I cleaned some old makeup brushes with shampoo and lots of hot water and use them for cleaning my sewing machine. The old mascara brush works wonders in getting the bobbin area clean. I sew garments, quilts and bags and haven't used a sewing gauge in I couldn't tell you how long. I use a 6x4 inch quilting ruler as it's big enough to put a sticky note on the measurement I need. The movable marker on sewing gauges tend to move around too easily. I recommend washable markers as the marks really do wash out and they are inexpensive. Instead of a sewing stiletto, I use bent needle-nosed tweezers, also known as weeding tweezers. They take the place of tweezers to grip and pull fabric into place or remove thread bits, a stiletto, can seam rip, help thread your sewing needle, and the handle end can be used to push out corners. I have a magnetic pincushion and hate that thing! I end up getting poked very often when using it. I prefer the old fashioned kind where you poke in your pins (which are also known as "ouchies" at my house). The ruler you showed was one of the first ones I tried when I got into quilting. Have you ever tried the UltraGrid rulers by QuiltCut? I've been sewing for a very long time and have used way to many different brands of rulers. The UltraGrid rulers actually slip the least of all of them and they are inexpensive considering what you get. The markings also allow you pinpoint precision for cutting. Now that I've tried them I don't even use the other brands I have.
I LOVED reading all your helpful suggestions!!! Thank you so much for sharing. You have me googling the ultragrid as a quality cheaper option is always a plus...I will have to buy one to test it out. And I love your nonsewing tool options as well. I hope to make a video sharing the items I use that are not sewing notions. I will have to add your suggestions to my list! I am scared to use a washable marker....but with your encouragement I will have to give it a go! Happy Sewing!
@@TamarasJoyDIY Always glad to hand out hacks that really help. If you're nervous about the washable markers, try it out on scrap piece of fabric in the sink - you'll see how easily it comes out. I'll be looking forward to seeing the video you make with the non-sewing tools and to see how you like the UltraGrid ruler. :)
@ meacadwell Thanks for your frugal tips. I like the frixon pens because they disappear with the iron. These pens mark most woven fabrics , not all fabrics.😊 🙏
Weights, 5lb weight to hold your ruler so it doesn’t move. I use a 3 lb and a 2 lb. One for the top of a long ruler and one for the bottom. It also keeps you from cutting your fingers. Sometimes a rotary cutter has a mind of its own.
You make amazing videos!!!! You are sharing honest and thoughtful lessons with REAL information and not just empty tidbits based on shallow understanding of a subject. You are the real deal and people new to seeing and returning to sewing after a long break (like myself) will surely get a lot from your channel!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏
Cheaper sewing machines are less computerized, or you could go with an older one (found at a thrift store) that wouldn't have the computer components. You should take it to get it serviced before use and you will need to use oil on older machines.
A sewing stiletto is so important, storytime. when I was a little girl {im in my 60s ] My mother and I were home alone. She was sewing and got her finger to close under the needle and it went through her finger. obviously, as soon as she felt it she pulled her foot off the peddle. That only resulted in the needle staying down in her finger. Now you have to remember this was a time before cell phones. My father was over at my Uncle's next door on the farm, and I was maybe 4 at the time and since I really could use or reach the house phone my mother had to send her young child down the dirt road to get another adult. The moral of the story I never sew without a Sewing Stiletto, That incident left such an impression on me.
YIKES!!!!!!! I was cringing reading this story. OOOOOHHHHH that would hurt so bad! And leave trauma with a 4 year old. I LOVE my sewing stiletto and only wish I had learned about them when I was a young sewer! Thanks for sharing.
@@TamarasJoyDIY My mom was a trip second story she did the same with the wringer washer and got her arm stuck in the wringer somehow. it malfunctioned bc it was supposed to auto-release in case of that happening. I was 10 at the time and just the two of us home. there I am with a screw driver and a wrench tearing apart a wringer washer to release her arm. needles to say she broke both the washer and her arm. My mom past a few years ago and your video brought back some memories for me . Not traumatic in the least all good. thank you for that
when i took home ec my teacher went on an hour long rant about the horrors of students getting their fingers stuck in the needle. it scared me. lesson learned before i ever touched a sewing machine for the first time.
just starting out your list is quite long and expensive. a seam ripper can act like a stiletto, don’t need clips pins will do. visit good will shop at dollar tree and walmart. i started sewing many years ago and i made do with basics.
I cleaned some old makeup brushes with shampoo and lots of hot water and use them for cleaning my sewing machine. The old mascara brush works wonders in getting the bobbin area clean.
I sew garments, quilts and bags and haven't used a sewing gauge in I couldn't tell you how long. I use a 6x4 inch quilting ruler as it's big enough to put a sticky note on the measurement I need. The movable marker on sewing gauges tend to move around too easily.
I recommend washable markers as the marks really do wash out and they are inexpensive.
Instead of a sewing stiletto, I use bent needle-nosed tweezers, also known as weeding tweezers. They take the place of tweezers to grip and pull fabric into place or remove thread bits, a stiletto, can seam rip, help thread your sewing needle, and the handle end can be used to push out corners.
I have a magnetic pincushion and hate that thing! I end up getting poked very often when using it. I prefer the old fashioned kind where you poke in your pins (which are also known as "ouchies" at my house).
The ruler you showed was one of the first ones I tried when I got into quilting.
Have you ever tried the UltraGrid rulers by QuiltCut? I've been sewing for a very long time and have used way to many different brands of rulers. The UltraGrid rulers actually slip the least of all of them and they are inexpensive considering what you get. The markings also allow you pinpoint precision for cutting. Now that I've tried them I don't even use the other brands I have.
I LOVED reading all your helpful suggestions!!! Thank you so much for sharing. You have me googling the ultragrid as a quality cheaper option is always a plus...I will have to buy one to test it out. And I love your nonsewing tool options as well. I hope to make a video sharing the items I use that are not sewing notions. I will have to add your suggestions to my list! I am scared to use a washable marker....but with your encouragement I will have to give it a go! Happy Sewing!
@@TamarasJoyDIY Always glad to hand out hacks that really help. If you're nervous about the washable markers, try it out on scrap piece of fabric in the sink - you'll see how easily it comes out. I'll be looking forward to seeing the video you make with the non-sewing tools and to see how you like the UltraGrid ruler. :)
@ meacadwell Thanks for your frugal tips.
I like the frixon pens because they disappear with the iron. These pens mark most woven fabrics , not all fabrics.😊 🙏
I like how you explain sewing quilt
Weights, 5lb weight to hold your ruler so it doesn’t move. I use a 3 lb and a 2 lb. One for the top of a long ruler and one for the bottom. It also keeps you from cutting your fingers. Sometimes a rotary cutter has a mind of its own.
I love the idea of two weights! I only use one on the far end of my ruler. I am going to try your method. Thanks for sharing 🥳
Excellent recommendation!!
Wow your videos are so informative! Subscribed immediately. Thank you!
Had to watch the video again and so true what you said ❤my daughter used my scissors for paper 😢love my BBB thread cutter on the machine 👍🏻
This is why I hide mine. 😂😂
I love the little basket you keep your clips in! If you made it do you have a video tutorial?
Laura I need to do this!!!! It was a practice tutorial that I never finished making. I will work on it :)
Yes please do. It's cute!!
Thank you. Loved this segment. BTW love your lipstick looks great on you😊
Thanks so much! Every now and again it’s fun to go bold ☺️
Wonderful suggestions thank you ❤
Nice explanation of all needs and wants and for me the thread cutter is a need since I do a lot of piecing 😂
YES! I agree, all that chain piecing needs a thread cutter. :)
Love the suggestions ❤keep going girl 👍🏻♥️
You make amazing videos!!!! You are sharing honest and thoughtful lessons with REAL information and not just empty tidbits based on shallow understanding of a subject.
You are the real deal and people new to seeing and returning to sewing after a long break (like myself) will surely get a lot from your channel!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏
What is a surge protector and where Do we get it?
Before I had clips, I used bobby pins to hold my fabric in place.
Im not to keen on computerized sewing machine and i would like to know what a good sewing machine would work for making simple tote bags. Thank you
Cheaper sewing machines are less computerized, or you could go with an older one (found at a thrift store) that wouldn't have the computer components. You should take it to get it serviced before use and you will need to use oil on older machines.
I bought a juki 2010 best machine ever
An awl or a reamer is a cheaper alternative for a sewing stiletto.
Im want to make a queen size quilt
A sewing stiletto is so important, storytime. when I was a little girl {im in my 60s
] My mother and I were home alone. She was sewing and got her finger to close under the needle and it went through her finger. obviously, as soon as she felt it she pulled her foot off the peddle. That only resulted in the needle staying down in her finger. Now you have to remember this was a time before cell phones. My father was over at my Uncle's next door on the farm, and I was maybe 4 at the time and since I really could use or reach the house phone my mother had to send her young child down the dirt road to get another adult. The moral of the story I never sew without a Sewing Stiletto, That incident left such an impression on me.
YIKES!!!!!!! I was cringing reading this story. OOOOOHHHHH that would hurt so bad! And leave trauma with a 4 year old. I LOVE my sewing stiletto and only wish I had learned about them when I was a young sewer! Thanks for sharing.
@@TamarasJoyDIY My mom was a trip second story she did the same with the wringer washer and got her arm stuck in the wringer somehow. it malfunctioned bc it was supposed to auto-release in case of that happening. I was 10 at the time and just the two of us home. there I am with a screw driver and a wrench tearing apart a wringer washer to release her arm. needles to say she broke both the washer and her arm. My mom past a few years ago and your video brought back some memories for me . Not traumatic in the least all good. thank you for that
when i took home ec my teacher went on an hour long rant about the horrors of students getting their fingers stuck in the needle. it scared me. lesson learned before i ever touched a sewing machine for the first time.
just starting out your list is quite long and expensive. a seam ripper can act like a stiletto, don’t need clips pins will do. visit good will shop at dollar tree and walmart. i started sewing many years ago and i made do with basics.