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New Products & Free Fabric Friday
What an amazing fabric season we’re having! The beautiful new collections keep rolling in…
We just received Bell Bottoms from Jennifer Paganelli. As usually, Jennifer has outdone herself with the elegant prints and outstanding colors. In addition to new designs, this group includes the very popular Casey Scroll in novel colors.
We also have Flutterby from Tula Pink, the designer who brought us Full Moon Forest. This time the theme is insects, so the prints include lovely ladybugs, beautiful beetles, and cool caterpillars. We have yardage of this great fabric, as well as Charm packs. Each pack includes 40 different 5″ x 5″ squares.
This week were giving away ten Flutterby Charm Packs! To qualify for the drawing, tell us about one of your sewing conundrums. What skill do you wish to learn? How to use your buttonholer? How to line a jacket? Whatever it is, we’re interested in your goals. We’ll announce the winners Monday morning.
We also hope you’ll be back Monday because we’ll be introducing one of our new Sew,Mama,Sew! Board members! Four of our favorite bloggers have joined our SMS Blog planning team. They’re doing a wonderful job as we work out where to take the blog in the future. Beth will introduce one member a day, M–Th.
Have a great weekend!
I would also love to master freehand machine quilting on my Janome!
I’m a relative newbie when it comes to sewing so the skill I want to learn is putting in zippers.
i love both lines! i would love to learn how to hand smock. also to draft my own patterns. sewing was part of my major but i did an internship the year i was to take drafting instead…
It sounds horrible, but my sewing nemesis just happens to be the zipper. They NEVER work out for me. What am I doing wrong?
I really need to learn how to properly sew zippers – I have sewn one in a pouch and although it works, it’s not the prettiest thing you’ve ever seen!
I love those new fabrics! Lately I have been wanting to learn smocking!
My biggest sewing problem is the zipper. I have done four or five zippers successfully, but each one was ripped out no less than 5 times before I got it in. I’ve read tutorials out the wazzoo, and it just doesn’t seem to “click” for me. I have several projects on deck that have zippers, just so that I’m forced to keep practicing.
I love to sew and quilt. I would love to extend my knowledge of making garments, especially putting in zippers. As a child, my mom taught me some and she is a beautiful seamstress. Somehow I never got that far. Hope I win!
I want to figure out how to do freehand quilting. I’m pretty sure my machine can do it but I need to sit down and figure it out. Happy Friday.
Mine is to tackle a jacket pattern I’ve drafted for myself. I’ve made it twice in doll size and the collar is what gets me every time. I want it to stand, but not be too stiff. So its all about finding my happy medium and making it right at the same time. *chuckles* And when you can’t seem to sew a straight line twice……it gets to be an interesting sewing session.
I’d like to learn more about my sewing machine…I wind up with a snarled mess half the time.
I want to learn how to use all the different types of presser feet that I have for my sewing machine. I also want to master using a serger.
Smocking and pleats are something I would love to learn how to do. I realize pleats are a lot easier but still, I haven’t done any yet!
I purchased a double needle for my machine the other day. That’s step one. Never used one before but the instructions on my machine said that extra peg was for the spool when using a double needle. IF it works it will save me time when I want to do double rows of stitching AND it will be great fun for doing fancy stitching on things. Anyone wanna wish me luck?
Like most of the commenters already, I would like to gain more zipper installation skills. More specifically, I would love to learn about installing zippers in handknit items. I have a cardigan I haven’t finished for my husband because of this problem.
I need to learn about which needles to use for different projects. Thankfully, the ladies at Mitchell’s Fabrics are happy to suggest the right needle, but I’d like to know for myself what to use.
I am addicted to Flutterby! Well, I sew for fun and for my craft business– so now I am really working on (when I sew for my craft business) DISCIPLINE! I need some tips on how to stay focused! There has to be a balance between creativity and productivity right???
I’d like to learn how to quilt! I’m trying hard, I bought books, but this is gonna be a long process. I will start with a small baby quilt, and learn as I go. Quilting is such an old art, and there’s so many ways to do it, and it’s artsy, but at the same time technical. I’m having a hard time just choosing the perfect fabrics, but I’m confident I will reach my goals!
Wow! That new fabric is incredible! I’m saving my sheckles to buy some!
The new skill I want to learn is how to use the rolled hemmer. (I think that’s what it’s called). I managed to figure out the ruffling foot (gorgeous!), and most of the other specialty feet that came with my old machine, but I’ve never been able to produce a decent rolled edge with the rolled hemmer foot. (especially on gentle curves). Does anyone have a tutorial on using these feet? Any tips?
A second new skill I want is specific to my Bernina (for which I don’t have a rolled hemmer). It has a “magic needle” that’s supposed to produce nice huge basting stitches. It looks to me like when I use it, 5 stitches are skipped, and then the 6th is caught. However, I can’t get it to work. It always breaks the bobbin thread. Does anyone have an older Bernina (mine is a late-seventies 801), and know how to use the magic needle?
I am afraid to drop the feed dogs when I quilt, but I want to get some practice doing it soon. LOVE FLUTTERBY!
HOW HOW HOW do you make a nice invisible hand stitch when you need it? I need pictures or a video, I believe.
I love quilting although I can hardly sew in a straight line. I would love to try a Robbing peter to pay paul quilt. But the one thing that haunts me is trying to do pant hems. No matter how hard I have tried, which you think I would have given up by now with as many pants I have ruined, I am still very unsuccessful. Maybe one day though!
I’d like to learn to draft patterns or to alter commercial patterns to fit my body.
I’m so inspired by all of the quilting around me. I have made my first small quilt and am so excited to continue the adventure. I would like to get some hands on training on machine quilting.
I’m horrible at hand sewing, i would love help with it. That and attaching binding… i want to make a quilt, but the binding scares me!
love the new fabric!
I’ve gotten pretty good at sewing, but I have a fear of the button hole. I’ve tackled the zipper (with mostly good results), but I’ll do anything to avoid a buttonhole! I also want to try smocking to make a bunch of tank tops for myself and dresses for my girl.
Oh, but there are so many things I don’t know how to do! I’m determined to figure out freehand quilting, though.
Well my first conundrum was the zipper. Not an invisible zipper just a zipper in a skirt. The patterns instructions were impossible. then I read the little slip that comes w/ the zipper! Oy! I felt so stupid.
Now I just have to figure out how to sew something a bit more real than 1 skirt. I think the skill I am looking forward to learning now is sleeves, setting them in and such.
Free-motion quilting!
I’m a little ashamed to admit (though I am very new to sewing) but just cutting out/following a pattern from one of those tissue paper patterns makes me a little nervous and I haven’t been able to force myself to do it yet. Some hand holding through the process would be awesome.
I’ve never lined anything so I’m a bit intimidated by that. I would also like to learn more about customizing garment patterns for a tailored fit.
I personally would love to learn how to alter patterns (and ready-made clothes, for that matter) so things really fit me. My husband says I’m too picky about fit, but I don’t think it’s too much to ask…
Gorgeous fabric! I am pretty new at sewing and completely self-taught (and not really well, either!). I am starting some baby quilts as gifts, but I’m terrified of getting to the point where I have to actually bind it. Eeek! So I guess the one thing I really want to learn is how to make a neat quilt binding…
Zippers have always been a challenge for me. I have such trouble with those pesky things.
I’ve been bitten with the sewing bug again and turned my interest towards clothes. I would like to make a jacket with a linen fabric that’s lined and complete it before the fashion trend ends.
I want to learn to machine quilt but just with my normal sewing machine.
Oh I love charm packs! All of the new fabrics are tempting, but I guess that’s the point, right?
I’d like to know how to (easily) line things- it’s something I’ve never thought about until recently.
I have been forcing myself to know my machine better. I am comfortable with doing zippers now, since making a few zippered pouches. I am also comfortable with buttonholes, since making Amy Butler’s drawstring bag. I finally figured out I had been using the wrong type bobbin in my machine; what a difference that has made! I would like to get more comfortable doing pleats and tucks, and also making up my own pattern ideas.
I would love to learn to use my buttonholer and how to use all the other fabulous stitches on my machine. I would also love to learn to sew a hidden zipper on to a skirt pattern. I have a fear of the zipper. I’ve seen some great tutorials, but I do a lot of trial and errror and the end result doesn’t look like it should. Ah, they say practice makes perfect.
I need to do some stashbusting. There are some beautiful fabrics out there that I need to make room for in my stash.
Loving the Flutterby! Already have started my order and have a project in mind – a lapquilt for my camper. How perfect.
As for a new skill I am almost embarrased to admit this but what I really want to do is learn to use my machine better. I am not an instruction manual reader at all and tend to just fly by the seat of my pants. Not the best path I am learning when it comes to my machine.
My list (of desired sewing skills to learn) is endless as a newbie sewer, but right now I’m trying to decipher a commercial pattern, a dress for my daughter. I have yet to read a good outline of how to interpret and follow commercial patterns – the best one I’ve seen yet is in the “Sew Everything Workshop” but I am still having some trouble.
ZIPPERS………….I am so bad at putting in zippers.
I can do a mean elastic waist, though!!
Beautiful fabric.
I need to get better at putting in zippers. I would also love to do more quilting. I made a baby quilt for a friend last year and loved it, but haven’t made one since.
What beautiful fabrics.
I would love to master curved seams for quilting. I’m getting there, about 1/2 of my attempts lay as flat as I would like. Any tips would be great though.
Using the blind hem option on my sewing machine is an enigma to me. It seems like it would be very helpful if I could only figure out how to fold the fabric!
i need to get over my enthusiasm to make the final thing and make a garment out of muslin FIRST (like mom always says to do) so I don’t mess up the nice fabric
How do I sew in a small space? We live in a 560 square foot apartment in Manhattan, and there just isn’t room for me to have the sewing machine out at the same time as the ironing board. Not to mention how hard it is to cut anything larger than 4 inch squares. There are other reasons a tiny apartment for a family or three with one on the way is challenging, but the thing I miss most is having a larger than baby size project.
I’d love to learn more about machine quilting, especially freehand. I’d also like to learn about tricks you can do easily with special presser-feet, like piping, hemming and ruffles.
I love the new fabrics! I keep eyeing all those adorable little dresses with the smocked bodices… I wish I could do that! Smocking looks so hard! Oh, and zippers!
I would love to be able to make buttonholes by hand-not with the buttonhole maker!
Well, I’m just starting to sew, so there are a ton of things I want to learn. But I’m especially afraid of zippers.
I would like to learn free-motion quilting. I love the look, but it’s always seemed too difficult. This year one of my goals is to try a few small pieces, and see how it goes.
Thanks!
Helen in Malden, MA
so many things I want to learn. It would take all day to list them all. But today top of that list is “smocking”
very cool new fabrics
I want to practice hand quilting. I have done a few quilts that are machine quilted, but there is nothing like my great grandmothers hand pieced, hand quilted quilts!
I’d like to learn how to alter clothing patterns so they fit me better.
Patience would be number one!
Number two would be professional looking top-stitching (I think it is in fact related to #1 that mine isn’t always perfect). In the meantime I do a lot of hand finishing of my work (e.g., bias binding) because I like the look better.
only one?
OK – so my “sewing conundrum” is SLEEVES
OY. I think my daughter will have tank tops until she’s 90, for my fear of sleeves!
I would love to learn more about machine quilting as well. I would also love to learn how to alter a top, jacket pattern to accommodate my full bust.
Yeah…the zipper issue is big here too!
ok…
i am trying to sew ultra sheer organza. my 1st attempt was a disaster!!! i cut on the fold… apparently you have to lay out the pattern whole, then i used a rotary cutter… apparently you have to use shears, and then i tried to use invisible thread, wrong again. i am holding the last few yards and now i am terrified to try again. i read that you have to use a loose bobin so that the organza does not pucker. how do you loosely thread a bobin and how do you keep everything from sliding? i tried fabric glue and that did not work. any help would be great right now.
ACK! That flutterby fabric is to die for. I sooooo hope I win. (pick me, pick me… PLEASE)
Anyway, my sewing conundrum is that I’m terrified to do anything with zippers. I know it’s silly because everything I read says it’s so easy, but it just freaks me out a bit. I need to get over it.
I want to lean how to work with knits!
to Brekster – when I lay out my quilts, i go downstairs to the co-ops laundry room… ; )
And I keep my sewing machine on a bookshelf in the living room, and pull it out when my daughter goes to sleep, using the “dining room table” (and I use the term loosely, as we don’t have a dining room) as my workspace. I stick the iron and ironing board in the kitchen. Heh – I never thought about how funny it all sounds, but we all just do what we can in NYC!
zippers or button holes, I don’t have a clue how to do either!
Beautiful new collections! I really have a hard time with inset pockets… I can deal with just about anything else, but pockets – ahhhh!!!! they never come out *perfect* and it drives me nuts… if anyone has any good ideas/tutorials (hint, hint for the tutorial contest!) for doing welted or zippered interior pockets for purses/bags I will love you forever!
I would love to learn how to bind a quilt together. I’ve read a lot of tutorials but I love taking classes. I’m a hands on doer and find learning this way is best for me.
I want to learn to think outside of the box. Modifying patterns or GASP creating my own are my goal.
Gorgeous fabric!
I would like to not be afraid to sew with knits and silk!
I would like to learn free motion quilting and start mastering quilting of any kind on a machine. I am doing better at piecing and getting that 1/4 inch seam down but haven’t yet put a whole quilt together with quilting, I am always tying them.
I would love to learn to freehand machine quilt. Thats just one of many things I wish I could learn!
I would love to learn to make clothes. I’m a quilter, and I’ve made a few softies and such, but the idea of making a skirt? Terrifies me.
Learning to do button holes would be a fabulous thing. I want to make more clothing for my children – button holes are important for that.
Hmmm, I have been sewing for over 20 years, which makes me sound very old, but in fact, I’m only 31.
I have trouble with zippers too, though I’ve gotten better at them. I think my nemesis is interfacing! After your interfacing tutorial last year, I did get a little better, but I still have problems with it.
(I had to catch my breath after seeing though Bell Bottoms prints — OH MY) Ok, I’d like the confidence to sew for myself. And also, try sewing with different fabrics… I’m kind of chicken when things get to slippery.
Well, in addition to learning time management skills (I’m doing a juggling act with my library science degree, sewing, knitting, sketching, crocheting and volunteer work at the animal shelter) i would really love to learn English smocking. I could die a happy girl when that time comes.
I really want to learn free motion quilting – I bought the foot, have had a lesson from a friend, but I still just don’t get it and I can’t my foot to go on right. But I still think it is definitely one of the most beautiful crafts out there.
I would like to learn how to do buttonholes.
I want to learn how to sew knits. I am sure that it is a very simple thing to do, but I’ve never done it.
I certainly have an issue with zippers- though the last one I put in I did so by hand and it worked out better than the previous attempts by machine. Also, I get bogged down in pattern sizing- the measurments I take whether on myself or anyone else never seem to get me the right size!
Hi!!! My biggest sewing conundrum is how to bind quilts – I’ve made quilts, yet its something I haven’t been able to figure out yet and my binding is always super sloppy looking as I makeshift my way through it. Lovely fabrics!!
I really want to learn smocking. I just got a new machine that has smocking stitches, and my best friend just had a baby girl, I want to make her some little smocked dresses!
Cute fabric! The list of sewing skills that I want to learn is endless but I would love to learn how to do buttonholes- I am a beginner sewer.
I would love to learn how to smock fabric in order to make those really cute one seam sundresses or skirts (without being limited on the selection of pre-smocked fabrics available).
PS: regarding Emily’s post- I just worked with a sheer for the first time- but I used spray starch to make the fabric easier to work with- don’t know if that helps?
I’m dreading the moment when I have to try to buttonhole again. Maybe I’ll get someone to do them for me. I did learn to ruffle better, but what I really think I’m going to try is a quilt. How’s that for a goal? There are so many individual skills involved in quilt making. One thing for sure: I’m going to do straight-line quilting for my first quilt, instead of hand-quilting or some cute flowery design.
First things first, I’d love to master going the “speedlimit” while sewing. I tend to be a speed demon and mess things up. How do you learn to go easy on the foot pedal?
To learn how to free hand machine quilt.
I would love to learn free motion quilting. that’s probably the one thing that I would love to learn the most.
I want to learn free-motion quilting!
You are right, the great new fabrics just keep coming!!!
My sewing conundrum would be that I really really want to learn free-motion quilting. I need to take a class maybe. I’m sure if I could just watch for awhile….
Anyway, besides that I’d like to get better at garment making for me- I do fine for children but it must be the whole sizing thing with patterns, I make too many ill fitting clothes and that is discouraging
I really want to learn how to crochet. I’m also making my first quilt, which is a learning process everytime I sit down to work on it. Flutterby is so cute!!!
The charm squares look yummy. When my daughter was little, I had sewn a darling Victorian style dress for her. She wore it one time and all her friends teased her…..”does you Mom MAKE YOU WEAR THAT???” they teased. She was heartbroken, so I cut off the sleeves and the big collar and converted it into a trendy jumper………..
I am in love with your blog.
My sewing conundrum is how to get the lining of a bag to be professional looking. IMine somehow always turn out a it too big and no amount of fiddling can remedy it!
I have resisted sewing anything with knit fabrics. I read about stretch and it gives me the willies…I can just imagine a never-end piece of fabric growing larger and larger as it dangles from my machine table!
Beautiful new fabrics!!!
Quilting, hands down. I want to learn how to quilt correctly by a professional quilter. I know if I learn on my own, I will most likely break every quilting rule known to womankind.
I would love to learn how to machine quilt. I also would like to be brave enough to modify patterns or just take a piece of fabric and design my own “thing” with it!
That fabric is so pretty! I would also love to know how to do smocking and how to alter patterns to fit me better. My bust, waist and hips are all different sizes and nothing ever fits!
I can’t shirr to save my life! EVERYONE tells me how easy it is and I’ve been sewing for a LONG time and I can do other fancy stuff (I can do zippers AND buttonholes!) but shirring–Oy! It makes me think ugly words and have to walk away……
Actually, I want to learn how to replace a lining in a vintage coat that I “borrowed” from my mom. My grandmother made it for her, so it’s over 50-60 years old now, and still in good shape, except for some parts of the lining.
I have a couple of things that I want lear. But my fear is stopping me. I have no idea why. It seems silly to be afraid to learn something that will make my life easier. 1st is using my buttonhole thing on my machine second- zippers.
I’d say my biggest sewing connundrum is trying to keep my stitching completely straight while my 8 month old is jumping up and down and flailing wildly in the carrier on my back.
I have no hand sewing skills whatsoever, and I’d love to be able to quilt by hand.
I’d like help with hems…. for some reason, I can sew everything, but when it comes to hems? I leave them undone- or they don’t turn out well.
I’m terrified to amend a pattern to add a zipper to a handbag. Just loving my handmade bags, but sometimes I just need to insert a ZIPPER so everything stays put…ugh…
Funny how these things scare us so much when they probably are do-able, but new experiences.
Thanks for fun fabric freebies (pick me pick me!)
~Sonya
I am a relative newbie to sewing and I would love to learn how to truly adapt a pattern to fit my body perfectly. I am very intimidated by cutting and sewing against the directions. I have sewn a few things that are either too big or small and I would love to feel comfortable ripping those seams and revamping them!!!
Zippers..I have not tried putting in a zipper just yet. I havent had a project that requires me to…exactly. … or maybe I just avoide the projects that require me to!
I want to learn how to do free motion quilting. I keep seeing stuff about it, but I don’t even know how to stop my feed dogs!
I want to do more free-hand quilting. Thinking about up-grading my machine and getting the Bernina Stitch Regulator. I would love your comments if you’ve used it. Thanks!
MIne is so basic its silly! Handsewing openings shut so they look NICE!
Oh so many to list. Buttonholes! I don’t know why they scare me so much. I see a pattern with buttons and I break into a cold sweat.
I hate to be so lame, but the two things you mentioned are definitely on my challenge list!
Buttons seem so intimidating. And lining? Even scarier.
Also, maybe working with more exotic fabrics and a Serger.
I have a fear of zippers. I need to conquer that so I can make bags! I would also love to learn to free motion quilt.
Right now my biggest problem is controlling my fabric stash–and seeing fabrics like these come along doesn’t help :-\ But realistically, I’d like to master serging. I’m so afraid of messing up my project when I do it, that I rarely take advantage of it.
I’d love to master free motion quilting….have my sleeves be perfect the first time in…without frogging…and have less dread of buttonholes.
Free motion quilting here, too! I get frustrated that it doesn’t come easily and give up too fast.
Something that’s a bit of a mystery to me (and that I haven’t gotten right yet) is sewing a lining to something that I’ve knit. For example, I made a little purse, and for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out how to neatly sew in a lining. I ended up sewing it in by hand, and it was a bit funky… I’d love any advice on doing this well.
Love the new fabric! It’s both pretty and fun!
I would like to make a garment for myself that actually fits properly.
I want to learn how to do free motion quilting and I also want to learn how to make pants.
I’m new to sewing and there are so many areas that I need to improve upon. I would love to be able to make a tailored jacket and line it with ease. Zippers also tend to send my head into a spin…LOL. That’s why I love reading about the tutorials and tips so many of you post and share online – it really helps newbies face the challenge and muster enough courage to tackle these problem areas.
I think my biggest sewing stress is figuring out what all the feet are for. Do I need them? Which ones should I have??
That Flutterby collection is calling to me! I just love it.
I need to learn how to work with slippery fabrics. How do I stop them from sliding around while sewing? There has to be a good way to accomplish that.
To be honest, I really want to learn how to be more creative and unique with my sewing. I am getting tired of tote bags.
I would love to learn how to alter a pattern to make it fit! I have made several clothing items that I would like to fit better!
Pants!! I want to sew a pair of pants that fit – and make bound button holes that look good.
Free motion quilting. That and finding enough time to sew all the things in my head!
I’d love to drop the feed dogs on my machine for some free-motion practice, but I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t actually have any idea where the feed dogs are let alone how to drop them. Someday…
I’m sucha a newbie, the first skill I’d like to learn is sewing a REALLY straight line… I’m also about to tackle my first quilt, so I guess that all quilting related skills will be coming up next. I have an ancient sewing machine which only goes forwards and banckwards, so wish me luck!
I wish to learn how to sew clothes. That’s the goal I’ve set for myself this year.
I am trying very hard to draft my first pattern to replicate a vintage dress. Darts, gored skirt with flap pockets, side zipper…. there’s a lot for me to conquer to transform a 2D piece of fabric into something that will follow curves!
I am new to sewing so there are so many skills I’d like to learn. Quilting with my machine is one, but in the near future I want to master binding. Great fabrics, btw.
I want to learn more about quilting in general. I made a small one, but I’m not sure if I did it correctly. I need very basic steps!
I’m literally afraid of my button holer. And I’ve put in two zippers in bags, but I’m still scared of them. I wonder how I got them in at all, since I probably had my eyes closed the whole time. ^_^
I really want to learn to smock. I even accumulated all the supplies! but I’ve never actually gotten up the courage to try.
I am new to sewing clothing. It is sooo much fun. I used to do mainly home dec sewing. I had a baby girl last May and have had fun sewing clothes for her. But my biggest problem is time management!! I read this blog and others and wonder how everyone fits sewing into their day? I have a big project list that I would like to get done but I find it hard to balance other stuff (cooking, cleaning, playing with the kiddos) and still find time to get sewing projects done.
Love the new fabric!!
There are so many things I would love to learn! I would like to be able make my own patterns. You know, sort of deconstruct something I really like and make a pattern from it!
I want to master machine quilting. And making my own patterns. And not spending too much on fabric.
I’d love to be entered in your drawing!!! Free motion quilting is on my list of things to learn….
Oh man…I really need help on hand gathering. For the life of me, I can never get the darn gathering to look even on the outside of the garment! Am I not using enough pins? Do I need a steadier hand? Argh!
Here’s mine: I want someone to build my machine into the top of my worktable so I have a big enuf space for larger quilts to be supported and moved around. It would also be so much easier on my shoulders.
I seem to always get stumped at the zipper…I did figure out my buttonholer though so I know there is hope somewhere down the line.
I’d love to learn more techniques for working with delicate fabrics (the spray starch tip above is really helpful!).
hm, i think probably free-motion machine quilting. I’ve tried. I’ve failed. But I keep trying. I’d just like to know if there’s something I’m missing in the whole scheme of things. I got pretty good at altering patterns while pregnant (have you LOOKED for maternity clothes?! or patterns??!!! What a joke!) and I’m not scared of zippers or buttonholes. But feeddogs are my friends and I start to panic without them!
Sewing conundrum for free fabric Friday consideration:
I’d like to make a completely reversible, lined bag. I like the style of the plastic grocery bags but the patterns and tutorials I’ve found , though lined, are not reversible.
Soooo….sew?
Thanks!
Kathy
mitered corners elude me.
my biggest challenge is that i spent the big bucks on a long arm machine, because i love quilting and do it way more than clothing construction. however, on occaision that i do want to sew clothes my machine can do everything but button holes!! how weird. so now i have to either buy a whole new machine for button hole-ing, or figure some other way to do it every time.
Oh I love all of those!! I am terribly afraid of buttonholes.
Glad to hear I’m not alone on the buttons and zippers, but I’d really really like to learn how to use the mysterious ‘zigzag’ foot that comes with my machine. Maybe reading the manual would help
)
I would love really precsise instructions about how to follow patterns. I feel like patterns assume you know how to follow them, so they leave out steps that I should already know how to do but don’t. Most of my sewing is from tutorials or I just put stuff together and hope it comes out ok. Often I’m pleasantly surprised, but I’d like to be able to follow a pattern when necessary.
I’m planning on making some summer skirts for my daughter and thing a ruffle is in order. I’m scared of that!
Beautiful fabrics. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I’m still learning to use the on-line tutorials. I’m pretty excited about setting it as a goal, since it opens up a world of possibilities. Thus far, I have only been super successful with patterns. Tutorials are a lot less perfectionism and more creative.
I’m a self-taught quilter who is still getting used to my machine, so for me, it would be figuring out all those machine tricks that everyone else already knows.
I’d love to learn more about ruffles and I’m planning on learning how to quilt.
I also wanted to share my tip on zippers. For a long time I found them so hard to do. Now I’d like to say I’m pretty good at putting them in. What I do is tack them in place with a little fabric glue – so much easier than pins since the pins make the zipper pucker.
Love the new fabrics!
Beautiful fabric, but it always is…I’m also chiming in for help with the blind hem stitch, I just don’t get it. I’m making bags left and right, but can’t get my courage up to do a simple A-line skirt, those darn darts and zippers.
I really want to figure out the serger my friend lent me. (She doesn’t know how to use it either!) The new fabric is so pretty!:)
Zippers and getting my seams straight! Off to take the machine back in for service. I dunno what i’m doing wrong. Such a newbie!
I would love to try machine quilting and find out whether my machine (and I) would handle a try of free-motion quilting.
I can’t even keep up with all the cool fabrics out there these days. I love the flutterby though. Happy Spring!
Mine would have to be free motion quilting. I can do grid work and in the ditch with my eyes shut (almost) but letting loose and doing free motion is somewhat daunting.
(hhmm – my first post did not go through) – applique on quilting intimidates me – I like how it looks, but it seems so fussy. I guess i just need to do it and see how it goes.
I would like to learn how to work better with knits on a regular (not a serger) machine. Oh, and also tips on fitting garments would be great too!
I’ve just heard about the dramatic impact of using silk organza interlinings, and am excited to learn more about that.
I would like to learn how to put in a zipper and a buttonhole. I would also like to learn how to smock! I am learning slowly how to quilt but haven’t attempted binding yet.
I want to master hand-embroidery. The possibilities for cuteness are infinite! Oh, and I need to learn to do button holes on a machine that doesn’t have a button hole setting.
My sewing nemesis right now is set-in sleeves. I just CAN NOT get them right.
Very Frustrating. Maybe I should look for an online tutorial. Why haven’t I thought of that before? Off to search. Thanks for the nudge.
I just want to get up the courage to tackle a full-sized quilt. I first got interested in quilting because my grandmother made 2 quilts each for her 10 children and 1 for each of her 33 grandchildren, and had started on great-grandchildren by the time she became too old to quilt. Every aspect of her quilts was done by hand, and she didn’t even cut pieces with a rotary cutter! I’ve managed to do a mini-quilt (most people think it’s a placemat…) but I would love to make a beautiful bed-sized quilt… just need more courage and dedication, I guess!
I’d love to learn how to use the buttonholer on my machine. I’m too scared to try it. I suppose I could try it on some scrap fabric, duh!
Love the charm pack. Do you usually carry charm packs in the shop?
I have just purchased a new-to-me machine and machine quilting frame. I am excited and scared to death to get this thing up and running. Would love to know enough to use it right now. Soon!!! Karen L.
Definitely free motion quilting for me too. This weekend I am jumping in with both feet and hoping not to ruin my beautiful quilt top.
The zipper has always plagued me too. Last time I tried I ended up in the ER with a needle stuck in my thumb nail. Does anyone have a good zipper tutorial up?
I would love to learn (or get the confidence is maybe all it is) to sew REALLY close to the edge (like in topstitching). Gives me the heebie-jeebies every time!
I have a tendency to wing it so I would love to become better at following patterns. Fun fabrics!
Welt pockets and front plackets..and collars!
oh man. i need to figure out the buttonholer on my machine. i tried once and… it was not good!
I really really want to learn to do zippers. I have seen a few tutorials, but I am too chicken to try them! I also want to learn how to sew clothing from a pattern. Totally lost with all the pattern lingo.
as a beginner sewer.. i cannot wait to figure out zippers & buttonholes. It’ll be a whole new world for me then!
Buttonholes are the bane of my existence. I have resorted to hand-stitching in my buttonholes now, because they are such a difficult thing for me. Somebody help me!!
I am learning (and struggling with) free motion quilting. I will get it. Eventually.
I want to learn how to adjust a skirt facing for a skirt with darts. I know this should probably be obvious, but I can’t seem to figure it out. For that matter, I want to learn how to properly use darts!
I am a new sewer and just did my first zipper the other day. But I am by no means an expert now and would love to master this skill!
Oh my gosh, I’m in love!!
I really need to learn to make button holes better, so that would be one of my goals. Another is figuring out a way to get my patterns out there. And another is to figure out how to be a pattern tester for you guys!!!
I am scared scared scared of free motion quilting!! How to get up the guts to use my pretty quilt sandwich as the first attempt?!? No number of practice bibs seems to calm these nerves. I guess I need to try on a quilt I’m not in love with?? But why would I make a quilt I’m not in love with?? You see the dilemma…
I want to learn how to use my serger to install elastic waistbands.
Since I started reading your blog I have learned how to box the bottoms of tote bags and purses, which was a HUGE question for me. Solved! I think the thing I still struggle with is mitering corners on my quilting projects. Even with the tutorials, I am still turned all in a quandry.
And that charm pack of fabrics is beautiful. I sure hope you pick me.
My zippers and button holes are always functional, but they’re never “just right.” I’d really love to master both skills.
Before I share my biggest sewing conundrum, let me say that I love being a mommy, and am trilled that baby #2 will be here in September.
That being said my biggest conundrum is simply finding time to sew! I have 4 projects completely cut and waiting to be sewn, but cannot seem to sit down at the sewing machine. I have ideas galore, but can not start more projects when the ones I have are not finished!
How do you find the time! And, I am a stay at home mom!
No sewing during nap time and bed time as the sewing machine is right outside the bedrooms…
I’m going to freemotion quilt and NOT worry about the stitches being absolutely perfect! I’m trying very hard to tell myself I can do this without a Bernina Stitch Regulator. …and I can.
I also want to get to know my serger a bit more and feel more comfortable using it.
I’m in the process of trying to learn how to make soft toys. I’ve been knitting soft toys for a while, but the shaping with fabric is so different! Do I use darts, or gussets, or make a body part in 2 pieces, or 3, or 4? There’s so many questions I have, but I plan to keep experimenting.
I am a novice when it comes to sewing (I am working on my first quilt right now) so I would like to learn just about everything. The sewing conundrum I find most intimidating is putting in a zipper.
Fitting. I need to learn more about proper fitting. The whole point — or one of the points — of sewing for yourself is that it fits better than off-the-rack, right?
My biggest problem is sewing in tight spots, like sewing the base of a fabric box to the sides. Amy Butlers organizers from In Stitches nearly drove me to drink.
I’d really love to learn to draft my own patterns… I feel so much more creative!
I’m still learning everything. So I need to learn it all. Probably the biggest problem I had with the dress I recently finished was in attaching the skirt to the bodice and the gather. I somehow ended up 1/4 an inch short on one side.
Screenprinting. I vowed that this will be the year I start doing it. But I haven’t, yet.
Smocking, working with stretchy fabric (on a regular sewing machine), elastic thread. Anything that’s stretchy fascinates me, but I’m not sure how it will all work out.
French seams and their usefulness
Flutterby fabric…awesome! I have not yet appliqued anything I would be proud to show, I would love to learn traditional applique, as well as free motion quilting…I can’t seem to get the
‘free’ part, too tense, I guess.
After your quilting month, I really want to take on this project. Plenty of inspiration out there, but I’m sort of scared to start… I have some beatiful fabrics picked out, but I don’t want to ruin them!
I really want to learn to appliqué. I’ve only just tried my hand at it once and got discouraged rather quickly. All of the gorgeous things people create with it keep me inspired to try again!
i pretend to know what i’m doing; i know nothing of smocking…needles…pretty much all lingo is over my head. i need to take a class. and a sewing machine that works. and a serger.
I vote for either a zipper tutorial or a buttonhole one. I can do both, but I’m never completely happy with them. Especially the invisible zipper one.
I’d love to figure out how to find more time in my day……..so I can sew/quilt and check out all the wonderful tutorials and inspiration on the web. On a more serious note, I’d like to learn more about designing/drafting patterns.
Yikes! I think I’m now afraid to attempt zippers after reading all these comments! I would love to learn how to do them so I can make more than just a wrap skirt or an elastic waist band.
I’d also love to learn how to make my own clothing patterns. I’ve figured out purses, but just don’t know how to make clothes all that well.
I want to learn to use my buttonholer. Also to learn to do simple monograms and appliqué. I love the new fabric!
First, LOVE this blog! It’s a must-read for me…
Second, I would just like to get more organized and more picky about what I want to actually complete. So little time and sew much to sew!
i wish that i enjoyed hand quilting. I love the look, but cannot stand to do it!
I want to learn how to use my serger!
I really want to learn how to do free motion embroidery. I really love how it looks and it seems to be a little more versatile than hand embroidery.
I would love to figure out Y-seams. Oh and an easy way to hem things. I hate hemming. I think it’s the ironing the seam at the perfect 1/2 inch. Or something.
I want to learn to make a double wedding ring quilt. And how to properly put in a zipper. And how to properly make a good buttonhole.
I have a six month old daughter and would love to learn smocking for some summer dresses.
As baby gifts, I like to take a square of flannel fabric (approx 40″ x 40″) and bind off the edges – its great for swaddling and just general use. I use my rolled-hem presser foot to finish the edges – which works fine except for the corners. I’d love to know how to do corners with a rolled-hem presser foot
I’d have to say the zipper. Somehow it just eludes me. I think I just need more practice!
I want to learn — make that NEED to learn — how to properly bind quilts. I am comfortable with piecing tops and am making great strides with my machine quilting, but I absolutely dread the last step — and that dread manifests itself in poor workmanship! I don’t think I’ve ever bound anything and been happy with the result. Luckily, my current projects are for babies and they arent’ very critical…
I’d really like to learn to make a quilt. I’ve done easy girls dresses and purses, but don’t have the confidence for a quilt. I’d also like to learn how to make clothes patterns, but that’s way down the line!
another aspiring zipper-er — especially in handknit garments!
I want to loosely slip cover a chair or my sofa but I’m afraid to start and afraid to pick fabric. I know it will be pricey and I’m ok with that but I want to make sure that it will be nice when I’m done and not homeade dorky looking. I wish there were a very good tutorial out there for the whole thing. I have some books but everything looks like its missing steps or glossed over. Definately slip cover conundrum.
Awesome fabrics! I love this blog! I’d like to learn to draft patterns and machine quilting.
I just started to sew last year after finding my mum’s old machine rusting away at the back of a cupboard. Really I need to learn everything – zippers, buttonholes, pattern adjustment, lining, straight hems, curved hems, darts – you name it. However, I’ve already discovered that more than anything I need to learn patience and organization. Would help greatly (and not just in terms of sewing!) if some had a tutorial on these lying around. LOL!
LOVE both lines of fabric! I would like to learn how to scallop borders. I have the book, the tool, but haven’t had the confidence to tackle it alone.
I need to work on zippers. I have some cute patterns and ideas for zipped pouches that are just waiting to become reality.
I did my very first zipper not to long ago–it came out okay, but could definitely use some practice at it still!
Though I’ve taken a couple of free-motion quilting classes – the skill just seems to escape me. I know I need to practice more, maybe some day it will come to me in a flash! Any tips are welcome! I’d love to get FREE FABRIC to practice with!!
I am trying to figure out how to follow one of those packaged tissue paper patterns. It’s been a looooong process for me because I find the directions and diagrams to be confusing. I am also going to learn how to do buttonholes for this pattern I’m working on now.
Oh my gosh what awesome fabric…thanks for showing me I am suppose to be on fabric buying restriction:) Just kiddin’
I have this lastest conundrum of sewing up a small purse with a zipper. Something about 7″x10″ just to keep in my purse or book bag. For some reason I just am nervous about sewing something with a liner. I must overcome this because these would make great gifts.
I am having a hard time choosing one thing to sew. When I go to a store, I say to myself “I could make that,” but actually, I don’t have time to make much of anything with a small child and a very small apartment. I don’t know how to choose what to tackle, so I read a lot of sewing and quilting books from the library instead.
I can sew fairly well and crochet pretty well and follow a pattern just fine, but I’ve always wanted to learn to knit. I love my little girls in sundresses with matching sweaters or cotton tops with woolly longies and I’m too cheap to buy them. I also learned to quilt recently and I would love to know how to match the corners. I can get the beginning of the row lined up, but by the end of the row they aren’t matching anymore!
I would like to learn how to sew on a binding without cursing for six hours straight and having to rip it out 3 million times! (Can you tell it frustrates me just a smidge?)
Love, love love the fabrics, by the way and can think of many great things to do with them that don’t involve a binding of any kind!
I used to pretty much make all my own clothes, but over the years my bod has changed so that the occasional thing I make for myself doesn’t really fit well and ends up looking awful. So — I guess my conundrum is how to pick patterns that will actually flatter and fit!
I love seeing the new fabrics. It’s so inspiring! I would like to learn how to adjust a pattern so that garments actually fit me when I make them. I hate making clothes out of beautiful fabric only to find that they just don’t fit properly in the end. i bought a book on the subject and it has helped some, but it gets confusing when you are making multiple adjustments. Maybe it would be easier to learn how to make my own patterns!
I would like to be more confident about my machine in general. Other than straight stitching, I feel intimidated. Your blog is giving me more confidence. Thanks
I have been putting off learning to put in a zipper. I would really like to and really need to learn it. I always find alternativers such as buttons or elastic, but I need to just make myself put in a zipper.
I would like to learn how to make my own patterns for clothes for my little girl. I love the new fabric!!
Hmmm, my sewing challenges? Although I have made button holes and put in zippers I would love to become good at it. I find myself avoiding projects where they are involved. I am working up to machine quilting. That is my ultimate goal. I want to be comfortable enough with it to be creative and work outside the lines. Both those fabric lines are fantastic!
I love seeing the new material!!
I mastered the buttonhole and zipper (thank goodness for special sewing machine feet!) but I am just starting to sew clothing (right now, just basic shirts) and am totally clueless (and terrified by) sewing darts.
Zippers used to be one of my biggest challenges when sewing clothes. My m-i-l taught me the simplest trick; stitch the two sides of zipper tape to the seam selvage, then turn, pin and hand sew in place. It’s fast, easy and allows you to ‘fudge’ waistlines a little, if needed to make them straight.
My challenge now is learning to draft my own patterns. I’m thinking of taking a community college course in my copious free time. HA!
I just started sewing a few months ago. So I still need to learn how to sew zippers, button holes and I am really wanting to start using bias tape.
I have so many projects that are waiting for my creative hands to tackle in my craft room….but it seems there is not enough time in a day to complete everything that I want to do!
Hopeful next progect: fusing plastic bags together and sewing them together to make a reusable plastic bag!!
Well, I have a one year old daughter and deeply wish to sew her beautiful, cute clothes! So, I need to learn how to sew clothes, not just tote bags and quilts. I have an obsession with fabric, so I have started many a quilt in my day! I would love to win!
I would love to learn free motion quilting.
I would like… no… make that LOVE to be an accomplished “sipper putter inner”… LOL… I do an OK job… but would like to do a bit better than OK… and buttonholes… I’d like to look at a pattern containing buttonholes and not break out into a cold sweat running and screaming in the opposite direction!!! Lala
)
I just machine quilted my first piece, I’d like to learn to do it right (I just found out my foot was on wrong). I’d like to be more adventurous and try “harder” things, more complicated, curvy quilt patterns or difficult clothes patterns.
Learning how to do buttonholes, jacket lining arms, and piecing quilt pieces with lots of curves. Love those fabrics – especially the charms!
zippers scare me, too!
I want to learn to follow a pattern. I’m new to sewing and they just look so intimidating!
I would love to learn to quilt – I have been making lots of dresses, skirt, shirts for my husband. I am still a bit overwhelmed by the amount of detail and work that seems to be involved, but it is one of my next dream projects
I wish I could learn to use my narrow hemming foot, it would make my life so much easier! I can use the wide one just fine, but the narrow one is a nightmare!
I want to be good at machine quilting. I know it takes lots and lots of practice but my perfectionist little self wants to be good at it overnight! I have a lineup of projects stuck at the machine quilting stage.
I’m still pretty new at the whole sewing thing (though I’d say I’m an old hand at buying fabric – I love the stuff) and I seem to have a hard time keeping tension on my machine set correctly. Or I think that is what I’m doing wrong. I get all these horrible loops and bunches of thread on the bobbin side of my sewing. I’d love to learn what it is I’m doing incorrectly so I can get through a project without having to re-sew sections 4 times before I’m not embarrassed to let anyone see it.
My next project requires a zipper and piping, both of which are new to me! I’m most terrified by the prospect of making my own piping by creating bias tape from my fabric and covering plain cording. I just don’t understand how I’m going to sew that tape tightly around the cording … I’m heading to the bookstore tonight!
I would like to learn how to do the free motion quilting with my machine (Pfaff) for example stippling.
But deep down I know it’s not only about learning but about practicing, practicing….
that dang rolled hem. it should be so easy but i can never do it without complete wonkiness. . . the time i could save!
and this year is the year i get some legitimate pattern making skills.
I hope to become better at shirring. And attaching any elastic in general with a 3 step zig zag. For some reason i am horrible at it. I would also like to learn to use my button holer….i avoid patterns that call for buttons. lol. Also i LOVE the flutterby line! AMAZING
I love these new fabrics.
Right now I’m struggling with my sewing machine. It can’t do free motion and has a very small table area due to the free arm. It’s very frustrating to quilt on. Does that count as a conundrum?
I want to learn smocking and freehand quilting, I think the smocking would be great for making kids clothes, and the freehand quilting, well for quilting.
How to put darts into garments….Jackets, skirts, even t-shirts so that it is more form fitting and flattering. It seems so simple but maybe there’s a principle behind the dart placement and how it is done? Thanks!
I love the giveaway! I’d love to learn how to do a blindhem on the sewing machine. It’s something that I’ve never done before.
I want to learn how do an ‘inside yolk’ in little girl dresses to avoid binding and end up with a much neater finish on the inside that protects young skin from seams. I’ve worked out how to do a full lining, but a ‘half-lining’ or inside yolk would be much better for summer dresses
I’d love to figure out how to freehand machine quilt like the experts I have seen on the web!
I’m relatively new at sewing and I’d like to learn how to sew simple garments. Once I conquer that (hopefully soon), I’d really like to learn how to alter patterns and alter completed garments so I can get a custom fit.
I REALLY need to learn how to use my new (to me!) serger. I’m still in the figuring out how to thread it stage…=( I know it can do so much more then just serge a raw edge. Just need to take the time and learn how to use it!
I’d love to learn how to embroider. Supposedly my sewing machine does it, but I think the manual lies.
I echo the desire to learn how to put in zippers – the few I’ve tried were a frustrating project to say the least.
Hi first love your site! I’ve been sewing for years and believe it or not I have yet to sew a buttonhole—completely intimidated! Hoping to tackle and conquer soon! : )
While I have a pretty good handle on crafty sewing, I would love to learn to make more clothing. I just bought a new machine that has a lot of potential, and I have been pouring over the manual and looking at all the different feet, wondering how in the world am i ever going to learn how to use all this stuff?!?! But my deepest desire right now is to have a ruffler and make ruffles. I have seen some of the most amazing stuff with coordinating ruffles, and I am so aching to be able to do that. I don’t even know how to start. Then there is smocking, shirring, nice pointed darts, pockets, and on and on and on! One thing I can do is put in a zipper, don’t ask me why, but I do those babies pretty darn well!
I would like to learn how to smock – I can sew and quilt really well but this is one thing I’ve never learnt. And now I see that it is making a big comeback!
I would absolutely love to know how to use the buttonholer on my sewing machine. Every time I have tried it just ended in a mess. It is supposed to be one step, but apparently that is too hard for me!
my biggest conundrum is that i have all these big ideas and i never finish them! i wish i could see the project through to the finish line.
I really want to learn how to hand quilt. I’ve been trying to find just the right fabric for a couple weeks now to no avail. I’m really excited about quilting (especially after quilting month) and am totally ready to take my skills to a new level!
I look forward to your blog every morning and every afternoon after work. Your messages nudge my creativity and encourage me when I just wanna sit and put my feet up after 8-10-12 hours of work! Here’s what I’m doing this weekend. Making my daughters wedding dress. She lives in NM, I live in MA. She asked me to make her dress about three weeks ago–wedding is 4/26! I made a cotton lawn “sloper” and sent it to her. She took photos and e/m them back. Simple dress, A-line, cross over bodice in dupioni silk–celadon (?) blue. So I just checked out about 10 books from the library for fitting help. A little gap on the side of the bahzooms and a little pulling over her “saddlebags.” Other than that fits well! Before hunting thru the books methinks a little 2″ piece of clear elastic sandwiched between the bodice front and lining might pull in the gap. And a taper starting midriff to base of hem on the side seams easing the thigh by about 1/2″ each side. I figure if I totally mess it up I’ll make another one when I get out there the Wed before the wedding…….kinda want to put some beaded bugs or butterflys around the hem….maybe make a bolero jacket too…..guess I’d better quit stalling and get to work!
So far my invisible finishing stitch is really not so invisible, so I am hoping to master it soon!
I want to learn how to sew zippers using my favorite purse and tote bag patterns. Purses that can zipper closed are so practical… And I would love to make more clothes for my little two-year-old boy. There isn’t much in the way of cute patterns for boy stuff–how to be cute without being girly? Apparently no one has figured that one out yet in the pattern world…
I’m interested in finding out ways to eliminate puckering when machine hemming pants or inserting sleeves. Love Free Fabric Friday!
I have two current goals.
I need to make stretch knit neck bands with no wrinkles.
I want to learn to manage slippery fabrics better. I can’t sew a straight line on slippery fabric to save my life.
I want to learn freehand quilting. I just bought a new foot for my sewing machine, so I’m ready to try.
I would like to learn free motion embroidery using the machine and the special foot to create real art with my sewing macine.
My mom taught me to sew with her machine when I was a child. Now that I want to sew for my own child, it seems like it would be simple, but I haven’t kept up with it. I have to stop and search through my brain to remember the proper steps to take. It’s difficult for me to always remember to go “with the grain” of the fabric when cutting something out and always have the right notions and thread color on hand.
Mitered borders! Sometimes they go well; sometimes they won’t go at all.
I would love to know how to line a purse. I’d also love to learn piping.
I really really really want to master sewing a circle…I know simple….but for me impossible lol.
Free style machiene embroidery…and a nice a complex quilt pattern. One day!!!
Pintucks. I am pretty accomplished at most other techniques, but I love how pintucks look (the right level of femininity for a tomboy like me…. wait, can you still be a tomboy at 30?), and I would love to be able to incorporate them into some clothing reconstruction ideas I have….
And I just *love* that flutterby fabric — I’m a crafter *and* an insect enthusiast!
My sewing nemesis is trying to handstitch stuffed toys closed. I keep reading instructions and looking at pictures of how to do it, but no matter what mine always is rubbish.
I would really like to learn how to use all the features of my sewing machine. I’ve never made a buttonhole or used any of the “fancy” stiches. I also want to learn how to put a nice binding on a kitchen towel.
I want to learn to quilt and to sew knits. Love, love, love the Flutterby fabric!
I really want to improve my free motion skills. I just can’t seems to ever get the tension correct.
I’d love to learn how to do a fake fly on a pair of little boy pants. I really don’t want to fuss with real zippers, but I like the look of a fly in the front.
I have been intimidated by sewing on knit fabrics and would like to jump in and try it!
love the flutterbies!!!
I need to learn to draft my own sleeve patterns that fit my (apparently) oddly-formed arms/shoulders. Commercial patterns just never sit right…
I want to master pressing an a shirt hem evenly, so that I can topstitch it instead of invisibly hand-sewing!
I’m old but new to relearning how to sew and am starting on pajama bottoms. Any easy tips for putting in elastic so it doesn’t curl.
Martha W
ki4ggs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Wow, still learning everything. My biggest disaster yet has been sewing terry cloth. What stitch was I supposed to use?!? I made a little terry cloth cat for my daughter and am constantly resewing the seams by hand… and the tail back on… and the head back on…. I’m ready to throw it away, but she loves it so it will stay until it is a ball of embroidery thread with eyes! I need help! My son wants one too!
You mean aside from learning how to do that perfect 1/4″ seam? Well, I suppose I have two more major things I’d like to master: machine quilting and putting in zippers! Then I shall be a perfectly contented woman…
My sewing conundrum? How, having sewn for more years than I care to admit, did I STILL manage to put in a sleeve backwards on a simple fleece jacket???
Zippers! They terrify me!
There are so many things… I’d like to sew a zipper properly; I’d like to learn how to do smocking; I’d like to learn how to do ruffles. Those are the most pressing ones. Thanks for the FFFs. It’s a great way to finish a week.
I want to learn the different needle type and threads and when to you use them.
I’d like to learn how to adjust patterns for a better fit.
I’m super scared of my serger.
yummy yummy yummy!
I’m trying to learn how to do a blindhem. And some free motion quilting like so many others want to learn. =)
Free motion quilting! I have 2 quilt tops just waiting for me to get up the nerve.
would love to learn how to free motion quilt, and to use all the feet I have amassed for my
embroidery and sewing machine. i would also love to get the Embelllisher out of the box, it’s home since I brought it home 3 years ago, maybe 4.
I want to learn how to sew a nice curve, like for a set-in sleeve. I can do it, but it takes me forever (it seems). I’ve seen tutorials and practiced but… not with the results I want. Part of the problem could be a lack of control I have with my foot pedal. Not sure if that is a “me” or “the machine” problem.
I just received my first sewing machine last month for my birthday. I’m in the middle of making my first apron, but my real goal is to learn quilting. And curtains. Quilts and curtains. I’m so excited.
I would love to learn more about linings (my grandmother always said it was just like making the garment twice – um, not helpful!), and simple tailoring. I’m a horrible tailor, which makes my finished garments always less than stellar.
Time is my conundrum…
I have so many projects and so little time!
Beautiful fabrics! I need to learn how to do a button hole. And also how to properly make bias tape… I’ve never been good at the whole bias thing.
i am a fairly new seamstress and still have not mastered zippers! i have a gorgous skirt hanging in my closet that cannot be worn until i replace it’s invisible zipper… *sigh*
I would love to be able to make my own clothes, I am hoping this year to start with a skirt, but also want to make a dress and a top. Just find it a little daunting!
My sewing nemesis’s are
1. machine quilting, no matter how much preparation I end up with puckers, having to un-sew and using naughty words that would make your granny blush
2. zippers – I use naughty words that would make your granny blush
3. button holes.. I either make them too large or too small… and I use naughty words that make your granny blush!
LOL
see a theme happening here? so I have decided I am a ‘topper’ when it comes to patchwork and anything else I send off to be quilted or I visit the dressmaker.. I figure its cheaper to pay them than it is the swear jar! LOL
Lissa
Australia
I’ve been sewing and designing clothing for over 25 yrs. The one skill that I have not quite mastered is: Don’t cry when you cut up all the beautiful fabric! I love to have them sit on the shelf so I can just look at them. They all are so pretty!! LOL But seriously, would love to learn how to do smocking. Something I have not tried as of yet.
I would love to perfect free motion machine quilting on large quilts (can only really manaage the mini quilts)
Wow-what great fabrics! I only wish they sold them here in japan…hmmm a sewing goal…lining jackets, quilting, dresses…you name it!
I’m contemplating making clothes from patterns but need to understand how to alter them. I’m a buxom lass so I know those standard B-cup measurements aren’t going to fit me. I’m trying to figure out how to make the bust bigger but keep the shoulders and the rest the same. I’m afraid to buy the wrong size pattern so I want to figure this out first.
I’ve only been sewing for 3 days, so I’m still in the obsessive stage. So far I’ve made a pair of yoga pants for my friend’s 2 year old out of one of my husband’s old T-Shirts and I’ve appliquéd a onesie for a baby shower gift and last night I started making super hero capes for my friend’s twins who are turning 4 next month. Needless to say, the housework is suffering. My conundrum is this: when I use bias tape to bind an edge what do I do when I get to the end? Corners? What if you’re doing a circle? I tried every way I could think of folding the bias tape and not only did it look awful, but tended to jam the machine and get the material stuck down inside the bobbin compartment. I love the way the bias tape looks and in so many ways it’s an easy beginner thing to do, but I won’t always be able to cover the seams with something decorative, so HELP! (please)
I need to learn more about how to use my buttonholer!!! um, and would like to learn how to freehand quilt…oh golly, there are lots of things for me to learn!
I need to learn how to put in a zipper, for one thing (amongst many others)! I’m fairly new to machine sewing….maybe I should add sewing a nice, straight line, too…haha.
I feel like the odd woman out, but I can handle the zippers but not the buttonholer. I always end up screwing up ten times on scrap fabric and then ditching it for the old fashioned zigzagging way. But, it’s never as neat and precise as it would be if I could master the “easy” way my machine thinks it works. I can join in on the blind hem, though. I can hem the piece of scrap fabric, following the manual but once I move to a tube I confuse myself thoroughly.
Hmmm, Iwould have to say the most intimidating thing for me as I am considering moving into quilting from a long career in hobby fasion sewing is how to do all those calculations for bindings and borders. I work in a fabric store and stay pretty much exclusively in the fashion sewing department. So those questions always scare me.
On the other hand if you want estimates for making a shirt or jacket, I’m your girl 
I would love to learn to sew curves more smoothly.
I would love to learn how to freemotion quilt with my machine, and also how to read and use clothing patterns!
Love the fabrics they are all great designs! I am not new to sewing, but have not really expanded my knowledge beyond basic simple items. I would like to know how to machine quilt, make patterns, machine applique and smocking. I hope this means there will be some tutorials on the way!
Love the fabrics!! I want to learn how to use a ruffler foot, I have 2 little girls, and there are so many outfits I could make super cute if I added ruffles to them.
I want to learn to picture smock. I have a mostly finished hand smocked blouse for my oldest daughter but wanted to put a few (what I thought would be simple) tulips on it. Just can’t seem to get the knack and no one near me knows how either. If I won the charm pack I’d just go back to quilting!
I want to learn how to put in invisible zippers.
I would really like to learn to use my serger properly. It’s an older model (15 years) and you have to set everything manually. I have it set for one thing and I daren’t touch it to change anything because I’m afraid I’ll never get it back!
I’d love to learn how to sew with silk! My husband brought back some beautiful silk from a recent business trip to Singapore, but I’m so nervous to even touch it.
Learning zippers would be nice.
My husband and I are just learning how to sew. Thanks to this website, I’ve already learned so much. We actually just bought a Viking Emerald 118. We love it! And we’re scheduled to take classes this coming Monday. I visit this site every day to read the blog and drool over the fabrics. There is so much that we both want to learn that it’s hard to narrow down. I’d say that right now, my husband is having a hard time just guiding the fabric through the machine since he’s left-handed. He wanted to know if they made left-hand machines..LOL. I would like to be able to do elastic without it looking all wonky. And then from that point, there is just so much more we both would like to learn.
i would like to learn how to read patterns better! it takes me forever to figure out what they are asking me to do! (not that i’ve done that many…but if it were easier i would try more!)
I really want to learn freehand quilting.. I have finally learnt to make a quilt but havent had the courage to try freehand quilting! And I want to learn to sew a skirt.
Mo
I would love to learn how to add a simple (but full length) lining to a dress (or shirt) when using a pattern that doesn’t include one. I think garments look so much more finished and professional that way.
I would love to learn how to sew some clothes! Everytime I try, it comes out an absolute disaster! Guess I’ll be sticking to handbags and quilts for now!
I would like to learn how to make buttonholes that actually are functional and looks like a buttonhole! Although freehand quilting sounds like something I would like to do too!
I want to learn how to put binding on curves. I always seem to run short on binding when I go around a curve.
i need to qulit talking about free motion and just do it and do it and do it some more….
This summer I’m going to enter the world of hand quilting a quilt top I’m currently working on. I’m scared.
I would love to figure out how to use a walking foot and a ruffler foot one of my two sewing machines!!!!
Free-motion quilting…smocking would be great too!
I want to learn how to make good fitting pants. Sewing them is not hard, fitting my swayback is.
I would love to learn how to do zippers on a machine!
I am quite the pro at doing them by hand but man it takes forever and a day and I always worry if it is on a garment that gets lots of wear.
Oh and to beable to applique would be marvolous!!!
I’ve just started quilting and would love to learn how to do appliques. Also, I’m still afraid of sewing zippers! I’m a sewing newbie, but these two things would probably really help me out!
I would like to try the Amy Butler Weekend Bag! I think it would be a challenge as it is made with heavier fabric and has multiple layers. It would have to be perfect as it would be a gift
Sharon
Ooo I would be so happy to learn machine quilting!
Just ONE! There are so many! I am just beginning, and even though I have so many things I would like to learn it is so satisfying to tackle new challenges. Right now I am making an apron for my mother-in-law for her birthday, and I would love to learn how to embroider GG (for Grandma Gail) on it. It would give it the perfect personalized touch and mean a lot to her.
I have sewn everything from “crotch repairs” for a dry cleaners to oufitting the entire Female section of a Wedding Party, including the Bride. My favorite thing is to sew a vest or lined bodice and stitch around the neck and armholes first and then sew the side seams. I don’t like to sew the shoulder seam last, as most patterns instruct you to do. And, I have continually turned a vest in a circle, never to reveal the right side!
Machine quilting has been difficult for me especially since I undertook a difficult pattern on my first sampler quilt. If I had to do it all over again, I would have stitched in the ditch and done something simpler.
Gorgeous fabrics!!!!!
I want to sew with knit fabrics!!!! Help!!!
I have never made a quilt before, so I really want to win this fabric so I can start one! I have about 100 different ideas of what I want to make, but I think I might be starting on the more advanced side… Oh, well. Life is full of adventures!
Freehand quilting!
Also altering and/or designing clothing patterns.
I would love to learn machine quilting!
I also can’t seem to sew zippers to save my life. They always turn out looking not quite right.
I’m going to jump on the “zippers” band-wagon. I don’t know why the thought of sewing in a zipper intimidates me…but it does. Then next would be tips on adding a lining to a pattern that doesn’t already have on. Also I’m having issues with gathering techniques…any imput or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
OOOOh, I definitely want to learn how to make clothes well. Buttons, zippers, linings, all that. I and want to learn smocking, but that seems overly ambitious
.
I need to just learn to sew!!! LOL. I would love to lean patterns better. I would love to learn hand stiching. And I would love to learn how to put a zipper in.
The sewing skill I would most like to learn is how to fit clothing. I used to sew my daughter’s clothes when she was little, but I’ve always had trouble making something that fits me well. And now that she’s older, it’s hard for me to make things that fit her well, too.
I would really like to learn to smock. I am just so overwelmed when I look at patterns for it.
Not to copy your ideas – but I have no clue how to use my buttonhole attachments. I’d love to know so I can actually use it (and have usable buttons!)
I’d also like to work on a quilt – but have no idea where to start. Any ideas???
I would love to learn how to make a waistband with a zipper for a skirt!
I would really love to learn how to draft up ruffles and add them to dress, skirts, etc…
Like many others it’s the dreaded zipper. After buying 3 different (although eerily similar) zipper feet and finally taking my whole sewing machine to the store with me to get the right foot I decided I’d tackle the “zipper issue” that has plagued me for years. After a broken needle, a seam that looked like a small child had sewn it and large amounts of zipper hanging out on either end with no apparent place to put them, I gave up! I tried once again a few weeks later with better results, but I still had a bunch of zipper left over. Just where oh where to you put the fabric when you do this? at the end of the pull? The end of the zipper? What do you do with the left over zipper? Doesn’t seem like you can just sew over it again and make the whole thing pretty (tried that and just broke another zipper). I did like the method (iron 1/4 inch of fabric over and glue it (with fabric glue, silly) to one side of the zipper, sew and then repeat for the other side THEN sew everything together. But again, I was left with more questions than answers.
I’d really like to learn how to have more time to sew! I’d also like to tackle a project like a winter coat and have it turn out!!
I’d love to see a tutorial on how to sew edges with ric-rac or ot trim.
I wish I could get a better hang at doing free-motion quilting. I tend to over-try rather than letting the machine do the work!
I have two! I’d really like to learn how to quilt – I suck at it. Also, sewing clothes wise, I’d love to learn to do a welt pocket. (And that fabric looks amazing!)
I’ve always wanted to learn how to machine quilt with my sewing machine.
I would like to get better at sticking to a sewing schedule. I would be sew
much more productive! I would also like to try my hand at draping.
Oh, I have to second the comment about invisible stitches…I’ve gotten pretty good at hiding the parts where I sew up a softie or pillow, but it would be nice not to have to hide them at all! A whole fabric line about bugs – can’t get much better then that!
The hardest thing for me would have to be PLEATS! I REALLY want to learn how to do them perfectly! Awesome fabric!
I’m another person who is hopeless when it comes to zippers. Arrgh.
I’d like to learn how to do alterations!
The zipper…definitely the zipper! Would love to make it look more polished in finished garments.
I would love to learn how to sew zippers better. I have done some zipper bags recently and struggle with that step.
I use my machine to machine quilt. I want to learn how to use the machine for sewing purposes!! I would love to be able to make my daughter’s dresses for themselves and their dolls. That would be the best!!!!!
love that charm pack!
My latest conundrum ( like the big vocab??) re:sewing is where to store all of my fabric. I LOVE to be able to see it so I don’t want to hide it away in drawers or anything, but my little boy seems to find it and wants to use it to play “nite-nite” all the time when I leave it out and exposed. I know this isn’t a technical sewing problem, but it’s what I’m dealing with lately!!
Foot pressure- I don’t understand how it works, or how to get a nice seam on fabrics of very different weights without hand sewing it first.
Again – more gorgeous fabric. Okay my sewing conundrum has to be having seams roll properly in a rolled hem. YIKES i always have to skip over the seam and go back and try and roll it so very carefully and sew over them with a regular stitch. Maybe someone has the trick to share!!?? And then there’s invisible zippers – no problem with a regular zipper – in pretty much any fabric – but invisible zippers… ahhh another conundrum (don’t you just love that word?).
I would love to learn how to make a wrap around skirt for summer fun!!
Amy
http://newenglandquilter.blogspot.com/
I absolutely want to learn how to make button holes. I have a Singer Simple machine and have followed the directions in the manual but have not been successful! UGH!!
Love the blog – been a silent lurker for a few months now!
I’m throwing my hat in the ring for flutterby squares, though – totally diggin’ the new collection! One of the things I would like to learn is a curved or funky-edged binding for a quilt. I only know how to do the straight edge!
I would love to learn paper-piecing, to master free-motion quilting, and to learn to quilt as you go. Also a goal is to tackle a Dear Jane quilt.
i would like to figure out how to combine my felted knitting with some funky sewing–cool patch pockets on felted bags. i would also like to figure out how to stay focused on one project long enough to finish it, instead of just being enthusiastic for the material-gathering stage.
I need to learn how to stop sewing and GO TO BED when I’m tired! Beautiful fabrics =)
Points! When I’m doing applique and it come to the sharp point more often then not they get nubbed out!
I would love to learn how to smock someday! It is so beautiful! Just need more time to be able to learn;)
I have the darndest time with zippers. I love to make purses, but when it comes to the zipper, I am totally stumped. I follow the pattern instructions, but always run up on a dead end. Please help! I’m in the middle of the Kimberly Bag by Amy Butler, but I am unable to finish it. It’s such a crying shame!
I wish I could finally figure out the flat-lock on my serger. It never comes out right!
I REALLY want to learn how to do smocking. I have a little girl, and it would be so fun to be able to make her a smocked dress.
I want to pull out my walking foot and starting working with more knits.
I want to buy a feed dog cover and learn to do machine embroidery (with a machine that pretty much only does zigzag).
two conundrums–Piping that actually looks good and curves in quilting that also actually look good.
As someone else said – hemming by machine. It looks so easy “on tv” but when I sit at the machine, I’m so insecure about what I”m doing that I’m virtually paralyzed into inaction.
Love love love the Flutterby charms.
this is silly because I can sew my own clothes, but I usually make skirts out of cottons and the like, I am deathly afraid of hemming nice dress pants! I have a pair that have been hanging in my closet for over a year because they need hemming (in all fairness I was also pregnant for a good part of that year) and I don’t want to take them to a dress shop because last time I did the woman didn’t even hand stitch the cuff! I know I could do a better job than that, but I don’t want to ruin a nice pair of pants, they were a gift from my mother and I can’t afford nice pants!
Those new fabrics are gorgeous! A sewing problem I usually have is getting my zippers in with nice even top stitching.
My sewing cunundrum? Since I mostly just piece and quilt, I would love to perfect curved piecing.. seems I just can’t get the ends to match up the way they are supposed to. Mostly just a matter of putting in the practice time!
I’m really rusty at zippers and buttonholes–I don’t think I ever mastered them but now I have a bear of a time getting them done neatly . and evenly.
AND Machine quilting–I can’t seem to get the fast foot slow hand thing–my stitches are crazy uneven–I don’t expect perfection–but some are 1/4 inch long and some are so tiny I can’t get the seam ripper through them when I make a mistake!
I have a feeling that practice makes better if not perfect so I’ll keep working on these.
I’m slightly scared of quilting. I can do small things, but I would love to do a big quilt some day…
Using a ruffler foot…and putting in a zipper, always a least favorite task! That ruffler thing has me stumped though!
Arms, for some reason I dont like doing arms and sleeves. I also have issues with zippers. I remember on here at some point someone had a good tip on zippers. Button holes on with my machine too. Im obviously a newbie! But im having soooo much fun learning all these techniques
I used to hate zippers until I discovered invisible zippers, they are awesome! Especially if you have the special foot for them.
I would really like to learn pattern drafting for clothing.
I need to learn to have confidence in sewing for myself. I have the fabric, patterns and ideas, but I lack the courage to just start. Instead, I sew a gift or something for my kids.
I do okay with zippers, however, i have tried to figure out my button holer and can not get it to go right. i have a beautiful Bernina and it says it should just about do it all for me. but something isn’t adding up! i also want to learn how to let go of squared-ness, and do a more abstract quilt. i don’t know how to just get zany! I love all of the fabrics out this season too! i am so glad that SMS has been so helpful with introducing me to so many lines. I am excited about my order that i am putting together of fabric for several projects. I like the direction keep it coming!
Elizabeth
http://www.pigtailsandsnail.blogspot.com
My main sewing conundrum is finishing things! I get all enthusiastic, start something…going well…still going…eek, what if I mess it up???!!! Stop. Add it to the pile of unfinished bits and pieces, and in the meantime I have been inspired to do somethng totally different, get all enthusiastic about that…and so on and so on.
Okay…I’m off to work on a partly finished something…and I WILL finish it! Maybe.
I REALLY want to learn paper piecing! I’m just waiting for a class to come along to sign up for.
I am sure you have heard it before but I am a new ’sewing’ girl and bottom line… I just want to follow a pattern. I think it would help me be creative if I could just understand the language as a newbie in the sewing world. I need to take a serious lesson.
I just agreed to make my sister and her husband a comforter cover for their birthdays (they share a birthday). This seems like a very easy project, except for the buttons. Please, a tutorial on making button holes, I need it!
The fabrics are gorgeous. I would like to learn how to do a button hole. And how to sew a fabric lining to a knitted piece.
I’d like to find the reach the level of quilting ability where I am happy with the results. I figure there must be a point where I am satisfied with the quality of my workmanship, yet it still looks handmade. And color values! I also struggle when a quilting pattern says to choose a dark, medium & light fabric.
Happy weekend, everyone!
I’d like to learn how to fit/alter clothing patterns to fit my figure better.
I want to learn to use my darning foot! I bought it when I was going to work on my rumpled quilt skins pig, but the quilting was honestly a lot easier when using my regular presser foot and going REALLY slow.
I would like to learn how to properly fit patterns for myself. I’d like to learn pattern making. I’d like to someday design my own patterns.
I’d really love to get better at putting zippers in clothing. I have it down for bags, but I just can’t seem to get how to get that nicely finished top and bottom of the zipper.
I love the insects fabric! It’s so springy and cheerful.
The sewing problem I’m ready to conquer? I desperately, desperately, desperately need to learn how to cut a straight line! This sounds like an easy thing to manage, but it isn’t. I am a quilter and this one huge problem is holding me back in so many ways. I have a rotary cutter and mat; can’t cut an even square to save my soul with it, have to beg my hubby to help me (after hours of ripping my hair out and muttering under my breath, lol). Last week I bought one of those big rulers with the slider that cuts your fabric for you. I waited to use it until a time I was feeling particularly brave…and it was beyond my capabilities. I can’t even trace a square or two straight lines and cut them out by hand without having all kinds of wobbly action going on. So, that’s my sewing conundrum.
I can use my buttonholer. I can do zippers. I can manage all kinds of feats as long as someone else does the cutting for me. :0)
My conundrum — I wish I knew how to freehand quilt on my Pfaff — because I just am not good at manuevering a fullsize quilt around for straight line quilting.
Zippers would be a great thing to know how to put in correctly. Right now I just wing it and hope for the best…
Beautiful fabric. I would love to learn how to smock sew. Have a great weekend.
Oh, if I could only make a pair of pants that fit me! You know, at the hip, the rise, AND the waist? So, my dilemma is fitting or drafting patterns.
I have always found an invisible zipper easier than a regular one. But for this project I’m working on I’m going to use a regular one…..I’m wondering how many times I’m going to have to rip it out before getting it right.
Umm… how to use my buttonhole foot, how to use my embroidery foot, how to stipple, how to make clothing… shall I continue!?!
Oh goodness! Zipper and lining are two things I need to learn. I also need a nice tutorial on how to hem correctly – I can fake it but it looks bad.
I literally have just received my first sewing machine as a birthday present this week. I have been wearing hand made clothes since I was a child thanks to my talented grandmother. I would just love to follow in her footsteps and learn how to sew clothes as brilliantly as she has over the years. When I was little she taught me how to sew stuffed animals and it is one of my favorite memories of her. So this weekend I will take the first steps and try to sew a pair of PJ Pants. Ultimately I would love to get to the point where I can make my own patterns… but lets see how the pj pants work out first
Thank you so much for this blog… it has been so amazingly helpful as I start this journey!!
I definitely want to learn how to make a quilt someday soon.
Well, I’ve just finished sewing a shirt except for the buttonholes, which I’ve never yet done on this machine – so learning how to use that buttonholer ASAP would be great!
It’s a find blog and I like it very much
Kind regards
Alicia
I have my own blog, please check and give me a feedback
http:www.naehbistro.ch/sewing
It’s a find blog and I like it very much
Kind regards
Alicia
I have my own blog, please check and give me a feedback
http://www.naehbistro.ch/sewing
I would love to have an intimate relationship with my serger! As yet we are simply tolerant of eachother’s presence, and I can only get her to do what I want through manipulation!!!
I really want to use my ruffler foot attachment. Well, that and the bias tape foot. Oh yeah, my gathering foot — sure would like to know how to use that. And the biggie – I want to learn the art of fabric collage one day.
My sewing conundrum: I have an inexpensive machine, and need to make buttonholes with it. No fancy stuff. I do not know how. The manual explains it, but I can’t figure it out.
More yummy fabrics. I love your store’s offerings.
Right now my goal is to keep practicing free-motion quilting. I love what can be done but I have a long, long way to go. I love the fabrics!
There are many skills I have yet to master! But top of my list now are sewing knits, adding zippers, and shirring! That elastic thread gives me fits!!!
free motion quilting!
I would love to learn to make mitered corners for binding a quilt. I have read the instructions so many times and something about the folding and flipping has me stumped. I think I need to see it in person!
I have a fear of zippers. I know that if I just sat down and sewed one I’d be okay but this fear is keeping from starting.
Love the new fabric lines. I want to learn to use all the decorative stitches on the Bernina I just bought. Yay!
Donna
I’m a relative newby, too. I’m trying to learn how to sew a baby’s dress.
I want to be able to do free motion quilting. I have a new sewing machine and have the attachment… but have been reluctant to try. I love all of the new fabrics.
I enjoy your blog as it really is a bonus with the tutorials and photos of what others in this creative world are doing
I want to feel as comfortable sewing on my machine as I do stitching by hand! It would save me so much time!
I really want to learn of to “free-style” when it comes to quilting *smile* I am hoping this is the year!
I want to be able to draft a pattern from clothes I already own. I have a few items I love and would like to make again but I’m just not sure where to start with out tearing them apart.
I’m terrified of zips, I know they’re not that scary but too me they are the monster under the bed……..
Hello, I am 11 years old and I love to sew. I would like to learn how to make a buttonhole so that I can make myself and my family some nice clothes!!!!
I’m currently researching how to quilt – still haven’t finished my doll quilt…
Buttonholes!! I avoid any pattern with a button/buttonhole or I have my mother do it. After all the work of completing a garment, I’m afraid to ruin it.
Such pretty new fabric!!!
I have a really difficult time with color decisions when making quilts. I get hung up on getting my fabrics to go that things are too matchy and don’t have that punch of interest that I want. When I try to add the punch sometimes it makes the piece almost seem like it’s hitting you in the face!!!
Also in the theme of quilting, I’d like to get better on my actual quilting. I really only do straight lines and I’d like to get more adventurous.
I have two conundrums: the fear of zippers and free motion quilting!
Lovely new fabric you have there. I’ve just dusted of the sewing machine a few months ago, and I find fitting garments properly and adjusting patterns to be my biggest challenge right now. I’m on the lookout for a class in my area to help me out..
I want to just be better at sewing, I love the idea of making stuff and have made a few bags, but want to get better at it.
I would like to learn how to paper piece. It looks so easy when I look at other people do it, but I can’t seem to get the hang of it!
Zippers scare me and I am not sure why???
I would love to learn how to alter patterns to get just the right fit.
I know everyone says this, but zippers still scare me stiff. I have nightmares about them.
I remember in eighth grade taking Home Ec and learning or should I say trying to learn to sew, even at that age I was a perfectionist and was so frustrated that I gave up and didn’t sew again for another 40 years. I wouldn’t even replace buttons on my husbands shirt, just threw then away. So now after I have retired I am giving it another try, not quite the perfectionist I used to be.
I am learning to sew for my own pleasure by learning to piece quilts, and making purses.
So I guess my conundrum is learning to accept new obstacles by being patient, and knowing that it is not a life and death matter, but rather to just learn to enjoy the process.
Only one conundrum? Alas, I have many. Sewing with knit or stretchy fabrics is one.
I want to get back into sewing and have been reading some sewing blogs for a month now, but I don’t know where to start! I see so many lovely projects.
I’d like to learn to finish more of the projects I start!
How to make something that actually fits me.
The greatest issue i have with sewing is wanting to cut corners and not use my iron! My iron is my friend, I have got to learn that!! But i have to say, when i use my iron my sewing comes out 10 times better!
I want to be able to make my own patterns. Every time I think I am good enough at sewing to freehand something, it fits all weird. Sometimes it works though.
Hello…I love to sew and crochet…I love your blog too…peace for us…nice weekend
Three things are on my must learn list: How to insert an invisible zipper; Free motion machine embroidery; and Proper tailoring for a suit jacket.
I want to learn to sew knits without a serger, with just a regular sewing machine, and have them look similar to rtw, and not homemade.
It sounds like such a basic thing but I would love to learn how to do buttonholes! There are so many things that would be better with buttons!
I would love to order fabric from your shop, it’s all gorgeous! But can not justify the high shipping as I am in Hillsboro too. Maybe someday you’ll let us locals come for a “doors open” sale??
I would love to master the skill of zippers.
Ahhhh! So pretty! I definitely have fabric envy! :u) Well, maybe I’ll get picked this time. If not, I just might have to splurge a bit and add some of that lovely fabric to my stash! A skill I would like to learn is how to make some of the “fancy” stitches on my machine (that is, anything other than a straight stitch or zig-zag) without looking it up _every single time_ in the manual. Yeah, that’s how bad I am. But hopefully will get better! :u) Happy Friday, everyone!
I love the flutterby and bell bottoms collections! So bold. I would love to have space to sew that is my own. I use the kitchen table and must put things away on a daily basis. It makes it hard to keep going some days.
I’m having trouble turning corners and sewing curves…I must practice more I guess.
Beautiful fabrics!! I’d like to try free motion quilting this year.
I would love to learn to make my own patterns just like my gammy used to do during the latter part of the depression. Learning to make better use of my sewing time would be great too.
I would be delighted if I could successfully sew a hidden pocket (inside of a purse) with a zipper.
Absolutely gorgeous fabric. Making lots of lightbulbs go off in my head for projects
Basting quilts. I’ve been making a lot of quilts recently, and I haven’t found a good solution. I basted a large quilt recently, turned it over and it was all wrinkles. Argh! I’ve read some people use spray basting, and I was really excited to order some, but when I got it and read all the warnings on it I didn’t feel like I could use it on baby quilts, which are meant to be eaten as much as worn.
I’m going to try some Sulky spray though, it doesn’t look too toxic.
I want to do more curved piecing (especially curves that aren’t circles) and also free-motion quilting.
I’d love to learn about making collars — for shirts, jackets, or whatever. I have done them here and there based on a specific pattern but now that I have started making a lot of clothing without patterns and have learned about pattern-making myself, I still struggle with things like collars.
I would love to learn to machine quilt.
I want to learn how to quilt… I might just give this a try here soon.
I’d also like to figure out how to do smocking! My mom made me soooo many smocked dresses when I was a little girl. I’d love to make some for my own daughter!
I know it is elementary, but significant none-the-less. I’m a brand new sewer, and I’d love to learn how to do a better job of “squaring up”. I want all of those hems and corners to line up! But something is always off.
Perhaps all it is is a more systematic way of cutting, or better tools (my mat and rotary ruler are tiny!). Whatever it is, it is on my to do list to discover!
I want to start quilting. Probably start with something simple… Hand-tied, maybe?
I would like to know more about sewing with fabrics other than 100% cotton. I would love to make some skirts for winter or some knit tops but am unsure of where to buy fabric and what to look for in the fabric (quality, if it should be 100% linen or a cotton mix, etc.).
i would love to understand how to use my serger. my mom gave it to me for my 21st birthday, now i am 30, and i have used it once to make a pair of pants of all things! it would help if it had come with an instruction manual and not an instruction VHS! it’s ok though, i make do with my 2 other sewing machines.
I have a horrible bobbin holder that I have to remedy with two little folded cloths. It is a pain in the butt!
Basically – and quite simply – I’d like to be able to use my sewing machine to the best of my abilities. It was given to me by my great-grandmother before she passed away and I’d like to make her proud. The machine is from 1958 and has so many accessories and feet and doo-dad’s that I don’t know where to start!
Beautiful!!! Zippers! How hard could it really be to put in a zipper? I just tried putting one in a quiet book, and lets just say it took as long to figure out that one page as it did to complete the other 13 pages. Practic makes perfect right? Hopefully!!!
My conundrum? How to keep from outgrowing the stuff I make! (General fitting, really…)
I would like get over my fear of zippers so that I could learn to do them also I would like to learn how to do french seams and how to polish my garments so that they have a nice tailored finish.
I would enjoy creating several miniature quilts with one of those packs, so choose moi!
I enjoy machine or hand piecing my miniature quilts and hand quilting them. My LEAST favorite part of quilting is the basting. I’m never happy with safety pin basting or thread basting –unless I thread baste lots and lots!!! My favorite part (honest!) is applying the binding…especially making those sharp mitered corners on my bindings.
My most prized possession is a quilt my grandmother made. She died when I was 7 and I think of her often and her love of fiber arts. Particularly quilting. I would love to learn to quilt and it’s something I have been thinking a lot about lately. I’m in the process of researching local quilitng shops to begin the process. I think my grandmother is smiling!
I’d like to learn different techniques for reinforcing bags – which types work the best with what you want and how to decide how large to leave gaps when you turn bags and other sewn items inside out.
i would love, for once, to maintain tension on my old hand-me-down, high-school-home-ec.-class sewing machine. then……..i would like it to stay that way! for once!
The zipper, the set in sleeve, gathers, and pleats. Also, getting the fabric on grain and cutting the pattern are my least favorite.
I want to learn how to make clothes that fit. I can follow a pattern, but it never seems to work when I put on whatever I made
I have two, an invisible stitch & zippers. I have yet to use a zipper, they terrify me. I have managed to sew a perfect invisible stitch but lost the link to the tutorial I used and I haven’t been able to do it since!!
I wish I was more confident about hand piecing and hand quilting.
Gorgeous fabrics!
My sewing problems all seem to stem from me not paying attention, getting too comfortable with what I’m doing, or rushing to finish. My most notable dumb mistakes have been- sewing the front lining to the back of a dress bodice and vice versa, upside down zippers, and handles that are sewn INto the lining of a totebag!
zippers and buttons!!! two things that SCARE me…(silly I know) but I avoid them at all cost for fear of failure…(again, silly I know!)
I really wish to learn how to put a zipper in a bag or a wallet. My mother always told me that zippers are hard ….thus, I am scared to try it.
Definitely more on clothing making. I’m pretty good with simple patterns for pants, aprons and skirts, but more complex things – and shirts – still elude me.
To be able to thread my overlocker (sorry serger in American English) looper in a foreign country which does not sell my brand of overlocker. Three days of trying to thread the looper in vain. Three days of the thread bunching up and not sewing anything. Three days of cutting fabric from under the needle plate. Sigh.
I would like to learn how to sew a lined, tailored jacket. I have sew clothing for children and grandchildren, and would like to sew a stunning tailored jacket. One that friends would say, “Oh my, you made that!”
Kathy
I want to make clothes. These are the troubles/fears I have–sleeves, buttonholes, and zippers. I quilt, so I can sew a straight seam, but the arm seams frighten me. I also mess the zippers up and buttonholes are just scary. Thanks!
I would really like to know if there is a good resource out there for learning to sew clothing. I am a quilter and have just started sewing for my daughter but I don’t know whether it is best to take a class or if there is a good book out there to help me hone my skills and learn all the little tricks.
I wish I knew how to hem circle skirts and put in zippers so they look normal.
My biggest sewing conundrum right now is…me! I sew a lot for my kids and friends and my shop, of course, but the last thing I sewed for myself was about four years ago. How do I prioritize sewing for me, darn it?!
I would love to learn smocking. And how to stitch those openings closed. Mine never look right somehow.
I would like to improve on my handsewing skills. I came to your blog today to see if I could find a nice first project.
I want to learn how to quilt and to make aprons. Pretty pathetic, I know, but nonetheless……….
One of the sewing skills I wish to have is the way to hand-sew opening closed to complete stuffed items like toys and pincushions. I have never done great jobs doing this. Sometimes it looks too obvious where it has been hand-sewn and in other times it opens up because of the pressure from the stuffed poly-fil…
I want to learn how to freehand quilt, but I need a running foot for my machine first! Love those Flutterby charm packs!
I want to learn how to draft my own patterns. As well I’d like to learn how to make my own piping, as I have a pattern for a dress that requires piping and I haven’t been able to find a piping that matches the dress fabric.
I would love to perfect a zipper pocket in totes and purses. Also to really follow through on creative thoughts and make them come together.
I wish I was a more patient sewer. With knitting & can rip 1,000 times to get it right. With sewing, if I get a pucker I’ll just shrug it off.
I want to learn how to use my rolled hem foot. I can’t seem to get it to work.
I would love to start quilting, I do a lot of garment sewing right now, but I’m really attracted to quilting as a visual art.
I would love to master sewing a curved seam and finishing seams with a professional look….without using a serger since I don’t own one. My seams always get “eaten up” by the feed dogs whenever I zigzag stitch the seams.
I would like to be able to use bias tape around tricky corners without bunching.
This will sound completely crazy, but my biggest sewing conundrum? When to sew? When to sew?
And since I know that’s NOT what you guys are looking for, I’d love to learn to put in zippers.
I’d love to learn how to sew on zippers for handmade purses. I hear again and again how difficult it can be, and have yet to get the courage to actually try it.
I also need to learn how to insert a zipper. It seems like I keep picking projects based on whether or not it needs a zipper. I’m glad I’m not the only one who has trouble with that silly thing!
I’d love to learn to use a quilting machine.
I need to figure out my butthole! I am fairly new to sewing, but am enjoying it! I have a collection of wallets, purses, and journal notebooks, but have a button sewn ontop and velcro dots for closures because I can’t figure out my butthole for the life of me!!!!!!!!!!
I have never had a problem with piping (the zipper foot on my old Kenmore worked great) until purchasing my Pfaff 2046. I would love to have a tutorial so that I can once again embellish with piping.
I have two sewing goals: (1) become more confident and comfortable sewing clothing (I do it now but it’s like pulling teeth and I’m always second-guessing myself); and (2) learn how to hand-quilt!
I have recently acquired three of the most-recommended books on Fit, because I need to graduate to a new level of garment sewing. I feel I’ve mastered the invisible zipper (hooray!) and even my auto-buttonhole. So now it’s time to put those features into some garments that really fit me well! Most likely fixes I’ll need to learn: SBA (small bust adjustment) and alterations for sway back and maybe broad upper back. Lots of reading and a measuring session with my husband’s assistance are planned for April vacation!
Right now, I would love to be able to sew a straight line. I can put in a zipper just fine, but for the life of me I’m not able to sew a straight line. I can’t draw a straight line, walk a straight line, or cut a straight line either.
Where do I start? I definitely need to learn to use all the presser feet that came with my machine. Also, I have a new serger that I have yet to learn to use! And pretty much everything I see someody else make I think to myself, “I need to learn to make that!”
jean…
i just read your response. wow!!! can you elaborate a little? do you spray all of the fabric? before or after you cut it?
thanks… you’ve given me hope!!!
emily
I wish that I had more time to practice and that I could leave my sewing set up. I really feel like I need to work on everything… except ripping out, I think that I have that down!
I agree about zippers! Mine are always wonky!
I would LOVE to learn how to use my button holer!
I, like many others apparently, need help with zippers. They really scare me and I always find a way to work around having to use them, but there are a lot of projects out there that I would like to make if I could just figure out the zipper thing! Maybe you guys could put together some pointers or a tutuorial????
I’d like to learn to bind satin binding on a baby quilt. I tried last week and had issues, I had to rip out all seams and start all over. I am now trying to glue it on first to hold it still, and will stitch over that. I am hoping the fabric glue I used will keep the binding in place while I sew the pieces onto the blanket.
I’d also like to learn how to modify an existing pattern to incorporate some coordinating fabrics pieced together. I was inspired by another blogger to make an A line dress for my daughter, utilzing a McCalls pattern. I have the Ginger blossom washed and ready to go – now I am just waiting for the sale at Joann’s to buy the pattern!
I would love to learn to sew with knit fabrics. I’m so afraid to use anything other than 100% cotton when sewing clothing – especially since I am new to adjusting clothing patterns!
My current sewing condundrum is that I am trying to make a small lap quilt for a swap partner. I used disappearing 9-patch, and one patch accidentally got turned about. Now there is a HUGE mistake, because two colors (lime green stripes of all things) are directly on top of each other! The condundrum is how (or if) I will be able to fix it??!?! I’m hoping to simply unnattach that whole row, and just resew it to the bottom of the quilt. Did I meantion this is my first quilt?!?!?!?
Oh and I want to learn to do blind hems on my sewing machine!
So many things I would like to learn… how to make a button hole, how to work with interfacing, how to free hand machine quilt, etc…
I’m a complete novice when it comes to sewing, I would just like to sew straight!
I really want to start a “take along” quilting project, since park season is here and I have two little boys. I’m trying to figure out all the logistics of what to make and how to carry pins / needles / thread / tiny squares and triangles of fabric and sharp scissors while keeping my one year old out of danger.
Zippers, definitely! I avoid all patterns with zippers….
I’d like to learn how to do a nice hems on cutoff jeans without making them look all cheap like Can you tell my mom just hemmed up my jeans?
I need to learn how to use my serger. I inherited it from a friend and know it will be invaluable once I figure out how to make the crazy thing work.
I also would love to learn how to modify patterns so that they actually fit me. I have pretty much given up, because even when I double check my measurements and make the appropriate size, things never fit and I don’t know how to fix them.
I would love to learn how to do professional quality alterations of dresses, pants, jackets, etc., and not just follow the “nip here and a tuck there” method.
yes, a sewing conundrum. Getting a neat and tidy corner while turning a binding. Sewing in a hidden zipper. Sewing curves with out puckers or profanity. Finally, selecting prints that look interesting, contemporary,unexpected, and nice together. can’t do it. need help.
I am interested in
A)Learning how to pick an appropriate pattern for a shirt.
B)Braving the sleeve/body seam.
It has not worked for me in the past!
I really need to learn how to use the different feet attachments on my serger. I still have not used my ruffler, because I am not sure how to set the gauge right so that it ruffles in the right…increments? I cannot even phrase my conundrum properly!
Love the new fabrics. I have difficulty doing the math to create my own quilt blocks or just filling out a quilt when I have randomly appliqued a large block with my own pattern. I just can’t seem to get the figures right….aarrrrgggg!
I still have a lot of things to learn. But at this moment I’m trying on quilting as I want to make one for my son. I’m revisiting the quilt month posts you did not long time ago.
I would love to know the trick to blind-stitching an opening closed ~ can’t seem to conquer that one!
I ALWAYS have trouble sewing zippers on, even with a zipper foot. Really, its the end part i have trouble with. The end never finishes nicely. I also have trouble sewing on binding tape and have followed many different types of tutorials but i can never seem to get it right. i can pin it the correct way, but then when i get to the sewing machine the sewing machine never sews it the way i have it pinned. Help!
My biggest sewing conundrum is so basic and universal – finding the time to drag out the machine and get something going (and finished). ~H
I want to learn the sewing secrets from an experienced seamstress! I can do the basics, but I want to learn to do them better and be more efficient about it.
I want to learn how to do a blind hem stitch. I’ve tried doing it by hand, but I need much more practice, and I can’t seem to figure out how to do it on my sewing machine.
(jumping in late)
I would like to learn how to tailor clothing that is already constructed. I recently replaced the zipper / fly in a pair of dress pants and, aside from installing the zipper backwards the first time (so you’d have to stick your hand down your pants to pull it up) and then sewing the pants completely shut when I re-did the fly, it went pretty well. (I view my mistakes as a way to learn while laughing) I can hem just about anything, but I don’t have a clue how to go about taking in a waist, etc. I haven’t been able to find a book on the subject, either.
I sew patchwork, and quilt, with cottons and silks. However, I don’t “do” garments. I can’t truly consider myself a true sewist until I conquer the dreaded — yet everso simple — elastic waist, pull-on skirt. I’d love to turn out a half dozen for my 8-yr daughter, but I can’t. seem. to. take. the. first. step. Ugh! I need a little hand-holding. . . and somewhere to stash my tear-stained hankies!
Wow…no longer do I feel “alone” in my inabililty to conquer the zipper! Practice makes perfect I guess!
I absolutely adore that Georgie Orange print in the new Bell Bottoms line!
Ohhhh I wanna know how to smock… and quilt!!!
I look at the things my great grandmother created and wished that I would of known the pleasures of sewing when she was alive so I could of learned her very talented skills! It amazes me that no one else in my family sews, when my great grandmother and great great grandmother made EVERYTHING, out of scraps of course, but you would of never known the difference!!!
Hi! I would so love to be able to quilt. I haven’t learned either the hand or machine method yet. Whenever I try I always manage to bunch up the backing fabric so I hide it with an extra piece of backing. More warmth I guess. O and one day I will learn how to tat! Cherrie
I’d love to learn to do smocking! I have two girls and a love for smocking. I have two boys also, but they’re not so much into the smocking.
I’ve been sewing for a long time, but have never mastered “rolled edges”. It seems like it should be so easy, but when I try it never turns out quite the way I have it imagined.
I would love to learn freehand embroidery on my 40 year old Bernina.
All I seem to do is make freehand mess!!
http://www.mchats.etsy.com
I want to be able to put a zipper on tote bags or some kind of fastner. I am very visual and I need a step by step tutorial.
I would love to know more about how to use my walking foot. I’ve never used it and I’m just too “plain chicken” to try. I love to make quilts and want to attempt quilting some bags, but it takes too long to do it by hand!
I have been sewing for years, but I still don’t know how to install a zipper. I see so many patterns that I love, but won’t make them because they have zippers. I know how to smock, quilt, and heirloom sewing, but I have know idea how to put in a zipper.
I’d like to figure out how to use the buttonhole feature that came with my machine. Supposed to be pretty easy but I just can’t figure it out!
I want to master it all. I just started sewing clothing for my daughter and I want to learn to make a garment without having to use my seam ripper more than my sewing machine.
I love all the ideas that you have for projects and have been getting a lot of inspiration from people on your site. I love that you show new fabrics when they come out. i hope to learn to quilt my finished quilts on my sewing machine this year. i also want to learn how to fit patterns to me for some clothes that i wanted to make this year for myself and my husband. i have never taken any classes for that so far, however, i saw that a voch-tech school in my area has pattern fitting and project assistance that i am looking into.
Keep up the good work-
Theresa J
I’d like to learn more about my sewing machine
I would love to learn to make bags, using all the fabulous fabrics and mixing them up!
p.s. My sister just purchased a “hidden” zipper and you buy the special hidden zipper foot to fit your machine. She said it was the easiest thing she’s ever done.
Hi,
I would love to learn how to sew pretty much everything, but mainly, I wish I knew how to sew my own and my childrens clothes.
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