Victorian jabot tutorial

by Zeloco

I’ve always been a fan of the Victorian fashions and, surprisingly, not only the feminine part if it (of course I love the feminine dresses and corsets (who doesn’t?!), but I’ve always dressed in an androgynous way). So, naturally, I NEEDED a jabot.

I can’t say I’m a pro in crafts or sewing,. I usually work in a trial-and-error way and I have no official training in this, so don’t be scared of reading professional terminology – there’s none. I find this particular method working best for me, feel free to alter it in any way to suit your needs/style/etc.

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Sewing Machines for $200-300

This is Part 4 of the Official WhatTheCraft Sewing Machine Recommendation List!

How did I choose the machines on this list? Online consumer ratings, my favorite shopping buddy.

These machines were selected because they not only had good ratings…  they also had a lot of ratings and were at least decently rated at more than one of the review sites. A 5 star machine with 1 reviewer could be a fluke. Likewise, a 5 star machine on Amazon that has 2 stars on Ebay reviews is not a machine I’d gamble on.

*I should mention that unless otherwise noted, I have not personally tested these machines.*

The recommendations have been broken up into several groups by price.

$200 – 300

Janome 115215 / Kenmore 19233 – $290 refurbished on Overstock

PatternReview rating: 26 would recommend, 2 might recommend, 2 would not recommend

Overstock rating: 4.8 stars, 13 reviews

Sears rating: 5 stars, 62 reviews

Specs: 215 stitch functions, buttonholer, zipper foot, free arm capability, drop in bobbin

Runner Up

Husqvarna Viking Emerald 118 – $299 at a Husqvarna dealer

PatternReview rating: 11 would recommend, 0 might recommend, 0 would not recommend

Specs: 70 stitch functions, buttonholer, zipper foot, speed control, permanently oiled, drop in bobbin, free arm capability

When in doubt, check out the reviews on Amazon or sewing.patternreview.com.

Sewing Machines for $150-200

This is Part 3 of the Official WhatTheCraft Sewing Machine Recommendation List!

How did I choose the machines on this list? Online consumer ratings, my favorite shopping buddy.

These machines were selected because they not only had good ratings…  they also had a lot of ratings and were at least decently rated at more than one of the review sites. A 5 star machine with 1 reviewer could be a fluke. Likewise, a 5 star machine on Amazon that has 2 stars on Ebay reviews is not a machine I’d gamble on.

*I should mention that unless otherwise noted, I have not personally tested these machines.*

The recommendations have been broken up into several groups by price.

$150-200

Brother CS6000i - $169 on Amazon

Amazon rating: 4.5 stars, 258 reviews

PatternReview rating: 2 would recommend, 1 might recommend, 1 would not recommend

Ebay rating: 5 stars, 27 reviews

Overstock rating: 4.6 stars, 264 reviews

Specs: 100 stitch functions, operates with or without foot control, buttonholer, zipper foot, free arm capability, drop in bobbin, speed control

Runners Up

Janome 115110/ Kenmore 19110 – $199 refurbished on Overstock

PatternReview rating: 12 would recommend, 0 might recommend, 0 would not recommend

Overstock rating: 4.8 stars, 10 reviews

Sears rating: 4.5 stars, 51 reviews

Specs: 110 stitch functions, buttonholer, zipper foot, free arm capability

EuroPro 7500XH - $190 on Amazon

Amazon rating: 4.5 stars, 20 reviews

PatternReview rating: 2 would recommend, 1 might recommend, 0 would not recommend

Ebay rating: 5 stars, 3 reviews

Specs: 42 stitch functions, buttonholer, zipper foot, free arm capability

When in doubt, check out the reviews on Amazon or sewing.patternreview.com.

Sewing Machines for $100-150

This is Part 2 of the Official WhatTheCraft Sewing Machine Recommendation List!

How did I choose the machines on this list? Online consumer ratings, my favorite shopping buddy.

These machines were selected because they not only had good ratings…  they also had a lot of ratings and were at least decently rated at more than one of the review sites. A 5 star machine with 1 reviewer could be a fluke. Likewise, a 5 star machine on Amazon that has 2 stars on Ebay reviews is not a machine I’d gamble on.

*I should mention that unless otherwise noted, I have not personally tested these machines.*

The recommendations have been broken up into several groups by price.

$100-$150

Janome 11590 / Kenmore 16231 – $145 refurbished on Overstock

PatternReview rating: 24 would recommend, 1 might recommend, 2 would not recommend

Overstock rating: 4.7 stars, 15 reviews

Specs: 90 stitch functions, presser foot adjustment, buttonholer, zipper foot, free arm capability, drop-in bobbin

Brother XR9000

Brother XR9000 – $135 refurbished on Overstock

Amazon rating: 4.5 stars, 3 reviews

Overstock rating: 4.7 stars, 28 reviews

Specs: 120 stitch functions, operates with or without foot control, buttonholer, zipper foot, free arm capability and larger quilting table attachment

Runners Up

Brother XR 7700 – $145 refurbished on Overstock

Amazon rating: 5 stars, 1 review

Overstock rating: 4.6 stars, 17 reviews

Specs: 110 stitch functions, operates with or without foot control, buttonholer, zipper foot, free arm capability

Janome 11706 / Kenmore mini ultra – $109 on Overstock

(The Janome model is a Hello Kitty sewing machine… I know, how cute.)

Sears rating: 5 stars, 30 reviews

PatternReview rating: 5 would recommend, 0 might recommend, 0 would not recommend

Overstock rating: 4.8 stars, 36 reviews

Specs: 2 stitch functions, 3/4 size

Notes: Yes, it’s very small and very cute.  My instincts tell me that a lot of people buy this machine because it’s so damned adorable. And then when it turns out to be not a complete piece of crap, they give it a good review. I would estimate that you’re paying at least $50 for the Hello Kitty name and cuteness.  For a similar price, you can get a lot more machine in terms of stitches, durability and attachments/accessories. It would be very nice to give to a kid or for someone that only does very small sewing jobs here and there.

Sewing Machines for Under $100

After much searching, noting, and head scratching, I have assembled the Official WhatTheCraft Sewing Machine Recommendation List!

How did I choose the machines on this list? Online consumer ratings, my favorite shopping buddy.

These machines were selected because they not only had good ratings…  they also had a lot of ratings and were at least decently rated at more than one of the review sites. A 5 star machine with 1 reviewer could be a fluke. Likewise, a 5 star machine on Amazon that has 2 stars on Ebay reviews is not a machine I’d gamble on.

*I should mention that unless otherwise noted, I have not personally tested these machines.*

The recommendations have been broken up into several groups by price.

Under $100

Janome 11574 / Kenmore 16221 – $99 refurbished on Overstock

(Kenmore and Janome are made by the same manufacturer & sold under different brand names)

Sears rating: 5 stars, 30 reviews

PatternReview rating: 5 would recommend, 0 might recommend, 0 would not recommend

Overstock rating: 4.8 stars, 36 reviews

Specs: 74 stitch functions, presser foot adjustment, buttonholer, zipper foot, free arm capability, drop-in bobbin

Brother XL2600I - $90 on Amazon

Amazon rating: 4 stars, 68 reviews

PatternReview rating: 1 would recommend, 1 might recommend, 0 would not recommend

Ebay rating: 4 stars, 9 reviews

Overstock rating: 4.6 stars, 147 reviews

Specs: 59 stitch functions, buttonholer, zipper foot, free arm capability, drop-in bobbin, electronic speed control, 25 year limited warranty

Runners Up

Brother LS2125 - $60 refurbished on Overstock

Amazon rating: 4.5 stars, 41 reviews

PatternReview rating: 3 would recommend, 2 might recommend, 1 would not recommend

Ebay rating: 4.5 stars, 11 reviews

Overstock rating: 4.5 stars, 67 reviews

Specs: 25 stitch functions, buttonholer, zipper foot, free arm capability

Brother CE5000 – $99 refurbished on Overstock

Amazon rating: 4 stars, 8 reviews

PatternReview rating: 7 would recommend, 0 might recommend, 1 would not recommend

Overstock rating: 4.5 stars, 53 reviews

Specs: 87 stitch functions, buttonholer, zipper foot, free arm capability

Which Sewing Machine Should I Buy?

And by I, I mean you.

It’s one of the most common questions in the sewing world, heard from beginners and seasoned seamstresses alike.

A few notes about what to expect from your sewing machine:

If you are buying new, you should not expect a machine under about $150 to be able to handle heavy duty work, i.e. several layers of fabric, denim, fleece, etc. I really wouldn’t expect any new machine under about $300 to be able to handle heavy duty work, at least not very well, though some machines will claim to be heavy duty anyway.

I must  advise against buying sewing machines at Walmart. Walmart contracts (and often forces) companies to outsource the manufacturing of their machines to Walmart’s cheaper factories. The result is a machine with the same brand name and model number as sold in other stores, but of lesser quality (thus the lower price).  I learned this fact the hard way.

Vintage Machines are King (or Queen)

If you’re on a budget, consider buying a used machine, particularly the vintage all metal models. In fact, even if you’re not on a budget, I’d highly recommend looking into vintage machines before buying new. I’d take a vintage machine over a new one any day. There’s a reason they’ve lasted 30, 50, 100 years. (And that’s the reason sewing machine manufacturers started making the all plastic hunks of junk in stores today… if your product lasts 50 years, it’s going to be a while before you get a repeat customer.)

Why?

Oh vintage sewing machines, how I love thee, let me count the ways:

• Vintage sewing machines are workhorses. My vintage machines laugh in the face of heavy fabrics.
• Vintage machines were made at a time that quality manufacturing was the norm.
• Vintage machines are CHEAP!!

Where do you find vintage machines? Start out asking around your family. Lots of moms and grandmas have perfectly good machines stashed away in the attic. Can’t get much better than free!

You can also often find great vintage machines on Craigslist, Ebay, and at garage sales and thrift stores. I have a 1940′s Singer 301 that cost me $30 at a garage sale.

What to look for: If a vintage machine works, you’re pretty much golden. When you’re out looking, take a scrap of fabric and a spool of thread with you to test the machine to make sure it does work. If you can’t test it and you buy it anyway, only to get home and find out it’s not functioning, find a sewing machine repair shop and take it in.  A repair and a tune up (which even a working machine could benefit from) will still cost hundreds (and even thousands) less than a new machine of the same caliber.

A few possible issues with vintage machines- most of them lack the dozens of decorative stitches that come on newer machines. Honestly, for most people this shouldn’t be an issue. Decorative stitches are one of those silly things stores like to brag about on the machine specifications, but no one ever uses them.  400 decorative stitches, la de da!  I’ve been an avid seamstress for 7-8 years, and I’ve probably used the decorative stitches on my machines once or twice.

Some machines (the Singer 301, for example) are straight stitch machines, meaning they don’t even do a zig zag stitch. (The 301 does have a zig zag attachment, but it really isn’t convenient or practical.) A zig zag stitch allows you to make buttonholes, sew with stretch fabrics, do bar tacks, and more.

How to decide if you need a zig zag machine:

• If you need a machine that can be used to make a variety of things (clothing, bags, curtains, pillows, etc.) you should have a zig zag machine.
• If you know you will be doing a lot of heavy duty work (leather, denim, items with many layers), a workhorse straight stitch machine would be fine.
• If you have room for more than one machine, a heavy duty straight stitch machine is a fantastic asset.
• If you know you’ll only be able to have one machine at a time, make sure you get a zig zag machine.
• If you are new to sewing, get a zig zag machine.

The second issue with older machines is a by-product of their indestructible all-metal construction: they weigh a TON. These are heavy heavy machines. If space, storage, and especially portability is an issue, a new machine might be a better idea.

Now that I have hopefully made my case for vintage machines, on to the new machine recommendations.

Sewing Machines for under $100

Sewing Machines for $100-150

Sewing Machines for $150-200

Sewing Machines for $200-300