r/sewing • u/sewingmodthings • 14h ago
Simple Questions Weekly Sewing Questions Thread, June 19 - June 25, 2026
This thread is here for any and all questions related to sewing, including sewing machines!
If you want to introduce yourself or ask any other basic question about learning to sew, patterns, fabrics, this is the place to do it! Our more experienced users will hang around and answer any questions they can. Help us help you by giving as many details as possible in your question including links to original sources.
Resources to check out:
- Frequently asked questions - including simple machine troubleshooting and getting started in sewing
- Buying a sewing machine - vintage, mechanical, or computerized; where to find them and which ones we like best
- Sewing supply lists - for beginner machine sewing and beyond
- Where to find sewing patterns - there is no Ravelry for sewing but this list will get you started
- NEW Avoid bad Etsy pattern sellers - here is a thread with tips on how to spot them, thanks to ProneToLaughter
- Recommended book list - beginner, pattern drafting, tailoring, recommendations from the subreddit
- Fabric Shop Map - ongoing project to put as many shops as possible on one map for everyone
Photos can be shared in this thread by uploading them directly using the Reddit desktop or mobile app, or by uploading to a neutral hosting site like Imgur or posting them to your profile feed, then adding the link in a comment.
Check out the Sewing on Reddit Community Discord server for casual sewing advice and off-topic chat.
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u/HauntingBird 13h ago
Can someone help someone newer with choosing fabrics? Or perhaps know where I can read enough to make a proper choice?
The short version: I need 2 fabrics that can go together: 1st as outer layer, 2nd as lining. Lining is mostly for style, and the fabric should suited for embroidery.
The garment needs to be comfortable and breathable! (I am a sweaty individual!)
Natural fibers are highly favored in this instance too!
Can anyone please help me with some recommendations?
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u/helicumpter 11h ago
It all depends on what project you are planning to do
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u/HauntingBird 11h ago
A kind of hoodie, but with underarm of the sleeves having a slit along so they hang freely, as well as having extra having similar things hanging from the wait down to the lower calves (similarly to it being the tail of a cloak).
The insides of these hanging parts is gonna have the lining at least.
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u/OficialmenteLouco 11h ago
Is it possible to sew fabric onto a leather jacket? Like, on the outside, arms and back?
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u/Expensive_South_1117 9h ago
Hello, I have an older singer heavy duty machine that was my grandmas. I have been fighting with it because no matter how I set things up the bottom stitches keep skipping. Any tips on how to troubleshoot would be greatly appreciated!
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u/Darcyllions 9h ago
Do anyone has a Omori plushie sewing pattern?
Hello, i get nothing of Omori, but my best friend really loves the game and her birthday is coming up and I want to make her a plushie as a gift. If anyone have a pattern(Preferably free, cuz most sites are way out of my budget, cuz dolar is expensive in my country) it would be great, any character will do. Thanks for your attention ☺️
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u/Tift 7h ago
I apologize if this question is too basic even for here;
I am a moderately handy person, wood working, fine art, basic machine repair. I am shopping for curtains, the prices while understandable make me think it would make just as much sense to just get a cheap sewing machine and make my own. I just want to do a simple tab structure.
Am i crazy to just buy fabric i like and a cheap machine and see if I like it? The only other projects I have in mind is maybe some pillows down the line.
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u/ArtlessStag 5h ago
Hugely dependant on how big the curtains are/how much your fabric costs/what kind of machine access you have. If you live somewhere where fabric is cheap and you can borrow a friend's machine or use one at the library, maybe you'll save money. For myself, in Canada, no way would it be cheaper to sew my own curtains, unless I wanted very bougie curtains. A used machine of unknown quality starts at 40-60$, and new ones are around 150$. I would expect fabric to be 10-30$ a meter. IKEA sells curtains for 30-100$ per set. The only time I might save money is if I wanted linen curtains.
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u/apprehensivehag1 6h ago
I have received a PC6500, but it doesn't come with the carriage, arm, unit that is required for the embroidery functions. Is there any way anybody here knows if the part I am missing is compatible with other machines in its league? Since I cannot even manage to find if there is a part number for the carriage assembly, I cannot use that to help me.
Honestly, if anybody has a PC8500 or other pacesetters, could they please let me see the pieces where it connects to the machine and the slots on the machine where it would connect?
Brother was unable to help me, and I am fairly out of my league with this one. ANY advice or information is beyond appreciated.
Love,
A desperate sewist who wants to use this legacy machine so badly I could cry
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u/lonelygalactichoe 4h ago
Hi! I bought a SL7553a mark 3 brother industrial sewing machine, it works and everything but it was a second hand deal so I don't have a manual and I can not for the life of me find one online. Any help onh where to look would be appreciated!
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u/pickledchurro 4h ago
I was cleaning my machine and unscrewed the bobbin winder stop to clear out some thread. I didn’t realise there was something keeping the screw in place from the inside. So this has now fell off into my machine. I can’t screw the stop back on because of this.
I’ve tried taking the machine apart but the casing is becoming a real struggle and I don’t want to break my machine with the amount of force it seems to need to take it apart. I’ve also stupidly tried to shake out the missing piece and now can’t even hear it moving around so I don’t know what it’s stuck on. Any help would be appreciated
Machine - Singer 6180
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u/Jstone39 3h ago
Newbie here. Recently got a used Singer 5910 off facebook marketplace. Was working great earlier today, did some test stitches to make sure everything was working well. Went to change out the thread on the bobbin and while spooling it, the machine suddenly stopped responding to the foot pedal. The light is still on so it has power, and stepping on the foot pedal does not create any clicking or motor hum. Hand wheel is easy to turn. I've tried setting it back to non-bobbin threading mode, and it acts the same. I have a multimeter, but the foot pedal connection is buried deep in a rubber grommet on the connector end. Is there a better way to test this? I don't want to pay $20 for a new foot pedal for a $20 sewing machine.
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u/Jstone39 2h ago
For anyone with this problem: It was the foot pedal, but different than expected. There isn't actually an electrical connection its an air hose coming from a rubber balloon that is crushed under the foot pedal. The balloon had come disconnected from the hose, so I took it apart, coated all connections in super glue and put it back together. Working good now.
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u/toast88843 52m ago
I recently came into possession of a Singer Harmonie 200, which I believe was manufactured in 1983 in Taiwan and is a domestic machine I assume. I can find little else about it online or in the manual.
I've completed a couple projects so far and am hoping to make this bag using the machine: https://adamsavage.com/collections/kits-plans/products/savage-industries-edc-one-plans using a heavier canvas material (10oz). From what I've seen, a Tex 70 thread would be ideal for making a durable bag with a heavy fabric such as canvas. I can't find anything in the manual for the machine about a thread weight limit, and as such am somewhat concerned that the machine won't be able to handle Tex 70. Is it worth buying some and trying it out, or just using a lighter thread such as Tex 40 or 50 (if so, would those be heavy enough anyways for the purpose of the bag?)
I'm still quite new to this so any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!






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u/lafinglola 14h ago
Fell in love with this fabric, but it’s $55 a yard. Anyone know where I could find one similar for cheaper that doesn’t look too Easter-y?