All posts in: Sergers

Treat your halloweener to a homemade costume (or trick everyone into thinking you did)

Home & Garden
By Malorie Sellers on October 9, 2012 in

When I was younger, October marked the annual craft store trip with mom to flip through the giant pattern books--and narrow down my top choices for that year's Halloween costume. Playing dress-up was fun--but watching mom work away at the sewing machine to create a costume just for me was always magical. From pirates, to pumpkins, to Jasmine, my favorite Disney Princess, each year produced as many fond memories as it did sugar highs. Whether you're looking to start a similar Halloween costume-making tradition with your children or just hoping to make a killer party outfit, here are a few of our favorite sources of inspiration. Of course, if you don't have the necessary equipment, you'll want to start here, with our reports for best sewing machines and sergers. And if you're really behind the ball, invest in a garment steamer to ensure that the pre-packaged costume you buy from the drug store has a more polished look.

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Ho-hum holiday prices on sewing machines: Here's the scoop

Home & Garden
By Christine Frietchen on November 19, 2011 in

Brother LS2300PRW

If you're thinking of buying a sewing machine for a young Project Runway fan, the holidays are usually a good time to snag a deal. That's not really the case this year. Whereas last year saw sewing machines featured in half a dozen Black Friday circulars, only a handful are offered this year. Since so many sewing machines are made in Thailand, I suspect that this year's flooding in that country may be affecting inventory (I've got calls in to Singer and Brother to find out). But in the meantime, if a sewing machine is on your list, here's what looks best among the slim pickings. Read more

Read this if you know what a serger is

Home & Garden
By Christine Frietchen on March 19, 2011 in

Brother 1034D serger

Okay, if you're not already a sewing nerd, you can probably stop reading right now. But if you've been longing for a 2-3-4 thread overlock machine with a differential feed, a safety stitch and possibly coverstitch ability, get ready to geek out. For sewing neophytes (or husbands trying to buy their wives one of these things for Mother's Day), serger sewing machines create the loopy seam finish you see covering up the raw fabric edges of seams inside garments. But aside from finishing seams so the fabric doesn't fray, you can also use a serger for sewing stretch fabrics, creating decorative roll hems (handy for items like napkins and placemats), or creating a ruffled or "lettuce" edge -- fun for creating frilly girls' dresses, doll clothes or costumes. Read more

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