Sewing Saturday

When wanting – or needing – to sew, to create something new, how do you start the process?

1. Do you just think of something out of the clear blue and go for it?
2. Do you see something online or in a magazine that gets the juices flowing?
3. Or, do you know you simply want to sew for the stress reliever, so you find yourself a pattern and fabric, then start?

 At different times, in different moods, I do all three.

Today, for example, I want to create a robe and coordinating pajamas for an 18 inch doll. Last night I went into my walk-in closet (aka back bedroom) and found the robe’s fabric I bought a while back, knowing someday I’d get around to it. I dug through my tubs of trims and found a couple of pieces that may work – depending on the design I end up cutting out.

Now I’m off to design a pattern if one in my stash doesn’t match my vision!

Happy Sewing Saturday everyone!

Can’t Give Up

Have you ever told yourself, “You can’t give up!” when working on project? I keep telling myself to read more blogs and watch more videos, then try the different suggestions offered. I can’t give up. I want to master using the double needle! The technique creates a nice looking embellishment of two perfectly spaced lines of stitching – when it works.

Last August, I wrote the “Ten Discoveries” article. Item #2 was using double (twin) needles and that I would try out the technique. Well, I’ve tried several times since then. Sometimes it works beautifully, yet more often than not, it messes up. I know it must be operator error, that is, me threading something incorrectly or tension is off. I haven’t a clue how to turn a corner nicely with double/twin needles. Up until this point, the limitation is simply stitching a straight or curved line. Certainly, there are more capabilities I’ve yet to discover!

So, I go on a search for answers…

I found The Seasoned Homemaker’s article “Double Needles Can Be Fun” informative and helpful. Something I’ve not done, Leslie suggests interfacing the fabric first, then stitch with the double needle.

Nancy Zieman (Sewing with Nancy) has a short video of the basics:

AH! First time I’ve "heard" about having the thread come off the spools/source in opposite directions! Maybe this was the issue I was having!

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Now back to Google because I’m still searching for turning the corner technique! My search statement: turning corners with a double needle

OH MY GOODNESS! Over ONE MILLION hits! Needless to say, I only visited a few on the first page and this is what I found:

Jacki had the same question as I did! Thanks to Pearlie’s answer on the Janome Forums site, I have a good idea how to approach corners!

Vicki shared on her blog a short video showing how she turns corners! I love visual aids!

Two sources are enough!

Okay. With the new knowledge discovered today – I can’t give up. I do believe I can tackle this technique and use it to embellish more projects! I hope it helps you, too!

Big & Bright

“Big & Bright” is this year’s theme at the great State Fair of Texas! The words are straight from one of my favorite songs:

The stars at night – are big and bright

Deep in the Heart of Texas

One never knows what the Fair’s theme will be until around March of the current year. When I learned “Big & Bright” for 2012, I began pondering the dress I would create and enter for an 18 inch doll. What fabric could I use to carry this theme forward?

I cannot express the excitement I felt when I came across the bridal weight tulle in red, white, and blue with the Big & Bright metallic stars! It was absolutely perfect!

Proud to be an American living in Texas – where the stars at night are big and bright – Abrianna wears the finished creation:

The dress placed fourth in the 2012 Creative Arts Competition! She will model the dress during this year’s fair from September 28th through October 21st. I cannot wait to see her! Congratulations to the first through third place winners! I’m excited to see their work and learn from what they did!

Design and Embellish

While out shopping one day, the curvy, imperfect whimsical stripes in this fabric caught my attention! When I read the end of the bolt: 100% Cotton, Made in the U.S.A., I knew immediately it would be the apron to create and enter in the 2012 Creative Arts Competition at the State Fair of Texas. It took over a year to decide how I would design and embellish the apron!

Between each stripe is a quarter inch white space where I machine-stitched white rick-rack on top. I then took green embroidery floss and hand stitched a zig-zag along the rick-rack. Threaded underneath the green, I used a coordinating dusty rose shade of embroidery floss, looping and knotting at each zig and zag.

I created custom made bias trim from complimenting dusty rose 100% cotton fabric to finish the neckline. A button centered yo yo accents the mock closure for a pull-over-the-head fixed apron.  

The fully lined pocket has several embellishment points. Between the dusty rose and a portion of the main fabric is half visible rick-rack. Along the top of this rick-rack, I used green embroidery floss to do a tiny blanket stitch. At the bottom of the daisy horizontal stripe, I added a bit of variegated green and dusty rose crewel embroidery floss to accent the flowers within the 100% cotton eyelet lace. A running stitch of sorts in dusty rose floss fills the holes within the bottom edge of the lace. The larger button centered yo yo on the pocket coordinates with the smaller one at the back of the neck. Two strands of dusty rose satin picot ribbons complete the pocket’s embellishment.

Using a poly/cotton white-on-white fabric, I fully lined the apron. I then top-stitched around the apron’s perimeter.

I’m a happy camper! My hard work paid off! The apron placed 3rd in the competition! It will be on display during the State Fair of Texas from September 28, 2012 through October 21, 2012! Congratulations to the First and Second place winners! I can hardly wait to see their entries and see what they did!

Mainstream Patterns

Have you noticed the price of patterns lately? Talk about inflation! My goodness! I don’t buy mainstream patterns anymore unless they are on sale for a dollar or I have a half price coupon in my purse and I really need the pattern! I think it’s time for me to get over mainstream patterns and look elsewhere.

I admit, over the years I’ve primarily used Simplicity patterns for the basis of my designs. From aprons to doll clothes, they are easily changed and/or modified to create the design I’ve envisioned. Second in line are the McCall’s, but I’ve become very disillusioned with McCall’s lately when I discovered many of the individual pattern pieces are NOT marked with the pattern’s name, number, view, or size. This means I must stop what I’m doing (planning to cut out and sew) and write down everything on the piece before using it. Like I really have the time to do their job! Then, you’ll find less than a handful of Butterick and Vogue in my stash.

It’s exciting how many patterns are coming out from independent designers!

At the new website SewSet – an online sewing directory – you will find amazing pattern offerings from independent designers – and some are free! It’s easy to sign up and it’s free. Once you’ve signed in and click on one of their categories (Children, Women, Men, Home Décor, By Designer, Recently Added), you then decide and click on either: 

“All Patterns”

“Free Patterns & Tutorials Only”

“Patterns for Sale”

Find something Free that interests you, and click on the picture. Once there, you click the “for Free” button on the right, and it takes you to the person’s website or blog! Oh my goodness… how you’ll find so much more from these talented folks than just a free pattern/tutorial for that one initial thing! Try it, you’ll love it!

I’ve used a Liberty Jane Patterns before, the Dress Form for AG Doll Clothes, and found it very easy to read/follow and all the pieces needed were included – always a good thing! Will be buying more, and using a few of their “free” patterns, too!

If you’re interested in fun, whimsical primitive looking creatures, try out Shweet Potato Dolls N Patterns! I have, and love them! And, she lives in Texas!

Do you know of an independent pattern designer/producer? I’m searching for more, American made!

Reinventing the Wheel

     In another lifetime, I wrote several award-winning educational grants and collaborated on many others. During the training process and beyond, my mentor would rhetorically ask, “Why reinvent the wheel?” I think about her statement quite often as I toss around topic ideas for this blog. As I wrote Saturday, many have already written great tips, tutorials, and techniques that make sewing much easier. Over the course of this National Sewing Month, I plan to share sites I’ve found particularly helpful, and why they’ve helped me become a better sewist. Rest assured, I’m not “reinventing” anything! Rather, I’m simply sharing the knowledge of others to give us all the opportunity to perfect our craft of sewing!

     My number one resource for fresh ideas and tips/techniques comes from Nancy Zieman. “Sewing with Nancy” is celebrating 30 years on PBS – for a REASON! She’s amazingly talented and explains techniques extremely well. Although she’s been on for years, I just recently began watching her – again. And now, I check her blog almost daily. It’s been amazing how much I’ve already learned.

     The other day, and quite by accident, I happened across Baby Lock’s “Inside Scoop” – Nancy’s Tip of the Month! I’m going share what she’s posted so far this year and, on occasion, put in my two cents worth via “NOTE”:

2012 Tips

September Tip of the Month

Don’t waste your money on buying cheap thread – you get what you pay for.

NOTE: Old thread – use it or lose it – by throwing it away! It’s so frustrating to get through a project only to then put a little stress on the stitching and the thread breaks!

August Tip of the Month

When you receive a compliment on something you’ve sewn, quilted, or embroidered, graciously say, “Thank you.” Please don’t point out the flaw that only you can find.

July Tip of the Month

For successful seam beginnings, I start stitching on an “anchor cloth” (a small doubled up scrap of fabric), then continuously stitch seams without trouble. Great tip for quilting and garment sewing too.

            NOTE: This is a habit. For me, it was/is a hard one to get used to, but so worth the effort!

June Tip of the Month

Press fusible interfacing to the back of frequently used tissue pattern pieces.

            NOTE: I’ve not done this – yet! It is on my “to do” list now!

May Tip of the Month

Add machine embroidery to a ready-to-wear pocket without removing the entire pocket. Instead remove the straight stitches and leave the bar tacks at the top of the pocket. You’ll be able to embroider the pocket and stitch it back in place with perfect positioning.

April Tip of the Month

When sewing on metal buttons with shanks, use a strand of monofilament thread along with the standard sewing thread for added strength in keeping buttons in place.

March Tip of the Month

Apply the soft side of sticky back Velcro to the top of coat hangers. A 3” strip on both top edges is all that’s needed to keep garments from falling off the hangers.

February Tip of the Month

When stitching two slightly uneven seams, always sew with the shorter length on top and the longer length on the bottom towards the feed dogs. The bottom fabric will ease as you sew and even serge.

January Tip of the Month

Next time you’re hemming, instead of using a straight stitch select one of the many built in decorative stitching on your sewing machine.

            NOTE: I should do this more often on my dolly’s dresses/blouses!

P.S. She has many more tips for years 2008-2011 on this same site! I highly recommend checking them out when you have a chance.

Quilt Across Texas

The 2nd Annual Quilt Across Texas started yesterday! Everyone has until September 30th to get ‘er done! Oh my goodness! They are offering fabulous prizes: 200+ valued at over $45,000! I so wish I could do it! Maybe next year!

If you’re like me and can’t participate in this adventure, the site provides a listing of the shops by region. With all the website links, this is a great comprehensive resource to bookmark! I think it’s a given that the shops participating in the Quilt Across Texas event would have quality fabrics and notions, and is safe for online purchases. I’m just sayin’ – not guaranteeing anything!

With the way prices are going up on everything, quality is so important. Whenever we sew, we need to have it last – whether it’s a quilt, or a dress, or a bag, or whatever. Think about it!

Is your favorite quilt shop on the Texas Statewide Quilt Shop Hop? Do you have several to recommend? Please share!

National Sewing Month

This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Sewing Month. In 1982, President Reagan formally recognized the “importance of home sewing to our Nation.” In addition to the thousands upon thousands of blogs, websites, and YouTube videos available on just about anything and everything you can imagine concerning the art of sewing, you’ll find the official home of National Sewing Month here. It’s a great kick-off place with basic information and links to other sites, especially the Sewing & Craft Alliance (SCA) website.

Each day during September, we can enter a contest sponsored by the National Sewing Month. If you’re interested, check out their contest details here. I didn’t see what the prizes will be, but it doesn’t matter! I plan to enter something everyday just because! I hope you will, too!

Here at Lanetta’s Creations, I’m working on a series of articles to share with you over the course of National Sewing Month. It is my hope to inspire, encourage, create for you, and with you. Let’s do it!

P.S. Is there anything I could help you with? Is there anything specific you would like to know about? Please leave a comment and I’ll do my best!

Do it!

Darn it. I had a great opening line of a new book hit me while riding to Dallas last weekend. I pondered over it for several miles and thought I would remember it forever.

Wrong.

I can only “hear” bits and pieces from the character. She’ll come back, when she’s really really ready. I know this because she has a story to tell.

Someday I’ll learn to write things down. I had pen/paper in my purse, but, again, thought I’d remember because her questioning (yes, I remember she was asking a question) was so strong.

The older I get, the more notes and lists I should make. Life happens. The ole mind switches gears in a heart beat. Concentrate. Reach down and pull out that little spiral notebook. Use it for more than a Wal-Mart or Jo-Ann’s list.

Don’t wait, Lanetta!

Do it!

Do you make lists?

Who is Debbie?

Today I have a package addressed and stuffed with items to help Debbie. Who is Debbie? I haven’t a clue as I’ve never met or even heard of her before yesterday. It was after I read this article A Call for Help: Destash to restash quilter’s supplies, then followed the link to “What Is It Like To Lose Your Sewing Supplies?” that I sent an email asking for the address. I also shared the link on my Facebook page, to help to spread the word.

When devastating tragedy strikes an area like this, my heart aches for what people must be going through. There is no way I can help everyone other than lifting them up in prayer. But when a loving best friend reaches out and lets the virtual world know, and I happen to stumble across the article, I will do what I can!