Something Shiny

Even for those of us who are unemployed (outside of the home) and with no children to shuffle here and there, or have studies to focus on, effective time management can be an issue. It is for me anyway! It’s the shiny things that cause my distractions!

But, effective is relative.

I can spend days, even weeks, on a special project ~ like sewing, creating a quilt for one of our veterans or someone in need, or maybe a new bag for my mother’s walker. Or, start/work until finished on a much needed organization and renovation project in our home. During this time, basically everything else ~ like housekeeping or yard work ~ goes on the back burner. The kitchen stays manageable to prepare meals, laundry stays caught up, and the bathroom is half-way presentable. But, that’s about it.

Then… you find out company is coming!

When that bell rings, it is then I start seeing all sorts of stuff that I should do to make our home more presentable. It now rather than later, like…

Clear out dust bunnies in all the corners.

Vacuum the pieces of lint and unidentifiable objects off rugs and floors.

Clean windows/glass doors.

Mop floors.

Pack up Works in Progress (WIP) in sewing room (because it’s also the guest bedroom!)

Etc

Etc

Etc

Lists. Daily lists!

I hand write it out, what I need to do, everything! Even if the “need” is right there in my face, I write it down!

I don’t have a fancy phone (no cell service here), so I don’t have an “app” and I don’t want to put one on my laptop because when I get near my computer I find too many distractions, like emails, Facebook, Twitter, or Jigsaw Planet! And, I don’t spend time estimating how long it will take me to do this or that. That’s a waste of time!

To-Do lists are a life saver for me. It keeps me focused, and on task. When I do see something shiny and go off in another direction (something else I needed to do, but it wasn’t on the list), I will eventually come back to the to-do list and find my focus once again.

I love seeing strikethroughs down my list! I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I have to get a new piece of paper! Yes, no fancy “apps” here, I just use scratch paper!

When company comes, I don’t do anything I shouldn’t do anyway. It’s always so nice to have a clean-for-me house three or four times a year!

Once I’m back on my own, because I took the time to organize the current WIP as I worked through the to-do list, I will feel more relaxed, and focused, and ready to finish the work I want to do!

Have you made a to-do list today?

The Shiny Sparkle Scoop

Using metallic threads in projects, to add touches of shiny sparkle, has always intrigued me. I’ve attempted a few times, then quickly realized there is certainly a learning curve. Before National Sewing Month began, I knew it would be a subject I would address during the month, so I made a note. Along with this note, I found several websites dealing with machine sewing with metallic threads for easy/quick reference. Well, today is the day!

Photo by Squishythings (Creative Commons)

Here is the shiny sparkle scoop:

At Threads, they explained how manufacturers create the metallic threads. They also listed the available brands and highly recommended trying different ones, to determine which works best in the individual sewing machine. That makes sense. They include “Special handling tips” which applies to the embroidery threads, too! This is what I took from their tips (please read their article for the full details – I’m not reinventing the wheel here!):

•  Check tension
•  ALWAYS: when changing colors, or re-threading, clip at spool and pull thread out (never ever pull thread – any thread in my opinion – backwards out the thread guides)
•  Make sure the thread is straight, not all twisted up going through the thread-feeding system.
•  They say some threads come off the spool better from a horizontal pin and others from a vertical pin, to play around with it if having problems.
•  Along the same lines, some threads work better coming off from the back of the spool, others from the front.

I found some amazing hints from Sharla R. Hicks. Her help faqs are worth bookmarking for later reference if/when problems arise!

1.     Correct needle size

2.     Longer stitch length

3.     Tension adjustment

4.     A bead of silicon????? (Sorry, this hint confuses me!)

5.     Bobbin thread

A contributor to Yahoo! Voices, Emma Salk offers sewing tips, techniques, and hints when sewing with metallic thread. The following are tips I didn’t see mention in the precious two findings!

• Slow sewing works best
• Cut thread at an angle before attempting to thread needle (it won’t unravel as quick)
•  Threads with a nylon core and is wrapped, rather than twisted, will give less trouble

One last website I’ll mention/recommend (because there are thousands upon thousands) is from QuiltingDaily. They share the highlights found in author Liz Kettle’s interactive eMag In Stitches article. The 6 Keys to Metallic Thread Success pretty much covers what I’ve already mentioned from the others. However, Liz details more specifically about bobbin thread and needles, and the use of stabilizers, and is worth the quick read!

Thank you!

After going through the different articles for/with you, I feel better about the shiny sparkle scoop. I hope it’s helped you! The next attempt of machine sewing with metallic threads should be a success! Let me hear if it works better for you, too!