I didn't even notice the music until I read the comments! Love your natural style of giving instructions - without needing pretentious side-view camera angles and OTT facial expressions, like so many other videos I've endured! Found this helpful, thanks.
What a coincidence. I found your website a while back and then randomly found your video today while searching for information on what kind of needle to use with anti-pill fleece. Thank you for this video. You are a very good teacher and you explained everything so well. I felt like I was sitting there with you getting a private lesson.
Thank you. That really helped with my needle choice, tension and stitch length for fleece. Great quick reference without having to watch a bunch of stuff I don't need.
This video was so helpful! I'm just about to start my first project using fleece, so nice to know this before starting on the fabric and possibly making a huge mess! Thank you so much Sarah! ♡Tracy
Sewing Parts Online Thank you!!! I have Subscribed to your Beginner Sewing Series. I am learning so much from this as well as that I need to practice and have patience with my mistakes.
I like to use LONG quilting pins when I sew fleece....helps to avoid the need to baste and my seams sew and match up much better. Also, I will sometimes machine-baste a seam, leaving that stitching in of course, and then sew over it with a zig zag stitch. Usually no need to remove that machine-basting. I do find that on my machine, sewing slowly helps to keep seams aligned better with less stretching of the fabric.
Great video. What did you increase your stitch length to and what did you decrease your tension to? Can you serge the seams on fleece with an overlocker?
@@camouflagejumpsuit The fabric I have is sherpa and it sheds along the cut edges. I just watched another RUclips video that indicates serging the edges beforehand cuts down on that shedding. I just tested it out on a sample piece of sherpa fabric and it works great.
Thanks a lot ... i sew a lot and even to make extra money and iv always struggled to get a zip in polofleece not to go wavy ... I'm going to try the stabilizer now as I can't get a walking foot for my machine xx
I think that, since you're making instructional videos anyway, during the part of the video where you're describing or explaining a concept or technique, it might be worth it to create B-roll and cut away to it to demonstrate what you mean. The close-up visuals would really take these videos up a notch. That said, thank you for the sewing tips and tricks! Every lesson helps. :)
Very helpful I thought the music was great I bearly even heard it people complaining about the music really have nothing else to complain about most people that make sewing videos have music in the background this was a perfect video thank you
Some of us are hearing impaired...maybe it's the pitch of the music...the noise of the machine with a tutorial going on...I watched it once then had to listen to it 2 more times.
Can you share what size ball point or sharp needle you would recommend for thick luxe fleece and what the weight of the cooresponding polyester thread should be?
Thank you! We don't have one that covers your exact request; however, we do have a video on the automatic buttonhole foot that may be helpful for you. www.sewingpartsonline.com/blog/how-to-use-an-automatic-buttonhole-foot/ Good luck!
Sarah, thank you for the advise about fleece. Wished I had known before. I am trying to do alterations on a jacket that has a textured fleece lining with satin type sleeve lining, that has batting. Having a difficult time keeping them together and with batting on one side & textured fleece on the other side, what should I do. Love you pin cushion too!
Bij Ward Hi! That does sound like a difficult project. This is an instance where you have to hand baste before sewing on your machine. I also recommend making sure the fit it to your liking before putting in your permanent stitches. Good luck and be sure to share a pic of it on our Facebook page. It sounds like an awesome project!
Will you please explain more about stitches. When do you use the Stretch Stitch setting? What about zig zag stitching on fleece, when do you use that? Thank you. Good video!
Use a stretch stitch on a seam you need to have some give. For instance, if I were making a fleece sweater, I would use a stretch stitch or a zig zag stitch on the armholes.
Thank you Sarah for another wonderful tutorial, I will remember this the next time I work with fleece. I see that you are using a Janome machine, may I ask what model it is ?
The stitch length and tension definitely help; however, another big helper is a straight stitch plate. The narrow opening eliminates the fabric getting pulled into the machine. Just note, not all machines have a straight stitch plate available. Also, when using a SS Plate, you can only do a straight stitch - no zigzag.
Hi, I have a question about increasing the stich length and decreasing the tension, but you did not specified by how much. Can you let me know where my setting should be?
I ironed sewable heat bond on cotton fabric..after I iron it & try to see it i have skipped stitches..I have changed the thread & the needle..any suggestions..it sews just fine on cotton fabric .
Hey Sarah, GREAT tip about the stabilizer! What about using a tiny zig zag stitch.. any benefit to allow the natural give of the fleece (or even minky)?
Thank you for sharing this tutorial, really well explained, can I ask you where did you get the extended attachment table for your sewing machine ? X x
Sarah, looks like there are two lines of stitching on the zipper. Am I correct? If so, what are they from since it looked like you sewed only one line on the video. Thank you!
Do anyone know maybe a fabric that can be used to for making dehumidifier bags that doesn't let very fine betonite clay(or Silica dust particles) through?
Wow. You are really good at sewing! Your stitches are so straight. Mine look like I had a seizure or like I forgot I was sewing, walked away, halfway thru and restarted in a different direction (I don't do this; it just looks like I sneezed stitches☹️)
Hi, fellow Pisces! I use a fair bit of tricks to keep my stitches straight - and even then I still produce some wonky stitches every now and again. Keep on sewing!
Haha... Thanks for the encouragement, I just started sewing (literally, I got my machine about 3 days ago, lol), and I was so excited to try to make my first (useful) thing from *scratch* (I've been taking old coats/sweatshirts and "amending" them to make them fit my tall, skinny, senior doggie I recently inherited, poor sweetheart is super skinny and always freezing unless I keep her in a little jacket... So I've been delighted to be able to try different fabrics and ideas etc, and have a bunch more cute things to keep my girlie warm!)... But anyways, I was super stoked to have made a pattern and cut out all the pieces and went to the machine to sew the fleece, and got to the point where I was honestly questioning if it was possible to sew fleece with a regular machine, and was VERY BUMMED! I got LOTS of practice at threading the bobbin, though, haha, so that's a plus, and I figured there must be something about fleece that makes it more challenging (I realized that pretty quickly into it, but I was amazed I had so much trouble even getting it to stich correctly on a single piece of test fabric... So I might come back to that project after a bit more practice with other fabric, but I really felt like such an idiot last night haha... Still kinda feeling that way, and feeling intimated by the machine, but I've wanted to learn how to sew all my life, and I've finally got a machine that works, and thank God for all the free info out there on the web, this is the first video I've looked up for info about sewing fleece, and it was very helpful, thank you so so soooo much! I already have figured out several things to do differently (which is a good thing, I get so much more frustrated when I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong, so having a list of things to do differently is actually wonderful!) so I'm feeling more confident already, and I keep telling myself that even when I'm makeing mistakes, I'm learning, and the first part of learning anything I know is gonna be rough, so be proud of your straight stitches, and to the OP, be proud of your not-so-straight stitches... I couldn't even manage to get ANY decent stitches to hold last night haha... It kept getting goofed in lots of ways, so the bottom thread wouldn't actually meet the top thread stitches, so I just put my finger on the thread and it came right up (mainly... There were lots of other ways I goofed, too, lol) So THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INFO, AND FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT! (and I know I'm nuts to skip over the "pillowcases" stage of learning... I figure I've got a ton of pillowcases, so there's other things to learn, that all involve sewing in a hypothetically straight line haha... But I might wait till I've got a bit more experience under my belt before attempting fleece again...though I know it's gonna keep bugging me until I figure it out, haha, so I might not be able to keep myself away much longer than a few hours hehe... Hopefully I can figure it out decently ... I know SOMEDAY I'll manage it, and I remember how much I wanted to go ice skating as a kid, and I begged my mom to take me for a couple years before being the chance, so I didn't want to waste time afraid of falling, since i figured, there's nothing different between myself and a pro skater but years of experience, so it wasn't like physics applied differently to the people who walked right up and got to skating vs the people who were scared and clinging to the wall... So I fell on my butt several times, as I expected, haha, but I also managed to stand up and skate around, quite clumsily, and timid, but there were moments when I would glide and feel like I had some clue of what I was doing... And then I would fall on my butt and laugh and get back up and have to fight the thoughts of fear of failure again, but I was proud of my experience and of not letting myself cling to the wall after the first couple minutes. I'm trying to think of this similarly... There's nothing magical about getting straight lines, or even not-so-straight lines... I would have been thrilled to make ANY lines last night haha... It's mostly just practice and learning how to handle different fabrics and use the machine and tools correctly. (wish me luck, hehe!)
What type of sewing machine is this? And how much did it cost? Is there a cheaper alternative for sewing machine?? Having a hard time finding one that will fit both pieces of fleece plus uhaul liner
Sarah, just watched your video again as I am trying to shorten & hem sleeves on some tops I recently got. They are fleece and I am having a difficult time as the sleeve openings are small so pins are difficult. Should I try to baste first? I was really hoping to use my coverstitch machine, but having a difficult time. I am trying to match the stitching it came with. Should I use sewing machine with twin needles? What type of stabilizer can I use that will stay soft? As always, I enjoy your helpful videos.
Hi! I would definitely hand baste, since pins will be a pain. And your coverstitch machine would be perfect! Any very light-weight stabilizer will work nicely, like a polymesh cut-away (goo.gl/DgZEks). It will keep the cuffs from stretching out, as well as keeping the hem neat.
Some machines come with a sewing bed extension table. Unsure if the Janome machine and the extension are a package. Sew Steady makes acrylic extension beds that are great and customizable to any machine.
Hi! You can do it! I would fold the hem under once and finish with a twin needle. The underside will be a zig-zag stitch and thus able to a bit of ease.
Stabilizer is not a spray on product. It's just something that prevents the fabric from stretching too much. For larger parts, there is sew in stabilizer and iron on. If it's just a neck or shoulder seam, you can even get away with a thin ribbon.
It appears Sarah sewed her first row of stitches and then went back and added a decorative row. That part just wasn't filmed. We apologize for any confusion.
There are no silly questions. Stabilizer keeps the layers from shifting and makes it stable (non-moving) it's not meant to wash away. Someone e asked can tear it away but your seam will no longer be stable and will wobble and look odd. If you ever sewed crepe de chine ( sorry for spelling) or velvet or Jersey you will notice it will shift. When you sew fleece with out a stabilizer it shifts. I hope this helps.
Beginner aswell, but I guess that just depends on if you're willing to take the risk of either the pin or your sewing needle breaking. I'd recommend pulling the pins out before sewing that part of the seam, I've had my needle broken by a pin once and it's annoying, sometimes costly and I've heard some grizzly stories about people getting hit by the breaking needle.. welp, just stories, but I always make sure to pull my pins out! Especially when working with an overlock, as the pins WILL dull the blade, and overlock blades are extremely expensive. Sorry for this block of writing, but I hope it helps!
I always break my needle by accidentally sewing over a pin. I cringe when I see people sewing over their pins. Breaking a needle is scary, I’ve been so close to being impaled on my hand when it happens.
I am looking for a video to sew buttonholes on 2 thicknesses of fleece. I just tried for over 2 hours and only got 2 out of 5 done. Machine is toast now and I think it needs repair. It stopped sewing the bobbin thread!!!! Janome!! Pls help. Hope you have a video for this
Hi, Carol. I am very sorry for your frustration. Sadly, I do not have a video on your specific request. I have not personally done a buttonhole on 2 layers of fleece; however, if you are having issues, I suggest hand basting around the fabric before attempting to do your buttonhole. Fleece has a tendency to move on you. Depending on the thickness of the fleece, change out your needle. If it's light fleece, you can use a size 12. If it's thick, try a 16. Also, to avoid puckering and a wave due to the thickness of the fabric, increase your stitch length and stitch width. Lightweight fusible interfacing will also be helpful to prevent this. As for the bobbin thread issue, try removing your plate, cleaning out your bobbin area well and then also rethreading your machine. That can make all the difference. If that doesn't fix the issue, you may have to bring it to a local technician. I hope that this helps.
At timestamp 2:00, Sara mentions to use a ballpoint needle, as well as increasing your stitch length and decreasing your tension. It's tough to give exact settings as machines are different; however, good starting points are Size 14 Ballpoint Needle and 3mm stitch length. As for the tension, whatever you normally use, decrease it in small increments and test on scraps before moving to your actual project. I hope that this helps.
I’m trying to learn how to close a very basic quilt. My quilt has a top and bottom layer of fleece and a layer of batting in between. I’ve tried a slip stitch which is hard for me to do as well as I’ve used my walking foot. I don’t like the look of the finished project. They don’t look professional to me. Do you know of a way to close a quilt? I’d appreciate any help you could offer. Thank you so much. Julie
Hi, I'm trying to sew some simple dog beds with fleece, that has a furry nap on the other side. It was a velvetine'ish stretchy fabric on one side, and the other is the white furry fleecy fabric. I was able to sew up some raw edges with some difficulty, but now that I am trying to sew the two side together, my presser foot just stays still. I tried sewing it each way, with one side up and the other down, but neither way works. I have an old Montgomery Ward Signature sewing machine too. I have no walking foot, and I don't know that there they ever made one of those for this tank of a sewing machine. This thing is heavy and metal, so it could go back to the 50's in origin. Anyway, is it a hopeless cause without the walking foot? I've made numerous things with my sewing machine, but never not been able to make something work before. Would the stabilizer alone get the job done? I was also going to do one of the sides of the bed in Velcro to make it easy to open and close it for removal of the pad inside so it can be washed. thank you so much!
It is recommended to use stabilizer; however, if you don't want to use stabilizer, you can do things such as hand basting, use a walking foot, or use a product such as Wonder Clips. www.sewingpartsonline.com/clover-wonder-clips-assorted-colors-10pk.aspx
I’m sewing on 5 layers of fleece and while my machine does fine on every other fabric when I sew a seam on the fleece there is nothing there. What am I doing wrong?
I’m trying to make two blankets for two of my dogs I just tried sewing fleece and unfortunately the string did not even so into the fleece so what advice could you give me
Love the video... was wondering what stitch length you preferred. I am new to sewing fleece and find it a bit daunting. Love the music to btw.. its light and upbeat... Folks should learn that if you haven't anything positive to say, keep quiet. The video is made and I'm sure she isn't going to make another one to just to leave it out. Making videos are hard work and time consuming... please be considerate of the fact this is free advice! So if you don't like the music, watch someone else's free video. Sorry but I get sick of whiners and complainers. Nothing is perfect.
I actually don't think the music is the problem. While the natural conversation style is great, I think a side effect might be that your voice starts loud and then trails off, making it very hard to hear your instructions whether there is music or not. I really liked the instructions I could hear.
I didn't even notice the music until I read the comments! Love your natural style of giving instructions - without needing pretentious side-view camera angles and OTT facial expressions, like so many other videos I've endured! Found this helpful, thanks.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so glad our videos have been helpful and not pretentious! LOL
I really like your casual, calm teaching style. Thanks for being a natural!
What a coincidence. I found your website a while back and then randomly found your video today while searching for information on what kind of needle to use with anti-pill fleece. Thank you for this video. You are a very good teacher and you explained everything so well. I felt like I was sitting there with you getting a private lesson.
Thanks for the instructions for the zipper with the stabiliser. It was really helpful to see how to use it. Very clear instructions.
Thank you. That really helped with my needle choice, tension and stitch length for fleece. Great quick reference without having to watch a bunch of stuff I don't need.
This video was so helpful! I'm just about to start my first project using fleece, so nice to know this before starting on the fabric and possibly making a huge mess! Thank you so much Sarah! ♡Tracy
Our pleasure! Good luck on your project!
Sewing Parts Online .plees i wont by presar feet.i am leeve in syprus..how can i by
Hi, Madu! Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to that region.
Thank you! The stabilizer for waistbands and zippers is a helpful tip.
What stitch length and width do you suggest for sewing fleece?
Thank you for your tutorial. Love your pincushion too.
Wow! Your a Wonderful Teacher!!! Thank you so very much for this video!
Thank you for your kind words!
Sewing Parts Online Thank you!!! I have Subscribed to your Beginner Sewing Series. I am learning so much from this as well as that I need to practice and have patience with my mistakes.
Thank you so much, this helped me a lot! I'm only a beginner and now I've discovered my walking foot it's a revelation!
I like to use LONG quilting pins when I sew fleece....helps to avoid the need to baste and my seams sew and match up much better. Also, I will sometimes machine-baste a seam, leaving that stitching in of course, and then sew over it with a zig zag stitch. Usually no need to remove that machine-basting. I do find that on my machine, sewing slowly helps to keep seams aligned better with less stretching of the fabric.
Super helpful.. learnt at least 10 things. Thanks
I love the way that you do the video. Your voice is interesting. Thank you.
Thank you! I made beautiful Christmas stockings with fleece. I was sad when the fabric was sagging. Thank you for this tip.
Great video. What did you increase your stitch length to and what did you decrease your tension to? Can you serge the seams on fleece with an overlocker?
Why would you want to serge seams on a fabric that does not unravel?
@@camouflagejumpsuit The fabric I have is sherpa and it sheds along the cut edges. I just watched another RUclips video that indicates serging the edges beforehand cuts down on that shedding. I just tested it out on a sample piece of sherpa fabric and it works great.
@@TaDarling1 ohhh so what's the difference between sherpa and fleece
@@camouflagejumpsuit I'm not an expert on either so your best bet is to google it for accuracy.
I'd love an answer to that - plus a closeup of the walking foot. Did you get an answer?
Your a good teacher
Thanks a lot ... i sew a lot and even to make extra money and iv always struggled to get a zip in polofleece not to go wavy ... I'm going to try the stabilizer now as I can't get a walking foot for my machine xx
I think that, since you're making instructional videos anyway, during the part of the video where you're describing or explaining a concept or technique, it might be worth it to create B-roll and cut away to it to demonstrate what you mean. The close-up visuals would really take these videos up a notch. That said, thank you for the sewing tips and tricks! Every lesson helps. :)
Thank you so much for watching and for your feedback!
Really helpful and clear.
This was so helpful. Thank you.
It was a very good tutorial. Thank you! The music added a nice touch as well.
Thank you... I took notes as I watched... and Yes, I did find the music distracting too... just some feedback...
I agree that the music is distracting. the info is great though! thank you
Thank you for sharing this information with us. This was very helpful.
Thank you, I didn't know about the stabilizer at all. Can't wait to use it on my next project.
Very helpful I thought the music was great I bearly even heard it people complaining about the music really have nothing else to complain about most people that make sewing videos have music in the background this was a perfect video thank you
Glad you enjoyed!
Some of us are hearing impaired...maybe it's the pitch of the music...the noise of the machine with a tutorial going on...I watched it once then had to listen to it 2 more times.
Real good tip stablizer.... absolutely needed
Can you share what size ball point or sharp needle you would recommend for thick luxe fleece and what the weight of the cooresponding polyester thread should be?
Wow...I would have never thought to use the walking foot...thank you!
This was very helpful thanks 😁 😁
Thanks so much! Very helpful!
so, what do you call a longer stitch and what did you adjust the tension to?
Yes please answer this one!
Thank you so much for this information, 💗
Didn't know I should use polyester thread. Makes sense now that I think about it.
Thanks
loved this tutorial thank you
Love the vid!!! Wish you can show how to make a button hole threw two layers of fleece!
Thank you! We don't have one that covers your exact request; however, we do have a video on the automatic buttonhole foot that may be helpful for you. www.sewingpartsonline.com/blog/how-to-use-an-automatic-buttonhole-foot/
Good luck!
Great tutorial thank you so much.
Awesome. Thank you.
Do you remove the stabilizer after sewing?
Sarah, thank you for the advise about fleece. Wished I had known before. I am trying to do alterations on a jacket that has a textured fleece lining with satin type sleeve lining, that has batting. Having a difficult time keeping them together and with batting on one side & textured fleece on the other side, what should I do.
Love you pin cushion too!
Bij Ward Hi! That does sound like a difficult project. This is an instance where you have to hand baste before sewing on your machine. I also recommend making sure the fit it to your liking before putting in your permanent stitches. Good luck and be sure to share a pic of it on our Facebook page. It sounds like an awesome project!
What machine setting do you recommend
Will you please explain more about stitches. When do you use the Stretch Stitch setting? What about zig zag stitching on fleece, when do you use that? Thank you. Good video!
Use a stretch stitch on a seam you need to have some give. For instance, if I were making a fleece sweater, I would use a stretch stitch or a zig zag stitch on the armholes.
Hi Sarah, thank you so much for the explanations! What type of needle would you recommend?
She says in the video: ballpoint or sharp :-)
Thank you! I found your tips great!
Thank you for watching!
Thank you for watching!
Great video gonna make fleece team scarves 😊
Thank you for watching and good luck with your scarves!
Thank you Sarah for another wonderful tutorial, I will remember this the next time I work with fleece. I see that you are using a Janome machine, may I ask what model it is ?
You are so very good, thanks for your time
Thank you so much for watching!
do you have solutions for the fleece pulling into the machine ? does your suggestio to increase stich lengh and decease tension help?
The stitch length and tension definitely help; however, another big helper is a straight stitch plate. The narrow opening eliminates the fabric getting pulled into the machine. Just note, not all machines have a straight stitch plate available. Also, when using a SS Plate, you can only do a straight stitch - no zigzag.
Hi, I have a question about increasing the stich length and decreasing the tension, but you did not specified by how much. Can you let me know where my setting should be?
Do you recommend fusible stabilizer or tear away?
I ironed sewable heat bond on cotton fabric..after I iron it & try to see it i have skipped stitches..I have changed the thread & the needle..any suggestions..it sews just fine on cotton fabric .
Hey Sarah, GREAT tip about the stabilizer! What about using a tiny zig zag stitch.. any benefit to allow the natural give of the fleece (or even minky)?
queenopearls Yup, you can definitely use a narrow zig zag
The zig zag will accommodate the natural give without breaking. Give it a try :)
Thank you for sharing this tutorial, really well explained, can I ask you where did you get the extended attachment table for your sewing machine ? X x
Wish I had found this before starting my first project, but at least I know from experience what happens with fleece when you don’t clip/pin/baste!
Very helpful! Thanks!
What tension did you use?
Sarah, looks like there are two lines of stitching on the zipper. Am I correct? If so, what are they from since it looked like you sewed only one line on the video. Thank you!
Thank You so much ❣️
What size needle for sewing fleece
Do anyone know maybe a fabric that can be used to for making dehumidifier bags that doesn't let very fine betonite clay(or Silica dust particles) through?
They use Tyvec for this, it lets the water vapor pass through, but not much else. You can get it at your big box building supplies store.
@@dumbstupidfalk thanks
Reduce the tension to what setting ?
We usually recommend a tension setting of 4 as being a great place to start.
For fleece what stitch length and tension woulds you prefer?
Thanks, this was very helpful! It brought up a lot of things I never considered.
sew much information! 😀 Thank you!
Wow. You are really good at sewing! Your stitches are so straight. Mine look like I had a seizure or like I forgot I was sewing, walked away, halfway thru and restarted in a different direction (I don't do this; it just looks like I sneezed stitches☹️)
Hi, fellow Pisces! I use a fair bit of tricks to keep my stitches straight - and even then I still produce some wonky stitches every now and again. Keep on sewing!
Haha... Thanks for the encouragement, I just started sewing (literally, I got my machine about 3 days ago, lol), and I was so excited to try to make my first (useful) thing from *scratch* (I've been taking old coats/sweatshirts and "amending" them to make them fit my tall, skinny, senior doggie I recently inherited, poor sweetheart is super skinny and always freezing unless I keep her in a little jacket... So I've been delighted to be able to try different fabrics and ideas etc, and have a bunch more cute things to keep my girlie warm!)... But anyways, I was super stoked to have made a pattern and cut out all the pieces and went to the machine to sew the fleece, and got to the point where I was honestly questioning if it was possible to sew fleece with a regular machine, and was VERY BUMMED!
I got LOTS of practice at threading the bobbin, though, haha, so that's a plus, and I figured there must be something about fleece that makes it more challenging (I realized that pretty quickly into it, but I was amazed I had so much trouble even getting it to stich correctly on a single piece of test fabric... So I might come back to that project after a bit more practice with other fabric, but I really felt like such an idiot last night haha... Still kinda feeling that way, and feeling intimated by the machine, but I've wanted to learn how to sew all my life, and I've finally got a machine that works, and thank God for all the free info out there on the web, this is the first video I've looked up for info about sewing fleece, and it was very helpful, thank you so so soooo much! I already have figured out several things to do differently (which is a good thing, I get so much more frustrated when I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong, so having a list of things to do differently is actually wonderful!) so I'm feeling more confident already, and I keep telling myself that even when I'm makeing mistakes, I'm learning, and the first part of learning anything I know is gonna be rough, so be proud of your straight stitches, and to the OP, be proud of your not-so-straight stitches... I couldn't even manage to get ANY decent stitches to hold last night haha... It kept getting goofed in lots of ways, so the bottom thread wouldn't actually meet the top thread stitches, so I just put my finger on the thread and it came right up (mainly... There were lots of other ways I goofed, too, lol)
So THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INFO, AND FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT! (and I know I'm nuts to skip over the "pillowcases" stage of learning... I figure I've got a ton of pillowcases, so there's other things to learn, that all involve sewing in a hypothetically straight line haha... But I might wait till I've got a bit more experience under my belt before attempting fleece again...though I know it's gonna keep bugging me until I figure it out, haha, so I might not be able to keep myself away much longer than a few hours hehe... Hopefully I can figure it out decently ... I know SOMEDAY I'll manage it, and I remember how much I wanted to go ice skating as a kid, and I begged my mom to take me for a couple years before being the chance, so I didn't want to waste time afraid of falling, since i figured, there's nothing different between myself and a pro skater but years of experience, so it wasn't like physics applied differently to the people who walked right up and got to skating vs the people who were scared and clinging to the wall... So I fell on my butt several times, as I expected, haha, but I also managed to stand up and skate around, quite clumsily, and timid, but there were moments when I would glide and feel like I had some clue of what I was doing... And then I would fall on my butt and laugh and get back up and have to fight the thoughts of fear of failure again, but I was proud of my experience and of not letting myself cling to the wall after the first couple minutes.
I'm trying to think of this similarly... There's nothing magical about getting straight lines, or even not-so-straight lines... I would have been thrilled to make ANY lines last night haha... It's mostly just practice and learning how to handle different fabrics and use the machine and tools correctly.
(wish me luck, hehe!)
What type of sewing machine is this? And how much did it cost? Is there a cheaper alternative for sewing machine?? Having a hard time finding one that will fit both pieces of fleece plus uhaul liner
Would these tips apply to polar fleece too?
Yes!
What weight stabilizer do you suggest?
It's best to use a stabilizer that somewhat resembles the fabric
Increase the stitch length to what range?
I'd start with 3.5.
Is a tension of 2 too high or low?
What light weigh stabiliser did you use as there are so many that i don't know what i would need for my fleece? Ta.
You can purchase the stabilizer by clicking on the link below:
www.sewingpartsonline.com/fuse-and-fleece-cut-away-10x15yds.aspx
Sarah, just watched your video again as I am trying to shorten & hem sleeves on some tops I recently got. They are fleece and I am having a difficult time as the sleeve openings are small so pins are difficult. Should I try to baste first? I was really hoping to use my coverstitch machine, but having a difficult time. I am trying to match the stitching it came with. Should I use sewing machine with twin needles? What type of stabilizer can I use that will stay soft?
As always, I enjoy your helpful videos.
Hi! I would definitely hand baste, since pins will be a pain. And your coverstitch machine would be perfect! Any very light-weight stabilizer will work nicely, like a polymesh cut-away (goo.gl/DgZEks). It will keep the cuffs from stretching out, as well as keeping the hem neat.
Thank you for replying and your helpful hints.
what is that platform with the little adjustable? legs, would love to have something like that for my machine
Some machines come with a sewing bed extension table. Unsure if the Janome machine and the extension are a package. Sew Steady makes acrylic extension beds that are great and customizable to any machine.
@@notesfromleisa-land thanks!
what about hemming fleece with a double needle stitch?
Im about to make pajamas first time out of fleece, very consirned about the hem
Hi! You can do it! I would fold the hem under once and finish with a twin needle. The underside will be a zig-zag stitch and thus able to a bit of ease.
Fabulous
What kind of stabilizer do you use? Is it actually attached to the fleece like iron on or spray on?
Stabilizer is not a spray on product. It's just something that prevents the fabric from stretching too much. For larger parts, there is sew in stabilizer and iron on. If it's just a neck or shoulder seam, you can even get away with a thin ribbon.
Awesome! Thanks so much.
How did you have 2 rows of stitching on your zip after seeing it in once ?
It appears Sarah sewed her first row of stitches and then went back and added a decorative row. That part just wasn't filmed. We apologize for any confusion.
Nice video
Thank you
this may be a silly question...i have not used stabilizer before...does the stabilizer wash away or what?
There are no silly questions. Stabilizer keeps the layers from shifting and makes it stable (non-moving) it's not meant to wash away. Someone e asked can tear it away but your seam will no longer be stable and will wobble and look odd. If you ever sewed crepe de chine ( sorry for spelling) or velvet or Jersey you will notice it will shift. When you sew fleece with out a stabilizer it shifts. I hope this helps.
it looks like you sew right through the pins (3:57-4:11)...i'm new to sewing, how does this work? how did you not break your needle?
Beginner aswell, but I guess that just depends on if you're willing to take the risk of either the pin or your sewing needle breaking. I'd recommend pulling the pins out before sewing that part of the seam, I've had my needle broken by a pin once and it's annoying, sometimes costly and I've heard some grizzly stories about people getting hit by the breaking needle.. welp, just stories, but I always make sure to pull my pins out! Especially when working with an overlock, as the pins WILL dull the blade, and overlock blades are extremely expensive.
Sorry for this block of writing, but I hope it helps!
I always break my needle by accidentally sewing over a pin. I cringe when I see people sewing over their pins. Breaking a needle is scary, I’ve been so close to being impaled on my hand when it happens.
@@katielove9932 Oh wow! That’s so scary. Glad you are ok!
I am looking for a video to sew buttonholes on 2 thicknesses of fleece. I just tried for over 2 hours and only got 2 out of 5 done. Machine is toast now and I think it needs repair. It stopped sewing the bobbin thread!!!! Janome!! Pls help. Hope you have a video for this
Hi, Carol. I am very sorry for your frustration. Sadly, I do not have a video on your specific request. I have not personally done a buttonhole on 2 layers of fleece; however, if you are having issues, I suggest hand basting around the fabric before attempting to do your buttonhole. Fleece has a tendency to move on you. Depending on the thickness of the fleece, change out your needle. If it's light fleece, you can use a size 12. If it's thick, try a 16. Also, to avoid puckering and a wave due to the thickness of the fabric, increase your stitch length and stitch width. Lightweight fusible interfacing will also be helpful to prevent this. As for the bobbin thread issue, try removing your plate, cleaning out your bobbin area well and then also rethreading your machine. That can make all the difference. If that doesn't fix the issue, you may have to bring it to a local technician. I hope that this helps.
Would have been nice if you mentioned the stitch length and the tension used, and the size needle you used.
At timestamp 2:00, Sara mentions to use a ballpoint needle, as well as increasing your stitch length and decreasing your tension. It's tough to give exact settings as machines are different; however, good starting points are Size 14 Ballpoint Needle and 3mm stitch length. As for the tension, whatever you normally use, decrease it in small increments and test on scraps before moving to your actual project. I hope that this helps.
I’m trying to learn how to close a very basic quilt. My quilt has a top and bottom layer of fleece and a layer of batting in between. I’ve tried a slip stitch which is hard for me to do as well as I’ve used my walking foot. I don’t like the look of the finished project. They don’t look professional to me. Do you know of a way to close a quilt? I’d appreciate any help you could offer. Thank you so much. Julie
Look into ways to close a stuffed animal. It's very similar.
It was helpful
The seems are torn when streched what should be done while sewing to avoid it ? Have traditional old machine... plz guide..
Zig zag
Hi, I'm trying to sew some simple dog beds with fleece, that has a furry nap on the other side. It was a velvetine'ish stretchy fabric on one side, and the other is the white furry fleecy fabric. I was able to sew up some raw edges with some difficulty, but now that I am trying to sew the two side together, my presser foot just stays still. I tried sewing it each way, with one side up and the other down, but neither way works. I have an old Montgomery Ward Signature sewing machine too. I have no walking foot, and I don't know that there they ever made one of those for this tank of a sewing machine. This thing is heavy and metal, so it could go back to the 50's in origin. Anyway, is it a hopeless cause without the walking foot? I've made numerous things with my sewing machine, but never not been able to make something work before. Would the stabilizer alone get the job done? I was also going to do one of the sides of the bed in Velcro to make it easy to open and close it for removal of the pad inside so it can be washed. thank you so much!
release the pressure on the pressure foot.
ay so im 12....
i really want to make a hoodie sort thing but maybe i should do something easier
wat do you think
Can you use anything else besides stabilizer??
It is recommended to use stabilizer; however, if you don't want to use stabilizer, you can do things such as hand basting, use a walking foot, or use a product such as Wonder Clips. www.sewingpartsonline.com/clover-wonder-clips-assorted-colors-10pk.aspx
Thank YOU! So much! This was extremely helpful!
I’m sewing on 5 layers of fleece and while my machine does fine on every other fabric when I sew a seam on the fleece there is nothing there. What am I doing wrong?
I would try a heavy duty needle, and a walking foot.
Thank you 😊
I’m trying to make two blankets for two of my dogs I just tried sewing fleece and unfortunately the string did not even so into the fleece so what advice could you give me
It may be that you need a walking foot, and a different needle. Try a heavier thread too.
The seams look bad, what finish can i use to make them look good?
Love the video... was wondering what stitch length you preferred. I am new to sewing fleece and find it a bit daunting. Love the music to btw.. its light and upbeat... Folks should learn that if you haven't anything positive to say, keep quiet. The video is made and I'm sure she isn't going to make another one to just to leave it out. Making videos are hard work and time consuming... please be considerate of the fact this is free advice! So if you don't like the music, watch someone else's free video. Sorry but I get sick of whiners and complainers. Nothing is perfect.
thank you..I like this video
Thank you!
You are very welcome!
I actually don't think the music is the problem. While the natural conversation style is great, I think a side effect might be that your voice starts loud and then trails off, making it very hard to hear your instructions whether there is music or not.
I really liked the instructions I could hear.