April 25, 2009 – 12:56 am
Most of us like to try new patterns, new fabrics and new stitches. But, sometimes we get into unfamiliar territory and have to ask for help. That’s what networking with sewing friends is all about–sharing and learning from each other. I’ve gotten some sewing questions lately that I think I can help with.
How do I tame a tassel that’s gone wild and sticks out all over? The easierst way to conquer an out-of-control tassel is to lightly spritz it with water and wrap something around it to hold all the strands in place until they dry. I usually use a piece of painter’s tape–the blue tape that won’t harm things it comes in contact with. When the tassel is dry, gently peel off the tape and voila! It’s kind of like having a bad hair day to begin with.
How do I machine embroider on tulle to make lace? Use water-soluble stabilizer and sandwich the tulle between two layers before hooping. Embroider your design using a small size needle, then rinse away the stabilizer following the manufacturer’s instructions. If you want the design to be freestanding, carefully trim the tulle around the motif. Rinse thoroughly for a soft motif, or for a stiffer look–like for lace ornaments, leave some of the stabilizer in the fabric.
How can I make my favorite patterns more permanent? I have several patterns I simply love to make over and over, especially my favorite tote patterns. I purchased inexpensive interfacing and transferred the pattern pieces to it. The pieces fold flat and don’t rip or tear like the original pattern tissue, plus I can press it if it gets wrinkled.
Next time you run into a sewing problem, call or e-mail a sewing buddy–chances are they might know the answer to your question, and you can do the same for them sometime. Aren’t sewers wonderful?
Often as experienced sewers we either volunteer or are asked to help teach someone to sew. When you’ve been sewing for many, many years it’s easy to forget the very basic things that a newbie needs to know. The sewing.org Guidelines series is a great place to start. Guidelines are one- and two-page educational articles in pdf format that can be downloaded and used in your education sessions.
There are also lots of books for beginners, but three I’ve read recently seem extremely apropos. The New Handmade, by Cassie Barden, focuses on easy projects that appeal to young and old. Look for totes, place mats, a zippered bag, apron and oven mitt amongst the colorful offerings. All offer great styling and only require beginner skill levels to complete.
For clothing afficianados, Start with a Sweatshirt, by Nancie Wiseman, showcases five different designs all on a sweatshirt base. Piecing and surface design accents add interest to the fashionable offerings, and you’d never know that they began with a humble sweatshirt.
If your beginning sewer is a bit more craft oriented, check out Jean Therapy, by Scatha Allison. This spiral-bound tome is all about “deconstructing” denim and giving it new life. The edgy fashions will entice beginners with a penchant for the unusual and avante garde. In addition to the projects, there is a designer gallery as well.
When your beginner “graduates,” a perfect gift would be The Dressmaker’s Technique Bible, by Lorna Knight. This handy spiral-bound book is a concise reference for almost any sewing technique you could imagine. It’s well illustrated and precisely indexed for ease finding just what you need. It’s a great refresher book for experienced sewers as well as a wonderful reference for beginners.
Most sewers I know are incredibly frugal–we are bargain hunters down to our toes. Whether shopping at thrift stores (of course in addition to fabric stores) or simply reusing things we have for another purpose, it seems like the right thing to do, not only for the budget, but for the earth as well.
Next week (April 22) is Earth Day, and there’s much you can do to help this celebrate. One easy thing is to quit using plastic shopping bags from stores, as they end up in landfills and stay there for years. Make some simple tote bags instead, either from ripstop nylon (sturdy for groceries), or from your favorite fabrics. Try our Eco-Friendly Tote Bag project (compliments of Marcus Brothers). Keep the bags in the car for your shopping adventures, and remember to take them in the store with you. It’s become second nature for my husband and I. Living in Oregon, we’re surrounded by eco-minded people and businesses–a few even reward us for bringing our own bags, and some businesses now charge extra if you don’t.
Now’s also a good time to investigate earth-friendly and sustainable fibers like bamboo, hemp and other options. Most fabric stores, and certainly many online sources, offer these alternative fibers and fabrics at increasingly economical prices. There’s nothing as comfy as a lightweight bamboo knit garment.
Don’t forget to clean out your sewing room and give things you no longer need to worthy causes. Project Linus accepts donations for their quilt projects made for needy children, and American Sewing Guild chapters nationwide always need fabrics and notions for their charitable sewing ventures. Check with a chapter in your area to see what you can repurpose, and give yourself more room, plus a good feeling from helping others.
So, honor our precious Earth and plan a sewing-related activity!
We get lots of questions on the blog, and aren’t able to answer all of them individually. Some would require a full story-length answer. But here a few recent inquiries and resolutions:
Can I use stretch knit in a non-knit pattern? Yes, you can. Patterns that don’t specify knit fabric are made with standard amounts of ease for either woven or knits. If your knit is stretchy, you might need to take slighty deeper seams, but a test-fit should tell. On the other hand, if a pattern specifies knit fabric (and usually gives a certain amount of required stretch), then you may not substitute woven fabric or the garment will be too small. In this case, designers planned for the flexibility of the knit for a perfect fit.
Does a bias cut skirt hang differently than one cut on the straight grain? You bet it does. Bias-cut fabric has drape and flow and a skirt cut on the bias will reflect those traits in its fit. It may also show off curves underneath with its drape, so test-fit to be sure before sewing the side seams permanently. Remember to let the skirt hang at least 24 hrs. before evening the hemline or the lower edge may appear uneven.
How’s the best way to finish a line of stitching? Many machines offer a “fix” feature to automatically anchor seam ends. The machine simply stitches in one place for a few stitches. Another way to secure seam ends is to backtack for about 1/4″ over the stitching line. And yet a third way, though more time consuming, is to tie thread ends. This method is good for topstitching where thread ends can be pulled to the underside and backtacking could be unsightly. Remember, if you’re crossing a seam with another one, there’s no need to secure it.
What is a fat quarter? This is a term used by quilters to refer to a section of fabric that’s about 18″ x 22″, though the actual size will vary by the fabric width (a 60″ wide fabric would produce an 18″ x 30″ fat quarter). As opposed to cutting a regular quarter of a yard (9″ x 45″), the fat quarter configuration allows for larger pieces to be cut from it. Fat quarters are often displayed pre-cut in the fabric or quilting store for easy pick-up.
Happy Easter to all—sew up some new napkins or placemats for Easter dinner!
March 28, 2009 – 11:54 pm
As March comes to a close, I hope you were active in promoting some of the month’s “causes”. March is National Craft Month, and since most of us consider sewing to be a craft in the broad sense of the word, we’re all active ambassadors for our “craft.”
March also brought us National Quilting Day on March 21. I know many of you participated in this special day by helping to sew quilts and blankets for charitable causes like Project Linus or other special organizations, either local or national. I actually enrolled in a quilting class with a friend who doesn’t quilt–until now. It’s an ongoing 12-month event that meets once a month and we have to have our block done to get materials for the next one, so there’s some incentive (besides peer pressure!).
March also brought us the 50th anniversary of Barbie. I’m old enough to remember when she arrived at stores in my hometown and I was able to spend my saved money to get one of the very first ones. And, of course, that led to the many years of sewing Barbie clothes. At one point when I was in high school, I spent the summer sewing LOTS of clothes for her and sold them at a local store. It was fun to try out my designs, use up some scraps and make money on the side, as I was too young to get a “real” job.
As you look forward to April, check your community’s calendar for new sewing/quilting related events. There’s sure to be some to tempt you!
