That old shirt...

Remember that 'hideous floral sheer' fabric that I thrifted awhile back? I 'finished' a Sorbetto Top with it. 

Let me first explain that 'finished' is a matter of opinion in this case because while it is completed, it is not by any means finished. I chose to use gold lame pre-made bias tape combined with the FW binding foot to create a narrower edge. First time applying bias tape to a garment this way... I initially selected a short stitch length (like 20+/inch) and began slowly and timidly on an armhole at the back side seam. On the second armhole, I chose a longer stitch length (15-/inch) and sort of allowed the foot to do its thing. This went better but at the end I was faced with the daunting question of how to finish the bias binding/where to stop stitching. This is where things got a little haphazard. I won't go into detail but I will probably be redoing some of this soon, and I think the neckline needs to be redone in the old method because the thin fabric with the binding rolls TERRIBLY. 

Then I used the narrow hem foot to finish the edge. The narrow hem foot did an amazing job, but we ran into trouble at the french side seams. The bulk would not go into that tiny swirl on the foot. You know the swirl. I can only assume that when using the narrow hem foot, one must hem before sewing up side seams or sew the side seams by hand.

Anyway, this top - janky as it is - got good reviews from the Husband and Step Son who both independently complimented it so I'll keep it around for a bit.

Singer Pin Tuck Attachment

I just discovered that my mother-in-law's Featherweight has a pin tuck attachment (which I will surely be borrowing for my machine bc I adore pin tucks). Here's a decent tutorial about how to use it.

The Ruffler, The Bias Binder & The Narrow Hem Foot

I wanted to wait until my machine arrives to try out the attachments, but anticipation got the better of me and I got my mother in law's FW out and tried hers (that way when mine arrives, I figure I'll be ready!).

Ruffler

My first endeavor was The Ruffler. An ingenious little piece of machinery really, when you stop to look at the mechanism; Powered by the motion of the needle and using a set of small gears. I tried the 1 stitch ruffle, 6 stitch ruffle and the 12 stitch ruffle all with little effort and great success. It's very easy to use and the results are very nice.

Bias Binder

Next came The Bias Binder. I began with a very wide (maybe an inch or inch and a half?) piece of pre-made bias tape which I chose because I got the wrong size awhile ago and have no current use for it. I had a hell of a time getting it into the little cone (which probably should have been a warning) and when I finally got it through the cone and in position to sew, it wouldn't budge. After fiddling around with it a bit, it was still holding its ground so I pulled it out with some difficulty and went in search of some 1/2" pre-made bias tape. The 1/2" threaded quite easily into the cone and in a matter of moments I was binding everything - concave & convex curves included - in sight. Remarkable.
The only thing that is a bit tricky with this foot is keeping the thread in the right spot so that it doesn't slip off the tape or wander lazily across it. This is something I assume just a little more practice will cure since the fabric and tape, once in position, pretty much take care of themselves leaving my attention free to make sure the needle is on point.

Narrow Hem Foot

Finally, The Narrow Hem Foot. I watched a tutorial about this foot earlier today and when I saw it in the box I decided to try it out. Wow it makes a narrow hem! I did not iron or do anything to the fabric before sticking it in there and sewing but I found that if I make a narrow hem, then make another narrow hem (to encase the raw edge) the result is...well very neat and narrow. This foot is a little tricky to use because there's like a..swirl..in the middle that requires some watching to make sure it isn't taking too much or too little fabric but I think with a little more use it will become much easier. Overall, a success.

What I love ab the Singer FW is that all the components are so functional. The different presser feet and attachments require a little attention (especially at first) but for the most part they do what they're supposed to do with little to no effort on the part of the seamstress. They make sewing quite a bit faster and easier with such lovely, polished results. I'm so happy that I will have one of my own soon. I am also extremely excited to begin making buttonholes!

Sewing Tip of the Day: When threading the machine, make sure the presser foot is in the UP position. This allows the tension disks to slacken so that the thread will reach the core when guided through. If the presser foot is in the DOWN position the tension disks will engage which will prevent the thread from reaching the core and will cause stitches to be uneven.

Zigzagger & a Seam Guide

This stalked video convinced me that I cannot live without an Automatic Zigzagger...and assorted cams.

http://oldsingersewingmachineblog.com

I also need a seam guide. For the last few months I've wondered why Singer did not include notched guides on the plate, it's because you need a seam guide. Duh! Of course Singer has created something far superior to the notched plate...

Seam Guide

These items are all in listed on my ebay 'Watch List' for the day when I have $$.

Presser Feet Tutorial

I have been stalking my Singer Featherweight + attachments in eager anticipation of their arrival - I imagine making little samples of everything with beautiful, decorative, written instructions to pass down to my future offspring (more ab that later) - but here is a really good video showing the application and use of assorted presser feet. Most of these are available (though slightly modified for the 'low shank attachment') for the Featherweight and the other videos in the playlist are also quite good. 

SO excited!

Sewing Tip(s) of the day:

1. If you lower your needle before lowering the presser foot, it keeps the needle from unthreading. This always happens to me.

2. When making pin-tucks, it is best to pin tuck the fabric before cutting out the pattern piece to ensure size perfection. For years I've been engaging in complicated math problems in an attempt to calculate how to allow for pin-tucks...

Amazing.

Also, this is a great blog with Singer accessories, info etc..

Singer Featherweight 221-1

This is The Singer Featherweight 221-1 - Serial # AJ202041 Circa 1949 - that is soon to be in my possession (after 3-5 business days of transacting and probably about 3-5 business days in the care of the US postal service). It comes with all the attachments and I am anticipating some googling about how to use the buttonholer and ruffler!

This new, gorgeous, piece of hardware is an early birthday present and normally I would have asked for an expensive article of clothing but instead I am being given the gift that will produce thousands (hopefully) of expensive articles of clothing. Priceless!