May
17
Sew Arty … Bringing Banksy Back?!
May 17, 2012 | Comments Off
It seems we aren’t the only ones preparing our bunting for the Jubilee celebrations … this young child has popped up with his sewing machine crafting some Union Jack bunting on the wall of a street in London.
Earlier this week, this very ordinary high street awoke to find the graffiti fairy had made a special visit that night, transforming the bare wall to a new hot tourist destination. It has also caused quite a stir in the media, social and art world, igniting speculation over who did the work and what it relates too.
The question is: is this the latest work of British street artist Banksy?
There are a lot of tell-tale signs to immediately associate it to the typical kind of works famously known of Banksy across the world…The distinctive stencilling technique strategically placed and composed that subjectively offers a social commentary to the more thoughtful viewer!
Whoever the “spray and run” piece belongs to we just love it … we love art, we love sewing, we love sewing machines and we love Toyota Home Sewing!!
May
11
Troubleshooting Basics – Doesn’t rotate
May 11, 2012 | Comments Off
Out of all the faults that may happen to you whilst sewing, this may well be the most frustrating: when it just won’t sew!! The noise and the sudden stubbornness of the machine acting like a tantrum toddler often make us think it is something severe & expensive to fix. However, the chances are, you will avoid this problem if you take care of your machine by cleaning regularly and here is a basic rundown of why it may happen, and ways to prevent or resolve it if it does …
This may be because the:
- The machine is not turned on properly
- Thread is tangled in the hook
- A broken needle is hiding in the hook
You could fix this by:
- Turning the machine off and on
- Ensuring the power plug is connected properly
- Cleaning the hook
- Taking out the bobbin & removed any trapped thread
If you need help on doing any of the above, refer to your Instruction Manual or download one here.
If you have any more advice to add to this, would like any more help or simply want to share your experience … come and visit our Facebook page and let us know your thoughts!!
May
2
Troubleshooting Basics – Missed Stitches
May 2, 2012 | Comments Off
Missed Stitches:
Most of us use a sewing machine to add a professional finish to the things we create, so, when stitches are skipped, we have every right to be frustrated. However, most of the time the blame lies with us, so the secret is to try & do things correctly to prevent it from happening again, and quickly rectify it when it does. Here is a basic rundown of why it may happen, and ways to prevent or resolve it if it does …
This may be because the:
- Needle is incorrectly installed
- Needle is bent
- Needle is old
- Needle and thread are not appropriate for the fabric
- Upper thread is not correctly thread
You could fix this by:
- Installing the needle correctly
- Checking the needle is not bent, and replace
- Ensuring the needle & thread are appropriate to the fabric
- Threading the upper thread correctly
If you need help on doing any of the above, refer to your Instruction Manual or download one here.
If you have any more advice to add to this, would like any more help or simply want to share your experience … come and visit our Facebook page and let us know your thoughts!!
Apr
25
Troubleshooting Basics – Broken Needle
April 25, 2012 | Comments Off
Broken Needle:
Whether you’re a learner or an expert, these things can happen to all of us at some point within our sewing lifetime. However, it’s usually easily solved & fixed…Check out our points below that may help solve a) why it happened in the first place and b) how to help prevent it in the future!!
This may be because the:
- Needle is incorrectly installed
- The needle clamp screw is loose
- The needle is too fine for the cloth
- The tension of the upper thread is too tight
- The fabric is being pulled too strongly
- The bobbin case is not in the correct position
You could fix this by:
- Installing the needle correctly
- Firmly tightening the screw
- Checking you are using a needle appropriate to the fabric
- Adjusting the thread tension
- Checking you are not pulling the fabric too strongly
- Ensuring the bobbin case is in the correct position
If you need help on doing any of the above, refer to your Instruction Manual or download one here.
If you have any more advice to add to this, would like any more help or simply want to share your experience … come and visit our Facebook page and let us know your thoughts!!
Apr
18
Sew Soul Mates
April 18, 2012 | Comments Off
We stumbled across a great video that features a trustworthy senior Toyota Sewing Machine at work by a senior American Engineering Professor and thought it fitted in well with our recent blog … It supports our theory that the use of correct TLC and maintenance can see your machine sticking around for as long as you!!
(Click Here to the Toyota Sewing Machines cameo on this short video.)
Rene Coté, known by his students as “Grampa” because of his personable and friendly nature, is an Engineering Professor at TCU. He runs his own small in-home embroidery business designing and making t-shirts, hats and polos for his colleagues and students. He creates the customised items all on his loyal Toyota Sewing Machine that he’s been using for over 20 years!! … We guess he’s a man that knows a thing or two on how to look after your sewing machine and keep it running well!!
“Sometimes you have to think like a machine.” says Coté
It seems Coté’s sewing machine really has become his best friend, and they both seem well suited to each other don’t you think?! And that got us thinking … ”Do sewing machines reflect our personalities in some way?!” and “Does everyone have a “soul mate” sewing machine?”
I’ve recently purchased a beautiful new Purple/Gold Toyota Design for Living number that is definitely my soul mate … but I wonder what this says about me??!!
Thanks goes to TCU News where the article was spotted
Apr
12
Sewing Machine Feet – The Basics
April 12, 2012 | Comments Off
Sewing with machines can be as complex as you choose to make it; the key is to start by knowing the basics and then get “hands on”!! Understand what you want to achieve, what best methods/equipment to use for that and treat it a bit like the concept of driving – “learning by doing”!! Everyone has a personal style and it’s great to throw yourself into that and impress yourself with your results, but the basics are essential to taking care of your machine (and mind)!!!
Below you’ll find some general advise on sewing machine accessories to help build up your knowledge of what’s available:
To achieve the correct measurements, quality and finish to a buttonhole – this foot is a must have in any sewing box! It saves time and creates a neat, professional look. With buttons being the key to completing any item (both aesthetically and practically) this really is an aid not to be missed.
Perfect for creating decorative stitches and embellishments. I love using this foot; it can transform an old tired piece (clothing/cushions/cards) to a completely contemporary feel or even give an item a more classic transformation. It becomes so personal-it is a tool that never tires me to use. You can sew to a design or just really go with the flow and rhythm of the machine.
Used for straight stitch work such as top stitching, seaming, quilting. Therefore it becomes a highly used, essential tool. It provides a great finish as it allows excellent fabric control when working with very fine material through to heavy fabric.
Like many of the feet the name describes this item exactly – a stitch that you can’t see the hem!! It is a more formal finish, extremely professional and yet so simple. Hand sewing takes time that most of us do not have so this foot makes the desirable result easily achievable with your machine!!
Also known as the all-purpose foot, as this is perfect for most utility stitching and other standard functions. It is a great accessory to have on hand as a back-up foot. It has the benefit of a three needle position – centre, left and right and allows control but movement whilst feeding.
This is designed for installing zips accurately; the design of the foot allows the needle to stitch closely to the item. It is also a must when piping with cord.Remember as well as new creations – Zips can be added to renovate old items (clothing and furnishings) to resize or even just bring them to trend!!
**If you know you are sewing a specific project or have a preferred method it is definitely worth taking a look into the ready to go Footwork Kits available by Toyota (ie “Footwork Kit Denim/Jean”) that make it simple to get started!!**
Apr
12
Sewing Machine Maintenance – The Basics
April 12, 2012 | Comments Off
As we all know, sewing machines need looking after, a bit of TLC and regular servicing; after all they are no stranger to the popular concept “for life, not just for Christmas (or birthdays)”!
It’s so common these days that people quickly loose the maintenance momentum that comes with the excitement of a shiny new machine but slowly start to neglect the sewing machine’s needs. My Grandma had the same sewing machine from the start of her sewing career and passed it down to me in great working order. However, without taking care of it and treating it as the delicate piece of machinery that it is she would never have seen it last so many decades.
When you invest in a sewing machine, or any other piece of equipment for that matter, you want it to last as long as possible! And so we want to help you maximise your machine’s performance and efficiency whilst saving you time, frustration and money as repairs not only usually end up being costly but they typically crop up at the worst of times, like mid project, and could have been prevented with following our simple tips and trouble-shooting! And the best thing is, for the majority of repairs all you will need is your regular toolbox!!
To start; our MUST basics …
- Know the make and model of your specific sewing machine.
- Treat your machine with respect. Keep it clean and brush it down regularly.
- Use the recommended sewing machine bobbins, sewing threads, and needles for your sewing machine.
- Keep your sewing machine covered when not in use.
- Work indoors and ensure your sewing machine is on flat, sturdy surface when working.
- Do not allow young children to use your sewing machine unsupervised.
- Do not cover the air vents of your sewing machine.
- Keep your instruction manual safe, and if you don’t have one you can reprint one here.
- Change the needles often. A bent or dull needle will not only damage your fabric, but your machine as well.
- Oil your machine on a regular basis.
Apr
11
Sew Successful – Ruffles
April 11, 2012 | Comments Off
We recently recommended a simple and effective sewing idea that can be added to any sewing project to give a professional and unique look: RUFFLES!!
For anyone new to sewing or this technique, ruffles are basically strips of closely pleated fabric used mainly for trimming or decorating your fabric from flat to frilly. Thank goodness for clever people and modern technology…because now gone are the days were, to achieve this look, you’d need a good ruler, pins and a LOT of time and patience…thanks to the amazing Ruffler Foot…transforming and dramatically reducing sewing time, preparation time, (& stress levels)!! Although at first sight a ruffler may appear bulky and complicated, its innovative design actually makes it very easy to use.
The Toyota Ruffler foot is a swappable presser foot part for your sewing machine that can be used to produce pleats and ruffles for anything from home décor to clothing projects. It speeds up the process of ruffling and has the ability to be adjusted to create loose or tight ruffles depending on your project!! Once you’ve tried and tested it out we guarantee you’ll suddenly find a lot more places and ways to use and add this effect!!
We love helping and inspiring you with your Home Sewing projects and so we thought we’d talk to you in a little more detail about the accessory that makes ruffling easy and fast:
- Measure the length of fabric, remembering that a piece of fabric that has been ruffled will be shorter than it was originally (the standard rule is to cut the piece 2.5 times as long as you require)
- Your width will be dependent on whether you want a single layer, or folded/double strip (for folded strips simply add the seam allowance onto your width and multiply by two)
- Before you start sewing, and once your fabric is all cut out, press the strips
- Attach the ruffler to your sewing machine once you have removed the original presser foot
- Once the foot is secure it is recommended, and important, to test gather some practise strips on a scrap piece of fabric to get the look you want based on the look you are going for
- Insert the fabric into the machine and sit along edge *(raw side should be facing into the body of the machine – watch the demo video to show)
- Drop your needle down and start gathering *(remember to keep your fabric moving smoothly)
- To secure the stitch at the beginning or end of your sewing, you can back tack if you’re sure it is the desired effect and length, or, you can secure the thread with some fabric glue once you are happy with the adjustments
- You now have beautiful strips of ruffles or pleats to add to your projects!!
- Add length to skirts, tops or dresses that have become too short
- Add detail and texture to children’s clothing
- Add ruffle edging to curtains, pillows, lampshades
Apr
5
Sewing is SEW valuable – Upcycling
April 5, 2012 | Comments Off
The new upcycling craze everyone’s talking about…
It’s no secret that we’re passionate about Home Sewing here at Toyota, however, it seems we’re definitely not on our own because more and more of you are joining us!!
The 1950’s was the epitome of the ‘Make Do and Mend’ era forcing most households to pick up and learn sewing skills to survive the cold weather and fabric shortages, becoming a popular and enjoyable hobby. However, when the economy picked up things turned lazy and, rather than picking up a needle & thread or sewing machine to fix a missing button or turn up a pair of trousers, consumers started to bin the item and buy new rather than repair.
However, since the recession a few years ago, the humble sewing machine has been making a remarking comeback and is now, once again, a desirable accessory and we have seen a huge rise in SIY (Sew It Yourself). We may no longer be able to turn to their grandparents or mums for guidance after a skipped generation, but people are clamouring to join sewing classes and following simple tutorials online.
This time round, history is repeating itself….only just with a new name … “Upcycling” (and a new machine of course). This is basically a term given to any item that is modified to be used again and can be applied to the home, the office, your wardrobe etc!!
“It’s fun, creative and, once you get the hang of it, really not that hard!!”
If you are a beginner wanting to learn new sewing skills then you are in the right place to begin! First of all you need to choose a machine to best suit you, why not take a look at our Designs For Living ranges. This can be built up by buying our Footwork Kits & accessories as you advance and progress to always get the best results. Learning the basic skills is simple: there are plenty of introductory and advanced sewing classes in most areas and even exciting new sewing cafes, as well as our online tutorials and videos.
You can also ask us any sewing questions you have on our Twitter and Facebook pages…we love to hear from you and see what you’re making!!
Apr
4
Celebrities In The Sew Part 2 – Katherine Heigl
April 4, 2012 | Comments Off
Looks like sewing machines are still the new big thing for celebrities …
Last Monday Katherine Heigl, star of Grey’s Anatomy and Hollywood films such as 27 Dresses, followed in Katie Holmes’ footsteps and got her very own sewing machine!! Katherine was spotted testing and shopping for a new sewing machine out in Los Angeles with her family after purchasing a whole bunch of craft pieces and material. The half Irish/half German star has recently admitted on Twitter that she has suddenly become craft crazy after discovering Pinterest (haven’t we all? **Toyota Home Sewing Pinterest coming soon!!!**).
Heigl has been criticised in the past by the media for committing many fashion faux-pas, and we have all had those moments we wonder what we were ever doing, but it seems Katherine has now decided to take matters into her own hands and has a sewing machine on hand to fix any future disasters.
However, we believe the main focus of her new purchase is all for her beautiful daughter Naleigh. Just like Katie Holmes, Katherine has made it known that she intends on sewing for her daughter and it appears she has already had her first success after her husband, Josh Kelley, tweeted this last week…
“My wife… made this awesome skirt for my daughter last night… I wonder if she could make me some”.
We really love to hear about more and more celebs turning their hands to sewing and showing it to be a relaxing and pleasurable hobby for the whole family … we look forward to seeing some more of her creations and we’ll be sure to keep a close eye on her Twitter and Pinterest!!
Check out our fantastic range of sewing machines here, and you too could join in on the latest craze and create some amazing items to add to your home and your wardrobe!!
Keep your eye on our Home Sewing blog for latest sewing news and How To’s…
