Basic Sewing Series - Lesson #5

Machine Needles

*This post contains affiliated links

 

The needle* is a very small, but very important part of your sewing machine.  Without it you simply would not be able to sew, and a blunt or burred needle could cause a host of problems, from skipped stitches to broken thread.

Needles are a relatively cheap part to replace - especially considering the beautiful fabric you work with.

So if in doubt, rather replace it to make life easier for yourself.  There are people that recommend replacing the needle each time you start a new project.

Go to Lesson #2 - how to clean your sewing machine, to read how to check for burrs on your used needle.

Parts of a Needle

 Different Types of Needles

 How to Choose the Right Needle

1.  First you have to choose the type of needle based on the construction of the fabric - woven or knit fabrics.

The universal needle is a good choice for everyday use, as it can be used with knit and woven fabrics.

2.  Then you choose the size of the needle according to the weight of the fabric and thread - thinner needles for delicate, light fabrics and thicker needles for coarser, heavier fabrics.

There are two different needle sizing systems.

The American and European systems:

The American system runs from 8 to 19 and the European system from 60 to 120.

The higher the number, the thicker the blade of the needle, eg. a size 75 needle will have a blade with a diameter of 0.75mm.

Here is a handy table

Ordinary home sewing machine needles are different from industrial sewing machines', so make sure that you buy the right kind.

Next week I'll show you how to thread your machine and wind the bobbin.

See you then!

Best Wishes

RC

xxx

 
Set of universal needles*

Basiese Naaldwerk Reeks - Les #5

Masjien Naalde

*Hierdie post bevat affiliated links

 

Die naald* is 'n baie klein, maar baie belangrike deel van jou masjien.

Daarsonder sou jy eenvoudig net nie kon stik nie, en stomp of beskadigde naalde kan tot menige probleme ly, van gemiste steke tot gehaakte materiaal! 

Naalde is 'n relatief goedkoop part om te varvang - veral in vergelyking met die pragtige materiaal waarmee jy werk.  So as jy twyfel, vervang dit eerder as om te sukkel.

Daar is mense wat aanbeveel dat jy 'n nuwe naald gebruik vir elke projek.

Gaan lees by Les #2 - hoe om jou masjien skoon te maak, hoe om te kyk of daar 'n haakplek aan jou naald is.

Die Dele van 'n Naald

Jammer vir die Engelse byskrifte.  Ek het die prentjie probeer oorteken, maar dit het meer na een of ander gevaarlike wapen as 'n naald gelyk hehe

Verskillende Soort Naalde

Hoe om die Regte Naald te Kies

1.  Eerstens moet jy die soort naald kies, gebasseer op die materiaal konstruksie - dit beteken of die materiaal geweef of gebrei is.

* Die universele naald is 'n goeie keuse vir allerdaagse gebruik, jy kan geweefde en gebreide materiaal daarmee stik.

 * Sharps - geweefde materiaal

* Die bal punt - gebreide materiaal 

*  Rek - elastiese materiaal

*  Jeans - Denim

*  Kwilt - stik die lae van 'n kwilt

*  Leer - leer en vinyl

Dan kies jy die grootte van die naald volgens die gewig van die materiaal en die gare - dunner naalde vir baie fyn, ligte materiaal en dikker naalde vir growwer, swaarder materiaal.

Daar is twee stelsels waarvolgens die grootte van naalde ingedeel word.

Die Amerikaanse en Europese stelsels.

Amerikaanse naald groottes loop van 8 tot 19 en Europese groottes van 60 tot 120.

Hoe groter die getal, hoe dikker is die lem van die naald, bv. 'n grootte 75 se lem het 'n deursnee van 0.75mm 

Die naalde van 'n gewone naaldwerk masjien verskil van dié van 'n industriële masjien, so maak seker dat jy die regte soort koop.

Hier is 'n handige tabel

Volgende week gaan ek julle wys hoe om jou masjien te bedraad en die bobbin op te wen.

Read the English version here

Groete

RC 

xxx 

 
stel universele naalde* beskikbaar op Amazon

Prettige Vatlappies vir my Kombuis

Gekwilte Vatlappies

Read the English version below ↓

Ek kort lankal 'n nuwe paar vatlappies in my kombuis.

Die oues is regtig gedaan en mens kon maklik jou vinger brand deur die gate wat al daarin was!!

 Die ding het begin toe ek vir die plaas 'n mooi stel vatlappies wou maak.

Hoofsaaklik omdat ek altyd die skuldige is wanneer die afdroogdoeke vol swart merke is, nadat ek in die potte op die houtstoof geloer het...

*theehee OEPS!!*

Nou sal ek nie sleg voel as die vatlappies bietjie vuil raak nie, want dis mos waarvoor dit bedoel is シ

 Ek het ook gesorg dat dit die regte kleur is!!

(jammer vir die treurige foto - ek het alweer vergeet om mooi foto's te neem voor ek dit weg gestuur het!)

Al probleem is nou dat Manlief dit nie wil gebruik nie, want hy sê dis te mooi hehehe

My vatlappies is bietjie ligter.  Die blou pas by my kombuis goed en daardie oulike check-erige materiaal het ek al soooo lank terug gekoop om vir die kombuis goedjies te maak!!

Die motiefies wat ek raak gesny het, pas toevallig by die Kers-gety waarin ons ons tans bevind シ

Hierdie is weer een van Amy van The Nana Company se patrone.

Dankie Amy!!  Jy het altyd die oulikste idees ♡

Ek het myne net so klein bietjie eenvoudiger gemaak en slegs een laag watteersel gebruik, want my masjien hou nie daarvan om deur sulke dik lae te stik nie.

*Dis hoekom ek tans spaar vir my industriёle masjien :D*

Ek dink dat ek nog twee stelletjies moet maak om by die winkeltjies te verkoop.

Hierdie keer sal ek onthou om vir julle foto's te neem!  Belowe!

Onthou om my te volg as jy van my blog hou ⇨

Stuur asb vir my 'n epos met foto's van jou handgemaakte vatlappies na rchandgemaak@gmail.com

Sien julle weer!!

Groete

RC

 ♡  

Fun Quilted Pot Holders for my Kitchen

*This post contains afilliated links

 

 I've been needing some new pot holders in my kitchen for a while.  The old ones were so holey that you could easily burn your fingers while using them!!

It all started when I wanted to make a set of pretty potholders for the farm.

 Mainly because I'm always getting soot on the dish towels when I want to peek into the pots on the wood stove....

*theehee OOPS!*

 Now I won't feel bad for using the pot holders, because that's what they are made for!! 

I also chose the perfect colour!

(sorry for the sad little photo - I forgot to take nice photos for you guys again!)

 The blue trim on my pot holders match my kitchen, and I've been waiting to use that check-ish fabric for a kitchen project for so long now シ

 

The motifs that I ended up using are so cheerful and perfect for the Christmas Season that we find ourselves in ♡

 

This is also one of Amy from The Nana Company's patterns.

Thank you for the great patterns Amy!!

Have you seen her beautiful fabric collections??  They are stunning!!

 
Little Town *

 
Charleston*

 Paperie*

I simplified my potholders a bit, by not adding the pretty frills and only adding one layer of batting.  My machine doesn't like working through all those layers.

*That's why I'm saving up for my industrial sewing machine! :D*

I am going to make more of these to sell at the shop.

 This time I'll remember to take some pics for you!  Promise!!

Remember to follow me if you like reading my blog ⇨

Please send me photos of your handmade potholders to rchandgemaak@gmail.com so that I can post your handywork here on my blog ♡

See you soon!

Best Wishes

RC

♡

Basic Sewing Series - Lesson #4

How to Oil your Sewing Machine

*This post contains affiliated links

Today I'm showing you how to oil your machine.

It's a good idea to oil your machine every two to three months if you use it a lot and at least every six months if you don't sew that much.

You may prefer to have your machine serviced by a professional,

but I am a bit frugal and save the few rand by oiling it myself ;)

 What you need:

  

1.  Screwdrivers* of different sizes.  I am considering to buy a whole set of screwdrivers, because my machine has screws of all shapes and sizes and I struggle to loosen some of them.

The magnetic* kind would also be very handy, because most of my machine's screws are embedded into the cover and this makes it hard to hold them when screwing them back in.

2.  Machine oil* - the colourless kind is best, because the yellow coloured oil tends to become sticky over time.

3.  Cloth/tissue - I like to wipe away any dust and oil spatter as I go.

4.  Old towel - to lay the machine on, when you are working on the underside. 

Small bowl - to keep screws together 

  

Important!  Always unplug the machine before doing any maintenance.

  

Move the needle to its highest position.

   

1.  Start by oiling the shuttle race

  

and the shuttle hook.

 Go to lesson #3 - how tho clean a sewing machine 

to see how to remove the shuttle parts.

  

2.  Unscrew the needle plate and oil the gear underneath.

Dust as you go.

Then replace the needle plate and screw it in place.

  

 3.  Loosen all the screws to take off the top cover.

My machine has screws at the top, back and sides.

Only the left side (where the bulb is) and the back panel can be removed.

 

Put all the screws and small parts in a bowl.

  

4.  Remove the left part of the cover by gently moving it up and out.

It is a bit tricky, because there are small plastic hooks holding it in place.  Be careful not to break them!

  

Make sure that the presser foot lever is in the upward position before removing the back pannel.

See the perfect little rectangular gap for it!?

  

5.  Remove the back cover, note any parts that fit through the cover, like the presser foot lever and power inlet does on my machine.

   

6.  Now simply oil the marked parts.
The parts that need oiling on your machine may differ from mine.
Consult your owners manual for specific oiling points.
You can also turn the hand wheel to see which parts move.  Any moving parts that create friction, need oiling.

 

7.  Replace the parts in reverse order and fasten the screws securely.

Now, make sure that the presser foot lever is in the down position, so that it lies flush with the back of the machine, before laying the machine on its back to work on the underside.

8.  Place the towel on your worktop and lay the machine on its back.
Also remove the extension table.

9.  Loosen all the screws at the bottom of the machine and remove the panels.

10.  Oil all the marked parts.

11.  Replace all the panels.

And that is how to keep your machine in good working order.
You will notice that it runs smoother after a good oiling.

Remember to sew a piece of old fabric after oiling your machine as some excess oil may stain your fabric.

Next time we'll discuss choosing the right needle for your project.

See you then!!

Best Wishes
RC

♡