Crochet Techniques

This past Saturday I joined a group of lovely ladies that gather and work on various craft projects. Yes! We all brought our own projects and visited while working. It was also an opportunity to share or get help or advice on a project such as how to repair a tapestry edging, how to do a particular stitch, or how to scrapbook inside a journal bible.

I had a marvelous time - until I discovered my hearing aid was missing!

This was after having breakfast with Gail at Mi Casa, a local restaurant, then her showing me how to do a foundation chain and single crochet at once and then working for about an hour or so on Bud’s afghan! It was only then I went to adjust the aid and discovered it was not in my ear!!!!

Long story short... I was in a rush to leave the house. I had taken it out to brush my hair while Anna ~ the doberman ~ wanted to go outside one more time before I had to leave. In my haste, I left it on the table outside. The cats found it and thought they had a new chew toy.

Oh well.

Things happen.

Anyway... Gail went to a website that had a clear video of how to do this technique. It took me several times at home to master the Foundation Single Crochet stitch, but  I finally got the method and will use it the next time I start a project that may need to be increased to fit! I won't chain x number of times, then single crochet back, only to discover it's not long enough!

Since then I’ve looked further on the Moogly site and have found a bucket load of tutorials for right and left handed crocheters!

This morning I got some scrap yarn and learned another technique! I’ve always hated the hole a “chain 3 then turn” leaves in the work. If you are a crocheter, you know what that means! Check out the “Improved Chainless Starting Double Crochet” video (one for right handed, another for left handed). You’ll never go back!

T-Shirt Quilt - aka Memory Quilt

Have you created one, a t-shirt quilt, also called a Memory Quilt? I haven’t ~ yet ~ but would like to… someday! Any tips or techniques you’d like to share in the comments will be greatly appreciated!

From what I’ve heard here and there, there is a trick to working with the knit (jersey) fabric. Knowing how stretched out loved t-shirts can be, I totally understand it will be different from using “regular” quilt quality 100% cotton fabrics!

Fortunately, we have the internet filled with great tutorials! I’m on a mission to find and list some resources I come across, for future reference!

I went straight to Pinterest and did a search for t-shirt quilt tutorial.

A common suggestion throughout:

Although the loved t-shirts have been washed/dried many times over the years, all the sites say to wash/dry once more!

NOTE:  I received a suggestion by a reader: when re-washing one more time, do not add fabric softener to the wash, nor place a dryer sheet in the dryer!

Before stabilizing the t-shirt’s logo (the common core found throughout all the websites I visited), I found Wee Share, her tips and tricks are certainly worth the read-through once you’ve gathered all the memory shirts you want to use. It only makes sense, because not all the logos are the same size, it’s critical to measure and design on paper what goes where ~ FIRST! She’s provided us a cool .pdf to record the t-shirt and it’s measurement!

Quilters Diary also explains well how to stabilize the t-shirt, before cutting out the logo!

Goose Tracks Quilts has listed how many t-shirts it takes to make certain size quilts. This is based on all t-shirt logos cut out the same size - 14.5” finished square.

12 shirts will make a throw-size quilt, approx. 48" x 64" - 3 across x 4 down.
20 shirts will make a twin size quilt, approx. 64" x 82" - 4 across x 5 down
30 shirts will make a full size quilt, approx. 82" x 96" - 5 across x 6 down.
36 shirts will make a queen size quilt, approx. 96" x 96" - 6 across x 6 down.
42 shirts will make a king size quilt, approx 110" x 96" - 7 across x 6 down.

In addition to her tips and instructions, Almost Casual listed “Important Notes” worthy of repeating here!

**Important Notes**

Put your machine on zigzag stitch - this helps when working with jersey

Use a needle made for jersey - a needle that is too sharp can break! This, for some reason, took me forever to figure out. I broke many needles and had many cries when I first started sewing with jersey.

Use a lightweight cotton thread

Go ahead and thread a few bobbins so that replacing them is easy

Already Loved has a two-part series on how to make a t-shirt (memory) quilt filled with step-by-step photos!

One more thing I discovered during my research, and let out a huge sigh of relief, the sashing and outer space fabric – say if logos are on point (like a diamond shape), can be out of “regular” quilt quality 100% cotton! It will help stabilize the over-all quilt!

Creating a t-shirt (memory) quilt isn’t as scary as I thought before I started this quest of knowledge!!! I am so grateful others have shared their tips and techniques!

Again I ask you, will you comment with your suggestions?!!!

Sewing Tips and Techniques

Can we ever have too many tips to make sewing easier, more professional looking? I don’t think so! I’m finding clever people all over the place! Many times I’ve thought, Why didn’t I think of that?

I love learning new sewing tips and techniques… here are a few I found!

Heather shows how to Tuck Your Tail In! I will remember this when I get back to my serger!

A wavetuck? I’ve never seen this one before! I'm thankful Sew4Home provided great pictures and step-by-step instructions. This is perfect timing for an upcoming project I’m thinking about creating for Christmas!

Another one from Sew4Home – creating ruching strips! I saw this on one of my sewing shows and had forgotten all about it! Love going through websites to jog my memory! I’m glad I have it included here, where I’ll easily find it again!

Pinking… it’s a good thing… rather than clipping those “V” notches on outside curves. If you don’t have a good pair of pinking shears, they are so worth the investment! Hopeful Threads shows the time saving tip very nicely…

This is something I do especially with 100% cotton. I’ve read over and over about pre-washing fabric before cutting – something I ALWAYS do!!!

              BUT, what I do first ~ before the fabric hits the washing machine ~ I take the time to serge both cut ends. I love not having to untangle/cut out the knotted raveled threads! Without the knotted mess, the fabric is less likely to twist on itself and get all yucky and difficult to press out before cutting out! If you don't have a serger, use your zig zag stitch ... it's better than nothing!

Do you have a favorite tip or technique to share?

Applique Tunnel Vision

I’ve had a bit of tunnel vision when it comes to applying appliques on projects. Again and again, I must remind myself: appliques are not just for quilts, or children’s clothing. I’m not saying I’ve never appliqued before, it’s just few & far between. Maybe it’s time, and a great way to use up those scraps!

After this round up of tips, techniques, and uses, I won’t shy away from using appliques on an array of items!

My go-to list:

Sew4home has a great article “How to Appliqué” sharing a list of tools needed, then tips and techniques for a variety of applications.

At Sew like my mom, Melissa has an appliqué tutorial with lots of pictures! Since I’m a visual learner, this is great!

Oh, my! Although the focus is on quilts, allpeoplequilt has a nice collection of tips within their Tip of the Day feature. Take a run through by clicking “next tip”!

Okay, I personally wouldn't classify this as “appliqué” in the traditional sense, but it’s a reminder of something I saw on one of my Sunday afternoon craft/sewing shows. Karen Millen created this “Stud and Appliqué Tote” but I saw the same technique used on a dress instead. I sure wish I could find that to share with you! It was beautiful! A perfect project to use my new Silhouette Cameo!

What about the different types of stitches to use when machine appliqueing? Check out The Crafty Quilter, and how to make a stitch sampler card like this: 

What about you? Do you appliqué?

Make it Pop - Embellish

Adding that little extra trim, decorative stitch, or texture to a project makes it pop. 

If it’s not embellished, it’s not finished! – Betty Blais

This sounds like my mother, too!

Pop = Extraordinary

Ordinary with a bit of “extra” thrown in makes a huge difference in the finished project.

Where do you get your ideas and inspiration to add that extra bit of pop?

For those who are on Pinterest (and if you’re not, I highly recommend it!), I did a search for embellishment ideas. You’ll find over 800 pins to get the juices flowing!

Elle has comprised a Pinterest board “Sewing Embellishment Ideas” that gives some wonderful inspiration.

Then I simply did a google search “embellishment ideas” and found some websites/blogs that I want to keep bookmarked for future use!

Fabric flowers, yo-yo’s, and covered buttons are the rage! Sew Mama Sew already comprised a list of great places to visit for tutorials.

Have you thought of using crazy quilt stitches to enhance a neckline or bodice or a napkin, or handkerchief corner? Here are twenty seam embellishments!

Also, TAST is amazing… Over on Pin Tangle, she does a Take a Stitch Tuesday and has oodles and oodles of hand embroidery examples and great step-by-step instructions! I signed up for her weekly email!

Embellishing doesn’t have to be sewn on…

When you train your eye to look for those small details found in magazines, on web sites, and even television shows or movies you’ll find a wide variety of embellishing techniques for your project.

Do you have a favorite embellishment?

Blog Tours

Have you ever taken a blog tour? I just completed one hosted by Sewing with Nancy and various contributors. I thoroughly enjoyed learning different sewing and embellishment techniques. The focus was on doll clothes but all aspects shared would apply to fashion sewing for children and adults as well. I touched on it in my last blog post.

Today, I stumbled upon a video blog tour hosted by Sew Beautiful Magazine over Basic Heirloom Techniques.

I had done a search for a specific technique I plan to start implementing in some of my doll dresses. After watching how to do Pintucking, I accidentally found this tour!!! I immediately subscribed to their videos, wanting to keep up with their offerings! Then I went down their list of videos and found Part 1, 1 of 3.

Yes! I’m going to start at the beginning! Oh, learning different techniques is such an awesome thing!

P.S. If you've taken a blog tour, please share the link with us! 

Tuesday Tips

During the wee morning hours, I seize the quiet time and read articles, always wanting to learn new techniques. I found some amazing tips today and had to share. Feel free to pin this article so you can find them easily whenever needed! (If you need an invite to Pinterest, leave your email address in the comments below, or send it to me privately, and I’ll send out the invite.)

I’ve not yet tried making my own bias tape because I didn’t feel I had the correct “tools” necessary. At The Scientific Seamstress Blog site, Carla created and shared a template for us to print out. It looks like it will work perfectly! Will do this soon!  

“The (EPIC) scallop” tutorial takes a bit of time to load up, but well worth the wait. I’m such a visual learner and appreciate the detailed photos of each step Hetterson provides!

Someday I will embellish something – an apron, a sweet doll dress, an e-Reader cover, or something – using the silk ribbon embroidery technique. Carla at The Scientific Seamstress Blog again offers visual and written instructions for simple little romantic roses and leaves.

Well, “the sun’s spit morning” (one of my favorite movie quotes from The Owl and the Pussycat, 1970 – and yes, that shows my age!) and I need to get busy sewing! A new product line is coming soon at Lanetta’s Creations!

Happy Sewing!