Fabrics

Sewing Machine Repair Tips: Brother VX 1100

One of the sewing machine repairand maintenance basics is to clean your machine often so as not to accumulate dirt that can cause problems. In case of a brother sewing machine like Brother VX 1100, the sliding parts of the shuttle race should be cleaned regularly to avoid lint from accumulating.

Sewing machine repair tip 1: Remove the shuttle hook

1. First, raise the needle to its highest position and open the shuttle cover. 2. Take out the bobbin case. 3. Push the latch levers outside and remove retaining rings. 4. After this, you can remove the hook by holding the center post of the hook. 5. Make sure that you keep the needle to its highest position as the shuttle hook cannot be removed once the needle is lowered.

Clean the shuttle race

1.This time you can already remove the dirt and accumulated lint and thread from the retaining ring, driver, the race body and the hook using a brush. 2. Always use a machine oil to wipe the shuttle race clean. 3. Clean the shuttle hook also with a dampened cloth with machine oil. 4. After cleaning, you can now reassemble the shuttle race.

How to clean the feed dog

Accessorize Nylon Chiffon Dress

Image via Flickr

Okay then, you bought the dress. However, you haven't decided what bag to go with it, or what pair of shoes to partner your dress. That luxurious and elegant fabric would surely miss its purpose if you did it wrongly. So how to do properly accessorize a nylon chiffondress? The image of urban elegance and poise should clearly reflect this nylon chiffon dress. Simply get a pair of the classic black pumps and a structured clutch and you are ready to go! If you want to add some embellishments, a golden bangle or a clustered necklace would a modern chic look!

Get the Chic Look: Accessorize Nylon Chiffon Dress

How To Accessorize A Chiffon Dress Watch How To Accessorize A Chiffon Dress from the leading how to video provider. This instructional video will give you helpful instructions to make sure you get good at fashion, fashion skirts and dresses.

Get into the posh trend of accessorizing nylon chiffon dress

Sewing machines, when cared properly can last for a long time. That is why understanding sewing machine repairand maintenance can save you from hassle and save bucks!

Sewing machine repair and maintenance

Here are some of the basic things you should know about sewing machine repair and maintenance: Take time to browse your user's manual. This will save you from unnecessary hassles and expenses. Most of the time, sewing machine problem only happens because of lack of oil and cleaning.

Sewing Machine Repair and Protection and Cleaning

Having your sewing machine covered with a piece of cloth can do a lot. It ensures that the machine is safe from lint, dust and other particles that can enter the machine and cause it to rust. This is especially important for computerized sewing machines. In this type, you are trying to keep the sensitive circuit boards away from physical and weather hazards.

Compressed Air

Use the user's manual before using compressed canned air to avoid blowing unnecessary dirt or lint into different areas of the machine's mechanism. If the manual approves this cleaning method, you can use it to clean the small areas your brush can't get into.  

Replacing Light Bulbs and Broken Needles

Nylon chiffonis one of the most versatile fabrics. Although it is lightweight, it can be the most durable fabric you can play with. Here, we will try to make a ruffle hair clip using a nylon chiffon fabric.

Image via Flickr

Make a nylon chiffon hair clip

We need to prepare the following for the ruffled hair clip made with nylon chiffon.

Alligator clip

Ruler

1/8-yard chiffon

Scissors

Sewing machine

Hot-glue gun

Instructions

Scale the length of the clip. Cut a 3-inch-wide, 2-inch-wide and 1-inch-wide strip of chiffon, three times the length of the clip. The extra length will be used for gathering to make the ruffle.

Lengthen the stitch and loosen the tension of your sewing machine. This is to prepare for sewing a basting stitch. Additionally, it will enable you to move the fabric along the seam.Stack all three strips of chiffon from widest to narrowest. Sew a basting stitch lengthwise down the center of the stack of chiffon strips, leaving tails on each end of the seam at least 6 inches long. The long tails give you enough thread to tie knots and to hold while you gather the fabric.

After this, knot the threads at one end of the basting stitch seam. While you push the chiffon up the seam  toward the knotted end to create a ruffle, hold the threads at the other end of the seam. Keep pushing the fabric up the seam until the chiffon ruffle is the same length as the alligator clip. Knot the thread at the other end of the seam to hold the chiffon gathers. Trim the thread at both ends close to the knots.

With your ruffle nylon chiffon clip done, place it on the top of an alligator clip using a  hot glue. Dry the glue and cool for five minutes.

Sewing nylon chiffon and sheers can be difficult when the nylon chiffon is knit rather than woven. Make sure you handle it properly. Here are some tips in sewing knit nylon chiffon fabric.

A Straight Hem

Make sure the cut edge of the hem is even.  Use a straight edge or ruler to even the cutting edge of the chiffon draw a straight line on the chiffon.  Cut off the excess with a ruler so it will not slip. Look for a ruler that will not slip.  

Cutting Nylon Chiffon

Place tissue paper under the fabric. Pin or place weights. Cut through the pattern paper and the fabric. Cut very straight! Cut as a single fabric.  

Hemming

Starting the rolled hemmer is the important step to a straight hem. Fold edge of fabric about 1/8" (a distance of only about 2 inches from edge). Finger crease. Lower your foot, having the needle enter near the edge of fabric. Take a couple of stitches. Raise the foot. Pull the back threads with left hand, and wiggle the hem into the hemmer scroll. A little jiggling will get it in properly. You will know it is in the scroll when you can't move the foot backwards any more. Lower the foot and begin sewing, keeping the back threads and fabric a little taunt. It is important to keep the mouth of the hemmer full of fabric for an even hem.  

Needle Plate

Use a small hole needle plate so the fabric doesn't get pushed into the hole. If you don't have a small hole, put some tape over the hole. Lower the needle several times (no thread) to make a hole in the tape.  

Machine Needles

Because chiffon is sheer and lightweight it can be difficult to clean. When removing stains on nylon chiffon fabric, it is important that you make sure that the fabric still looks brand new after the process. Although there is no suitable stain remover for all types of fabrics, you can try the steps below to help you out.

Removing stains on nylon chiffon fabric

Things that you need:

Powder

Sponge

White cloth

Borax

Vinegar

Peroxide

How to remove stains on nylon chiffon fabric

Remove the stains using an absorbent powder. Sprinkle some cornstarch, talc or flour on the stain. Brush away the powder until the stain as been absorbed.

Using the white cloth, dip it on the vinegar. Dab some vinegar on the stains on the chiffon. Allow the vinegar to sit on the stain. When the vinegar dries, rinse with washing powder and water.

Lighten ink and dye stains with a mixture of 1 1/2 cups warm water and 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide. Apply the solution on with a sponge and rinse it away by dabbing it up with a clean, moist sponge.

Mix 1/4 cup borax and 1/4 cup water to make a paste. Put the mixture on the grease and dry. Brush away as much of the dried borax as possible. Rinse the stain clean with warm water.

Image via Flickr

  Shirring (pronounced like shur) is when you have rows of gathering. Since nylon chiffonis lightweight and delicate, it produces an elegant effect when shirred. Most often, an elastic thread is used when shirring to make the fabric stretchable.  

How to shirr nylon chiffon

Wind (by hand) an elastic thread onto the bobbin of your sewing machine. Use a moderate tension when winding. Attach the bobbin to the sewing machine.

Fix a spool of regular cotton thread on the machine and insert the thread in the needle. Sew on a scrap piece of fabric to test the tension. It should be tight enough to hold the fabric taut, but not make it stretchy.

Leave a long tail of elastic thread and forward and reverse stitch three times to lock the stitch and give a firm foundation to the elastic. Use long length when stitching the nylon chiffon that you want to shirr. Follow the edge of the chiffon for alignment.

End the line by forward and reverse stitching three times to keep the elastic firmly stitched. Leave a long tail before starting the next line of stitches.

Knot the elastic tails two or three times so that the thread does not unravel. Cut away excess elastic thread.

Stitch at least 4 more rows to give a professional shirred look to the chiffon fabric. Stitch more rows, as desired.

A chiffon fabric is a transparent and lightweight fabric originally made with silk now also made with man-made fabrics such as nylon and rayon. Nylon chiffon is a strong fabric, crease resistant, washable and is resistant to mildew and moths. This fabric is susceptible to degradation by weak acids and sunlight.

Nylon Chiffon Fabric Care

Use a cool iron on chiffon to get rid of wrinkles.

Nylon chiffon is more durable, but should be washed under the same conditions as silk.

When washing nylon chiffon, use mild detergent.

Washing Nylon Chiffon

Wash with cool water. Using a washing machine, the recommended temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit. As much as possible, do not add other clothes to the wash.

Use the gentlest cycle when using a washing machine. The longer the fabric stays in water, the more possibility for it to fade.

Chiffon fabric is one of the hardest fabrics to handle. Not only because it is slippery like silk but because of its fragility and thinness.  If you already have some experience with chiffon, then you understand but if it is your first time, you may be a little frustrated if you try to achieve perfection. One of the best things that you can do is to starch the fabric. However, this trick is limited to nylon chiffongarments that can be washed when the garment is completed.  

Fabric Care: Handling nylon chiffon fabric

Nylon chiffon is one of the best fabric you can try if you want delicate fabrics that sway in elegance. However, this fabric is one of the hardest to maintain as it is easy to fray. Yet, if this fabric is properly maintained, it can be one of the most durable fabrics you can have.

How to edge nylon chiffon fabric

The first thing you should think of when using a chiffon fabric is how to deal with its delicateness. Regardless of its fragility, it absorbs dyes and holds the color well.

Measure the hemline. A standard hemline is 1/2 inch, but this can vary depending on the pattern and your planned use for the fabric. Fold over the chiffon and mark with the crayon, placing one of the pins at the corner edge to hold the fabric. Be sure to use dressmaker pins; regular pins will rip chiffon. Line up the hem, pinning about 1 foot of fabric at a time, using the the crayon line as your guide.

Check that your chiffon can handle the heat of the iron by test-ironing a scrap on the lowest temperature setting.

Iron the fold using the lowest setting on the iron. This will help hold the hemline in place. Do not iron over the pins.

Chiffon used to be made of silk but because silk is expensive, it evolved into other fibers such as polyester, cotton blends, rayon and nylon chiffon fabric. Since it is sheer and a tricot knit, it works best for draping, gathering, shirring and tucking.

Uses for nylon chiffon fabric

Determining how many yards of Nylon Chiffon to purchase for Pettiskirt

It is important that you know how to determine the number of yards you need when buying nylon chiffonfabric, this way, you save an extra penny. To compute, add the number of inches of LENGTH  to the total number of strips and divide it by 36 (the number of inches in a yard). For example, the length is 8 inches x 26 strips equals 208. Divide this number by 36 and you will get 5.78 yards. But you have to add at least 1/2 yard as allowance since there will be times that the edges don't line up well or some fabric problems.

Nylon chiffon Ruffle fluff

Make nylon chiffon petticoat

A petticoat is an undergarment used under a skirt. It gives the dress or skirt a full-bodied look.

What do you need for nylon chiffon petticoat

Five yards nylon chiffon

Elastic

Ribbon

Directions to create nylon chiffon petticoat

Using 5 yards of nylon chiffon and sew a basting stitch (a long, running stitch) along the top of the material.

Add 2 inches to the measured waist of the person.

Draw up the basting stitch until the material measures three times the person's waist measurement.

Fold the nylon chiffon in thirds width-wise.

Stitch the seam where the nylon meets on the length side of the material to within 5 inches of the waist.

Cut the elastic to the person's waist measurement including the two inches you added in step 2.

Cut the ribbon to the person's waist measurement in step 2 adding ten inches.

Sew the ribbon to the waist of the nylon chiffon leaving five inches on each end of the waist.

Fold the ribbon over and sew it to the waist of the nylon chiffon creating a pocket to insert the elastic.

Insert the elastic into the ribbon and sew the ends together.

Place petticoat on the person and tie the ends of the ribbon together when wearing.

Definition: Nylon Chiffon

Nylon Chiffon is a knitted tricot that is a soft, sheer fabric used for bridal and prom gowns, costumes, furnishings, floral design, over skirts, sheer sleeves, wraps and anything that is layered to take advantage of the transparency. The knitted tricot nylon chiffon differs from woven chiffon as it is smoother on the right side than it is on the wrong side.  The yarns used in the knitted tricot nylon chiffon are all twisted in the same direction. Woven chiffon is a lightweight, balanced plain-woven sheer fabric woven of alternate S- and Z-twist crepe (high-twist) yarns.[1] The twist in the crepe yarns puckers the fabric slightly in both directions after weaving, giving it some stretch and a slightly rough feel.    

Sewing nylon chiffon

Since nylon chiffon is a soft and sheer fabric, using tissue paper to sew nylon chiffon together, stabelizes the chiffon and makes sewing simpler. This type of fabric is often used to add elegance to gowns with its fluid and floating appearance to a gown.  

Other references for nylon chiffon

How to make a nylon chiffon flower

Nylon chiffonflowers make excellent decorative accents for your gown.  The chiffon flowers can be accentuated with feathers or placed into a headband.  If you are interested in making one, here is how to make your very own nylon chiffon flower.

Directions on making nylon chiffon flower

You will need the nylon chiffon fabric, scissors, candle, bowl of water, kitchen tongs, thread, needle,  glue and hair clips.

Cut the nylon chiffon fabric into at least three circles. The largest circle would make up the diameter of the finished flower. Cutting the circle does not need to be perfect.

Light a candle and pick up the smallest circle using kitchen tongs.  Hold the circle edge about 2 inches over the flame. The heat from the candle will cause the nylon to curl and form a petal-like edge. Repeat the process for the rest of the circles.

Stack the layers from largest to smallest. You can opt to sew or use glue to keep the flower together in the center.

Boucle Fabric Coats

A Boucle fabric coat is great for winter. Find stylish designs below and look for the one that fits your mood! Boucle Fabric Coat 1. Fashionable coat made from boucle fabric.

Boucle Fabric Coat 2. The jacket features a leather collar, raglan style wide sleeves with a cropped length and leather look trim, concealed fastening through the front, twin flap detailing to the chest, and twin tipped pockets to the hips. This jacket was designed with a cocoon fit and longline styling.

Boucle Fabric Coat 3. Fashionable coat made from boucle fabric.

Boucle Fabric Coat 4. This coat has been crafted from wool blend fabric with a boucle design. The details include: oversized notched lapels, seamless shoulders for a relaxed fit, a double breasted front with button fastening, pockets to the hips and a cocoon shape with a box pleat to the reverse. The coat has been cut with an oversized fit.

Coat 5. A swingy, oversized jacket in an A-line silhouette and tactile bouclé knit. Leather straps fasten the front, and welt pockets sit at the hips. 3/4 dolman sleeves.

How to make a boucle fabric bag