Serger!

Last weekend I pulled out my serger for the first time. It's an older-model Elna, and though it hasn't been used in awhile, it works great. I've been excited about using it, but a little nervous to get it set up for the first time.

This is pretty much how it went:

I studied the three different manuals that it came with, and then I dusted it off and learned how to properly oil it. It came to me threaded with three spools of white. No big deal, and it sewed correctly except for a minor tension adjustment. The stitch I wanted to use required 4 threads, and also black thread.

I thought for a short time about just fudging it with the threads already in it, and getting my project done... but no, I had to learn it sooner or later.

Now, I've used a serger before, but it was probably 15 years ago. It was my mom's and I only knew one basic stitch, but I could thread that thing, and could adjust the tension pretty effectively.

For anyone who hasn't used a serger before, it can be pretty intimidating. Mine has 5 possible thread slots, with varying threading positions and needle positions. I'll post pics later, but this weekend I was pretty intent on just getting to know it enough to do my project.

So anyway, there I am about an hour into it, scratching my head and trying to understand what goes where, and learning how to move the needles. The manual with the threading diagram I needed cross-referenced the other manual to show how to move the needles and how to thread the lower looping needles which are buried in the machine. I was wishing I hadn't waited until the end of the day to start into the serger, because I was getting pretty tired.

Then, finally, I was ready to sew.

It felt like the heavens parted and the angels sang. It worked! The stitch wasn't perfect, but it worked!

What's also exciting is that I was converting a pair of pants into maternity pants. That's right, we're expecting another member of the family. This time 2-legged instead of 4, and not (as) covered in fur.

I loosely followed this tutorial, except that I used stretchy fabric for the entire panel, instead of adding elastic. And I made it a little higher so it would smooth out better. I also used a cheap pair of pants, since I didn't want to ruin any of my nice ones. I found a $7 pair at Kmart, and it worked great! Once the serger was up and running, it only took me about 10 minutes to finish.

I look forward to more adventures sewing maternity clothes :)

Pumpkin Time

We're almost back to my favorite time of year; there's a slight crisp in the air (well, almost, if you use your imagination) and rain on its way (it sprinkled the other day.) Time for spiced cider and pumpkins!

Today at my weekly S&B I made another little pumpkin, even tinier than my original Tiny Pumpkin (the darker one.)



I'm looking forward to making many more of these!

Sewing Sunday

I had a fairly productive sewing day yesterday with my friend. Almost every weekend she brings her sewing machine over and we have a craft day together. I'm in the middle of several coffee cozies, and finished off a few of them.

Reds never photograph well in low light, so you'll just have to use your imagination there :) I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. The great thing about small projects is the feeling of accomplishment that comes sooner for those of us that are sometimes a little less patient :)

New Sewing Machine

I just finished topstitching my very first project on the new sewing machine!

I'm in love :)

My old Bernina has so far been a trusty machine, but I've had the motor re-built twice now, and I finally came the the conclusion that it's just not meant to be my main machine. I had been thinking about selling it, but other than being somewhat valuable, (in working condition, that is) it also has sentimental value- I made my wedding dress on it, as well as two others. So I packed it away for the time being, and started researching new machines.

I made a list of priorities, and decided I wanted a heavy duty, reliable machine. I nearly bought a straight-stitch-only Babylock, when I came across this one. It's also considered a semi-industrial machine, but has many decorative stitches as well.

Here's my sewing table all cleaned up and ready for it!

It's an Elna Quilter's Dream 7200 Pro, and it has an extended table which I've already put to use on the baby quilt for my little nephew. 

My favorite features so far, in no particular order:

• A button that tells the needle to stop either up or down. Very useful.
• A button that cuts the thread at the fabric. AMAZING! I absolutely LOVE this one.
• One button bobbin winding.
• Knee-lift for the presser foot. This wasn't included in the machine, but the shop is looking for one, or I'll buy one later. Looking forward to using it.

All of those things will be extremely helpful and help streamline my work. There are a few things I still need to get used to:

• Digital screen - I know, I feel old-fashioned by saying this. It will grow on me :)
• An electric button for reverse. I'm just SO used to a lever, and it feels more natural...
• It goes very fast, which I like, but sounds like a machine gun :) I'll be looking for a better table, possibly the built-in one for this machine (or the Janome which I've heard also fits)

I'm off to sew some more, but I'll leave you with a bit of cuteness. This is our foster kitten Tipsy, who has a neurological condition that affects his mobility. But what he lacks in brainpower he more than makes up for in kitty love. He was acting playful as I was taping down the quilt, but when I picked him up he only wanted to cuddle. See his paws making air biscuits?

Grocery Bags

Wow! It's been a month since I've posted. What a slacker!

Actually, I haven't been working on too many different things right now, because I'm in the process of making a wedding dress for a friend. There will be plenty of pictures once it's done :)

But here's a project from the spring. I've been working on various grocery bag designs, and one of the things I try to do is to make the handles a different color from the bag, so they're easier to fill.

I made a set of 6 for my brother, and asked him to report back how they work and if he manages to break any of them. I needed a good product tester :) 

 On this set I tried something new. I took a one-inch strip of denim and fused it to the top before making the hem. This is one of the weakest parts of the bag - the joint between handle and the top edge - so I think strengthening it there will help. The rest of the bag is a medium weight twill, and the handles are cotton.

 Look at the nice french seams, too =)

More Corsetry

I have a friend getting married in a couple weeks, and a mutual friend wondered if I would make a corset for her bachelorette party. The theme was red and white polka dots.

It was SO much fun to make a surprise corset. We measured one of her ready-made corsets and I just dove in, no fittings at all. Kind of intimidating, but also very exciting.

She was thrilled with the final product, so I think it was a success.



On a completely different note, here's a project that I've been wanting to do for awhile. I took an Ikea picture frame and wanted to drape a mesh fabric over it for earrings. One of my crafty friends suggested cutting up an old pair of fishnets, and voila! I put red fabric behind the plastic. All that's left is to paint the frame, and I'll have a lovely earring rack.


- Mobile post -

Coffee Cozies and Baby Gifts

As usual, I've been busy. Here's a quick snapshot of some current projects.

Last weekend we had a volunteer appreciation party for those of us that foster and/or volunteer their time to find homes for kitties, and I made some coffee cozies as party favors. Our group's color is purple, so I lined each one with purple. It was lots of fun picking out the cat-themed fabric!

Speaking of cats, here's one of our current fosters, named Long-Stripe Todd. He's a cutie :)

Awhile back I'd made a baby blanket for a friend who had a little boy earlier this year. I used a cotton-acrylic blend, which works up nicely.

So recently I got to finish the OTHER part of the gift, a cream colored super-soft bamboo teddy bear, and a matching hat with bear ears.

By the way, my doll's nightgown was made by my mom. I believe I had a matching one once upon a time :)

And lastly, here's the current state of my front garden. I'm gradually clearing back the weeds at the end of the yard, and doing useful stuff with the dirt. So far I mostly have lavender... I love lavender! Plus it grows well here, and the deer don't eat it.

The futon planter box has a lemon balm in the middle, and a rosemary on the right. On the left is a newly replanted calla lilly bulb which I hadn't seen for awhile. Fingers crossed that it survives. The white planter has a lilac in it, and you can also see my newly planted orange and lemon trees! (Also Casper keeping watch over things)