Sewing journey

Note: Links in this post are my affiliated links.

As I start my sewing journey, I found there are a lot of sewing accessories to make your life easier, but started out using just the Singer 4452 that can be purchased through Amazon (Aff link: https://amzn.to/4aVYZCm). This machine comes with walking foot and is a sturdy little machine. During the pandemic (2020) we used it to make face coverings for the under serve and donated over 1000 plus pieces. This machine is still running strong today.

This machine may seem loud to others, but I just love the sound of it. I did not get the machines with the bundle in the picture below, but the extension table can ne added later on. The extension table gives the projects a little more support like table space on the left and gives it a little more of an industrial machine feel (this bundle : https://amzn.to/4gCzCXc)

Note: A lot of folks will say plastic machines from China are bad, but if you compare this to other sewing machine of this grade, it's a great beginner to intermediate machine. Of course heavy duty does not mean HEAVY Machine like the vintage ones which a lot of tech would recommend, but this machine is light weight, but can do a lot of the heavy duty job other machines in it's grade and price point cant.

Let's get started in talking about accessories that seems helpful for your projects aside from the extension table for the singer 4452(https://amzn.to/4hrF6pa)!

• Bobbin Case (https://amzn.to/42J55DZ) - Helps keep bobbin of different color organized and ready!

• Singer Class 15 bobbins for spare (https://amzn.to/4hqLUmT) - Spare empty bobbins

• Heavy Duty Cone Thread Holder (https://amzn.to/4gE8LtU) - If you use BIG spools of thread, this is an awesome holder to use those big spools and gives little room for nesting or loops from the machine for improper threading

• Multipurpose Sewing Clips (https://amzn.to/4aQrNvW) - instead of pins, clips are an awesome alternative so you don't poke your hand

• Sewing Magnets (https://amzn.to/3EpUinW) - helps add as a guide to keep the stitch straight!

Business Branding Equipment

I am a member of multiple craft groups and I also manage a few myself. Questions I often see pop up are:

• How do you print your shipping label/what printer do you have to print?

• How can I make my package stand out?

• How do I get the best shipping rates?

• Do you have buy boxes and shipping products?

Let's start by saying there are multiple ways to pay for a shipping label. The platform you are selling on may offer discounted rates on shipping, but as a smart small business owner or entrepreneur starting out, we always try to maximize our savings to achieve highest profit gain.

Shipping resources:

• In the USA pirateship.com currently gives the best rates with all available carriers. You provide the measurements and the weight and pay for the postage and print the label to drop off or schedule pick up if available.

• In Canada, some locations have ChitChat which will give you the best pricing except for Oct where Canada post has allowed businesses to get free shipping labels every Tuesday the past few years.

Shipping Tools:

• To prepare for the shipping label, you can use your kitchen sale, YES you heard that right, the one that is used to measure food and weight your package.

• You can use any ruler to measure your package.

• To print the label, I HIGHLY recomment the use of a thermal printer (Affiliated link: https://amzn.to/40HIJkG). The label does not require ink and you are printing on a label that cost a few cent per label and you won't have to use tape because it's adhesive.

  • With this printer you can also get color stickers that are compatible and make other cute stickers to stand out!

  • Note: Thermal printer only prints in black and white, but if you get the labels that prints in blue, then it's blue and white.

Thermal Printing that does not require ink!

• If you aren't ready for a thermal, but are shopping in general for a printer. ESPON ECOTANKS are a great way to save money. The inks are affordable and you can get it at costco with free extended warranty. I recommend the ET-2800 or ET-3850, but remember, print often to prevent clogging!

To get refill thermal adhesive label, here's the link to their store of labels

Shipping label: https://amzn.to/4lKvad1

Store for different labels: https://amzn.to/42HuAF9

Cricut Christmas!~~!

Starting Christmas with a Cricut Machine~!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Many received a Cricut this year and like many other years, may leave it in the box because they are too afraid to use it. This post is to provide a quick read and get you started, so, LET'S GO!!!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pIo2IBJ1bitjQuxVf_IDhVc9tBNXnGaB/view?usp=sharing (google Document if you want to print this post).

CRAFTWITHANGIE.COM

CRICUT QUICK START BEGINNER’S GUIDE

Just Got a Cricut Machine, where do I start?

Getting a Cricut machine can be fun, but a lot of time not understanding the machine can cause frustration. This guide will go through the basics to get started and sharing basic/simple knowledge for success including a few small projects.

1.       Take the machine out of the box. Make sure there is 12 inches behind the

machine for material to feed through and not hit the wall.

2.       Register your machine by going to www.cricut.com/setup and follow the steps on

screen

a. Note: this may activate your one month free subscription to use all the

functionality on in design space. Any projects saved will require payment once

subscription is over. Some trademark images will still have a price even with

subscription.  

b. If it ask you for Bluetooth password, it’s 0000

3.       If the machine is a Joy, Joy Xtra, Explore 3, Maker 3, or venture and you are

using SMART material (it will say SMART on the box) you do not need a mat if

you did not cut the backing; white sheet material is on)

Some quick read tips before you start

Machine is now set up. Here are some quick tips you should know to not waste material.

1.       Cardstock (recollection brand from Michael’s) is the most affordable to learn your machine and software.

2.       You can gather some old t-shirts to practice pressing on htv (heat transfer vinyl known as iron on) on shirts. Make sure you see the fiber come through. If using a house hold iron, make sure it doesn’t have the auto shut off function and set it to the highest setting with no steam. (Be sure to protect your ironing surface. It is recommended that you get an easy press pad.

First use a lint roller to remove any lint or dust before applying your project.

Affiliated links: Amazon https://amzn.to/3PbNgW1 (USA)

CANADA SHOP CRICUT - https://cricut.pxf.io/Py6d4M

USA SHOP CRICUT - https://cricut.pxf.io/DKkdnG

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Use code SAVENOW10 for an additional 10% after you meet the $100 subtotal (excludes electronics, mystery boxes and Cricut exclusive section). Thank you.

3.       When unsure if the cut will be successful, you remove the blade with the housing and see how clamp b moves. Ex: if you wanted a circle for a sticker and not cutting out every little letter,  you can use this method to confirm it’s done right

4.       Decal projects using Adhesive vinyl – best on glass, works on some plastic and will not work on silicone. Make sure to clean the surface with rubbing alcohol

Depending on your machine, this link shows you the different mats for your machine

https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009373414-Which-mats-can-I-use-with-my-Cricut-machine#joy

Where can I get free designs or fonts and how do I use the special characters?

How to use special characters https://youtu.be/I-tLwX3aJeU 

Select OTF, double click and install. Have your cricut design space closed and when it reopens it will be under system font.

• www.Dafont.com (this is for personal use). Some fonts may mirror trademarked fonts, even if you pay for it, you can’t use it for sale. I would look up and understand copyright/trademark if this is a side gig for you to make money.

• https://fontbundles.net/rel=XtMPY8 (aff link) this is for free fonts for commercial use (you can grab stuff and use it for sale when you decide selling.

• https://designbundles.net/rel=XtMPY8 (aff link) for free designs for commercial use.

• https://www.creativefabrica.com/ref/207586/ (aff link) for designs, fonts and print then cut graphics for commercial use

Knowing the basics of Design Space (pics are on google doc)

Find out more here: https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/9503908902551-Using-Combine-Slice-and-Weld-to-create-new-shapes-in-Design-Space Check out the good examples on the website.

References:

Check out the different types of machine - https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/categories/26803523885335-Cutting-Machines

What materials can your machine cut - https://cricut.com/compare