Fiber Art Necklace/Scarf

Some years ago, my Mom bought me 2 necklaces at a craft fair that were made of beautiful fiber yarn.  Every time I wore them, people commented on how unique they were.  I hadn't worn them for a while and ran across them in a drawer the other day.  One was just the right color for an outfit I was wearing, so I wore it once again after several years.  Once again, I got many comments and decided that this might be a unique item to add to my Etsy shop.  Here are a couple of colors I have made, thought I would share them with you and see what you think!

Fun worn on an open neck, or over a shirt or sweater.  Artsy, creative, unique~

Don't you want one too!

Happy Stitching.

Hand Sewing Made Easier

I hate to hand sew.  I'll put a zipper in anything I can to avoid hand-closing a seam!  I recently heard of a special hand sewing thread recently and decided to try it to see if it would make the chore easier. 

The thread is called Rice Silamide hand sewing thread.  It is coated to keep it from knotting and allow it to pull easily through the fabric.  It is also stronger than sewing machine thread and is less likely to break when under strain.  I have to admit, it has made hand closing pillows much easier and less frustrating!  If you haven't heard of or tried this product I would recommend that you give it a go.  It is available for order online, have not seen it in my local stores, but maybe you will find it at your favorite sewing supplier.

Happy Stitching!

Design Choices ~ Visualized

Working on some design choices for a client today and thought I would share.  Graphic design software is so powerful in helping clients visualize how a fabric and design will look on their window.  Using a photograph of the client's home and inserting the actual fabric selected, here are 3 proposals I just sent to a client. 

Flat panel sections with jabots at each end.

Soft pleated sections with jabots at the ends and at each window break.

Mock Roman valance with contrast band at hem.

(as a side note, the mushroom paint in the recessed area will be re-painted to match the walls)

Which design would you choose and why?  Would love to hear your feedback.

Happy Stitching!

Sheets that won't come untucked.

I was talking with a friend about sewing tips and remembered a favorite.  Some years ago when my kids were younger, they would always kick off the top sheet of the bed.  My daughter to the extent that we eventually stopped putting a top sheet on her bed.  In the summer, she wanted that one sheet to cover up with (a blanket was too warm) so I needed to solve the problem.  I took the sheets to my sewing machine and sewed the top sheet to the fitted sheet at the bottom and made it impossible to kick off the sheet.

A side benefit of this new attached sheet arrangement was how easy it was to make the bed.  Now when the bottom sheet was on, the top sheet was there, centered, and in the correct position and only the sides needed tucking in. 

My bed is Cal King, and if you have a bed this size, you have probably started to put the fitted sheet on only to discover it was a 1/4 turn off and had to rotate and re-place the sheet.  I also found that when I tucked in enough topsheet on my thick mattress, that I was short sheeted at the top.  Off to the machine again to sew together the top and fitted sheet.  Now I have extra length in the top sheet, always know which is the bottom end of the fitted sheet, and bed making is quick and easy.

I promptly sewed together every sheet set in my house and everyone loves it!

How to attach the top sheet to the bottom sheet:

Find the bottom edge of your fitted sheet.
Mark the center of the fitted sheet bottom hem (1/2 way between the darts at the lower corners of the sheet)
Find the bottom edge of your top (flat) sheet.
Mark the center of the bottom edge of your top sheet.
Match the centers of the top and fitted sheet and pin.
Stretch the elastic in the fitted sheet until it is flat and match to the top sheet (there will be more width in the top sheet, just take the stretched, fitted sheet as far as it will go)
If you are sewing a larger bed size, you may want to pin again 1/2 way between the corner dart and the center mark (while stretching flat).
Sew the top sheet to the bottom sheet (while stretching the elastic flat) right above the elastic.  You can use a straight stitch.

When you finish, the sheet will look like this.

When you put the sheet on the bed, the elastic will be stretched out flat and the topsheet will flatten out with it.  So easy, but so convenient.

Do you have any cool tips like this?  I would love to hear from you!

Happy Stitching!

Gail

Timesaving tip of the day, Labels!

As I was making pillows for a client today, I used a great timesaver.  The fabric for the front of the pillows was a large scale print with no clear 'up' or direction.  The back is in a chenille with no clear front or back side. 

Since I was making multiples, I didn't want there to be a difference in the direction so it was important to decide right side for the chenille and a direction for the print.  To do this, I keep a sheet of return address sized labels that say Wrong Side Up and a directional arrow:

I simply peel off a label and stick it on the back of each piece as it is cut to indicate the back side and direction so that as I assemble the project, I'm not stopping to decide direction, or worse yet, tearing out stitching on a piece sewn the wrong way!  There is enough adhesive to stick well, but without leaving any residue when removed.  Hope this tip helps you decide which way is up!

Happy stitching!

Sheer Ruffle Pillow Pattern for a Princess or a Ring-Bearer

A few weeks ago I was shopping at a local furniture store and in the bedding section, they had this fabulous pillow with a huge sheer ruffle.  I could see it in a little girl's room....or maybe even a big girl's room!  It was so fun, I thought that others might want to make one.

If you have ever made wide ruffles, you know that getting the ruffle to lay flat can be a challenge.  This pattern will instruct you in making the ruffle so it will flare properly.

This pattern would also make a beautiful ring bearer's pillow.

Make it in a color to coordinate with the wedding party, or in white or off-white to match the bride's dress.  You could also add rose petals, pailettes, or confetti inside the ruffle for a really fun effect.

To view this and other patterns in my Etsy shop, click on this link  http://www.etsy.com/listing/75766744/sheer-ruffle-pillow-pdf-pattern-diy-ring  or on my Etsy shop in the right side bar.

Where would you like to see this pillow in your house?

Don't want to sew it yourself?  Contact me to create one just for you!

Happy Stitching!

Tip for loose threads.

So, when asking everyone what their favorite tool was in the sewing room, an overwhelming number of you stated that the seam ripper was your best tool.  Now I agree, the seam ripper is a great tool, though often having to use it means you made a mistake (dang it!) but sometimes it's a remodel so that's okay!  Today I was putting a blackout liner in a ready-made drapery panel for a client, so it was a seam ripper day, but a good one.  In the process, I used a technique I wanted to share with you.

When you have slid that fab seam ripper along the seam to cut away the stitching, you are left with lots of loose threads.  The best and quickest way I have found to get rid of those threads prior to re-sewing your seam is to use masking tape.  Tear off an 8-12" piece of tape, place it over the thready area, press it down firmly, then peel away.  For most fabrics the tape will pick up 95% of the threads in one stick!  You can use the tape a few times before it loses its tackiness, but just tear a new strip and you are on your way.

Masking tape is also great for marking fabric (wrong side, this side up, labeling a pattern piece, etc.) and can be used for basting a zipper.  I recommend testing a piece first if you are going to use tape on the right side of a fabric, or on the back side of a napped fabric, but most fabrics will do great with masking tape!

As I was searching for images for this post, I came across this cool assortment of colored tape:

Don't you want some of this lovely stuff!  I went to this link:
http://www.omiyage.ca/category/tape
Where they sell solid and printed tapes for crafting and artwork.  Not as cheap as the hardware stuff, but ooooo, doesn't it get your creative juices flowing!

What would you do with cool patterned masking tape?