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Practical PDF Sewing Patterns

in Beginners· Blogs by Jess· Learn to Sew

Learn to Sew Part 2 – Sewing Machine Buyers Guide

Buying a sewing machine can be an extremely daunting task, especially for a beginner (hey, it’s daunting even for those who have been sewing for decades!). Rather than providing you with a list of sewing machines to pick from, this guide will outline what to look for when you go sewing machine shopping. If you haven’t already, be sure to read part 1 of our learn to sew series so you know the tools of the trade you need to get you started on your sewing journey. 

We will now go through the features to look out for, and some other options you might like to consider.

Cost 

First things first, sewing machines can be super expensive. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good machine: you don’t even need to buy a brand new machine. These days there are so many second hand options available online on places like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. A benefit of buying a second hand machine is that the person selling it to you will likely give you a quick lesson in how to use it. So not only will you save some money, you will also be set up and ready to go quicker! On the subject of saving money, a machine with basic features might be okay for you now as a beginner, but you won’t be a beginner forever! You might be better off financially to buy a more expensive machine with more features rather than having to upgrade your machine in a year or two down the track.

Stitches 

What stitches does the machine come with? When looking at this, it is important to remember quality over quantity. Some machines come with 100’s of different stitches, and you will realistically only use about 5 of them! You will want to make sure your machine includes the common stitches (straight stitch and zig zag stitch are the ones I use the most), but also, the most common stitches you will use in the projects you want to undertake. It could be worth your while to have a look through the Flosstyle Shop and buy some of the patterns you would like to make when you get your machine and have learnt the basics. Each item in our shop has a skill level rating, and we have a range of free patterns too.  

We would also recommend steering clear of machines that do not allow you to change the length and width of stitches. Most basic machines come with all the basic stitches you could need, but they may not allow you to change the size or width of the stitches, which can cause trouble with future projects you may undertake. 

Drop-in VS front-loading bobbin

A bobbin is a spherical item that thread is wound on. A bobbin is used in your sewing machine is placed in the bottom part of the machine. Sewing machines differ in how the bobbin is placed in the machine. A sewing machine can have either a drop-in or front-loading bobbin. 

A drop-in bobbin (also known as top loading bobbin) is placed in the sewing machine from the top of the sewing area. In most drop-in bobbins, you will need to remove a small plastic cover, place the bobbin in, put the thread in place, and then put the cover back on.  A front-loading bobbin (also known as a bottom loading bobbin) is placed in the machine through a door in front of the needle area, that is actually removed from the machine. The bobbin will need to be put in place, the thread placed through a small groove, and then placed back into the machine. With front-loading bobbins you need to ensure the thread and bobbin remains properly aligned when putting it back into the machine. 

For beginners, we recommend a drop-in bobbin, as it’s much easier to use (which you probably already decided for yourself after reading the descriptions above). It’s also worth noting that the majority of modern sewing machines come with drop-in bobbins. Front-loading bobbins are a lot more fiddly and finicky than drop-in bobbins. Some sewers even consider front-loading bobbins “out-dated”. 

Needle threader 

A needle threader is a must for me, because I am absolutely hopeless at threading a needle without one. However, my mum can thread a needle in a millisecond with no hassles at all. If you’re a beginner with no sewing machine, I would recommend getting a sewing machine with a needle threader. If you have a bit of experience and know you can thread a needle with ease, you can give this one a miss. Once again, it comes down to personal preferences (you will read that a lot throughout this post… sorry, but it’s an important reminder!). 

Instructions and guides 

Now this is super important if you’re a beginner, and especially if this is your first ever sewing machine. When you get home, who will help you use the machine? Some machines come with booklets, DVD’s, and some brands even have YouTube channels with step-by-step guides. When you’re buying your sewing machine, be sure to ask questions about what instruction guide it comes with. You could also look the sewing machine up on YouTube to see if there are any instructional videos available. 

If you’re buying a second-hand machine, please do me a favour and make sure it comes with it’s manual. Although you may be able to google information, and even watch instructional videos on YouTube, the information in the machines manual is super important to have on hand. 

Mechanical VS Computerised 

Sewing machines can be mechanical or computerised. Some people say you should start with a mechanical machine, and others swear by computerised machines. This decision is personal, but to help you out, here is an explanation of the two.

One way to think about it is that mechanical machines are manual, whereas computerised machines are automated. With a mechanical machine, you use dials to choose stitches and change the settings of the machine. Whereas, computerised machines are more advanced and can change between stitches and settings automatically, which can make sewing smoother. Mechanical machines are easier to maintain and simpler to use than computerised machines. However, computerised machines come with a variety of stitches and allow you to create decorative stitches and embroidery. Mechanical machines have fewer stitches and are cheaper to buy than computerised machines. 

I personally started off using my mum’s mechanical machine but transitioned to a computerised machine when I was able to buy my own. I suggest you go with whatever you’re most comfortable using.

Light 

Some sewing machines come with built in lights and others don’t. If your machine doesn’t have a light included, you’ll need to set it up near a lamp or somewhere in really good lighting. A light isn’t a massive issue for me, because I have pretty good eye-sight. However, my mum has poor eye-sight and has to use a lamp and her machine’s in-built light to ensure she can see what she is doing properly. 

Try before you buy 

If possible, visit friends or family with sewing machines to get an idea of the machine you’d like to buy, and the type of features you’d like included in your future machine. Not everyone will be able to do this, but if you can definitely make sure you ask around. Most people will be happy and even excited to tell you all about their machine and help you out. 

Warranty and services

When buying a new sewing machine it’s important to ask questions about the warranty. How long is it? What does it cover? You can probably find this on the website but the shop assistant should be able to help you if you are able to buy your machine in store and not online. It’s worth checking if your machine comes with any services included. Some brands offer services and parts in-line with the warranty, whereas others don’t. 

This is worth considering when you buy a second-hand machine. Second-hand machines are cheaper, but you’re making the decision to disregard warranty. It’s also worth considering how easy (or difficult!) it’s going to be to get spare parts for your second-hand machine. 

Research 

I cannot stress this enough: READ ONLINE REVIEWS BEFORE YOU MAKE A DECISION. Ok, sorry for shouting, but it’s really important to do your research! Don’t get me wrong, this blog post is a great starting point, but you really need to do your own online research, especially when you think you’ve found the perfect machine. This final step is the most important one! 

We hope part 2 of the learn to sew guide has been helpful for you in your journey to sewing. Stay tuned for part 3! 

Happy sewing!

Jess 

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Don’t forget to join the facebook group for advice from experienced sewers – www.facebook.com/groups/flosstylefair 

Pin our gorgeous designs on Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com.au/flosstyle_patterns/

in Blogs by Jess· Christmas Sewing· Sneak Peek Stocking

Make your own Christmas stocking

I’m not sure if you agree or not, but this year has been the longest year ever, but also the shortest year ever, and just like that, Christmas is on our doorsteps! Christmas is my favourite time of year, and I love decorating my apartment and turning it into my own little Christmas wonderland.  

Christmas stockings are a great decoration for the home, and are also super practical for storing gifts. Christmas stockings themselves can also make great gifts to loved ones. Each year I like to think about handmade gifts that I can buy for my team members at work, as well as my friends and family. Our Sneak Peek Stocking is perfect decor for your home, and a perfect Christmas gift to give. 

The Sneak Peek Stocking pattern is suitable for beginners and as the name suggests, has a super cute sneak peek feature on the front of the stocking. The sneak peek feature makes it perfect for stuffing with all sorts of Christmas goodies like candy canes, chocolates, soaps, candles and of course, toys. Our PDF patterns are so easy to follow, and come with so many hints and tips for creation. If you haven’t used PDF patterns before, we have a number of great blog posts to help get you started. If you’ve never used PDF patterns before, we’ve provided all the benefits that PDF patterns have over traditional patterns in this post. If you’re familiar with PDF patterns but not super confident using them, we have developed a step-by-step guide just for you.   

You aren’t limited to using Christmas themed fabric or even Christmas colours when sewing these stockings. If your little one loves Frozen (let’s be real, they all love Frozen) Spotlight Australia have a variety of your children’s favourite characters on wonderful fabric designs. A themed and personalised stocking could make your little ones Christmas that much more magical. 

Here at Flosstyle we love creating and receiving handmade gifts. When you create something yourself, you know exactly what it’s made from. This means you can ensure it’s safe for your little one’s allergies and sensitive skin. Handmade gifts are unique and personal. Even if you make five different Sneak Peek Stockings, they will all look totally different and unique when using different fabrics. Handmade presents can be easily be personalised. Now I know this sounds a bit cringey, but handmade gifts are truly made with love. When you put your time, thoughts and energy into a gift for someone, the end product shows. 

It isn’t all about the recipient: making the gift is a fun and creative activity for you too. Creativity has all sorts of benefits, but sewing in particular has been proven to improve your overall physical and mental well-being. 

Handmade gifts are great for the people in your life that have it all. They’re also good for picky people, because you can ensure it’s customised to their liking and preferences. Another bonus, handmade gifts can help you use up your leftover fabric stash. Depending on the materials you use, handmade gifts can sometimes save you money but this isn’t always the case. 

If you’re stuck for ideas for Christmas presents, or wanted to have your own perfectly customised stockings hanging up in your home, give our Sneak Peek Stocking a go for Christmas this year! 

Happy sewing!

Jess 

Have a picture you want to share or want to be inspired? Make sure to follow our instagram page

Don’t forget to join the facebook group for advice from experienced sewers

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in Alice's Tea Set· Babys First Toys· Blogs by Jess· Flosstyle Patterns· Play Away

Making Children’s Toys for Christmas Gifts

Are you stuck on Christmas gift ideas for your little ones? Or maybe your friends’ little ones? If you like giving unique gifts that are made with extra love and care, be sure to check out our shop and see the variety of PDF patterns that we have in store. We don’t just sell patterns for making clothes and accessories, we sell patterns to make your own TOYS. That’s right… this Christmas you can be one of Santa’s elves and make your own Christmas toys!

Handmade gifts are super thoughtful, and not easily forgotten by the recipient. This year for Christmas, we challenge you to make toys for the children in your life. One of the major benefits in making your own toys, is that you know EXACTLY what they are made from: this is particularly important for the young ones with allergies and sensitive skin.  

The Babies First Toy Set pattern comes with six different patterns and is suitable for adventurous beginners. With this set, you can create a balloon ball, a mini ball, and 4 different types of soft animals. Balloon balls are great for indoor play with your little one. You can think of a balloon ball like a cover for a regular party balloon that you can play with safely indoors. When the balloon deflates it will be stored safely inside the ball, away from your little ones hands and mouths for ultimate safety. The mini ball and soft animals are sized with your little one in mind, and are super cute. The patter contains a seahorse, dinosaur, elephant and giraffe for you to create. We recommend using different textured fabrics to make play time even more fun with your children. 

The next set of toy patterns we have in our shop is suited to advanced sewers, it’s the Alice’s Tea Set pattern. This set comes with three different patterns for a teapot, a teacup and a saucer: everything you need for a tea party. This pattern is my absolute favourite toy pattern: it’s so adorable!    

This next item is one that the parents will love: the Play Away pattern. The Play Away is an adorable little toy storage bag that folds out into a play mat that your little one can take with them when you go out to appointments and need to keep them occupied. Suitable for beginner sewers and designed for little laps and little toys. 

We hope this post has inspired you to get creative and consider making your own toys this year like one of Santa’s elves. You could even get your children involved to help you make these items as a way to spend quality time together as a family. 

If you make any of the above toy designs, please tag us in a photo of them so we can share your creation with the rest of the Flosstyle Family! 

Happy sewing!

Jess 

Have a picture you want to share or want to be inspired? Make sure to follow our instagram page

Don’t forget to join the facebook group for advice from experienced sewers

Pin our gorgeous designs on Pinterest

in Artiste· Blogs by Jess· Boutique and Hybrid Bibs· Flosstyle Patterns· Star Shorts· Ventura Lite· Zoo

Making Christmas clothing for your children

Making clothes for your children is great because you can get them involved in the process. Your little ones can choose the fabric they want and share any other design ideas that they have with you. Have you ever had the perfect article of clothing for your little one in mind but not been able to find it in store? Why not use our PDF patterns to make it yourself. You can also use sewing your own children’s clothing as an opportunity to teach your children to learn how to sew too. I remember when I was little my mum would make all my clothes for me and get me involved in the process. When I was old enough to use a sewing machine, we went through the whole process of sewing a dress together., including picking out the pattern and choosing the fabric and even the zipper! It’s one of the best memories I have with my mum and it taught me a useful creative life skill. Creative activities are a great way for your family to spend quality time together.

Making clothes for your children won’t just make them happy, it will make you happy too! Sewing has been proven to improve your mood, mental health and overall wellbeing. Our shop has a variety of PDF patterns to choose from to get you started creating your own children’s clothing. If you’re not familiar with PDF patterns, read our blog post outlining all the benefits of PDF patterns over traditional sewing patterns. 

Handmade articles of clothing are unique and one of a kind. Even if you use the same dress pattern multiple times, each item will be different and unique. Handmade clothing items aren’t just for your children, but they can be made for gifts for the other children in your life, like your nieces, nephews, and children of friends. 

Below I’ve curated my top six flosstyle PDF patterns to download for Christmas clothing creations: whether they be for yourself or for gifts! If you haven’t used PDF patterns before, give our how-to guide a read and you’ll be an expert in no time.

Bibs 

Boutique Bib and Hybrid Bib pattern duo is a perfect and simple gift idea for newborns up to toddlers. Both bibs are adjustable to grow as the child grows. This pattern is suitable for beginners and is quick and easy to whip up. To make the bib extra special, we have a free how-to guide for inverted applique without using any glue or leaving the design with zigzag edges: just neat lines. 

Dresses

Why not make a dress for the little cuties in your life? The Artiste Dresses Set pattern set comes with three interchangeable patterns for advanced beginners. 

Skirts

Six skirt patterns for six dollars – how good is that? The Milkshake Skirts pattern set is suitable for beginners and will you keep you busy creating all sorts of adorable skirts for the little ones in your life. 

Tees 

There is nothing better than a plain tee. The Ventura Lite pattern is perfect for your little ones t -shirt needs. 

Shorts 

The Star Shorts pattern set contains five different shorts patterns for boys and girls. Shorts are great for everyday wear and for playtime at the park and in the backyard. 

And everything else

If you can’t decide on the above, then the Zoo Collection pattern set is for you. The Zoo pattern is basically a magical pattern that will enable you to make rompers, tee’s dresses and even swimmers! The patterns contained in the Zoo collection range in ability levels from beginner to intermediate. 

We hope this post has inspired you to get creative this festive season. If you use any of the above patterns to create Christmas goodies, please be sure to tag us in a picture of them and we will repost it on our page! 

Happy sewing!

Jess 

Have a picture you want to share or want to be inspired? Make sure to follow our instagram page

Don’t forget to join the facebook group for advice from experienced sewers

Pin our gorgeous designs on Pinterest

in Beginners· Blogs by Jess· Learn to Sew

Sewing for Beginners Part 1 – The Tools of the Trade

Have you always wanted to start sewing but not known where to start?

We are here to help you out! Over the coming months, we will be posting a series of blog posts that will help beginners get started sewing. Part one will take a look at the tools and equipment you will need before you can get started sewing. 

Here at Flosstyle, we understand that sewing can be daunting for beginners. We want to help you create your own wonderful creations and have you sewing with confidence like a pro! The first thing a pro needs is a sewing toolkit with the essential tools of the trade. 

Sewing is such a wonderful hobby that sparks creativity and boosts your well being. If you’d like to read more about the benefits of sewing, read our Sewing for mood, mental health and well being post. But for now, let’s get into the tools of the trade!

Sewing machine 
Firstly, and most obviously, you will need a sewing machine. There are so many different sewing machines on the market, so choosing one that is user-friendly for beginners can be intimidating. We suggest doing research and buying a sewing machine that is marketed at beginners to ensure you’re set up for success. Watch this space, in the future we will post a beginners sewing machine buyers guide. A sewing machine is a huge investment to make, and you shouldn’t take it lightly. If you can’t wait for our guide, we suggest joining our facebook group, Flosstyle Fair, full of members who can help you with your decision. 

Scissors
In your sewing kit, you’ll need two pairs of scissors: one for cutting the paper patterns and one for cutting fabric. These are similar to the pair I use.

Pins
A set of pins is essential for all sewers. Pins secure pattern pieces to the fabric to aid in accurate cutting. Pins also secure the pieces of fabric you’ll be sewing together to ensure they are correctly aligned. 

Oh, and don’t forget a cute pin cushion for storage! 

Unpicker / seam ripper 
While you may not think you will need an unpicker, we recommend making sure you have one before you get started sewing: unpicking mistakes is unfortunately inevitable. Thankfully, an unpicker makes relatively easy work of unpicking stitches. 

Thread
As you get more confident and start sewing a variety of items, you’ll want to have a lot of different colours of thread in your kit. Start with whatever colour will match your first project and perhaps a black and white too. Remember some colours will match well with a range of others like the photo below.

Measuring tape
Measuring tape is especially important for taking your own measurements, as well as measurements of the others you are making clothes for. 

Spare sewing machine needles 
While sewing machine needles don’t break too often, it’s a real inconvenience when they do! That’s why we recommend always having spares on hand. 

Chalk / fabric markers
Many of your upcoming projects will require you to make marks on your fabric. Using chalk or fabric markers allow you to do this without staining your fabric. 

Ruler 
As outlined in our How to use PDF sewing patterns blog post, a ruler is essential for ensuring your pattern is the right size (especially important when you’re printing your own PDF patterns at home!). Don’t forget to check out all the PDF patterns we have available in our Flosstyle shop.

You could also use your measuring tape for this, but it’s a lot easier with a clear ruler. 

Sewing box/bag
Now that you have all these tools, you can’t forget about a sewing box to store them all in! There are a bunch of different types of sewing boxes or bags to choose from ranging in price.  

Optional:
These items are not necessary to start your sewing journey, but they may help, and this wouldn’t be a comprehensive toolkit guide without including them. 

Rotary cutter
A rotary cutter is similar to a pizza cutter, but it’s used to cutting fabric… not delicious pizza. Some people find rotary cutters a lot more accurate than fabric scissors. If you decide to opt for a rotary cutter rather than fabric scissors (or, in addition to fabric scissors), you have to make sure you use a cutting mat, otherwise, your sewing bench will be all sorts of cut up.

Spare bobbins
While you can re-thread your bobbin using your sewing machine, some people prefer having spares that are threaded and ready to go (I admit, due to my lazy-ness, I am definitely one of those people!). However, this is very much a personal preference and can depend on the projects you’re undertaking as to whether you need spares on reserve. 

Seam Gauge
A seam gauge allows you to measure small areas of the fabric as you sew. This tool is especially helpful for hems, seam allowances, buttons and pleats. While a seam gauge is incredibly useful, it isn’t essential for all projects, especially more simple projects aimed at beginners. 

Now that you know what you need to get started, it’s time to get shopping! Let us know what you buy for your toolkit in the comments below. Keep an eye out for the next post in this series. 

Happy sewing!

Jess 

Have a picture you want to share or want to be inspired? Make sure to follow our instagram page

Don’t forget to join the facebook group for advice from experienced sewers

Pin our gorgeous designs on Pinterest

in Beginners· Blogs by Jess· New to PDF Patterns· Sewing

Sewing for mood, mental health and overall well-being

Now more than ever it is important to look after our mental and physical health. The COVID-19 global pandemic has had an unexpected impact on everyone’s lives, ranging from unemployment to being unable to travel to see loved ones interstate or overseas. In times of uncertainty and stress, sewing is something that has always been there to help me unwind, destress and relax.

Sewing has a number of benefits, one of the most important benefits of sewing is the impact it has on mental health and well-being. Read our Why you should start using PDF sewing patterns now blog post to learn about all the benefits of using PDF sewing patterns and visit our shop to find your next project. 

Sewing is mindful
In the field of psychology, dopamine is known as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Undertaking activities that boost dopamine in the brain can lead to living a more mindful and happy lifestyle. Activities that require focus, motivation, attention and learning have been proven to release dopamine in the brain. This means that sewing is basically a dopamine feel-good fest for our brains, which is why we always feel so good after a sewing session!

Not only does sewing boost dopamine activity in our brain, it has also been proven to elicit a calming effect on our bodies and our minds. We all lead such busy and stressful lives, and the importance of calmness is often forgotten and set aside. The art of sewing allows us to totally zone out and distract ourselves from negative thoughts and the day-to-day pressures we face. The ability to be calm and the practice of mindfulness improves emotional regulation and well-being. 

Sewing is an outlet that allows us to focus our energy into something positive and creative. Without realising, the process of sewing can actually be meditative: you focus solely on your project at hand and allow your creativity to spark and take over completely. Sewing can make us more mindful in our day-to-day lives without us even realising. It is so important for us to take time out for ourselves and pay attention to our thoughts and feelings, and sitting down with a cup of tea and your sewing machine is the perfect way to do this. 

I think we can all agree that when a friend (or even better, a complete stranger) compliments us on a piece of clothing that we’ve dedicated a significant amount of time to creating is one of the best feelings ever! Even the process of choosing a pattern and picking out a cute fabric can boost our self-esteem, and the process of finalising the project can lead to a wonderful sense of accomplishment. So what I’m saying is… the entire process of sewing is basically the best thing ever to keep our minds happy and healthy! 

Sewing is social
While sewing is thought to be a mostly solitary activity, it has actually been proven to greatly enhance our social lives and expand our networks. 

Isolation and loneliness have a significant impact on our mental and physical health. Feeling disconnected from those around us can lead to low energy, low motivation, problems with sleep, and even depressed moods. Having a hobby that helps you improve and strengthen your networks is invaluable for keeping your mind and body healthy. There are a number of sewing groups that meet up regularly, and even work on shared projects together. If you are interested in joining a sewing group, a great first step is to join the Flosstyle Fair facebook group. This group has over 8k members and is a great place to meet like minded people to get advice and discuss your sewing projects.

While the importance of having strong bonds and friendships is clear, sewing is also a great activity to do solo when you need some time and space away from everyone else.

Sewing is creative
Engaging in creativity has a positive impact on our well-being. The entire sewing journey engages our brains in creative thought. From researching different patterns to choosing seam finishes, our brains are focused, motivated and constantly learning.

On average, we have around 60,000 different thoughts in just one day: crazy right!? It’s no wonder that we can often feel weighed down and snowed under. Having a creative outlet like sewing allows us to channel our (60,000!) thoughts into one project: this has the same effect that meditation does on our brain. 

People who have been sewing for quite some time even have the ability to visualise how they will make something new, how they will fix a broken item, and how they will embellish a new project. Visualisation is a key component in keeping our minds active and leveraging off the new techniques and skills we learn as we progress in our sewing. This just further proves that having a creative outlet can improve our lives immensely. 

Sewing is therapeutic 

Not only does sewing have a positive impact on our mental health, it has also been found to impact our physical health too. 

Sewing greatly improves hand-eye coordination. For those who are new to sewing, it is clear that even threading the sewing machine can be quite fiddly and requires strict concentration. More seasoned sewers can thread a machine without blinking an eye, and can glide fabric through the machine seemingly without even paying attention. This is clear evidence of how sewing improves your hand-eye coordination the more you do it. Poor hand-eye coordination can impact every day activities such as writing, driving and exercise: this is why it’s so important to maintain strong hand-eye coordination (through sewing a super cute dress, just like our Flosstyle Lala dress pattern).

The entire process of sewing teaches us something new with each project we undertake: it is an ongoing learning journey. Constantly learning new skills and techniques keeps our brains engaged and active, which helps to prevent degenerative diseases and dementia. 

Following instructions and sticking to a clearly defined methodology allows us to keep our minds clear and focused. Give our Step by step guide blog post on how to download PDF sewing patterns a read to learn something new and boost your self esteem by creating a fabulous new creation.  

Adding even just 30 minutes of sewing to your daily routine can help you live a more mindful and healthy life. There aren’t many hobbies that are proven to improve your overall health while also giving you an opportunity to create your own clothing accessories and anything else you can imagine! Sewing is a great hobby for improving and enhancing our overall well-being (and that’s just one of the reasons why we think sewing is the absolute best!). 

Happy sewing! 
Jess