Curating sewing and quilting talent, techniques, and tutorials, since 1997.

September 2009 Blog Posts (28)

Sewing tightly woven Microfiber Fabric

It skips stitches but sews fine using stabilizer. I am using a size 8 sharp needle that is designed for this fabric. Would love to hear any other suggestions.

Added by dabble on September 30, 2009 at 2:03pm — 1 Comment

Sew A Stadium Cushion (for all those hockey moms out there!)

We have two boys in competitive hockey and therefore spend a lot of time in rinks. Very cold rinks. On very cold plastic or wooden stadium seating. I have seen other hockey parents walk by with these stadium seats and wondered where they got them. I've seen them in our local big-box hardware store for up to 30$. These might also be great fundraiser items. You can make these out of… Continue

Added by Susan on September 30, 2009 at 7:00am — 3 Comments

It's Monday - again

Well the weekend flew by so fast and as usual I didn't get all the stuff done that I had planned. I am also busy convincing my middle daughter to model for me so that my items going into the Etsy shop will be shown on someone - makes them look nicer. She does NOT like to have her photo taken and this may become a bribe issues. So now I am wondering what does she want that would make her model for me.....Anyways I did work on the bookmark pattern and now am wondering how do I make them so that… Continue

Added by Karen on September 28, 2009 at 10:57am — No Comments

Hints for Sewing Slinky Knit

by Londa Rohlfing

Fiber Content and Care 1. The well-known, original Slinky knit is Acetate or Triacetate and Lycra. This blend is: · More expensive than the Polyester & Lycra · Fiber confirmed as acetate if it disintegrates in Acetone – normal, (cheap) finger polish remover. · Embosses using acrylic or rubber stamps, metal household items, etc. (see Threads #106 pg 39 · Usually not as wide as the Poly/Lycra version · Tends to stretch and grow more than the Polyester/Lycra… Continue

Added by Susan on September 28, 2009 at 6:54am — 4 Comments

membership

How is the cost to become a member of sew what's new ? I really like the websit that I find.

Added by Jennifer Howell on September 27, 2009 at 5:42pm — 1 Comment

interfacing

Would I need to use interfacing when making a botton h*** if I am using jean material. I have made an handbag out of old jean parts and I want to use to make the closing of the bag ?

Added by Jennifer Howell on September 25, 2009 at 7:46pm — 2 Comments

Super busy

I am working non stop getting enough items together to start the etsy shop. So far so good on that part but the list just seems to get longer and I keep getting more ideas for making things that we are so used to buying. Last night I got this great idea for making those scrubbies that we all buy for the shower from yarn. Today I will start working out the details and see if it is even a possibility to go on with. I am also working out how to make some bookmarks that I saw in a box book store… Continue

Added by Karen on September 24, 2009 at 8:29am — No Comments

American Sewing Expo aims to keep sewers in stitches

By Terry Oparka C & G Staff Writer West Bloomfield resident Joy Hardie got her crash course in sewing when her seamstress took ill weeks before Hardie’s wedding. “I took a semester-long home economic class in the seventh-grade, as so many kids still do,” she said. “Nothing really came of it.” But her big day was approaching, so she picked up all the supplies from the seamstress and got started. “My idea was that if I started on the slip … I might know what I was doing by the time… Continue

Added by Susan on September 24, 2009 at 6:13am — 4 Comments

Answers To Sharp Questions - Scissors, Shears, and More

By Londa Rohlfing - Some excellent information about scissors, shears, brands, serrated, "leftie's", stamped and forged, handles, and more.

"When I launched my Kai Scissors site several years ago, I was privileged to meet David Wolff, a gentleman who owns a wonderful scissors manufacturing and importing business here in the U.S. He taught me…

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Added by Susan on September 22, 2009 at 6:30am — 7 Comments

Arlington Sewing Machine

I have an old, Arlington portable, handcrank, sewing machine and I have searched for years to find out something about Arlington and have been unable to locate any information, not even a picture..... Is there anyone out there who knows anything about Arlington Machines? I also have an Arlington Treadle machine. Hope to hear something.

Added by sherrie Goff on September 21, 2009 at 12:56pm — No Comments

Neckties

Any helpful hints on making neckties? I am using a polyester instead of silk, they will more than likely be a one time use(wedding) due to color and most of these men don't wear ties often.
Thanks for any help.

Added by kelso on September 21, 2009 at 10:40am — 1 Comment

Tips For Buying A Sewing Machine Online

By Susanne Myers

You can get some great deals on sewing machines when you purchase them online. Companies that sell them don’t have to worry about the overhead of a brick and mortar store and you get the convenience of having the sewing machine shipped to your front door.

Know What You Want

The drawback of buying anything online is that you can’t see it in person, to give it a try and get a feel for the quality of the sewing machine. I prefer to browse… Continue

Added by Susan on September 21, 2009 at 6:30am — 5 Comments

Hand sewing needle search

Dear Sister and Brother Sewers,
Please tell me where I can buy some Thomas Henning sewing needles. They're made in England. Thanks, Dutchie in Henderson, Nevada 9/20/09

Added by IRMA DUTCH on September 20, 2009 at 1:13pm — No Comments

Jewelry maker turns barn quilt squares into wearable art at Danville festival

By STEPHANIE SCHELL Randi Gish-Smith has lived all over the United States. She came back to Kentucky about 15 years ago and settled down in Fleming County. “I love Kentucky,” she said. “I love the state. It’s a beautiful state. It’s where I chose to sit down my roots and start my family.” As a jewelry maker for the past 20 years, Kentucky has served its fair share of inspiration to Gish-Smith. She started out doing Navajo beading, working her way to crystal and metal beading.

“I… Continue

Added by Susan on September 15, 2009 at 6:06am — No Comments

Synergy Blocks Completed!!

The blocks are finally complete!! This is a "Synergy" block designed by Jinny Beyer. It has been paper pieced and it's 10" square. I like to do my paper pieceing on tracing paper. I buy large 14" X 17" pads of paper from Hobby Lobby and trace the patterns myself. I do a lot of paper pieceing and I find that tracing paper holds up very nicely with the smaller stitches required and it folds nicely for trimming without any tears. The hardest part of this… Continue

Added by Lynne Demeter on September 14, 2009 at 6:58am — 3 Comments

Help for pillowcase hem, please?

I am making my niece a pair of Dallas Cowboy pillowcases. Instead of making the normal hem, I would like to do something a little different. Anyone with any suggestions? Please respond to skhill@centurytel.net, as I have not quite learned how to get around & retrieve messages that come in yet.
Thanks,
Sharon

Added by Sharon Hill on September 12, 2009 at 6:42pm — No Comments

Smocking using a sewing machine.

Cn anyone help me with smocking, I'd love to have a go using a sewing machine. I have a Brother VX1130 and a Singer electric (1920's) sewing machine and a Singer treadill machine which is currently being stored in the garage as my husband doesn't like it. I want to make some sundresses (even though it's no longer summer).

Added by Julie Bailey on September 11, 2009 at 12:18pm — 1 Comment

September 10, 1846: Sewing Machine Starts New Thread

1846: Elias Howe patents the first practical sewing machine and threads his way into the fabric of history. French tailor Barthelemy Thimonnier patented a device in 1830 that mechanized the typical hand-sewing motions to create a simple chain stitch. He planned to mass-produce uniforms for the French army. His competition had different ideas. About 200 tailors rioted on the morning of Jan. 20, 1831, ransacking Thimonnier’s factory, destroying 80 sewing machines and throwing the pieces… Continue

Added by Susan on September 10, 2009 at 6:03am — No Comments

Sew a Car Seat Cover

This car seat cover project does not give us the elasticized covers we might see in department stores. This seat cover is a flat cover that will fit any car seat. What you need: 1 1/4 yd (1.10 m) fake fur fabric, or heavy blanket fabric - width at least 45'' (114 cm) Cotton fabric for facing 4'' x 12''-14'' (10 x 30-35… Continue

Added by Susan on September 8, 2009 at 7:00pm — 2 Comments

Thread for piecing and gray thread is not neutral

As with almost everything else about quilting, there are differing opinions concerning which sewing thread you should use and which ones you shouldn’t. And because there are so many choices, you have to try them and decide for yourself. I will give you my opinions based on my experience with lots of different threads... …

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Added by Susan on September 8, 2009 at 5:49am — No Comments