Archive for November, 2011

Participate in National Tie One On Day: Sew an Apron!

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Apron Memories: Tie One On - An Apron Of Course !
What is National Tie One On Day? It’s a grassroots effort to help those in your community who are a little less fortunate this Thanksgiving season.

Here’s how to participate: On the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday the 23rd this year, make or buy some sort of baked good: a loaf of tasty bread, muffins, a pie, etc. Wrap it up in an apron and tuck in a nice note. Tie on your own apron (hence “Tie One On”), then walk out your front door and personally give it to someone in your community—next door, up the street, downstairs—and if you’re feeling particularly giving you could do this multiple times to multiple people!

The whole point of Tie On Day is to put the “give” back into Thanksgiving. It’s a wonderful way to bring your local community closer together by sharing your good fortune in the form of food and an apron. Who wouldn’t love some baked goods and a new apron?

If you don’t have a spare apron handy to give away, you can always make one. It’s very easy to sew an apron, and giving a hand-made gift is much more personal and rewarding than giving someone something you bought from a store.

I’ve found many free tutorials on how to sew your own aprons. Here are some of my favorites:

Dish Towel ApronDish Towel Apron

From Martha Stewart.
This is an extremely easy and satisfying apron made from two dish towels. There are even a couple of pockets in the front. An added bonus is that dish towels are usually already hemmed, so it saves you a ton of work!

Speedy T-Shirt into ApronSpeedy T-Shirt into Apron

From Instructables.
Most everybody has old T-shirts lying around, and this is a great way to re-purpose one into a bib-less apron. You can sew a pocket onto it using scraps of fabric!

Men's ApronMen’s Apron

From Needle Book.
In case your recipient isn’t quite into pretty or frilly aprons, here’s a great tutorial on how to make an apron that is more man-appropriate.

If none of these apron designs are to your liking, Tipnut.com has compiled a list of 50 Free Apron Tutorials, so there’s bound to be something there for you!

You can find out more about National Tie One On Day at the official website: National Tie One On Day at Apron Memories. It’s a great opportunity to put your sewing machine to use for a good cause.

Happy Sewing,
Chris


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How Does Your Machine Make a Stitch?

Sunday, November 13th, 2011

There are a lot of things in life that I just take for granted. One of these is how a sewing machine actually makes a stitch.

I understand tensions of both needle and bobbin threads and their relationship to how that effects the actual stitch (see “Adjusting Sewing Machine Tension” to learn more).

Click on Image to see Video Illustation

I know the parts that are necessary in making a stitch: needle, bobbin, bobbin case, and bobbin hook (check your machine’s manual for specific information about your machine or consider taking a class to learn).

What I didn’t even put a thought into was how the machine actually made a stitch. As far as I cared, little bits of magic happened every time the needle went up and down that somehow entwined the needle and bobbin threads.

While poking around the internet, I found this video illustration that clearly shows how the bobbin hook grabs hold of the needle thread and loops it around the bobbin case. The result: a stitch.

Take a look, it is actually quite simple.

Having seen this animation, in slow enough to see motion, it is easy to understand how threads can be entangled if the bobbin is not inserted in place properly.

Even though the video shows how a stitch is formed, I am OK with still believing that it is a little bit of magic!

Reva


Posted in Sewing | 5 Comments »

Trace ‘n Create Free Project Round-Up

Monday, November 7th, 2011

How many of you have used Clover’s Trace ‘n Create templates? If you’re not familiar with these great templates, they were designed by sewing guru Nancy Zieman. There are templates avialable for a multitude of different projects and they take all of the guesswork and uncertainty out of cutting the fabrics for your project. Simply place the templates on your fabric, choose your size, make a few quick marks, and then cut each piece of fabric perfectly every time! Be sure to check out the brand new template just released last week at Quilt Market – Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper.

Here is a round-up of Free Projects that you can make with the Trace ‘n Create Templates :

Dresden Christmas Tree Skirt Project

Dresden Trace ‘n Create Christmas Tree Skirt Project

Create a simple and lovely tree skirt by super-sizing a Dresden-style quilt pattern and leaving the center open for a tree trunk!

Download the full instructions here

Get the Dresden Trace ‘n Create Quilt Template here!

Dresden Easy Holiday Wall Quilt

Easy Dresden Holiday Wall Quilt

With a little sewing savvy and super-sized quilt blocks, you can create a wall quilt or table topper for the holidays! Using Clover’s Trace ‘n Create Quilt Templates–the Dresden Collection, a few of your favorite cotton quilting prints and in couple of evenings, you’ll create a sensational showpiece!

Download the full instructions here

Get the Dresden Trace ‘n Create Quilt Template here!

Lone Star Table Topper

Lone Star Table Topper

Create a dramatic patchwork table topper with only two — yes, two — quilt blocks. Using the Trace ‘n Create Quilt Template Lone Star, create a 36″ Lone Star block and four sections of the 12″ Lone Star block. Add borders, a flannel backing, and binding, and you’ll have a quilted masterpieces that says, “Wow!”

Download the full instructions here.

Get the Lone Star Trace ‘n Create Template here.

Grandmother's One-Patch Flower Garden

Grandmother’s One-Patch Flower Garden Table Runner

Create a traditional-looking Grandmother’s Flower Garden Table Runner with one template and no Y-Seams!

Download the full instructions here.

Get the Grandmother’s One-Patch Trace ‘n Create Quilt Template here.

Tablet Cover Inspiration & Ideas

Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper Inspirations & Ideas

Get inspired about the new Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper templates with this pamphlet that includes such ideas as:

• Up-Cycling and Re-Purposing Jackets, Jeans, Ties, and more.
• Create a Textured-Surface Tablet Cover with Faux Chenille.
• Create a Pieced-Surface Tablet Cover with leftover fabric.
• Create an Ensemble: Handbag with Matching Notebook Cover using the Trace ‘n Create Florida Handbag Template.

Download the inspiration & idea sheet here.

Get the Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper Templates here!

 

You can read all about Nancy’s adventures at the Quilt Market on her blog.

Let us know if you decide to try any of these ideas this holiday season. We always love seeing photographs of your finished projects (or even your works-in-progress).

Happy Sewing,
Chris


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Posted in How To Guides, Projects and Techniques | 1 Comment »

New Anita Goodesign Project Collections

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

Anita Goodesign has released a new type of collection: Anita Goodesign Project Collections.

We’re very excited to be able to offer this brand new series from Anita Goodesign. Anita Goodesign Project Collections are collections that include all the instructions you’ll need to make complete projects from start to finish. These Projects aren’t confined to “In the Hoop” either. They incorporate embroidery and sewing in easy-to-follow, step-by-step tutorials with detailed pictures that make the whole process easy while teaching you new and interesting techniques. Each collection also includes a detailed shopping list of everything you’ll need to complete the project.

The embroidery designs are exclusive to the Project Collections. As always, each CD has multiple designs, each in different sizes to accommodate different hoop sizes. You can use these designs with the specific projects or add them to anything else you like.

These Projects are perfect for creating gifts for the holidays (which are right around the corner already). Here are the first four Project Collections:

Anita Goodesign Fashion Clutches Project

Anita Goodesign Fashion Clutches Project

Anita Goodesign Fashion Clutches Project Collection

These designer-inspired clutches feature a new product that gives a unique texture to any fabric. Using your embroidery machine to stitch one of three different design motifs, Stitched Flower Echo, Stippled Monogram Oval, or Stitched Grids, plus your choice of fabric and texture will highlight your personal style. After a little steam from your iron, your ordinary fabric transforms into designer chic. Finish by using your sewing machine to insert a bound zipper, lining with your choice of handle options.

Anita Goodesign Holiday Stockings Project Collection

Anita Goodesign Holiday Stockings Project Collection

Anita Goodesign Holiday Stockings Project Collection

Make three unique stockings with this project collection: Traditional Stocking Shape, Cowboy Boot Stocking, and the Folded Fabric Stocking. There are eight individual embroidery designs, and the folded fabric design comes in 3 sizes. Make one stocking for a quick gift or make a whole set for your family. The fast and easy construction will have you decorating for the holidays by the weekend!

Anita Goodesign Chic Travel Accessories Project Collection

Anita Goodesign Chic Travel Accessories Project Collection

Anita Goodesign Chic Travel Accessories Project Collection

Three unique travel bag projects. Collection includes 23 individually stitched designs. These fun and flirty embroidery designs add an artistic element that turns a plain drawstring bag into a “Chic Accessory”. After making a set to compliment your own suitcase, these bags make quick gifts for your best friends or a bride-to-be!

Anita Goodesign Sunbonnet Sue In the Kitchen Project Collection

Anita Goodesign Sunbonnet Sue In the Kitchen Project Collection

Anita Goodesign Sunbonnet Sue In the Kitchen Project Collection

Create the perfect gift with the “Sunbonnet Sue in the Kitchen” projects. Added bonus… Quilt Block designs are compatible with all the Mix and Match collections! 10 Individual hand stitched designs in 2 sizes, for the 5×7 and 6×10 hoop. 10 Quilt Block Designs in 4 sizes.
See all of the available Anita Goodesign Project Collections Here!

Happy Sewing,
Chris


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Garden Fresh Quilt Pattern: Free Download

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

Garden Fresh Quilt

Garden Fresh Quilt from Fons & Porter

I was watching a rebroadcast of a Fons and Porter Love of Quilting show (Episode 1506: Garden Fresh) recently. Currently this episode is available to watch only on Public Television. The guest on the show was Gail Kessler, who designs fabrics for Andover Fabrics.

It was very interesting to hear how the designing of fabric is approached. One thing that I found very fascinating is that when Andover creates a panel, it consistently has a 24″ repeat. This being the case, the repeat of each panel must fill the area (selvage to selvage and the full 24″) and elements in a panel are not always symmetrical. Gail’s tip for using elements (or cheater blocks) from a panel is to trim them so that they are visually pleasing and not necessarily exact by measurement.

Herself a quilter, another thing that Gail strives for when she is designing a border print fabric is to give each 4 full repeats of the striped border across the yardage. This way only one modest length of the fabric is needed to be purchased in order to create all of the borders on the quilt. Don’t you agree that it is very frustrating to need to purchase a great amount of yardage in order to get the proper amount of a border strip to complete your project?

Since the show was originally from April of 2010, the likelihood that this same fabric would still be available to purchase is probably pretty slim. However, the free pattern, Garden Fresh, from Fons and Porter is a real keeper!

Download the Pattern Here!

Hope you enjoy
Reva


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