Let's Talk Ironing

Hi Sewing Friends!

Today's topic is ironing -

From Merriam-Webster:

Full Definition of ironing

1 :  the action or process of smoothing or pressing with or as if with a heated iron

I would like to add "using a silk organza press cloth" to end of that definition

Here are a few advantages of using silk organza press cloths:

• silk organza doesn't melt, it withstands high heat
• it is sheer, so you can easily see your fabric or project underneath
• it is lightweight and easy to store, it doesn't take up much space
• it can be machine washed and dried
• it helps protect your clothing or sewing project from scorching and melting

I've used silk organza press cloths for years

and I'm so pleased to now offer them in my shop

Do you use pressing cloths when you iron?

Please leave a comment, I really enjoy hearing from my readers

Thanks for visiting today

If a Sewist Could Cut Continuous Binding, How Much Continuous Binding Could a Sewist Cut . . .

I prefer to cut my own binding rather than to purchase the prepackaged type.

That way I have access to an endless assortment of colors and prints.

I was making a cute wrap skirt for my cute granddaughter (more on that in a future post),

and I wanted to use my handy dandy Bernina binder attachment for the skirt binding,

so my binding strips had to be cut at 1 1/2 " wide.

Now there are oodles of tutorials out there on how to make continuous bias binding,

so I won't try to reinvent the wheel.

If you need good instructions on said process, go here and/or here.

It doesn't look like that small piece of fabric (I used a 12" square) will yield much binding

but you might be surprised at the results.

I've always wondered just how much binding could a sewist cut with varying size squares of fabric.

I'm here to tell you that a mere 12" square will result in a whopping 200 inches, or 5 1/3 yards,

of beautiful 1 1/2" bias binding strips.

Your bias binding can be used to finish armhole edges, neckline edges,
or outside edges of anything from aprons to cute, little granddaughter wrap skirts.

When you use the bias binder attachment, roll up your flat binding strip and drop it into

a container such as a mason jar

(a beautiful blue jar enhances the sewing enjoyment).

That way, the binding strip won't tangle or knot as you're sewing.

I found that when I placed the jar on the floor in front of my machine,

the binding twisted just as it entered the bias binder attachment.

Not good.

However, when I positioned the jar next to and in front of my sewing machine,

all went smoothly.

Good.

I hope this helps you, my friends.

As I have occasion to make other widths of continuous bias binding,

I will update this post with those results as well.

Or . . . if you have made continuous bias binding with this method,

by all means, share your results with us.

 Until next time, bind away!

Fall Sewing

I can't wait to wear those beautiful, new, green suede shoes.

The green plaid Pendleton wool (gifted from my friend, Linda)

sewn up in Simplicity 2475 will perfectly pair with those new shoes.

I adore suede shoes.

I coat them with a water repellent spray and they serve me well all fall and winter.

Am I the only one who buys shoes first, then sews the outfit to match?

Some may consider that a bit backwards.

It works for me.

There will be a capelet to match the skirt.

More on that later.

Have a terrific rest of the week, my friends.

Let Freedom Reign

Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans.

And I would like to offer my sincerest respect to our allies across the pond.     :)

 

"Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future. Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people." 

Ulysses S. Grant

 

 

 

Welcome Spring

Pressing Matters

I don't publish too many posts concerning sewing techniques, but here's one I felt was worth the effort.  I wish I had known this when I first started quilting.  Those of you who are seasoned quilt veterans will most assuredly find this information quite mundane and 'old news'.  But to novice quilters such as myself, this is a gold nugget of information.  :)

I'm currently sewing blocks for a Christmas (yes, I said it, Christmas) quilt.  There are a bunch of seams that come together right in the middle or close to the middle of the quilt block.

To be specific, there are four seams that meet right, smack dab in the middle of said block.  What a knobby blob one could produce by simply pressing all those seams to one side as usual.  A little trick I learned, is to take a small snip with my very sharp little pointy scissors right near that center meeting point, being extremely careful to not snip into the seam line.  Then I press half of that seam in one direction and the other half of the seam in the other direction.

Now it is a much more manageable 'bump' than previous intentions would indicate.  From the front, it is almost an unnoticeable 'bump'.

In other news, I intend to cut and sew a Sewhaholic knit top pattern this week.  May you all have a fabulous week.

Pam

Accessorizing

I'm so sorry I forgot to mention the earrings that I chose to accessorize my new Colette Patterns Hawthorne dress.  Here they are:

Aren't they gorgeous?  I purchased them from HSN, they are a Heidi Daus design.  Love, love, love her vintage inspired jewelry designs.  Enough said.

Our fashion sense is not only expressed by the clothing we sew for ourselves, but it is also expressed in the way we accessorize.
Go.  Purchase her jewelry.  You won't be sorry.   :)

(This is not a paid advertisement, I just *heart* jewelry and want to share it with you all.)

Pam

Sewing Machine Trading Cards

I have approximately a dozen of these cherished little trading cards.  They were a gift from DH several years ago. 

Around the turn of the century (1900 not 2000), sewing machine companies used these trading cards as a marketing tool to advertise their products.  Here's a close-up of one of the cards:

Now who wouldn't want to get their hands on as many of these little gems as possible?  Okay, maybe not a baseball player, but seems to me all other members of the human race would desire these as much as I do.  It is a sewingcentric world, isn't it?

My conundrum is that I don't have a manner in which to display them so I can enjoy them to their fullest.  I've considered and evaluated a number of items, but as yet have come up empty.  I would welcome any advice, suggestions, ideas, etc. from my terrific readers on how I might appropriately display my cards.  And if your idea includes upcycling or repurposing something to do so, all the better.  Thank you in advance for your comments.

Birthday Wishes

Happy 28th Birthday to my dear daughter!  You are a gorgeous girl, a terrrific mom, and a talented crafter.

Because of caring for aging parents last week and preparing to teach VBS next week, I haven't accomplished a whole lot of sewing this week.  But I am busy completing other projects.  Here is one of them:  it has nothing to do with sewing, but I wanted to share the tag I made for my daughter's present. 

Gift bag:  re-purposed
Tag:  made by me

Here's a close up of the tag:

Cardstok, printed paper, and stamped sentiments:  Gina K. Designs
Die cut tag:  Spellbinders
Background stamp & paper flowers:  Hero Arts
Glitter brad:  American Crafts

I should have a sewing project to share by the end of the week.

Sock Bunny Easter

Who doesn't love surprises?  And a handmade surprise is the best of all!  On Easter my daughter surprised me with this adorable sock bunny:

The bunny is made from a knee sock.  My daughter used this tutorial.

Leibster Love

What a great way to start a Monday.  The very talented Jennifer, over at The Musings of a Dedicated Housefiancee nominated me for a Leibster.  According to Jennifer's blog, the German word Leibster means beloved (or favorite).  Thank you so much, Jennifer.

To pay it forward I am presenting the following lovely women with a Leibster:

Doobee's Creations
Frogs in a Bucket
Idle Fancy
Musings of a Seamstress
Eating Pins


The rules of the Leibster Blog award are:

1.  Thank your Leibster Blog award presenter on your blog.
2.  Link back to the blogger who presented the award to you.
3.  Copy/paste the blog award on your blog.
4.  Present the Leibster Blog award to 5 blogs (with 200 followers or less).
5.  Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment.