Sewing - Tools and History

The practice of sewing, as in using thread and needle to attach various kinds of material, has been dated to at least 20,000 years ago. Sewing is practically a universal occurrence, and the actual beginnings of it stretch back to the beginnings of history. It predates the weaving of cloth by many centuries, and was used to stitch together hides, furs, and bark for clothing and other uses.
Early sewing needles were made from bone, wood, or natural needles taken from plants as Native Americans did with the agave plant. The earliest verified sewing needles made from iron date back to the third century B.C.E. and were found in what is now Germany. Chinese archaeologists report finding a complete set of iron sewing needles and thimbles in a tomb dating from the Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220) in China. This is the earliest known example of a thimble in history. The thimble was developed to assist early sewers to push needles through thick hides and furs, and was first made from bone, wood, leather, sometimes glass and porcelain. Later thimbles began to be made from metal, and before the 18th century dimples in a thimble had to be punched into it by hand. The thimble also became an object of beauty with thimbles made from precious and semi-precious stones, and precious metals.
The first thread was made from plant fibers and animal sinew, which was used to sew together hides and furs for clothing, blankets and shelter. Later it was found that fibers from plants and animals could be spun together to make thread. The ancient Egyptians made thread by spinning these fibers together, and devised methods of dying the thread using berries and plant matter. In China and Japan, silk fibers taken from the cocoon of the silk worm was spun to make very fine thread.
For most of the history of sewing, it was done by hand. From the simplest stitches to ornate decorative work was done with a needle, thread and a steady hand. It remained so until the first patent for a machine that "emulated hand sewing" in 1790 in England. It is not known whether there ever was a machine built from the 1790 patent.
The first functioning sewing machine was issued a patent to Barthelemy Thimonnier in France in 1830. It used a single thread and a hooked needle to make a chain stitch similar to the one used in hand embroidery. The inventor was nearly killed when enraged French tailors rioted and burned down his garment factory because they feared the machine would cause unemployment. In 1846 the American Elias Howe was issued a patent for his machine, but the mass production of the machines did not happen until the 1850's when Isaac Singer built the first truly successful sewing machine. With needle, thread, thimble and machine, the art and craft of it has not only formed items for our use and comfort. Sewing has helped form civilization itself.
Alan Beggerow is a free lance writer. Visit his writing services website, Ghostwriter, at http://www.ghostwriterboo.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Beggerow http://EzineArticles.com/?Sewing---Tools-and-History&id=841241

The Hand Sewing Needle - History and Facts

Even a small thing like a hand sewing needle has had a role in the history of humans. Some facts and history about the hand sewing needle:
The first sewing needles were made from bone and were used to sew animal hides together. The oldest known bone sewing needle was one found in what is now southwestern France and has been estimated to be over 25,000 years old.
Needles made from copper, silver and bronze were used in ancient Egypt.
The oldest iron needle known was found in what is now Germany, and dates back to the 3rd century B.C.E.
Bookbinders and shoemakers used needles made from hog bristles in the Middle Ages.
Native Americans used porcupine quills and the pointed end of agave leaves for sewing needles. The fibers of the agave leaf were also used for thread.
Metal needle making was perfected by Muslims in Spain in the 11th century. Spanish Muslims were some of the most knowledgeable medical doctors in the world at the time, and had perfected many surgical techniques that required needles for suturing.
When the Muslims were driven out of Spain in the 15th century, they took the knowledge of needle making with them to Arab lands. Muslims returned to needle making, and Arab traders took them to Europe.
Europe learned the art of needle making from Arab needle makers, and it came to England in the 17th century. Before this time, metal needles were made in Europe by the local blacksmith, and resulted in very crude needles.
The knowledge of needle making was also used to make fish hooks in England. The country became well known for high quality fish hooks as well as sewing needles in the middle of the 17th century.
Metal needles were handcrafted before the industrial age. The process began with cutting wire long enough to make two needles. Then points were ground on either end of the wire, the wire was flattened in the middle and eyes punched out. The needles were then separated. This operation is still followed today, but machines now do the work instead of humans.
Around 1850 needle making machines began producing needles and turned needle making from a cottage industry into an industry done in factories. By 1866 there were 100 million needles being made in England a year.
The English town and district of Redditch in central England became the center of the world's needle production in the 19th century. The craftsmanship of the needles made there was so great that a foreign manufacturer sent a hypodermic needle to Redditch claiming that it was smaller than Redditch needle makers could produce. The needle was sent back to the manufacturer with a needle made by Redditch craftsman so small that it fit inside the foreign manufacturer's!
Needle making is still being done in the Redditch area and other places in England.
Alan Beggerow is a free lance writer. Visit his writing services website, Ghostwriter, at http://www.ghostwriterboo.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Beggerow http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Hand-Sewing-Needle---History-and-Facts&id=1009010

Protecting and Cleaning Your Ironing Board

How do I keep fusible web or interfacing from sticking to the ironing board?

Bits of fusible web or interfacing end up getting stuck to the ironing board when pressing. To prevent these littles bits and pieces from sticking to your board, you could place several sheets of paper towels on the ironing board before fusing. If the fusible web sticks to the paper towels, no big deal; you just simply throw the paper towels away.

How do I remove fusible web and interfacing from the ironing board?

To remove the fusible web and/or interfacing from your ironing board, just lightly rub a piece of sandpaper over the cover.

Vintage Sewing Patterns

A great 1960's A-line dress ...just like the one "Jackie O' might have worn while she was at The White House. It may fit or maybe it needs to be taken in a little. The color is great but maybe a little faded in places. What's this...a small hole...maybe a moth bite?
All these things may happen if you choose to purchase a used vintage dress from your local vintage store. I love vintage clothing and vintage stores, don't get me wrong! I've spent my fair share of money in too many stores and estate sales. Is there an easier way to get this same Fab look? Maybe a less expensive way to have the great look of this same A-line 60's dress? I think I've found a way to do it!
I choose to sew my own styles! Vintage sewing patterns are the way to go to get just what you want! You get to choose the fabric, the color, the trim and the fit....and no moth bites! I know your next questions....where do you get just the right vintage sewing pattern?
There are lots of different places you can find vintage sewing patterns. The easiest way, I think, is to go online and do a search. There are many great vintage sewing pattern dealers online. The prices can range from the very affordable to the very unaffordable, depending on the dealer and the specific pattern.
Things to keep in mind if you are thinking about purchasing a vintage sewing pattern online:
1. Is this an original pattern and not a copy? You will want to get an original pattern, especially with the envelope with artwork of the front and back of the finished product.
2. Are all the pieces there? You don't want to start cutting out your pattern just to find that you are missing a sleeve or waistband! Find a website that checks all their patterns to make sure they are complete!
3. Search for your bust,waist or hip measurements...not your current size. Sizes have changed so much over the past forty years or so. A size 14 today was not a size 14 several years ago!
4. Does the website offer any shipping discounts if you purchase more than one pattern at a time? Why stop at just one pattern when there's so many vintage sewing patterns to choose from!
These are just a few of the things your should remember when choosing your vintage sewing pattern! For more information about vintage sewing patterns and vintage fashions, consider stopping by my blog, my website or my Etsy store.
Melissa Battles- http://www.sassybydesign.com/
Vintage Sewing Patterns http://www.sassybydesignblog.blogspot.com/or on Etsy - user name - sassybydesign

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melissa_Battles http://EzineArticles.com/?Vintage-Sewing-Patterns&id=2186926

Can't Find Time to Sew?

Are you having trouble finding time to sew? I'm more likely to sew if I have someone to sew with. It's the same concept as having an exercise partner. There is accountability there, and it's a lot more fun. You could set up a once-a-month crafting and sewing day with a group of friends and work on your projects together. Some could scrapbook and some could sew. You could rotate from house to house with the hostess providing the sustenance for the day or everyone could bring a treat to share. You leave having accomplished a lot and feeling energized.

Tip for Accurate Fit

Always iron your pattern pieces before pinning them to the fabric. It will make a huge difference in accuracy and fit. The pieces usually have little crinkles and folds in them. This little step is very crucial, especially if you have a fitted garment. It also makes the patterns pieces easier to work with when pinning them to the fabric. Be sure and use a dry iron on low heat.

How to Make Your Sewing Not Look Homemade

Most of us will agree that sewing your own clothes saves you money and brings great satisfaction. It is gratifying when you complete a project and can say that you sewed it yourself. But, perhaps the biggest reason most people do not sew their own clothes is because they look homemade. You start out with visions that the outfit will look exactly on you the way it looked on the pattern envelope, but when it’s finished it looks like something is missing. And, you can’t quite put your finger on what it is.
I remember, as a teenager, staying up all night to finish an outfit so I could wear something new the next day for a special event or occasion. Even though I thought I looked cute, people could tell it was homemade, the night before. The only time the iron touched it was when it was finished, and then I really ironed it… hard. I didn’t know what was missing until I stepped into a home economics sewing class, and saw a bunch of odd looking tools that I did not recognize, or know how to use.
What I learned in that sewing class was that the secret to making home sewing not look homemade was in the press…using those odd looking tools. I didn’t know that if I put off pressing the garment until completion, that it would be too late to set in the shape. I didn’t know that no matter how well I sewed, the professional look was also a result of proper pressing.
Yes, properly pressing seams as you sew actually shapes the garment and sets the stitching lines. As we all know, the body is not flat, it has curves, and using the ironing board alone will not shape the garment properly. The only way to shape your garment is by using the proper pressing equipment along with the ironing board.
If you are like me, and most home sewers, before taking a sewing class, you are also unfamiliar with specialized pressing equipment and not accustomed to using them. But, using the proper [http://www.sew-it-yourself.com/homemade.html ]sewing tools along with the proper pressing and sewing techniques makes the difference in the end result. It helps shape the fabric so it will fit the body more smoothly. Some of those odd looking pressing tools are listed below:
• Steam iron for pressing and shaping fabric and setting stitches at all stages of construction.
• Ironing board, well padded and smoothly covered in 100% cotton cover, absorbs moisture from the steam iron.
• Tailor’s ham for pressing shaped areas and curved seams.
• Seam roll, or sleeve roll, for pressing seam allowances open and pressing seams in narrow areas.
• Clapper for pressing sharp creases without it looking over-pressed.
• Wooden point presser for pressing corners and points, and pressing straight seams open.
• Press cloths for protecting the right side of the fabric during pressing.
Pressing is different from ironing. When most of us iron, we use a back and forth motion, moving the iron over the fabric. In pressing, the iron is lowered to the place to be pressed, then raised off the fabric, and moved to the next area.
Ironing board covers should be 100% cotton because the all-cotton fabric absorbs the moisture so that the fashion fabric will dry quickly. The traditional ironing covers with the reflective surface, actually reflects the steam, and may cause burn damage to some fabrics and slows down the drying process when you’re shaping with steam.
First, be sure you know the fabric content to determine the proper heat setting for the iron, then follow the techniques below as you sew your garment pieces together.
Press curved areas such as darts, hiplines, bustlines and collars over the tailor’s ham from the wrong side with the point of the dart smoothed flat over the end of the ham to shape their curve. Horizontal darts should be pressed down, and vertical darts should be pressed toward the center of the garment.
Curved seams sometimes need to be clipped slightly along the edges so they can be pressed open without puckering. Do not clip any closer to the seam than absolutely necessary to press the seam flat. Be careful not to cut pass the stitched seam.
Darts in heavy or bulky fabric will be less bulky if you slash in the middle, and then press open. Be careful not to slash so close to the point that the fabric will pull apart.
Press seams open over sleeve or seam roll from the wrong side with the tip of the iron along the stitching line to prevent the seam edges from marking or showing through on the right side.
Follow the grain line in the fabric when pressing by moving the iron in the same direction as the lengthwise yarns of the fabric. Pressing across the grain or on the bias can stretch the garment piece out of shape.
Following the above pressing and sewing techniques will help you achieve the professional-looking results every home sewer dreams of. So, instead of a homemade looking garment, proper pressing gives you professional results and garments that you’ll be proud to say… “I sewed it myself.”
Thelma Horton has a degree in Home Economics, and has taught hundreds of high school students and adults how to sew for the very first time. She has also sewn prom & wedding dresses, tailored suits and coats and altered ready-to-wear for her clients. To help others learn how to sew, she offers free tips and techniques on her website at http://www.sew-it-yourself.com/ and authors two e-books, "Sew-It Like a Pro" and "Hem-It Yourself, Hem Finishes."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thelma_Horton http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Sewing---How-To-Make-Your-Sewing-Not-Look-Homemade&id=503672

How to Buy the Perfect Sewing Machine for Your Needs

Sewing Machines can be huge investments, cost a few hundred dollars or more for the nicer models. Therefore, it is important to know what you are doing when you go to the store to purchase a sewing machine. There are countless models from which to choose, so you need to know what you're looking for in a sewing machine in order to find the best buy possible. Taking your time to find the best product for you will save you money and frustration in the end.
The first thing you want to understand when looking for a sewing machine is what you will be using this sewing machine to do. Will it be used for quick repairs on clothing? Will it be used heavily every day to help run your craft business? Find a sewing machine that is durable enough for your needs. If you will be sewing for hours every single day, you're probably better off choosing a more heavy-duty machine, even if it is a little pricier, because a less expensive machine will only break down since it is not fit for heavy use.
Next, look at the extra feature of each sewing machine you are considering. Some sewing machines have settings that allow you to control the width and kind of stitch that is made. If you'll be using your sewing machine for a variety of things, this is important for you. Also check out the foot pedal. Make sure it is comfortable and easy to use. The foot pedal should work smoothly, and you should be able to either use this pedal or a switch to backstitch easily. Check the machine to find out where all of these buttons are located.
Ask about each sewing machine's warranty as well. Like any other mechanical device, sewing machines can stop working. If this happens to you, make sure that you are covered, at least for a year or two, so you can protect your investment. Be wary if no warranty is offered at all. This is often the case in renting centers and other discount places, because the sewing machine is not brand new. If someone previously owned the sewing machine, it might have had hard-to-fix problems that will happen again when you purchase it. Proceed with caution.
The last factor is, of course, price. Stay within the budget you set for yourself, because spending too much for extra features you don't need is common among consumers. Visit stores when they are having sales, like after the holidays to find the very best deal on a sewing machine that can fit your every need.

Visit [http://www.thegreatbigcraftshop.com] TheGreatBigCraftShop.com for all your craft supplies and accessories. Both US and UK stores are available.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lorna_Findlay http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Buy-The-Perfect-Sewing-Machine-For-Your-Needs&id=519170

Disposing of Broken Needles and Pins

Here is a great tip for you: You are sewing along and you've just come across a bent pin or you broke a needle. What is a good way to dispose of those broken pins and bent needles? Well, I'm glad you asked. You know that spice jar with the shaker top that you just used the last bit of basil? Just stick the pins and needles in those nice little holes and screw the top back on. When it is full, you can throw it in the trash without the worry of one of those pins coming through your bag.

Online Sewing Books

I'm so excited about this find. http://www.vintagesewing.info/ has free online access to public domain sewing books. Every sewing topic you can imagine is covered. So, if purchasing sewing books is not in your budget, it's okay. You have any information you need right on this site. Learning to sew has never been easier between the online tutorials, online sewing books and sewing blogs that are available.

Online Sewing Videos

I found some free sewing videos that you can view online. They are tutorials that show step by step how to sew. You will learn quite a bit by watching these. http://www.sewingwithnancytv.com/ ; http://www.powersewing.com/ has three free shows; go to http://www.youtube.com/ and do a search for Shirley Adams; www.sewsing.com/singersewingblog ; http://www.sewingconnection.com/ ; and http://www.sewontv.com/ has free videos daily. You can also do a search on http://www.youtube.com/ for "sewing tutorials" and find many videos for anything from beginning sewing starting with laying out the pattern, how to read a pattern to how to do an elastic waist band, hems, set-in sleeves, piping, french seams, gathering, etc. It makes learning to sew much easier.

Introduction

Hi! I am so happy to be here. This is my first blog; so I'll be learning how to do this blogging thing as I go. My main sewing focus is clothing. Vintage clothing fascinates me. I especially love the femininity of women's fashions of past eras. I have a large collection of vintage patterns from the 1940's to the 1970's. So far I've made a 1940's dress and a dress from a 1974 pattern. I am also hoping at some point to sew something from Burda World of Fashion as well. That will be a new adventure for me. My 15-year-old daughter sews sometimes, and I am teaching my 8-year-old daughter how to sew. My 6-year-old son hand sewed a little pillow. I will also be posting their projects. I have a lot of really great sewing books I've come across; so I'll be sharing my favorites with you. I will also be sharing sewing tips with you. My vision for this blog is to capture mine and my children's sewing jouney. I also wish for this to be a place where you can learn.