by debbie
September 8, 2010 in Find It / Buy It
No matter what you’re sewing, Anna is the supportive friend who’s always ready to boost your confidence and cheer you on. With several convenient features such as a drop-in bobbin, 15 built-in stitches and a 4-step buttonhole, this machine is perfect for beginning sewers. Anna is a great friend to turn to for mending, hemming and even crafting.
See the great features this machine has to offer.
by Kendra
August 23, 2010 in Find It / Buy It, General
When I go the fabric store I’m always attracted to the Jelly Rolls. All those coordinating colors, all pre-cut and lined up together, they’re so inpiring when I see them. Naturally, I’ve caved into the pressure and bought one (or two or three). But, when I get home I’m suddenly at¬†a loss of what to do 
with them. (And, I kind of find it hard to unroll them and actually make something with them).
Then, I stubmled onto Two From One Jelly Roll Quilts by Pam and Nicky Lintott. Each chapter features TWO quilts made from ONE jelly roll. Now we’re talking, I can get more bang from my buck! 18 different patterns are included in the book, and you could eaisly adapt them to use the entire jelly roll on one, full size quilt.
This book has been the solution to my jelly roll hoarding. Now I can make two cute crib quilts in no time with only one jelly roll. Thank you Pam and Nicky!
by Jan Page
August 17, 2010 in Find It / Buy It, Tips & Tricks
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Most garment patterns these days are multi-sized, meaning there are several sizes layered on top of each other then printed on the tissue. This isn’t a problem if you only want to make one size. However, what if you want to make one size now, and a different size later?  One way to solve this problem is to trace the size you need now, leaving the tissue pattern intact. Most people have tissue paper—the kind used for wrapping gifts. That’s the first choice of many people who trace pattern pieces instead of cutting the original pattern. Another choice for tracing is non-fusible interfacing. I use lightweight and buy an entire bolt when it’s on sale, or wait until I have a coupon. Interfacing works well because it won’t tear easily, if at all. I like to use a fine point, permanent marker for marking this material. Swedish tracing paper is a made to be basted and has a good drape. You can trace the pieces, baste them together, make adjustments, take out the basting, and you’re ready to pin it to your fabric. Swedish tracing paper comes on a roll, and you can find it at www.amazon.com along with other online outlets. There are other brands of tracing paper also. Some have gridlines or dots to help with placement. Some come on rolls and some in sheets. Do an online search for “pattern tracing paper” to come up with several different options. When you trace a pattern, be sure to write the pattern company name, number, and size. You should also mark the grain line, notches, and any dots or symbols that are used for matching. After you cut out the pieces, put them in a large Ziploc bag, along with a photocopy of the pattern envelope.  Label the bag with the size of the traced and cut pieces. All of the original pieces go back in the pattern envelope and are either filed, placed into the Ziploc bag, or placed in its own bag. I use binder clips to clip all the bags from the same pattern together.   If you trace off another size, place it in its own Ziploc bag along with a copy of the envelope. Clip it to the other traced-off sizes. While tracing is great, it’s not my favorite! My favorite way of having multiple sizes of the same pattern is to wait until it goes on sale (sometimes for $1.00 or less!) and buying a copy for each size. I can then cut each as I need them, put them into their own labeled bag, and not have to bother with tracing at all! |
by Jan Page
June 22, 2010 in Find It / Buy It, General, Tips & Tricks
Retro fashions have been very popular for the past several years. All of the major pattern companies have variations of these styles, but the variety can be limited.
 
For authentic retro style, it’s best to go right to the source—vintage patterns!
 
Retro patterns can be found in a variety of places. Check garage sales, estate sales, or your mother or grandmother’s old stash! The Internet, however, is the best resource for finding what you’re looking for.
 
There are several virtual pattern stores on the Internet. It’s easy to do a Google search for “vintage patterns” and come up with several. A few favorites are Mom’s Patterns, Patterns from the Past, and Out of the Ashes Collectibles. You can usually browse through patterns by era, style, or size.
 
Perhaps the best resource for finding retro patterns is Ebay. Start by searching for “vintage patterns” if you just want to see what’s available. Prepare to be amazed at the sheer volume of listings! Refine your search by searching for “vintage girls dress pattern” or “vintage wedding dress pattern”. If you find what you’re looking for, but it isn’t the right size you can search for specific patterns. Type in “Butterick 5542” and you’ll see every listing of all of the eBay auctions plus the eBay stores. If you still didn’t find exactly what you need, you can save the listing and have results emailed to you every time a new item that matches your search becomes available.
 
The same is true for Etsy. Etsy is a great place to buy handmade items and supplies. Again, start by searching for “Vintage Dress Pattern” and refine your search from there.
 
When shopping online for vintage patterns it’s a good idea to pay attention to details like the condition of the pattern. They don’t need to be pristine, but if they’ve been cut you need to be certain that all the pieces are included.
 
Also be aware that sizing has changed in the past 50 years so the size you wear now may not be the size you need to buy in a vintage pattern. If there’s not a picture of the sizing chart on the back of the pattern and you’re in doubt about the size, it’s a good idea to email the seller and see if you can find out the measurements from the envelope.
by Kendra
April 26, 2010 in Find It / Buy It
I just love all the Clover notions that take something complex and make it simple. So simple, in fact, that you can make it with your children! One of their latest products is the Hana-Ami Flower Loom.
This clever notion makes great flowers for garments, home decor or just for fun! Mix these decorations with your other knitting, crocheting or sewing projects to create something unique and deminsional.
Check out how it works by viewing the online video. How could you use these flowers?
by Jan Page
April 20, 2010 in Find It / Buy It
Do you ever have more than one project going at one time?¬† Maybe you want to sew and embroider at the same time.¬† So where are you going to lay your material and hoop?¬† This happens to me all the time and my folding table¬†with 2 machines setting on top is just not cutting it!¬†¬†¬†So, I recently purchased a new table and it is perfect.¬†¬† It’s¬†theKoala Dualmate Plus IV.¬† It will hold two sewing machines.¬† A perfect fit for my Esante!¬† You can lower one machine if you need a large work space or just take advantage of the leaf that lifts in the back.¬† It has just the right amount of storage and shelving.¬† I would recommend it to anyone!¬† I purchased my from Trish at the Sew Vac in Robinson, IL.¬† She¬†can help find the perfect machine for your indiviual needs.¬† ¬† Happy sewing 
by debbie
April 8, 2010 in Find It / Buy It
Probably one of the things I love most about sewers is that they are always eager and willing to share. Whether it’s some really cool fabric they saw, vintage buttons or just something that inspired them creatively. Having said that, I came in this morning, checked my email and found an email from Cindy, one of my sewing sisters. She found this really cool belt pattern from Burda Patterns. I am going to have to add this to my stash of sewing stuff for sure.¬† And, since I shared this pattern with you, I hope one of you will make this belt and share pics with us!
by Jan Page
April 6, 2010 in Find It / Buy It, General, Projects
What a beautiful Easter weekend.  A great way to welcome spring.  Although this holiday was very difficult for my family, it was so nice to enjoy this lovely weather outdoors with the extended family together laughing, talking, and sharing great stories from way back!  After hours of talking my stories usually gravitate back to sewing at some point.  My aunt had a request.  She would like a monogrammed quilted casserole dish carrier.  So I need your help.  If anyone has a design or knows where I can get an easy pattern please let me know.  Remember I only have only been sewing about a year!  Thanks for your help.
by Kendra
March 16, 2010 in Find It / Buy It
MonogramWorks from Designer’s Gallery is here! Get your embroidery started by creating cute monograms for all your friends and family.
For only $169.99 you can get in the action with MonogramWorks. From contemporary to traditional, we’ve got you covered. Happy monogramming!
by Jan Page
February 26, 2010 in Find It / Buy It
I have completed a few applique projects and the scissors I have just would not cut the material close enough.¬† I went through the Nancy’s Notions catalog and found exactly what I have been looking for, the gingher 6″ applique scissors.¬† Of course, I found many other tools that would be very helpful as well.¬† I can’t wait until my order comes in!
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