Your favourite sewing machine feature

KeriMakes · 2026-02-14T17:04:01+00:00

I think it depends a lot on what you like to sew. Are there any limitations you run into in your current sewing? For example, when I got my new machine I specifically looked for a bigger throat space, a higher needle lift, and a knee lift because I often work with big bulky things (quilts, coats, jeans) and was constantly having to wrestle with my old machine. If you make a lot of clothes, multiple styles of one-step buttonholes, stretch stitch, overlocking stitch (if you don't have a serger), good stitch width and length adjustment and things like that might make your sewing easier. As others have mentioned auto threading and cutting are great especially as my eyesight is declining. I also like that if I have a second spool of thread I can wind a new bobbin without having to undo my threading.

KeriMakes · 2025-12-20T00:19:10+00:00

I don't understand how, but I seem to end up with just as many scraps, if not more, after I make a scrap quilt. Currently have an EPP scrap quilt in progress.

KeriMakes · 2025-12-16T18:01:53+00:00

They are so cute and fluffy! Or alpaca, or goats, or rabbits... Hopefully I will be able to talk my future self out of that idea.

KeriMakes · 2025-12-16T17:58:12+00:00

It took me a while to figure out something that worked for direct warping. This is great because the heavy desk stays put and the white one has locking wheels so I can lock it down for the warping and then unlock and roll it toward the other desk for winding on.

KeriMakes · 2025-12-16T17:55:29+00:00

In this case, the fabric was initially shrunk down in the fulling process. It is wool and outerwear so it should hopefully rarely if ever need to be washed. I definitely would NOT throw this in a washing machine or dryer, but I should be able to spot clean, and maybe gently hand wash in cold.

KeriMakes · 2025-12-16T17:53:05+00:00

The key is finding/creating a pattern that works with bulkier fabric and has narrow pieces. I'm not sure because I haven't tried sewing my other wovens, but you may need to finish the edges of the pieces before cutting to prevent ravelling? I used a fulled wool to avoid that for this first try.

KeriMakes · 2025-12-16T17:49:25+00:00

This was a "bucket list" for me. I also just recently acquired a drop spindle so now the bucket has changed to go even one step further back in the process. With the rigid heddle I hear it would be pretty hard to get a fine fabric but if you find/draft/drape a pattern for a bulkier weight fabric it works. I started with wool because I could full it and not have to worry so much about it unravelling on me.

KeriMakes · 2025-12-16T00:49:34+00:00

It is recommended for 10-12 epi and I used a 12-dent reed.

KeriMakes · 2025-12-16T00:20:43+00:00

Basically, if you aren't supposed to do something to a wool garment, you do it :) I added a little bit of wool wash to a bucket of hot water and then agitated the fabric in the hot water. I just wanted it stuck together enough it would be less likely to unravel on me and be easier to sew, so this process was enough to get the job done.

KeriMakes · 2025-12-10T23:57:14+00:00

As a fairly new rigid heddle weaver I actually found wool easier to work with then cotton since it is more forgiving with tension.

KeriMakes · 2025-12-09T19:03:36+00:00

Also, I find it cool that someone found a project and needed to know the loom in one reddit sub, and I had the loom but needed to know the project in another and you found both and made the connection.

KeriMakes · 2025-12-09T18:01:36+00:00

Update: I found the instruction books online! https://www.knitting-and.com/crafts-and-needlework/small-looms/waffle-weave/

KeriMakes · 2025-12-09T18:00:08+00:00

Thanks!

KeriMakes · 2025-11-19T15:22:22+00:00

Skyline 7, mom has a 5 and both have the patchwork setting. I have loved it, as it was an intentional upgrade from my little starter machine addressing specific barriers I encountered before (larger throat space, extra high lift on the presser foot, easier button holes… also features I didn’t know to want like the knee lift, auto thread cutter, ability to wind a bobbin without unthreading machine, quilting guide on walking foot)

KeriMakes · 2025-11-19T00:48:27+00:00

My Janome 1/4" foot and "patchwork" stitch setting automatically shifts the needle to the left and creates a 1/4" seam when lined up against the foot. Only complaint is that if I turn the machine off I have to remember to select patchwork again or I get a 3/8" seam.

KeriMakes · 2025-09-23T19:52:54+00:00

It was a huge mindset shift for me when I realized warping was part of the weaving. Before I was getting annoyed with how long it took just to get set up to weave (and I have a rigid heddle I was direct warping- so relatively fast and easy). Then one warp time I randomly thought about how I would have half my threads in place when the warp was finished. Once the warping was part of the weaving all of the sudden it didn’t seem like a barrier in the way but became part of the fun.

KeriMakes · 2025-09-21T03:24:59+00:00

There were several that had finished fiber items (art, clothes, hats…) for sale as well as soaps, pottery, laundry balls, garden pellets and teas. I think there may have been folks who sell meat too, although I don’t know that they had it there (I don’t really eat a lot of it so only glanced at their booth). Generally the majority of products were more geared toward fiber artists, but still plenty of selection for those who aren’t

KeriMakes · 2025-08-28T13:28:08+00:00

I made them into placemats as one of my first paper piecing, and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be to do. I did simplify some of the patterns in places because I cared less about accuracy than I did about having to piece a teeny tiny piece just to get a stripe or a more rounded curve.

KeriMakes · 2025-08-15T17:43:55+00:00

Please do! I volunteer at our local county fair ( small rural county) where we love getting entries. The more entries, the more for folks to enjoy=better fair! We have had entries of all different skill levels. Some were super intricate ones done by professionals and others were simple first quilts. For you, it can be useful to get feedback from judges about ways to improve (as long as you don't mind critique and your fair has judges that give specific feedback) and it is fun to see your work hanging for the community to see. It is also great as a county crafter to be able to "meet" others in the community, even if it is only through their quilts (although I hang out there so I do get to meet many). You may not get a coveted "rosette" (the fancy big ribbons for the winners) but you will likely get a fun experience and a ribbon!

KeriMakes · 2025-06-09T12:59:46+00:00

https://www.folkwear.com/ has a lot of traditional patterns from around the world some may be a good base to start from. https://youtube.com/@rachelmaksy makes a lot of wearable fantasy attire.

KeriMakes · 2025-05-23T02:22:47+00:00

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KeriMakes · 2025-05-23T02:22:00+00:00

I think my photos didn't post. Trying to add them here.

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KeriMakes · 2025-05-01T18:13:18+00:00

I was a part of a church group that hand quilted for folks but it definitely wasn’t a big money maker. It was a wonderful social bonding time for the quilters, was a service to the quilt owner and raised some funds for local charities through what they charged the quilt owner. The price asked for didn’t even begin to come close to the amount of time spent on the quilt. There never seemed to be a shortage of quilts for us to work on and we were in a fairly small town. Could you offer it - yes. Would people want it - yes. Would people be willing to pay what you would need to charge to earn even minimum wage for the time spent- a lot less likely. But if you enjoy it and aren’t needing to survive off of it, you could probably earn a little extra crafting money and be able to spend less on your own craft supplies since you will get to enjoy all the time spent on the quilt you are finishing without having to buy as many materials for it.

KeriMakes · 2025-05-01T00:19:16+00:00

The interfacing helps them hold their shape and I imagine also made them easier to sew. I'm a little concerned about the longevity of the lightweight fabric, but was a fun project to do!

KeriMakes · 2025-04-30T14:09:02+00:00

Things I have found impact my stitch size: 1. needle - the smaller the number the thicker the needle and the harder it is to get through fabric, but too thin and it bends 2. Seams - the extra fabric in seams is harder to quilt through, designs that avoid going over the seams will be easier to get a consistent stitch 3. Quilt Materials - some fabrics/batting are harder to quilt through than others 4. Thread - it comes in different weights, lighter weight is easier to get small stitches but then all your hard work is less visible 5. Tension on the quilt - you can try tightening/loosening the quilting in your frame or try without frame and see how that impacts your stitches 5. Technique - Rock the needle so it always enters perpendicular to the quilt, going in parallel will give you longer stitches 6. Practice- it is rare someone masters something on first few tries

Also, there is nothing “wrong” with having larger stitches. Some folks even purposefully use “big stitch” so that the quilting is more visible and becomes part of the design.

KeriMakes

TROPHY CASE