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yes, they have fabulous fabric... and it is so tempting to buy every delightful print in sight!
but I have different advice... stock up on important notions and tools for sewing, and take advantage of the sale to try new items at sale prices.
must buys:
large spools of good quality white thread
large spools of good quality black thread
medium spools of good quality grey thread
needles: Schmetz universals in 12 are a good way to go, but I am also partial to Singer denim needles, a mix pack of 16-18-20s, a few mix packs of 8-10-12 ballpoint (here also I prefer Singer), and any other needles you have been wanting to experiment with: double needles, etc.
pins: get the big ones, the small ones, the short ones, the long ones... and of course stock up on the pins that you use the most for your favorite type of sewing
safety pins: are you always rummaging around for that one good big one oyu have? for about $2, treat yourself to a pack of them. Don't forget to find some teensy gold ones and teensy silver ones (you NEVER know what you will use them for, probably as embellishment), and of course a mixed sizes pack would come in handy
marking pens: there are some new technologies for marking pens... purchase and experiment... they now mark then disappear with time, disappear with water, have thick strokes or thin strokes... even chalk has improved and those little carriers...
rotary cutters: quilters swear by them, but even garment makers can use these... cutting large swatches of fabric, try large... cutting small garments and complicated curves, try a small roller.... and the medium is a good starter. After you experiment, you can then add "buy extra blades" to your list for the next sale.
scissors: every once in a while there is a good sale on scissors and you need to plan to take advantage of them. if you buy medium or low grade scissors, plan to buy new ones frequently. if you buy investment scissors, you can grow your collection by adding one new good pair a year. To collect: shears, cutters, nippers, pinking.
zippers: just buy one of each of the newest type of zippers and practice installing them as part of your studio time. it pays to practice in advance, so you can make informed decisions when planning your next project.
thread: have you sewn with wooly nylon? what is the difference between all cotton, poly/cotton and all polyester thread? buy small rolls of each and experiment with each on different types of fabrics, with different types of bobbins. you can read about these, but it helps if you have the actual experience with each.
snaps, grommets, other attaching devices: just get one pack of each and play with them. learn how some brands are nice looking but not durable. learn how some brands are more streamlined by more difficult to put on. again, this will help when planning your next project. I have planned whole projects around some gorgeous red pearl snaps that proved unreliable on even baby wale black corduroy... especially for a long row of three dozen of them. live and learn and ruin a project, or experiment beforehand to plan a successful project next time
elastics: there are SOOOOO many elastics out there. you can use them to help seams fit better (neck curves), reinforce and shape your garments (shoulder seams, etc), add embellishments (rusching down front or along empire waist), and create amazing structure or support (even couture slacks make use of a bit of elastic to help comfort, structure and of course how they hang)...
ok, with that list you might spend $25-40 at a sale... but you will have gained potential success, creativity, and expert knowledge for the future of your sewing. and had fun experimenting in your sewing studio, instead of always working toward projects, projects, projects.
Jo Ann Villalobos
but I have different advice... stock up on important notions and tools for sewing, and take advantage of the sale to try new items at sale prices.
must buys:
large spools of good quality white thread
large spools of good quality black thread
medium spools of good quality grey thread
needles: Schmetz universals in 12 are a good way to go, but I am also partial to Singer denim needles, a mix pack of 16-18-20s, a few mix packs of 8-10-12 ballpoint (here also I prefer Singer), and any other needles you have been wanting to experiment with: double needles, etc.
pins: get the big ones, the small ones, the short ones, the long ones... and of course stock up on the pins that you use the most for your favorite type of sewing
safety pins: are you always rummaging around for that one good big one oyu have? for about $2, treat yourself to a pack of them. Don't forget to find some teensy gold ones and teensy silver ones (you NEVER know what you will use them for, probably as embellishment), and of course a mixed sizes pack would come in handy
marking pens: there are some new technologies for marking pens... purchase and experiment... they now mark then disappear with time, disappear with water, have thick strokes or thin strokes... even chalk has improved and those little carriers...
rotary cutters: quilters swear by them, but even garment makers can use these... cutting large swatches of fabric, try large... cutting small garments and complicated curves, try a small roller.... and the medium is a good starter. After you experiment, you can then add "buy extra blades" to your list for the next sale.
scissors: every once in a while there is a good sale on scissors and you need to plan to take advantage of them. if you buy medium or low grade scissors, plan to buy new ones frequently. if you buy investment scissors, you can grow your collection by adding one new good pair a year. To collect: shears, cutters, nippers, pinking.
zippers: just buy one of each of the newest type of zippers and practice installing them as part of your studio time. it pays to practice in advance, so you can make informed decisions when planning your next project.
thread: have you sewn with wooly nylon? what is the difference between all cotton, poly/cotton and all polyester thread? buy small rolls of each and experiment with each on different types of fabrics, with different types of bobbins. you can read about these, but it helps if you have the actual experience with each.
snaps, grommets, other attaching devices: just get one pack of each and play with them. learn how some brands are nice looking but not durable. learn how some brands are more streamlined by more difficult to put on. again, this will help when planning your next project. I have planned whole projects around some gorgeous red pearl snaps that proved unreliable on even baby wale black corduroy... especially for a long row of three dozen of them. live and learn and ruin a project, or experiment beforehand to plan a successful project next time
elastics: there are SOOOOO many elastics out there. you can use them to help seams fit better (neck curves), reinforce and shape your garments (shoulder seams, etc), add embellishments (rusching down front or along empire waist), and create amazing structure or support (even couture slacks make use of a bit of elastic to help comfort, structure and of course how they hang)...
ok, with that list you might spend $25-40 at a sale... but you will have gained potential success, creativity, and expert knowledge for the future of your sewing. and had fun experimenting in your sewing studio, instead of always working toward projects, projects, projects.
Jo Ann Villalobos
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Los Angeles
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Great list and great advice, Lobocita! I always need white thread and just the other day I needed grey... Thanks for the tips.
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rotary cutters are awesome! I didn't really use one until I started my first quilt - and I prefer them to scissors to a pretty high degree! Thanks for the list!
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What a great list. I recently went to a huge going-out-of-biz sale and was overwhelmed. Ended up getting a ton of grommets, snaps and hook/eyes. Plus some groovy fur trim and crazy looking tasselly things that look like 70s curtain bobbywhats. FUN!
~Am
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I bought me a new sewing machine, one with direct/motor driven needle. Got it "new" although marked down over 1/2 because it had been used at a quilting show. It's awesome. I'm very pleased with my purchase. And I got it at Ray's, not your average JoAnn Fabrics.
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What a great post. I always get 40% coupons for JoAnn Fabrics (a popular fabric/craft store in this area) and try to find different thing that aren't on sale that would be a good buy. I never thought of trying out the zippers (I've been too chicken to try those as I make my own patterns and am still a "beginner" for sewing machines - been sewing all my life by hand). This is why I love tribe - you learn things all the time. Thanks for the advice.
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A year ago, I took on a monthly party decorating job which has turned into a 3-4x a month job. I went fabric shopping at a store going out of business, and remembered to grab spools of heavy duty thread. I can't believe how much I've used, just for mending, in the last year. Good advice about tools, too.
I was blessed to inherit the notions collections of both grandmothers when they died, and it's amazing what I've pulled out of the box recently. My inner packrat is so validated. ;-)
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