Hi Whitney , I just want to let you know how much you have inspired ! 3yrs ago I lost 3 loved ones , one of which was my husband . I had said good bye that day at noon to house sit for our son and by 7:00 pm that evening I got a call telling me my husband was not responding.He passed . I went through a severe depression and didn’t associate with anyone for a year. The only thing that kept going was God and my sewing channels. You , Viv Mom , Kittenish Behavior and several others! I would . I love getting up and getting my coffee and watching you ladies , each with your wonderful personality s!
My husband is gone also and it is the most devastating thing I have had to deal with. I understand about the depression as well. Things will never be the same but they will become tolerable. Hang in there!!!
This was such a touching comment to receive! Thank you for sending it. I am so glad the channel has been a help, and more than just sewing. You listed a couple of my personal favorite channels as well and being associated with them is such an honor! Thank you so much for watching!!!
TomKat Stitchery Thank you for responding back Whitney , I went and purchased the patten and I am going to to participate in the sew along. I love sewing .
Since the love of my life passed away SUDDENLY and unexpectedly in November 2020 I'm having a hard time watching your videos - he loved that I loved sewing, especially for others. So today I put on this playlist as I attempt to complete 2 sewing projects for my 100 Sons Project - the Jalie 3669 Nico Raglan Tee and Simplicity 2895 "cowboy shirt" the guys affectionately call it. The 100 Sons Project is what I used to jokingly refer to as a way to collect all the sons my husband and I could not possibly have had together (we have 2 sons) and this is helping me heal. It is comforting to hear your voice in the background and I too like Wawak - they have a Canadian store. Love, Louise from Nova Scotia
@@TomKatStitchery surrounding myself with love helps - hearing your voice again - your sewing talent and commitment reminds me to come into this now time and just be. The guys loved their shirts - it's such a pleasure teaching them that their clothes should fit and they can choose fabric and make their wardrobes truly theirs. On the Simplicity 2895 I sneaked in two black heart shaped buttons and he loved them - gotta love younger guys they're cool with little things like that. The Nico guy is so happy to have a shirt that fits him he wants to buy purple fabric so I can make him another one. Happy days!
Morning Whitney, back in the late eighties and nineties I would get my paycheque, deposit into my bank and right next door was Fabricland. This particular one was a liquidation store. All notions were buy one get one free. So most of the supplies you mentioned are what I bought from there. I still use all of them every time I sew. Thanks for all the links. Have a great weekend. Val ❤️🇨🇦🇬🇧
Happy to use your affiliate link on Amazon. Just went and bought a few things I've been wanting for a while. Thanks for your great videos. And your color pallet today is stunning! (you look amazing!)
Wow Whitney!! I’m soooo happy to have found your channel last night!! I’ve already watched 4+ of your videos! I totally love your presentation style & the information & tips you offer!! Thank you! I feel like I win the sewer’s lottery with you!!
I love that Stylemaker offers thread to match for $1.95. I will be checking out Wawak’s thread assortment and buy the card. I have purchased the Maxilock stretch for knits. Love the sewKeys tape! I bought it after you recommended it a couple years back. Frixion pens are the bomb!
How do you manage your sewing machine needles? How long do you use them, how do you store them when switching fabrics, etc. thanks, another great, informative video!
I will usually change my needle every couple of projects. The exceptions are if I’m sewing silk (one project will dull the needle) or heavier things like jeans. In these cases, I change after a single project. If a needle isn’t quite ready to be thrown out and I need to change it, I just stick in my pin cushion.
Happy New Year! Santa brought me a number of sewing supplies from this video including a SimFlex, which I used for the first time today. It was truly effortless to get the buttons spaced perfectly! Thanks so much for sharing about all these great tools!
@@TomKatStitcheryExactly! It was the perfect gift ... something that 'seemed' useful, not likely I would buy myself and makes a task easy. I can also see it as being useful when knitting sweaters. In the past I have used elastic with evenly spaced markings that is then stretched to determine button spacing but you kinda need to be an octopus (LOL!)
Hemostat from a home supply store like Menards. Great for pulling cord through a channel. Clover brand seam ripper. Sharper than others. Bead reamer to sharpen. Serger seam ripper: battery operated nose hair trimmer. Custom bias tape: an old trick is to put both ends of a long pin into an ironing board cover. Run the folded fabric under that. I get the Wawak catalog. I just might have to get that thread chart. Hope to retire soon, more sewing time! 🙂
Thank you for a wonderful video. There are things that I cannot find locally and after looking online, I had no idea how to tell what was good quality at a reasonable price. This is super helpful. I am happy to find out we have a Wawak.ca in Canada! Merci beaucoup! :)
Thanks for all the cool tips and tools. Never heard of Wawak until I started watching your channel, so I’m definitely going to check them out. I also recently found out about Steam-a-seam-2 from Joy and Judy. I’ve been using that for my recent projects and wonder why I never used stuff like that before. Makes life much easier.
Pattern weights I use very cheap sardine tins(unopened), easy to pick up,stackable, slide around easily and you dont need many. Plus I use it as a dinner alterative for anyone complaining at the dinner table if they are not hapoy with whats is on offer. Sardines are 5 years out of date but they should be still good.😊
Super helpful!!! I had NO IDEA that color card existed, or that Wawa gutterman was so much cheaper than joanns! Would love a video of youtube recommendations. ALSO: would love a video of notions / findings that you tend to keep "in stock" and how you organize them (buttons, rivets, ribbons, zippers, trim, interfacing, etc.) I know there will always be specialty orders for certain things, but would love to know what you tend to keep in your sewing "pantry" Thanks Whitney!!!
Just as an update...I just ordered the Gutterman thread chart from Wawak a week ago...they are $25 not, but it was still worth it for me. This was such a good video with lots of info. Have most of the tools, but did try the stay tape hemming a stretch top a few weeks ago, and it was a game changer. Was stitching with a twin needle for the first time, and it worked perfectly. Thanks so much for your knowledge.
I’m so glad the tapes worked well for you. I absolutely LOVE them! I totally got the price of the thread chart wrong. So sorry about that. I’ve had mine for a few years and clearly was misremembering the price 😂.
Hi Whitney - Amazon has the 1” SewKey stay tape in ivory. Wondering if you would add that to your store as I need it and would like to give you the credit. Also the Dritz 7” ruler.
An elderly friend gave me a mystery scissors that had been her mom's. It has a screw to be turned on one side. Googled: it's a button hole scissors. You can adjust how far the blades open do you don't cut too far.
I've heard of using wonder tape to help line up seams when matching stripes or plaids - especially when installing invisible zippers. What do you think?
I have a WAWAK catalog and I just found the pages of thread. Amazing selection that I will have to pay more attention to when a sale comes along. What do you suggest for an ironing board surface? I know some people use the silicone/metallic coated board covers, but I have always heard they are not good because they cause the heat to bounce back on to the fabric. A sewing teacher I learned from a number of years ago, had us buy an Army wool blanket from a surplus store (not sure they are around now), cut it up in two layers to fit our ironing boards, then use a cotton cover for the outer surface. She said the steam goes through the fabric, through the wool and exits through the holes in the metal part of the board so the heat doesn't damage the fabric when pressing. Is that something you're familiar with? Thanks for a wonderful video.
That sounds so interesting and I'm sure works so well! For my pressing surface, I have a wooden kitchen island from IKEA that I use. I covered the wooden top with a couple of layers of cotton batting and then a layer of cotton duck fabric. The wood also absorbs the steam and heat when you're pressing. It's a lovely little pressing station!
@@TomKatStitchery Great idea for a larger surface. I've thought that the ironing board limits the size of a pressing surface and I don't like seeing one up all the time. The woman who taught that was the owner of a Viking dealership where I lived in another state. It was the 90's and was a good idea at the time, but those things evolve. I like the cotton batting and the wood underneath. Thanks! I really enjoy your videos.
@@carolohalloran5099 Shipping is super expensive to the UK. In the UK I use Empress Mills...but ask for the threads suitable for industrial machines as these are better quality. EM also do a shade chart for threads.
This is a great list -- I made notes. I also have, and love, a curve runner 12" rolling ruler. It works well to measure the length of a neckline for calculating the length of the neckband. Can you give an idea of shipping time for wawak? Thanks!
The color charts for Guterman's thread are more like $25.00 - it might still be worth it but that's a personal decision. I'm not that fussy about perfectly matching thread for my serger, and if I need to top stitch something I'll usually find pretty close matches in small spools at Joann's when notions are on sale. I can buy one spool and then use that number to match something from the wawak chart to order more. I do order from them, elastics and velcro are big bargains!
I use a piece of soap when I cannot find a more suitable marking instrument. End of bar that is very thin. White with no lotions in it. Have not sewn clothing for years but have been quilting and sewing undies. I made one of these designers patterns (last year) but had to rip out many times. I had to do a lot of alterations (shoulder, bust, torso, length, etc to the muslin but should have used a knit for muslin and final dress.
Do you happen to know, if I use your Amazon storefront and add to my cart, can I then checkout through smile.amazon or will that negate your affiliate link? My spouse has been out of work since January, so I'm sorry that I don't have extra funds to help you in a more direct manner. But I do appreciate your channel and all your hard work.
I’m not sure, but that’s a great question! I’ll have to look into that! Thank you so much for using the link! Honestly, commenting helps the channel a ton!
Hi Whitney. Love your video. I need to organize my sewing stuff. You are inspirational to me to just start doing it. I’m kinda stuck, doing lots of little projects to around my home. Lastly, I really like the fabric on your chair. Can you tell me where you got the chair or the place where you bought the fabric. Thanks. And have a fun autumn.
Thank you! I actually inherited the chair from my grandmother. It has been recovered many times, but I think this last fabric has been on for about 20 years. Sorry I couldn’t help with that!
Fab vid!! Enjoyed it immensely!! Grat tips. Great to see Gidget, so adorbs!! Have a wonderful week-end-wishing I could participate in the jeans sew along, as I have some fabric I want to make some up in-but will have to wait!! Take care!! :+)
@@TomKatStitchery Thank you-I hope to heal faster than surgeon projected!! On my two week visit, he was really impressed and excited with my progress!! So glad we found him!! :+) Hugs to Gidget!!
Whitney, I have a question for you. Lately my fusible interfacing hasn't been fusing well. You recommend putting wash away tape in a ziploc bag, so I wondered if I should be putting my interfacing in a ziploc bag. What is your recommendation? Do you think the glue has dried out like the wash away tape does? Most of it is at least two years old. It is just frustrating to not get a good fuse.
That is an excellent point! I go through interfacing like crazy, but I wonder if it does dry out over time. I'll ask around and see if I can get an answer to that!
Another great, helpful video Whitney, especially the Gutterman thread from Wawak. I make things for my Etsy shop and I use A LOT of thread and that thread would save me a lot of money. Not sure how it would work on my Bernina though as the spools sit vertically on the top of the machine and turn as the thread feeds. I'm wondering if those spools would be too big/heavy to work that way. I'm thinking it would need a gizmo like a serger has that lifts the thread from the spool and helps it feed. Is that what your industrial machine does??
That is what my industrial machine does. However, the Gutterman is crosswound so it just pulls off the top (it doesn’t have to rotate). I use this on my home machine as well, but I have to use the little piece that allows the thread to sit vertically instead of horizontally in the machine.
I would love to have your list of RU-vid people you follow. You look beautiful. That shirt. Color is perfect on you. I have been out for a while. A lot of sickness issues and my husband is very sick. He found out that he’s diabetic, has asthma and COPD. So anyway, do you have a system in your phone with your patterns? Or do you only do INDIE patterns. I’ve missed you. I better let you go. Thanks for what you do.Happy Thanksgiving
Hello! I’m so sorry you and your husband have been so ill! I hope everyone is doing better. I can definitely do a video on my favorite RU-vid channels!
What does the MARA 100 mean with respect to the Gutermann thread. I thought Guterman construction thread was 50 wt. Is the 100 the weight? Sounds too fine for general construction use.
The French Seam is in Fishers, IN and is a small, but nice little shop. Let’s Sew is in southern Indiana (Evansville), but is huge with gorgeous stock. In northwest Indiana (Lingonier) there is an Amish store with great prices called Zinck’s. You have to dig a bit, but there are some great finds!
I can show how I change mine. I think they are greasy so that they separate more easily in their stack and probably so that the friction between the blades in transit doesn’t cause them to dull or even rust.
@@nancyfine1175 I don’t. The grease is more on the flat part of the blade and not the edge that actually cuts so I’ve never had an issue with it transferring to the fabric.
This was so helpful, thank you! I love Wawak, but didn't know about the color card. Will be getting that right now! You explained the use of so many notions I have passed over not knowing what to do with them, like the duck bills. Great video!
I typically just use self fabric for my knit neckbands and cuffs, however, if you are wanting something beefier, StyleMaker fabrics has great waistband ribbing and cutting in their trims section. That’s what I used for my recent bomber jacket. I’ve also noticed a ton of independent fabric stores will sell matching sweatshirting and ribbing. Melanated Fabrics had some recently. StyleMaker Fabrics and Blackbird Fabrics also frequently have it as well!
Excellent topic! Thank you so much. I'd enjoy hearing about your sewing books and utube video resources. Everything that others mentioned for topic would be awesome to learn.
I love your videos. You are so helpful, informative and down to earth. I too love WaWak. I can't live without all of my Ginger scissors and my fine point tweezers. I have a small curved embroidery pair that I use to trim threads. I use the tweezers on everything from threading needles to pulling out ripped threads. The tweezers are a life saver! Thank you for all your wonderful content.
Another fabulous video. I inherited my Mom’s Ginger scissors, I send them back to Ginger once a year for sharpening and and repairs, for a small amount they do a fantastic job, she had just about every scissor they make. So many good suggestions, making a Wawak order as your talking. Can’t beat their prices, especially for zippers and snaps. As always thanks for sharing your expertise, so appreciated.
That is what kept my head above water. I recently made a pair of Dawn jeans. I was so excited but had use that ripper. They fit really well except for in the rise. I am so disappointed. I also love painting an didn’t go into my studio for a year. I have been considering on hanging up my sewing. I just started sewing my clothes, fitting is so difficult. Thank you for all of your inspiration!
Fitting can be so frustrating and hard. However, if you stick with it, it does get easier and there is nothing better than nailing that fit! I hope you stick with it. I’ve started a jeans sew along today that uses a different pattern, but the principles are the same as the Dawn jeans!
Fitting is a big reason I sew. TomKat Stitchery is one of my top 4 sewing videos I highly recommend to others. Peggy Sager's video's on fitting really help me analyze fitting issues. Length, circumference or depth. I get Wawak's catalog. I don't sew nearly as much as Whitney, but I think I'll get that thread color chart. I hadn't checked prices so much, good to know I can do better thread shopping.
Please do a video on your sewing books. I have an addiction to sewing books. I love Maxi-Lock thread . That's all I use in my overlocker. Enjoyed your video.
I can’t buy from any North American sources, but I’ve been mentally translating the most interesting things so I can search on them where I CAN order. Mind you, I have a lot of what you have already, in pristine, new condition, because I study sewing a lot more than I sew.
Whitney, thanks so much for the wonderful list of notions. You made me realize that I don't sharpen my scissors nearly enough! I would add three more essential notions: #1. I use nonwoven disposable bedsheets to make my very first mockup -- I used to do this by pin-fitting the pattern but with print-at-home patterns, the paper is just too thick for this. This is much less expensive than Swedish tracing paper, but it is not as durable. I have no intention of saving this so I cut and slash and do all the necessary fitting changes which I then transfer to the pattern. #2 I hang all of my PDF patterns -- I'm lucky enough to have a closet I can use -- so I have pattern hooks. I LOVE keeping the patterns I print this way. No need to fold, no need to iron. #3 This goes along with the pattern hooks -- I use a 0.75 circle punch. I reinforce an area of the pattern with cellophane tape and then I punch the hole and hang the pattern along with the instructions in my pattern closet. This has made a huge difference in my organization. Thanks for the videos -- I'm a regular fan!
Hello Whitney, I just happened upon your channel. I've been sewing my own basic wardrobe for years. I didn't know how stuck in a rut I was until this video introduced me to many new notions & sewing aids. I do want to point out that your presentation would be more professional and easier to watch if you prepared a list, script, or outline before filming. An example is at 11:22 where you rummage for your visual aid and think out loud about the product. Please take this as constructive criticism not condemnation. I look forward to watching more of your videos.
I use the exam paper for tracing paper as well! I'm a nurse and we had an overabundance so I took some rolls home. It works great as table cloths and coloring paper for the grandkids too. It's the perfect weight for tracing paper.
