Author Archives: Isabel and the 5 cats

Anatomy of a Sewing Machine

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What is the anatomy of a sewing machine? Why do i need to know the anatomy? When will this be useful?

In this post i will only talk about certain parts as the other parts will be brought up further on in the sewing category when i talk about bobbins and stitches.

Sewing machines are complex machines and understanding the anatomy or in other words, parts, of a sewing machine comes in handy for when you use the machine daily. Although, due to its complex nature, it can lead to users having a lot of questions or even using it wrong. Leading it to possibly break and then you need to know how to fix it. This is the point of this post, which is to answer these questions on the anatomy of a sewing machine and help guide you through the use of it.

This is the diagram of the anatomy of a sewing machine and i am going to explain what each part if and what to do if it breaks. I will also mention why it is important in the long run when you are making garments.

First we will start at one of the most important parts: Needle plate

What is the needle plate? Well the needle plate is a metal plate which covers the bobbin area. It includes a hole for the needle to go through the fabric and slots for the feed dogs to move the fabric along as the machine works. There are three main types of needle plates which are:

Zigzag/standard – The zigzag plate allows the needle to move in zigzag pattern as it provides enough space for the needle to do so. It is used for decorative stitches, seam finishing, stretch fabrics and for other small tasks that do not require a straight stitch. This type of stitch is strong and durable stitch as its elasticity allows the seams to stretch without breaking or snagging.

Straight stitch – This plate is used for straight stitching as the name suggests. It provides small, round needle holes for the needle to go into without pulling the fabric in, especially if the fabric is fine or a lightweight fabric. It also offers a stable base and support for the needle.

Speciality plate and HP plates – The HP plates stand for high performance and this is a specific straight stitch type of plate and it is designed to work with a corresponding foot to produce industrial precise stitching. The other speciality plates include darning plates, cover stitch plates and chain stitch plates. These speciality plates are used for certain machines, not just a sewing machine.

What is smocking?

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Smocking is an embroidery technique that is used on garments made in the fashion industry to gather fabric into tightly pleated folds on garments, allowing the fabric to still stretch while adding decorative, textured patterns. Smocking stitches often used neutral coloured thread but coloured thread could be used depending on the fabric and the colour. The stitches that are used are few and simple. Allowing it to be an easy thing to learn and then apply onto a fabric piece.

The use of smocking is a very important technique required for a lot of fabrics as it allows non stretchy fabrics to stretch while maintaining comfort There are several types of smocking stitches

There is the cable stitch which is a foundational embroidery t5chenique that is both stylish and decorative. The technique creates twisted and horizontal cord-like lines across a piece of fabric.

The us of a cable creates a structures and neat design that is incredibly versatile and it is also used to often form the basis of geometric patterns on garments due to the structure they provide. Cable stitches can also be used for creating images like flowers or animals on garments.

What exactly is a fashion house? Why are they important?

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Well when we first think of anything related to fashion we think of high-end luxury brands such as Gucci, Prada or Alexander Mcqueen.

This is because of their major influence on both fashion and trends. We often look at these large scale brands to help us put together stylish and eye catching pieces that present us as…well…rich or with a good amount of money that we can spend on things that aren’t bills or childcare or food. Fashion houses aim to create accessories and garments that fit luxury while still containing the artistic flare that captivates our attention. As Johannes Reponen says “Fashion houses are more than brands. They are living archives of creativity, constantly redefining luxury while preserving their heritage.”

So what exactly is a fashion house?

Well a fashion house is a prestigious company/brand that designs, creates and sells high-end and expensive items such as accessories, clothes and even fragrances that are made to be exclusive to only the small minority of the public who can afford products like that. An example would be Dior or Chanel.

Despite the often insane prices we often see fashion houses and their influence in our daily life. Even though it might not be obvious at times. For example, the aesthetic of a room. You would look for things related to that aesthetic and without you even realizing it, you are looking aat products for your room that has had their style influenced by fashion houses. However a really obvious example would be that you are walking in a major city like Paris or London. As everywhere you look, a person is wearing a style of clothing whose brand has been influenced by a fashion house. This is because fashion house set trends for both clothing and room aesthetics.