Charlene Phillips - The Sewing Machine Classroom: Learn the Ins & Outs of Your Machine

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The Sewing Machine Classroom Copyright 2011 by Charlene Phillips. Manufactured in China. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Published by Krause Publications, a division of F+W Media, Inc., 10150 Carver Rd, Blue Ash, Ohio, 45242. (800) 289-0963. First Edition.

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ISBN 13: 978-1-4402-1600-8

SRN: Y2994

Measurements have been given in imperial inches with metric conversions in bracketsuse one or the other as they are not interchangeable. The most accurate results will be obtained using inches.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charlene Phillips is an author, magazine contributor, presenter and trainer. She lives in southwestern Ohio with her husband, Bryan. Together they own and operate The Sew Box, a store specializing in sewing machine feet, notions and self-designed sewing patterns. Since her mother taught her to sew at a very young age, Charlene has continued to learn and share sewing techniques with others, reaching "new sewing friends" around the world. More information can be found at www.thesewbox.com Charlene enjoys hearing from others, and sharing tips through her blog at http://thesewbox.blogspot.com and www.sewingattachments.com. Continual sewing conversation can be found by joining her on facebook.com (The Sew Box).

Previously, Charlene owned an alterations business, was a school teacher, a college professor and an educational trainer for local schools. She is the author of The Sewing Machine Attachment Handbook and contributes to many magazines and online sites such as Threads, Sew News, Creative Machine Embroidery and ISMACS News. She is also a guest blogger for BERNINA Blog (www.berninausablog.com).

Charlene has presented and taught locally, as well as at various Quilt Markets and conferences.

DEDICATION

For my treasured grandchildrenChance, Corin, Maggie and Robertwho always keep things in the right perspective.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The questions, support and encouragement from many sewing friends around the world gave life and purpose to this book. Crafters are quick to share ideas, always having a zeal to learn new techniques. I wish to thank each and every one of you as we continue our learning journey together. I love your questions, comments and photos!

I wish to thank my husband, Bryan, for his encouragement and support during the many hours spent writing and sewing. Living in a house with a dedicated sewer requires tremendous patience and understanding of why every new notion and gadget is truly needed. Thank you Shirley, my beautiful daughter, for being my continual example of doing what you truly believe in. Thank you to my sons, Troy and Charles, for helping with all the computer and techie questionsfrom safely backing up the manuscript to keeping the music streaming from my iPod. Many thanks to their wonderful wives, Carrie and Tracy, for being there whenever needed.

Throughout my life, I have been blessed to be surrounded by a loving and supportive family who instilled the desire to learn and share with others. Thanks to my father, Charles Smith, my mother, Virgia Smith, and my stepmother, Dolores Smith, for never-ending love. Thanks to big brother, Mike Smith, for always being at the other end of the phone when I needed to talk, and to my sister, Monica Helton, who has always shown me how to never give up, no matter the odds.

This would only be words on paper without the fantastic and exciting crew at F+W Media. Editor Kelly Biscopink worked her magic to produce a concise and readable book from my scribblings, and the outstanding step-by-step photos are the talented work of Christine Polomsky. You are seeing the results of their true talent, while I enjoyed every fun minute spent with them. And the cheese cake! Thank you to Christine Doyle, Acquisitions Editor, for surrounding me with talent beyond words!

Thank you to both BERNINA of America, Inc. and the Singer Sewing Machine Company for the fabulously wonderful loaner sewing machines used for the photo shoot and throughout the writing, sewing and editing of the book.

And to you, the readerI hope you enjoy the collaborative efforts of the very talented and supportive people in my life.

introduction

All of us start at the same placethe beginning. Over the years I have had my share of puckered seams, creeping fabric, tangled threads and tunneled stitching. Although some days I still find my trash can more full of trials-and-errors than my finished pile, I eventually know what is going wrong once I stop to analyze and think about it! Experimenting with fabrics, needles, threads and stabilizers, and learning what my sewing machine can do for me has resulted in more enjoyable sewing time and less frustration. Whether piecing quilts or sewing up a new wardrobe, I would rather spend my time sewing than grabbing the seam ripper!