Tag: beginner quilter

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

Sew Like a Pro: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Fashion Sewist!

by sewinwithjukiLeave a Comment on Sew Like a Pro: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Fashion Sewist!

Embarking on your first clothing sewing project can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. However, it’s essential to know a few things before diving into the world of garment construction. As a beginner sewist, knowing these key concepts and techniques will set you up for success and promise a smooth sewing journey. In this blog post, we’ll explore five things every beginner should know before creating their first clothing project. Let’s begin your path to becoming a confident and skilled sewist!

Step 1: Start with Simple Patterns

As a beginner, choosing sewing patterns matching your skill level is important. Begin with simple designs that have minimal pattern pieces and straightforward construction techniques. Look for patterns labeled as “beginner” or “easy.”

These patterns often include clear instructions and diagrams to guide you through each step. Starting with simpler projects will build your confidence and help you understand the basics of garment construction before moving on to more complex designs. Some options for patterns we recommend for beginner sewists are skirts, shorts, dresses, or even bucket hats!

Beginning with projects that are easier to create will set you up for success! Remember, it’s okay to start small. You don’t have to make a whole outfit for your first project! Check our simple and fun pattern options you can try on our project page here.

Step 2: Take Accurate Body Measurements

Before starting any clothing project, taking accurate body measurements is crucial. Measurements serve as the foundation for choosing the correct pattern size and ensuring a proper fit. Use a flexible measuring tape to measure your bust, waist, hips, and other relevant areas, following the pattern’s measurement guide.

If you’ve never measured yourself before for clothing, refer to online tutorials or sewing books for guidance on how to take accurate measurements. Remember, a well-fitting garment begins with precise measurements! Make sure to have a measuring tape and some fabric chalk to mark your spots when you’re ready.

Another great way to get measurements is by using pieces in your wardrobe that you already love and following their style and sizing.

Step 3: Understand Fabric Selection

Choosing the suitable fabric is vital to the success of your clothing project! As a beginner, it’s best to start with fabrics that are easy to handle, like using cotton or linen. These fabrics are stable, have minimal stretch, and are forgiving when it comes to sewing mistakes. Consider the fabric’s weight, drape, and care instructions before creating your project.

Make sure to note down any recommended fabric types mentioned in the pattern instructions. The recommended fabric is because the project’s final look might be for outdoor weather needs, additional stretch, or even more flow! Remember how you want the final outcome to look will influence what fabric you’ll create with.

Additionally, prewash and press your fabric before cutting to avoid shrinkage or distortion after sewing!

Step 4: Master Basic Sewing Techniques

Before tackling a clothing project, familiarize yourself with essential sewing techniques! Take some time to practice straight stitching, backstitching, and pivoting at corners on pieces of fabric you plan to create your project with. This way, you can familiarize yourself with the weight of the fabric and the speed you feel comfortable stitching.

Learn how to sew darts, gather fabric, insert zippers, and sew seams with different seam finishes. Knowing these techniques before you start the project will help the process go smoother, allowing you to add embellishes like a dress zipper closure or a button on the cardigan you’ve designed.

Understanding these basic techniques will ensure your garment’s construction is sturdy and professional-looking. Use online tutorials, sewing books, or even take a beginner sewing class at your nearest JUKI dealer for hands-on experience and guidance.

Step 5: Pay Attention to Finishing Details

Attention to detail will elevate any project you create as a sewist. Depending on the fabric and your machine’s capabilities, take the time to finish your seams neatly, either through zigzag stitching, serging, or French seams. Press your seams as you go, use a steam iron, and achieve a polished and professional finish. Consider using interfacing on collar or cuff areas for added stability. Remember, the small finishing details significantly impact the overall look and longevity of your new closet piece.

If you’re a beginner sewist venturing into the world of clothing projects, understanding these key concepts will set you up for a journey of joy. Start with those simple patterns, learn and practice taking accurate body measurements, learn how to select appropriate fabrics, master those basic sewing techniques, and take the time to add those finishing details.

With these things in your pocket, you’ll be well on your way to creating beautiful, well-fitting clothing pieces you’ll love. Enjoy the process, embrace the learning curve, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Happy sewing, and may your first clothing project be the start of a rewarding sewing journey!

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!

JUKI Posts, JUKI Spotlight

National Account Spotlight: Visiting McDougal Sewing Center

by sewinwithjukiLeave a Comment on National Account Spotlight: Visiting McDougal Sewing Center

Join us in meeting Dan and Karen Welch, owners and operators of McDougal Sewing Center located in Katy, Texas!

With 4,000 sq. ft. in their main store and five stores located within Jo-Ann Stores, Dan and Karen have worked hard to honor Bob McDougal’s, Dan’s grandfather’s, legacy. Striving to introduce the newest in sewing and embroidery innovation to their customers, join us below to learn more about the products, expertise, and instruction available at their shops today!

Follow along below for the transcript version of our interview with Dan and Karen Welch, owners of McDougal Sewing Center.

Hi, I’m Karen Welch with McDougall Sewing Center and I’m Dan Welch with McDougall Sewing Center as well. We’ve been in the business a long time. Why don’t you tell them the history of our business? The history of the business, my grandfather Bob McDougall, started the company in 1940. As a kid growing up I came in and messed all the machines up and I started full-time in 1976, so been in the business a few years and I worked with the family for 18 years before getting the blessing to use the biggest asset we have, which is the McDougall name, and was able to, with family support, use that name and Karen and I opened up out in Katy Texas in 1993 and we’ve been expanding and growing ever since.

She started with me full-time by 1995 so tell people I am the boss and I have her permission to say so. That’s correct, that’s correct. Basically, when we got married, we’ve been married since 1981 so 42 years, when we got married I asked if it is a prerequisite that I sew and he said oh no, well guess what, he lied. So I’ve been doing this a long time as well; so it was not my life’s work to do but it’s been a good life’s work.

When did McDougal start carrying JUKI machines?

We’ve had the JUKI’s for approximately, oh I don’t even know, about eight years, eight or nine years now. We’ve had the JUKI product and they work out of the box that’s the good thing with the JUKI product. When you open it up out of the box there’s no major or minor adjustments to be done it works out of the box.

What JUKI machines can a customer find at McDougal?

We sell the QVP series of the JUKI machine so they are sewing machines and sergers, and then, of course, we sell the eight-needle Sai and we’ve had good luck with them. They’ve been workhorses, they’ve been well received by our customers, so I think it’s been it’s been a good experience for us. And because we very seldom get complaints with JUKI and I will say that that’s one of the things that we like to promote is when you become a customer at McDougall’s and you purchase a machine from us you become a part of the McDougall family and you get what we call the McDougal advantage, and basically that’s going to be you get unlimited assistance, you get free scheduled classes, you get a one-year dealer warranty which includes a first-year free service and we’re here to support you so that’s part of it and we have authorized repair people so it’s been it’s been a good experience for us.

What benefits and extras does McDougal offer?

We do have a service technician that has been with us, he said it was 1981, so he’s been with us, the Bob McDougall company, and then with McDougall sewing center, he has been with us for 42 years so he’s our lead technician. Then we have two other technicians and they do a good job with keeping up and having the product available. We do, like Karen said, offer additional events and different programs, classes. I know we’ll take some video of different projects going on with using the machine and all the decorative stitches and all the optional accessories that are available. JUKI product is very good with coming with a full set of accessories however there’s more than one size of roll timber. For example, we stock those, there are literally a wall full of different accessories that we show you how to use and have classes, and you bring your machine in.

Our classes are hands-on, you come in and use the machine, use your machine, in our class so there isn’t any guesswork when you get home. You know how to make a quilt block using the different accessories and we have a class, where it is very popular that we repeat a lot, and it’s called foot fetish and it’s using all the accessories that comes with your machine. Rebecca Joseph, our lead educator, has been with us for four years, four or five years, since she and her husband came back from Saudi Arabia, their stent in Saudi Arabia, and she has always been in the sewing machine industry, as well her father was in the industry, and had numerous stores around the Houston metropolitan area as well.

What do you see for the future of Mcdougal?

The future of McDougall’s, Karen and I are getting up to the age where looking at you know what it would really love to be retired. However, we want to keep the family tradition going. We have two kids and they went different ways. We worked them pretty hard as kids, so they decided to go to other options. They wanted Saturday off and being in retail you just don’t get Saturdays off, you work, that’s you know most time that’s our busiest day. So the future of McDougall you know still looks bright, we have no plans of closing. We will be here to continue to support the end consumer and support our customers and employees as well.

How can customers contact McDougal Sewing Center>

There’s numerous ways that you can get in touch with us here at McDougall Sewing. We have an 800 number which is 800-FUN-2SEW we also put out a monthly flyer that has our specials for the month along with coupons you can check our website which is www.McDougalSewing.com and see all of the products that we offer, all the classes that we have, all the specials that we have, and the upcoming events. We have a lot of upcoming events, we try and do them at least two a quarter. We do have a Facebook page as well so we post pictures of all the classes that we have on our Facebook. So those are some ways that you can contact us and we would love to talk to you and have you come by and visit with us, you don’t have to buy anything you can just come say hi that’s fine we would love to have you come by!

Thank you!

To learn more about McDougal Sewing Center, visit their website here! Thank you for joining us today in getting to know Dan and Karen Welch, owners of McDougal Sewing Center. We hope you get a chance to visit the next time you’re in the area!

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

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