Archive for July, 2007

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How to choose a sewing machine.

Wednesday, July 18th, 2007

So you’ve decided that you want to start to sew.  This means that you have to go out and choose a sewing machine.  Or perhaps you’ve been sewing for quite a while now, and it’s time for you to finally chuck that old faithful sewing machine that you’ve had for years, who is finally refusing to sew that next stitch.

No matter where you are in your sewing expertise or your sewing needs and projects, one of the most daunting aspects of sewing is actually picking a sewing machine.  There are so many different brands, so many different models, and so many different types of sewing machines that are out there!  The decision can be terrifying—what if you choose the wrong one?  What if you pay too much?  What if it breaks in a year?

Here are some guidelines that will help you choose the right sewing machine for you.  Following these tips will help you navigate the often confusing and overwhelming world of sewing machine options.  So read through these sewing machine rules, and happy sewing!

1.  Ask yourself some questions.

Before you even head to the nearest store, there are a few questions that you need to ask yourself.  By answering these following questions, you will be able to narrow down what kind of sewing machine is best for your particular needs.

– What type of sewing do you plan on doing?  Are you interesting in making clothes?  Do you need a sewing machine for crafts?  Are you just going to be making repairs to clothes or doing alterations?  Will you be sewing things for your home?  Are you a quilter?  Do you need a sewing machine for lace?
– Where will you be sewing?  Do you have an entire sewing room for yourself, or will you be setting up on the kitchen table?  Will you be sewing in the family room, or in your bedroom?  Consider the space that you have available and the type of space.  If you will be sewing in a place with a number of other people around, like your dining room table, you will want a more compact machine without a number of accessories.  You can go all out if you have an entire sewing room.
– Where are you going to store your sewing machine?  Will it be in a closet with a number of different items, like coats and shoes, or do you have an entire cabinet set aside where you can store it?  Or do you plan on always having it out and available for use?
– What is your budget?  How long do you plan on using this machine?  If you want to have it for years, you will be making larger investment than if you’re just buying something for a few months or a year.

2.  Do your research!

Dust off those research skills of yours.  Go and find the latest Consumer Reports for ratings on different types of sewing machines.  Their ratings are very reliable.  Other sewing machines can also be a help, such as Sew News and Threads.  Check out online discussion groups.  You need a machine that is reliable, that can do what you want, that isn’t finicky.  If you spend a lot of time sewing, you will want one with a lot of options that isn’t too difficult to figure out.  Don’t forget to look carefully at the warranties.
Go visit all of your local dealers, if you have any.  Talk to them about what they recommend.  Be very clear about your needs, your limitations (budgetary and spatial), and your dream machine.  Ask questions.
Visit the dealers again.  Don’t buy from someone who isn’t friendly and helpful.  Make sure that you get a manual, and a hard copy of your sales agreement.

3.  Take some machines for a test drive.

When you go shopping, take some fabric with you so that you can test out the machines.  You will want to test the different presser feet, the stitch length, and reverse.  You might be able to find a dealer who will give some free lessons.  Don’t rush yourself; this is an important decision.

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Tips for selling your crafts at fairs

Wednesday, July 18th, 2007

If you are interested in selling your home made crafts at craft fairs and art shows, then there are some things that you need to know.  These tips can help you make your craft business financially successful.  By following these common sense guidelines, you can be successful in your craft marketing, craft pricing, and your approach to attracting and catching long term customers.

Craft fairs and art shows can be a fantastic place for you to make great business selling your homemade crafts.  Craft fairs attract a large number of people who are only there to purchase your products.  Selling your crafts at craft fairs allows you to do what you really love and to make a living doing it.  It also allows you to reach the best customer pool so that you can find long term consumers and clients.

Selling your crafts at craft fairs is a great option for you if you are outgoing and if you are willing to drive around a lot, visit a number of different places, and have a good retail personality, then craft fairs can be a good option for you.  Otherwise, you might want to look at other ways to market your crafts, such as at boutiques.

If you think that selling crafts at fairs is for you, then here are some great tips that can help you be successful on the craft fair circuit!

1.  Check out different craft fairs.

First, you need to do your research to make sure that your products are actually right for craft shows.  How good are your products, really?  Do you think that you can sell them to people other than your family?  If so, then keep going! 

2.  Do your homework about different shows that you can go to.

In order to successfully sell your crafts at fairs, then you need to find the craft fairs that are right for you.  Find out everything that you can about the different fairs that you are considering attending.  Call up the craft fair organizer and ask the following questions:

 – What types of products are going to be sold at this fair?
 – What niches are going to be demonstrated at this fair?
– How many vendors are gong to be represented for each niche?  You want to avoid a glut of people in your particular niche.
– What types of fees are involved?  What are the upfront costs, what are the application fees, and what else will you have to end up playing?
– What about the booths?  How big of a booth can you have?  What is the setup going to be like?
–Putting it all together, can you afford this particular show, combined with all of your other costs for travel, lodging, and materials?

3.  Start small when it comes to going to craft fairs.

Instead of going to the multi-state fairs initially or the regional fairs, you should start small with craft fairs.  Local fairs can help you keep your costs down so that you can have a higher profit margin.  Also consider borrowing a booth from another crafter so that you can save even more costs.  Or you can go in on a booth with a crafting friend.  Attending a number of local fairs, combined with larger fairs, can help you build a loyal customer base in different regions and in different areas.

4.  Price your crafts correctly.

A problem that many people have when trying to sell their crafts is that they don’t price their products correctly.  You need to determine what your actual production costs are.  Then you need to double that price (the labor costs combined with the material costs) in order to come up with your retail price (the original price is the wholesale price). 

Make sure that you check with other people who are selling similar products in your niche.  Are your prices much lower than their prices are?  Then you need to start charging more.  Are your prices much higher?  Then you need to change the amount that you are calculating for labor costs, or you need to cut down on your material costs.

 

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The ultimate sweater machine

Wednesday, July 18th, 2007

What are the characteristics of the Ultimate Sweater Machine?  Is it the machine that you need no knitting experience required to work it?  Will you be able to create beautiful sweaters, Afghans, pillow covers and more? The Ultimate Sweater Machine would use hand knitting and craft yarn and all the fancy new yarns. Will you be able to create a full size sweater or afghan quickly? All these questions will help to figure out what the most important characteristics of the Ultimate Sweater Machine.

How quickly will you be able to knit a sweater or afghan? The average knitting machine will work at about 600 to 1,200 stitches a minute (6 to 12 rows per minute, 100 stitches per row). You should be able machine knit 20” in about 5 minutes.

The Ultimate Sweater Machine stitches up to 600 stitches per minute, at 12 rows per minute stockinet x 100 needles. Up to 1200 S.P.M. with 2 beds joined for 200 needles

What kind of stitches will you are able to make? The Ultimate Sweater Machine will be able to be versatile in fancy stitches like eyelet/lace, Fair Isle, tuck stitch, cable, intarsia, and more.

What if you want to buy a bulkier yarn for the Ultimate Sweater Machine? All you would need to do is that an extra needle from the machine and test the thickness by sliding the thread ends through the needle.

How versatile are the machines ability to fit the patterns to the machine? You can also knit a pattern to fit on the machine by putting needles into work and out of work to shape a sweater front, back and sleeves to later seam together by hand, sewing machine.

All sweater and knitting machines have some limitations. If you are interested in knitting with a thicker thread or a thinner thread and skipping back and forth you may need to purchase more than one knitting machine.

Many machine knitters have at least two machines. If you are doing winter sweaters and blankets you will probably need a bulky knitting machine with 8-9mm between all the needles. This will produce a test swatch that is 3 to 6 stitches per inch. Fine gauge sweater yarn and machines go up to 10 stitches per inch.


In comparison to the deluxe model:

The Bond Ultimate Sweater Machine DELUXE model includes the extension kit, row counter, and intarsia key plate. The non-Deluxe model is the same without the three accessories.

If you were planning to buy the 3 accessories, you would save by moving up to the DELUXE model. Compare DELUXE vs. U.S.M. at plus extension kit plus row counter, with the plus intarsia key plate. You can cast on up to 100 or 130 needles and knit any number of rows you want in solid or variegated yarns or in stripes of different yarn colors.

What is the machine made of? The Ultimate Sweater Machine is made from high quality polymer. This is what is used in aircrafts. Therefore, the life expectancy of this machine is many years.

How much is the Ultimate Sweater Machine? The Ultimate Sweater Machine will run you around $200 in price.

You can purchase extension kits, row counters, patterns and books. These Ultimate Sweater Machine accessories help you to create beautiful sweaters and scarves.

The Ultimate Sweater Machine comes in portable carrying case, similar to a large briefcase & weighs just 10 pounds

.
The convenience and ease of this knitting machine is going to make your knitting experience fun and productive.

Easily knit sweaters and so much more! You can make scarves, afghans, etc! Your designs will look like a professional hand knitter made them! The knitted sweaters or Afghans you can make are of the utmost quality.

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How to sew a button back on a shirt.

Tuesday, July 17th, 2007

7 steps to sewing a button back on

Does this scenario sound familiar?

You: Boy, I hope that I’m ready for that huge meeting together with senior management.  Let’s see, I’ve got my presentation taken care of.  Have all of the information gathered.  Charts have been printed and are safe in the office.  Handouts are all printed and in folders.  Better wear my best suit and shirt today!

You:  Oh no!  How could this happen?  Where did that button go?  How could I lose the button in the very middle of my shirt! Why are all my other shirts at the cleaners?  Well, maybe I can just pin my shirt together with a safety pin.  Nobody is going to notice the gaping hole in the middle of my shirt during my huge, make-it-or-break-it presentation.

After your presentation….

Your secretary:  Hey, did you know that your shirt is wide open and gaping?  Is that a stained undershirt underneath?  How long has it been that way?

While this scenario might seem a little over the top, we have all experienced something very much like this sometime in our lives.  A button has popped off of our cuffs, the front of a button-up shirt, or the button holding your waistband together.  While it might seem alright and unnoticeable if you use a safety pin or cinch your belt extra tight, chances are that your belt will slip and the pin will come unpinned.  It’s much easier to simply learn how to sew buttons onto your shirts all by yourself.  It’s not nearly as difficult a process as you might think it is.  All you need is a few simple tools that you can pick up at your local fabric store, supermarket, or even gas station.

A few easy steps to sewing a button back on that anyone can follow.

1.  Prepare for the operation by having the proper tools ready at hand.

There are several tools that you need in order to sew a button back on your shirt.  These tools are indispensable, but are also inexpensive.  You must have a needle, you must have some thread that is a color that won’t show up on your shirt, you need to have either a straight pin or another needle.  Finally, it is absolutely necessary that you have your button or a replacement button.

2.  Prepare the needle and thread, along with the operating surface.

Thread your needle.  Then knot the thread so that it won’t slip out and so that the button will stay in place.  Now, place the needle in the fabric.  Start so that the knot in the thread will end up on the back side of the fabric so that nobody will be able to see it.

3.  Make your first stitches.

Find where you are going to place the button.  Make just a couple of stitches in the fabric.

4.  Begin the button-sewing process.

Bring the needle up through the button so that now the button is flush on the material.  Place the straight pin on top of the button.  Now, bring the needle and thread back down through the other hole in the button.  Now the straight pin should be under the thread.

5.  Continue the button-sewing process.

In order to hold the button securely in place, make at least six stitches over the straight pin.  Making too many stitches will make the button too bulky, but too little won’t hold the button in place.

6.  Four hole button instead of two holes?

If you are using a button with four holes, repeat steps 4 and 5 with the other two holes.

7.  Finish off the sewing.

End with the needle and thread on the back side of the fabric.  Then knot the thread in the thread that is already there and that is holding the button in place.

Remove the straight pin from the button.  If you don’t have a straight pin, you can even use a very small toothpick.

 

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How to find iron on patterns for hand embroidery

Tuesday, July 17th, 2007

What is hand embroidery?

Hand embroidery is an art that takes different stitches and threads to form monograms, designs, and beautiful images onto fabrics. Hand embroidery is similar to counted cross stitch, but unlike cross stitch, it uses a wide variety of stitches to give the appearance of texture and design; counted cross stitch, on the other hand, uses single stitches and various different colors of thread for texture. The designs are made with embroidery floss and a needle.

Hand embroidery designs are typically stamped, drawn, or ironed onto the material being worked, or they can be done freehand. Iron-on transfers for hand embroidery are one of the fastest as well as easiest ways to get the design onto the fabric, allowing you to start embroidering right away. If you’re just beginning hand embroidery, you should probably start with a small design that uses mostly outline and some of the easier stitches. One of the best ways to do this is to find an iron-on pattern for your embroidery.

How to find iron-on patterns for hand embroidery?

There are many places you can go for iron-on transfers designed specifically for hand embroidery, including:

• Craft stores. This will probably be your best resource, as there is usually at least one craft or fabric store in most cities. Iron-on patterns come in a wide variety of designs and skill levels, so be sure to read the labels to make sure it is exactly what you want. There are a number of stitches for hand embroidery; people just beginning will want to stick with iron-on patterns that utilize mostly outline, lazy daisy, or French knot stitches, as these are the easiest to master.

• Online. There are many websites that can provide you with iron-on patterns for embroidery that you can order. These range from simple floral designs, sayings, or more detailed, intricate patterns. Do a search on “embroidery iron-on transfers” and a number of sites you can order from will come up. You can also check ebay and online craft stores that may carry more on their websites than in their actual stores, such as JoAnn Fabrics or Michael’s.

How to iron on a pattern

Once you’ve found your iron-on pattern, you can go about ironing it onto your fabric so you can start your design. Ironing on is easy and fast and consists of the following steps:

1. First, prepare your fabric or item for embroidering. Make sure it is clean and the has already been ironed flat. Place your pattern face-down onto the area, making sure it is properly lined up and straight.

2. Heat up your iron to the temperature or setting specified on the transfer. Place the iron on top of the pattern and press down, holding the iron in place. Do not use any motion, just press down. Hold the iron in place for about one minute and then raise it up and move to the next area of the pattern. It is important that you don’t silde the iron around the pattern.

3. Next, make sure the pattern does not peel up around the edges. If it does you’re your pattern is ready. If it does peel up, repeat the above steps for several more minutes.

Iron-on patterns are a great way to do hand embroidery and are easily found in craft stores, online, or in books.

 

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Wire hanger craft ideas

Monday, July 16th, 2007

With all the craft options today it can be overwhelming when deciding what type of craft to try your hand at.  Craft stores literally have thousands of projects and the needed supplies lining their walls.  The clever crafter can follow the already put together designs or branch out on their own.  One of the cleverest new types of crafting is using wire hangers to make different craft ideas.  While it may be surprising that such a simple thing as a metal wire hanger can be a craft the real surprise may be how many projects there are that make use of this common household item.  Here is just a couple-

• A Christmas Reindeer

Materials needed:

One metal/wire hanger
Several pairs of panty hose (if you are making these for a family you may want to make one for each child)
Construction paper or felt
Something for the eyes (plastic googly eyes work especially well)
Something for the nose (suggested item- a small red pom pom)

Step one-Bend the hanger so it is in the shape of a diamond.  Leave the hook part on it since this will make it easier to hang later. 

Step two-Pull the leg of the panty hose over the hanger and tie it closed around the hook.  Repeat this step for each leg/hanger combo you are doing.

Step three-Cut out antlers from the paper or felt and glue them on.  Place the eyes and the nose and then glue them on as well. 

This is a fairly easy project that even preschool children could help do.  With a little ingenuity and creativity each reindeer can be personalized for each family member. This results in a really cute Christmas decoration!

• Apple Slices Wreath

Materials needed:

Juice of approximately 10 lemons
2 teaspoons salt
8 – 10 large firm apples
8 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons allspice
1 teaspoon cloves
1 metal/wire hanger
1 – 1 1/2 yards of a 1" ribbon

Step one-Place lemon juice in a large bowl and then stir in salt.
Step two-Peel and core apples.  Then slice apples into ¼ inch thick circles horizontally.  For approximately 6-10 minutes soak the slices in the bowl with lemon juice and salt.  While soaking make sure that each side of the slices has a chance to absorb some of the lemon juice.

Step three-Mix the cinnamon, allspice and cloves in a bowl and blend well.

Step four-Take the slices out of the lemon juice and salt mixture and place them on paper towels to dry.  Pat the tops of the apple slices with paper towels to help absorb any extra moisture.

Step five-Sprinkle the apple slices with the spice mixture.  Cover them liberally and then turn the slices over and repeat on the opposite side.

Step six-Bake the apples in a single layer on a baking sheet for 6 hours or until completely dried.  Oven should be set at 150-200 degrees.  Apples should be slightly pliable at the end of the baking time.

Step seven-While the apples are baking undo the wire metal hanger and straighten.  Then form the hanger into the desired shape for the wreath.  The wreath could be simply round or perhaps a heart shape. This is only a preliminary shaping the final shaping will be done later. When the apples are done fold each apple slice in half and then into quarters.  Then simply thread the apple slices onto the wire. Continue placing the folded apples onto the wire hanger until the wire is completely covered.  For the best look the apples should be placed tightly together.

Step eight-When the hanger is completely covered use pliers to bend the ends into hooks so that they can connect and close. Finish bending your wire hanger into the desired shape of the wreath.

Step nine-Use the ribbon to create a hanger for the wreath.

This can really be a special gift for someone with a minimum of time, effort and money. 

 

 

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Silver Reed Knitting Machines

Monday, July 16th, 2007

The Silver Reed Knitting Machine comes in several models and works with the same yarns as hand knitting.

The Silver Reed knitting machine breed has the widely spread variety of machines available to the home knitter.

They are: LK-150 Fine-gauge (3.6 mm), 250 needles Standard-gauge (4.5 mm), 200 needles Mid-gauge (6.5 mm), 150 needles Chunky-gauge (9 mm), 114 needles.

The Japanese-made Silver Reed machines can be purchased as a punch card machine or as an electronic machine. Because the distance between the needles varies widely, the number of needles on a normal bed varies widely.

A punch card machine can create a pattern, which are 24 stitches wide. However, that pattern can be repeated across the width of the knitted piece or positioned in a specific location, which is then called a motif.

The pattern needs to be either 24 stitches or a number evenly divided into 24. An electronic machine can produce a pattern from one stitch to as many stitches wide as there are needles on the machine

The Silver Reed Knitting Machine comes in several models. Here is a list of the models and some features.

SK 830 Electronic Fine Gauge

This fine gauge machine gives you a lightweight fabric for summer warmth or creates lightweight wool suits for the professional look in the office. All year round, this machine will make you the envy of the crowd with your new wardrobe designed and modeled by you.

SK 270 Punch card Fine Gauge

The SK270 is one of Silver Reed’s finest, with a 30-stitch punch card pattern center that lets you create beautiful tuck, weaving, slip, and Fair Isle stitch patterns. This fine gauge punch card machine is the perfect machine for Cashmere and lightweight dress yarns to create an array of garments year round from elegant wool suits to summer shells.

SK 280 Punch card Standard Gauge

The SK280 is a machine that will proudly stand by your side to help you create some of the most beautiful garments in your wardrobe. With a 24-stitch punch card pattern center, you can create beautiful tuck, weaving, slip, and Fair Isle stitch patterns. This Standard Gauge Punch card machine is the perfect machine for fingering and sport weight yarns. Indulge your creative side; join the growing family of machine knitters.

SK 155 Punch Card Bulky Gauge

The SK 155 provides the great basics by providing a 12-stitch punch card machine that will knit those heavy yarns with ease. This machine handles worsted weight yarns and makes short work of creating beautiful chunky winter wear. Ideal for heavy weight yarns in the bulky range. Stay warm all winter with the Afghans you create to match your decor.

SK 160 Intarsia Mid Gauge

The SK160 is a great beginning-knitting machine. This Mid Gauge Manual Knitting machine offers the same bed as the SK 860 with a non-patterning Intarsia carriage. The SK 160 allows you to start with a basic machine that you will never out grow because it grows with you. Learn the basic operation of the machine then add the optional Electronic Carriage and software when you are ready, to upgrade this machine to a SK 860.

LK 150

The LK 150 offers an excellent knitting machine for the beginner. A lightweight portable machine offers a quick and easy way to create stockinet fabric. This hobby machine gives you the ability to turn imagination into fashion. With its low cost and ease of use, there is no reason not to own one. This machine is ideal for Sport, DK and four-ply weight yarns.

These Silver Reed Knitting Machines seem to be hardy, huge on options and great for beginners.

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How to use barn wood for unique crafts

Saturday, July 14th, 2007

There are so many different kinds of crafts you can do. There are also many different woods you can use when doing crafts. Here are some tips on how to use barn wood for unique crafts.

The first tip on how to use barn wood for unique crafts is to use it for old looking signs. If you want to do a cute country looking sign that you want to look warn and old you can use barn wood. You can find barn wood at your local craft store or from an old barn. If you are pulling your barn wood from an old barn make sure to get a piece that isn’t rotted and is not to warped. You want to make sure that the piece of wood won’t fall apart on you and it isn’t to thin to were you won’t be able to sand it down if needed.

The second tip on how to use barn wood for unique crafts is using it for an old looking door. You can do this by getting the barn wood and cutting it to look like an old door that is worn. If you want to can sand it down and get rid of all the paint and then paint a new layer of pain on it and then sand your coat of paint down in different places to help give that worn look. You can then put a glaze or stain over it to help give it the look of being old and worn. Then you can add you hard ware and lean it up against a wall in a corner or something to help give that country feel.

The third tip on how to use barn wood for unique crafts is using it to make a bench. Make sure to build a stable bench but then you can put the barn wood on top of it so it gives the look of being made out of straight barn wood. This will help give that look of being old and warn. If you are going to use it for the top of your bench you will want to sand it down and repaint it and then if you want the warn look sand it in a variety of different places. If you do not sand it all the way down you might end up getting slivers from the wood.

The fourth tip on how to use barn wood for unique crafts is to use it for an old looking tool box. If you want to make a tool box that looks really old and used you can achieve this through barn wood. All you have to do is find a pattern of a tool box that you can follow. You can look on the internet and probably find a pattern for free. You will then want to sand it down and repaint it then assemble it. After you assemble it you can then sand it in different places to help give the old barn wood look to it again.

The fifth tip on how to use barn wood for unique crafts is using it for decorative shelves. If you are going to use barn wood for a decorative shelve you will want to make sure that it is relevantly flat. This way when you put stuff on the shelf they won’t roll off. Find a pattern if you want something in particular. Then take a piece of sand paper and sand it all the way down and repaint it and use it for an old looking shelf.

There is so many unique craft that you can do with barn wood. Barn wood is such a fun wood to work with. It is great because it is so old and authentic that is great to use to help achieve the country look of being old and worn. So get a piece of barn wood and see what kind of unique crafts you can use it for.

 

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What are swarovski beads, and when do you use them?

Saturday, July 14th, 2007

There are many different beads out there, one type being Swarovski crystal. So, what are Swarovski crystal beads?

Swarovski is not a material type, it is not a variety of crystal. No, Swarovski, instead of being a material is the luxury brand name for the range of precision-cut lead crystal glass beads produced by the companies owned by Swarovski AG of Feldmeilen, (which is close to Zürich) Switzerland. So, in order to answer the question, what are Swarovski crystal beads? I would have to say, simply what they say—crystal beads. However, these are very popular beads because Swarovski makes the highest-quality crystal beads on the market. That along with their beauty and the great selection makes Swarovski beads the most in-demand crystal beads on the market today. So, Swarovski crystal beads aren’t just crystal beads, they are THE crystal beads.

When do you use Swarovski crystal beads?

Swarovski crystal beads are often used to make jewelry, but that is not what their use is limited to. In fact, you can use Swarovski crystal beads to make any number of exquisite and unique items. Because they are available in a wide array of colors, sizes and shapes, the possibilities are endless. And because these exquisite crystal beads offer an easy way to create magnificent jewelry pieces and add an elegant touch to dresses, headpieces, costumes and decorative items, they are used worldwide. So, when do you use them? Whenever you want to make something magnificent, or add beauty, this can be any luxury item, you can embellish dresses, hand bags, or even hair pieces. However, as previously stated, the most common, and popular use for Swarovski crystals is in making top of the line bead jewelry.

So, where did Swarovski crystal beads start, and why are they so popular today?

Daniel Swarovski is the person who began this beautiful line of crystal beads. He invented an automatic cutting machine in 1892. Then in 1895 the Swarovski company was founded. Daniel established a crystal cutting factory in Wattens because in that location he could take advantage of local hydroelectricity. This energy was needed for the energy-intensive grinding processes he had patented. It grew from there, and today, Swarovski is the leader in crystal products, and has several affiliate companies located all over Switzerland.

So what makes Swarovski crystal so beautiful?

Swarovski crystal contains approximately 32% lead to maximize refraction, this is much higher than other crystals. Also, in order to create a crystal that allows light to refract in a rainbow spectrum, Swarovski came up with the process of coating some of the crystals with special metallic chemical coatings. There are a number of different types of coatings that could be applied, and they all warrant different results, so it is a fun and unique way to manipulate the way the light refracts in order to create an eye catching and stunning crystal.

If you know anything about crystal beads, or crystals in general, you will love Swarovski crystals. Discriminating crystal lovers value Swarovski crystal. Why? Because they offer incomparable crystal purity the quality. So, to sum it up, Swarovski crystal beads are high quality components used for making stunning and unique jewelry, and the style and quality they offer is beyond compare.

Whatever Swarovski crystal beads you choose, when you use them to create a unique and beautiful piece of jewelry, you will be glad you used the best.

 

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Selecting a knitting machine

Saturday, July 14th, 2007

Selecting a knitting machine can be difficult because different machines have different features. So the kind of knitting you want to do, should inform your decision. Depending on whether you are going to use a light or heavyweight yarn and the patterns you choose, you will need different knitting machines.

A knitting machine knits yarn automatically, after being set or programmed to knit a specific pattern. A knitting machine saves time compared to hand knitting, but the machine knitter must still pay close attention to the knitting machine, as slipped or tangled stitches are common.

Lightweight machines usually knit with floats, while heavier machine double knit without floats. Most knitting machines come with standard-gauge needles for average-sized yarns. You cannot knit heavy yarn on standard needles; they are just too close together. Likewise, if you knit fine yarn on heavy needles, you will end up with something that looks like a hairnet.

What to consider when you want to understand knitting machine basics

Most complete knitting machines have three parts: a main knitting bed, a shaping device, and a ribbing bed.

•    Main knitting bed: The main knitting bed is where the knitting actually takes place.  

•    Shaping device: The shaping device takes a drawn pattern and lets you know how to operate the machine.   

 
•    Ribbing bed: The ribbing bed lets you apply ribs and different patterns to your garment.

In general, there are two types or "categories" of machine, Japanese manufacture and European manufacture.  Japanese machines do an excellent job of lighter knits, while the European machines handle a wider spectrum of fabrics.
Japanese machines include Artisan, the Ultimate Sweater Machine, and SILVER REED. These machines generally knit lighter weight fabrics. These fabrics include "fair isle" with floats (which are the little strings strung across the back of the fabric) lace, and knit-woven fabrics, who are of special interest to the sewing brigade in general. Also included in this fabrics list is the variety of simple stitches common to all knitting machines?
On the other hand, the European machines (PASSAP, for instance, is Swiss made) are designed to knit double-knitted (no floats) and textured fabrics. The majority of Fair Isle fabrics produced is usually destined for sewing machine use.

Silver Reed Knitting Machines

•    SK830
•    SK 840
•    SK 860
•    SK 270 
•    SK280
•    SK 155
•    SK 150
•    SK 160

All year round, this machine will make you the envy of the crowd with your new wardrobe designed and modeled by you. The different models, allow different yarns to be used in addition to different sizes.

The Ultimate Sweater Machine

•    The Ultimate Sweater Machine
•    Deluxe Sweater Machine

This is a simple 100 needles, plastic bed knitting machine. Nevertheless, do not let its simplicity fool you, it can make great sweaters, Afghans, caps, and scarves.

Artrisan

•    70D

Now with built-in intarsia on main bed, This knitting machine takes almost all hand knitting yarns currently available on the market his machine will make all kinds of garments, including sweaters, skirts, simple double bed scarves, socks with ribbing, mittens and gloves, and a wide variety of other articles.

PASSAP

E-660
E-800

The Swiss-made PASSAP knitting machines are considered the true double-bed machine. The main bed (front bed) and the ribber bed (back bed) cannot be separated as on the Japanese machines. These machines can do more of a pattern and have more of an effect on the front bed patterning than the Japanese machines. There is also a non-patterning, single-bed machine.

Although no knitting machine made so far can replicate every hand knitting stitch, a knitting machine is a fast, reliable way to knit products for home use or for sale. It is important to remember, however, that machine knitting is not necessarily easier than hand knitting. A knitting machine needs much more attention to detail than a sewing machine and can require regular untangling of caught yarn and pick-ups of slipped stitches.

When the decision has been made that you must have a knitting machine for your yourself, the decision-making has really only just begun. Knitting machines are not like sewing machines. It seems like we were born with the basics of sewing machines. Knitting machines are intimidating pieces of equipment. With buttons, springs, in addition to wires and hooks enough to contact the outer world.

With your research and thoughts of what you want to knit in mind, you can find the machine for you.

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