take a minute to understand your project & be sure you have the necessary tools!

By now, you probably know that I've been teaching "sewing".   It's been a learning experience for me too!  not everyone learns the same way or at the same pace & my minds speeds past my words sometimes so I'm trying to learn to stop, sit, breathe & re-think the sewing process in simple language.... I've been sewing for a long while & the process is innate for me.... but there are logical steps that every project needs to take!

So please, take a minute to think of what you're making and take a good long look at the instructions until you truly understand them.  If you can't figure it out, ask!  ... or look up a similar project on line to see how someone else made a similar type of item.

You might even need to step back from the project and wait a day or two to give yourself time to process the information.  It'll still be there when "you" are ready!

Remember to wind enough bobbins for your project!  you don't want to stop in the middle of topstitching because you ran out of thread... be sure you bought enough thread for your entire project!

Last month, we talked about sewing essentials and I'd like to go over it again.  If you are serious about sewing, invest in one good pair of scissors when they are on sale.  I'm also recommending silk pins because your machine can easily ride over them, they may be a little costly but are worth it!  again, wait until notions go on sale @ 50% off and stock up on pins and needles!

Below I'm giving you the quick list of essentials.. for your sewing kit!

scissors (that you only use for fabric!), pins, seam ripper, small (tiny) screw driver, small brush to clean the machine, tape measure, yard stick, 6" ruler, 12" ruler, pinking shears (optional but helpful), pencil,  sewing machine needles, thread...

If you learn to sew and do it well, it will be a skill of a lifetime to calm you, cloth you, entertain you and give you decades of happy memories!  Enjoy!

been sew busy sewing!

After the Christmas holidays, I went back to the Arts & Crafts Center @ JB Charleston & my friend's daughter had made her the most adorable "lined zippered" change purse!  it was the perfect size, made beautifully in fun colors... I wanted one!  so I went online, found some instructions and I've been busy...

Another young lady had brought her "wool felting" book to class for me to see along with a beautiful treasure.. hand felted silk scarf!  of course, I wanted to do that too!  there just aren't enough hours in the day for me to do everything I want to accomplish...  but while at the craft store, I bought some "feltable" wool yarn (in pink & tan), crocheted the little purse & then made a zippered lining to hand stitch into the purse.. see lower right of the above photo!

I did try my hand at felting... took an old "large" cashmere sweater, washed in it warm water with mild detergent & put in the dryer on medium.  It came out a beautiful fluffy texture & shrunk to the perfet size to wear.  I didn't have the heart to cut it up to make a purse so I fixed some holes, made a few wool felt patches & wore it with jeans... it was a cute look! .. but not the project of my choice...  might need to find an old sweater at Goodwill & try that!

The little purses are one of my "new" favorite projects!  I'm using some of my "fabric" stash & the zippers from sewtrue.com ... I add interior pockets to the lining & have so much fun with them.

I have another one in the machine right now... was in the middle of it just before we went out the door earlier this evening... will finish & photo tomorrow so I can mail it out soon!  someone is having an important birthday in two weeks!... guess who???  yes, a package just for you!  no goodies for anyone else... just "my" little sweetheart!





baby bonnets!

The fabric store had patterns on sale Monday for $1 @ piece... I just couldn't resist!  I bought 5 children's patterns.... Someone is going to be 3 in two months!!!  and..  We're waiting for a new great niece & great nephew!  so... baby sewing!  I thought the bonnets would take 5 minutes each... not even close... I had no idea how much time each one took because I was having sew much fun!  they take some time but the end result is too cute... hope you like them! 

off for the evening... see you in class!   happy sewing!  if you can imagine it, you can do it! 

sewing, sewing,sewing ... & spring is just around the corner!

Camilias in bloom!

This coming week, I'll be teaching "zippers" & "zippered change purses/ wristlets"  zippered & lined!    made four today... just love them! will take some photos soon & post the instructions!

hope you're enjoying the beautiful sunny weather!  it hit 72 today... I did get myself outdoors for a walk around the neighborhood... spring has hit the lowcountry!  starting to see buds on the trees!

have a wonderful evening!  will see you in class...

busy day!

I vowed to clean up some of the clutter!  ... and was very successful, except... for the dining room where I happen to be sewing now!  the library, kitchen, bedroom & baths are "clutter free" zones!  yeah!  the dining room is another story... my sewing machine, a few piles of fabric, some finished projects and patterns adorn the table, chairs & knee walls! 

but it was beautiful here today!  77 at 1:30pm... came back from the store with the top down on the car & left it down to go to the movies with Mikey.  we saw "Unknown"... lots of action, good movie, but Mikey had already figured out the plot from the trailer!?!  ... enjoyed it anyway... go see it, don't wait for the dvd.

My dearest friend in NY has an adorable little girl with the sweetest little voice... my heart melts when I hear that voice on the phone!  these photos are of the precious little one in a few dresses I've made her... & a "big girl" blanket I made!  hope you enjoy seeing some of my handywork!

Getting a gift basket or two together to donate for a club scholarship fund auction next month!  will probably do a "sewing basket" & donate a lesson with it!  ... then thinking of a retro craft basket!  having some fun with this!

I'm off to the sofa... TV, snacks & making some pin cushions!  have a great evening...xoxo

I wore my new dress to class today & then to dinner with Mikey! 

Next time, I'll put darts where the front pleats are & probably make it with the pockets... would love some candy apple red double knit for this...will keep looking!  please let me know if you find any around town.

Hope y'all have a great evening!  I'll be finishing my retro aprons! 

lots to talk about! ... & instructions for "new mommy burping cloth"

well!  it's been an extremely productive day... the house is clean!  & most of the yard is raked... Michael worked for several hours and I went out to help after pulling the kingsize bed away from the wall to dust, vacuum & polish the back of the headboard!  ... I'm so becoming my mother!

last night I worked on some "petit fors" pincushions...  they make the cutest party favors @ appx 1.5" high! made one in red, white & blue with a navy star on top!  (not shown)

The zipper is back in the maroon dress... let's hope the fit is better!  I was able to take it in about 2.5"... we'll see later when I get the facings, etc sewn... really don't want to take it apart again!  keeping my fingers crossed!

getting ready for two classes tomorrow... a "bag holder" class and a "ruffle" class with the project being a retro apron!  I already cut the fabric, ribbon, elastic, etc. for both projects.

yesterday, we made the "new mommy burping cloths" using Gerber prefolded premium padded diapers & lined one side with flannel.  the flannel keeps the cloth on the mommy or daddy (or granny & pop pop) instead of a plain diaper sliding off... plus it gives an extra layer of protection! 

if you want to do this project... be sure to cut each piece of flannel to match each individual diaper... the sizes & shapes in the package are not exact... we found out yesterday!  I used one diaper to cut all the flannel & it wasn't perfect... close but not exact!  after cutting, pin the flannel to the diaper & straight stitch @1/2" all around.. then in between the straight stitch & edge, zig zag all around to prevent excessive fraying.  you want some fraying for the baby to play with the texture!  next pin the flannel to the diaper (on the diaper side) ... down each row of stitching on the diaper & straight stitch ...sew in the ditch (on the stitiching) on each side of the extra padding!  clip all your threads & you're done! 

be sure to wash after sewing!

hope everyone has a wonderful evening..  I'll see you in class tomorrow!

it's too late to start sewing! think I'll actually relax!

I have the eggplant double knit dress apart... have decided to remove the back darts & take the top in the full width of each dart... hoping that it'll be small enough, just too big & floppy in the back.... but I'm too tired to start sewing at this hour, so tomorrow after "cleaning the house" :(  ... I'll start the process! 

yep! the house needs a good cleaning again!  I just don't know, two people, no kids or pets & the rags, cleaners, vacuum, etc come out way too often... yes, I know!  I have no one to blame but me cause Mikey never complains.. it's all me!  why do we do that?!?!?  I'm becoming my mother... it's really scary! 

we did have two classes today!  "Patterns" & "Burping cloths"  ... had fun with the ladies, Sam's "men" came to visit & Cara made yummy cupcakes!  all in all a good day!

hope everyone did one thing they really loved today!  have a relaxing evening... xoxo