How To Choose Your Sewing Machine

How To Choose Your Sewing Machine Sewing Machines For Learning How to Sew ChaptersChoosing Your Sewing Machine Based on the Type of Sewing You DoChoosing Your Sewing Machine Depending On Your Skills and BudgetChoosing A Sewing Machine According to TypeThe Different Makes of Sewing Machine“Marriage, such as it is practised by catholicism, is nothing more than a stitch in the heart, neatly done.” (Victor Hugo, 1802-1885)In the UK, despite the emancipation movement and steps made towards equality between the sexes, the last dregs of patriachy still consider sewing a purely feminine activity, as though men were capable of doing everything except sew clothes and do housework.Yet learning to sew means that torn or worn clothes need not be confined to obsolescence - instead of buying anew, they can be repaired or recycled. This means taking sewing classes, then finding the right sewing machine according to very specific criteria - a computerised or a mechanical sewing machine, for example?What make should you buy?How many types of stitches?Which sewing machin e is best for beginner sewing projects?Which manufacturer is best if you want to hem a skirt, make a cushion, sew on a zip or sew the leather for your sofa?My mother always told me that it’s not the tool that makes the clothing, but the tailor (or dressmaker).And it’s true that you don’t need a professional sewing machine to repair a garment. But considering the impressive range of industrial sewing machines and budget sewing machines, the choice can seem difficult.You want a good sewing machine but you don’t know the technical details of each of the brands? Read on to find out everything you need to know to pick the right sewing machine for you.Learn also which fabrics to select for you sewing projects.over £8,000.Beyond £200, the quality of the manufacturer and the available options will influence your choice of sewing machine, for example:Thread cutterAutomatic buttonhole stitchSpeed adjustmentAutomatic needle positioning at restSewing feetThreaderNumber of stitchesPric e.Remember that a sewing machine with an adjustable stitch length and width will be more comfortable to use than a non-adjustable one, which will come with its own list of little annoyances and work-arounds. To sum it up, here’s a table with all the criteria according to price, sewing level and expectations:Less than £100 £100- £500More than £500Sewing levelBeginner sewingIntermediate levelProfessional levelUseBasicsMore comfortable sewingCan sew anything in any waysImportance of make and functionsminorhighDeal-breakerThe type of machine you buy also depends on the use you will make of it.Choosing A Sewing Machine According to TypeMost sewing machines work on a knotted stitch principle, with upper and lower threads coming from thread bobbins. The lower bobbin is at the heart of the whole mechanism. There are several different types of sewing machine on the market, ready to succour a needy seamstress.Mechanical vs. computerised sewing machineMechanical sewing machines are best fo r small budgets, but they were also quite sought after by professional tailors and seamstresses for their versatility, since everything can be adjusted manually.Singer is one of the oldest sewing machine companies out there. Photo by Internet Archive Book Images on Visual huntAnd who hasn’t lusted after a Singer sewing machine with a presser foot, as old as sin - or at least, as old as 1851 at most. However, you need to know this kind of sewing machine like the back of your hand. It’s better to wait until you have some experience before making lovely dressmaking creations on old, purely mechanical or electrical sewing machines.You need to know exactly how your mechanical sewing machine works to use it properly.A computerised sewing machine will be more expensive, but it is ideal for a beginner sewer. This beginner sewing machine will do most of the work thanks to its automatic adjustment - length and width of the stitches, threading, automatic buttonhole stitch, programming diff erent stitches - making it easier to use.No need to know all the gears and levers on your old Singer, Pfaff, Brother, Bernina or Husqvarna sewing machine. This type of machine is a comfortable sewing tool and, as an added advantage, electronic machines are quieter than mechanical sewing machines. What is more, electric sewing machines have become easier to repair than mechanical ones, as the evolution of technology has negated the need to dismantle the whole sewing machine to find the problem. Now, sewing machine repairmen often only need to plug in a cord or update the machine’s software.Mechanical sewing machineElectrical sewing machineAdjustmentsManual (you need to be versed in the machine’s “anatomy”)AutomaticNoiseCan be very loudQuietRepairsCan be complicatedDigitalisation facilitates certain repair tasksUseVery precise operation for intermediate or advanced sewersIdeal for beginnersPriceSmallMiddle to highNow, computerised sewing machines are often easier to repair tha n mechanical ones. Photo by sparr0 on VisualhuntThe Different Makes of Sewing MachineNow on to the different sewing machine companies.  Though certainly you will find a good range of products online, if you’re unsure of what you need, a real-life haberdasher’s will give you the best advice.From the 19th century until fairly recently, Singer was the non plus ultra of sewing machines both among housewives and tailors. But with the rise of globalisation, many new firms have come onto the market with excellent products that shook Singer from its throne. At the top you will find sewing machines by Bernina (beginner sewing students should opt for the Bernina 215, easy to carry and simple to use), Husqvarna and Pfaff (durable, powerful and easy-to-use). A Pfaff Passeport 2.0 or 3.0 is ideal for your first sewing classes.These are considered to offer the best quality, but there are others:Elna is for beginner sewing students who want to sew on mechanical sewing machine - such as the Eln a eXplore 240 or the Elna 3210 Jeans, a mechanical sewing machine that lets you sew thicker fabrics such as denim or corduroyJanomeBrother: easy to use, known for its Innov Is line designed especially for beginner sewersBernetteToyota.Here are the different machines summed up according to their functionality and pricesThere are sewing classes London, in Glasgow, in Manchester and all over the UK.SilverCrest SNM 33Singer StarletHusqvarna Viking E10Singer Simple 3232Pfaff Smarter 160 SJanome Skyline S3Pfaff Expression 3.5Number of stitches3316204023120200Buttonhole stitchAutomatic, 4 steps4 step4 step1 step1 step7 steps16 stepsLength adjustmentyesyesyesyesnoyesyesWidth adjustmentyesnonoyesyesyesyesThreaderyesyesyesyesyesyesyesSpeed adjustmentnoyesnoyesyesyesyesPresser feet5454578Weight6 kg7.5kg6.3 kg7.5 kg6.3 kg10 kg10.6 kgPrice £80 £200-300 £140 £170 £200 £800-2,000 £1,400Right! You have your whole sewing kit together, with all the accessories: sewing machine, bobbins, threads…But how do you learn to sew? By taking sewing lessons online or at home. See you on Superprof for your first sewing course!Learn more about sewing supplies and accessories you can use on your projects.

A Guide to Tackling the ACT Reading Section

A Guide to Tackling the ACT Reading Section ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog Reading four lengthy passages and answering 40 questions in a short timespan of 35 minutes can seem overwhelming, especially if you are not familiar with the ACT Reading section and the many tricks that the ACT writers try to confuse test-takers with. However, a little review and practice of a few simple test-taking strategies will give you the skills and confidence necessary to tackle the ACT Reading section. Strategy 1: Determine what your weaknesses are As with any standardized test, it is always best to determine what you are up against and what your weaknesses are. First, you will need to complete an ACT Reading section in a timed setting. When taking this initial test, make sure that you are approaching it as if you’re taking the real test. If you happen to run out of time, record which question you are on when time runs up, and keep working on the practice test. When scoring your practice test, take note that if you went over the allotted time, then the score that you received on the practice test is not a realistic score, and that your realistic score will likely be a little bit lower. After scoring your test, take note of the types of questions that you missed. Are they mostly inference questions, or detail questions? Did you spend a lot of time reading the passage? Did you struggle with time management? Was it difficult to interpret what the question was asking of you? Figuring out what your weakness is will help you to tackle those weaknesses and prepare strategically for the ACT Reading section. Strategy 2: Determine the best passage reading strategy for you There are many different popular strategies for how to read a passage and answer related questions. Some test-takers like to read the passage in detail before looking at and answering the questions. Other test-takers like to read the questions first, then read the passage in detail, and then answer the questions. Which strategy you should use to approach the reading section depends on your strengths and weaknesses, as well as on your preferences. Read the passage in detail, then answer questions This strategy is often used as a default, since it is what many students are taught in school. The advantage of this strategy is that you have read the passage in full, thus enabling you to have a very thorough sense of the passage. The disadvantage of this strategy is that it is more time consuming than skimming or scanning the passage. Read the questions first, then read the passage This strategy is a popular strategy since many students think that by reading the questions first, they are better able to pinpoint the answer in the passage when they are reading it. This strategy may be helpful to some since you know what the questions are asking before you read the passage; however, the disadvantage of this strategy is that you will inevitable have to read the questions twice, thus making you do double work. Another disadvantage of this strategy is that you spend more time reading a passage in detail than by skimming the passage. Skim the passage first, then answer questions This strategy is the most effective strategy if you have strong skimming capabilities. By skimming the passage, you are able to garner the main idea, purpose, and keywords of the passage in a short amount of time. Skimming allows you more time to carefully answer each questions, or provide you with a little extra time to quickly consult the passage before answering a question. If you don’t have strong skimming skills, you can develop this skill by practicing skimming on articles and other reading passages. Experiment with these three strategies for tackling the ACT Reading section and figure out which one is the best for you. Strategy 3: Familiarize yourself with the types of questions presented on the ACT Reading Section The ACT is predictable in the types of questions that they pose to test-takers. Most questions will ask you to do one of the following: Identify and interpret details Determine the main idea of a paragraph, paragraphs, or passage Understand comparative relationships (compare and contrast) Understand cause-and-effect relationships Make generalizations Determine the meaning of words from context Understand sequences of events Draw conclusions about the author’s voice and method This list covers the most frequently asked questions. The ACT does ask a few questions that aren’t specified in this list, but you shouldn’t worry too much about that since you’ll be able to find the answer in the passage for any question asked of you. I recommend becoming familiar with each of these question types, determine which areas are your weakness, and drill out your weakness by answering many practice problems in that area. Strategy 4: Determine the main idea of each paragraph One strategy that I use very often, especially on the Humanities, Social Studies, and Natural Sciences passage on the ACT Reading section is to underline the main idea, or the topic sentence, of each paragraph. This strategy helps to ground me in the ‘big picture’ and purpose of the paragraph, and of the passage as a whole. While using this strategy, it is more difficult to get distracted by supplemental details or get confused by answer choices that are incorrect. Strategy 5: Eliminate wrong answer types Often times, the writers of the ACT exam try to trick test-takers to choose an answer choice that is partially correct, instead of choosing the best answer choice. In order to avoid falling prey to this trick of theirs, make sure that you carefully read each answer choice and ask these three questions before selecting the correct answer: Is this answer choice too specific? Is this answer choice too broad? Does this answer choice reverse the relationship of issues or events? Does this answer choice introduce a new idea? Does this answer choice present an unrelated concept or object? If an answer choice does any one of the aforementioned things, then it is probably an incorrect answer choice and you should eliminate it. Strategy 6: Tackle the Reading Section As always, the only way to improve your performance at anything is to practice, practice, practice! Take practice ACT Reading tests often and make sure that you understand every question that you answered incorrectly, and why you answered it incorrectly. As you review the questions that you answered incorrectly, make sure to write down how you will attack this type of question differently in the future. It is imperative that you understand why the correct answer is the best answer choice, and the reason behind why you chose an incorrect answer choice. The more and more you review why you answered a question incorrectly and how to tackle it in the future, the less likely you are to repeat the same mistake, and the more likely that you are to answer a similar question correctly in the future.