Sewing Season you say? Isn’t everyday “sewing season”? I don’t know about where you live, but for me late fall and winter will be more of a sewing season for me than other times of the year. Since I live in north Iowa, our winters (and sometimes late fall) are snow-filled and too cold to go outside. Since fall began on Saturday, I wanted to celebrate the approaching sewing season with tips on getting ready to sew up a storm. Sit back, relax and think about some of your favorite things to do to get ready for your sewing season!
Getting Ready
Part of getting ready for sewing is making sure my sewing machine is in top shape. In fact, my machine is at the quilt shop as we speak getting it’s yearly checkup. My sewing machines have never had major problems due to these checks. So, I recommend this.
Other things to do are to clean the parts of the machine that you yourself can periodically so your machine behaves between checks.
Use the small brush that came with your machine, or improvise with a small makeup brush…. and try to avoid playing with the cat that interferes (LOL).
Never use anything sharp or stick the brush in deeper into areas you can not see. You can do some damage that way and then your machine will be in the shop for more than just a checkup!
Once you are done cleaning, follow the instructions in your owner’s manual on oiling the necessary parts. I use this oiler that came with my machine:
I generally do these two tasks each time I have to fill an empty bobbin. I don’t wait until I see the lint protruding from the throatplate or the oil light on the machine flashing. A good rule of thumb on oiling is if you sew a lot daily, oil your machine weekly.
Finally, make sure your needle is in good shape and undamaged. Don’t wait until you break a needle to change it. Damage to a needle is not visible to the naked eye, but under a microscope you can see burrs and cracks. It can also be bent. Here are some ways you can tell you need to change your needle:
- If you hear a “punching” sound as your needle enters the fabric.
- Your top thread keeps breaking.
- You see snags in the fabric you are piecing.
- You can see the holes where the needle entered.
Needles are relatively cheap. Certainly cheaper than fabric and thread, so keep that needle new as often as possible so you’re not wasting thread or damaging your fabric.
Get the Fabric and Sewing Area Ready
First up, make sure your sewing and cutting areas are free of clutter. There are times areas of my cutting table has looked like this:
Yikes! That will definitely get in the way of laying out fabric to cut. Before cutting into that precious fabric, sort and organize this mess. Cut strips from pieces of fabric that are less than an 1/8 yard and fold and store 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and full yardage where it belongs. I use tubs for smaller cuts and fold 1 yard and larger cuts folded on shelves or on hangers to hang in a closet if you don’t have shelves.
Get Tools Ready
Now that your sewing area and cutting mat are cleared of clutter, it’s time to get the sewing tools ready.
First up, clean your cutting mat. Residue can build up on the mat’s surface that can interfere with fabric you are currently cutting. Here’s some cleaning tips:
- You can remove bits of fabric fiber that get caught in cuts in your mat by rubbing a gum eraser (artist’s eraser) over sections you have just used to cut. You can also use a soft toothbrush. Make sure it’s soft so you don’t damage your mat.
- You can also remove bits of fiber or lint from the surface by wrapping your hand in packing tape and lightly running it over the mat. Or use a lint roller that you use to remove pet hair from clothing.
As far as usage of your mat goes, try not to continuously cut in the same place when you are cutting fabric. These mats are self-healing but they do wear out. To get your mat to last as long as possible rotate your mat often to avoid cutting in the same place. Some mats are even double sided so if yours is, flip it occasionally and use the other side.
Next thing to get ready is your rotary cutter. The main thing here is to make sure you have a fresh blade. The blade might look good to the naked eye, but if you feel like you have to press down hard to cut through all the layers of fabric, it’s time to change the blade. Also, if you notice “skips” in the cutting, that’s another sign that your blade is dulling. This also helps in keeping you safe as you cut. A dull blade can lead to cutting accidents.
Finally, make sure your rulers are ready to use and easy to grab while you are cutting. I hang my rulers by my cutting table:
If you don’t have a hanging space by your table, consider a ruler holder that sits on your table. Also make sure your rulers do not have chips or rounded corners. This can lend to you making cutting mistakes.
Wow! Now that you have done this, you are ready to pull out your fabric and pattern and get started. Share with me some of your tips on getting your sewing area prepared and you will be entered into a drawing for my quilt pattern, Reunion.
The drawing will be on Monday, October 2nd. Good luck! ** We have a winner! Congrats, Mary Markert!**
Happy Quilting!
Deanne
I like to check and see if I need a get a new seam ripper as they get dull.
Cherie, yes, they do get full. Cheers!
For sure!
Check that tension is accurate after cleaning.
Very good point.
Chenille pipe cleaners work well to help clean lint from your machine. They bend & the fuzz catches lint. Tweezers with bent ends can add in cleaning lint.
Good idea. I have used a tweezer to grab a piece of fuzz that I see caught in the bobbin area.
For me it helps to put everything back in its proper place. Simple, but sometimes I just need to follow my own advice!
Keep a small ruler, pencil and sticky notes handy to your sewing machine to draw lines, or measure seam allowances, add notes to blocks, etc.
Goog idea!
Music is a must for me, always need good tunes as a backdrop.
That’s a great backdrop. My go to is old movies on TCM or HGTV shows.
Fall and winter are definitely my go to seasons to get in a lot of sewing, here in Wisconsin. I get everything ready, just the way you’ve stated I your blog. The other thing I do, is to try to cut out a few projects that I’m going to be sewing. Put everything I need, fabric, pattern, thread, all in a project box and labeled. This way, I can just pick them up and sew!
I like that preparation. Then you can just grab a project box and get to work. You’ll also have an instant project if you go to a quilt retreat.
When sewing from my stash, I always try to make sure that I have all the fabrics I’ll need for the project before I start sewing. Sounds like common sense but I learned from past experience to do this!
That’s a good plan. Also making sure you have enough of each fabric, since fabrics often sell out and the one you need is not at the store anymore. I’ve had that happen.
Position a small box or basket next to your cutting table. Cut an additional 2 1/2 inch strip from each of your extra fabric choices for one project to use in another project. It is fun to have precuts at the ready for a second project.
Good idea! My problem is putting them away right away. That’s how I end up with that pile on my cutting table. LOL!
i have organized all my sewing machine parts in small drawers (clear plastic makeup drawers) I have all my feet broken down 0-9, 10-19, 20-29 etc. Tools in another drawer and larger walking foot and BSR foot in their own drawers. Makes things so much easier to find. I use empty pill bottles to put my used needles and rotary blade in also. I use a small silicone brush to clean my cutting mats, works great and doesn’t hurt the mats.
Sounds like great organization!
After doing all of your suggestions I find a pattern or two and material that I have been wanting to do, and make myself a quilt kit. All goes in a gallon ziplock bag with a copy of the pattern. That way I can sit down and get busy.
Wish i was as organized as all of you! I am trying to get quilt tops quilted that I’ve made over the spring and summer, before starting the new projects I’m itching to start. Two down, several to go, but I do have backs and batting, so no excuses! Happy stitching to all.
I find the next project pattern and fabric, cut my pieces and have them ready to go!
pretty much the same as you but I also make sure the area is fully lighted. The oud eyes just are not what they used to be, especially on black or very dark fabrics
Everyone has shared excellent additional information. Thank you all!
Like you mentioned, I too clean off the cutting and sewing area. That large surface is too tempting to add clutter. Change needle and put on music and I’m ready to create!
I love all the ideas, just need them put into action! I love a clean space to sew on . I once heard someone say they like to cut up small pieces of all the fabrics they used to piece together a quilt to make the sleeve, then if they ever need to repair a space on the quilt, the fabric is right there in the hanging sleeve. I also love the idea of cutting leftover fabrics into 2-1/2″ strips. Thanks Mary!
Wow! Making the quilt sleeve from the leftover fabric for future repairs is an excellent idea.
I try to go through the scraps that accumulate and I think I’ll use someday and fill a bag to give to a friend who likes scrap quilts (or give to thrift shop – just not trash!). That way things look a little neater and I will NEVER miss them as I have untouched tubs of scraps for someday.