Category: Triple T: Tips, Tricks, and Training

Tips, Triple T: Tips, Tricks, and Training

It’s National Sewing Month!

by sewinwithjuki1 Comment on It’s National Sewing Month!
It’s National Sewing Month!

It’s National Sewing Month, JUKI Lovers! In 1982, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed September as National Sewing Month, “in recognition of the importance of home sewing to our Nation,” however, there are so many forms of home sewing! Between embroidery, garment sewing, home décor, quilting, and more, there is no shortage in your options for how to create.

Today, we wanted to celebrate one of the many ways you sew, quilting! A complex sewing category that so many enjoy, quilting is such a popular form of sewing that all types of fabrics, notions, sewing machines and accessories have been created to make quilting more fun for you! That is why we put together our top five quilting accessories for you.

Look below as we go over our top accessories that promise to make your quilting experience a better and more enjoyable time each time you use them.

Quilting Foot

Included with our longarms and beloved J-150QVP, our Quilting Foot is a must-have when quilting! Used for free-motion sewing and ruler work, the quilting foot has a distance of ¼” (6.5mm) from the needle entry point to the outer edge. Create beautiful quilts or home décor with your quilting foot.

Open Toe Foot

Are you working on small designs and need more visibility? Look into our Open Toe Foot! Open at the front so that the needle area is easy to see, this presser foot is useful for quilting small designs or anytime visual of the needle area is needed. Use this the next time you’re creating intricate designs on your quilt and home décor for a cleaner finish!

Glide Foot

When it comes to working on three-dimensional projects or working with applique, it’s best to use our Glide Foot! A bowl-shaped foot is intended to be used for quilting when gliding along with applique and other three-dimensional embellishments. Perfect for when you’re creating accessorized quilts and adding beautiful embellishments like ribbons!

Couching Foot

Use unusual and fun threads the next time you’re quilting with our Couching Foot! Used for sewing decorative thread, yarn, and much more, this set includes two different sizes of couching foot. If you have thick threads that do not fit in a needle, textured thread that would shred, decorative cords, yarn, or trims; all these can be sewn with this accessory in your arsenal! Use this accessory the next time you want to elevate your quilt.

Rulers

Use your quilting ruler as a template when stitching designs! By combining basic lines and shapes, you can create various patterns that will wow you and your loved ones. Be sure to use your ruler together with the presser foot! There are different options on what shapes you can choose to work with that will help you create those designs you are thinking of. Look into our JUKI ruler sets that come with five different rulers giving you a vast array of ways to create patterns.

It’s important to have the right tools when you need them! That’s why we recommend looking into what accessories your machines can have on hand. The next time you’re starting a quilt, think of what different accessories you have and how you can use them on your next project!

Tips, Triple T: Tips, Tricks, and Training

Body Talk

by sewinwithjuki3 Comments on Body Talk

Today we’re going to talk about your body types JUKI Lovers! Do you ever feel like clothes look great on hangers but don’t flatter your own body? Our number one trick is remembering that it’s essential to style your body first and then worry about the clothing style. Make clothing that fits you perfectly, and give yourself that confidence you want!

People come in all different shapes and sizes, creating their fitting challenges. But don’t worry, with the clothing you sew and the body types your sewing for in mind, you can truly make a difference in any fashion statement.

Below we dived into some different body types and the best way to style and sew for them. Take a look and see what new ideas this might bring you!

Finding your Body Type

It’s always best to start with figuring out which body type matches you most. Use our cheat sheet below and see which one best resembles you! It’s 100% better to get a piece that fits you well after sewing for hours over your new project.

Sewing and Accessorizing for Your Body Type

The Teardrop Body
The teardrop body, also known as the A-types, becomes wider from the hip down. If you’re someone who wants to accentuate the top of your body, use bright color fabrics and prints; for the lower body, focus on muted tones. This will help your upper body stand out! You can also add decorative stitching around the bust and shoulders for an extra pop. If you find yourself wanting to accentuate your legs, look into designing pants with long straight wales or skirts that have open slits. Try to avoid vertical lines and bands, yokes, and hemlines at the full hip.

The Hourglass Body
Hourglass figures are known for their narrow waist and similar sizing in the bust and hips area. It’s best to maintain a balance in your outfits by avoiding the addition of volume to shoulders and hips. Try selecting patterns that follow natural curves and allow you to emphasize your waist. Try to avoid styles that conceal or widen the waist. Simple things like tucking in your shirt or wearing wide-legged boot cut jeans are great ways to complement the body.

The Figure Eight (8) Body
These body figures often have rounded shoulders, sturdy hips, a slender waist, and a short upper body. Usually having a larger bust and curves, we recommend accentuating your features by creating beautiful belts that outline your waist. Creating projects like pencil skirts for yourself or using fabrics with a fluid drape are perfect ways to sew for yourself! A practice we recommend is using contrasting colors at your waistline to accentuate or choosing styles and patterns that sit at your natural waistline. Balance your style by adding interest with volume found in ruffles using gathering techniques. Try to avoid boxy, loose styles that conceal the waist.

The Oval Body
There are many ways to accentuate the oval body shape, like narrowing your waist with styles that use vertical or diagonal details at the body’s center. Break up the waist and hip using vertical line designs. Try to avoid pieces that are bright or light since these shine at the waist. Draw attention to your shoulders and hips by adding dimension with volume using gathers or ruffles. Avoid using designs that widen the shoulders and go towards pieces that balance out your look. Accentuate your legs by creating your own slit skirts or straight dress patterns to create a more extended look.

The Keystone Body
Usually obtaining a more athletic build, keystone body shapes are built with shoulders that are broader than the hips. Depending on which you prefer to accentuate the waist or shoulders, you can follow different design paths. Using design patterns for skirts with bright colors or patterns is a great way to bring attention to your lower body. If you want to accentuate your upper body, try to stay at hip length to focus on your waist. Embrace your looks with halter tops and diagonal shoulder seam lines, but avoid shoulders with sleeve-cap detail or padding.

The Column Body
The column body tends to have shoulders and hips more or less the same width and less of a defined waist, but for those that want a defined waist, it’s easier than you think! Use tricks to make your upper body look longer with tops that stop at your waist. Using tight jeans instead of looser ones will help accentuate the waist better as well. Look into patterns that offer knee-length dresses to make yourself seem taller. A great tip is equaling out your shoulder and hips to narrow the waistline. Using diagonal lines at the shoulder and hem, direct people to see toward your center front. Avoid using contrasting colors at the waist to create a more balanced look.

When you create with the idea in mind to match your clothing style with your figure or body style, you will create projects that have you enjoy clothing construction for yourself more. Remember to keep a balance between your frame and fashion. Focus on playing up the parts of your body you enjoy and create pieces that drive focus away from those features you don’t want to emphasize. We hope you enjoyed these suggestions! Have fun with fashion.

Tips, Triple T: Tips, Tricks, and Training

Let’s Talk Fabric

by sewinwithjuki3 Comments on Let’s Talk Fabric

As a sewist, you know the importance of choosing suitable fabric for your project and how it can significantly affect your finished product! Today JUKI Lovers, we’re going to go over different fabric types and how to choose the right one for your project.

Quilting Cotton
The most common fabric you’re going to find in big stores is quilting cotton. A light to medium fabric, this material is made of cotton and woven, making it a popular choice for quilting projects. Keep in mind, this material is not the best for clothing construction on most projects. While it can create structured shirts well like a button-down, if you’re looking for a look that has more stretch, flow, or drapes, this fabric wouldn’t work best.

Linen
Linen fabric is a slightly different fabric from cotton. While similar as both are plant-based, the linen fabrics tend to be very soft and very breathable. Linen is best for warmer temperatures and is done in a plain weave. Some linen fabrics will have a noticeable color variation due to the threads that created the material. It’s well known to drape nicely, and it softens after washes creating the perfect comfort material for the winter times. Still, it’s best to keep in mind linen proneness to shrinking.

Silky Solids and Prints
When you’re looking for something bright or eye-catching, silky solids and prints are a bold choice. This material drapes well and has two options for construction. One silk material is made of polyester, a high-quality dupe of the original silk created from cocoons. When creating blouses or dresses, the structure of the material gives the proper flow and accentuates nicely. Choose this material when wanting to create light, loose clothing.

Canvas
Canvas fabrics come in different styles, but it’s primarily a solid material best used for home décor projects, theatre set designing, and bags. Canvas can also be best used for home furniture projects because of the soft material and works well on footrests and ottomans. Of course, this material can also be used for painting and other art projects. Keep canvas in your fabric drawer as it is an incredibly versatile fabric for many hobbies!

Chiffon
When creating beautiful and frilly pieces, chiffon is a charming choice! Woven sheer fabric is perfect for creating skirts with a flow and can also be used for home décor such as curtains. Always keep in mind when using chiffon for clothing that the material can be complex for new sewers to work with due to its proneness to frame and be shifty. We recommend testing with a small piece of fabric and adjusting your settings as you go.

Twill
Making curtains? Twill is the perfect fabric for that project! Twill is a fabric created out of cotton or cotton spandex and is best used for dress pants, home décor, and bags. Twill is created using a twill weave and is generally woven with threads of only one color. Perfect for curtains, the material is thick and drapes well with low wrinkles creating a cleaner look in your space.

Flannel
Flannel garments rise from their slumber during the colder seasons due to their comfort and warmth. Woven cotton is brushed on or both sides creating this fuzzy and soft texture that allows warmth to be kept. This material is excellent when designing winter pajamas or cozy outfits for the fall. Using this soft material, you can also create warm blankets and quilts for the family.

With so many materials and fabrics available for sewers out there, we want to make sure you’re choosing the right one! What are some fabrics you’ve worked with that you love using?

Tips, Triple T: Tips, Tricks, and Training

Things you should know before you pick up sewing

by sewinwithjukiLeave a Comment on 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!

Longarm Training, Triple T: Tips, Tricks, and Training

Longarm Training with JUKI!

by sewinwithjuki7 Comments on Longarm Training with JUKI!

Hello JUKI lovers! We know how butterfly-inducing it is to get a new machine, but what about the aftermath of learning it? That’s why we’re here! Our JUKI Longarm training is for all types of quilters to join and learn more about techniques and tricks.

Get your pencils and notebooks ready because this 3-day workshop covers basic machine maintenance, tensions, working with different threads, batting, LCD screen operation, free-motion techniques, loading a quilt, marking quilts, ruler work, couching, pantographs, optional accessories, and more on the TL-2200QVP and Miyabi J-350QVP.

We also offer the opportunity to learn about our Quilters Creative Touch software. This workshop teaches you the basics of building blocks, pantographs, including the new Power Panto, designing your quilt pattern blocks, and move on to more advanced techniques such as Quilt CAD and Pattern CAD.

We offer JUKI Longarm training throughout the year with our Education staff to help you be the best quilter you can be! Thank you to those who have joined us in the past on our training, we hope you enjoy your JUKI and come back for more in the future!

Check out this link to see other training dates and sign up information. We hope to see you soon!