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Showing posts with label Fabric. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fabric. Show all posts

April Giveaway - Scrap Fabric



Hi Everyone,

Spring Cleaning comes in all forms this time of year...the Garage, the closets, the kids rooms but when you're a fabric lover it might mean, cleaning out your Fabric Stash. 

So, you fabric lovers are in for a real treat...I cleaned out my fabric collection and wish to share the below pile
with a lucky winner.



Enter via the Rafflecopter Below






      


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{Sewing Tips and Tricks} Lesson 1 of 3

So, I've been talking a lot lately about offering a sewing tips and tricks series...well, here's Lesson 1.

Below you'll find 4 videos paired with images and information.  These videos, and information, are geared towards getting you started in the right direction of sewing successfully.


In this lesson, we’ll be reviewing:

Sewing Needles, Thread and Bobbins, Cutters & Rulers, and Push Pins

  
{  Sewing Needles } 



As mentioned, in the above video, choosing the right needles helps to avoid troubles with your machine, and sewing projects.


Review:  The needles on the left are a bargain, but not the best overall notion to have in your stock.  The life of them isn't as long as the name brand. They are o.k. to use, for occasional sewing, but for regular sewing, their life is short. 


{  Bobbins and Thread }



As mentioned, in the above video, choosing the right thread, and bobbins produces better sewing lines.



To see a more detailed description of Threads and the different types, click here

Review:  The thread on the left is a bargain thread, which usually have more fibers loose on the thread, which in turn, causes problems with your machine acting up (we'll visit more of that in Trouble Shooting - Lesson 3). 



To view more on Bobbins click here
#5 specifically confirms my opinion on plastic bobbins and metal. 

Review:  The bobbin on the left, the plastic one, is sometimes the culprit for bad sewing lines because of it's light-weight construction. Where as the metal, allows for proper distribution of weight inside the bobbin housing.



{  Cutters and Rulers }




As mentioned, in the above video, having a rotary cutter and ruler makes for a happy sewer.  I buy my rotary blades from Fabric.com because they have the best prices. 


Review:  The rotary cutter, the next best thing to slice bread, is a must sewing have!  The orange scissors, your grandma had a pair, 
shouldn't you. :)


Review:  The ruler is the next best thing, it allows for better cutting.  We'll review that more in Lesson 2.



{  Push Pins }


As mentioned, in the above video, having the right push pins helps you sew better stitches and fewer broken needles.


Review:  The Quilter Push Pins are great, but not for sewing at the machine.


Example: Notice how the ball of the larger needle pushes up the foot and makes the fabric taller, causing for crocked sewing lines. :(


Example: Notice how the smaller push pin doesn't raise the fabric and therefore allowing straight stitch lines, and fewer broken needles. :)

Well, there you have it, Lesson 1.

Lesson 2:  Sewing Straight Lines, tips for sewing buttons, and vinyl.
Lesson 3:  Troubleshooting..what's wrong with my machine?!


And, why not throw in a { Giveaway }...want some FREE fabric??
This Giveaway - US Only!

Enter to win the below fabric from my good Friend Jennifer at Sisboom

I have a little over 1/2 a yard to gift.

check out this awesome bag I made from it! Summer Purse


a Rafflecopter giveaway


See you next time for Lesson 2.  I'll be giving away this fabric.



Here's a Link to Lesson 2


Free Shipping on orders $35+

        

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{Sisboom} Fabric - Mini Messenger Purse

I've had the absolute pleasure of meeting, online, with Jennifer over at Sisboom.
I'd say she's an inspiration, breath of fresh air and very (very) creative. She has her own line of fabrics, and patterns.  Her patterns gear towards making cloths but it's still exciting to have her as a role model in the world of sewing and all things alike.

I recently received some fabric from her wonderful line of cottons.  I tried to decided what I should make out of the excellent collection of items, and since the Mini Messenger purse, from last week, got some great feedback, I decided to make one.  

Below is a picture from last weeks Messenger Bag, and then a few of the new bag. 

Here's last weeks Mini Messenger:


Here's the newest bag, with the SisBoom Crazy Love Fabric.




 
 


It turned out really cute! It measures 9" wide x 10.5" high.

I have some more of her fabulous fabric and plan to do a  {Giveaway} of it in the coming weeks, when the Sewing Tips Series begins!   






        



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Belt Up Do {Tutorial}

I have so much fun giving life to items in my closet.  It makes me feel like I've been shopping, without the cost hitting my wallet.  Below is a picture I posted to Facebook, asking my fans for help.  I needed help deciding on a complimenting fabric for this boring belt, I found in my closet. You know, I almost threw it away but right before the toss, I realized, I could give it some life

Below is the image I posted to Facebook, asking for their help, and then the tutorial on how I made the finished product.   



After seeing everyone's votes, I recruited my 7 year old to practice his Tally Mark math technique.  :)   We wrote out the 4 numbers and then I went down the voting list on Facebook, while he tallied for me. 



So...here's the final product; ain't she Purdy hun! ;)



I gathered some scrap, which was only 14 inches in length so cutting strips was necessary to get the width. 


The belt measured in at 1.5 inches tall so a 1 inch strip was the magic number for my accent.  This style of strip is to leave raw edges, which will fray over time.  It's kind of my style, a vintage look. If you wish to have clean edges, just cut two inches and fold the sides in giving you a 1 inch final strip.


Because of the length, of my scrap fabric, I had to attach my three strips, by putting the right sides together and giving a 1 length stitch on it, then I pressed with the iron. 


 Because the belt is thick to begin with, I used clothes pins to hold my now one continuous strip of fabric in place. I removed the pins as I sewed along.  I used a #14 sewing needle and a 5.5 tension with a 3 length. 


Here's a close up of the finished product. 


Thank you so much for those that follow me, and gave me feedback.  I love my new belt!

I hope this has inspired you to re purpose something in your closet or head out and purchase a cheap, boring belt to give new life too. 

If you liked this tutorial, you can visit my { Tutorial } page for more projects I've shared.  

Coming Soon:
If you are interested in tutorials, and want to know sewing tips and tricks, follow my blog. I'm in the process of writing up a Sewing Series with a fun Fabric Giveaway!  Thanks for hanging out with me.

        


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