Rip curl A1037 User Manual download pdf (Page 7)

Sewing the

“Perfect” Seam

Sewing the

“Perfect” Seam

the

basics

SEAMS ARE AT THE VERY

HEART of all sewing—yet there

are many sewers who take them for

granted, hurrying over the details. But

a bad seam can make an entire

project look hopelessly frumpy and

homemade, while a well-sewn seam

results in a polished and professional-

looking project.

mind your tools

The first step to creating great seams

is to service your sewing machine.

Like a vehicle, sewing machines run

better and last longer if they’re “tuned

up” regularly. If you don’t know how

to do this yourself, take your machine

to a neighborhood sewing machine

center; a tune-up is generally inex-

pensive, but can make a world of

difference to your sewing.

Dust the machine between projects; if

you’re sewing for hours each day, you

may need to clean your machine

a couple times a day.

Oil the machine. First, check the

machine manual; if your machine

is not self-lubricating, lubricate the

machine frequently with sewing

machine oil (found at fabric stores in

the notions section). Oil every place

that moves and comes into contact

with another part—consult your

machine manual to be sure you find

every place. A single, small drop is all

that’s needed. Machines should be

oiled about every four to six hours of

use. Failure to oil and clean machines

can quickly lead to sloppy stitches.

Change the sewing machine needle

frequently. Machine needles dull

quickly, resulting in skipped and

sloppy stitches. The average home

sewer should change needles for

every project. Those who sew for

many hours a day should change

their needle every four to six hours.

Also make sure you’re using the

correct needle for the project. The

basic rule of thumb is to use a sharp

needle for woven fabrics, a ball-point

for knits, and a universal for either.

Also consider using specialty needles

designed for particular fabrics (such

as leather and denim) and particular

tasks (like topstitching).

cut a straight seam

One of the keys to beautiful seams

is accurate cutting. Many sewers find

they can cut more efficiently with a

rotary cutter and mat. Others prefer

standard dressmaking shears. Still

others prefer a combination of the

two. A little experimentation with

cutting tools is the best way to find

what works most effectively for you.

Remember, too, that if you haven’t

preshrunk your fabric or straightened

sewNews 7

KRISTINA HARRIS

basics to get you started

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