a couple of guards I'm working with for the fall season.

Right now most of my time is spent on a custom needlepoint that is about 30" x 30" and a counted cross stitch for my parents' 50th anniversary.



Mom

Ok, so I was going to start on my sundress, but since then, I bought all of this fabric and have more ideas. Hubby picked out a really nice colorful fabric and wants me to make him a Hawaiian shirt. The shirt won't take as long as the dress so I figured I'll start there then do the dress.

I got the fabric all cut out from the pattern and now am ready to start!

I do have to practice making button holes as my machine is very basic and you have to manually set the machine up for making them. Still not that great at it so I'll practice on scrap fabric first. Yesterday, I bought Sewing 101 at the book store to help with some of my challenges.

I know what I want for Christmas this year! Time to trade up to a better sewing machine!

Argh, had a post almost finished and Mil.com ate it.

It's addictive though, isn't it?! LOL

I need to find a good place to take my serger. I haven't been able to use it since the move in '07! I can't get the tension adjusted right and I've tried going back to the original settings and it still won't sew correctly. Depending on work on it I may be looking at a new one for Christmas myself!


Sgt Mom

Slowly getting there with my hubby's Hawaiian shirt. I'm hoping to be most of the way finished by the weekend. We'll see since I have a final next Thursday. May be doing a lot of studying. I want to get the shirt done so I can start on my dress!

You'll have to post pictures!

I'm working on a set of practice flags for a high school. I should finish them by the weekend. Then I need to get a wallet made for our daughter and get back to the counted cross stitch for my parents' 50th anniversary, and the needlepoint piece I'm doing for a customer.



Mom