Missing My Sewing Machine

Missing My Sewing Machine

A video from a year ago

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbPTbwBs/

A video posted today "on this day"

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbP3tk1t/

A blog posting from a year ago.

https://sewingquiltingbyshirleyann.blogspot.com/2025/10/tote-bag.html


This posting from Tiktok brought to my attention of a year ago.  It reminds me of firstly hearing something different which I thought had something to do with the fabric making the machine strain.  However, it lasted a whole year sewing okay until last week.  I must be talking back at me saying its time you have me checked into.  I gather I thought it will just go away, but, unfortunately last week its the worst I ever heard it to sound like.  Really missing it because I was resdy to sew many projects I had lined up wanting to do.  Its been a week now and I can't get to looked into a sewing machine service or to buy one.  Never been in this type of situation where finances are not available.


PS. Not only my sewing machine burned out, but my iron too in the same week.

Sewing, Quilting etc. By ShirleyAnn Pearman: MY SEWING MACHINE (sewingquiltingbyshirleyann.blogspot.com)



She still looks good but she is not working.


Who will replace her?


Happy Sewing!

๐Ÿงต๐Ÿชก✂️๐Ÿซถ


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Euro-Notions 1840 ELX705 Serger Needles, Sizes 12/80 (2), 14/90 (3)

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oliso MultiMat Wool Pressing Mat - 14 in x 14 in for Quilting



Ironing Board Cover and Pad, 15x54 Standard Size, Scorch Resistant


Mary Ellen's Best Press Clear Starch Alternative 16.9oz, Scent-Free, Model Number: 85806

Fairfield Poly-Fil Extra-Loft Quilt Batting, Premium Polyester Batting for Quilting, Ideal for Lap Blankets and Crib-Size Projects, Quilting Supplies, 45" X 60"

Warm Company Warm & White Cotton Batting - Crib Size 45"X60"

Pellon® 987F Fusible Fleece 45 x 60in Package in


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Coopay 180 Yards Length 1/8" Width Elastic Bands Flat Elastic Cord Rope Heavy Stretch Spool Knit for Sewing DIY Projects, Arts & Crafts (White, 1/8 Inch)


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Coats & Clark All Purpose Sewing Thread for Sewing Machines, 100% Polyester High Quality Thread Spools for Hand Stitching, Medium Weight 35wt, 400 Yards, 6-Pack, White


BlesSew Sewing Machine Thread – 24 Spools, 1000 Yards Each – All Purpose Polyester Thread Set, 22 Colors + Black & White – Thread for Sewing Machine, Ideal for Beginners, Quilting & Repairs

Craftido-19 Options-100% Cotton Fabric by The Yard in Solid Color 44”Wide by 3yd (9 ft) -Medium Weight 5.2 oz-Soft Cotton for Quilting, Sewing, Crafts, Binding, Backing and Lining - White


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Happy shopping.
๐Ÿ›’๐Ÿ›๐Ÿ™Œ


Thank You!





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KNOWLEDGE BASE OF BASICS | SERIES STITCH LENGTH

 

KNOWLEDGE BASE OF BASICS SERIES

STITCH LENGTH




ChatGpt 

Absolutely ❤️ Here is the next post in your Knowledge Base of Basics Series, written to fit the style of your previous sewing basics posts.

KNOWLEDGE BASE OF BASICS SERIES

STITCH LENGTH

Stitch length is the distance between each stitch made by your sewing machine.

It may seem like a small detail, but choosing the right stitch length can make a difference in how your sewing project looks, feels, and holds together.

What Does Stitch Length Mean?

When you sew with a machine, the needle moves up and down while the fabric moves underneath the presser foot.

The stitch length setting controls how far the fabric moves between each needle stitch.

  • Shorter stitch length = more stitches per inch

  • Longer stitch length = fewer stitches per inch

Most modern sewing machines allow you to adjust the stitch length with a dial, buttons, or a digital setting.

Common Stitch Lengths

A medium stitch length is commonly used for everyday sewing.

For many general sewing projects, a setting around 2.5 mm is a good starting point.

Here are some general guidelines:

1.5–2.0 mm — Short Stitch

Useful for:

  • Lightweight fabrics

  • Small or detailed sewing

  • Curves

  • Areas where extra control is helpful

2.0–3.0 mm — Regular Sewing

Useful for:

  • Most seams

  • Quilting cotton

  • Everyday sewing projects

  • Garments and household sewing

3.0–4.0 mm — Longer Stitch

Useful for:

  • Basting

  • Gathering

  • Topstitching

  • Heavier fabrics

  • Decorative stitching

These are general guidelines. Your sewing machine, fabric, thread, and project may require a different setting.

Stitch Length for Quilting

When quilting, stitch length is also important.

A stitch that is too short can make the stitching look dense and may cause the fabric to become stiff or puckered.

A stitch that is too long may not provide enough support for the quilt layers.

For many machine-quilting projects, a stitch length around 2.5–3.0 mm is a useful starting point.

Always test your stitching on a scrap or sample piece first.

Stitch Length for Basting

Basting usually requires a longer stitch length.

Long stitches make it easier to remove the stitches later and can also make gathering fabric easier.

For temporary stitching, you might increase the stitch length to around 4.0 mm or longer, depending on your machine and the project.

Why Is Stitch Length Important?

The correct stitch length can help you achieve:

  • Strong and secure seams

  • Smooth-looking stitches

  • Better fabric control

  • Proper tension between the fabric and thread

  • Attractive topstitching

  • Easier gathering and basting

Using the wrong stitch length can sometimes result in puckering, weak seams, skipped stitches, or an uneven appearance.

Always Test Your Stitch

Before beginning a project, especially when working with a new fabric, it is a good idea to make a few test stitches.

Use a scrap of the same or similar fabric and check:

Does the stitch look even?

Is the fabric puckering?

Does the seam feel secure?

Does the thread look balanced on both sides?

If something does not look right, adjust your stitch length, thread tension, needle, or other machine settings as needed.

Stitch Length and Fabric

Different fabrics can require different settings.

A lightweight fabric may look better with a shorter stitch, while a heavier fabric may work better with a longer stitch.

There isn't always one perfect setting for every project.

Learning to adjust your stitch length is part of becoming comfortable with your sewing machine.

A Simple Sewing Tip

When in doubt, test it out!

Keep a few scraps of fabric nearby when sewing. Testing your stitch before starting the actual project can save time, prevent frustration, and help you get the finished look you want.


KNOWLEDGE BASE OF BASICS SERIES

Stitch Length

A simple sewing machine setting that can make a big difference in your sewing.

Understanding the basics gives you more confidence to experiment, sew, quilt, and create.

Happy Sewing! ๐Ÿงต๐Ÿชก❤️

This post is for general sewing information. Always refer to your sewing machine's manual for the recommended settings and instructions for your particular machine.






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PINS ON PINTEREST

 


(231) Pinterest


Pin on Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases (pinterest.com)


pins on pinterest - Search (bing.com)



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3Pcs Magnetic Seam Guide for Sewing Machine


3Pcs Magnetic Seam Guide for Sewing Machine






Helpful Sewing Tools

Very handy tool that I have used myself at times in sewing some projects.


Alexa For Shopping

Perfect for your sewing projects! The Armilem Magnetic Seam Guide aligns beautifully with your passion for sewing, quilting, and patchwork:
•
Straight, Consistent Seams – Customers love how it helps maintain even, professional-looking stitches for clothes, quilts, and household items
•
Universal Compatibility – Works with most sewing machine brands, so you can use it across all your machines
•
Perfect for Quilting – The polygonal design with built-in scale makes fabric alignment easier, whether you're hemming, topstitching, or piecing together quilt blocks
•
Great Gift for Bloggers – Three beautifully packaged guides (orange, pink, green) that match the creative aesthetic you share with your audience
•
Beginner-Friendly – No special skills needed—just place it on the needle plate and let the strong magnets do the work
Customers consistently praise its durability and stability, saying it stays firmly in place even through thick fabrics. It's already a bestseller among sewers, and at this price point, it's a smart investment for improving your craft.

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 “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Sewing And Quilting [Pearman Sew]'s Amazon Page

Amazon.com: Armilem

 




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TIKTOK Daily Life MyTechFavs “Sewing”

 TIKTOK  Daily Life MyTechFavs “Sewing”










TikTok Posting

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbSN14hr/

#mytechfavs
#dailylife

Daily Life MyTechFavs “Sewing”


๐Ÿงต ARE YOU STILL USING PINS FOR EVERYTHING? ๐Ÿ‘€

If you sew or quilt, you may want to try sewing clips!

I found these 100-Piece Sewing Clips with 9 colors while looking through Amazon for sewing supplies.

✨ Great for:
• Holding fabric layers together
• Quilting
• Binding
• Small sewing projects
• Keeping fabric in place while sewing

๐Ÿ“Œ Would you choose clips or pins?

Tell me in the comments: PINS ๐Ÿ“ or CLIPS ๐Ÿงท?

๐Ÿ”— Product link: https://amzn.to/4xX9dMC

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

“Would YOU use clips instead of pins?”

#Sewing #SewingTips #SewingClips      

Happy Sewing! ๐Ÿซถ
๐Ÿงต๐Ÿชก✂️ 



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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”


=====================


Sewing is the timeless craft of fastening fabrics or textiles together using a needle and thread. Whether you are looking to mend your own clothes, create your own fashion wardrobe, or dive into quilting and home decor, it is a highly rewarding skill that balances practical utility with creative expression.
If you are just getting started or planning your next project, it helps to break the craft down into its core essentials:
Before diving into complex projects, having a reliable starter kit will save you time and frustration:
  • The Needle & Thread: Hand-sewing needles come in various sizes (sharps are great for general sewing), while a standard all-purpose polyester thread works for most fabrics.
  • Fabric Shears: Invest in a dedicated pair of high-quality fabric scissors. Using regular paper scissors on fabric will dull the blades and chew up your material.
  • Pins and Pincushions: Straight pins hold your fabric layers perfectly in place before you secure them with stitches.
  • Measuring Tape: A flexible sewing tape measure is crucial for taking body measurements and calculating fabric yardage.
If you are new to the craft, skip complex tailored garments at first and try these highly satisfying, beginner-friendly projects:
  • Tote Bags: Perfect for practicing straight lines, creating seams, and boxing corners.
  • Cushion Covers: An excellent way to learn how to measure fabric precisely and install simple closures like envelopes or zippers.
  • Basic Garments: Elastic-waist lounge pants, simple A-line skirts, or boxy tops require minimal fitting and are very forgiving.
Depending on your goals, space, and budget, you can choose between two primary methods:
  • Hand Sewing: Requires very little investment and is highly portable. It is essential for delicate finishes, sewing on buttons, embroidery, or mending small tears.
  • Machine Sewing: Essential for larger projects, garments, and quilting. A basic mechanical sewing machine speeds up the process significantly and creates incredibly durable, uniform lockstitches.
To help point you in the right direction, let me know:
  • Are you looking for product recommendations (like the best beginner sewing machines or starter kits)?
  • Do you want guidance on a specific project (like altering clothes, quilting, or making a dress)?
  • Or are you trying to learn a particular technique (like threading a machine or sewing a blind hem)?

====≈=================


When you look at sewing through the lens of "Daily Life" and the "MyTechFavs" trend, it transforms from a traditional, purely rustic hobby into a highly optimized, minimalist, and tech-driven discipline.
On platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit's MYOG (Make Your Own Gear) community, a new wave of creators are blending sewing with the "clean desk setup" aesthetic. They are using sleek, automated, and portable tools to design their own tech accessories—like custom canvas backpacks, padded keyboard sleeves, or travel cord organizers. [1]
If you want to build a "MyTechFavs" inspired sewing setup that elevates your daily routine, here are the modern, highly scannable tech essentials and habits making waves right now:

⚡ The "MyTechFavs" Sewing Tool Kit


A perfect example of modern tech integration. It connects via Wireless LAN to smartphone apps like Artspira, allowing you to design custom embroidery patterns on your phone and beam them instantly to the machine. It features a smart LCD touchscreen and automatic needle threading, aligning beautifully with the minimalist, effortless tech trend.

For the "everyday carry" (EDC) enthusiast, this is the ultimate quick-fix gadget. About the size of a stapler, this cordless, battery-powered device is perfect for keeping in a desk drawer or travel pack for on-the-spot hem fixes and quick repairs without breaking out a full setup.

A staple visual anchor in viral "satisfying" sewing videos. It looks like a sleek smartwatch or fitness band but features a powerful magnetic face that instantly snaps up loose needles and straight pins from your workspace.

Electric Rechargeable Seam Ripper
Moving away from slow manual tools, this gadget acts like a precision trimmer for thread. It allows you to erase mistaken stitches or take apart old clothing for upcycling in seconds, charging cleanly via USB.

๐Ÿงต The Daily Life Overlap: What People are Making

Instead of massive quilts or complex formalwear, the "MyTechFavs" community applies sewing to optimize their daily workflow:
  • Custom Tech Pouches: Crafting custom box pouches using rugged, water-resistant fabrics (like X-Pac or Cordura) perfectly sized to hold Mac Safe power banks, multi-port GaN chargers, and cables. [1]
  • Desk Mats & Sleeve Cases: Stitching custom felt laptop sleeves and minimal mechanical keyboard travel bags to keep gear safe on a daily commute.
  • Thrift Flipping & Sustainable Customisation: Merging tech with fashion by adding functional utility pockets, custom zipper tracks, or phone pouches to thrifted hoodies and cargo pants.
Would you like to explore smart, computerized sewing machines within a specific budget, or are you interested in a beginner-friendly tutorial for sewing your own tech pouch or travel organiser?

----


Here is a breakdown of the best budget-friendly computerized sewing machines that fit the modern, aesthetic "MyTechFavs" style, followed by a beginner-friendly tutorial to sew your own custom tech pouch.
These electronic models trade confusing old manual dials for crisp LCD screens and push-button shortcuts, giving you perfect stitch precision without the steep price tag:

An outstanding entry-level option for modern sewists on a budget. It features an integrated digital LCD display to seamlessly swap between 60 pre-programmed utility and decorative stitches with one-touch button controls. Driven by a robust 70W motor, it glides through denim and tech fabrics effortlessly.

Weighing in at just 11 pounds, this highly portable, sleek unit features a clear LCD display and convenient quick-buttons for a locking stitch, easy reverse, and needle up/down positioning. Its jam-proof top drop-in bobbin saves time during fast-paced setups.

A fantastic mid-tier upgrade featuring an expansive selection of 100 stitches. True to the hands-free tech aesthetic, it features a push start/stop button that allows you to stitch smoothly at your preferred pace using a speed control slider instead of relying on a floor foot pedal.
This beginner-friendly project makes a boxy, padded tech organizer perfect for holding a laptop brick, multi-port travel block, wireless mouse, and charging cords.

๐Ÿงฐ Materials Needed

  • Outer Fabric: 2 pieces of heavy canvas or water-resistant Cordura cut to 25 cm × 18 cm.
  • Lining Fabric: 2 pieces of soft cotton or fleece cut to 25 cm × 18 cm.
  • Padding: 2 pieces of fusible fleece or thin foam canvas cut to 25 cm × 18 cm (this gives it that premium, protective structure).
  • Hardware: One 25 cm (or longer) nylon coil zipper.

๐Ÿ› ️ Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prep the Panels
Iron your fusible padding directly onto the wrong (back) side of your outer fabric pieces. This provides structural shielding for your devices.
Step 2: Sandwich the Zipper
  1. Lay one outer fabric piece face up.
  2. Place your zipper face down along the top long edge.
  3. Place a lining fabric piece face down on top of it, matching up the raw edge.
  4. Snap your sewing machine's zipper foot into place, choose a clean computerized straight stitch, and sew through all three layers along the zipper track.
  5. Flip the fabrics open so they are wrong sides together and press flat. Repeat this entire sandwiching process for the remaining pieces on the opposite side of the zipper.
Step 3: Topstitch for a Clean Look
Run a neat topstitch down each side of the zipper track, roughly 3mm from the fabric edge. This stops the inner fabric liner from catching in the zipper teeth when opening the pouch later on.
Step 4: Box and Stitch the Body
  1. Crucial Tech Step: Unzip the zipper halfway (if you forget this, you won't be able to turn your pouch right-side out!).
  2. Separate your fabrics so the two outer pieces are facing right sides together, and the two lining pieces are facing right sides together. Pin around all four edges.
  3. Sew all the way around the perimeter, leaving a 10 cm gap open at the very bottom edge of the lining fabric for turning.
Step 5: The "MyTechFavs" Boxy Corners
To give the pouch a modern, flat-bottomed 3D depth instead of a flat envelope shape:
  1. Pinch the four corners of the pouch flat, matching the side seams up with the bottom seams to form a triangle shape.
  2. Measure 3 cm inward from the tip of each triangle, draw a straight line across, and sew directly down that line.
  3. Trim away the excess corner triangles.
Step 6: Flip and Finish
Reach your hand through the gap left in the lining, pull the pouch right-side out through the open zipper, and neatly push the corners out. Sew the small opening in the lining closed with a clean edge stitch, tuck the lining inside the pouch, and iron it smooth.
If you like, let me know which of the sewing machines stands out to you the most, or if you need help picking out the perfect durable fabric types like Cordura or X-Pac for your project!












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Missing My Sewing Machine

Missing My Sewing Machine A video from a year ago https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbPTbwBs/ A video posted today "on this day" https://vt.t...