Things you should know before you pick up sewing

Where do you start when you find yourself interested in a new hobby? You start looking up everything that has to do with it. You scroll through blogs, watch videos on YouTube to learn techniques and projects, and Pinterest becomes an obsession. Now, what do you do when it’s time to start? We have the answers for that!

Explore your options

The world of sewing and quilting is not singular. There are so many ways to immerse yourself; exploring different genres of sewing is something we recommend people should think about first.

Are you someone who thrives off fashion? Look into learning clothing construction! From creating one-of-a-kind swimsuits to beautiful dresses, the world of sewists who focus on creating personalized looks is a niche in itself. Make adding details easy with presser feet that are versatile for projects that require zippers or piping. Look into machines for fashion like the JUKI HZL-F600, which helps you create garments from start to finish. Fashion has no rules, and its purpose is to make you feel great in what you wear.

If you’re someone who enjoys interior decorating, look into sewing for home décor! Creating custom curtains, table runners, ottomans, and fabric ornament is easy with the TL-2010Q! This machine can handle thicker, heavier materials. Accessories like a piping foot and gathering foot can bring a sense of personalization to pieces like curtains or pillows! Learn about textiles and fabrics like velvet or leather that are durable for home use but still handle beautifully and bring comfort to your space.

One category that is a beloved hobby is quilting! A family tradition, quilting is perfect for those that want to create art on a different type of canvas. It’s a magnificent way to immerse yourself in various fabrics and textures and allows you to have free range in what you can create. A machine like the Haruka TL-18QVP is perfect for beginners. Built like our industrial machines, it can handle heavy fabrics well and has settings for regular sewing as well when you decide to venture out from quilts. Since traditional quilts are made with three layers, you’ll need to learn about pieced tops, insulation fabrics, and backing fabrics. Look into wadding fabrics for your insulation layer like polyester wadding or cotton/poly to keep the warmth. For backing fabric, look into a popular option, such as quilting cotton.

Upcycle

Personalization and recycling old clothing is something that everyone loves to do. If you’re someone who enjoys embroidery and personalization look into machines like the Ricoh Ri 100 or Tajima Sai. They’re easy to use for beginners who want to add graphics to pre-loved garments. Whether you’re printing images you’ve created onto clothing or embroidering your brand logo onto hats, anyone can feel welcomed to the world of sewing through the vast options of what you can do.

Take a class!

Once you have an idea of what kind of sewing you want to go into, look around for sewing classes and expos in your area! The best way to learn is to dive into the community of people that have been doing this for centuries. Check out your local sewing machine shop for classes near you! Also, check out JUKI’s page for training and in-store classes.

Fashion Designer In Studio

Visit your local dealers!

When it’s time to take your place in the sewing world, visit your local shops that sell sewing machines, accessories, fabrics, and more. Those in the community who work in these shops are a great resource when you’re learning. They offer information on the best sewing machine for you and your projects. Also, these experts can provide you with options on fabrics for your projects and can set you up with the tools for success. Don’t forget! Many locations that sell sewing and quilting machines offer classes as well, and there’s no better way to learn than to hang out with the professionals.

If you’re interested in sewing or quilting, take the time today to figure out what you want to create! It’ll bring you one step closer to the fun part: bringing your vision to life!

Business Spotlight: The Stitching Store in Tennessee

Celebrating National Small Business Month with JUKI Dealers

Owned by a team of family and friends, we’re proud to share The Stitching Store located in Covington, TN! Recently The Stitching Store has changed ownership to a trusted friend, Nicole, who recently purchased the shop. Being an employee before buying the shop, Nicole was able to gain experience in the sewing and quilting world.

Inspired by her mother, who created beautiful outfits and crib set for Nicole’s newborn daughter, she joined the world of quilting. Close to her mother, Nicole shared with us her favorite memory of being in the shop is her mother sewing her heart out every day there.

Offering a range of services, The Stitching Store is an excellent place for all your quilting and sewing needs. Feel free to stop by and turn your gorgeous quilt tops into quilts with their machines, where they offer both edge-to-edge quilting and free motion for more delicate tops. Find comfort in their classes available each month that focus on basic sewing and quilting and are held on a one-on-one basis to focus on you.

When you’re doing the project on your own, they can help there too! Having various sewing machines and models to choose from, they offer free lessons when you purchase one of their sewing machines and a two-year warranty on your favorite JUKI’s! Whether you’re looking for fabric, notions, patterns, or custom-sewn items, they make sure to supply what you need.

Make sure to check out their repair offers as well. When you’re having trouble with your machine, their trusty teammate Randy is there to help. Able to work on both old and new sewing machines, find comfort in knowing your sewing machine is in good hands.

If you’re in the area, make sure to stop by and say JUKI sent you! Visit them at http://www.TheStitchingStore.net to learn more about what Nicole and her team can do for you today!

*Photo Credit: The Stitching Store Facebook Media Page

If you’re interested in The Stitching Store check them out today and follow their information below!

887 Highway 51 S
Covington TN
P: (901) 476-2030

The Comfort of Sewing

Sewing and quilting have long been a hobby for many people. Some turn to it to let their creative minds be free. Some find comfort in creating things for a family. Some enjoy it because it brings in extra income. Whatever your reason, you turned to sewing. As society has grown and changed, sewing and quilting have stuck around for ages!

A woman machine quilting/sewing three layers to create a grid pattern on a patriotic quilt.

At JUKI, we’ve been around for decades and have seen the changes in the sewing community. Still, one thing has stayed consistent, people’s happiness when they get their new machine and start working on new projects. The heart of sewing is often found in family hobbies being passed down, finding a pastime that brings tranquility and satisfaction in getting something done right.

Sewing in history was a meaning of expression during hard times. Whether used as a tool to bring privacy and comfort or sewing and quilting parties, sewing throughout time has brought the community together. As social media has grown, we’ve been able to find history through fabric and threads from around the world. From being hung in museums to art showcases, this channel of communicating with others is universal.

The therapeutic sense of sewing and quilting is a significant factor in many people’s days. Through non-profit organizations, systems like our prisons have created a safe space for those transitioning back into the outside world. As a way of offering a new art form and sense of expression, many of those incarcerated find this therapeutic. Some programs even allow them to sell their work and create savings when it’s time to go.

Photo by Ksenia Chernaya on Pexels.com

Also, sewing is a channel of occupational therapy for our veterans. The ability to learn sewing and quilting allows veterans to communicate through their work and even make a living. This has helped many veterans handle their mental scars. The self-confidence that grows when learning a new trade and completing a project can work wonders for anyone!

The relationship between creativity and well-being is a common subject. Whether it is found in sports, painting, or quilting, concentrating on a project has proved to assist in inner turmoil and relax one’s mind. At JUKI, we love that so many people find comfort when sewing on our machines. We know the importance of having a machine that will keep you going and excited to work!

Learn more about the programs and their stories that assist those who turn to sewing for therapy below!

Click here to learn more about Sewing Therapy for Veterans!

Click here to learn more about Sewing Therapy in institutions!

Business Spotlight: The “Go-To” with The Quilt Peddler

Celebrating National Small Business Month with JUKI Dealers

Here at JUKI we appreciate and support our vendors who get to work with you JUKI lovers! That’s why we’re taking today to tell you about Marianne, owner and shop runner for ‘The Quilt Peddler’ in Tallahassee, Florida.

Starting when she was a teen, Marianne found herself in an economics course learning about sewing. Move forward to high school and she’s begun making a little side business helping other students alter their blue jeans to the current trends. Continuing on Marianne found that sewing was a great way to make income, and it was something she enjoyed. From reupholstering furniture to hemming pants, she found use in anything she could fix.

After changes in her life, Marianne turned to sewing as an idea to help her family, but instead, she found it to be her calling. Starting at Bernia Connections, she found herself enjoying her work, and learning more about the industry each day. With the encouragement of her boss who was about to retire and her family, she decided to open up shop, introducing ‘The Quilt Peddler’ to Tallahassee! Around now for two years, the shop has grown into a holder for everything sewing; from fabric to machines and accessories, ‘The Quilt Peddler’ has become a ‘go to’ for many.

“Guiding the customer through the process to determine the best machine for them is one thing that keeps people coming back. Understanding and being able to explain solutions for a customer’s concerns, even if they only need to know how the blind hem foot works, has made us the ‘go to’ for information.”

Visit Marianne and her shop today to learn more about what sewing machines work best for you, whatever project you may have. When asked what sets them apart from other shops Marianne had one thing to say, “The competition for my shop does not have the same level of expertise that we offer at The Quilt Peddler,” and after hearing her story we see why!

*Photo Credit: The Quilt Peddler Team

If you’re interested in The Quilt Peddler check them out today and follow their information below!

Phone: 608-822-6822
Email: quiltpeddlerllc@gmail.com
4420 US Highway 18 East
Fennimore WI 53809

JUKI Spotlight: The Little Green Bean

Credit: The Little Green Official Site

Located in Minnesota, you can find Missy Luukkonen, owner of the Little Green Bean! Born and raised in Duluth, Missy fell in love with sewing in high school and has been sewing crafts, quilts, and many other projects for over 20 years. This is all thanks to an extraordinary teacher.

Starting as a hobby, Missy was working full time in a profession she loved and coming home to sewing projects as a way to relax. What began as something to do in her free time slowly grew with each new project. Missy was making burlap tote bags when she started an Etsy shop for the fun of it, not realizing how well it would grow! After saving up her Etsy shop money and taking her husband and two sons on vacation, she thought the shop would be a great side business, but it continued to evolve.

Credit: The Little Green Bean – Instagram

As time went on, she found that her side gig was becoming a full-time job. Once she realized her small business continued growing, Missy decided to take a chance on her dream. Thus The Little Green Bean was here to stay! The products on her online store are constantly changing by customers’ suggestions. Missy makes these suggestions come to life with the help of her husband, who now happily works and runs the shop as well.  After her husband, Chris, joined, they settled on a great dynamic, Missy handles most of the designing, and Chris does the production. With both partners jumping back and forth with ideas, they make an accomplished team.

One project they’re very proud of is the “Monthly Gnome“! Each month, Missy and her husband create a sweet gnome, that is new, and original in design. These little gnomes can be a one-time purchase or a monthly subscription if you’re a collector.

Credit: The Little Green Bean – Missy

Missy’s shop has continued to evolve as she’s always working on different ideas. Ever since Missy was a child, she was always making something. Not being afraid to try new things, Missy goes for it when a new idea pops up. While getting the perfect pattern may take several attempts to perfect, she’s always ready to learn along the way. One type of project she tends to stay away from is clothing, “I have never liked sewing clothes though, I’ll make PJ pants for my kids, but that’s about as far as I go with clothing!”

We recommend checking out Missy’s breath-taking workshop on her socials! Wanting her work area to be different from the rest of her home, Missy imagined her space to be bright and happy. Using fun and bright colors, Missy was able to create a space that was inviting and fed her the good energy she likes to work with. Cleanly organized and with perfect space for her JUKI’s the TL-2000Qi and MO-6700, every day Missy spends her time in her cottage and garage making the next big thing.

To learn more about Missy and her family business, check out her website here! Make sure to check into Missy’s socials as well for an inside look into her shop and home life at on Pinterest and Instagram.