Monthly Archives: October 2016

Try these unusual fabrics on your sewing machine for your next project

Posted on by Empisal
17 Oct

Every fabric has its own qualities and some are more challenging to use than others. We all have our favourites, but expanding our repertoire is also a great way to stretch our talents and take on more exciting and rewarding projects! Here are some unusual fabrics for you to try, courtesy of Empisal – South Africa’s sewing machine specialists:

  • Cotton voile: If you love quilting cottons and would like to bring their beautiful patterns and designs into your wardrobe, then cotton voile is the way to do it. It has the softness and drape that is needed for clothing, and it’s also lightweight – ideal for summer blouses, floaty tunic tops and dresses.
  • Silk knit: Create something truly luxurious with a lovely silk knit fabric. The material has a subtle shimmer and is often available in a wide range of colours and patterns, but be sure to use the correct needle and test your stitching beforehand to ensure that you get familiar with this fabric.
  • Cotton-silk blends: Get the best of both worlds with this fabric! It’s easy to sew with, comfortable to wear and (although often more difficult to find) comes in a huge range of patterns and colours ideal for dresses, shirts and skirts.
  • Rayon jersey: If you enjoy working with interlock twist yarn fabrics (ITY), then rayon and bamboo jersey are great alternatives to polyester products. Made with natural plant fibres, these fabrics are breathable, travel well and wash easily.
  • Wool double knit: With a more luxurious feel than rayon, poly or lycra ponte knits but a similar weight, this fabric is durable, easy to fit and washes well. Wool jersey fabrics offer similar great quality but a lighter weight, making it ideal for dresses and tops.

Sewing with new fabrics is a breeze when you have an Empisal sewing machine!

At Empisal, we’ve been providing high quality, affordable sewing machines, steam presses, sewing kits, overlockers and ironing equipment to South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa for over 35 years.

Whether you’re learning to sew or a professional, Empisal has the right sewing machine for you. With the EES10, you’ll be able to take on new sewing projects with ease and get the most out of your sewing skills.

For more information on our sewing machines and products, please contact us today.

6 common household items that make sewing easier!

Posted on by Empisal
03 Oct

It might be surprising to hear that not all the most useful sewing tools are available in a sewing shop – in fact, they’re probably already in your home! Here’s advice from Empisal, manufacturers of the affordable EES10 on some common household items that can help make sewing easier:

  1. String: Great for fitting the waistline on skirts, pants and dresses, string is also useful for gathering longer stretches of fabric. Simply use it instead of thread when sewing the double zigzag row needed for making gathers (being careful not to sew the string). It’s quick, easy and results in nice, even gathers.
  2. Tape: Invisible tape is great for fixing paper pattern adjustments in place and holding zippers in place for sewing, as well as securing cut seams. Painter’s tape is also a great addition to your sewing space as it’s a useful marking tool (it can be written on with pen or pencil) as well as for marking seams to make sure that you get an exact, straight line.
  3. Golf tees: Pair your threaded bobbins with their matching spool by attaching them to one another with a golf tee so that they never get lost again.
  4. Pointed tweezers: Easily extract tangled threads from your sewing machine’s bobbin area as well as bits of fuzz and other debris.
  5. Binder clips: Ideal for holding a quilt together before you sew or clipping different groups of fabrics together with you’re dealing with multiple pattern pieces or swatches, these binders are great for organising fabrics and can easily be attached to your peg board using their hooped metal handle.
  6. Baking paper: More affordable than tracing paper, this product is just as easy to use – and you can use any leftover sheets for baking biscuits!

Find the best sewing machines in South Africa!

At Empisal, we’ve been providing high quality, affordable sewing machines, sewing kits, overlockers, haberdashery products and ironing equipment to South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa for over 35 years.

Whether you’re learning to sew or a professional, Empisal has the right sewing machine for you. With the EES50, you’ll be able to take on new projects with ease and get the most out of your sewing skills.

For more information on our sewing machines and products, please contact us today.