This is an awesome creative blog. So Can She is one of the more talented people and has great tutorials! I know a lot of people who would love to have a cool cosmetic bag for Christmas like this! [envira-gallery id="2407"] [envira-gallery slug="so-can-she"]
The best part is that right NOW she has an awesome giveaway going on that anyone would be lucky to get. HURRY though, it’s almost over. Sorry, I just found out about it myself. But, if you hurry and enter, you can……
Prizes are amazing![envira-gallery id="2410"] [envira-gallery slug="prizes"]
I’m currently making some Christmas presents using Thermoweb. I don’t think you can make purses that are going to last very long without this tool. It makes what you create more durable and gives the item shape. I want to thank So Can She for offering this giveaway. Now hurry and enter!
The featured photo for this post is of my daughter. She is wearing clothing I made using only her measurements.
I recently encountered sewing for 20 something daughters. You know the drill, “MOM, MOM! MOOOOOOOMMMMM!” Like an ambulance screaming in the night. It’s an emergency, at least to her it is! She’s met some young man and has to go out with him, in public! Of course her wardrobe of odds and ends just won’t work. She needs something from a fairy godmother …. YESTERDAY! Actually, it’s not as daunting as it may seem. Sewing with knits are wonderful when no one is there to try the garment on their body. Ask her three questions to make a skirt, we will get to the rest later. There is a great blog on this here.
waist measurement
hip measurement
length she would “like” her skirt. I stuck with a solid knit fabric in burgundy. Her color of the moment!There are plenty of quick tutorials online for making a fast skirt. Circle skirts are especially quick. Even faster are maxi skirts!
Mesha has some of the most informative and detailed videos for beginners.
Her measurements are needed when cutting the garment to size. Do NOT use the standard measurements in the video or tutorial. I’ve done this and ended up with clothing to fit a Barbie. I, am not a Barbie. Fabric wasting annoys me and blows money. I’m a pretty thrifty gal so neither of those are my favorites. I hope you ENJOY sewing for your daughter as much as she enjoys the skirt. Check back for the tutorial on making a coordinating piece. Enjoy!
JOANN’s Saturday after Thanksgiving sale. For those of you who HATE, HATE, HATE Black Friday, they are offering a lot of the same deals. The only thing is that….it may be SOLD OUT 🙁 I usually hit both, because I don’t want to miss anything!! I mean, what if they put more stuff out?
25% off your total purchase….YAY!!
excludes doorbusters
Some items may be the same price as Friday. If there are items you cannot live without for your Christmas projects, you may want to make sure and hit it on Friday!
Apparel Fabrics (earlybird) 60% OFF
This is for US….you know, we need Christmas presents too. Nothing at all wrong with purchasing fabric for our own wardrobe, is there?
Keepsake Calico Cotton Prints (Assorted) 60% OFF
Cotton Prints (Select) 60% OFF
Novelty Cotton Prints 60% OFF
Quilters Showcase Cotton Prints (Assorted) 60% OFF
Licensed Character Fabrics (Assorted) 50% OFF
I’ll be honest here, this never happens! I refuse to purchase licensed character fabrics. But, at this price? Who can resist?
No-Sew Throw Kits 50% OFF
This may be a great idea for cheaper fabric? I don’t know, you would have to calculate it at the store.
Team Shop 50% OFF
Plush Throws $9.99
Seriously, these do not get cheaper! Stock up, if nothing else it’s great fabric for future use.
Faux Fur Throws $9.99
I’m pretty sure the faux fur doesn’t sell this cheap.
Functional Dressforms 60% OFF
PLEASE!!! I really want one of these for Christmas!
Decorative Dressforms 60% OFF
This is uber cool, I love it! Pretty sure hubdub wouldn’t like it so much in our livingroom. But, maybe he would never notice?
Gutermann 80-Spool Thread Tower $79.99
IF nothing else goes in your cart…..this is the deal of the day! They sell out quickly.
ENJOY your shopping and most of all I wish you the best Savings possible!
My favorite holiday in the Universe is BLACK FRIDAY! My favorite store to hit
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?
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
Measure the fleece and the pinky fabric. They MUST be exactly the same size.
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.
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.
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.
Sew, leaving an 18′ opening to turn the blanket so the design is showing.
Turn the blanket so the design is showing. Hand sew the final 18 inches.
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.
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"] [envira-gallery slug="2290"]
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!
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. 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!
It’s the world wide web….obviously there are more resources out there than anyone can use. I did a version of this blog when I first started sewing. My opinion of the best sewing blogs has evolved. This is an update to that list from last year. In no particular order, of course.
Boomerina– I already did an entire blog on her, one of my favorites!
Colette– more information than can be taken in, great blog
Sewing Parts Online – videos of everything any seamstress wannabe could desire
Sewing In No Mans Land– Great site for everyone in the family. I especially love the box pleat skirt.
Olfa – Great projects and articles using their products. I LOVE my Olfa rotary cutter.
Cloth Habit– lingerie information….great info and lots of it!
FREE classes from Craftsy, download them and hoard them. Their classes are not usually free.
FREE patterns– Actually if you didn’t want to buy patterns, she has most things you would want on her site.
Girl Charlee– This is my very favorite place to buy knit fabric! Okay, honestly I’ve only shopped at this online store. But, I love it! The prices and quality are amazing compared to Joann’s and Hancock Fabric, which are my only other choices.
Simplicity– Perfect site for storing your fabric and pattern stash. A wonderful reference when you are shopping and cannot remember what you need and what you have.
Threads Magazine– So, you’re at home and need inspiration or just want to learn new things? I love this site for that reason.
Mood– I just discovered this one and feel like there is more information than I’ll ever be able to get bored with, they also sell fabric.
My Pintrest– This probably has the most information of all the sites I’ve listed. It will carry you from beginner to infinity!
Melly Sews– Tons and tons of tutorials and how to’s
Inspiration– For those days you want to create because you have this fabric….welll, this site will help on determining what to create.
Sew, this Fall it seems as though the patchwork trend is in full swing. I say, “YAY” it’s fun sewing! I made some patchwork jeans last night. I love them! I’ve tried patchwork before and it was a failure. I blogged about my first try here. This go round I tried a slightly different method. Instead of putting the pieces together on purpose while assembling the garment, I assembled the fabric as patchwork. Here’s the result this time.
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How does that happen? I used denim to create my patchwork trend. I knew I wanted the top of the jeans dark, you know, to hide all those body imperfections, I hope. I cut out the pattern to short shorts length using the dark denim. From there, I pieced together whatever I could find to make a large enough amount of patchwork “fabric” to cut out the rest of my jeans. It was fun! I used my seam ripper a few times, and had to piece some parts in at the last minute to make it work but overall, it wasn’t that difficult.
What was difficult was the Mimi G pattern I tried using. Let’s just say, it was not made for my body. I tried all sorts of alterations, none worked for me. I did give it a run for it’s money and my seam ripper too. I think the seam ripper saw more action on those jeans than the sewing machine saw. I really wanted them to work, but just like ready to wear, all styles do not fit all body types.
The pattern I used, is tattered, it works like a charm and fits perfectly every single time. I have used the pattern for three pair of shorts, three pair of pants, and now one pair of jeans. I use Simplicity 1165 for all my pants. The Mimi G pattern I experimented with was Simplicity 1167. The pattern and instructions were great, my body just would not conform.[envira-gallery id="2202"][envira-gallery slug="patchwork-trend"]
I hope to get a lot of wear out of these jeans and try other fabrics using the patchwork trend as well. I hope this has inspired you to mess around with the technique as well. No matter what you do, ENJOY!
