Hi Lisa,

A simple sewing machine should be fine for awhile. Serger isn't
required. Most likely one of those 60 stitches is an overlock, or edge
stitch or blanket stitch anyway. Visit you local good will, library
or used book store and pick up on older book by singer for beginner
sewers. You can't beat them for excellent illustrations and clear
instructions on machine sewing.

Sewing denim, and heavy dense fabrics can be tricky; invest in presser
foot attachments that aid in sewing over the bump created where denim
seams intersect. A roller foot helps too. Don't cut costs on needles!
Dritz are decent and make sure you use the right needle for the fabric!

Before venturing in to sewing heavy fabrics, practice on regular cotton
and flannels. Once you get your techniques down pat, then venture into
denims and duck or canvas.

Fraying is prevented by either hemming the edges or simple over locking
as well as cutting with pinking shears. Prewash and iron your fabrics
before any pattern cutting or stitching. THis removes any manufactured
applied sizing, preshrinks so your patterns will fit and lets you feel
the actual texture of the final fabric item.

Play with your various stitches, not just per stitch but change their
lengths and widths too - and on different fabrics. Save the swatches,
write down and pin your needle types and machine settings to the
swatches. Staple the swatches to an index page and put in a a three
ring binder. This makes your own reference "bible"!

Join some online sewing forums for tips and tricks! Make sure your
sewing area is well lit, the machine is a comfortable height (I have
mine on a desk - so I don't end up hunched over).


Oh yeah, don't use cheap thread!!! Coats & Clarks is a tried and true
stand by. Skip those walmart and Jo-Anns bargain bins!


Sewing is fun, relaxing and gets creative juices flowing! Enjoy!

Cheers,
Kim

for ferret help and info:
http://holisticferret.proboards60.com/index.cgi
http://ferretopia.proboards51.com/index.cgi
yahoo groups Natural Ferrets

[Posted in FML 7383]