My thoughts on quality materials are that it’s more of a spectrum than a “good” or “bad” sort of situation... an unskilled person can spend all the money in the world and that product won’t be quality, and a very (VERY) skilled crafts person can work skillfully around the shortcomings of a low quality/low cost material. Buying windsorNewton won’t suddenly make you a better painter, and a skilled artist can make crayola look professional. Yes, of course you get what you pay for, and cheaping out is only going to cheat you out of the results you may be looking for; but I see far too many people falling into the trap of assuming their results will raise in direct account of how much they spend. That’s only a part of it. (I work in a fabric store)
I once started a sewing class, in 2018, I was buzzing full of ideas of what I wanted to make, Lolita dresses, Kimonos, Hanboks, Yukatas. I even drew out the designs and thought it would be easy and straightforward to make my dreams into a reality, turned out it was harder than what I had initially expected. Sewing is a complex and painstaking art which requires practice, patience and dedication. Its hard work. However now that I know much more about what it truly requires, instead of being unprepared, I wish to learn again, just by myself piece by piece with online videos, so I can work in my own time, without the teacher getting frustrated or embarrassing myself as the total naïve newbie I was. I must learn to not set such high expectations on myself as a beginner. My mum is an experienced seamstress, so she can hopefully check for any mistakes I make! Seamstresses deserve respect!
@@TheStitchess I'm with you on the never using decorative stitches. My problem is they never sew smoothly for me. The spacing always seems to vary, probably due to some tension issue I don't even understand. That being said, I have seen them used effectively as detail on a pocket or a collar. But I strongly suggest you practice on a mock-up before attacking your main piece on the garment. Unpicking a decorative stitch would be no fun at all, and might leave damage. Maybe some extra stabilization from interfacing would help, or wash-away stabilizer, or even heavy starching before trying the stitch.
Before my fancy machine bit the dust, i would use the decorative stitches on the hems of petticoats or nightgowns (it jazzes it up 😊) I’ve also used them as a top stitch on a patchwork bag, as well as around the zipper on a bag. You have to plan for it though, for sure!
I've been sewing for 16 years and I realize I know very little. And I still make stupid mistakes like forgetting to mirror my seams. I just bought my first bodkin last week, I've been using a safety pin all this time. I ordered an "ironing template/ruler" last week (that's a ruler you can iron on top of, you simply put it on your fabric and fold your seam over, and voila no need to mark the seam allowance) which I know has existed for quite some time but never really thought of buying. I did a lot of experimenting with my serger in the last 5 months, I finally feel like I have it under control even though I've had it and used it for 12 years or so. Last year I found out that if you use a chisel to open your buttonholes they are much neater. I also discovered "fray check" last year. There's also so much more information online now than there used to be (10 years ago).
Decorative stitches are great if you're quilting, making tablecloths/napkins/placemats, or sewing clothing for children :) I definitely wouldn't buy a machine FOR the stitches but they're a lot of fun to use!
I have been sewing since I was 4 years old and graduated from design school in 2009 and let's just say you need to be technically inclined to learn and grasp the concept of the fashion industry.
I have a husqvarna mashine from the late 60s that I inherited from my grandma. It is amazing and I love it so much. So if you want a good machine but maybe don't want to spend several hundred dollars, look if you can find a vintage machine.
This. I have a vintage Kenmore I picked up for $40 in a cabinet. That thing can go through 3 layers of leather and likely my fingers. It's a beast; a scary, scary beast.
I agree to put more weight to straight and zigzag stitches BUT it is fun the decorative ones :( I like to use them to decorate purses, plushies and little details in collars and sleeves. Maybe it's my style but I recommend them :)
One stitch that I use often I was surprised you didn't mention, was the triple-step zigzag. I find it extremely useful in stabilizing the edge of fabrics that might fray, or for darning/underpatching weak areas (such as that spot where jeans always rub), or for a smooth finish on knits or when attaching elastic (such as legholes on underwear).
I love using the decorative stitches to make my hems look fun! I tend to go for a pretty thick (an inch or two usually) hem on the bottom of my circle skirts and I’ll use a fun decorative stitch along the bottom of the hem to add some interest to an otherwise simple skirt!
i like sewing but i have 0 spatial insight in my brain and i'll be breaking my brain for 10 minutes trying to imagine how something will look when i turn it right side out again :') the struggle is real
My mom: why you sew by hand
Me: I enjoy the process
Me, internally: *sewing machines are scary*
rofl just thinking this XD
Me too. :3
My thoughts on quality materials are that it’s more of a spectrum than a “good” or “bad” sort of situation... an unskilled person can spend all the money in the world and that product won’t be quality, and a very (VERY) skilled crafts person can work skillfully around the shortcomings of a low quality/low cost material. Buying windsorNewton won’t suddenly make you a better painter, and a skilled artist can make crayola look professional. Yes, of course you get what you pay for, and cheaping out is only going to cheat you out of the results you may be looking for; but I see far too many people falling into the trap of assuming their results will raise in direct account of how much they spend. That’s only a part of it. (I work in a fabric store)
I once started a sewing class, in 2018, I was buzzing full of ideas of what I wanted to make, Lolita dresses, Kimonos, Hanboks, Yukatas. I even drew out the designs and thought it would be easy and straightforward to make my dreams into a reality, turned out it was harder than what I had initially expected. Sewing is a complex and painstaking art which requires practice, patience and dedication. Its hard work. However now that I know much more about what it truly requires, instead of being unprepared, I wish to learn again, just by myself piece by piece with online videos, so I can work in my own time, without the teacher getting frustrated or embarrassing myself as the total naïve newbie I was. I must learn to not set such high expectations on myself as a beginner. My mum is an experienced seamstress, so she can hopefully check for any mistakes I make! Seamstresses deserve respect!
I dare you to find a way to incorporate a decorative stitch in one of your projects now hahaha! For real, who uses them?
I was thinking the same thing! I feel kinda obligated to find a use for them now that I’ve said I’ve never used them :P
@@TheStitchess I'm with you on the never using decorative stitches. My problem is they never sew smoothly for me. The spacing always seems to vary, probably due to some tension issue I don't even understand.
That being said, I have seen them used effectively as detail on a pocket or a collar. But I strongly suggest you practice on a mock-up before attacking your main piece on the garment. Unpicking a decorative stitch would be no fun at all, and might leave damage.
Maybe some extra stabilization from interfacing would help, or wash-away stabilizer, or even heavy starching before trying the stitch.
Before my fancy machine bit the dust, i would use the decorative stitches on the hems of petticoats or nightgowns (it jazzes it up 😊) I’ve also used them as a top stitch on a patchwork bag, as well as around the zipper on a bag.
You have to plan for it though, for sure!
I've been sewing for 16 years and I realize I know very little. And I still make stupid mistakes like forgetting to mirror my seams.
I just bought my first bodkin last week, I've been using a safety pin all this time. I ordered an "ironing template/ruler" last week (that's a ruler you can iron on top of, you simply put it on your fabric and fold your seam over, and voila no need to mark the seam allowance) which I know has existed for quite some time but never really thought of buying.
I did a lot of experimenting with my serger in the last 5 months, I finally feel like I have it under control even though I've had it and used it for 12 years or so.
Last year I found out that if you use a chisel to open your buttonholes they are much neater. I also discovered "fray check" last year.
There's also so much more information online now than there used to be (10 years ago).
Decorative stitches are great if you're quilting, making tablecloths/napkins/placemats, or sewing clothing for children :) I definitely wouldn't buy a machine FOR the stitches but they're a lot of fun to use!
Ah but you see, I have neither a child nor a dining room table lol
@@TheStitchess lol a great point!
I have been sewing since I was 4 years old and graduated from design school in 2009 and let's just say you need to be technically inclined to learn and grasp the concept of the fashion industry.
I just started learning to sew and I did not know most of this!
I have a husqvarna mashine from the late 60s that I inherited from my grandma. It is amazing and I love it so much. So if you want a good machine but maybe don't want to spend several hundred dollars, look if you can find a vintage machine.
This. I have a vintage Kenmore I picked up for $40 in a cabinet. That thing can go through 3 layers of leather and likely my fingers. It's a beast; a scary, scary beast.
Thank you for making me realise that my machine needs to go to maintenance as soon as the holidays are over... ^^'
I agree to put more weight to straight and zigzag stitches BUT it is fun the decorative ones :( I like to use them to decorate purses, plushies and little details in collars and sleeves. Maybe it's my style but I recommend them :)
One stitch that I use often I was surprised you didn't mention, was the triple-step zigzag. I find it extremely useful in stabilizing the edge of fabrics that might fray, or for darning/underpatching weak areas (such as that spot where jeans always rub), or for a smooth finish on knits or when attaching elastic (such as legholes on underwear).
I sometimes use the decorative stitches for top stitching lol
those are all really good points ^^
I make it a point to use the decorative stiches just because my machine has them haha
I’ve been trying to do the same but I can never figure out how (and why lol) I should use the decorative stitches.
I love using the decorative stitches to make my hems look fun! I tend to go for a pretty thick (an inch or two usually) hem on the bottom of my circle skirts and I’ll use a fun decorative stitch along the bottom of the hem to add some interest to an otherwise simple skirt!
i appreciate this thank you stitchess!
Oops! I needed to hear this before asking where your sewing machine tutorial is, LoL!
Noo I'm dyscalculic
i like sewing but i have 0 spatial insight in my brain and i'll be breaking my brain for 10 minutes trying to imagine how something will look when i turn it right side out again :') the struggle is real
whf is a bobin
I think it’s the thread thing that sits under