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mizlilly
7
Jan 21, 2019
If you’re adding outlets, consider locating them at “desk height” so they’re more accessible. Add more than you think you’ll need, and preferably a dedicated one for your iron...one with a higher rating...I think it’s 20 amps, but don’t quote me. There are oodles of groups on Facebook and lots of good ideas. How you want your space will depend somewhat on what you sew. Quilters need larger work surfaces, generally speaking, than do garment sew-ers. As a garment sew-er, you may want a dress form, as a quilter, a design wall. If you do quilting, machine embroidery or specialty garments like wedding gowns, you need more room than if you’re sewing for children or small home dec items ...I do a bit of quilting, but I’m primarily a garment sew-er, with a particular fondness for vintage children’s clothing. Therefore an ironing board and a sleeve board are very important in my sewing room. I know there are a lot of quilters who prefer an alternative to a regular ironing board, but it’s a necessity to me. And even if you iron clothing, the ironing board is a plus, IMO. As to what I keep handy...on my. As a newbie one of the most important things to remember is that pressing is vital to a good job. Don’t skimp on the pressing. Buy quality in your main tools, like good scissors (I like Kai best, and prefer the professional series), maintain your machine, both routine at home cleaning, oiling only as directed in your manual, yearly service. In my opinion the time you invest in your sewing is the most valuable component, and it only makes sense to buy good thread, and quality fabric. It makes sense while you’re learning to find cheaper fabrics, but buy the best you can as your skills grow. This isn’t exactly something I wish I’d known in the beginning (I’ve been sewing for 50+ years!) but, this is important info for 2019: please be aware that not everyone you find online doing tutorials, writing a blog, selling patterns, etc., is truly qualified. I’ve encountered some really bad information, and some terrible patterns. There are some very personable people, who have a marvellous talent for style, colour, and combining different fabrics, but they lack the technical expertise to design patterns or teach others, because they don’t know themselves. And this is true of some of the better known online sewing personalities! The gaps in their knowledge can result in your frustration, wasted fabric, etc. Kwik Sew patterns have always been good, well designed with logical and well explained construction methods. A few years back they were bought out by McCalls and I haven’t bought very many new ones, so things may have changed. It makes sense to do things efficiently, but some shortcuts give less than desirable results. Enjoy your sewing and focus on learning and making something beautiful, “handmade, not homemade,” rather than trying to get it done in the least amount of time possible. I was going to recommend a good sewing book, but I just may have written one here 😉. Seriously though, there are several good sewing books, like Threads, Vogue...many more that focus on basic construction all the way to advanced techniques. Yes, there is a lot of information available online, and it’s free, but as a beginner, you may not be able to distinguish between the reliable and accurate and the very pretty but sadly lacking. Hoping by now you are enjoying your sewing!
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