I have a couple of sewing machines already but they're really unsuitable for craft purposes. Yes, I've looked at the pinned topic. I need a work horse of a sewing machine.

I need something that can handle heavy material and also can accomodate a good amount of space between the needle and the machine so I can actually fit thick cloth in there. I'm not advanced at sewing, so I don't need a lot of fancy stuff, but I need good, strong stitching capabilities. Not a huge variety of stitches though.

An example of what I want to make would by nylon webbing dog harnesses, leashes and collars. So nylon folded on it's self and sewn with carpet thread for durability. Maybe some leather, I dunno.

The other limiting factor is that I'm really broke and can't afford anything very pricey. I know in most cases, you get what you pay for but maybe there's something out there that breaks this general rule?

Any suggestions?

This is like the third one I made. I'm not sure why a hole appeared in the middle of her forehead... Does this often happen when you use plastic from food containers? I think I did 350 in the oven. It's a combo of permanent markers, colored pencils and acrylic ink with a nib pen.

Can anyone experimented with polystyrene wall veneer, insulation, wall paper lining, etc.? They come in rolls. (These may all be the same thing, I dunno.)

I have no idea what kind of plastic it is. It's the transparencies that you use on over head projectors. Any input? I cut two pieces from the same sheet and one shrunk and got toasty while the other one didn't do anything at all.

I looked but I'm sure I must have missed a similar thread, please bear with me.

Is there any kind of fool proof device for cutting glass that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I don't mean your simple, hand held glass cutters, I mean like one of those T things (or something like that) that make it VERY hard to mess up, which is why I'm looking for this kind of tool rather than the ordinary hand held types.

Can I use acrylic ink with a Speedball calligraphy No-5 artist pen and nibs? This isn't the type that has ink cartridges. Or will the acrylic muck up the nibs and pen? What would you guys recommend for cleaning off the acrylic ink from the pen and nib?

Thanks for advice. I'm new to this (if you couldn't tell!).

I finally found some at Joann's but every time I cut it, the sherpa comes out of the backing near the cuts.

I'm a newb to sewing so what may be obvious isn't to me.

So, am I supposed to sew seams around the shape that I want before I cut it? Or do I fold the ends under, kind of like you would with a cuff and then sew that? Or maybe there's a different answer?

I ordered "STAINLESS STEEL SAW CUT JUMP RINGS 18 SWG .045" - 1/4'' ID" from Ebay. I can't close them!

Auction said:

STAINLESS STEEL SAW CUT JUMP RINGS 18 SWG (.045")  1/4 '' ID

Saw Cut Jump Rings Made From 308 Stainless Steel A Very Strong Alloy And Very Shinny

I coil the wire and cut the rings with a .008'' thick jewelers blade. This leaves a very nice cut edge for tight closures, a must for chainmaille, jewelry, and armor making!

They are washed, tumbled and then washed again. This cleans and polishes the rings to a brilliant shine!

18 swg 1/4'' Open Jump Rings actual dimensions are as listed...........

18 S.W.G (STANDARD WIRE GAUGE)   .045''

Inside Diameter  .28''  7mm

Outside Diameter  .37''  9.4mm

A.R. (ASPECT RATIO)   6.2

Not all of that means much to me but I'm trying to provide as much info as possible to see if it's the jump rings that are the problem or if I'm the problem. I'm new to this and don't have any experience with jump rings.

I watched Youtube videos and I know to pull them sideways and to push them back together sideways, back and forth, but they won't close when I do that or when I push them together using pliers that have a round indent for closing rings. I even tried filing the inside just in case the ends were't flat but they still won't close. I can't even get anywhere near a tight fit, the ends don't even touch and when I'm working with them, they often go flying. I tried using a bunch of different pliers, including sharp ended ones and flat ended ones together but it's a no go.

Help?

Can anyone tell me how to make clothing patterns for dogs? Not just small dogs and not just those weird cape like jacket things. Thanks!

By the way, is there anyways to set "Notify me of replies" on default? I don't see a user option to set it.

Is this something that isn't usually carried in fabric stores? I went to a store today and asked for it, and they didn't even know what it is! I prefer to buy local b/c of shipping.