Straight Stitch Sewing For Beginners - Tension, Seams, Hems

Make a Pencilcase and Cardholder using skills learnt on a straight stitch sewing machine

What you'll learn

How to thread your machine for correct tension

How to check that your tension is correct for straight stitching

Stitch length for various applications

How to adjust your sewing machine foot pressure

2 methods to finish straight stitching; french seam and hem

How lining can finish garments using only straight stitch

Edgestitching

Complete a pencil case

Complete a cardholder

Requirements

A working sewing machine

Scissors

Ruler/Measuring Tape

Pins

Pencil

Iron

Woven non stretch fabric (2 colours/patterns preferable)

Matching thread

Zip

Elastic

Description

The course covers 5 sections:an introductionhow to set up your sewing machine to get your thread tension, foot pressure and stitch length correct (including a quiz).how to do french seams, hems, linings and edgestitching using straight stitch. how to make a lined pencilcase with the skills learnt.how to make a cardholder using the skills learnt. The course uses video footage of an older domestic sewing machine with simple adjustable parts. Mention is made of how other models may be set up, but reference is to parts and systems that all simple domestic machines have.The course is meant for beginners that are using a simple domestic machine as a way to make simple items for themselves, friends as gifts and/or items to be made for sale. The 2 items that are made are finished well, so that they are suitable for sale. They are also quick to make in repetition, using only a small amount of fabric and notions. The pencil case and cardholder can be changed in size and fabric type so that other items can be made, like toiletries bags, makeup bags, tissue holders, nappy wallets, and wet bags (instruction not included for these items). Requirements of equipment to be able to complete the course:A sewing machine (only needs to be able to sew straight stitch).Sewing machine needles to suit the fabric type and weight.Light/mid-weight woven fabric (preferably quilting); 100 x 110cm or 4 fat quarters.Small scraps of fabric for testing your machine.Matching thread1  matching zip (20 - 30 cm)16cm elastic (3 - 10mm width, as preferred)ScissorsPinsRuler or measuring tapeIronPencil (preferable tailors chalk pencil) for marking fabric.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Introduction

Lecture 2 Equipment Checklist

Section 2: Getting your straight stitch right - tension, stitch length, foot pressure.

Lecture 3 Tension: How to thread your machine

Lecture 4 Tension: Adjustment

Lecture 5 Adjusting the stitch length

Lecture 6 Adjusting the foot pressure

Section 3: Simple finished seams and hems using straight stitch

Lecture 7 Gather scraps for learning seams and hem.

Lecture 8 French seam

Lecture 9 Hem

Lecture 10 Lining for finishing

Lecture 11 Edgestitching

Section 4: Pencilcase

Lecture 12 Items needed for pencilcase

Lecture 13 Cutting out your fabric

Lecture 14 Inserting zip into pencilcase

Lecture 15 Using a french seam to finish the pencilcase

Section 5: Cardholder

Lecture 16 Items needed for card holder

Lecture 17 Sewing hem for card holder

Lecture 18 Putting card holder together with elastic

Lecture 19 Topstitching and finishing cardholder

Beginner to intermediate sewers who want to complete well-finished garments with a straight stitch only.,Beginner sewers who want to make simple gifts or items for sale.