Sew Nana

Want to make a pattern that will last. Do all patterns need to last? Of course not, but sometimes we use a pattern many times. Your favorite purse patterns, craft patterns as well as favorite clothing patterns are candidates.

In the latest issue of Threads Magazine there was a hint about making patterns from see through vinyl that is used to cover tables. After a little shopping I selected the cheapest vinyl at JoAnn’s and started my experiment. It wasn’t labeled as a table cover, just vinyl. Great timing as I was about to trace a pattern from a pair of Dockers pants that fit me and I wanted a pattern I could use.

It is best to lay the vinyl on top of the pattern or garment you are tracing as the vinyl sticks and hold down the garment or pattern. I used a black Sharpie Ultra fine point to trace on the vinyl. It stayed on the vinyl without smearing. I also tried Sharpie in different colors and all smeared. In fact the Sharpie black Ultra Fine was that only marker that worked without smearing. Just check that your marker doesn’t smear before tracking.

When cutting out your pattern don’t cut on the black lines. Cut close but don’t cut them off. Your vinyl pattern will be hard to see if the black lines are gone.

I like to roll the vinyl pattern up rather than fold. When it’s time to use again there’s no need to iron. Just smooth it over your fabric and it clings to the fabric.

In anyone find a color marker or pen that doesn’t smear I would love to know. It would be nice to mark different areas different colors especially where you added to the pattern for fitting etc.

Happy Sewing
Nana

Want to have fun this summer…Do you have grandchildren, nieces or church groups to entertain? Making this jewerly sounds like fun even for us older ones.

Want a fun club to join? Try the Mid-Missouri chapter of the American Sewing Guild. They are having a membership drive lead by president Judy Dunkin.

The American Sewing Guild is a national organization dedicated to people who believe sewing is a rewarding and creative activity. Here is the link to their web site.
www.asg.org

The local group has an excellent newsletter and their programs highlight many areas of sewing. Classes on knit design, screen printing, sewing miters and smocking show how varied the classes can be. Currently they are working on “Pants That Fit” with Pam Gainor as instructor meeting in the Hy-Vee meeting room on Nifong. Come check them out to see if you would be interested in the group.

For more information contact:
Judy Dunkin [SewItsMe@mchsi.com]
Beth Van Hove [smigg1@yahoo.com]
Pamela Gainor [gainorpb@mchsi.com]

After joining the national group you may join any local group. There are no local dues only national. National dues are $50 for the first year and $45 for the next year. You can also be a member at large.

Sew Happy
SewNana

This interesting little foot works quite well on binding quilts. A new type of foot where the bottom edges are not level. This helps when the fabrics you are sewing aren’t the same height. I am using it for binding quilts although there must be many other uses.

When I first tried this foot, I thought it was backwards but of course, it was just me. It is designed to allow the bulk of the quilt to be on the left side of the machine.

The two quilts that I bound with this foot are going to be used a lot and needed a strong edge. Not being sure of my sewing skills, I sewed the binding to the wrong side and then wrapped it to the right side, where I could see I was sewing in the correct spot.

My first quilt, was a double side baby blanket, one side flannel and one side cotton fabric without any batting. I sewed the binding to the wrong side and brought the binding to the top side and sewed in place. Did the back look as good as the front? No, but it wasn’t to bad. If you are off it’s important to use a thread color to match your backing. The second one was good on both sides.

I was happy with the second quilt as the front looked as good as the back. I made sure the binding brought to the top side just covered the seam where the binding was attached to the back. I did miter the corners and hand tack the corners before I stitched. Below is a picture (taken after the quilt was finished) and you can see that one side of the foot is higher than the other.

The last picture shows both side of the quilt which look the the same of both side.

For Creative Vision Users: The 6.2 menu for specialty feet has lots of stitches that work with this foot. I used the 6.2.1 but I think next time I will adjust the stitch or select another one.

It helps to sew on the edge of the binding, not the quilt as that will make the back and front of the quilt match. This isn’t for heirloom quilts but it will work for everyday quilts that will get a lot of use. Please post if you have thoughts about this foot.

Happy Sewing (Hi Son)
SewNana

Creative Vision (from here out known as the CV) has a wonderful toggle button. Just in case someone reading this doesn’t know what a toggle button is I will try and explain. (It is button that will change from one function to another and then back again as it is touched.) Kind of cute really.

We have one on the CV, although I must admit I have used this machine for quite a while and didn’t know it was there. I will try and explain.

The first picture shows a straight stitch with the width button on the left and the length button on the right. We know on a straight stitch, then if we change the width button, we are moving the needle position, as there isn’t any width to a straight stitch.

Picture #2 shows the zig zag stitch 1.1.5 at it’s default size. We also know we can change the width by using the left hand button.

But now look at picture #3. It shows the same stitch, same size but it’s position has changed. The stitch will sew closer to the right, as the stitch has been moved closed to the right which will sew closer to the right edge of the pressure foot. Look closely and you can see that the width button is pushed in and now shows a different icon. So by touching and toggling back and forth on decorative stitches, we have the option to not only change the width but also where it stitches. How fun………

Maybe we have more of these but I’m not sure. Help anyone?

It’s Sunday night and my son may be checking to see if I am posting to this site so I must hurry and get something going.

Oh yes, Happy Sewing, and Carl enjoyed watching the race last night.
SewNana

Don’t have anything fun to do this weekend? Try the Big Muddy Folk Festival in Boonville, Missouri. Boonville is an old river town with lots of history. I received this information from Jeannie Pascal a local artist. Thanks Jeannie.

www.friendsofhistoricboonville.org/events.html

A big thanks to Helen Gregory who provided this information.

A free community quilt show scheduled for April 16 & 17 at State Fair Community College in Sedalia will have more than 100 entries and numerous vendors signed up to display their wares, according to an SFCC news release.

The quilt show will be held from 3 to 8 pm April 16 and 9:00 am to 3:00 pm April 17 in the Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center on campus

The Missouri River Quilt Guild seems to be working very hard on their upcoming quilt show in Jefferson City. Would you believe that I have never been to a quilt show, but I sure would like to attend this one?

Here are the details:
“A Rainbow of Quilts” 2010 Quilt Show
June 5th and 6th
Admission $5

There will be 300 quilts on display with vendors (love to shop) and demonstrations. Scissor/knife sharpening is also available.

Where:
Lewis and Clark Middle School
325 Lewis and Clark Drive
Eastland Drive & Highway 50/63
Jefferson City, MO 65101

More Info:
Missouririverquiltguild@yahoo.com
Sewing Buddie Sharon Clark is the president of the Missouri River Quilt Guild this year.

I don’t get around much so you can blog on this site and add other information about upcoming events.

Happy Sewing, Shopping, Eating and of course Laughing.
SewNana

For their first video the girls show us how to make pincushions. They are made of felt but the last layer can be covered with fabric. Way to go girls….

The DIY girls are on a roll with their second video…. They show us how to decorate straight pins.  Won’t they  look cute on the pin cushions they showed us how to make last week? 

Taking this concept to another level, we could adapt this idea to make fun items with children.  Not decorating  pins of course,  maybe magnets.  I’m sure you can think of ideas.  Let me know.