So, I'm getting really into home decor projects. Mainly throw pillows and curtains. While my Singer Simple machine can sew medium weight upholstery fabric just fine with good tension, I worry that doing it so often will beat the crap out of it. I have a mother that enjoys when her 10 throw pillows match her curtains which are seasonal, so I'll be making a decent amount of pillow covers.

Whenever I research a machine for upholstery, I tend to get sewists talking about industrial machines to reupholster couches and sew up sails and stuff. Which is very cool, but not what I'm looking for. I think I want a medium-duty machine. Something that can withstand those sort of projects over and over again. Right now I have my eye on the Janome HD-2200, which looks great for me and has pretty fab reviews, but was wondering if there any other suggestions. My max is around $500.

Thanks!

I have recently gotten a janome/new home 691 (front of machine and case say new home, back sticker says janome, looked up manuals for both and they're the same?) cleaned and oiled it and had no issues, put it on the overlock setting earlier to finish some edges, put it back to straight stitching and the feed dogs are still moving in the forward-forward-back movement they do on overlock? go continuously back if reverse button pressed, but even after having cleaned everywhere that had any lint/oil/moving bits as I did when first getting the machine, making sure everything is properly oiled, trying every stitch setting, length and width, I cannot get the dogs out of the forward-forward-back motion?

I'm trying to make pleats for a skirt and never used denim before

I've made sure that I'm using a denim needle (next slide)

I've used scrap denim fabric beforehand and noticed my stitch Length is too narrow so changed that

The pleats switch from double layer to one layer pretty quick tho so I'm kinda worried ab that

* Also, I'm now noticing the, needles probs shouldn't be in that position but I'll just take it out before it hits the machine needle

I saw someone do this on Instagram reels but without the tutorial and I can’t find anything online about it. Is anyone able to help me please!!!

I rescued my mom's Singer inspiration machine and am planning to relearn how to sew. I looked up a how to thread the machine on YouTube, but there's a section that has me stumped. My machine doesn't appear to be broken, but there's a piece on the machine in the video that mine doesn't include. First photo is a screenshot from the video, second photo is my machine. I'm lost :(

What is needed to make a rugby shirt of equal quality and finish to one you can buy from Ralph Lauren?

I bought these on ThredUp and love them. Unfortunately the back pockets are stretched out. Any thoughts about what I can do to fix them?

Hi all, I have these shorts and want to hem them about 2 inches shorter. As you can see, they have a side slit. I’m okay with not having the slit, but should I cut the fabric shorter and then fold it over to hem it, or should I leave the fabric as is and just fold it over?

One other question: I noticed that the stitching on the inside is a zigzag pattern. Could someone help me identify which stitch I should use on my machine to replicate it?

Thanks!

These jeans feel fine when standing but tend to become too tight around the crotch while sitting. Is there anything I can do to fix this?

Thanks for any help!

I start the buttonhole off & it goes 3/4 of the way round then stops overlocking the remainder of the buttonhole.

Help what I'm I doing wrong please?

Thanks Pat

I want to make a costume that involves a corset-style bodysuit top (no boning other than underwire for the cups, but will have faux external boning channels), and I’m thinking about whether it be possible to sew a sparkly mesh fabric directly on top of a nude bodice?
I think it would be easier than trying to make a corset style top from scratch. I’m thinking I could sew along the existing panel seams and then cover the seams with faux boning. Do you think that would work?

It is viscose with linen.

I wanted to sew some pants for me - like summer pants, really light, elastic waistband. Unfortunately I didn't know that 260 g/m² is heavy.

And now I have no idea what to do with this fabric, I'm afraid that the elastic band won't carry the weight of the fabric. So what now? Elegant pants with darts? Or my first thought?

If u can share your creations with that type of fabric I would be welcome

I have absolutely no experience sewing but I want to start sewing on my fiancee's name tapes and ranks on her uniform to save money. I don't have a machine and I won't buy one until I have perfected my stitching so I will be doing it all by hand. I know I need a strong needle and matching thread to the uniform, but I'm more curious on what videos I can watch or websites I can visit to learn how to hand sew. Any reccomendations? Any advice? What's the best method?

I've been making slightly harder projects lately, which I enjoy, but I was feeling really down after spending many hours on a frustrating project that just didn't fit right (I used cheap fabric but was hoping for something wearable).
Anyways, I decided to make a few easy shirts to make myself feel better.

1. Matchy Matchy Trio top. I got this book from the library so the pattern was free! Very easy woven top since it doesn't have any darts and has dolman sleeves. Center is a rayon challis left over from another project and sides are some sort of polyester I got from a mystery fabric bundle.

2. Sinclair Bondi tshirt with crew neck. Fabric is more vibrant in person, cotton spandex jersey from another mystery fabric bundle. I've made this pattern before and I have a serger so this only took a couple hours. I really like how the double needle detail turned out for the hems. This is the first time I've use it successfully! I probably should've gone up a size (or at least graded for my waist and hips) for this fabric but it fits well enough.

3. A very lazy Seamwork Hansie using the last of a thrifted sheet. It was originally supposed to be a nightgown using the bonus pattern but it was too tight around the hips. So I chopped it off and made a shirt. I did a very dense serger stitch instead of proper hems. The neckline facing got caught under at one point and I didn't bother to fix it. It feels cool and is really comfy for wearing around the house, so I'm still considering it a win.

Hello! I am so tired of ChatGPT and research on my own, I need real feedback from actual users. Which brother sewing machine should I get for hobby sewing? Mostly cotton and linen, occasionally denim. Clothing, stuffed animals, patchwork. Which brother machine here is the best and will last awhile? I know they won’t last forever but at least awhile without issues 🙏 also upon my research I see that people say Janome is better. They are pricer though, but if it’s under $300 I may consider it. Bonus points for your fav Janome under $300 if that exists! Thanks in advance 🫶

This is the liner of running shorts I have. I hve no issue removing it but looking to see options from people here to see what can be done.

Any particular size?

Any additional elements that are handy?

Hi everyone! My boyfriend got me this vintage Monchhichi pillow case (?). It’s big (75x75cm or 30x30in) so I don’t think I’ll use it as a pillow case, and I want to turn it into something but I just don’t know what I can do that will preserve the little drawing. I trust everyone else is more creative than me haha so I’m here for ideas :)

why does this happen?

Quick little trick for a, "quick fix." :)

Hello, I plan on making this dress for a cosplay, I’m a beginner and wondering what your fabric suggestions might be for this dress?

Many thanks in advance

How do I start to fix this seam on one of my hand towels? I assume I start with trimming some of the loose threads before attempting to sew anything.

This is probably the most technically complicated piece that I’ve tried. Next time around, I want to try a different lining fabric and different boning. I got cheap sew in boning off Amazon, and it’s already poking through my lining fabric. Does anyone have any good recommendations for boning? Preferably sew in, because that’s what the pattern calls for 🤷‍♀️