Category Archives: Blog

You heard it here first!

It’s almost fall! And with the changing of the season comes an entirely new wardrobe. But we know that the best clothes are those made right at home, with lots of love put into the – just like a good batch of brownies! 

Ready to inject your fall wardrobe with a lot of style and a healthy dose of love? Read on for sewing tips from the experts! 

1.) Whatever you do, DON’T watch the needle! 

I know, I know, it’s so tempting! But watching the needle can be a massive distraction when you’re attempting to sew in a straight line. So, to help make sure your stitching doesn’t come out looking like a drunk trying to walk a tightrope, watch the marks that are on your throat plate guide! 

2.) Keep your presser foot UP when threading with your sewing machine. 

When your presser foot is down, you’re creating tension in the machine, which makes it a million times harder to thread. This seems like it should be simple, but so often we forget and naturally press our foot down! Make an effort to keep it up or off the presser to have an easier time threading. 

3.) The thread goes forward – never, EVER pull it backwards! 

It’s tempting to want to de-thread your machine in whatever way seems the easiest at the moment. Backwards forwards, up, down, sideways (okay, maybe not those last three). But when pulling thread backwards out of your machine, you’ll cause lint to rub off and get absolutely everywhere, creating buildup. 

Ready to take your learning even further? You’re in luck, because our Fall class calendar is now available! From beginner to expert level, there are classes for every sewer in the world! 

Embroidery THIS!

The holiday season is upon us! And what better gift to give your loved ones than the gift of a unique, hand-embroidered piece straight from the horse’s mouth! Or, well, hands! 

Always dreamed of personalizing your holiday gifts and lending them a unique flavor? Look no further! Follow the tips below to embroider beautiful pieces that will have your loved ones cooing in aw! 

Tip #1: The magic is in the fabric! 

Okay, we’re not telling you to go and buy some magic fabric (but if you find some, snatch it up!) Embroidery is all about the fabric you choose. High-quality, non-stretchy, and opaque cotton is going to be your best friend, especially if you’re just getting started on your embroidery journey. 

Tip #2: One stitch to rule them all! 

As long as you use different threads! When your floss count changes, even if your stitch stays the same, you can still create a myriad of different looks and textures. Try switching out your high floss count thread for a lower one and see what difference it makes! 

Tip #3: Have FUN!

As cliche as it might seem at first, it’s the truth! The more fun you have with it, the more your embroidery will improve. Try out different designs, colors, and fabrics to get a feel for what you really love. You’re going to mess up (more than once) but that’s part of what makes learning embroidery so fun! 

Which tip are you going to try out first? We can’t wait to see what beautiful creations you stitch up! And make sure to check out our class calendar for some really fun and exciting embroidery classes this month! 

Tata for now, 

Discount Fabric Warehouse

Don’t Let Your Thimble Slip – Save Your Thumb With These Sewing Tips!

We know sewing is life. That’s why we run a business centered on sewing, after all! 

So, in the interest of giving new and old avid sewers like you some hot tips to keep your thimbles on your thumbs, we’ve compiled 3 quickies for you to dive into. 

Number 1: Join a community! 

Now, we may be biased, but we think we’ve got the best community around here at NorCal Sewing and Vacuum! Joining a community means you get to share patterns and gossip with people who have the same sew-eet interest as you. 

Number 2: Pre-wash everything

And we do mean everything. You wouldn’t slip on a pair of undies fresh from the store, right? Or at least… I hope you wouldn’t. But aside from the hygienics of it all, pre-washing your fabrics helps you avoid shrinkage and warped seams. You don’t want a nasty surprise after your first wear, do you? 

Number 3: Practice makes perfect… or something close! 

Here at Norcal, we know there’s no such thing as “perfect.” But we like to think we know what it’s like to get pretty darn close! Enough boasting, though. Let’s be serious. If you want to become a master seamstress or seamster, you need to practice your stitches until you know them up, down, around, and sideways. Don’t worry, though! We have classes for that! 

Join one of our upcoming sewing classes to become a true master at the art of needlework, and watch your skills soar. With classes for seam makers of all levels, we know you’ll find something perfect. 

We can’t wait to see you there. 

Tata for now, 
Discount Fabric Warehouse