If you love using your embroidery machine for applique projects, this adorable crab applique project is perfect. Whether you want to buy the appliques elsewhere or make them yourself, the bold and bright colours of this DIY make it a great candidate for your summer project. Plus, how cute are that bucket and spade?

2. This vibrant sunflower embroidery hoop

Nothing says ‘summer’ more than flowers – sunflowers most of all! Dedicate your next home sewing project to this beautiful sunflower embroidery hoop, which could easily take pride of place anywhere in your home. They can also be easily personalised and make fabulous gifts for any summer babies in your life.

3. This juicy jean customisation

If you’re someone in the process of mastering sewing skills and garment making, be sure to include this fruity jean embroidery on your list. Though the link above shows strawberries, you can customise your jeans with any fruit you want! It’s sure to be a positive topic of conversation for anyone you stop to chat with – and a point of envy, of course!

4. This quaint garden scene embroidery hoop

Perhaps sunflowers aren’t quite your thing. Perhaps you prefer the unpredictability and freedom of UK wildflowers instead. If that sounds like you, maybe give this stunning garden scene embroidery hoop idea a look. Take a look around your own garden or local areas to see what flowers you can find, and immortalise them in your next summer project!

5. This nautical inspired patchwork doorstop

Summer is often synonymous with the beach. That’s why we started this top 5 with a sweet crab inspired project, and are ending it with this cool nautical themed doorstop. Switch and swap out blue fabrics as you please to recreate the sea and sky, and anything else beachy you like!

For quilting techniques, dress patterns, and anything else machine embroidery related, choose Britannia Sewing. We upload how-to videos, blog posts, and everything in between to inspire you on your sewing journey. Sign up to our newsletter for the latest offers, news, and ideas.

The post The top 5 summer embroidery projects to embark on this season appeared first on Britannia Sewing.

1. Kimono sundress

If you are struggling to decide between dress patterns, a kimono sundress may be the right choice. Kimono sundresses are light and airy, making them perfect for summer errands or to wear whilst walking on a beach.

2. Square top

If you are looking to make a simple garment, you may wish to make a square top. Creating a square top is incredibly simple, and you can then cut and customise the neck and shoulders of the top in any way you like.

3. Matching accessories

Do you have leftover fabric from a project you have completed? Create accessories from the fabric to complement your garments. For example, you could make a scrunchie, tie or headscarf out of your leftover material.

4. Customised outfits

If you don’t want to make a garment from scratch but have an old, plain garment you want to elevate, stitch patches or sewing designs on your old garment. This will breathe new life into an old piece of clothing and prevent it from becoming forgotten at the bottom of your wardrobe!

If you want to make beautiful clothes this summer, browse the selection of elite sewing machines on Britannia Sewing. If you have any questions about garment making or our machines in general, do not hesitate to contact us.

The post 4 garments to create this summer! appeared first on Britannia Sewing.

Reusing Old Garments

Those old t-shirts or smocks that you didn’t have the heart to throw away suddenly get a new lease of life. Pick the ones that hold the most memories for you and talk about them with your family as you do the project.

Incorporate Photos

Check with your printer manufacturer to see if it’s possible to print out transfers which can then be ironed onto fabric. This allows you to print out favourite photos onto pieces of your patchwork quilt which can then be sewn into the ongoing project. Imagine having a quilt where all your kids’ faces smile back at you every time it’s opened out.

Get the Whole Family Involved

Making your quilt into a family heirloom is easy when you get everyone involved. Let the kids all choose a piece of fabric or something that means something to them. It could be an old favourite pair of trousers that don’t fit anyone anymore or a first baby suit that’s been kept in the back of a drawer somewhere. If you have a “rag bag”, let the kids spread it all over the crafting table and have fun picking out their favourite colours and textures.

Making a memory quilt can become a memory in itself when you turn it into a full family experience. Contact us here at Britannia to discuss the right sewing machine for your quilting project.

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1. Look at what spare fabric you have

One of the great benefits of patchwork is that it can be created from odd bits of material you have leftover from other projects. Find colours and patterns that complement one another and think about what you could create. For example, you may be able to create a patchwork cushion cover that complements your living room décor or a sleeve to store your laptop.

2. Think practically

Take a walk around your house and look at what items you may need to replace soon, e.g. tea cosy, tea towels, etc. Creating new household items out of patchwork is a great way to add a creative flair to your home whilst saving you money on buying these new items outright. Patchwork clothing can look particularly stylish and is a great sustainable fashion choice.

3. Consider the season

If you are still stuck for creative ideas, think about what season is next approaching. For example, patchwork beach bags, picnic blankets and sunglasses cases are great for spring/summer. Alternatively, if winter is soon arriving think about what patchwork items you could make for friends/family as Christmas presents.

Hopefully, your mind will be racing with ideas for your next patchwork project. The best and easiest way to create high-quality patchwork designs is with a professional sewing machine. If you are looking at upgrading your sewing machine or buying your first sewing machine ever, contact Britannia Sewing today!

The post How to get inspired for your next patchwork project appeared first on Britannia Sewing.

Here are a few of the best quilting projects we’ve found for you to try in Spring 2020.

Flower power

One of the things in nature most synonymous with the renewal of Spring is flowers. As such, floral prints are a classic staple of almost everything during this time – including your latest project! Quilts such as this one are great because you can mix and match the fabric colours to be as vibrant and varied as you like. It’s also a great project to get rid of all your textile scraps – the more the better!

Easter

Often when people think of Spring, they also think of Easter. This should be the case in your quilt project hunt too! Easter has so many great themes and symbols that it truly offers you versatility when you’re deciding what to do. You could do a bunny themed quilt, a an easter egg inspired quilt, or perhaps even a traditional Church inspired quilt. Whatever you choose, Easter is a great source of inspiration.

Rainy days

Of course, just because Spring is here doesn’t mean the rain stops! Spring is actually one of the rainiest seasons (the budding daffodils need to get watered somehow, after all!) so why not try a patchwork quilt inspired by a classic rainy day? It doesn’t all have to be doom and gloom; you can use fun prints and a peppy range of colours that can brighten up any project. Check out this stunning umbrella quilt for inspiration.

Of course, quilting is a craft hobby with a multitude of uses – why not try adapting these projects into another soft furnishing, such as pillowcases, table runners, or even coasters? For all of your sewing, embroidery and quilting needs, look no further than Britannia Sewing.

The post The Top Quilting Projects To Try In Spring 2020 appeared first on Britannia Sewing.

However, an overlocker is only a good investment if you can use it effectively. If your needles keep unthreading, or the threads keep snapping when you’re halfway through your stitching, it’s going to cause immense frustration and seriously slow you down.

By following this checklist before you start sewing, you should be able to seamlessly complete your work:

Make sure there’s enough excess thread on the other side of the needle

You need to pull at least 10cm of thread through to the other side of the needle before you start sewing. This length will get shorter as the needle moves up and down, so if you don’t have enough excess thread, it will quickly escape.

Check the looper is threaded properly

This is a task that’s particularly tricky to master, especially as the threading method can vary depending on the model of machine you are using. Be sure to double-check your user manual to ensure everything is correct.

Test the thread tension

If the threads are too tight, there’s a risk that they could snap as you are stitching. If they’re too loose, it could result in uneven stitching. Finding the right level of tension can be a case of trial-and-error, so it’s a good idea to use some scrap fabric to test out the stitching, and adjust accordingly, before you begin work.

It may take time to master the threading process, but once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll have your sewing projects completed in no time. So why not invest in a Britannia overlocker today?

The post Threading Your Overlocker: A Troubleshooting Guide appeared first on Britannia Sewing.

Invest in a sewing machine

Although you could hand sew your patchwork quilt together, this can be a time-consuming process. For beginners who want to see faster results which look amazing, investing in a sewing machine is worth thinking about. Modern machines are not only very affordable but also simple to use and do not take up much space in your home. By using a machine to stitch your pieces of fabric together, you will soon have a quilt to be proud of.

Measure carefully before cutting

As well as how you sew the pieces of fabric together being important, it is also vital to think about the pieces themselves. It is key to measure carefully first before cutting your fabric squares to shape. You will find fitting them together much easier if they are the right size and have seams which match. A little time checking measurements before cutting really does pay off.

Let your imagination go wild

Quilting a patchwork of fabric together should ultimately be fun. The best way to make sure this happens is to simply let your creativity run free. Find fabrics you like or colours you adore and then fit them together any way you like. Don’t worry about what others will think! This approach will ensure you get the most from quilting.

Find the best sewing machines at Britannia Sewing

If you would like to buy a top-quality sewing machine, why not have a look at our website today? We stock a wide choice of the best machines around at great value prices. Order online today or get in touch with any questions or queries.

The post Tips On Mastering Patchwork Quilting For Beginners appeared first on Britannia Sewing.

All-purpose sewing foot

This is the standard sewing machine foot that your machine will have come equipped with. A forward-running foot that works alongside your machine feed dogs, the all-purpose sewing foot works well for most sewing projects, particularly for mastering sewing skills and garment making.

Free-hand embroidery foot

A free-moving foot that allows you to achieve a flowing motion with your machine needle, an embroidery foot is perfect for creating precise embroidery on your fabric. Sometimes called a darning foot for its suitability to darning, a free-hand embroidery foot essentially allows you to ‘doodle’ with your sewing machine to create unique decorative details. Just remember to lower your machine’s feed dogs before you begin as this will allow you to achieve a free-flowing motion.

Applique foot

A wide, short-toed foot that allows the use of your machine’s maximum stitch width, an applique foot enables a precise, controlled finish. Indented to allow your fabric to glide beneath the needle without snagging or gathering, an applique foot lends a professional finish to your work. Applique is a great way to personalise your sewing projects, with the applique foot ensuring you can turn the needle around those all-important corners and curves. For many sewers, an applique foot is an essential accessory for mastering patchwork.

Walking foot

Equipped with an extra set of feed dogs for maximum grip and control, the walking foot feeds your fabric through the machine’s needle at a steady pace. For many sewers, the walking foot is the perfect accessory for quilting due to its steady, consistent line-work and ability to handle thick, bulky fabrics.

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With your own sewing machine, all you need to properly repair your torn clothes is a needle and thread. To prevent the tear from spreading, clothes should be stitched as soon as possible.

This is where sewing machines such as the coverstitch come in. Below are three other reasons why having your own machine is important:

1. To get an accurate and neat stitch

When using a sewing machine, you only need basic skills to attain a uniform stitch. If you choose to sew by hand, you’ll find it is much more difficult to achieve neat and accurate stitches.

2. To sew heavy fabric

A lot of materials are heavy, which makes them hard to be sewed by hand. Good examples are wool and denim. Sewing machines such as a quilting machine use double threads, ensuring you achieve a perfect stitch.

3. To sew quickly

If you run a sewing business, time is crucial. Using a sewing machine will help you to complete your projects on time and according to your customer’s specifications. Hand sewing will take you forever and this automatically means fewer projects will be attended to with a lower level of accuracy.

At Britannia Sewing, we offer different sewing accessories and machines to help you succeed, whether you’re running a business or sewing for fun. Take a look at our full range today.

The post 3 Reasons Why It Is Important To Invest In A Sewing Machine appeared first on Britannia Sewing.

1. You’ll never be stuck for gift ideas

Everyone loves to receive handmade items as gifts, and patchwork items are even more special. Most people would be delighted to receive a patchwork quilt or cushion that you have taken time and care making especially for them. If the recipient loves fashion, why not consider making a patchwork bag or purse?

2. It’s a craft where you can see your progress

Many craft projects can take a long time until you start seeing your progress, this can be off-putting for many and often results in the crafter giving up before they’ve finished. Patchwork crafts can be very satisfying in terms of seeing your creation grow quickly as making a patchwork quilt doesn’t take as long as you’d think.

3. It’s a great form of mindfulness

We are often advised to try things that help to keep our minds healthy as well as our bodies. Practising a bit of mindfulness is a good way of doing this. Patchwork crafts are a great way to give your brain a rest from rushing thoughts and allow you to be in the moment and focus on a task.

The post Three reasons to get into patchwork appeared first on Britannia Sewing.