Singer Sewing Machine

My old friend. This Singer Fashion Mate from 1977 was my first sewing machine and a real workhorse. Made for home use, it spent years sewing 6 hours a day sometimes and never complained. Not fancy but it could do anything I needed it to. It finally died in 2009. Replaced but not forgotten. I always advise beginning sewers to check repair shops for used machines (that's where I got this one!).

Product Review: Binding Buddy

A friend of mine picked up a Binding Buddy on a recent trip to Florida. It works great! One end unscrews so you can slip the quilt binding on. You wear it around your neck while you sew the binding in place. What a great simple solution. The Binding Buddy works for couching yarn too. Visit http://www.quilttilyouwilt.net/ to get yours!

My Favorite Basic Sewing Tools

Here is a list of the basics. Things to pack for sewing classes.

1. clear 2" wide plastic, see-through ruler with a metal strip down one side


2. hem gauge, also known as seam gauge, with sliding marker, 6"


3. seam ripper


4. good shears, mine are 8" chrome Gingher


5. pins


6. hand needles


7. iron


8. rotary cutter, mat, weights


9. sewing machine: foot pedal, bobbins, machine needles, instruction book


10. machine feet: basic, zipper, walking (not necessary, but nice to have)