Happy Graduation Rhianne!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
More Staff Creations
Happy Graduation Rhianne!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Trouble with laying in zippers and adjusting hems? "Wash-A-Way Wonder Tape" is a usuful tool for temporarily placing zippers, hems, trims and other tricky details in place while you stitch them accurately in place. The double sided adhesive tape comes in 1/4" width and is designed to completely disappear with the first washing. Although the tape provides temporary adhesion, it can be stitched through and will not gum up your needle like other adhesive tapes.
Save time and improve your stitching accuracy... give this tape a try on your next sewing project.
Happy Sewing,
Nicole
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Silk Dupioni Necklace
Edmonton is a cold place. All winter I waited anxiously for summer, and as each emerging sign of the wamth to come emerged: birdsongs, blossoms, long sunny evenings - I felt the need to celebrate its long awaited arrival. This necklace is exactly that, a celebration of summer blossoms and all things whimsical about the season.
The pearls were a bold addition, taking it a little over the edge of casual toward a vintage tea party look. Let me know what you think of this creation...
Happy stitches,
Nicole
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Favorite Sewing Tips
A few things I have learned along the way as a stitcher:
- Spritz rubbing alcohol on hard to clean fabrics such as silk and velvet. This kills bacteria which causes odor and refreshes fabric quite nicely. It is also very economical and cuts down on drycleaning costs. To do this, fill a spray bottle with isopropyl rubbing alchohol and spritz fabric liberally. Spritz garment after each wear to maintain fabric cleanliness.
- Top-Stitching: pull your top threads through to the back for a clean finish when machine top-stitching. To do this, give the bobbin thread a tug, which should pop the top thread to the back, then pull through. Tie the two threads in a knot and trim excess thread.
- Serger finishes: what to do with those pesky thread ends when serging? Use a large darning needle and pass serger tail threads back through the serging stitch. Passing the threads through the fabric fold will totally encase your serger threads and gives a very clean finish.
- Permanent Pleats on Stretch Fabric: Pour half water, half white vinegar into your regular domestic iron. It will give a strong smell, but the results are fabulous, as you can achieve permanent pleats in stretch fabrics like lycra.
- For Fast Machine Gathers: Thread your machine as normal and adjust to wide zig-zag stitch. Then, feed a spool of heavy button thread up through the foot plate from the inside. When you run a zig-zag stitch, it will form a casing for the button thread. You can then pull the button thread from the bobbin side of the stitching for a fast and strong gathering stitch. This is great for making period costumes involving lots of ruffles.
Happy Sewing,
Nicole
- Spritz rubbing alcohol on hard to clean fabrics such as silk and velvet. This kills bacteria which causes odor and refreshes fabric quite nicely. It is also very economical and cuts down on drycleaning costs. To do this, fill a spray bottle with isopropyl rubbing alchohol and spritz fabric liberally. Spritz garment after each wear to maintain fabric cleanliness.
- Top-Stitching: pull your top threads through to the back for a clean finish when machine top-stitching. To do this, give the bobbin thread a tug, which should pop the top thread to the back, then pull through. Tie the two threads in a knot and trim excess thread.
- Serger finishes: what to do with those pesky thread ends when serging? Use a large darning needle and pass serger tail threads back through the serging stitch. Passing the threads through the fabric fold will totally encase your serger threads and gives a very clean finish.
- Permanent Pleats on Stretch Fabric: Pour half water, half white vinegar into your regular domestic iron. It will give a strong smell, but the results are fabulous, as you can achieve permanent pleats in stretch fabrics like lycra.
- For Fast Machine Gathers: Thread your machine as normal and adjust to wide zig-zag stitch. Then, feed a spool of heavy button thread up through the foot plate from the inside. When you run a zig-zag stitch, it will form a casing for the button thread. You can then pull the button thread from the bobbin side of the stitching for a fast and strong gathering stitch. This is great for making period costumes involving lots of ruffles.
Happy Sewing,
Nicole
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