Here is a quick peek at my current project that is taking me forever to complete.
I really made some rookie mistakes and I think that I was just in a hurry to sew something. This is Simplicity 9384. I am using this fabric, purchased in 2014 from Sew Much Fabric. This is a double knit and I remember seeing so many people making garments from it and of course I jumped on that buying spree. Obviously, I did not make what I had planned which was a dress for work. Don't need dresses so it becomes a top without the hoodie. I will share more about my sewing issues with this project.
I wanted to give a brief update on using my new Singer sewing machine, Quantum Stylist 9960 for this project.
The machine is a quiet one and the stitches sewed great on this heavier, hefty fabric. The machine is computerized yet there are buttons to push to make changes to the stitch being used. With my touchscreen machine that died, I find I want to touch the screen but that is not how it works. There are numerous buttons and they have various purposes, so I am having to refer to the manual to make sure I am using the right button.
One feature I love is the automatic thread cutting. There is a button with a scissor above it. When you stop sewing and are ready to remove the fabric, click that button and it cuts both top and bottom threads. I am beginning to use that frequently. It saves some sewing time.
The extension table that came with the machine works great and is much needed for sewing fabric. The light is bright. And I had a standing floor lamp that became the standing sewing light because you need good lighting and my other light is placed near the serger and cover stitch machines.
The only negative for me is the basting stitch. It requires lowering the feed dogs and using a darning foot. You sew a stitch then you have to move the fabric before it makes another stitch. I am getting a rhythm with this but I am not fond of it.
I knew when I purchased it that it was not one of the high-end machines yet it is doing well so far with sewing a hefty fabric with great stitches.
My sewing room is not what I want or plan for it to be. It is workable and I was wanting to sew something as it has been a while since I sewed. I will do a post in the future of the room once I finally get rid of clutter.
More to follow about the Simplicity top soon.
I'm glad you mostly like your new machine. That basting stitch sounds like it's intended for basting quilts, not for garment basting where you follow a seam line and try it on.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct about the basting for quilts. I switched to lengthening the stitch and use that for basting.
DeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts on the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 and your latest sewing adventure with Simplicity 9384. Your post shows that patternmaking for fashion design can be both fun and rewarding. I love your honesty about the challenges—those Singer machine features sound like fantastic additions! Keep it up!
ReplyDelete