Tips For Selecting A Sewing Machine

By Bridget Holmes

If it has been awhile since you shopped for a sewing machine, you may be quite surprised at the wide variety of machines that are currently on the market. Technology is changing literally everything in the world, and the world of sewing is definitely no different. There are many technological advances which have changed the way machines are made considerably.

The first decision you have to make is whether you want a very basic machine or if you want an electronic model that has more of the advanced features the market offers today. Most machines are electronic these days, with manual machines becoming harder and harder to come by.

You also have to take into consideration the type of projects you will mostly be using this machine for. If you are going to be doing very simply projects or if the machine will be used by children just starting to learn, chances are you will not have a real use for the more advanced features currently on the market. On the other hand, if you want to use the machine for more creative purposes or for crafts, you may want some advanced features.

Some of the advanced features that many sewing enthusiast are going for today include large viewing windows where you can zoom in on the sewing needle and have a clear, up close view of every stitch and large varieties of foot pedals which allow different types of stitches to be carried out on the same machine.

Some machines will also double as embroidery machines, with some advanced packages coming with hundreds of stitches already preprogrammed into the sewing machine. There are even computerized programs which allow you to hook the machine right up to a computer to transfer patterns and stitching options from the computer right into the machine.

As with any other type of product on the market today, the more of these advanced features on a machine the higher you can expect the price tag to be. There are still some very simple, manual sewing machines which can be purchased for very low prices, but most machines fall in the mid-price range. These machines will offer some of the more basic and commonly requested extra features, without going overboard.

The top-of-the-line models right now are the fully decked out computerized models that come with every imaginable advanced feature out there. While some people do enjoy these machines for all the options they deliver, not everyone has a use for all of those extra features.

Price is not the primary consideration when you are trying to pick a sewing machine today. You have to consider what is being offered on the machine and type of power supply as well, to ensure that you do not spend a lot of extra money for features that will never be utilized. - 30408

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A Beginner's Guide to Patchwork Quilting

By Sean Savage

Patchwork quilting has a long and storied history. The craft developed from need and frugality-- because fabric was expensive, home-makers from as far back as the first century BCE pieced together old or leftover scraps of cloth to create everything from curtains and clothes to bed covers. In the United States, creating patchwork quilts was a vital social activity for pioneer women. Quilting is just as fun and easy today. This practical craft can be enjoyed by anyone who is willing to learn a few simple stitches.

Creating a patchwork quilt requires stitching together three layers of material. These layers-- the batting, the quilt top, and the backing-- form a sandwich of fabric. The batting goes in the middle. It is a filler material that determines how thick or thin the quilt will be. The backing is typically made from a single piece of fabric, though some quilters choose to make it from patchwork pieces. The quilt top is the topmost layer of the quilt. Its created by stitching together a large amount of fabric scraps.

To create the patchwork quilt top, you piece together patches of fabric. If you're a beginning quilter, you should use patches in basic shapes. Squares, rectangles, and triangles are the easiest to work with, and can be arranged in a variety of patterns. Most quilters use a grid system to map out their designs. The most commonly used are the four-patch block and the nine-patch block.

After finishing the patchwork top, the quilter should baste together the top, batting and backing. The backing should be placed right side down, with the batting on top of it. The patchwork quilt top is then carefully positioned to cover the batting. Quilters baste the pieces together with pins if the quilt is small, or with long running stitches if the quilt is large. Once the basting is complete, the quilt can be stitched together. Choose the type of stitch carefully-- it will contribute to the overall design of the quilt and keep the batting from shifting out of place.

Whether a person is curious about quilting history or just crafty, creating a patchwork quilt is a fun, interesting activity that even a beginner can enjoy. - 30408

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