Barbie Friday

Barbie Friday

Barbie Friday

Sewing Challenges: One Pattern, Many Looks

Another challenge asks the seamstress to create two distinct gaments from the same view of a pattern. This sounds like one of the shorter contests.

Sewing Challenges: Pattern Stash

This challenge requires the seamstress to use a pattern that has been around for longer than six months but has never used. I own many patterns that qualify. I like the concept; use what you have... I even have the some fabric. Who doesn't?

Sewing Challenges: One Pattern Wardrobe

There is website that has sewing contests as a mean of motivation and inspiration. The current contest is call the One Pattern Wardrobe and requires the seamstress to submit 3 items that can be combined to create 2 outfits. The examples listed are one top and two bottoms, two tops and one bottom or one top, one bottom and a dress; all from the same pattern. The contest lasts for two weeks and is already into the second week.

Barbie Friday

Computer Printed Applique

The Onesies were decorated with an adhesive backed cotton material designed for an ink jet printer. After the decoration was ironed onto the onesie, a small zig zag stitch was used to secure the patch and provide a coordinating trim.

Back from the Shop and Ready to Go!!

Zona Zoo

Kwik Sew 3549 was used to transform a t shirt into an original Arizona design.

Tiger Hat and Jacket

This is a picture of the completed fleece tiger hat with tassel trim and the matching jacket. The jacket has a blanket stitch trim.

Off The Cuff

Sometimes cuffs are part of the design in clothing. I do not care to see the unfinished seam so extra planning is required. In the picture you can see where the stitiching changed so the the seam finish does not show when the cuff is folded. The pictures are part of a tiger jacket I am making for a Red Egg and Ginger party.

Bernina Bits

Today I learned several things to make my Bernina run better and produce better stitches...

Finish a line of stitching with the lever arm all the way at the top.

Wind the wheel forward; that is the way it turns with the motor running. Never wind it back to walk a backstitch.

When removing a spool, cut the thread and pull foward to dethread the machine.

Pull the fabric to the back when completing a line of stitching.

Wind bobbins slowly to prevent stretching the bobbin thread. The end result could be faulty stitches.

Thread

The Bernina Sewing Guide for my 830 recommends a mercerised sewing thread (3ply) in a size 50 for use with fine and medium needles (70 or 80). I typically use Gutermann polyester sew all. So far I can not find definitive documentation that this thread is most compatible with my sewing machine. The Gutermann website does not provide weight specifications for the home sewing threads.

Needle Organizer

One of my goals is to become more organized so that I can develop speed sewing. I tried to design my own sewing machine needle organizer. Finally, I gave up when I found this specially designed tomato cushion. The tomato keeps track of needles by size, type, and use.

The general rule of thumb is to change the needle with each new project. Sometimes, several projects are in process at the same time and needles need to be changed for a short bits of time only.

Extra fabric needed to match plaids, stripes, or one-way design fabrics...

These famous words are found on almost any pattern. Yet, no pattern company is so bold as to suggest how to calculate how much extra yardage is needed.

small plaids---add approximately 1/4 yard
medium plaids---add approximately 1/2 yard
large plaids---add approximately 1 yard

Stripes require the same as plaids.

One way designs of a single motif requires as much as an additional garment length in yardage. Smaller motifs may just require the extra amount to be the distance between the motifs.

Simplicity 5797

This pattern is next on the cutting table. I plan to make the black and white version. Being a little confused about possible fabric combinations, I have decided to go with satin backed crepe. The project provides several additional challenges. Which color zipper; black or white? Probably white so that the pull tab is not noticeable. I will make a sample of both. The pattern envelope is missing the facing pieces so I will have to construct my own. And finally, the pattern will require grading as I could only find the pattern one size smaller than I need. This pattern is copyright 1964.

Off and Running!!

One of my goals, over the next several months, is to become familiar with the various feet that came with my sewing machine. Of the nine original feet that came with my sewing machine, I have only ever used three. Recently I purchased an invisible zipper foot as I plan to put in zippers.

Hem, hem, Hooray!!

Several days ahead of schedule, I managed to hem 3 pairs of pants for my college bound daughter. I was surprised to see the difference in the stitching. One pass was done from the inside and one from the top. The topstitched side looks remarkably better.

Another Weekend Wardrobe

Weekend Wardrobe

My Very First Pair of Sewing Scissors

This is a picture of my first pair of sewing scissors. And yes, I never used them on paper. I learned the lesson at a very young age. They still work well today after forty plus years.

Fiskars has New Colors!!

Dedicated shears are instrumental to sewing. Now everyone can have there own set unique in color. Although my own set was the original orange; it has been updated to coastal yellow. Christine, of course, has the light pink set. Leah is privy to the new blue and Abbey the coastal coral. David also has his own set; grey.

Rule Number One: Never use sewing scissors to cut anything but fabric or pattern pieces pinned to fabric.

Rule Number Two: Never use or borrow my scissors. You have your own. Take care of them and they will serve you well.

One of A Kind Jeans

Changing the button on your favorite jeans can extend the life of the jeans. Whether the button falls off on its own or you just want to change it, the steps are fairly simple. Remove the old button and find another one that it the same size so that it will work well in the button hole. Use iron-on jean patch to support where the button will be sewn. Cut the patch material so that it is just large enough to support the hole made by the previous button. After ironing the patch on both sides you can zigzag the edges so there won't be a tendancy for the patch to curl. The patches will not show as the waistband with the button hole covers the wasitband with the button. Sew on the new button.

The Prom Dress that Wasn't

One of my big goals was to make a prom dress this year. I was able to incorporate new skills in the design and making of the dress. To control raveling, I presewed the seam finish using a small zig zag around all the pattern pieces. The technique worked well and I would definitely use it again. I reviewed understitching to keep facings from showing. This pattern used a one piece facing combining the neck and armhole which meant that the understitching did not go all the way around the piece because of the narrowing or the shoulder straps.

A great style was chosen as well as some stunning red crepe backed satin. Several muslins were made and darts adjusted. All was going fairly well until the final fit. The look was just not flattering on my daughter. She and I were both disappointed.

Applique Baby Blanket

Materials needed:

Baby blanket

fabric with desired design

Heat n Bond Lite

teflon press cloth

iron

thread

Instructions:

Prewash all materials. Preheat iron to medium heat; no steam. Place adhesive on back of item to be bonded. Paper liner should face up. Hold iron for 2 seconds. Repeat until entire design is prepared. Allow to cool. Trim to desired size. Peel off paper liner. Place material, adhesive side down on top of project. Press and hold for 6 seconds. Sew along edges.

Lacey Onesie

Select lace that has a natural curve to it so that it will ease around the neck of the Onesie. Wash, dry, and press both the Onesie and the lace. Lift up the shoulder of the Onesie and pin the lace so that the beginning and end are hidden by the shoulder. Pin along the neckline against the binding. Hand sew the lace with small hidden stitches.

Iron: Friend or Foe?

The iron is one of the most important pieces of equipment for sewing; second only to the sewing machine. Sewing projects should start with a pressing of the fabric prior to the initial cutting and between every seam. Pressing insures crisp edges, sets the stitched thread, removes puckers and gives the finished garment the appropriate draping and a professional look. The key to pressing is in the heat or steam. Both of which can ruin the projects by scorching or leaving shiny marks. As with any aspect of good sewing, always test a scrap piece of the fabric that one is using.

Some fabric and cannot withstand high or direct heat. It is important to determine the correct heat setting and to use a pressing cloth when indicated. In addition to the a pressing cloth, pressing hams and sleeve rolls are helpful. Pressing hams allow for a smooth dart and sleeve rolls allow pressing of small hard to reach areas.

Going against the Grain

Have you ever worn a pair of jeans in which one leg wants to twist or a t-shirt where the side seam has the same tendency? No matter how many adjustments you make, the leg or side side seam continues to twist. Both are examples of clothing in which one of the pieces was not cut on the grain. In fine sewing, care is taken to cut pattern pieces precisely on the grain. The grain line is indicated on each pattern piece.

Also when pinning pieces to the fabric, the pins should be perpendicular to the pattern pieces. To pin parallel will create a subtle but noticeable distortion in the cut piece and ultimately the finished garment.

French Seams

There are several seam finishes. The key is to choose the best seam finish for the type of fabric and overall desired effect. The material used in the ruffled blouse is soft and somewhat sheer. French seams create a very clean look for semi sheer material. The standard seam allowance for commercial patterns is 5/8 inch. Steps for the French seam are listed below:

1. Place wrong sides of fabric together. Stitch a 1/4 inch seam.
2. Trim seam allowance down to about 1/8 inch. Press open.
3. Stitch a 3/8 inch seam. The two seams equal 5/8 inch total seam allowance.
4. Press to one side.

For more delicate fabric, one might stitch the 3/8 inch seam first followed by a 1/4 inch seam.

Sew Wild II

The zebra stripe material has two main colors. This provided the opportunity to consider blending threads by using a separate color on the top and bottom. I made samples to compare the color combinations. The first shows white on top and bottom. The second is white on top and black on the bottom. The third shows black on top and white on the bottom and the fourth shows black on the top and bottom. No changes were made in tension and stitch length.

Sew Wild

With every project, I hope to advance my sewing skills. With the zebra pants, I was able to consider the idea of matching stripes. The pattern itself is somewhat random. First I chose I pants pattern that did not have side seams. The only seams to match were the front and back. I toyed with several combinations before selecting the stripes that would blend well together; an exact match was not necessary. The pant style allowed me to expand the pattern pieces a bit if needed to find the best blend without negatively affecting the style or overall fit.

Sewing Machines

Sewing is very much a part of my life. My mother has sewn nearly every day of her adult life. I have spent countless hours looking through pattern books since my teenage years. It is what I do when there is nothing else to do. I have come to realize that sewing is both art and craft and I want to develop the craft so that I can pass it on to my own daughters. For the first half of my life I used only an Elna Supermatic; the machine my mother still uses today. The last 25 years, I have used my own Bernina 830 Electronic. Those are the only machines I know and and ever need to know. Each of my three daughters now has their own Bernina 830 and so the the legacy continues.

Sew What: First Day of Class

Today was the first day of my sewing class.

Sew What: Getting Ready

I reviewed last semester's list of supplies so that I could be more prepared.