I read about using soap in some book when I was a kid. Didnt sew at the time so I just completely disregarded it...until a few weeks ago I'd misplaced my tailors chalk and was about to go out and buy some more when it came right back to me. Works *so* much better, way less fragile and one less thing I have to go buy.
I have a Stamm tape measure from the early 1960s. It's made from fibre glass and is thicker than modern tape measures. Despite a lot of use over the decades (it belonged to my mother before me), it hasn't stretched out and has no kinks. A worthwhile investment (assuming modern fibre-glass tapes are as good).
When my dad died I laminated his last main written message… apparently he’d written that with a heat-erasable pen, I nearly had a heart attack when it came out the other side of the (hot) laminator. I was relieved to find out the ink also comes back when it has been laminated. The ink had months to cure when I finally did laminate it so don’t take my word that any recent laminated stuff will also re-appear but at least I found out there’s no need for oxygen. Don’t know if it would ever be a factor but just mentioning this to anyone. Never assume the ink is gone, freeze it first (if you need the ink to be visible again of course). My first patchwork I measured out little squares and marked with heat-erasable pen. Next step I was gonna press all the folds in the squares one side at a time… of course after the first side was pressed the other 3 weren’t visible anymore as they were quite small squares. It was a tremendous help to know even professionals have these moments of such “stupid mistakes” that they otherwise wouldn’t make. So not only has YT and these channels learned me a lot, they also took away a lot of down talking to myself and frustration of the “I’m failing this” -kind of
I had an issue with my sewing machine. I make rope bowls and such and one time it was skipping stitches and nesting. Never before had it done that. It was the thread.
Thanks for replying, I’ll been using another popular brand but the quality was disappointing. I’m trying to find a thread brand that doesn’t fray after few weeks of finishing my projects.
Thank you! I bought a can of starch and the nozzle clogged up. I tried to unclog it but I messed it up. I find another nozzle but I couldn’t find one that fit. Since the can is 7nder pressure, I can’t do anything that I know of to remove the starch. I will make my own from now on.
I used chalk on some upholstery fabric to mark the zipper, I could not get the marks to come out and the dry cleaner could not get the marks to come out. They did fade some.
I may have misunderstood you, but I believe you said it stretched by 2 mm out of 20. Which is 10% not one percent. And yes, 10% makes a huge difference.
I read about using soap in some book when I was a kid. Didnt sew at the time so I just completely disregarded it...until a few weeks ago I'd misplaced my tailors chalk and was about to go out and buy some more when it came right back to me. Works *so* much better, way less fragile and one less thing I have to go buy.
I have a Stamm tape measure from the early 1960s. It's made from fibre glass and is thicker than modern tape measures. Despite a lot of use over the decades (it belonged to my mother before me), it hasn't stretched out and has no kinks. A worthwhile investment (assuming modern fibre-glass tapes are as good).
I agree
When my dad died I laminated his last main written message… apparently he’d written that with a heat-erasable pen, I nearly had a heart attack when it came out the other side of the (hot) laminator. I was relieved to find out the ink also comes back when it has been laminated. The ink had months to cure when I finally did laminate it so don’t take my word that any recent laminated stuff will also re-appear but at least I found out there’s no need for oxygen. Don’t know if it would ever be a factor but just mentioning this to anyone. Never assume the ink is gone, freeze it first (if you need the ink to be visible again of course). My first patchwork I measured out little squares and marked with heat-erasable pen. Next step I was gonna press all the folds in the squares one side at a time… of course after the first side was pressed the other 3 weren’t visible anymore as they were quite small squares. It was a tremendous help to know even professionals have these moments of such “stupid mistakes” that they otherwise wouldn’t make. So not only has YT and these channels learned me a lot, they also took away a lot of down talking to myself and frustration of the “I’m failing this” -kind of
Great idea to make your own starch! Thanks
Thanks, Julija! I loved learning of your tip about marking fabric, and using homemade spray starch. I’m adding these tips to my sewing arsenal.
I prefer the chalk as well
I had an issue with my sewing machine. I make rope bowls and such and one time it was skipping stitches and nesting. Never before had it done that. It was the thread.
Interesting! Thread would have been the last thing I checked🤔😁
I had the same issue. Luckily it was in sewing course, where the instructor knew immediately what was wrong
Maybe its time for a trip to the spa. Mayve a stronger machine
You need a flexible measuring tape if you sew clothing because it is flexible to wrap around the body
Thank you! Very interesting topic and great sewing tips!
What kind of starch do you use? Thanks!
I use potato starch as it’s most popular in my country, but corn starch works, too🤗
@Julija_Gobere Thank you! Idk why I didn't think of corn starch. 😁❤️
You’re awesome 🤩
(Linda). thank you Julija! Love the starch trick, will use it for sure!!!
How much starch do you use in how much water? Thanks for the information
Thanks, Great information. Can you tell me what high quality thread you use?
I use Mettler Seracor or Seralene🤗
Thanks for replying, I’ll been using another popular brand but the quality was disappointing. I’m trying to find a thread brand that doesn’t fray after few weeks of finishing my projects.
Thank you! I bought a can of starch and the nozzle clogged up. I tried to unclog it but I messed it up. I find another nozzle but I couldn’t find one that fit. Since the can is 7nder pressure, I can’t do anything that I know of to remove the starch. I will make my own from now on.
I used chalk on some upholstery fabric to mark the zipper, I could not get the marks to come out and the dry cleaner could not get the marks to come out. They did fade some.
Was it chalk? Or a wax based colored product called chalk? Completely different things. The waxy colored stuff is a nightmare.
I may have misunderstood you, but I believe you said it stretched by 2 mm out of 20. Which is 10% not one percent. And yes, 10% makes a huge difference.
It was 2mm out of 20cm (200mm)🤗 10% difference would have been really huge!