Sewing Essential - Simple Serger Shifting Solution

:) Say that 5 times fast! :)

I was working with my serger the other night and it nearly leaped off my my desk! I immediately remembered using a piece of shelf liner on my old desk to help keep it in place, so, went on the hunt.

You can find this stuff by the roll, and pretty inexpensively. I've even found it at dollar and discount stores. I happened to have a roll stashed away, as it is also very good cut in thin strips to use on hairbows to keep them from sliding.....but that's another post. ;)

It's a foamy sort of sheet that completely prevents shifting and slipping. 

 I rolled a nice piece out, cut it and doubled it over to fit nicely under all 4 of my serger's feet. 

Right back to work.....with no machine leaping.

Happier and much safer stitching!

Go ahead and add that to your shopping list. Then, check out some of my other favorite sewing enhancers on my "Sewing Essentials" page at the top of the blog or by clicking HERE.

#TBT - More FLUFF Sewing Essentials!

Ok, here are a few more tools I find especially helpful when creating stuffed toys and dolls. You can click through the image descriptions to read the complete post about each.

Doll Needles
Doll Needles are extra long and have a larger eye opening to help with sewing features on your stuffed toys and dolls.

Tailor's Chalk
Tailor's Chalk makes marking on darker and textured fabrics much easier and clearer to see.

Mini Iron
A Mini Iron is the perfect tool for adding applique features to textured fabrics that may possibly melt with a regular sized iron.

Happy FLUFF sewing!!!!!

#TBT - My Top 3 Tools for Sewing FLUFF Friends!

There are a few tools I keep very close by when sewing stuffed toys and dolls. These have each made the process so much easier and more enjoyable for me. You can click through each image description to read the full post with demonstration on how I use the tool.

Quick Turn Tool
This little tool revolutionized stuffed toy creation for me!

Pinking Shears
Pinking Shears are the perfect tool for trimming all those rounded edges of stuffed toys.

Turning Tools
These handy tools are perfect for smoothing out all the inner curved edges of your of your stuffed toy parts. 

I'll share a few more next Thursday too! Or you can find all of my favorite Sewing Essentials on the page labeled tab at the top of the blog. 

UPDATED!!! Tips & Tutorials Page!

I accomplished a VERY BIG update on the blog this weekend,and I wanted to share with you so it didn't get missed. :) If you are looking for any of the "Tips & Tutorials" I've shared here, it will be MUCH easier for you to find them now. I have updated the "Tips & Tutorials" page and you can visit it by clicking the appropriately labeled tab at the top of the blog. 

OR, JUST CLICK HERE. :)

Maybe there are some you have missed before?

Maybe you have created using one of them?

Would love to hear from you!

Happy Sewing!

Sewing Essential - Crafter's Comfort (Arthritis Relief) Gloves

If there were ever an item I felt "essential" in my sewing room, especially during the colder months, this would be it! What I'm wearing above is the Crafter's Comfort Gloves by Dritz. I've worn a similar product focused towards arthritis patients for several years, so I was delighted to see this product being offered within the crafting industry, since I primarily wear them when I am sewing. 

 The gloves are part of a product line called Creative Comfort. This clever line of products has been thoughtfully designed by an Orthopedic Surgeon to enable crafters to keep doing what they love - while supporting, warming and providing pain relief to their thumbs, hands, wrists, back & neck. See the full collection here. 

I sincerely love these gloves!

 Having experienced an injury to my right arm several years ago that resulted in some loss of circulation to my hand, my hand gets very, very cold, very, very easily. Cold hands become stiff hands, and well.....stiff hands don't want to do all the things I need to do to be able to sew and create as I wish to. When I wear these gloves, they not only keep my hand nicely warm, but they help me maintain my flexibility and prevent some of the hand & upper arm arthritic aching that I experienced before wearing them. 

I use them comfortably & easily throughout my creative process.

The gloves come in a variety of sizes. They are made of a breathable cotton/spandex fabric, so no sweating. They provide mild compression throughout the covered area that supports and warms as you work. The open finger tips allow you to still be able to grip and type/text freely. They are machine washable. You can ask for them wherever you buy your Dritz sewing products. 

Because my hand is hard to keep warm during the winter months, I have often even slept with mine on. This is an item that I can not do without when it comes to sewing during the winter. My work room is in our basement, with concrete floors and is much cooler than the rest of our house. These gloves keep my hand warm & flexible which keeps me sewing....which makes me very happy! :) 

An absolute "Sewing Essential" for me!

For other items I like to keep in my sewing room or consider sewing essentials, see the "Sewing Essentials" page at the top of the blog. 

*Disclaimer: The particular pair of gloves used in this post were provided to me for review. All opinions are my own. 

Let's Talk Textiles - How to Mix Fabric Prints

 It's time for another "Let's Talk Textiles" entry from our friend Kim at Fabric Outlet. Today's topic, is one I'm excited to learn more about, how to mix fabric prints. Take it away Kim! 

Hello everyone! If you have ever wondered if there is a formula for mixing prints, there is! At least some guidelines and if you follow these you can mix prints as well as the top designers! First, decide on a main color that will run throughout the prints. Let's say your choice is red. Then find the "main" print you want. This should have curved lines like a floral. Then find a stripe or a geometric pattern with straight lines that has at least 30% of your main color or at least 10% of a couple of the secondary colors. Try to stay somewhat close to the same scale as your main print. You can bring in a few new colors as long as they are not predominant.  

Then find a third print that is of a different scale then either of the first two. Not crazy different but if you have 1/2" flowers and 1/4" stripes or chevrons then go with tiny pin dots or maybe 1" dots. Again, they should also be at least 30% of your main color or another predominant color color from your main print. At this point you don't want to try to blend in any more different colors. Too many colors will confuse the viewer just as too many of the same type of prints will.  

And that is why its good to follow some guidelines. You can certainly play with the guidelines, switch them around or add more prints using the same logic. Heres the thing, it is really fun to do this yourself rather than relying on finding the pre-coordinated sets from manufacturers. I have found that another guideline that works for me is knowing when to stop! Editing yourself is the best guideline to have in any type of design! 

***BONUS! Hopeful Threads Sewing Participants!*** I am offering a free zipper with each yard purchased this month to help you with your projects! Happy Sewing!

Thanks Kim! Great information and advice!

Find Fabric Outlet on Facebook Here.

And the Fabric Outlet Online Shop here.

Sewing Essential - Tailor's Chalk

I must admit, I don't readily use Marking or Tailor's Chalk in my sewing. I've developed the habit of using washable markers with a house full of kiddos, since those are always readily available. ;)

However, when working with felt or in this case wool felt, especially darker colors, that just doesn't work well. I've read a lot of recommendations for using freezer paper, but it never seems to secure well enough to stay put for cutting the entire piece for me. So, I was surprised to find what will now be a Sewing Essential for me when working with felt, Tailor's Chalk.

This waxy chalk is easy to use, writes smoothly on the felt, and can be trimmed around or rubbed away once your piece is cut out. I've been on a bit of a doll prep/sewing spree of late, so I have broken in this new chalk very well. 

I will now keep it on hand if for no other purpose than this. 

Tailor's Chalk....easily accessible, inexpensive and perfect for felt. A new Sewing Essential for my "tool box". 

Check out my Sewing Essentials page at the top of the blog for a variety of other items I love to use in my sewing room. 

Sewing Essential - Pinking Shears

 A Sewing Essential that I regularly use is my Pinking Shears. 

I originally thought these sturdy trimmers were best for keeping your fabric from fraying when cut. And while certainly good for that, I have found that I use them far more for trimming curved seams. 

The zig-zag teeth create the perfect jagged seam around curves and corners in your sewing, keeping you from having to cut all those tiny little triangles. I shared "Pinking" as a simple sewing tip here because of this.

I love this handy tool especially for this and have been reminded with the sewing projects we've done around here the past couple of months just how essential they are!

Oh...and let me make a little note here....quality does matter in regards to Pinking Shears. I first tried to buy a less expensive pair which just ended up frustrating me when I tried to use them. These are heavy, and sometimes cumbersome and tiresome to use for long periods, but boy to they do the job well!

Pinking Shears....a definite Sewing Essential!

For other items I consider essential in my sewing room, check out the Sewing Essentials page at the top of the blog. 

Sewing Essential - Thermal Thimbles

 To start, I have to admit....the first time I tried these little gadgets, I wasn't convinced they were at all essential. I actually put them away and didn't use them for a long while and wasn't sure I ever would. They felt awkward and somewhat cumbersome to me when using, especially since I couldn't feel the fabric I was working with. However, after burning my fingers repeatedly while making the ties for my bibs this month, I decided to give them a try once again.

And this time, I have decided that I really, really like them!

I just had to give myself the chance to get used to them. 

The thimbles themselves are a soft silicone that slides over the tips of your fingers. They are designed to fit the index finger and thumb on either hand and will stretch comfortably to do so. I also included my middle finger since I use it when folding the bias tape too. The thimbles are heat resistant and help you grip and press your fabric without burning your fingers. 

They really do prevent the raw burnt finger tips that otherwise occur when making a large about of bias or binding!

So there you have it. Thermal Thimbles. Another interesting "Sewing Essential" to add to your box of tricks! 

For other tools and notions I consider "essential" in my sewing room, check out the "Sewing Essentials" page at the top of the blog.

Now.....I think I REALLY need to make some time to sew myself a new ironing board cover, as this one is officially past yucky don't ya think! ;)

Bib Sewing - Quick Tips!

How's the Big Kid & Adult Bib Sewing going???

I wanted to take a minute to share a few "quick tips" that might help as you work on this month's project. 

Ok, if you are on our facebook page, you may have already seen this. I'm a big fan of getting the absolute MOST you can out of your fabric! This is 1 yard of a high-quality, pre-washed cotton print, folded with the selvages on the sides (right & left), and I was able to carefully cut 6 of the Big Kid Tie bibs and I even used the little scrap strip on the side for one set of ties! I was pretty pleased. :)

To speed up or simplify the process on any of the tie bibs, you can use pre-made bias tape. I think the Extra Wide Double Fold works best, but if carefully sewn, any will work. If you have ever sewn dresses for Dress A Girl, you may have a bag of bias scraps that will work perfectly for this and use them up at the same time! 

Bonnie has shared another option for the Snap Bib on her blog for those of you that have a serger. It makes for a QUICK finish! You can see the details here on the Fishsticks Designs blog.

Lastly, several of you who are sewing bibs with a leak resistant backing have asked about alternate fabrics that can be used for that. PUL as mentioned originally is a great option, but fleece and laminate fabrics are also useful alternatives. Waterproof backing is NOT a requirement, simply a preferred suggestion for the Children's Bibs based on what they are being used for. 

All associated with this project extend our sincerest gratitude for your sewing!

Our group album is already beginning to fill up with a fabulous assortment of bibs for both adults and children and we are so excited to see your beautiful and generous work! 

THANK YOU!!!!

As always, any questions, feel free to email me. :)