TODAYS TIP

Thought it might be fun to share some of my quick tips.   I use this method for applying lace and love how easy it is.

How To Make a Mitered Edge Insertion lace is flat and meant to be sewn on both sides, as is the lace I used. This lace would not work in real life, but thought it ok for a how to. Edging lace has one flat side and the other side is scalloped. The main point here is how to miter the corner so I hope its ok.

Step One: Zig-zag the lace to the finished edge down to the corner.

Step Two: Extend the lace down, the same measurment as the lace is wide, mark your lace.

Step Three: Stitch from corner to outside corner as soon.

Step Four: Continue sewing down other side. Trim the excess lace from the corner, press well.

Step Five: Finished lace attached.

 

SUMMER TIME

And the livin is easy--It gets a lot easier if you whip up some shorts for the kids to live in this summer.  No need to buy, even if you are new to sewing the following instructions will walk you right through sewing shorts.

This is such a cute set sewn by my friend Jerry for her granddaughter.  


Looks very expensive.  A perfect project for a beginner seamstress.

We will show you how.

 

How To Make Children's Shorts This "how to" was contributed by Marilyn Mac. Thanks Marilyn for putting this together for the site.

Step One: Cut out front and back of shorts making sure that pattern arrows are on the straight of the grain ( this is the directions that the threads are going) you can also cut them on crossgrain with most fabrics ( this is sideway)

Step Two: Sew front and back seams to just below notch.

Step Three: What I do next is open up shorts front and back and align side seam.. I stitch side seams then I stitch inside leg seams ( see photo below).

Step Four: If you have a serger , serge side seams and inside leg seam. Next you are going to finish sewing the front and back seams from the front notch to the back notch.. Remember where you left off when you were sewing the center seam?? Yes ( see photo below)

Step Five: Next 2 pictures show how to make the side slit.. You don't need to add these if you don't want, but if you want to make them.. When sewing the side seams I left about 2" open at the leg end of the seam. Turn shorts inside out..clip seam all the way to seamline with out cutting thru seam. fold under 1/4" of open seam then 1/4" again and press.. do this for both legs.. Then top stitch on fold. I usually make a V where seam begins.( see photo below)

Step Six: Waistband.. If you have a serger serge waist of shorts.. If you don't you need to press 1/4" of waist.. Next turn waist down 1" and press. I usually use 2 pieces of 1/4" elastic for waist.. you can also use 1 piece of 3/4" elastic.. for 3/4" elastic.. stitch down waist closest to the serged or 1/4" folded edge leaving 1 1/2" open at back to insert elastic. cut elastic waist measurement + 1". I usually attatch a safety pin to end of elastic and thread it thru opening.. being carefull to keep other end of elastic outside the casing.. Once elastic is completely thru casing make sure that it's not twisted.. Overlap ends of elastic and zigzag together.. Then topstitch back opening closed.. for 1/4" elastic you basically do the same as above except you add another row of stitching 1/2" from the edge of waist leaving, again the 1 1/2" opening.. Insert elastic closest to the top of the waist first.. Joining elastic as above.. then close the middle opening.. Insert bottom elastic as above, join, close bottom opening. Hope this is clear. If you have any questions feel free to post. I try to check the site every day..

Finished Shorts:

 

ADD A FLOPPY HAT

I hope I am getting you excited to get in the sewing room and whip something up.
With spring time and summer not far behind, it is a perfect time to make some hats to go with every outfit. That will keep the sun off of our precious girls.
I really love making this hat:

 

Floppy Hat Pattern

Step One: Measure the child’s head at angle hat will be worn (Picture 1). This one measures 19 inches.

Step Two: Cut a 2 inch wide band of knit fabric or ribbing the length of child’s head .The more stretch, the easier it is to sew. I just used a t-shirt knit. Sew the short ends together with 3/8-inch seam to create the hatband. Try on. It should not be too snug or fall off the child’s head. It should be comfortable. (Picture 2).

Step Three: Take the measurement of the child’s head (circumference) and divide it by 6.28. This will give you the radius. For example, 19 inches divided by 6.28 equals 3.02548 inches. I rounded this up to 3.1 inches. Do not round down or the hat will be too small. Find the measurement of the radius on a compass (in this case 3.1 inches) and draw a circle on your pattern material (I use interfacing) (Picture 3).

Step Four: Leaving the point of the compass in same spot, move the pencil point out 2 ¼ inch and draw another circle (Picture 4). This becomes the brim pattern.

Step Five: With point of compass still in place, move pencil point out 1 inch and draw a third circle. This will be the hat crown pattern (Picture 5). This is what you end up with (Picture 6).

Step Six: At this point you should trace the two inner circles (which is the brim pattern) onto separate interfacing so the brim and crown each have their own pattern.

Step Seven: Next, cut out one crown and two brim pieces. The brim pieces should be interfaced with lightweight fusible or non-fusible interfacing (I like fusible, see Picture 7). Set the brim pieces aside.

Step Eight: Divide the band and crown pieces into eight equal parts with pins (Picture 8). Pin right sides together at pin marks (Picture 9). Sew with ¼ inch seam stretching band to fit. If your band doesn’t stretch enough you can gather the crown slightly with your fingers as you sew (Picture 9a).

Step Nine: Turn right side out and try on (Picture 10).

Step Ten: Put brim pieces right sides together and sew ¼ inch seam along outer circle. Trim and clip onto seam and turn right side out (Picture 11).

Step Eleven: Divide brim (inner circle) and band into eight equal parts with pins. Pin the two together at pin marks (Picture 12). Sew with ¼ inch seam with band on top (Picture 13).

Step Twelve: Zigzag or serge this raw edge (Picture 14).

Step Thirteen: You can cover the seam with flexible trim or rickrack as I did here (Picture 15). I just used fabric glue but you can sew it on if you want (sometimes I omit step 13 all together).

Step Fourteen: Try on hat. Brim can be turned up in the front or left down. Embellish as you please.

PILLOWCASE DRESS

Our SAGA group chose the pillowcase dress to do to give to charity.  It is a quick and fun dress to sew.  The instruction are very detailed so I will send you to the link for the instructions you can print off.

 I added bloomers to Zoe's dress, just kind of cute I think.

http://www.everythingsewing.net/pillowcase_dress_how_to.htm  
That link should take you to the instruction enjoy.

I am so ready to sew!! Sewing boy's boxers

It has been a long time since I have done any sewing. I can't tell you how much I miss it and how ready I am to get back to sewing.  I was looking at some of my "how to".  Some call them tutorials I am not that fancy, it just a how I do it.  I will be making pj's (pajamas)for the little ones.  That reminded me of the boxer shorts I also love making for them.
The best thing is the sew through elastic that I use when making pants, shorts, jammies(short for pajama) for the girls or the boys'.

Boxers - How To

Step One: Trace and cut out pattern, I used the pattern by First Choice.

Step Two: Seam center back to side backs.

Step Three: I sew a mock french seam. Sew seam, serge or overcast the edges, then sew two rows of top stitch.

Step Four: Sew on side panels using mock french seam.

Step Five: Sew on the fly placket.

Step Six: Sew sport elastic to top.

Step Seven: Sew through elastic has unbraided rows, these are for sewing through. Cut sport elastic 3-5" smaller then waist measurments. Press the top edge of garmet down 1/2", if you are sewing on straight as the boxers are done, you anchor the elastic on both ends, being careful not to twist. Then stretch the elastic as you sew.

Step Eight:
Finish inseam and hem. Your done!
These are fun boxers to make, they are the five panel and have lots of room.
The kids just love them.


 

Warning, if you are organized don't look!

It has probably been over a year since I have sewn anything using a pattern.  So, I decided it is time to get back to sewing clothes for the kids/grand kids.
I had planned over flannel from Otto's quilt knowing I wanted to make him some jammies.  I knew I had the pattern as I have sewn jammies for all the kids. Well!!  it was not to be found!!  I dug and dug and no size one jammie pattern was to be found.   Send off a quick email to sewing friend " can I use the sweat suit pattern for jammies if I am using flannel"?   Email came back "dig Nonie dig".  That was no help, so I dug.

This drawer usually only holds the patterns in the size I am using at present, but I dug anyhow.

So far this is what I have come up with. These sizes will not even begin to work.  Well, with the exception of the kwik-sew pattern but it uses knit fabric.  So either way, I need a trip to the fabric store either for a pattern or knit fabric--Maybe both???
So that is where I am right now!!  

 

A sign of the past

I love history and anything from the past years.  I find this is not a good part of the country as far as saving anything 'old'. If it is an old building the thought is tear it down build something new.  I really dislike that train of thought.
So, when a person of great wealth started projects that saved a few small area's it was exciting.
But, now, the most exciting project is comimg to a finish. It is called the Pybus market after the original owner of this once used metal shop.  The building was so old, just a total eye sore but tucked out of the way of everyday traffic so it didn't bother anyone.

I am more then excited about this old sign. This was the original sign that hung on the outside of the building. Found rotting in the dirt-my son was picked to 'save the sign.  Since he is an artist you might think he would re-paint it but saving it was the goal not making something new.  It took many hours of work and the sign will now hang inside the building, away from the elements.
This is an idea of how the market will look. Opening day is May 11th I think.

I will get more pictures of the market in the future.