BLACK FRIDAY

BLACK FRIDAY

by | Nov 5, 2015 | Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab

My favorite holiday in the Universe is BLACK FRIDAY! My favorite store to hit
Joann.com
just released their ads! I am too excited for this. Let me tell you, they have some great deals waiting to be taken advantage of on BLACK FRIDAY. Stores open Friday, yay Joann’s for taking that holiday!  But, they open at 6am, you know what that means, leave those cute PJs you sewed up last week on your body and HIT THE LINES![envira-gallery id=”2329″]
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Here is an example of what is going to be waiting for your cart!

EARLY BIRD

  • 25% off your entire order
  • 75% off their Holiday Cheer line, not sure if it’s everything but it looks good to me.  Who doesn’t LOVE 75% off?
  • Anti-Pill Fleece (earlybird) 75% off
  • Apparel Fabrics (earlybird) 60% off
  • Big Twist Rainbow Classic Yarn 50% off
  • Blizzard Fleece 75% off
  • Caron One Pound Chunky Yart 30% off
  • CHRISTMAS fabrics 75% off
  • Fiskars cutting tools 60% off
  • Kids learning Crafts 50% off
  • Kids learning kits 50% off
  • Lion Brand chunky Yarnd 30% off
  • Kids Learning Toys (Assorted) 50% off
  • No-Sew 72-in. Fleece Throw Kits 60% off
  • Quilters Showcase Cotton Prints 60% off
  • Strung Beads 60% off
  • DRESSFORMS!!!!!!!! 60% off guess what I’m excited about?
  • OttLite Lighting 60% off
  • Singer Sewing Machines (Assorted) 40% off
     
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    [envira-gallery slug="saturday-joanns"] 
    OF course this isn’t all…..you knew the sale would continue and get better on SATURDAY!

    LADIES, ENJOY YOUR SHOPPING!

     

Blanket Tutorial

by | Oct 30, 2015 | Beginner Tips, Blog, Inspiration, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique

I sew a lot this time of year.  I try to be like Santa, HO…HO…HO, time to sew.  One thing I’ve made in the past is fleece blankets.  No, not the ones with fringe, mine are special and extra cuddly on the back side. I use fleece for the top, well you can use it as the bottom, but the side with the decoration or color the person would like. The backside I use a special minky fabric that coordinates with the top.  For children, I use only one yard each of fabric.  Adults, I found out by trial and error, mostly error 🙂 need two yards of fabric.

Pins are a necessity!  Do not attempt without pinning first.  You’ll be really unhappy and it will take twice as long because you will have to use your seam ripper more than anyone would ever like.  These fabrics slide a little so they need to be pinned down.

Blanket Tutorial

  1. Measure the fleece and the pinky fabric.  They MUST be exactly the same size.
  2. Cut any edges the store may have messed up on cutting.  Sometimes the edge may not be exactly straight.  The first two steps are the most important.
  3. Pin right sides* together.  Pin fabric together at 2 inch or less  intervals. This is another opportunity to make sure the fabrics match up properly.
  4. Ready to sew?  I use a stretch stitch when I sew mine.  I want to make sure these last a long long time.  If you do not have a stretch stitch, the zig zag is a good choice.  Make sure your seams are 5/8″.  Do not sew too close to the edge.
  5. Sew, leaving an 18′ opening to turn the  blanket so the design is showing.
  6. Turn the blanket so the design is showing.  Hand sew the final 18 inches.
  7. It’s ready for giving.  Good Job!  I hope you enjoyed it.

For children, this gift can average $20, depending on the fabrics used.  Anytime you use a licensed print such as Disney, the fabric is going to cost more.  I’m able to make the adult blankets out of two yards using plaid or something non licensed for under $30.  These blankets sell retail beginning at $40 and hand made presents are priceless!

*right sides- the side you want facing out when the blanket is complete.  Usually the softest side of the fabric or the side with the design.

BLACK FRIDAY

Sewing for your Man

by | Oct 29, 2015 | Beginner Tips, Blog, Experimentation, Fitting, Inspiration, Lucy's Sewing Lab

I sew a lot for myself and my granddaughter.   I don’t know about you, but I have never tried sewing for my man.  He told me he wanted something cool and unique like my clothes. Let me tell you sewing for your man is not the same as sewing for yourself.  I self drafted a pattern. Those armsyces are gigantic in comparison to the amount of garment used on women’s clothing. Also, when sewing for your man, the sleeve pattern shape is slightly different.  This, upon reflection, makes sense.  Men don’t want to look curvy, they want to look solid like a brick wall 🙂Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

I designed him a tee shirt.  Not just a plain ole, I can buy this at Walmart, tee shirt.  The one I designed for him has plaid sleeves, neckline, and pocket!  He LOVES it!  Before I was finished, he put it on and shared on Facebook. That’s pretty sweet huh?[envira-gallery id="2290"]
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You know, as the weather gets cooler, sewing for your man is something you may want to consider. I don’t know if you want to make a 

 wardrobe or just add a few pieces here and there. I’ve actually made him one other thing, PJs lol.  Poor guy, he wears those too.  I just started sewing again and he was one of my guinea pigs. 🙂 I made a shirt to match for out littlest dog too.  If I were to sew him more pieces I’d start with a henley, maybe make a cardigan, flannel shirt, and maybe even some sweats.  I do not think I’m ready or he’s ready for me to sew his jeans yet. 🙂 Whatever you sew for your man…ENJOY!

Red the Vintage Singer

by | Oct 24, 2015 | Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique

Lucy’s Sewing Lab gained a new member to her family this week, “Red.” My daughter found her at a garage sale, $15!  I feel really bad for the granddaughter who no longer has Red the vintage singer to use as a dumb bell.  These are the pictures my daughter sent me of her.[envira-gallery id="2237"]
[envira-gallery slug="red-before-i-got-her"]When I finally was able to pick her up, I cleaned her, checked her out, and researched a lot. If you need to research a vintage machine, this is a great place to look. You can get more information and become a member at this site. My machine the Singer 66-16 was the first mass produced sewing machine.  Most believe it produces a near perfect stitch in a variety of fabrics. Unbelievably to us at this point, the sewing machine was one of the most expensive at the time.  It cost several months wages, I guess I wouldn’t be sewing! The machine may have been expensive, but for professionals, or those who like to think they are pros, and needed more foot clearance Singer 66 was the machine to buy.  [envira-gallery id="2234"]
[envira-gallery slug="red-certificate"]I got her certified too!

I really cannot wait to get her up and going.  The machine is a hand crank, most were urged to convert to electric during the war to increase production.   Some women, were stubborn, though, Imagine that, and refused, continuing to work those arms and sew their little hearts out for the men. The factory this machine was created in was destroyed along with all records of the machine were lost in the war. The C series was only made for about 10 years. There is a great video here.  I don’t know if you are into vintage machines or not, let me know in the comments!  Enjoy!

Christmas Elves…..start your shopping engines

by | Oct 20, 2015 | Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab

Christmas Elves, start your shopping engines.  The sales for us are beginning already.  No on wants to pay more than they need to for anything right? I’m going to do a rundown of the current JoAnns and Hancock ads.  These prices are good until October 28 and some are good even longer.

Hancock Fabrics

They advertise on the from page “All about fleece sale” $3.83, lowest prices of the season!  But when you turn the page, those prices do not hold true for the novelty, Disney, and other fleece.  Eh, it’s okay we like a lower price, right?

  • The $3.83 fleece includes the following:
  • Anti-pill fleece solids save $6
  • Glacier & Simply fleece Prints save $7
  • Glacier Fleece Solids save $5

So, if you are sewing an adult size blanket, you would need two yards, I found this out the hard way.  $7.66 for an adult size blanket. I put a backing on mine that’s really fluffy, so it cost more but, this is a GREAT deal!

30% of character print fleece, typically for a child, one yard needed. These are running around $6-$12

Team fleece, with a few exceptions are running about $10 a yard. Again for an adult, $20 pretty good deal and people love them!

For anyone making clothing for Christmas the apparel fabric is at a great level.

  • Special Occassion 30% off
  • Fall coordinates 40% off 
  • Knits, matte, fashion,jersey, and ponte 40%
  • 50% of all of the following! Average about $6 a yard
    • Sportswear solids and prints
    • Suede Solids
    • Poly Print Solids
    • Interlock prints and solids

Joann

They are giving you a run for your money as well, I keep both stores coupons with me at all times and use the best offer because they honor each other’s coupons.

October 22-25

  • DRUMROLL…..60% off any one regular priced item 
  • 50% off your total purchase of regular priced notions and wall items
  • FLEECE FLEECE FLEECE…..50% OFF ($4.99-$16.00) hint, bring your flyer from Hancocks 🙂
    • anti pill
    • blizzard
    • and new sew throw kits
  • 50% yes, 50% off the marked price on all red tag
  • Home Decor prints, solids and upholstery fabric 50% off
  • October 22-31 50% off regular priced fabric

Coupons are as follows, in the flyer, you may find better ones.

  • October 22- November 4
    • 40% off any one regular priced item
  • October 29-November 4
    • 20% off entire purchase including sale merchandise
  • October 26- 28
    • 50% off any regular priced item
  • November 2-4
    • 30% off total regular price

I hope this gives you a head’s up for sales at two local retailers.  Let me know if you would like to have other’s listed as well. ENJOY yourselves, elves!