Carmen Grantham

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Carmen Grantham

2 hands on pink fabric on sewing machine with text "5 Reasons Why You Should Sew"
Sewing

5 Reasons Why You Should Sew

Have you ever thought about why you sew?  It’s an interesting one. We all come to sewing from different experiences. You could have learnt at school and were instantly in love? Or did you want to create a unique outfit that wasn’t available to buy at the shops?  Whatever the Read more…

By Carmen Grantham, 2 monthsApril 30, 2025 ago
Carmen Grantham wearing blue jacket with green bush in background.

Hi, I'm Carmen

A sewing mentor to keep you creating, learning and finding joy in your sewing journey.

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We acknowledge the Kaurna people, the traditional and ongoing custodians of the Adelaide Plains. We would like to pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

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Sewing Machine Needle Organiser I made a few years Sewing Machine Needle Organiser I made a few years ago.

I have two of them. The red and yellow one for needles I use most often - universal, jeans, stretch, etc. The blue and white one for twin needles, leather, embroidery.

Don't have original pattern but I think I copied someone else's.

Measures 13" x 9" or 33cm x 23cm.

#sewingorganisation #sewingmachineneedles
Walking feet....if you want to do sewing through t Walking feet....if you want to do sewing through thick layers, like with quilting and your sewing machine doesn't have a built in walking foot it's worth investing in one.

I have two for my Janome Memory Craft 3500. Each has a different width between the 2 ski like sections in front of the needle. (no idea what technical term is 😂)

The one with the wider opening is the first one I bought but I found it didn't keep the fabric flat, and little bubbles of fabric would have to be flattened out. That's why I bought my second one with narrower gap and I don't have this problem anymore.

They are not cheap - the last one I bought was about AU$70 a few years ago from @janomesewingcentre in Queensland, Australia. Definitely worth it!

#walkingfoot #sewingaccessories

#walkingfoot
The Clover Hot Hemmer used as a pressing tool when The Clover Hot Hemmer used as a pressing tool when doing hems or wanting to fold fabric in straight line.

I am using it to press the top edge of the waistband that has already been attached to a pair of pants.

This one is 10" x 2 1/2" or 63.5cm x 25.4cm.

On the back I have used a biro pen to mark lines for metric - 1cm, 2cm, 3cm.

Really handy tool to have in your sewing kit 😊

#clover #hothemmer #pressingtools
Magnetic pin cushions are my favourites to hold my Magnetic pin cushions are my favourites to hold my pins.

I have two, one next to my sewing machine and another on my cutting table that also moves to my ironing board when needed.

My pins of choice are Clover Silk Pins. Fine enough for all fabrics and coloured head makes them easy to pickup.

#magneticpincushion #cloversilkpins #favouritepins
Keep your reels of thread and bobbin together with Keep your reels of thread and bobbin together with an elastic hair band.

I used to use rubber bands but those deteriorate quite quickly and these hair bands last much longer.

After all my years of using them only 3 hair bands have ever snapped on me.
Love these words from @sarahhankinson_artist in Br Love these words from @sarahhankinson_artist in Breathe magazine, as a reminder to play more.

Words read “Reject the concept that the work you create is either good or bad; rather, it is an experimentation. Embrace vulnerability and take risks.”
My sewing love note to myself about how to use the My sewing love note to myself about how to use the 1cm wide fusible tape that I bought from @tatiana.light here in Adelaide, South Australia.

#sewinglovenote #fusibletape
What sewing machines do I have? 3 Sewing machines What sewing machines do I have?

3 Sewing machines and 1 overlocker 

🧵 Grandmas 1966 Singer
🧵 Janome Memory Craft 3500
🧵 Janome CS995
🧵 Janome MyLock 644D Overlocker 

#mysewingmachine #janome
My sewing setup with 2 sewing machines and an over My sewing setup with 2 sewing machines and an overlocker.

I’ve only ever had Janome’s.

First one on the left I bought from the closest sewing shop that only sold Janome’s.

The overlocker was recommended by the shop owner as the best one available.

And the second sewing machine was a freebie my husband brought home from work.

#janome
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