need to sew

Birthdays are made for celebrating

2010-03-03T10:07:00.002-05:00

I have been sewing a bit, beading a lot, but more importantly I have been celebrating.

In all honesty I am pretty blah about most holidays. Some are great for the kids like Christmas, some like Thanksgiving are nice family gatherings but are a ton of work, some like Valentine's Day or Sweetest Day are just what you make them.

But birthdays are special. This is the one day of the year that your existence is acknowledged. A day that you can make it whatever you want. I love birthdays. I enjoy celebrating them, mine or anyone else's.

This past weekend was spent celebrating my birthday. It wasn't a huge milestone or anything, but it was well spent. Lots of great time with friends and family. Thank you to everyone that celebrated it with me. The lunches, dinners, drinks, phone calls, texts, cards - they mean the world to me thank you all!

All about choices ...

2010-02-27T12:07:00.003-05:00

I choose not to hoop anything I don't have to. I will be perfectly honest - I just hate to do it. To fight with the tension and the placement, it just sends me.

So for this little project where I am sprinkling some small embroidery designs into an already busy fabric I have been enjoying the use of my favorite stabilizer ever. Light and Tacky Tear Away. It's like masking tape for sewing. Super easy to peel, stick, move, without a worry.

This is what it looks like when I am done. On this one I could have used it much more intelligently, making the most of my stash. But you get the idea.

First stitch out

2010-02-18T10:35:00.003-05:00

Here is the first stitch out of the large looped vine onto the hummingbird fabric.

Not bad, it might blend a bit much or maybe I just don't love the placement.

But the concept is solid, so I will continue to play with it.

It really is about adding the darker blue and a bit of texture, so it might work ....

Little bits of blue

2010-02-15T10:31:00.004-05:00

So I went through the design and pulled out my three favorite bits - a looped vine like piece, a striped and dotted leaf, and a flower with nice needle work edges.

And of course being able to use the software to pull them out wasn't enough - I had to play with the sizing as well. Because I can do that. Not just the 20% scaling that the embroidery machine can do, but really play with the size until I found what I thought might work well with the fabric.

Here they are test stitched - because even having made them the sizes I think I want I had to test stitch the designs out. Nothing really helps me envision a project like seeing the designs in thread.

So far the looped vine is my favorite. But I am thinking I will plan out a pillow, stitch on the actual fabric and go from there.

With this project I am really trying to relax and enjoy the process and not worry about getting the pillows done. This one is about learning some of the software and making something fun for me with fabric I really like.

A method to the madness

2010-02-09T16:20:00.008-05:00

I have looked at the fabric and the embroidery design a hundred times and keep thinking they have the right vibe for each other, like they will be a good couple if I can just pick the right pieces to compliment each other.

So because I always do, I thought about test stitching the entire design. But only in one color - because that would be slightly faster. It gives me a real size sample to work with and I get to know the design a little better. Get a better feeling for the textures, the order the components stitch in, that sort of thing.

Then I realized - I will never use the entire design for this particular project. It would be a waste of time and effort and my madness can be better used elsewhere. Like editing.

When I bought my machine it came with a basic organizer program for the embroidery designs. I quickly learned that was not enough and have been tinkering around with the Husqvarna Viking 4D Professional. And I really do mean tinkering. There is so much to learn and so many possibilities.

But just selecting what I want, copying it into a new design? That is cake! Which means I can take this:

And systemically select, copy and paste each component I want to play with into something like this:

And while that lonely little leaf doesn't look like much all by itself, the ability to pull it out this easily - that is power and potential.

For anyone who enjoys machine embroidery you understand that this opens a gigantic door for my creative side to run through at top speed. This means I'm only limited by my imagination and

my sewing supplies.

Just a little something else

2010-02-04T15:16:00.005-05:00

So now that I know the chocolate hummingbirds are destined for throw pillows I keep looking at the fabric - and it needs a little something. Like a touch of navy. So I am thinking a coordinating navy fabric and a touch of embroidery.

The fabric is easy, I have plenty leftover from the previous pillow project. But the embroidery, needs to fit with the hummingbirds and the room. So I have been looking through the embroidery collections on my shelf searching for one that screams modern and organic. None of them are screaming. Then I looked at Husqvarna Viking Embroidery Collection #204 Elegant Art.

The designs are organic and a bit sketchy. But none of them are perfect. They are all way too big for this particular project, but have such potential. #10 is my favorite so far, the needlework is lovely and the components are unique.

Chocolate Hummingbirds

2010-02-01T16:04:00.006-05:00

Pastels do nothing for me. They just don't. Nothing inspiring or comforting even. So try as I might to live with a pistachio bedroom - I failed. I recently replaced the pistachio walls with something warmer and way more me - chocolate!

Which means the pillows I embroidered, the ones that I made trying to desperately live with the room are in the market for an update.

An update that involves a very happy chocolate hummingbird based fabric. So today I will be starting on some new throw pillows and table runner!

Warmer Weather

2010-01-30T16:57:00.004-05:00

I have fallen for my fair share of fabrics over the years. You know the ones - they grab your eyes and your attention. Some of them end up orphans in your stash others get worked into a project or two.

But then there is "that" fabric. You know the one. You see it and immediately you are inspired. You can't stop thinking about things to make with it. Your head spins with possibilities.

I found one of those today!

It is Legacy Studio's Fresh Fusion Large Spring Floral. I don't know if it was the dahlias or the hummingbirds, the happy but not gaudy color combination or the yummy hint of chocolate brown, but when I saw this I had to have it!

It is destined to either become the much needed new shower curtain in my upstairs bath or throw pillows and a table runner in my bedroom.

This fabric assures me that warmer weather is coming and I can bide the time sewing away enjoying the creative process and waiting patiently for blue skies and everything Spring has to offer.

Scraps in the hoop

2009-12-07T11:22:00.005-05:00

This is what I found in my stash to start playing with my Texture Hoop. Some denim, a bit of glorious dupioni silk, a bit of organza, basically some odds and ends with texture and visibility differences.

I really wanted to layer my fabrics/ribbons/textures. Just seemed like a good way to learn this hoop.

Not to mention I just don't have a ton of interesting ribbon or yarn in my stash right now. I had a crochet fest a few months ago and until those projects are complete I can't raid those supplies.

I still don't know what I am making, but the denim just seems like a great base fabric. I always like embroidering on it - not a lot of fuss or special sewing tools involved. Tear away stabilizer and any design work beautifully.

Texture Hoop: The Illustrated Directions

2009-12-03T11:11:00.004-05:00

I may have surrendered my quest for the perfect first project for my new Texture Hoop. Not because of a lack of ideas or inspiration - actually the opposite. I may be overwhelmed. I know embroidery is just surface embellishment (at it's finest I dare say) but to be able to give some dimension and texture to my designs has just starts so many ideas and possibilities I can't possibly make them all.

So I am just going to play with the hoop like a kid with a new box of crayons and see what happens.

But, before I play it only makes sense to read the directions. Or at least look at the pictures of the directions.

A - So like any other embroidery hoop your fabric and stabilizer.

B - Use the grooves in the hoop and these fantastic little clips to add your choice of yarn, ribbon, flotsam or jetsam to your heart's content. There are even special clips for the corners.

C - Use the template that came with the Texture Hoop to see how your ribbon/yarn/whatever will fit with your embroidery design.

D - Use the handy little clip remover to life them off and reposition/remove any "ribbon" you like.

Illustrations E and F only apply to the Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond or Designer SE. If you have one of those machines you can make and embroider designs with stitches.

I have the Designer Topaz 30, so I can't do that. But from those illustrations I took away two things: use a water soluble stabilizer to hold down your "ribbon" while the machine embroiders AND baste like there is no tomorrow.

Not to raid my stash and start experimenting .....

Not so crafty news and something to share

2009-12-01T12:00:00.002-05:00

The purpose behind this blog was to start sewing again, get out some creative energy, and share it.

To that point I have kept this blog about my crafty endeavors - sewing, embroidering and a bit of beading. But some things in life are just too good not to share.

And with that I must introduce you to "the plum". I read Cleveland's a Plum religiously. It is warm and genuine and funny and a great way to live vicariously as well as learn about some great places Cleveland has to offer.

Recently the plum had an amazing contest to win a laptop, and like any good reader I entered. Then amazingly enough WON! Notice my complete shock and awe and overwhelming joy.

So now I must share the joy that is the plum with you. Happy reading! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

The first Texture Hoop project

2009-11-23T15:17:00.005-05:00

Some sewing supplies are purchased with a distinct purpose or goal in mind. The Texture Hoop was not. It looked fun and different and as I was standing in the dealer's store I had visions of gifts and potential.

But those ideas were lost the moment I did not write them down or sketch them out. So now here I am looking to the embroidery hoop and my stash for inspiration, or a starting point.

The free sewing project that comes with the Husqvarna Viking Texture Hoop is a quilt. Well, they call it a quilt - but to me it looks an awful lot like a quilted table runner.

The finished size is listed as 78"x27", which screams table runner to me and don't get me started on that super timely red. Very holidayish without screaming "I can only be used one week out of the year".

So this is on the potential list of first projects for this fun little hoop.

But as always, I am open to suggestions. What do you think the first project should be?

Husqvarna Viking Texture Hoop

2009-11-17T10:02:00.005-05:00

Everyone knows I have looked at this embroidery hoop before. The reality is - I don't need another embroidery hoop, and I could probably figure out a way to embroider over yarn and ribbon and fantastic sparkly stuff without a special hoop.

But I have wanted it since the first time I saw it. And I could make Christmas gifts with it (I know complete and total justification) So I bought one for myself.

Look at everything that comes with this hoop! I thought I would open the package and find the standard two piece embroidery hoop in there. Nope, this baby comes with so much!

I gave you the specs before but quick recap - it is a 150 x 150 hoop (or about 6" x 6").

It comes with the template, ribbon clips, corner clips, 2 free embroidery designs, a code to download more from the Husqvarna Viking website, 6 stitches, a clip remover, and sewing instructions for a special project.

I also have to say that the instructions that come with the hoop are fantastic. Basic how to plus some tips and tricks and some great inspiration.

This hoop has so much potential - I can't wait to sew something with it!

Look what actually got finished!

2009-11-16T13:57:00.005-05:00

The pencil pouch is actually finished and in use!

This was the longest little sewing project ever. Remember how it was just a basic box? Just a quick little project to fill a need and a request?

And here is the really funny part, that adorable little girl over there would like some coordinating accessories!

Something to hold her discs for technology class, something for her pencils in art class, something for her uniform in gym class .... I have created a custom sewing monster!

One of the best things about sewing is creating personalized items, creating something for a specific purpose that is exactly what you want and need. But an entire coordinated school supply collection? Maybe we should save that for next year ...

My first bead crochet project

2009-10-03T09:04:00.000-04:00

This was it. This was the defining project that began my love for bead crochet.

The rope is 18" long and is a mix of size 6 seed beads. The toggles on the end are sterling and actually look pretty tidy for a first attempt.

The pendant is what makes it for me. Oooodles of mixed beads on a sterling spiral and chain. There are pearls, bone, crystal, and glass. My favorites are the peridot head pin and the tribal silver.

This is one of those projects that every time I see it in my jewelry box I smile. And today I got to wear it, and share with you!

Sit and sew

2009-09-29T09:55:00.005-04:00

Everyone knows this is taking way too long. So I decided just give it a half hour. Sit and sew, devote a half hour to this poor little pouch. No TV, no radio, no chores, no book, no cooking, no homework, nothing but sewing for 30 minutes.

It was fantastic! I got the ring and little tab in place for the wristlet piece. Although, as a was working on it I thought about how cute the pouch would be a little rounder, with the strap attached to the zipper ..... need to put that thought into my sewing sketch book for later ...

Next was sewing the pouch closed. At this point it looks like a butterfly. I remembered to open the zipper halfway (soooooo going to need that later to turn it right side out. Then I went pin crazy. I didn't want to distort the pouch shape by not positioning it around the zipper properly.

I got a little pin crazy on the slippery brocade, but was really careful on the vinyl. Everything shows on the vinyl. Every pin, every wrinkle, it makes my crazy!

Unfortunately I didn't take a picture as I was sewing. I double stitched this seam, it is probably overkill, but who knows what she will really put in here. It was intended for pencils, but knowing my girl it will be lunch money, rocks, lone earrings and whatever else wouldn't fit in her pocket that day.

And so the plan changes

2009-09-24T13:26:00.004-04:00

I honestly believed that if I made a list, I would make some serious progress in the pencil pouch.

So I looking at the next item on the list "6. Cut, iron, fold, and stitch the tab that the wristlet piece will attach to" and I have a moment.

How long has it been since made a strap? For anything? Even a little tiny wristlet strap? Ummm, ummm, I can't remember how. No seriously I sat and looked at the fabric for a solid 15 minutes hoping for a light bulb moment.

So I contemplated option 1 - cut two pieces, stitch them together wrong side out, turn them right side out and finish. This works, for something much bigger. For a tiny little tab I would be better off hand sewing it, and I have no intention of hand sewing the brocade.

Option 2 - same as option 1 but buy a Fasturn Set. I love a good sewing tool, but I want this pouch done, not a work in progress waiting for something to ship.

And then the moment happens - option 3 - Cut one piece, but cut it four times as wide as you need and sew the unfinished bit inside and top stitch. Ta da!

Seriously - could I have made something so simple anymore difficult?

Pencil pouch recap and status

2009-09-23T10:00:00.001-04:00

This pencil pouch is the project that will never end. I could have sewn a king size quilt by now, but nope - still working on one little pouch. But it will be a master piece!

So progress so far has been -

1. Cut the fabric and lining
2. Insert the zipper
3. Create the monogram
4. Test stitch the monogram, re-size and test stitch a couple more times
5. Stitch the monogram

Here is what I anticipate the next few steps to be -

6. Cut, iron, fold, and stitch the tab that the wristlet piece will attach to
7. Insert the tab and ring for the wristlet loop
8. Sew the exterior closed
9. Sew the lining closed (minus the hole it will be turned right side out from)
10. Turn the pouch right side out
11. Finish sewing the lining closed
12. Cut, iron, fold and stitch what will be the wristlet loop that the pouch is carried by
13. Attach the wristlet loop to the hardware
14. Attach the completed wristlet loop to the pouch

Now that I have a list I will be a woman on a mission. I love a list and a fresh black Sharpie marker. Makes me feel great to cross things off. And yes - I have put things on a list that were already done just to have the joy of crossing them off!

The completed monogram

2009-09-22T14:45:00.002-04:00

Ta da! One completed monogram. I really wish the pictures had come out better, because it really does look fantastic. The metallic silver thread on the blue brocade is perfect - and with the light blue and silver bamboo leaves it fits right in.

I know - the brocade, monogram, and metallic thread are a bit much for a pencil pouch for school. But if you are going to put the time and effort into making something shouldn't it be great? And for my girl, this is great. She picked the fabric, the final monogram, the thread color - everything.

And as I think about it monogramming is really about personalizing something and this little project is definitely headed perfectly personalized.

Monogram sizing

2009-09-21T12:16:00.005-04:00

Before I show you the finished monogram, I thought you might like to see how it sized. Size is a big deal with embroidery - from the size of hoop your machine will take, to the size of the embroidery design, to being able to re-size or scale a design to make it fit your particular project.

The monogram software I'm using has plenty of size options. It defaults to metric but you can change it to standard (I didn't because my hoops all have the metric sizes printed on them, and I am a super visual learner, so being able to grab a 120 x 120 hoop and say "wow that design would never fit on a toddler's t-shirt" is big for me).

When I started the monogram for the pencil pouch I left all the settings as is in the 4D Monogram and Vision software. I could have changed the size of the lettering from the get go, but didn't. I either wasn't paying attention to that little box or didn't even think about it at the time.

So here is another little secret - I test sew everything. Yep, everything. Every design I have ever stitched onto a garment, bag, anything has been stitched previously on a scrap. I learn so much when I test a design. I get to see the color changes first hand, how the colors really work together and not just on a screen, the finished size of a design, etc. I have so many stitch-outs I have considered framing them, using them in quilts, something - I just haven't figured out how yet.

So the monogram on top is straight from software. Out of the box - I choose the font and the flourishes and stitched away.

The middle sized monogram is from my machine. The Designer Topaz 30 will scale a design plus or minus 20%. I thought it came out pretty well. The letters are clear and pretty easy to read.

Then I went back to the software and increased the font to 50mm. Wow - talk about clear! Even the curls are crisp.

From here it is just about what fits best on the 5" x 7" pencil pouch. But I will show you that tomorrow.

Until then I will share a peak at my weekend fun - just getting in as much fun and sunshine as Northern Ohio has to offer this time of year. And yes - those roller coasters in the background are Cedar Point.

Finally monogramming

2009-09-15T13:46:00.003-04:00

I am finally monogramming the exterior of the pencil pouch!

And I do mean finally. The Inspira 4D Monogram & Vision is super easy to use - that is not the hold up. The hold up is me. All me. I have designed more than a dozen possible monograms for one silly little pencil pouch. I have played with fonts, colors, sizes, you name it. It has been a great experiment.

So here is the monogramming in action. See those cute little curls? Just one of way too many flourishes and side thingies. I know they have a technical term but I can't think of it right now for the life of me.

And you are correct if you said "Hey - you didn't hoop that fabric!" Nope, again I went with hooping the stabilizer, a little KK2000 and using the baste in the hoop function in the machine.

I just didn't want to deal with those nasty burn marks you get on soft or shiny fabrics when you hoop them. Not worth it, plus I don't plan on washing the pencil pouch before it is used so they would be there forever.

Narrow Zipper Foot Joy

2009-09-11T14:26:00.005-04:00

In all of my angst over not getting anything accomplished on the pencil pouch I failed to call out the joy of the Narrow Zipper Foot.

Everyone knows I am a tool junkie. Name it, I've got it. That means in the kitchen (need a mixer - what size? Food processor or mini chopper? Dutch oven or double boiler?) to the bead universe (round nose pliers, English beading needles, crimp pliers, etc.) to now the sewing room.

Accessory presser feet make me swoon. They are tools that make a job seamstresses used to do by hand require mere moments and can now be accomplished by us mortals.

The Narrow Zipper Foot snaps on to my Topaz 30. Snaps on! Are you serious? No screw driver, no ankle change, 10 seconds and a click and I can install a zipper. It gets better - this foot is dual sided. I can snap it one way sew a zipper to the left, unsnap, twirl and sew a zipper to the right.

It is nice and narrow so you can get super close to the zipper teeth making a nice clean zipper. It almost looks professional it is so clean. After I practice a few more I will remove that almost, but for the first zipper I'm in love.

Fall Bliss

2009-09-10T08:04:00.004-04:00

For some reason I thought that the end of summer would bring a calm to my house, an end to the constant running, places to be and things to do.

I was so very confused.

As a result here we are two weeks in without a back to school pencil pouch finished. I did manage to get one side sewn on last night and a few updates made to the Sewing Glossary.

Then I fell into bed with the intention of reading for a bit to relax. No relaxation required, it was straight to sleep for me.

So on today's list of things to do is make a dent in the pencil pouch. It is a super fun and easy sewing project, I just need to sew!

Pencil pouch progression

2009-09-08T08:16:00.005-04:00

The alliteration was just too much to pass up! It may even have to continue for the entire project.

Hope everyone had a fantastic Labor Day weekend! nothing like saying goodbye to summer with a long weekend.

Aside from being a quick and fun back to school project the pencil pouch was intended to be a stash project. There are plenty of fat quarter or fat quarter sized scraps lovingly organized in my stash. But did my girl like any of them? Nope. Just the yard of Joel Dewberry Antler Damask I've been hoarding all summer.

So we made a compromise. I get to save my tarragon beauty for another day and she gets to pick whatever she wants from JoAnn's. I can not begin to tell you what I was thinking.

I should have taken a picture before I cut it, but I didn't. So here you get to see her fabric choices ( a lovely pewter pleather and a navy bamboo brocade) and a peak of the pieces all cut out.

Before I cut the brocade I stabilized it with the Inspira Light and Soft Fuse On embroidery stabilizer that seems to be my new favorite. I used it for a few reasons: to keep the brocade from unraveling any more than possible, to give the pouch exterior some body without being stiff, and because it is on hand in my sewing supplies and has proven itself in the past.

Not a lot of sewing for a long weekend, but plenty of measuring, ironing and cutting!

Pencil pouch planning

2009-09-03T09:53:00.004-04:00

Say that three times fast. Super fast. Pencil pouch planning, pencil pouch planning, pencil pouch planning!

The first week of school has been great, hectic but great.

I have been planning the new improved pencil pouch. I measured the original and sketched it out so we could take a little fabric shopping adventure in my stash. At this point I'm thinking a fat quarter would do nicely, but a vinyl or oilcloth lining for the pouch interior would make it so much more useful.

Here is my first sketch.

There is some logic behind it: I'm thinking for a smallish bag a 1/4" seam will reduce the bulk, and I can always double sew the seams for security, I am also thinking that the interior or pencil pouch lining should be slightly smaller than the exterior so that it fits together nicely.

Did I miss anything? Do you have any suggestions?

Something to monogram

2009-08-31T12:39:00.004-04:00

I think I have found something to monogram, or at least the first something!

This is last year's pencil pouch. I won't even show you the inside it is so gross. But I was thinking I could very easily use it as a template for a new one. School starts today, so if I start right now I won't be that far behind ....

It has been a really, really long time since I have made a pattern from something or even a template - but this is basically a box so it can't be that difficult.

My thought is measure it, then add seam allowances, then make some adjustments for the lining (like 1/4" or 1/2") so that it fits well. And if that doesn't work it isn't a major fabric investment so I can just tweak away!

A few monograms

2009-08-28T08:25:00.007-04:00

As promised I have officially installed (super easy) and started to play with the 4D Monogram & Vision software.

It is the easiest thing ever and there are thousands of possibilities. Later I can show you how incredibly easy it is, but for now here are a few fun monograms I am mulling over for some projects.

Do you have a favorite? Or does one scream perfect for a specific sewing project idea?

4D Monogram & Vision .... some answers

2009-08-27T14:28:00.002-04:00

I haven't had a chance yet to play with the monogram software I purchased the other night. But I've received a few questions about it so I thought I would share what tidbits I can to start with.

Yes, I bought it at my local Husqvarna Viking dealer, but it is made by Inspira, so it works with all embroidery machines (Bernina, Pfaff, Janome, Babylock, etc,)
The security dongle comes with the monogram software (not an additional cost)
If you already have Husqvarna Viking 4D software there is a module thing similar to what I bought that you can add
Yes, you can tell it what kind of embroidery thread you like to use (Robison-Anton, Sulky, Madeira, etc.) and it will give you the corresponding thread list and color numbers
Monograms can be one letter, two letter, three letter or a name
It comes with 60 fonts
Yes, you can print templates

I think that answers the questions I've received so far. I promise to install it tonight and play with it so I can answer more questions and show you something tomorrow!

More sewing toys .... supplies ..... tools

2009-08-26T08:04:00.003-04:00

I had every intention of picking up the new Texture Hoop last night. I had visions of home dec projects running through my head. A table runner for the dining room, some pillows for the family room and maybe even a gift or two.

Then I saw this. 4D Monogram and Vision by Inspira. Basically a monogramming software that works with any sewing and embroidery machine. Talk about gift making potential! Do you see my handmade holiday potential? Especially if I start now, today, immediately!

Stockings, bath towels, pencil pouches, make-up bags, travel bags, cardigans, baby bibs and blankies .... have any other suggestions?

Bead Paradise

2009-08-25T08:47:00.008-04:00

I have been venturing out more to find the sewing, embroidery, and beading supplies I want.

I recently discovered Bead Paradise in Oberlin, Ohio. Set in a lovely little college town this shop has a very knowledgeable staff and a huge selection. If you like trade beads, seed beads, Delicas, Swarovski crystals, cathedral beads, stone beads, you name it - they have it.

In all honesty, my bead shopping list was tiny - I really just wanted to get out and explore. I went for white size 6 seed beads and some John James size 10 beading needles. You can get both of those anywhere. I left Bead Paradise with what was on my list, these lovely transparent amethyst size 8 seed beads and a wildflower mix of size 5 triangles and more. The triangles were a little pricey - but you can't always find them and I love the dimension they add to bead crochet.

My plan was just to start stringing the seed beads and triangles so I could do a little crochet this week when I needed a portable project.

I know this is not what Tupperware was intended for, but it is the best way I have found to store bead crochet. It works great when you are stringing, then once all the beads are strung it can sit safely until you start to crochet, then when you start working your project is already portable and ready to be tossed into whatever bag you are taking with you.

The stringing went so crazy fast that I thought, I'll just start a bracelet. Just a few rows. Watch a little TV, crochet a little, just relax for a bit and the bead crochet went so well that a few rows turned into this!

What a glorious weekend

2009-08-24T09:43:00.008-04:00

Ok, it wasn't really. Saturday was grey and rainy and cold enough in my corner of Northern Ohio to close the windows while I sewed and embroidered my little heart out. But - the pool robe is finished!

It was so cold and yucky out that I didn't even want to go on a supply run for some lightweight interfacing. I was going to use it in the sash to give it a little body so it didn't get all scrunched up when she wears it.

Then I had a light bulb moment. Why not use something I have readily available as a replacement for the interfacing? I swapped out some Inspira Light and Soft Fuse On stabilizer for the interfacing and it worked great!

I also added some embroidery to the back of the robe. I cold have gone with some applique like in the tutorial, but why have a sewing and embroidery machine if you aren't going to use it?

Embroidering on the terry cloth of the towel concerned me a bit at first (I have heard horror stories about it not turning out well - everything from the embroidery design getting lost in the pile to major registration issues). But I dove in head first.

This method worked awesome for me (I was sooooo not going to try to hoop the towel):

- hoop a double layer of tear away stabilizer
- use some KK2000 to adhere the robe/towel to the stabilizer
- top the robe/towel with a lightweight water soluble stabilizer
- use the FIX function in my machine to baste the stabilizer, towel, topper sandwich

- embroidery away

The tear away stabilizer was so easy to get off the inside of the robe and didn't leave any scratchy bit for my little girl to complain about, and the topper dissolved away so easily.

So here it is, ta da ..... one completed Summer Pool Robe! And let's hope there is enough Summer left for her to use it!

Bias Binder in action

2009-08-20T13:38:00.005-04:00

Back to our previously scheduled broadcast.

Here is a peak of the Bias Binder in action. When I asked around about using this thing it really got mixed reviews. I've got to say I see why.

I think with some practice I could get accustom to it and maybe even use it well, but out of the box it was a little odd. Feeding the bias tape into it was no big deal. Getting started was fine. Not having a bunch of pins to work around was great. So why am I not screaming from the roof tops "Go buy this sewing tool! It rocks! It will make bias tape the easiest sewing task ever!"?

Probably because I wasn't very coordinated feeding the fabric because I was watching the Bias Binder work away, which created a few little do-overs. The Bias Binder was efficient and effective, the user just needs some more skill.

I'm not giving up on it, but I'm not putting it up there with sliced bread - how is that for an honest product review?

On a high note, now that the pool robe edges are finished the only tasks left are some embroidery and a sash. This means the robe could make its debut this weekend!

Good intentions

2009-08-19T14:07:00.005-04:00

I had every intention of playing with the Bias Binder last night and making a towel look like a robe. Really I did.

Then this happened.

An absolutely delightful surprise bouquet delivered to my living room. In a pickle jar.

These were hijacked from my yard and I don't care. My little girl cut them for me and put them where I would see them when I got home just because. Are you serious? Just because. That was her whole reason and I love it!

So instead of sewing and playing with my new sewing tool we spent some quality time together on the couch playing with some beads. We ventured to lovely Toledo, Ohio last weekend and came across a great little bead shop, Meant to Bead. If you are in the area it is totally worth a stop. They have a great selection and the ladies were super sweet.

After some measuring and composing Katie has a lovely new bracelet and I still have a huge smile.

Pool robe progress and a new sewing tool ...

2009-08-18T11:48:00.006-04:00

Progress on the pool robe is going so well!

I was way too nervous about sewing the two layers of terry together. My sewing machine ran over the terry like it was nothing. No snagging, no tension issue, no adjustments, it was amazing. I didn't even use a teflon foot or anything special. Seriously, made my selection on the sewing advisor, selected a zig zag stitch and went. I got the shoulder and side seams done in one sitting.

And we even have a first fitting to share:

The sleeve shape came out so well, super scientific measuring worked, and the wrap shape is a go! Talk about an all around win.

I can't decide if I want to tackle the binding, sash or embroidery tonight.

I have this little Bias Binder I wanted to try, so tonight might be about making my own Bias Tape. I have had mixed results in the past, so I am hoping that with the help of this tool and my machine it will be much simpler.

Here is the information that swayed me towards this little guy:

"To bind edges with 1/2" (12mm) Bias Binding, cut a 2" (50mm) wide bias strip of light weight fabric, or use packaged extra wide double fold Bias Binding. Straight stitch, length 2.5, or zig zag, or decorative stitch at desired length.

1. Snap on Bias Binder.

2. Cut the end of the bias tape to a point. Insert the bias tape from the outside of the funnel guide, into the slot and pull it down under the foot.

3. Place the edge to be bound into the groove on the left side of the funnel guide.

4. Adjust needle position as needed or to adjust the position f the binder funnel/guide loosen the screw on the top of the foot and position the funnel guide as needed."

If this means I can make all the bias tape I want, with any fabric I want (ok, almost) and attach it with ease sign me up for a new tool in my sewing tool box.

Fuchsia fluff

2009-08-17T11:15:00.005-04:00

I have little bits of fuchsia fluff everywhere!

Upcycling, recycling, restyling, whatever you want to call it has some serious benefits, both for me the sewer and the environment. But working with a towel? What was I thinking? That nice deep pile of terry has turned into fluff all over my sewing area.

Steps so far have been:

Fold the towel in half
Measure towel and child
Determine and cut sleeve shape
Cut side seam
Cut towel along fold to separate the front and back pieces

Here is this weekends progress ...

This is the back piece folded in half perpendicular. Then the sliver of what will be the back of the neck was trimmed away.

I wanted more of a feminine wrap style, so instead of the round neck from the original tutorial I cut this into a V. If I make this robe again I might exaggerate this a bit more and put it off center to really push the wrap shape.

Here is the front split open. This is where my "fabric" started to look like pattern pieces (instead of a towel that got a little bleach splatter on it and was finding a new life).

Tonight will be all about the sewing. I think the side and shoulder seams are next. I am a little concerned about sewing the layers together - the terry is very fluffy and with two layers could be a beast. It's not as cumbersome as a quilt or even a bag with multiple layers and interfacing, but I am contemplating using a walking foot anyway. I'm also going to go back to my User's Guide and read through the Sewing Advisor section again, having the stitch length and tension set for me was so nice on a little bag I can't imagine what it will be like on this!

2009-08-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

I am still working on my Buttercup bag, it just needs the strap (but heaven help me I can't find my rotary cutter anywhere and until I do the bag will just have to be strapless).

So to keep me busy I started on the Child's Pool Robe from Sew, Mama, Sew!

I already have the materials:

But I've been thinking, I want to make the robe age appropriate for my 11 year old girl. So between the color and the accent fabric I think I am off to a good start. But what if I switched up the shape a bit? What about a kimono sleeve and a little more flow to the robe?

So I started by measuring my girl - I know highly scientific, but working with a recycled item like a towel means that most of the edges are finished for you so you have to work in the confines of its existing shape. Not traditional garment making, but so much fun!

So I measured her and sketched the basic sleeve shape I wanted directly on the towel. Here is the sleeve cut. I have bits of terry everywhere!

Over the weekend I will work on the neckline and front opening. But this is starting out well!

A real purse!

2009-08-13T16:25:00.005-04:00

My first little Buttercup Bag is almost complete.

Look how cute it is turned right side out!

It is finally not so pink, so my fabric choice for my test run is definitely paying off.

Once I stitched the lining and exterior together and turned it right side out I started to wonder - why didn't I tack these pieces together so the lining doesn't shift? It may not be a big deal based on the size of the bag, but will probably end up on my to do list for the next one I make.

The other thing I noticed is the strap. Since it is the last step you will be able to see it attached inside the bag. That bothers me a bit. After all my effort making the bag I would really like more professional looking results.

So another item for my to do list for the next bag - attach the shoulder strap in the process of sewing the lining and exterior together.

But look how cute the bag is! Like a real purse - and I made it! Well, almost, I still have to make and attach the shoulder strap, but I am really liking this bag!

A great little bag

2009-08-12T15:17:00.006-04:00

My little Buttercup Bag is coming along so nicely!

Here are the interior and exterior pieces ready to be sewn together. Yes, I am a pin fanatic. I think I over pin because I am so worried about seems lining up nicely and maintaining the shape of things.

You work so hard cutting them out precisely and joining that I get a little pin crazy trying to get the best end results possible.

I have to say I think all my pinning paid off. Fitting the lining and exterior together was a breeze!

Any my machine didn't care one bit about all those pins. Just whizzed over them like nothing!

A little more sewing tonight and tomorrow you should get to see something that looks like a real bag!

The Buttercup Bag is coming together!

2009-08-11T18:27:00.013-04:00

This bag seems to be taking me forever! But in reality it has been so quick to cut and each step has been rewarding.

Sometimes you sew and the steps don't really make sense, but you follow the pattern hoping for the best. This bag isn't like that at all. Each step has great diagrams and the instructions are just fantastic.

Here are the interfacing and snaps attached to the lining. Next time I will probably use a heavier fabric or use a light weight interfacing on the entire lining. I really like the results I get when I use the Inspira Light and Soft Fuse on stabilizer as an interfacing.

Shaping the lower portion of the exterior of the bag was super simple. Just mark the pleats from the pattern, pin them, and run a few stitches to hold them in place. I'm not sure if it was the size of the pleats, the quantity, or the size of the bag, but making these pleats was easier than any other pattern I have EVER made. Hands down, if you avoid darts or pleats, don't worry about them with this pattern.

I also have to tell you that in the process of making this bag I have found yet another super feature on my Topaz 30. It is this little button with a pair of scissors on it. This little CUT function was so easy and such a time saver. I can not tell you how much I am going to use it when I quilt!

Once the pleats are in place on the lower portion of the bag, the upper portion of the bags is attached. Then that is topstitched and you magically have shaped the exterior of the bag.

From the way this bag is coming together I have to tell you I see more on my to do list in the future!

Sew something!

2009-08-06T11:30:00.006-04:00

In the category of good news, my little Buttercup Bag is progressing. And even though it is still slightly pink I am pretty happy with my fabric choice.

The interior and exterior are cut, all that is left is the strap and hopefully I will get to that tonight. It seems like I have been planning and cutting forever and haven't been at my machine in days. I just need to get through this phase and find enough time to make a real dent in this bag. I can't wait to sew something!

In slightly related news ... do you ever have fabric guilt? You picked it out, you either had the perfect project in mind or you stashed it away, then when it is time to use it - you don't want to cut the fabric.

If you cut it, all the potential projects are gone. You are committed to making this one thing with it.

So I finally cut the exterior pieces of my first Buttercup Bag and my scraps still had some of the little flowery shapes intact. I looked at them, and couldn't throw them away! They looked so sad. All their potential was headed straight to the trash can! So I fussy cut them. And saved them.

You may see those little flowers again. Maybe I could use them to practice my applique skills? Try a little raw edge applique on a hoodie for my girl. Or I know my Topaz 30 has three different basic satin stitches and then four different shaped or scalloped ones. Practice makes perfect and machine applique is definitely a technique I would like use in the future.

Progress is good?

2009-08-04T09:52:00.010-04:00

The lining for the buttercup bag is cut and I started another bead crochet bracelet!

But I am sensing a theme .... pink.

The bag is beginning to look like neopolitan ice cream. And the bracelet which is size 6 raspberry lined clear seed beads and 4mm raspberry lined blue cubes is looking a little Barbie pink to me.

I will continue working on both, and keep you posted on their pinkness and general progress.

Weekends are wonderful

2009-08-03T12:23:00.013-04:00

After fretting last week about so much to do and so little time, I had a most lovely weekend!

Saturday was spent anchoring out on the north side of Kelley's Island. There is a fantastic public beach set in a lovely little cove. The day was spent enjoying the sunshine and blue sky with friends and family.

Beyond the relaxing, I accomplished sew much! Forgive the pun, but it really is true.

Remember the Sew, Mama, Sew Summer Skirt Sew-Along? The skirt now has side seams! And it gets better. I got to test drive the Sewing Advisor on my Husqvarna Viking Topaz 30. It rocked. No dials, no playing around with the tension, I literally with the press of a button told the machine what kind of fabric I was using and my stitch length, tension, everything - set for me!

The Buttercup Bag, from Made by Rae? Pattern printed, cut out and fabric selected! I rummaged through my stash and found two coordinating prints that have more than a fat quarter a piece.

And the fun doesn't stop there. The other item on my to-do list, the Pool Robe? Towel located with coordinating scrap fabric for the bias tape and sash!

The fun doesn't stop there. I even whipped up some earrings for myself to start the week off with some sparkle. A little sterling silver chain, two odd pearls and a pair of amethyst briolettes and I have a little present for me!

Now I have three projects going at once, but I'm not as worried about Summer slipping by!

Skirt Sew-Along: Scissors in Action!

2009-07-30T14:25:00.008-04:00

I get to cross something off this week's list!

The skirt pieces are cut for the Sew, Mama, Sew! Summer Skirt Sew-Along. The waist piece still needs cut, but shhhh. I am bathing in the joy of accomplishing something.

On a not so happy note, the pieces look huge. So even though I measured, re-measured and triple checked before I cut - something could be wrong.

But that is OK. This skirt is the prototype for many a perfect A Line summer skirt to come. That is why the crazy fabric and adhering to the summer deadline.

In my imagination I have a little army of perfect A Line skirts in my closet. Dark denim, chocolate brown, camel ... all just waiting to be part of a wardrobe I made myself.

More to do than there are hours in the day

2009-07-29T15:27:00.003-04:00

I didn't get the pieces to my summer skirt cut last night. I'm a slacker.

There are three projects I really want to get done this summer: a summer skirt for me, a pool wrap for the princess, and a buttercup bag.

So this week I will:

1. Cut the fabric for my skirt
2. Select the fabric for the buttercup bag
3. Start the pool robe/wrap

This list is so that they all happen before there is snow on the ground.

Aside from these projects there are some sewing toys, I mean tools I want to try. Like the texture hoop, walking foot, ruffler and about a million others that I see every time I walk into a quilt shop or sewing machine dealer.

I also want to take a beginner's quilt class that I saw offered. It only meets twice a month! How could I not fit that in!

But I am jumping ahead. My list only has three to do's so that I can realistically get to them all.

Beads + Crochet = Love

2009-07-28T16:54:00.007-04:00

Here it is, the honest to goodness truth. The real reason that aside from everyday life I don't get more sewing done.

There aren't enough hours in the day to sew, bead, crochet, read, cook, play with the kids or relax for the pure joy of it.

Bead crochet has been distracting me. Again. I have a love hate relationship with all of those glorious little pieces of glass. Pick a size, 6, 8, delicas, two cuts, I love them all.

I have been crocheting 6's and 8's into bracelets and necklaces. Here is a bangle that just got finished. I am still working out the finishing. Bangles are ok, but the tension required to make them just doesn't always happen. I am thinking of experimenting with snaps to close the bracelet with. I have tried clasps and large foil beads. I can post some of those another time.

Tonight I will sew. Or at least cut out the pieces for my summer skirt!

Summer Skirt Sew-Along: Measuring Again

2009-07-27T13:23:00.004-04:00

Would you believe that I measured for a Straight Skirt, Fitted Waist when I really wanted the A-Line skirt, Elastic Waist?

And here I couldn't figure out why I needed four pieces of fabric if I was cutting on the fold and why the directions were telling me to add a seam allowance that was already in my measurements. Ooops.

Now the directions make sense

"Because you pull the skirt on over your hips, the waistline is based on your hips (B) instead of your waist (A). The D measurement is the desired length plus 1" (hem) and 2" (waistline casing). Cut two identical pieces (for front and back)."

So let's try this again!

Summer Skirt Sew-Along: Taking measurements

2009-07-26T21:23:00.005-04:00

I have wanted to make a skirt all summer long, so the sew along is perfect.

I need to start by taking some basic measurements, but I keep procrastinating. How can I make a skirt without a pattern? Yes, I know this is the premise of the book. Yes, I know I have done it for years with Halloween costumes and other miscellaneous projects. But - can I make something worth wearing out of the house without a pattern?

It seems completely logical.

Waist = 36" + 2" seam allowance + 2 " ease = 40" divided by 4 = A
A = 10"

Hips = 48" + 2" seam allowance + 4" ease = 54" divided by 4 = B
B = 13.5"

Waist to hips = 8" + 2" seam allowance = C
C = 10"

Desired length = 19" + 1" hem + 2" seam allowance = D
D = 22"

Some project notes at this point:

- My desired length makes the skirt to my knees. Once the skirt is together I can try it on and see based on the shape if top of knee, knee cap or just below is best.

- I'm a little concerned about the waist measurement. I'm not sure based on my shape if an A starting at my natural waist is a good choice or if it would be better sitting on the top of my hips. Again, worth trying on the skirt and adjusting as necessary.

- Some of the measurements are divided by 4 because the front and back is cut separately, how should I work with the fabric pattern and how careful do I need to be with the seams?

- Based on the fabric I selected for the trial run, does a lining of some sort make sense?

Machine notes:

- There are some machine features I want to use as I work through this skirt.

- The FIX function in sewing mode replaces the need to backstitch (wow).

- The Sewing Advisor "... automatically sets the best stitch, stitch length, stitch width, thread tension, sewing speed and sensor foot pressure for your project. The stitch is displayed on screen with presser foot and needle recommendations."

Next

The next step is to mark out my measurements on the fabric and follow the instructions ....

Summer Skirt Sew-Along Started .... sort of

2009-07-23T16:36:00.005-04:00

Can you say you have started a project if you have only selected the fabric and pattern? Does that count?

For the Summer Skirt Sew-Along over at Sew, Mama, Sew! I have already picked out the pattern from the Sew What Skirts Book. There is a classic A-Line with an Elastic Waist on page 19. It looks super simple, all you need are some basic measurements (waist, hips, waist to hips, and desired length) to complete the skirt.

I finally found fabric! It was the end of a bolt, so it was totally affordable. And it has black and camel which means it will fit into my wardrobe very nicely. I really want to make a skirt out of the new Joel Dewberry Antler Damask, but only after I perfect the pattern and sewing technique.

Here is the fabric I ended up ...

Husqvarna Viking Texture Hoop and Embroidery Collection

2009-07-22T12:04:00.006-04:00

Has anyone seen this? Used it? I am tempted.

I like tools. I firmly believe that having the right tool makes any job easier, faster, and the finished product better. It also means that I like gadgets. For sewing and embroidery this means lots of toys - I mean supplies.

I stopped by my local dealer the other day and she gave me an update to my Accessory User's Guide. This hoop and embroidery collection totally caught my eye.

Here is what I know so far .....
The hoop is 150 mm x 150 mm (this is the same size as the Do All Quilters Hoop that I LOVE.
This embroidery hoop has holes in the top piece of the hoop that you can run yarn, ribbon, lace, chenille, maybe even beads and sequins through.
Then you have little clips that hold the ribbon in place.
Then you embroider over it.
The embroidery collection has 20 designs that can be used with and without the additional texture.
It looks the designs are made to work with a variety of ribbon directions and quantities.

So I am wondering, before I make the investment has anyone used this? Seen anything made with it?

How do you finish the edges of the ribbon that fall outside the embroidery design? Can you use it with other design collections? Is it fun or tedious?

I am thinking that it could make really nice blankies, add some dimension to a handbag, be great as the back of a jacket, or I could keep going with the pillow theme and make some updates to the living room!

More sewing and embroidery projects - completed!

2009-07-21T14:11:00.009-04:00

I played with the fabric, I played with the thread and now I have two lovely embroidered pillows for my bed.

I made the pillow covers from curtain panels. Just measured the pillow forms I had on hand, cut the curtains, embroidered my designs, and sewed a few seams.

The curtain panels look like silk dupioni but are really polyester. The blue one is an extra from the set picked up at Pier One. The green one is from a bathroom I had two houses ago.

I have to share how well my machine handled the slippery fabric! No pulling, no gathering, no tension issues! I used a straight stitch and the basic A foot that came on the machine, super simple.

Talk about sew green - the only purchased for this little project was the embroidery design collection (thank you myembroideries half off summer sale!) and the variegated thread. Both will be put to good use again I assure you.

Skirt Sew Along

2009-07-21T09:00:00.005-04:00

There is a summer skirt sew along happening over at Sew, Mama, Sew!

I must confess that I have had the book Sew What! SKIRTS since March anticipating a lovely summer wardrobe full of skirts I have made myself.

Want to guess how many I have made so far? So I am joining the Sew Along in hopes of getting at least one skirt finished before it snows!

Sewing glossary

2009-07-20T15:51:00.023-04:00

This is intended to be an organized list of all the sewing terms, techniques and general sewing information I have collected from various websites, classes, books, patterns and more.

The concept is to keep a running list and add to this post as more information is available. If there is a sewing term missing that you would like added or one that you are looking for just leave a comment and I will add it to the sewing glossary.

Accessory foot - An optional sewing machine attachment that connects the the machine ankle allowing you to complete additional techniques (i.e. piping foot, cording foot, welting foot, open toe foot, walking foot, candlewicking foot, decorative trim foot, yarn couching foot, beading foot, elastic foot, invisible zipper foot - there are hundred).

Applique - a sewing technique in which one smaller piece of fabric is sewn onto another larger piece to form a design. In many instances a template or pattern is used for the smaller piece to create the desired shape.

Armscye - Armhole.

Backstitch - Additional stitches at the beginning or end of a machine sewn seam used to anchor the seam in place. Often achieved using the reverse function on an electronic sewing machine.

Backing - A quilting term that refers to the back fabric of the quilt sandwich (pieced top, batting, backing).

Ballpoint needle - Designed for knit fabrics, the tip is shaped as not to nick or pull the knit.

Bar tack - A series of closely sewn stitches often used in buttonhole making.

Baste - Temporary stitches used to hold fabric in place or shape a project until the permanent stitching is completed. Basting is often removed prior to completing a project.

Batik -

Batting - The fluffy fill to a quilt sandwhich. Can be natural or man-made materials flattened and rolled. Batting has other uses, but is most often used for quilting.

Bias - Diagonal to the straight grain of fabric. This is where the fabric has the most stretch.

Bias Binder - Tool available for Husqvarna Viking sewing machines in a 1/2" (12mm) and 1/4" (6mm) size. Can be used with pre-packaged bias tape or bias strips of light weight fabric. Has a funnel and a guide to assist in attaching bias tape to fabric.

Bias tape - Strips of fabric cut on the bias, folded (single or double) and ironed. Due to the stretch nature of bias cut fabric bias tape is often used for finishing edges that have a curve (like armholes). Also used to finish a quilt.

Binding - The process of encasing raw edges (i.e of a quilt or garment). Can also refer ot he fabric used to accomplish the finishing.

Blanket stitch -

Blind hem - A type of hem sewn so that it is not seen on the right side of a finished garment. Typically machine sewn using a blind hem stitch. the fabric is folded and sewn in such a way that it is only visible on the wrong side of the garment.

Blind hem stitch - A specific stitch used when hemming that is not seen on the right side of the garment.

Block - The basic component of a quilt, hundreds of variations exist (i.e. log cabin, nine patch, monkey wrench, irish chain, ohio star, sawtooth star). Pieces of fabric are cut and joined togehter to create each block. Each block is then joined to create the quilt top.

Block of the month -

BOM - Block of the month

Bobbin -

Bodice -

Bolt - A large roll of fabric wrapped around a form for storage or sales purposes.

Buttonhole - A slit in fabric bound by a special stitch so thata button can pass through adn hold two pieces of fabric together. Can be made by hand or by sewing machine.

Candlewicking -

Casing - A tube of fabric stitched for the purpose of enveloping typically a drawstring or elastic.

Charm pack - 5" x 5" squares of fabric cut and sold in a coordinating pack. Charm packs often contain one square of each print of a fabric collection.

Circular guide attachment -

Coin quilt -

Cording -

Cording foot -

Cut work -

Dart - A tapered adjustment used in patterns to shape an item. They are V shaped and are most often used to control the fullness of an area (i.e. bust darts).

Decorative stitch -

Dessert roll -

Digitize - The process of converting an illustration to an embroidery design.

Dongle - A small security device often used with sewing and embroidery machines or embroidery software to restrict access to the owner only.

Double fold bias tape -

Dual feed foot -

Ease - The amount of available room or give in a garment created by the difference between the phyical body measurements and the pattern/garment measurements.

Edgestitch - Typically on the lining side of a garment a stitch aproximately 1/16" from the edge.

Elastic thread - Often used when machine sewing to sreate smocking, literally a thread made from elastic that gives when sewn.

Fabric Grain - The weave of the fabric perpindicular to the selvdge.

Facing - Fabric used in garmetn sewing to create a finished edge at an opening (i.e. at the neck or armhole).

Fat quarter - A specialty cut of fabric in an 18" x 22" rectangle.

Feed dogs -

Finger press -

FOE - Fold over elastic. Used for a variety or purposes, often to create a waistband.

Fold over elastic -

Freezer paper -

Gather -

Gathering foot -

Grain -

Gusset -

Ham -

Hem - The bottom portion of a garment that is turned up and sewn to eliminiate fraying and finish the garment.

Honey bun -

Hoop clip -

IDT -

Interfacing - A special fabric used to stabilize another fabric. Could be fused on or sewn in place.

Invisible thread -

Jelly roll -

Layer cake -

Length of fabric -

Lining - Lightweight interior fabric used to shape or give body.

LOF - Length of fabric

Log cabin -

Long arm -

Low shank -

Majestic hoop -

Microtex needle -

Mid arm -

Miter - The process in binding (i.e. a quilt) that creates a 45 degree angle at the corners.

Nap - The direction of texture on a fabric like cordoroy, suede or velvet.

Narrow hem -

Narrow piping foot -

Notch - The diamond shaped marks on patterns that are cut and used to properly align all pieces of a garment/pattern when sewing.

Overcast -

Overlock -

Owner's class -

Panel -

Pattern weights -

Pile -

Pinking shears-

Piping - A covered cord sewn in for decorative purposes. Available in a variety of colros and sizes. Based on size it could also be referred to as mini piping or cording.

Piping foot - A sewing machine accessory foot with a built in channel used to guide the piping when sewing.

Pivot - When machine sewing the process of turning an angle or corner while leaving the needle in the fabric, raising the presser foot and turning the fabric. It eliminates the risk of shifting fabric.

Quilt -

Quilt top -

Raw Edge - The cut, unfinished edge of a sewn item. Left unfinished it will fray or unravel.

Refashion -

Reinforce Stitch - A second stitch sewn along a seam to strengthen the seam.

Reverse applique -

Right Side - The right side of the fabric - the side with the print on it.

Right Sides Together - The process of placing the right sides of two pieces of fabric facing each other when sewn.

Rotary cutter -

Roving -

RS - Right side of the fabric. This abbreviation is typically used in pattern instructions.

RST - Right sides together. This abbreviation is typically used in pattern instructions.

Ruffler -

Seam allowance -

Seam ripper - Lovely tool with a small sharp edge used to remove unwanted sewing. Often used to undo mistakes.

Selvage - The woven edge of a fabric, typically printed with markings to identify the maker, designer, or manufacturer.

Selvedge -

Serger -

Sew green -

Shirring -

Single fold bias tape -

Specialty bobbin case -

Specialty cut -

Stabilizer -

Stitch in the ditch -

Stitch length -

Stitch regulator -

Straight Grain - The woven portion of a fabric that runs parallel to the slevedge.

Texture hoop - A 150mm x 150mm embroidery hoop made to insert ribbons, yarn, etc under embroidery designs. Used to create additional textures in the embroidery.

Topstitch -

Topstitch needle -

Thread Velvet - Machine embroidery technique that involves securing the back of stitches with Fray Check, then taking a seam ripper to the uppermost layer of the top stitches. The embroidery stitches open and bloom creating a velvet like texture.

Titanium needle -

Turnover -

Twin needle -

UFO - Unfinished object

Upcycle -

Walking foot -

Width of fabric -

Wing needle -

WIP - Work in progress

WOF - Width of fabric

Wristlet -

Yard -

Yarn couching -

Yoke -

MORE

1/4" piecing foot -

Ta da!

2009-07-20T12:58:00.008-04:00

It took weeks - but the first bedroom pillow is done!

I love it! I used two different Sulky variegated threads to get the texture and colors right.

Do you know how many different types of variegated thread there are?

And they aren't all the same. Some are twisted, some slowly shift from light to dark, some quickly shift. It took some trial and error.

The Sulky Blendables were way too gradual, but I think they would be great for quilting. The Robison-Anton Twister Tweed came out like stripes, it might work for something less stitch dense or a one color design that you want to give some dimention to.

To make this project even more fun, I didn't have to buy any fabric for it. I used an extra curtain panel to make a super basic envelope pillow cover.

Highlight of my day!

2009-07-17T09:05:00.002-04:00

Just had to take a moment and share my geekiness.

The "Fight Like a Girl" tank that I embroidered and had the hole issue with, made it into the Flickr round up on Urban Threads!

I know some people think there is no creativity involved in machine embroidery, that it is all plop and drop and the machine does all the work for you and if that was the case I wouldn't be as excited as I am to see that tank top on Urban Threads.

This tank, for me is the perfect argument against that theory. I test stitched the design to get the colors right, and to try to get all of my daughter's requests in (yes, I know if I had software this would not be necessary, but software is a HUGE investment, especially if you don't know how much you will use it).

And let us not forget my moment of clumsiness and the creative solution that added two more embroidery designs to the tank top.

In the end my daughter is happy with a fun summer tank top that she picked out and personalized, I got to be a little creative, and now way more people can see that machine embroidery isn't a piece of cake, but is well worth the process.

Decoration inspiration

2009-07-15T09:39:00.009-04:00

When I think of interesting decor I think of Design*Sponge for inspiration and World Market or Pier One for ideas.

I was shopping through the Pier One website (again) when I came across this floral and dot embroidered pillow. This is exactly what I have been looking for!

I have an extra panel of the navy blue bedroom curtains (they were on clearance and I thougth it might come in handy).

That panel has just found a new life! I am going to measure the pillow forms I already have and make some basic envelope style covers and embroider the heck out of them! A little home decor re-fashion is on the way!

Pistachio is best saved for ice cream

2009-07-14T16:03:00.010-04:00

Ok, back to our regularly scheduled broadcasting, all about me and my funky pistachio green bedroom.

Here is the rug picture previously promised.

So how to make this room less green? I changed the curtains to the matching navy blue, but what is next? A heap of fun pillows is the first thing that comes to mind.

Tons of blue fabrics and embroideries tying together the pistachio walls, navy curtains, navy bedding, and hydrangea rug.

I am willing to sew square pillows, cylinder pillows, even a big body pillow.

Any fabrics, threads or embroidery designs come to mind?

Baby showers can be fun.

2009-07-13T10:31:00.010-04:00

The baby shower was actually fun. A lovely group of about thirty women from different branches of the family, generations from newborn to 92. The afternoon was spent talking, laughing, playing silly games and being reminded that women are amazing.

And my fretting over a last minute gift was complete and totally unnecessary. I found a great set of pastel colored burp cloths and went to town with some young and fun embroideries from Urban Threads .

I also have to give special kudos to my machine, she may have earned a name after this adventure. I can't keep just saying my machine, or the Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 30 (say that three times fast!). These burp cloths were done in an afternoon and I can count the thread breaks on one hand!

Take a peak at my fantastic, last minute, absolutely adorable, burp cloths! Next time I will sew them myself and embroider them, but this was great for last minute.

And you know you did good when the momma-to-be asks if you would please make more for her!

Here is my other bonus from the day, the princess with her cousin and the flower they won playing one of those games we all try to avoid at any all girl event!

.... if you sew, you can relate ....

2009-07-09T12:33:00.003-04:00

I think anyone who enjoys sewing will be able to relate to this.

I have about five sewing projects I am dying to make. Some are big, some are little, some are for me, most are not. Some are just so I can play with my machine. It has more features than I will ever be able to use!

There aren't enough hours in the day to make them all, heck I would love to just start one!

And now, add another to the pile. But this one is last minute and has to be great.

I need a fun baby gift for a shower in two days. Suggestions? Please?

I found some great handmade baby gift ideas on the fantastic Sew, Mama, Sew! Might just start there, immediately if not sooner.

Was it really a brilliant idea?

2009-07-07T14:31:00.007-04:00

I thought I had a brilliant idea. I would just make some quick, easy and fun pillows for my bedroom. I could use a new embroidery design and it wouldn't be so sterile and blue. Not to mention I would actually get to sew something with my new machine!

Any idea how difficult it is to find blue fabric? I mean fun, attractive blue fabric. Nothing young or country. Think Alexander Henry, Heather Ross, Joel Dewberry, Tina Givens, Anna Maria Horner or Amy Butler - contemporary and sophisticated, just blue.

A navy or sky blue would be the first choice. Not aqua or pastel. This Blakely Pool by Alexander Henry is the best one yet.

I am totally open to suggestions. Is there a fantastic fabric resource I just haven't found yet?

What a lovely weekend!

2009-07-06T16:16:00.004-04:00

Hoping everyone had a fantstic, fun, relaxing and generally joyous 4th of July!

Just had to share that glorious blue sky over the sand bar. Lake Erie has its moments!

Sneak peak

2009-07-02T10:24:00.005-04:00

So here is a sneak peak at my bedroom with lovely new summer weight quilt and matching curtains - very matching.

It is way too matchy-matchy, but was my attempt to tone down the pistachio colored walls.

So question of the day .... do I add some coordinating bed pillows to tie in the blue, green and purple or do I paint the walls?

Before you say anything, I owe you a picture of the carpet. It is gigantic hydrangea in you guessed it, blue, green and purple.

But is must be properly vacuumed prior to any photographs!

How did you find me?

2009-07-02T10:07:00.001-04:00

I'm joining technorati so more people can find my blog!

96uzvnbqg8

Something to embroider ....

2009-06-30T15:48:00.005-04:00

I need something to embroider. Here are the designs from the Thread Art Tapestry collection I got at the myembroideries.com sale:

They are the super organic, and with the variegated thread have this amazing texture. They scream home decor to me .... so what room needs a little sprucing up?

All better!

2009-06-29T10:56:00.007-04:00

I have officially 'fixed' the holes in the tank top with a small corresponding embroidery design. The fashionista herself picked it out as well as the thread colors. She also suggested one be added to the front of the tank. She is also requesting some more crystals, but I will let her do that.

And to make it even better - this was so easy. I officially love my machine. I used a sticky stabilizer so I didn't have to hoop the top and ironed a fusible to the top to give the knit some body. Then I used the FIX function in embroidery mode to baste the the top to the stabilizer and eliminate any shifting. It worked like a dream!

Some people are just accident prone ....

2009-06-24T10:25:00.006-04:00

and I am one of them. As previously mentioned I have done some silly things in the name of sewing.
Example - getting my hair caught in the take up lever

Example - sewing through my own fingernail

Example - sewing the foot into a twisted circle of tee shirt and having to remove it from the garment in order to continue sewing.

In retrospect I should have taken pictures of all of these events. But today I am focused on the last one.

I was working on this design for my daughter and it was going relatively well. Then the extra fabric jumped out of no where and I didn't catch it until it was twisted and the hip fabric was sewn to the back fabric.

My most favorite tool of all time - the one and only seam ripper came to my rescue and together we removed the foot from the shirt and put it back on the machine. But now I have these crazy little holes in the back right hip of her her shirt.

They didn't photograph well, but there are 5 little holes in a 1" x 1" square. I must hide them. Fix them. Somehow disguise them. And it must be done in a way fashionable for an almost 11 year old girl.

Suggestions?

- a tiny corresponding embroidery
- add some bits of reverse applique
- try some fun little patches
- hem the shirt

I will try anything. She picked out the shirt and the design and I really don't want to disappoint.

Embroidery extravaganza

2009-06-23T08:39:00.010-04:00

Here is one of the machine embroidery collections I bought from myembroideries.com

I totally fell for the swirls and shapes and free motion thing it has goign on. The collection includes directions to make the wall hanging/sampler shown on the front, but I really like each design seperately.

There is also a thread kit. It is difficult to see in the picture but the designs are stitched out in the most sumptuous variegated thread.

I see a table runner for the dining room or pillows for my bedroom, any other fun project suggestions?

Junk mail or great deal?

2009-06-22T14:55:00.008-04:00

Hello all - this appeared in my e-mail today:

I tend to immediately discard anything that could even be junk mail, then I read it.

Then I clicked it.

Then I shopped.

Now I am in trouble. Or will be if anyone else ever sees the credit card statement or this post.

I think I bought enough machine embroidery designs to redecorate my whole house and then some.
So now I am sharing, hope everyone enjoys!

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-22T08:46:00.004-04:00

Hope everyone had a lovely Father's Day!

Mine was full of family and fun, with not nearly enough relaxing. Feels like the day was spent prepping for and cleaning up after a great cookout.

The cookout was great, plenty of family and friends (thank you everyone for coming!)

The star of the cookout was this Jerk Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple-Plum Relish from Cooking Light. It was sweet and a little spicy and well worth trying!

Machine Applique Directions

2009-06-16T13:24:00.009-04:00

These are the directions that come with the machine applique.

I simultaneaously find them hysterical and perfect! It really was this easy.

- Hoop

- When you see the * in the thread list lay down the fabric to applique

- When you see the scissors in the thread list - trim the fabric you laid down

So here is the thread list and embroidery design template for the bird and hibiscus that came with my Designer Topaz 30.

This was so easy and fun I can see "making" a lot of embroidered gifts this holiday!

I made this!

2009-06-14T18:36:00.005-04:00

Finally after thinking, sketching, searching out ideas .... I made this!

Well, sort of. I bought the adorable little swim cover up from Target and learned how to use the embroidery unit on my Topaz.

And I have to tell you - I love it! The bird and hibiscus embroidery designs came with the machine, both of them have machine applique, which was so super easy and the results are beautiful!

Here is a close up:

My little sewing room .... umm, I mean corner.

2009-06-09T16:21:00.009-04:00

Traveling is fun, but it is great to be home.

Here are pictures of my little corner of the living room (aka my sewing room) with my beautiful new Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 30 Sewing and Embroidery machine:

And here is one with the embroidery unit attached:

And yes - that is a pile of mending slowly building up and a lovely warm color scheme of thread I was playing with.

Now let the sewing begin!

Thinking out loud ....

2009-06-06T16:35:00.005-04:00

I can't wait to be home. Every once in awhile it is nice to get away, but there really is no place like home.

Now that I have my very own sewing machine, I can't wait to start a project! But what should it be? Do I start something big like a quilt? Should I try something small to learn the machine? Should I play with the machine embroidery?

Here is just a beginning list of things I want to make with my new sewing machine:

Embroidery some fun designs on cardigans for the office
Make my own holiday gifts
A wrap dress for me
Shorts for my little girl
Make my own purse and accessories
Try reverse applique

Stunning embroidery on blue leather ....

2009-06-05T14:15:00.012-04:00

I love to shop. Those near and dear to my understand this and sometimes are able to give me the necessary time and space to pursue this love.

This week I am traveling on my own, which means I can shop to my heart's content - as time allows.

I have now offically been to the same store six times to look at the most stunning marbled blue 3/4 length leather jacket. The color alone draws me in, but the embroidery design makes it!

Sharing something beautiful

2009-06-04T21:35:00.011-04:00

I'm enjoying my travels today. Dallas, Texas is absolutely beautiful.

I saw these flowers and thought they were worth sharing.

The bottoms are like a cactus and the tops are like a bromiliad and they are the most luscious purple and fuschia.

I also have to admit that the crafter in me can't stop thinking of a way to embroider them on something lovely!

Husqvarna Viking Giveaway on Sew Mama Sew

2009-06-04T12:24:00.002-04:00

I know I owe everyone pictures of my new Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 30 Sewing and Embroidery machine - but things have been so crazy busy I just haven't had time to post them yet. I promise I will post them next week.

This week I am traveling, but as a new owner of a Husqvarna Viking I had to share this little tidbit over at Sew, Mama, Sew!(which is one of the best sewing sites ever!).

Husqvarna Viking is sponsoring Sewing Machine month and Sew Mama Sew is giving away gift certificates (I probably shouldn't tell you how many times I day I shop through the fabric starting new sewing projects in my head).

Husqvarna Viking Topaz 30 Sewing and Embroidery Machine

2009-05-18T10:25:00.004-04:00

I finally did it! I found the perfect sewing machine for me! Actually it is technically a Designer Topaz 30 Sewing and Embroidery machine.

Isn't it lovely?

So ... the more and more I shopped for a new sewing machine the more I saw and in all honesty got a little overwhelmed (but we have talked about that before - the variety of machines as well as sewing machine dealers).

I found a sewing machine dealer that I really like, not too far from my home - and from there it was just a matter of test driving a few of the sewing machines that I had already looked at.

I didn't go in looking for machine embroidery. I want to do a little beginner quilting, some sewing for the kids and maybe a few fun sewing projects for me or for around the house (who doesn't look at their dining room and think I could make great curtains for in here?).

Then I fell in love with the Designer Topaz. It had all the sewing features I wanted ...

- hundreds of decorative stitches

- a large free arm area

- built in button hole

- includes several presser feet

- built in needle threader

- great lighting

- programmable memories

Plus the ability to embroider!

Something tells me we are going to spend a lot of time talking about all the extra little goodies that came with the machine. More than tons of free embroidery designs and hoops and accessroy feet and software!

Here is a link if you want to know more specifics about the machine.

I have had so much fun just getting it out of the box and setting up space for it I haven't taken any pictures (I borrowed this one from the Husqvarna Viking website) - but I will take some of my own! If I can just keep myself out of my sketch book or off-line for a few minutes trying to decide which sewing project will be first!

Sweet purple lilacs

2009-05-14T10:45:00.002-04:00

I hope everyone had an absolutely lovely Mother's day. Mine was fantastic. I have been meaning to share the lovely lilacs I was surprised with - they are just fantastic.

My bedroom smells so lovely, like Spring with those gorgeous little purple buds sitting on my bedside table! A very special thanks to my wonderful team that made this mushy moment possible.

Shopping the Husqvarna Viking Sapphires

2009-05-07T07:49:00.004-04:00

Truth be told, I am still shopping. There are so many machines out there! And so many sewing machine dealers now.

Some sell vacuums, some are quilt shops, some sell fabric, some have lessons, some have service. How on Earth am I supposed to choose where to buy from. And to make it more difficult some of them sell more than one brand.

So I do my research, think I know which machine I need that has the features I want and is in my price range. Then I get there and like a kid in a candy store I want to try them all.

Here is my latest find the Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 870Q

I love this machine. Here are some of the features on this Sapphire -

Large Graphic Display
163 stitches
Pattern re-start and mirror image end to end function
5 alphabets
Selective Thread Cutter
20 permanent memories
Start/Stop sewing without foot control
Electronic Self adjusting Thread Tension
Longest free arm in the industry
Dual lights
Largest extended sewing surface

Viking makes two others, the Sapphire 830 and the Sapphire 850. Both have received great reviews. But I fell in love with this one.

Buying a Pfaff

2009-04-29T13:59:00.004-04:00

I've been thinking about what I want to sew - it seemed like a logical place if I am going to buy a machine for myself.

Years ago I sewed clothes for my little girl (not so little anymore), did some basic altering for me (as my size went up and down) and tried a few creative but not so successful projects for the house.

With this in mind I have been searching for the perfect sewing machine for my creative outlet.

One of the finalists is the Pfaff select 4.0

It has 40 different stitches, comes with some additional feet (rolled hem foot, darning foot and something else), and has IDT which everyone I know who owns a Pfaff talks about.

And here is something that makes it even better, the dealer that I went to was really nice. I think I asked the same questions about five different machines. She let me play with all of them, and the select 4.0 was my favorite - I think. Oh my, how to choose?

My sewing machine shopping isn't complete, but so far this is my favorite.

Sew green!

2009-04-27T08:19:00.004-04:00

Happy Monday!

Maybe.

I fully intended to do some more machine shopping this weekend, including getting some recommendations from friends.

Then the weather hit and it was 80 degrees and stunning outside! That meant yard work, spring cleaning and of course that fantastic transition of boxing up the out of season clothes.

Putting away sweaters and corduroy was highly therapeutic - but not just because it is a celebration of the change of seasons. I'll tell you a secret; I kept out a few pieces with the full intention of altering, upcycling, refashioning them! When I get a little free time this week I will jot down the inspiration into my sketch book. Speaking of which I think I need a place to store my sewing specific inspiration .... where I doodle is probably not the best place for pattern drafting, measurements and project notes ....

Shopping for a new sewing machine ...

2009-04-21T15:32:00.004-04:00

I officially need help. I spent the weekend shopping for a new sewing machine and I think I am still recovering!

Like so many others who love to sew I learned on my mother's machine. That was obviously years ago and my have the machines changed!

I think I have my machine selection narrowed down to two - but I am completely open to suggestions. What sewing machine do you use and why do you love it?