Sew Fast Sew Easy: All You Need to Know When You Start to Sew (7 page)

11.
Pull the thread you’re holding up and out—when you pull up you should see the end of the bobbin thread come out. When you’re ready to sew, pull both threads together and back behind and under the presser foot.

You are ready to start sewing. Practice on a scrap piece of fabric to test the machine to see if you have threaded it properly and to get a feel for sewing.

Using a Seam Guide

This is an additional tool placed or screwed on or near the needle plate of your sewing machine. It creates a “wall” against which the edges of the garment pieces can butt while being sewn. The guide will help you to sew perfectly straight, accurate seam lines. Even curves and jacket fronts are easier with a seam guide in position.

In addition, you will find that your sewing speed will improve with the use of a seam guide. You can train your eyes to look at the guide and not at the machine’s needle. This encourages you to concentrate on the seam that is being stitched by your machine. A guide will save you lots of time. No need to trace sewing lines onto your fabric pattern pieces.

Here’s how to use your seam guide.

Step 1
Place a clear ruler on the needle plate. Slide it underneath the presser foot and lower the needle until the tip is almost touching the ruler. Shift the ruler until the right edge is the same distance from the needle as the desired seam allowance of your pattern (usually
5/8
inch).

Step 2
Place the seam guide on the needle plate, butting the left edge against the ruler. Now remove the ruler.

Note:
Some home sewing machines are sold with seam guide attachments. Yet there are manufacturers that do not recommend the use of a magnet on their computerized machines. Speak to your sewing machine dealer or call the manufacturer directly to find out if a magnet will damage your machine.

CUT OUT AND PASTE NEAR YOUR MACHINE

Final Checklist

Here is a list of items you should check each and every time you start to sew:

1.
Are the threads from the sewing machine placed under the presser foot?

2.
Is your fabric placed under the presser foot a little pact the needle of the machine?

3.
Is your presser foot lever
DOWN?

4.
Now you can begin to sew. Make sure you lock the beginning and end of your seam by sewing three stitches forward, then three stitches in reverse. If you don’t, your seam will come undone.

Chapter 6

Go to It: HOW TO MAKE AN ENVELOPE PILLOW COVER

A great accessory, the envelope pillow cover (so named because the back of the cover, where you will slip in your pillow, closes like an envelope) is a good first project.

In addition to the pattern in the back of the book and your survival kit basics, you will need:

• 1 yard fabric (45 to 60 inches wide) (refer to Chapter 2 for help in picking out the best fabric)

• 2 yards
piping
or fringe

• All-purpose thread to match

• 14-inch square pillow

Layout

Lay the fabric out with the face (right-side) up. Pin your front and back pattern pieces down to the fabric, making sure it’s on straight grain.

Now, cut out all three pattern pieces (refer to the the
Cutting Rules in Chapter Four
.

These are the notches to clip on your pillow pattern (Rule 9):

Front at the upper-right-hand corner

Front at the lower-right-hand corner

Back 1 at the upper-left-hand corner

Back 1 along the side seams

Back 1 at the lower fold line

Back 2 at the lower-left-hand corner