SewAlong piping hot hobo - Week2 + Week3 progress

 

Tasks for Week2 were pretty easy and straight forward.. 

except for the preparing the piping part.. 

Luckily I found a ready made cording piping at my local fabric store (it would have actually cost more to make them from scratch)

So.. 

• Cut all the pieces__________checked
• Prep the piping______________checked
• Iron the interface and fleece___________checked

Here's a clear and easy tutorial on how to make and attach piping to the body

Week3 started with adding central gusset seam, both exterior and interior. Since I have never done this before, I was quite curious to learn the effect of the central seam.

• For the exterior, fold the gusset in half - right side together
• For the interior, fold the gusset in half - wrong side together
• Sew straight line all the way (3mm seam)

Before attaching the piping to the body, go ahead and make the handle loops, attach D-ring on each of the handle loops and stitch the handle loops to the exterior back piece (follow the placement on the pattern piece)

 

Attaching the piping to the exterior back and front pieces. 

Mark the piping beginning and end on the right side of each piece (follow the placement on the pattern pieces)

 Secure with clips before sewing, 

I used zipper foot as I don't have a piping foot, and it worked fine. 

Start sewing slowly and remember to follow the curves and never to pull and stretch the piping while sewing.  

Once completed, you'll have attached piping to:

• Exterior back around the bottom
• Exterior front around the bottom
• Exterior front on the top

The remainder piping will be used for the flap

  

Next, is attaching the gusset to the exterior body

The book suggests sewing on the gusset side, but I am more comfortable sewing on the exterior body side (I can follow the curve of the exterior body when sewing) 

Please note that the gusset is not of the exact length, you will have excess at the end

Once the gusset is attached to both the front and back body, I notice how easily and neatly it collapse. 

A good technique to apply especially when working with wide gusset and you want it to naturally collapse.  

Previous posts: 

SewAlong piping hot hobo 1

SewAlong piping hot hobo 2

Pin It

Oil Cloth vs. Laminated Cotton

It is a new craze of late to sew using laminated cotton. It comes in all your favourite designer prints and the best part is it's waterproof and easy to clean. There's also oil-cloth that has been around like almost forever and it's also water proof and easy to clean. So what's the difference between oil-cloth and laminated cotton.. Aren't they the same??? 

Oil Cloth	Laminated Cotton
Vinyl that is bonded and supported with a coven cotton mesh.	-Regular quilting cotton weight cloth on one side. -The right side of the fabric is laminated with a polyurethane coating which does not contain Phthalates and they are not made with vinyl or PVC
-The surface can be wiped clean　using a warm, soapy sponge then dry it off with a soft cloth. -Machine washing is not suggested. -Store folded or rolled. -Any creases from folding will smooth out over time, faster in a warm environment. If you want to speed the process up you could use the steam setting on an iron with a pressing cloth between the iron and the oilcloth (DO NOT TOUCH THE IRON TO THE OILCLOTH). (Mendel's)	-The surface can be wiped clean　using a warm, soapy sponge then dry it off with a soft cloth. -Can be machine washed with no shrinking or damage (pink chalk studio)  -Ironed faced down, covered with a pressing cloth. (Do not touch the iron directly to the laminated fabric)　 (pink chalk studio)
Use to make table covering, lunch bags, high-chair mat, book cover, beach bag, shelf liner, apron, wallet (what ever you would like to be pretty and waterproof!	Any projects plus kids’ projects as well as it does not contain vinyl or PVC.
-The raw edges will not unravel or fray. -Teflon foot to sew (also manageable with the walking foot. -Leaves hole if pins are used (pin in the seam allowance) -Use normal sewing needle and thread to sew	-The raw edges will not unravel or fray. -Teflon foot to sew (also manageable with the walking foot. -Leaves hole if pins are used (pin in the seam allowance) -Use normal sewing needle and thread to sew
Cost about USD7.50/yard (47” wide) (RM22.85)	Cost about USD15.98/yard ~ (56” wide) (RM48.70~)

From my observation, they have similar characteristics (cleaning, sewing) except that laminated cotton is fancier and costs lots more.

I have acquired 2 half meters worth of vinyl coated fabric at the beginning of the year (lucky bag/ fukubukuro) and last week decided to put them to use. I made 2 non-reversible bucket bags. They draped well, smooth cutting and were easy to sew. They were not slippery or stiff. I used pins in the seam allowance and used my walking foot.  

I used designer cotton (Lecien and Moda for the lining and added a zippered pocket inside and used strap webbing for the sides and handles.

Features:

- padded

- not reversible

- magnetic snap button for closure

- one zippered pocket inside

- Outside - oil cloth - waterproof and stain resistant 

- Lining - Designer cotton

Bag Size: 38cm (in the middle) x 33cm (in the middle)

Base size: 24cm x 10cm

Handle size: 50cm (l)

All in all, a great experience, but I do not plan to stock up on either laminated cotton or oil-cloth in the near future. 

Have you worked with either? Do you have any tips to share?

MyBotanG 2nd Anniversary Sale is still going on in the shoppe and on FB page.  

Pin It

Edge Stitch revolution

After reading Zura's tutorial on edge stitching, I dug up the many types of feet that came with my Janome Super Secio PC (pictured here). You see, I do a lot of edge stitching and get frustrated with the not-so-edge stitch I get with the normal foot I use (obviously I'm too lazy to search and change the feet when I sew). 

Anyway, I found not one but two types of feet that looked promising and so I used type 1 to edge stitch the wristlet straps and wallllaaaaaahhhh the results (grinning from ear to ear) 

Type 2 foot is perfect for top stitching and the especially tricky curves

Thank you Zura, for the simple yet most useful tutorial!! 

These two feet are definitely my two new best friends *HUGS*

Pin It

Filling patterns

One of my 2011 resolutions is to rearrange my sewing patterns (not that many to begin with) into some sort of a working system. 

When I started sewing and quilting about 2 years back, I compiled a number of free tutorials available on the net or copied down from crafting books from the library, thinking that I'll try each and every one of them soon. I have tried many and discarded many as well and bookmarked some  for future projects, but they are all over the place.. Every time I need a pattern, I'll be going through the whole lot as I do not label them or have a proper cabinet or box to store them in. 

Here's how my sewing patterns have evolved:

1. they appeared as measurement only, every time I'd have to measure and cut my fabric

2. big paper templates - loose pieces under the table or chair and everywhere 

3. paper templates (fold in half) - most used patterns have been laminated stored in clear plastic sleeves without labellings 

I found this superb portable storage solution at Tokyu Hands, it looks like the boring steel accordion-like filing cabinets you find in most offices, but it comes in various funky colours and did I mention it is portable? *grin*

At the moment I just insert all my patterns into different slots in one file. I hope to further improve by separating them according to categories i.e big bags, medium sized bags, clutch and purses, etc. If you have lots more you could have one different colour folder for each category.. yummm!!!  

To get more inspiration on how to organise your sewing library, read The Domestic Diva. 

How do you store your patterns..?? 

Pin It

Thread tension - How to

It is a very daunting experience to be faced with thread tension problem. It almost sends a chill to my spine just thinking about it now.. *uuurrrrggghhh* However, it is better to be prepared and know what to expect when the time comes for a sewist to face the challenge of having thread tension problem on her machine.

I was so stressed out one afternoon to find the stitches uneven and the knot showing on the top of the fabric while the back looking normal that I could have cried. The Janome Super Secio PC's manual being in Japanese and having no English manuals on the net didn't help to ease my stress. I put away my machine and took a break for a couple of hours away from the sewing room just to relax and calm down. I searched the net for some insight into the problem and came across this site that explained thread tension in such flair and ease that I felt better just reading about it, cause now at least I know what is wrong and I felt more in control (if you haven't noticed it already, I'm a control freak...)

So, having survived the ordeal (drama..drama..drama) thought I'd share with you the enlightening paragraph about thread tension that I've found here.

Grasping a few basic concepts, one can understand how to adjust the tension on most any machine, regardless of brand and model.

Most domestic sewing machines are of the "lockstitch" variety. That means an upper thread and a lower thread "lock" together. If they don't lock together in the correct place, the tension is "off" and the seam lacks proper strength.

As the threads lock together, they form a knot. If this knot is in the correct place, it is never seen...it is hidden (locked) between the two layers that are being sewn together. When these knots are obvious on the bottom or the top sewing surface, it's time to adjust your tension.

Basic Concept: If you get a picture in your mind of the tension knob as a device to raise and lower these knots, it makes the adjustment much easier.

Steps1.Sew a test seam.
2.Observe the seam on the top and the bottom surface using a magnifying device if need be.
3.Find the position of the knots.
4.Tighten the tension and "pull the knots up" if the knots appear on the bottom side of the sewn seam.
5.Loosen the tension and "drop the knots down" if the knots are on the top surface.
6.Sew a test on the fabric you will be using. Tensions often have to be adjusted when changing fabric types and weights.
7.Continue adjusting the tension and inspecting the seam until your seam is balanced. 
 
Tips
Most machines tensions are tightened by turning the tension knob clockwise (see your owner's manual for the location of this dial). Conversely turning the tension knob counter-clockwise loosens the tension.


There are two tensions on most machines: The upper tension and the bobbin tension. Generally speaking, the bobbin tension never needs adjusting and the sewing person with just average skills can get into much trouble by changing this setting. It may end up with a trip to a professional repairman!

Credit to: http://www.wikihow.com/Adjust-the-Tension-on-a-Sewing-MachinePin It

Blunt scissors...arrrgggghhh!!!

Among the worst thing that can happen to a sewist..having non-working scissors around the house.. don't you just hate it when that happens. Imagine being all eager and ready to cut your fabric to make something oh so fabulous and WHAM!!!! blunt scissors.. yikes!!! I was at witts end and ready to sucumb and throw out my ol scissors (present from my mom 6 years ago bought from Costway) when I stumbled upon this lovely tutorial about scissors sharpenning by the talented Tini (read about the tutorial here). Though  sceptical, at this point I had nothing to lose and so I gave it a try.. and walllaaaaa.. it worked!! so I gathered other blunt scissors of various sizes and got to work.. Thought I'd show you what I did following Tini's steps..

Gather all your blunt scissors and get a glass bottle, as you can see I got two..just in case, I had this notion that I might break the glass or something.. but let me assure you, the whole process doesn't harm or leave a mark on the glass..

Attempt to cut the bottle *grin* (meaning put slight preasure and move forward and backward a couple of times) repeat few times as neccessary. 

It even worked on my petit thread scissors.

The scissors feel a bit stiff after the sharpenning process, I have this idea that the particles/residue from the glass got stuck to the blades.. but scientifically I have no clue. But it works and I hope to add another 6 years to my ol scissors life span *grin*

Full credit to Tinihani for the great tutorial *HUGS*Pin It

Tips and Tricks from FlyLady

Once in a while, I hop over to FlyLady to see what she's cooking. I often stumble upon some sound advice that I TRY to apply to my daily living. Here's some that I'm trying to make a habit:

1. Shine your sink

• Use some cleanser and scrub your sink, even old sink can look pretty decent with some elbow greese. Clean around the rim and the faucets too.
• Every time you run water in your sink, take your clean dishtowel and dry it out.
• Don't leave dirty dishes in the sink, especially overnight, make a habit to wash and clean the sink before you go to bed every night. Get up in the morning to be greeted by clean and shiny sink (it does affect your mood)   

2. Decluttering 15 minutes a day (I've tried it with my sewing studio, it worked!! I am yet to move to the other parts of the apartment..uhuhu)

• Do a little every day, don't burn yourself out by doing everything in a day. Only do small amount at a time. The house did not get dirty overnight and it will not get clean overnight.
• You will need garbage bags, boxes and magic markers. Label the boxes "Give Away", "Throw Away", and "Put Away". Line the "Throw Away" box with a plastic garbage bag.
• Set a time limit (15 mins, 20min, 1 hour) Just do the job as fast as you can and do not pull out more stuff than you can put away in that length of time. This means just one drawer, one closet (or even one shelf in one closet), one magazine rack, or digging under just the furniture in the zone. Not all of them at once!

My shopping bag cum cooler picnic bag

Lined with cooler sheets to keep food/drinks cool

(I've since added zip to the bag)

Have a productive week!! Pin It

Managing time

A pictureless entry is boring..Handstitched bib for baby A'ina using fabric from here.

How do you manage your time? Especiallly to those who are self-employed. Now that I work from home (half the time that is, the other half I still need to go out and teach *sigh*), I need to have a better system to optimise what I do at home. I still need to fit cooking meals, cleaning, workout (ehem..), shopping, fetching and chauffeuring my girl around to her after school activities into my schedule on top of working in my sewing studio.

I used tips suggested by FlyLady to help me come up with my time management plan. I've just started using Manic Time to track the ammount of time I spent in front of the computer, so I cant really say if it is helpful.

I find making a daily/weekly schedule really useful, especially if you are a list type of person..I love the feeling of getting to check the things I've managed to complete off my list.. Give me a sense of achievement.

This is how I do it. I first list down everything I have to do for that particular week.

This is my list for this week, Feb 8 - 14:

1. Catalogue new fabric

2. Organise new orders - make a list of stuff to make with fabric

3. Cut fabric for new orders

4. Send bill to _________________ and _______________.

5. Plan and write out blog entry for this week : 

    - time management

    - around the sewing room part I & II

    - fabric focus

    - scrap projects

6. Take picture of finished products - apron, placemats, Sofea's calender quilt

7. Complete: - ABC quilt - make binding and sew

                    - Attach zipper on bags

                    - New hobo bags

8. Plan - laptop sleeve

           - Mother's day gifts

9. Pattern - Apron

10. Start quilting - truck quilt

This gives me a rough idea of what I have to do this whole week. By having a list, it keeps me focussed on stuff needed to be done so that I dont start another project before completing the tasks at hand. I have so far managed to check off numbers 1,2,4, half of 5,6 and half of 7.. and it's only Tuesday evening. At the end of each week, I look back to re-evaluate things that could be improved and things I have achieved that week.  

This system works for me, but it would be great to find out what works for you.. Care to share?? 

Pin It