Exciting News & Saturday Series: Overcast Foot & Thingamajig

Before we begin our Saturday Series, I'd like to update you on a few things:

1. This coming month is Social Media Month on Geeky&Sassy.  I'm not going to give it all away, but there are some amazing bloggers who are kind enough to share with us.  Who?  Oh, well, let's see.....How 'bout our first 2 guests, Cara from Cara Quilts and Megan from the Brassy Apple!  Each guest during the month will be sharing a piece about social media (Twitter, Pinterest, etc.)  So be sure to come back and check it out!  (Please grab the button on the upper left to remind yourself and letter others know!)
2. There's a Friday Themed Link-up (see yesterday's post themed Weddings) that you can link up any of your blog posts with that week's theme.  It can be you telling a story, a project you made or just a photo, whatever blog post you have around that theme for the week.  (& it just has to be within the year so you don't have to try and write a quick post.)  You can find out more here.  Links may be added for 6 days.  
3. Now onto the outcast overcast thingamajig - I know this series has been talking to sewers, and even more so some advanced feet, thanks for sticking around.  Some of you may want to "check out" at this point because the foreign language is going to begin.  I don't blame you I would do the same if I didn't sew.  ;-)

Our sewing feet Saturday Series has come to an end.  There are others out there, and I can add them "here and there," but we're movin' on after today.  You can always find the series together under the tutorials link above.
Let's start out with the "thing-a-ma-jig" - not sure what ya call it, but it's awesome!  No one guessed what it was last week, so I'll tell you.....

It is used in two different ways.  One way is to help you go over big seams (like jeans) without getting stuck or having your stitches get smaller and larger.  You use it as a wedge to help your foot go up and over the seam.  It's quite simple and handy to use.  

BUT WAIT....

That's not my favorite use.  This stellar object helps to sew buttons on!  It helps keep things spaced so your button is tight and pulling on the fabric.  The magazine says to put it the other way, but I'm always nervous of hitting it with the needle (see pic above - oops!)

Take a look:

(video)

Sewing Tool - "thingamajig" from Virginia Davidson on Vimeo.

Last but not least is the overcast foot.  This comes in handy when you need to finish an edge so it doesn't unravel and you don't have a serger.  (By the way, a straight stitch and then going back with a 3 step zig zag out to the edge works well too.)  Anyway, if you have a similar machine to mine you just have to pick an overcast stitch, put on this foot and it helps keep the edge of the fabric down so it doesn't roll up and distort.  There's a little piece of metal that keeps the thread from doing this.  It's such a simple fix that makes a large difference.  

I made a video, but it was just kind of silly....all you see is the machine running ;-)  Just clip it on, and follow the guide with the edge of your fabric and you'll end up with something like this:

Don't forget to link up or grab a button!

Happy Saturday!  

 PS - does anyone know the html piece I'm missing to make this centered?  It's driving me nuts!