Gutermann 690

Gutermann 690 is a color I do not like to remember. I use the thread to repair and hem work clothes.

baby blankets

color block tee shirt dress

Which one ?

Bernina bit

When sewing with a twin needle. Place the spools on the holder so that each one unravels the opposite way. This will prevent tangling and skipped stitches.

For small projects, bobbins can be used and placed on the same spindle. The bobbins are set up to unravel in opposite directions.

Cupcakes and Sprinkles

Kitchen Aid Cover

This cover is a self made pattern. The center panel is 12 inches wide  by 34 inches and the sides are 10 inches wide by 14 1/4 inches tall. I made notches equal distances from the bottom. The highest notch turned turn out to be 7 9/16 from the center tip. I needed to make a curve to match that same length using the clear flexible ruler. Seam allowance as 1/4 inch.

The original panel was 10 inches wide so I added piping and an additional 3 inch wide strip. The piping gives a little bit of a retro look.

The underside of the flannel is white. I used wide thread for most of the sewing. I matched the color for the hem. I did not want to cross the pink piping with yellow thread so I stopped right before the piping and started again after the piping. I left the threads long so I could pull them to the inside and tack the piped area on the inside. I made a one inch hem. The cover is not lined.

March Madness

Sewing Machine and Server Covers

The Arizona fabric is a one way print. Instead of a single long center panel, I made a seam in the middle. Here's hoping the cats don't fall off the cliff. Go CATS!

corset making

New skills...
Piping
Sewing a separating zipper
Shortening a separating zipper
Adding bra cups
Applying boning and boning channels

Adding Piping to a Seam

Pull the cord from the casing and trim it half an inch from the seamline to reduce the bulk in the seam.

Interesting Products That I Want to Try

Folder Over Elastic

Stretch Thread

Invisible Thread

Glow in the Dark Thread

Fusable Thread

Made for Knit Fusable Bias Tape

Wooley Nylon

Bernina Foot Number 20

I recently acquired Bernina Foot Number 20.  It is designed as an embroidery foot. I find it very useful when sewing darts. The dart point is clearly visible. I think it will help in the accuracy of buttonholes. It is sometimes referred to as an open toe foot. What distinguishes it as an embroidery foot is the groove on the under side of the foot. It is wider than the standard foot to accommodate larger areas of satin stitching.

Are there enough colors in the rainbow?

Every time I make a muslin, I do all the stay stitching and seams in the same color. Right now I am working on a contour bodice. So far I have used pink, blue, black and currently purple thread. It still needs adjustments so I will need another color from the rainbow.

The bodice block has the potential to be used over and over many times, so I want it to be right. Maybe orange?

Avoiding that HomeMade Look

In an effort to avoid that dreaded homemade look, a dressmaker can do one of several options. The first is to replicate with delicate precision couture techniques. The other is to look to ready to wear. 

There are several advantages to replicating ready to wear techniques. The purpose is produce stylish garments with speed. The disadvantage is primarily fit and often quality. Ready to wear has a huge advantage--notions, buttons, trims and zipper match perfectly. A serger is a must.

Overtime, I plan to explore the following:

     CopyCat-Ready To Wear Construction

    CopyCat-Ready To Wear Design

    When Ready To Wear is NOT

Quote of the Day

All women dread the"home-made look." 

The New Dressmaker, 1921
The Butterick Publishing Company

Sew Finally...

A new pair of PJs.  Sewn primarily with the serger. The seam finish is nice and neat. For an old machine..it does pretty well.

New Potholders

Our potholders are no longer protective against the heat. Sadly, we need new ones.

The potholders in the store are too big and bulky to be of much value...alas I thinks it is time to make some new ones.

I plan to get some insul fleece or insul bright and use the old potholders to make the pattern.