first_name: carol last_name: cubilie business_name: cj sewing email: cubilie@aol.com url: http:// byline: full name nick_name: I would like to submit an idea for reader tips. You may need to rewrite it, that is ok. I needed a straight eye(not the curved ones sold as set with a hook)to use with a size 3 hook on a narrow waistband. Place a small piece of tear away stabilizer under the waistband and use the button sewing setting on your machine. Increase the stitch width to 7 (my machine goes to 9) sew as if attaching a button and secure the stitching 3 times on each side of the of the "EYE". If your machine does not have this stitch, use the widest zig zag on satin stitch length and secure on each side by moving the fabric and stitch in place on the far left and right. Tear away the stabilizer and you have a nice straight "EYE" without the work of making one by hand. first_name: Alana last_name: Shinnan business_name: nil email: 3250@telus.net url: http:// byline: full name nick_name: tip: To Readers tips: To see my bobbins and buttons at a glance, I use 33MM size watchmakers containers with glass tops that come in a aluminum box. These containers can be ordered on-line from www.leevalley.com ( put in watchmakers containers in the search bar ) They are very reasonably priced. Also, since I have four machines and running out of space, I bought a sturdy folding table from a office supply store that can be put away when not in use. Alana Shinnan first_name: jana last_name: Van Kalker business_name: email: janavorn@hotmail.com url: http:// byline: full name nick_name: tip: I have a sewing tip; When sewing anything that is thick or bulky use lining fabric for the inerfacing. jana van kalker cincinnati,oh. first_name: Susan Y last_name: Gilbert business_name: Nonnie's Notions email: sygilbert@charter.net url: http:// byline: full name nick_name: tip: Recently I found a use for colored markers for quick sewing fixes. A jacket came back from the cleaners with a blue button sewn on with white thread. Also, my husband popped a button and needed it sewn on quickly. I had white thread in the machine and sewed the button on in less than 30 seconds. In both cases, I used a marker to "dye" the threads to match the button. first_name: David last_name: Graham business_name: The Crowning Touch, Inc. email: sales@fasturnjunction.com url: http://www.crowning-touch.com byline: full name nick_name: tip: Need to turn fabric tubes? Got spaghetti straps, piping, quilt strips, stuffed animals, fabric belts, or just about any fabric strip you need to turn?? The Fasturn is your answer! The Fasturn is a set of six hollow brass tubes of different sizes, each one can be used to turn nearly any size fabric tube quickly, easily, and with no damage to the fabric! The Fasturn can be used from tiny spaghetti straps to very large tube quilts, and in one quick motion can turn (AND CORD!!!) the fabric tube. Complete instructions are easy to follow, and the Fasturn is featured on many PBS TV shows (Sewing with Nancy, America Sews, Quilting, etc.) My dad invented the Fasturn, my mom swears by it, and we manufacture right here in Medford, Oregon... Check out what you can now do with our Fasturn (and the many other Fasturn products!). Give me a call 800-729-0280 first_name: Daphne last_name: Dooling business_name: email: sewcasual@hotmail.com url: http:// byline: full name nick_name: tip: PATTERN NOTES Have you ever used a pattern then sometime later tried to remember what you made from it - whether it was successful or not? I tried to remedy this by writing a description on the pattern envelope, only to discover that it was meaningless by itself. I then devised a system that I find foolproof. I write a date and description on an index card and staple a remnant of the fabric that I used to the card. I then record any details that I would like to remember about the pattern sizing or any anomalies, and then insert it in the pattern envelope for future reference. Voila! first_name: mary jane last_name: stokes business_name: email: maryjs39@hotmail.com url: http:// nick_name: Mary Jane Stokes, Jefferson City, MOMissouri tip: I would like to submit a suggestion for your Reader Tips section. I have found using empty serger thread spools a good way to use as a funnel for loading the weighted stuffing pellets for stuffed items such as animals, dolls, etc. first_name: Juanita B. last_name: Dean business_name: email: jdean3@bellsouth.net url: http:// byline: first name only nick_name: tip: When I plan to cut more than one garment from the same pattern, I don't have to remove the pins from the first garment to cut out the next pattern piece and the notches are always accurate with the size, number and adjustments. I trace at least two or more pattern pieces on tracing paper with pattern name, size, number and any information that is on the envelope. After I finish the garment I save the duplicate pattern pieces so I can mix and match them for a new wardrobe. first_name: Conni last_name: Taylor business_name: email: conjt@earthlink.net url: http:// byline: first name only nick_name: tip: To remove a buttonhole, use a safety razor and gently "shave" across the thread til most of the thread is broken. Then, using your pick, pull out the rest of the bad buttonhole. first_name: Barbara last_name: Latniak business_name: email: barbezzzzz@adelphia.net url: http:// byline: full name nick_name: tip: when you are doing upholstery or any other project that calls for a lot of self made piping, use cotton clothes line rope as your cord. It works great and is a lot cheeper than regular cord. first_name: Beverly last_name: Cherry business_name: email: rgbc@cloudnet.com url: http:// byline: full name nick_name: tip: What do you do with your broken needles and pins? I use a plastic container that "Nestle" powdered creamer (Coffee Mate) comes in. It is made of rigid plastic that needles don't poke through and it has a small flip top lid that snaps shut securely to make it a safe place to place discarded sharps. I place raw rice or a few small rocks in the container to stabilize it beside my machines. It is also secure for travel. first_name: Carol-Ann last_name: Pinto business_name: email: CarolAnnPinto@aol.com url: http:// byline: first name only nick_name: tip: Interior fabrics make wonderful jackets and are exceptional for matching handbags, or just for pocketbooks and totes. first_name: Sandra last_name: Schimnosky business_name: email: schimnos@telus.net url: http:// byline: first name only nick_name: tip: RE: Sewing on buttons by machine. To prevent buttons from moving from marked spots on garment on I use transparent tape (use the invisible kind) to hold them in place. I then stitch the buttons in place. The tape just peels off without any problem. Buttons are in line and in the exact marked spot. first_name: Patricia last_name: Garrison business_name: email: pgarri421@aol.com url: http:// byline: full name nick_name: tip: As my eyes are aging it seems it is getting harder to see the eye of my sewing machine needle. I keep 1" wide slips of white construction paper near my machine. I slip the white piece of paper behind the eye of the needle and I can see to easily thread the needle. first_name: Linda last_name: Jones business_name: email: lindasewwhat@hotmail.com url: http:// byline: full name nick_name: tip: Tip for machine sewers: To avoid putting used needles loose in the trash, use an empty 35mm film cannister. Just poke a small hole in the top to insert needle. You may want to tape the top and bottom together also.. Keep handy near your machine. first_name: Sondra last_name: Smith business_name: email: asjsmith@att.net url: http:// byline: full name nick_name: tip: I use an old kitchen table to cut out my sewing projects on. I used the bed risers sold in many order-by-mail catalogs under the legs of my table to lift it to a better cutting height for me. Now instead of 28-1/2", my table is 34-1/2" tall. The risers slip under the legs so they can easily be removed if needed. first_name: Anna Victoria last_name: Reich business_name: 7615 William Moyers Avenue, NE email: MarcAnna@aol.com url: http:// nick_name: tip: Anna Victoria Reich 7615 William Moyers Avenue, NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87122 505821-2867 USA September 28, 2002 Anna Victoria Reich 7615 William Moyers Avenue, NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87122 USA 505-821-2867 I would like to share a sewing tip.technique Using Sewing machine: When finishing LAST STitch on your Garment Pull the upper thread loose by hand, so this will not bend the needle when taking the fabric away. Then raise the pressure foot and pull the fabric towards the machine. Make sure that both threads are about 4" from the edge of fabric before cutting the threads. Thank you very much, Anna Victoria Reich first_name: Joy last_name: Bevil business_name: email: bevildevil@yahoo.com url: http:// byline: first name only nick_name: tip: When sewing for my children, I attach an index card to the pattern envelope. On this I list the date I made the item, dimensions of items used (length of elastic, size zipper, etc) and finished lengths. When I get ready to use this pattern again, I can tell if alterations need to be made by looking at my child when she wears the item. first_name: nellie last_name: dery business_name: email: nelldery@hotmail.com url: http:// nick_name: Nell tip: I have expanded my thread storage simply by adding drinking straws to the pins on my spool rack, now I can put three or more on the same pin. Nellie Dery 817 N. Washington Van Wert, Oh. 45891 e-mail. nelldery@hotmail.com first_name: elizabeth last_name: ganoe business_name: email: eganoe@lcworkshop.com url: http:// byline: first name only nick_name: tip: instead of trying to fold a used pattern and getting it back in the envelope it came in, i put everything in a quart size baggy and add a paper with any changes along with it.

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