Tag: basic quilting tools

JUKI Posts, Tips

Efficient Stitches: Sewing Room Organization Tips

by sewinwithjuki1 Comment on Efficient Stitches: Sewing Room Organization Tips

A well-organized sewing room or dedicated sewing space can be the key to a productive and enjoyable sewing experience. From neatly storing fabrics and notions to creating a good workflow, a functional workspace allows you to focus on your creative projects without the frustration of clutter! This blog post will explore practical tips and tricks for organizing your sewing room, innovative storage solutions, and space-saving ideas. Get ready to transform your sewing space into a haven of creativity and efficiency!

Start Evaluating and Decluttering:

Start your sewing room organization journey by evaluating your current setup and decluttering unnecessary items. Sort through your fabrics, threads, and notions, and donate or discard anything you no longer need or use. By minimizing clutter, you’ll create more space and make finding and accessing the supplies you truly need easier.

Plan Your Fabric Storage:

Proper storage of fabrics is essential for easy access and preservation. We’ve gathered a few tips for getting your storage well organized.

  • Categorize and Sort: Start by categorizing your fabric based on different criteria, such as color, fabric type, or project type. This will make finding the fabric you need easier when starting a new project.
  • Use Clear Containers or Bins: Store your fabric in clear plastic containers or bins. This lets you see the contents at a glance, saving time and effort when searching for specific fabrics.
  • Fold and Label: Fold your fabric neatly and uniformly to maximize space and prevent wrinkles. Use labels or tags to identify the fabric type, color, yardage, or other relevant details. This makes it easier to locate specific fabrics without unfolding everything.
  • Vertical Storage: Consider storing your fabric vertically rather than horizontally. This method saves space and allows you to easily browse through the fabric stacks without disturbing the neatly folded fabrics.
  • Utilize Shelving or Cubbies: Install shelves or use cubbies to store your fabric. These provide a dedicated space for each fabric category and help organize your sewing room. You can even sort fabrics by size or project type within each shelf or cubby.

Organize Your Notions and Tools:

Organizing notions and tools in your sewing and quilting room is essential for maintaining a functional and efficient workspace. Start by grouping similar items, such as needles, pins, and buttons. Utilize clear plastic containers, small jars, or compartmentalized organizers to store these smaller items, ensuring they are easily accessible and visible. Consider using a pegboard or wall-mounted tool organizer to hang scissors, rulers, and other frequently used tools, keeping them within reach and saving valuable workspace.

Designate specific shelves or drawers for larger tools like cutting mats and rotary cutters to keep them safely stored and neatly organized. Additionally, labeling containers or using clear bins for items like zippers, ribbons, and trims can make it quick and easy to find what you need. By implementing a well-thought-out organization system, you’ll streamline your sewing and quilting process and have a clutter-free environment that inspires creativity!

Organizing Those Threads and Bobbins:

Practical thread and bobbin organization in your sewing and quilting room is crucial for a smooth and efficient workflow. To keep your threads easily accessible and neatly arranged, consider using a thread rack or spool holder. These can be mounted on the wall or placed on a table or shelf, providing a convenient display of your thread collection. Group threads by color or type, allowing for quick identification and selection. Alternatively, you can store threads in clear plastic containers or drawers, protecting them from dust and light exposure.

To keep your bobbins organized, use a bobbin storage case or tray specifically designed for holding bobbins securely in place. This prevents them from unwinding and tangling. You can also match bobbins with corresponding thread spools, storing them together to easily locate the appropriate combination when needed. By implementing an effective thread and bobbin organization system, you’ll save time and frustration, allowing for a more enjoyable sewing and quilting experience.

Creating Your Workflow:

Creating an efficient workflow in your sewing and quilting room is essential for maximizing productivity and enjoying a seamless creative process! Start by organizing your workspace in a way that suits your working style. Arrange your sewing machine, cutting table, and ironing station in a seamless layout, and ensure easy access to all your needed tools and materials. Consider setting up your own assembly line for different stages of the process! Such as cutting, piecing, and assembly, to keep everything organized and efficient.

Next, establish a workflow that works best for you! Start by planning your projects in advance. Gather your fabric, confirm your pattern, and have your cutting instructions ready. With a clear roadmap, you can avoid unnecessary interruptions or backtracking during the creative process.

Prioritize tasks and break your sewing down into manageable steps! This allows you to focus on one project piece at a time, cutting fabric, sewing seams, or ironing. Remember to declutter and tidy your workspace to maintain a clear and inspiring workspace. By creating an efficient workflow tailored to your needs, you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in your sewing and quilting projects, resulting in beautifully crafted creations!

Inspiring and Personalized Decor:

Create an inspiring environment in your sewing room by adding personal touches and decorative elements. Display finished projects, hang inspirational quotes, or place around artwork that sparks your creativity. Look into incorporating good lighting to avoid eye strain during your project creation. Maybe add a pinboard or corkboard to pin inspiration, project ideas, or fabric swatches!

A well-organized sewing room is a haven for creativity and productivity. By implementing the tips and tricks in this blog post, you can create a functional and inspiring workspace that enhances your sewing experience. From efficient fabric storage to optimizing workflow and adding personal touches, these strategies will help you maximize your sewing space and enjoy a clutter-free environment. Embrace the joy of organization and watch your sewing projects flourish in a space designed for creativity and efficiency. Happy sewing!

JUKI Posts

Quilters’ Sewing 101: Answering 5 Basic Questions

by sewinwithjukiLeave a Comment on Quilters’ Sewing 101: Answering 5 Basic Questions

Quilting is a timeless craft that has allowed us to create beautiful and functional art pieces using fabric and thread. Whether you’re a beginner or have some quilting experience, you may have questions that need clarification. In this blog post, we will address five popular questions often asked by quilters. By understanding these fundamental aspects, you’ll be on your way to confidently quilting and creating those stunning quilts you’ve been dreaming of.

What is the difference between quilting cotton and regular cotton fabric?

Quilting cotton and regular cotton fabric differ primarily in construction and intended use. Quilting cotton is designed for quilting projects and is known for its tightly woven and durable nature. It typically has a higher thread count, which means that the fabric is made up of more threads per square inch. This dense weave gives quilting cotton its sturdiness, making it ideal for stitching and holding up to repeated use and washing. Additionally, quilting cotton often features vibrant prints and patterns, which add aesthetic appeal to quilts and other sewing projects.

On the other hand, regular cotton fabric refers to the broad category of cotton textiles used in various applications, including clothing, home décor, and crafts. Regular cotton fabric comes in different weights, weaves, and finishes to suit other purposes. Unlike quilting cotton, the regular cotton fabric may have a looser weave and a lower thread count, making it lighter and more breathable. It is commonly used for making garments such as t-shirts, dresses, and pants and crafting household items like curtains, pillowcases, and tablecloths.

What is the importance of accurate seam allowances in quilting?

Accurate seam allowances play a crucial role in quilting, ensuring the final project’s overall quality, precision, and consistency. Firstly, precise seam allowances help maintain the structural integrity of the quilt by ensuring that the fabric pieces are securely joined together. Accurate seam allowances ensure that the seams are strong and reliable, preventing unraveling or fraying of the fabric over time. This is especially important for quilts that will be used, washed, and handled frequently!

Secondly, precise seam allowances contribute to the quilt design’s overall visual appeal and accuracy. Quilts often involve intricate patterns and designs that rely on precise measurements and seam allowances. Consistently accurate seam allowances ensure that the blocks and elements of the quilt fit together seamlessly, creating clean lines, even corners, and balanced proportions. Inaccurate seam allowances can lead to mismatched points, distorted shapes, or misaligned seams, which can detract from the quilt’s visual impact and overall aesthetic. Quilters can achieve a professional finish by paying attention to precise seam allowances and bringing their envisioned design to life.

How do I prevent fabric stretching while quilting?

Preventing fabric stretching is crucial in quilting to ensure accurate piecing and maintain the integrity of your quilt blocks. Here are two key techniques to help you prevent fabric stretching:

Proper handling and pinning: When working with fabric, especially bias-cut pieces, handle them with care to minimize stretching. Avoid pulling or tugging the fabric excessively, as this can distort its shape. Instead, support the fabric with one hand while guiding it through the sewing machine with the other. Additionally, use pins to secure your fabric layers together before stitching. Place the pins perpendicular to the seam line, with the heads pointing away from the sewing direction. This technique will help keep the fabric in place during sewing and prevent stretching caused by shifting layers.

Stabilizing techniques: Stabilizing the fabric can also help minimize stretching. One effective method is using spray starch or fabric sizing. Lightly spray the fabric with starch or sizing and press it with an iron before cutting and piecing. This process stiffens the fabric temporarily, making it less prone to stretching. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and test on a scrap piece of fabric first to avoid any adverse effects. Another technique is to use a stabilizer such as lightweight fusible interfacing or wash-away stabilizer. These products provide temporary support to the fabric and can be applied to specific areas or the entire fabric piece, depending on your needs.

These techniques will help any beginner or everyday quilter!

Should I prewash my fabric before quilting?

The decision to prewash fabric before quilting is a personal choice that depends on various factors. Prewashing fabric can be beneficial in addressing potential shrinkage and removing excess dyes or chemicals. By washing the fabric before cutting and piecing, you can ensure that any shrinkage occurs beforehand, reducing the risk of distortion or warping in your finished quilt. Additionally, prewashing helps remove residual substances that may bleed onto other fabrics or affect the overall appearance of your quilt. It can be advantageous when working with different fabric types with varying shrinkage rates in the same project.

On the other hand, some quilters prefer to avoid prewashing fabric to maintain its stability and finish. Prewashing can cause the fabric to lose some of its sizing or stiffness, potentially impacting the ease of cutting and piecing. Certain fabrics, such as precuts or those with delicate prints or embellishments, may be unsuitable for prewashing due to their fragile nature. In such cases, alternative precautions like color-catching sheets or test-washing small fabric pieces can help prevent bleeding without prewashing.

Ultimately, the decision to prewash fabric before quilting is a personal preference based on the desired outcome, fabric type, and project requirements. Considering factors such as shrinkage, potential bleeding, and fabric stability can help you decide whether to prewash or not.

How can I achieve precise quilting lines or designs?
Using rulers with your JUKI sewing machine can be highly beneficial to achieve precise quilting lines or designs. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to utilize JUKI rulers for accurate quilting:

Step 1: Prepare your fabric and JUKI ruler: Start by ensuring your fabric is properly layered and basted for quilting. Then, select the appropriate JUKI ruler for the design or quilting lines you wish to create. JUKI offers a range of rulers specifically designed for quilting purposes, such as straight rulers, curved rulers, and specialty rulers for different patterns and shapes.

Step 2: Secure and position the ruler: Place your ruler on the fabric, aligning it with the desired quilting line or design. Use fabric grips or non-slip adhesive tape to secure the ruler, ensuring it remains stable and doesn’t shift during quilting. It’s vital to position the ruler accurately to achieve precise results.

Step 3: Quilt along the ruler edge: Once the ruler is secured, guide your JUKI sewing machine’s foot along the ruler’s edge. Ensure to maintain a steady speed and apply gentle pressure to the ruler to prevent it from moving. As you quilt along the ruler, the foot of the machine will follow the ruler’s edge, resulting in clean and precise quilting lines or designs.

Remember to practice and experiment with different rulers and techniques to achieve the desired quilting effects. It’s also essential to familiarize yourself with the features and settings of your specific JUKI sewing machine to ensure optimal performance during quilting.

As a quilter, understanding the basics is essential for successful and enjoyable quilting projects. By addressing these five common questions, you can better grasp the differences between quilting cotton and regular cotton fabric, the importance of accurate seam allowances, preventing fabric stretching, deciding whether to prewash fabric and achieving precise quilting lines or designs. With this knowledge, you can confidently embark on your quilting journey, create stunning quilts, and continue expanding your quilting skills. Looking for quilting machines? Be sure to check out JUKI’s wide range of machines! Happy quilting!

JUKI Posts

Exploring the Creative Set with JUKI

by sewinwithjukiLeave a Comment on Exploring the Creative Set with JUKI

The Creative Set Accessory Kit by JUKI is a treasure trove for sewists looking to expand their creative possibilities. With an assortment of specialized presser feet and essential accessories, this kit allows you to add unique and professional touches to your sewing projects. In this blog post, we’ll explore the presser feet included in the Creative Set and their various applications. From appliqué to pearl attaching and cording, we’ll also provide project ideas that showcase the versatility and potential of these fantastic accessories.

The appliqué presser foot is designed to facilitate the application of appliqué designs onto fabric. It allows for precise stitching along the edges of the appliqué pieces, securing them in place seamlessly. Use the appliqué foot for quilts, garments, and home decor projects to add decorative fabric shapes or motifs. Create beautiful appliqué designs on t-shirts, table runners, or personalized pillows.

This presser foot is a versatile tool for embellishing your sewing projects with decorative cords or embroidery threads. It has a groove on the underside that holds the cord or thread, allowing it to be stitched securely in place. Use this foot to add texture and dimension to garments, handbags, or home decor items. Create unique corded or embroidered designs on collars, cuffs, or even the edges of tote bags or cushion covers.

The pearl-attaching presser foot is designed to attach pearls or beads to fabric. It has a channel that holds the pearls in place as you sew, ensuring even spacing and secure attachment. This foot is perfect for adding elegant and eye-catching details to bridal wear, evening gowns, or accessories like clutches and headbands. Create stunning pearl trims on necklines, bodices, or along the edges of a veil.

The cording presser foot for three cords is ideal for incorporating multiple cords into your sewing projects. It allows you to guide and stitch three cords simultaneously, creating beautiful raised designs or decorative trims. Use this foot to add intricate corded details on garments, such as piping on collars or bodices. You can also use it to create unique corded accents on bags, belts, or home decor items like curtains or cushions.

The presser foot with a guide is a versatile accessory that helps you achieve accurate and consistent seam allowances. The guide runs along the fabric’s edge, ensuring precise stitching and alignment. This foot is perfect for projects that require precise topstitching or edge stitching, such as quilt bindings, bag handles, or garment details like collars and cuffs.

The open-toe presser foot provides excellent visibility, making it ideal for projects that require precise stitching along marked lines or intricate patterns. Its open front lets you see the stitching area clearly, making it suitable for quilting, appliqué, or free-motion embroidery. Use this foot to create intricate quilt designs, stitch along curves, or add decorative motifs to the fabric.

Project Ideas:

Quilted Appliqué Pillow: Use the appliqué presser foot to create beautiful fabric shapes on a quilted pillow cover, adding texture and visual interest.

Embellished Tote Bag: Utilize the cording and embroidery presser foot to add decorative cords or threads to a plain tote bag, creating a unique and personalized accessory.

Pearl-Trimmed Evening Dress: Attach pearls using the pearl attaching presser foot to the neckline or bodice of an evening dress, adding an elegant and sophisticated touch.

Corded Collar Blouse: Incorporate multiple cords with the cording presser foot (for 3 cords) to create a striking corded collar detail on a blouse, making it a standout garment.

Topstitched Quilted Table Runner: Use the presser foot with a guide to achieve precise topstitching on a quilted table runner, enhancing its visual appeal.

The Creative Set Accessory Kit by JUKI provides a range of specialized presser feet and accessories to elevate your sewing projects. These presser feet open up endless creative possibilities, from appliqué and cording to pearl attaching and topstitching. Incorporate these accessories into your sewing projects and bring your unique ideas to life. Unleash your creativity and let the JUKI Creative Set inspire your sewing journey!

Stay tuned for a future JUKI Tip to showcase these accessories!

JUKI Posts, JUKI Spotlight

National Account Spotlight: Creating with Grome’s Sewing Center

by sewinwithjukiLeave a Comment on National Account Spotlight: Creating with Grome’s Sewing Center

Join us in meeting Hannah, daughter of Cyndi Grome, one of the operators of Grome’s Sewing Center located in Austin, Texas!

Keeping San Antonio in Stitches Since 1950 Grome’s Sewing Center is so passionate about helping sewists like you create their dream projects! At Grome’s Sewing Center, they want their customers to come in and feel welcomed to find the right machine for their needs, browse their machine accessories, choose your notions, and pick the perfect fabric for your designs. Follow along below as Hannah shares everything you should know before visiting!

Follow along below for the transcript version of our interview with Hanna from Grome’s Sewing Center.

Hi everyone I’m Hannah from Grome’s Sewing Machine Company in both San Antonio and Universal City Texas. Welcome!

Grome’s Sewing Machine Company is a family-owned and operated business that’s been running since 1950. My great great grandfather, Isador Grome, started Grome’s Sewing Machine Company with his son Lou Grome and then Lou brought in Richard my grandfather, and then my grandfather brought in my mom and my mom took over the business, brought in her sister Irma, and now I’m the fifth generation here at Grome’s Sewing Machine Company working here alongside my mother Cindy Grome.

What JUKI machines can a customer find at Grome’s Sewing Machine Company?

You can find a lot of great JUKI machines and accessories here at Grome’s Sewing Machine Company. We have your favorite quilting machines, like your J350, we even have the infamous TL series, which is great for bag makers and Quilters alike. We have the J150, the DX4000, DX3000 F600, so if there’s any JUKI machine that you need for your sewing needs you can come to Grome’s and you’ll know that you’ll be able to find exactly what you need. And our sales staff can help you fit into just the perfect machine for you.

We have a wide array of JUKI accessories like the JUKI quilting rulers, as well as all of the JUKI feet, and we have the extension tables, we have the thread stands, so whatever accessory that you’re looking for Grome’s has it.

What are the benefits of being a Grome’s customer?

Purchasing from Grome’s has a great amount of benefits. Not only do we service your JUKI machines here in our store with certified technicians, and technicians who’ve gone to many dealer trainings and technician trainings to know how to work your machine inside and out; we also do in-person classes. So when you purchase your machine from us we can sit down with you, make sure you know how to thread your machine, wind a bobbin, and we have classes where you can learn how to use all the decorative functions of your machine as well. It’s a really great deal!

What can customers expect to find while shopping at Grome’s?

As you can see behind me we have a beautiful selection of fabrics in-house. We also have all of your quilting, sewing, and embroidery notions. We have everything that you need to finish your products. We have all of the amazing threads that you’re going to want, we have quilting threads, embroidery threads, general sewing threads, stretch cover lock threads, serger threads, everything you can think of.

We have kits that we make here in-house as well for all of your fun projects. If you want like a three-yard fabric project we got it. If you want patterns, we got it. You want books? We got it. You want anything special order? Shoot! Give us a call, we can find it for you and try to order it. So Grome’s, we got so much and we’ve been doing this like I said for 73 years so if you’re talking about something you can rest assured we know what you’re looking for and we can help you find it.

What makes Grome’s unique?

One of the best and most unique things about Grome’s Sewing Machine Company is that we are a family business that has been passed down generation through generation. We know the ins and outs of sewing machines all the way back from when my great grandfather brought the first zigzag sewing machine to the San Antonio area from Europe. So when it comes to knowledge base we’ve got my mom, I don’t know how she does it, but she can just pull up parts out of her head like a crazy person! But she’s amazing and we have the family support and knowledge base to help you figure out if you’re having issues with your machine, we can walk you through it, we can help you solve problems, we have techniques that we’ve known because we all work together here. You know I may be the fifth generation, the youngest here, but I always bring a fun and new modern twist to maybe some of the more contemporary things that my mom brings to our table. So we’re a fun family here that has a knowledge base that just kind of blends together and helps to help you create all your beautiful projects on your JUKI machines.

Does Grome’s have a message for future customers?

Grome’s is a great place in our community to come together and sew with each other, create projects, find all of the items that you need to create your amazing beautiful designs and ideas. We are always having great classes, with great instructors and we have events all throughout the year that we just keep scheduling and scheduling and scheduling and it’s a lot of fun. We do our best to try to get the entire community involved with the multiple events that we have throughout the year. We’re always running you know sales and having just a fun time together. I mean that’s what the sewing industry is about, it’s an art, we like to have fun and create.

We would be so honored if you would come to visit us here at Grome’s or even shop with us online. We are doing so much to grow our business here in the next few years and we would love for you to join our journey and we hope to see you soon. On our social media pages we have our Facebook at Grome’s Sewing Machine or Instagram at Grome’s Sewing. We have our YouTube at Grome’s Sewing and we’re always just trying to do our best to put out so much content for you because this is what it’s all about, is serving you all and creating your JUKI projects with your JUKI machines and helping you to create even more beautiful designs, ideas, quilts, and project garments and all of such. So we look forward to seeing you soon visiting us at Grome’s Sewing Machine Company, thank you!

To learn more about Grome’s Sewing Center, visit their website here! Thank you for joining us today in getting to know Hannah from Grome’s Sewing Center. We hope you get a chance to visit the next time you’re in the area!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GromesSewingMachine

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gromessewing/

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@gromessewing

Website: https://www.gromes.com/

JUKI Posts, JUKI Spotlight

National Account Spotlight: Introducing Premier Stitching!

by sewinwithjukiLeave a Comment on National Account Spotlight: Introducing Premier Stitching!

Join us in meeting Faith, one of the operators of Premier Stitching located in Bryan, Texas!

As one of the largest sewing machine dealers in America, and with 25 years of business under their belt, Premier Stitching offers most major brands like your favorite JUKI, and a large selection of tools, notions, accessories, and fabrics for your project plans. They offer repair services, online ordering and shipping, one on one teaching and so much more! Watch below as Faith covers everything you need to know before visiting their shop.

Follow along below for the transcript version of our interview with Faith, one of the operators of Premier Stitching.

Hi, I’m Faith, and I work at Premier Stitching. We are a sewing and quilting shop here in Bryan, Texas, and we were primarily online before, but back in January, we just opened our brick-and-mortar store!

So history started with my grandpa in the 70s. He owned Singer stores, and in 87′ he decided to open his own store and run the kinds of machines he sold and who he could sell to. So then, in 99′ when my dad was working with him, they decided to start the online business, and it was called SewVacDriect, and just back in January, we actually changed our name to Premier Stitching because we stopped selling vacuums a while ago, and people would you know, ask us for vacuums all the time but we wanted to focus on the Premier Products that we sell, the quality, the customer service, and everything. We just wanted to make our name what we’re focused on.

What JUKI Machines can customers find at Premier Stitching?

So we do sell almost all the JUKI machines. In our store, we do sell all of the home machines, and online, we do have all the home machines, as well as the industrial machines, available. So if you want an industrial machine or information, you would need to go on our website, and you could call us for information. For home machines, also on our website or in our store. Accessories, we have all the accessories at our store and available on our website.

What can customers expect while shopping at Premier Stitching?

Shopping at Premier Stitching, you can expect excellent in-house customer service, on-site authorized repair technicians, a wide range of classes, and you can always trust that we will do our best to get you what you need and at the best price.

What classes are provided at Premier Stitching?

We created a class specifically for homeschool students so that they can learn how to sew, and we have one semester for beginners and we also offer a semester class for intermediate. We also have beginner sewing classes for adults and children, as well we also do summer camps for adults and children. We also have a multitude of other classes available and the calendar is on our website.

How can customers contact Premier Stitching?

If you’re ever in Bryan, stop by. We have a multitude of items that are exclusively available in our store; such as fabric, threads and notions. If you want to get in touch with us, you can visit us at our store in Bryan, located at 700 South Bryan Avenue or you can give us a call at 800-229-889 or visit us on our website, http://www.premierestitching.com.

To learn more about Premier Stitching, visit their website here! Thank you for joining us today in getting to know Faith, one of the operators of Premier Stitching. We hope you get a chance to visit the next time you’re in the area!