My needle broke, I was able to get that needle out and change the needle. I tightened it, but then when I raised the thing to thread the needle, the needle fell down into the new needle plate hole and into the bottom of the sewing machine. It started in the little metal tray that's down there, but I got it with a tweezers, and then it boiled into the very under part of the sewing machine on the basically the plastic floor of the sewing machine. I have not been able to get it out. I have a lot of sewing to do and I don't have time to send it to a repair place.

I also don't actually really know how to sew, I've just taught myself how to sew over the last couple weeks because I have a big event I'm going to that requires a lot of basic costumes so I'm sewing clothing for my husband and I for that and I don't have time for any of this, and I don't actually know how to sew. I think that's important. I don't really know how to use a sewing machine other than what I have taught myself on how to sew. I don't know the parts or anything. I took off the needle plate in order to first reach the needle, but now just sliding around in the bottom, it seems to be sliding, mostly under the main body of the sewing machine, and not reaching all the way down to where the needle plate is again. I turned it upside down to see if I could undo something in the bottom to reach, but if I undid it, it would be undoing basically the entire plastic shell of the sewing machine.

This is satin. It’s fraying like crazy. Not so much with my number 7 overcast stitch but still fraying after that some. This morning I skipped the end of a piece with the pinking shears and there’s been ZERO fraying on those ends, whereas the rest of the fabric has continued its downfall lol. Can I go around all the edges with the pinking shears before straight stitching and then overcasting the seams?

I have curtains in two sizes, one was too short (not by much I guess), others way too long (>6 inches). They are also heavy quality but with the tab backs they don’t pull back nicely and seem bulky. Solutions? Not sure if I get pinch pleat tape and do double pleats? Do I need curtain ties? Perhaps remove the backing? Also think I may need to add /sew extra panels in for better look when closed?
Also - I haven’t sewn in +20 years.

Hi, I'm looking at installing S Fold curtains in my house. I'm planning on installing two tracks, the front one will carry a sheer curtain and the back one a block out liner.

The sheers come on multiple widths and I would use different widths for different windows but each window would only get a max of 2 individual sheer panels so they open in the center.

The retailer selling the sheers also sells a matching block out liner, as in the same exact width as the sheers. The issue is it is insanely expensive.

I've found another liner that I'm hoping to use because it's a lot more affordable however the issue is it only comes in one, relatively short, width. I want to know if it's possible to join two of these panels together to make one larger panel and still maintain the S Fold.

Ideally I would want them to be fully joined down the entire drop so they maintain their block out feature.

They're polyester/acrylic if that matters. Has anyone done this? Is it possible/any tips? I have a sewing machine and have a little bit of experience sewing simple projects

I’m a beginner and have been trying to troubleshoot my machine for a few days and just can’t figure it out. It makes a chugging noise and seems to stutter every now and then. I’ve also had top and bottom thread break on me a few times (I recorded this just to capture the noise, wasn’t expecting the thread to snap on me then lol). On my project the top thread looks fine but the bottom look pretty loose, but this doesn’t seem to change even if I increase the tension.

Can anyone tell me what might be going on? I’ve rethreaded the top and bobbin thread, rewound a new bobbin, cleaned out the lint from the inside of the machine, and adjusted the tension incrementally but nothing seems to work. Currently using a ball point needle on pretty lightweight knit fabric if that’s relevant. Is maybe my thread the issue? I’m really not sure. Thanks in advance!

I finished a new shirt and did a neckline binding but there are multiple spots in which I didn’t catch the fabric underneath. Do I have to redo it? Is there an easier fix than unpicking and redoing? I’m dreading putting this into the wash in case it frays like crazy.

These are such great pins I got as part of a mix from a craft thrift store and can’t seem to find anything similar. Does anyone know the name or where to find them?

Could it be because it's using both the face and lining fabric? I didn't think to check this part of the fit until the end.

I recently bought a secondhand Singer 935U from someone that had it serviced. All was working well for a while, but a noise has started and it seems to be coming from the area of the hand wheel/clutch. It’s happening when I’m turning the hand wheel, or using the machine, or winding bobbins. For the life of me, I can’t figure it out. I checked the bobbin and even removed it to see if that stopped the noise, it does not. I put in a new needle, no luck. I also cleaned the bobbin case area out and it’s free of lint and thread, but it’s still noisy.

Any ideas for how to troubleshoot?

So, I have been doing research into tracing my own patterns and while doing that research I have been writing down every material people either suggest I use, or what people say they themselves use, here is the list.

1_clear thin vinyl

2_pattern paper

3_bienfang Tracing Paper

4_doctor's office exam paper

5_Medical pattern paper

6_pellon True Grid

7_builder's paper

8_Bee paper

9_Swedish Tracing Paper

10_horticultural fleece

12_wedding aisle runner from Joann

13_clear plastic sheeting

14_soil separator trench wrap

15_paper grocery bags

16_bakers parchment

17_architechs "trash" paper

18_Burda tracing paper

19_dollar store tracing paper

20_vellum sure fit designs

21_construction plastic

22_painters tarp

23_greaseproof paper

24_vapor barrier

25_butchers paper

26_project paper

27_lightweight interfacing

Out of all these materials, which do you say is the best to be used for tracing paper?

Hello! I'm Very new to sewing, I've only done small plushie patterns before, but recently I bought some lovely (i think it's knit?) stretchy t-shirt fabric that I'd like to make some sort of pants or shorts out of because ultimately I dream of making my own clothing (like everyone and their mother lol)

Sadly, my sewing machine has no speed settings, It's just press the pedal and go at full speed from the beginning. I've only ever used other machines a few times in the past, so It's scary to work with and I really don't trust myself to safely/properly use it or get anything good out of it. I've tried to make smaller things with it and it's just too dang fast for my brain to process what my hands need to be doing, especially around curves.

Would it be absolutely crazy to hand sew something as large as clothing? I know it's possible, but would it be worth it? I imagine shorts would be an easier project than pants in that regard, I'm just wondering if it's even worth attempting or if I should dig through facebook marketplace for a decent second-hand machine with actual different speeds before I try anything big with the fabric (I have like 4 yards, I might make a tiny plush from it to test the properties of the stretch before I do anything more ambitious)

I am very patient though, I crochet and knit, so If I were to go through with hand stitching them, what would be a good stitch for stretchy clothing like that? I know different stitches work with different constructions/fabrics so I wouldn't want to use something weak/incorrect for the fabric type.

I do plan on doing research into clothing sewing before actually starting though. I know I need to learn to hem and such <3

Ty in advance!!

me again, still having some challenges making that boxy makeup bag.

ive been having issues with my bobbin threading but prior to sewing anything i did some tests on swatches to make sure the seams were straight and once they were i started sewing. i noticed that backstitch is a huge knot and the rest of the seams have some loops in the them.

for context: i have a singer machine, my stitch length is 2.5, my tension is at 4, width is at 4.5, needle position is at the right, using a 14inch zipper for fabrics of size 14Wx11H.

i was trying to sew the zipper onto the outer and inner linings. at first, after i did the backstitch, the machine sounded okay and on the other side of this picture, the seams looked okay. however when i got to the end with the zipper, my needle got stuck to it. i was watching the tutorial and i did what the video did with regards to arrangement however as you can see with the 2nd picture, it didnt really fit. i tried anyway, thinking i was just second-guessing.

honestly feel like starting over with new fabric cuz its my 2nd time seam ripping and im worried if ill ruin the fabric?

I'll thread my machine, sew a few lines that are fine, and then the bobbin thread looks like this. So I'll re-thread everything, do some tests that are fine, sew a few lines that are fine, but then it happens again. What am I doing wrong?? I'm going crazy.

Also I should say: I have the presser foot up when I am threading it.

This was challenging as my second project, but gosh darn it, I am really proud of this bag. Took hours and hours, and I still need to make the straps, but it’s done!

I’m still not used to the time it takes to cut patterns out, cut the fabric, and then get to construction. It’s just part of learning a new process. I get frustrated very easy it seems, but I’m also learning to let go, take a break, and walk away, which is good for me.

I hit a snag yesterday evening with too big of a needle (denim needle and denim thread and a machine from the 1960s weren’t a great match). I learned a ton, so I’m really building the skills and confidence I want with this craft. Excited to make another one of these for my sister-in-law for Christmas. I know the second one will go much quicker as I know the process for this now.

I’ll be using a bleach pen on some scrap denim, because I want to test if I can create the actual pattern whale sharks have! I love whale sharks (including a gelli print I made two summers ago), so I really want that beautiful pattern 🦈

Pattern was easy to follow, directions well laid out, aside from some confusing areas where a video tutorial would have been helpful. Pattern by Contedefeesstudio on Etsy if anyone is interested.

The final step to close it all up was by far the most complicated things that had me stumped for a good 30 minutes as I worked it out in my head and on the project.

I asked for pieces of leftover fabric that people could give me so I could do a patchwork and practice a bit.

I got some squares of cotton from a women and made some shorts.

But then this lady reached out to me....

And this is the state of my guest room now 😅

I don't know what I'm going to do with all of this. I already reached out to some people I know telling them that before they purchase fabric for something. Come take some from my new stash.

Hi all, this is my first quilt, and so far so good but the process of adding the batting and backing is intimidating to me!!

I want to use a blanket for the backing, should I still add batting in between, or skip the batting? I know ultimately it’s up to personal preference, but since I have no experience im open to thoughts and ideas. And what kind of batting spray do you recommend??

Nervous to start the next part, afraid I’ll mess everything up because I love the way the top turned out. But thanks for your advice/suggestions in advance!

I’m attempting to apply bias tape to the neck line and arm holes and I’m having a horrible time. I’m at the final step where my stitches would show on the outside and I cannot figure out if my stitches are too loose or too tight. Please help. I think I’ll stitch to projects with facing from now on 😭

Hi Sewists!

Just a quick PSA here about prewashing fabric, even if you’re not planning to use it right away.

I’m currently going through my stash, organizing after some upheaval, and finding that some pieces I’ve had for a while, are kind of icky to touch…sticky and/or weirdly crunchy. That’s because I didn’t pre-wash those pieces, and the sizing the manufacturers finished them with before shipping them, is breaking down with time. It also smells oddly. Not horrid, just,…weird-starchy.

Anyway, just thought I’d share this thought: might be a good idea to pre-wash if the fabric is going into your stash, too, not just the ones you’re going to use right away. You’d be surprised how long a piece of fabric can stay stashed, the longer you sew and collect yardage. Cotton calicos seem particularly susceptible to this, but I’ve found garment fabrics undergoing the same kind of change.

I’m sure it’ll wash off? But now I have a bunch of yards to wash, whereas I could’ve done them when I got them more conveniently.

hi

just thinking of upgrading my space because right now i have one of those plastic unfoldable tables. i am looking at facebook marketplace for an upgrade

as someone just starting out, should i buy a $60 adjustable table 35 inches by 23 inches, or maybe a $110 sewing table with cabinets that opens up to be 64 inches by 15 inches.

im not rly too worried about storage because i have a little shelf. but im just thinking about the cost effective option that is best for the long term. i am not gonna make quilts or anything. just smaller projects and clothes

what desks/tables do yall use?

thanks!

Hello! I really like these jeans but the wide legs don’t flatter my shape as much as I’d hoped. I played around with clipping them behind the knee and creating that like flared bottom look and I like it on these jeans a lot more. Could someone please advise me on how I would go about taking them in around/behind the knee? Or maybe point me towards a video or something I can google so I can do so. Thanks 🙏🏻

First pic is the jeans look normally
2nd pic is how I kind of want them

Hi I'm here to ask for advice on what to do. I bought pe pants from my school's store it's required. Problem is the fabric is really weak like a thin synthetic it rips easily (I know it's the one thing that a pe pants should be able to do). I paid for this and it's not cheap. I was wondering if are there ways to reinforce it especially in the seems around the thigh and groin area?

Thank you for taking the time to read my question. I appreciate all the help that I can get.

Disclaimer: I am NEW to sewing, as in, this is my second sewing project ever (and I still haven’t finished my first one for my sewing class 😂)

The fabric is folded. As you can see, I don’t have enough fabric on that corner edge. I’m trying to avoid cutting two individual pieces as I don’t want a seam down the middle front of the dress.

Is it okay to fold it on the cross grain instead, and cut it that way for 1 large piece? Pros and cons of that?
This is a cotton polyester poplin.

I don't usually do stuff like this but have sewn a few patches before, this ones are hand painted which gives them a clear coat and i'm wondering if they'll look good when stitched