Sewing Curtains For Beginners

Beginner at Sewing… recommendations on a cheap sewing machine?

Okay so I have been wanting to buy a sewing machine and start making my own stuff (nursing covers, pillows, blankets etc) I would love to buy a book on how to make lots of different things.. maybe even get crazy and make curtains.

You don’t want cheap and shoddy. Inexpensive is fine, but cheap machines just frustrate.

http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

What I want for beginners in sewing:

- a machine that doesn’t scare you
- a machine that isn’t balky (cheap new machines are often very
balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable –
just too frustrating to learn on!)
- very good straight stitch
- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
handling issues)
- accessory presser feet that don’t cost an arm and a leg
(machines that use a “short shank foot” typically handle
generic presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use
proprietary or very expensive presser feet)

If the budget stretches far enough:

- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
- a couple of decorative stitches (you won’t use them nearly as
much as you think)
- electronic machine because of the needle position control and
because the stepper motors give you full “punching force” at
slow sewing speeds — mechanical machines often will stall at
slow speeds.

Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them
to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used
machines you can afford. You’ll get a far better machine buying
used than new, and a good dealer is worth their weight in sewing
machine needles when you get a machine problem — often they can
talk you through the problem over the phone. While you’re trying
things out, try a couple of machines (sewing only, not combo
sewing-embroidery) over your price limit, just so you can see
what the difference in stitch quality and ease of use might be.
You may find you want to go for the used Cadillac. Or you might
want the new basic Chevy. Might as well try both out.

Suggested reading: John Giordano’s The Sewing Machine Book
(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles’ Fine Machine Sewing
(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
Hazen’s Owner’s Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
library.

Used brands I’d particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota

New “bargain brand” I’d probably pick, if new was my choice:
Janome (who also does Kenmore).

Making Plush Toys & Stuffed Dolls : How to Make a Stuffed Doll

Curtains for Beginners (Seams Sew Easy) $7.50

Fun & Fabulous Curtains to Sew: 15 Easy Designs for the Complete Beginner $5.94 Window treatments can play a vital role in a room’s personality—and these 15 projects are simple to make, marvelous to look at, and thoroughly up-to-date. You won’t find Grandma’s dull drapes here: The designs are clean and contemporary, employing such popular sewing techniques as exposed raw edges. With the help of an easy-to-follow and generously illustrated basics section, novices will q…

The Ultimate Curtain Book: A Comprehensive Guide to Creating Your Own Window Treatments $18.95 The best-selling comprehensive guide to creating your own window treatments. Learn to make professional-looking curtains, drapes, blinds, and valances-from choosing the best style to cutting, making, and fitting. Over 35 practical, step-by-step projects….

The Sewing Book $39.74 This is the only sewing book you’ll ever need. Every tool and every technique you require for making your own home furnishings or clothing is closely and sharply photographed, carefully annotated, and clearly explained. The Tools section begins with the basic toolkit, opening up into everything you could possibly need – every type of cutting tool and machine foot is shown. This section also incl…