Quick Tips.. Laminated Fabrics

May 24, 2013 0

I was in Napa last weekend for a girls trip and brought a few of my clear vinyl pouches  to give out to a some of the Moms.  I thought they would like them for their diaper bags and holding all the baby stuff that comes with baby territory.  Turns out that not only the Moms loved the pouches.  The girls were intrigued by them. It was interesting to hear all the uses that everyone had for them. By the end of the weekend, I had multiple orders in a variety of sizes.

I will get working on the pouches and keep you posted on the new pattern sizes and their applied uses.

If you read the post, the pouches have a laminated facing. While discussing the pouches, I had a few of my craftier friends ask me what “laminated” fabric was. I thought that was interesting and was always under the impression people knew about laminated fabric..  It got me thinking about doing a post on the ”what and why” for sewing with laminated fabrics.

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Fabric

Tagged:, , , ,

Inspired by.. Summer Motifs

May 21, 2013 2

My list of sewing and design projects never ends.  One project gets finished as I add 3 to my to do list.

I love coming up with motifs to add to my sewing projects and have have been jotting down ”summer” inspired images.  I thought it would be interesting to blog about the images.  Not only would it create a unique reference and archive of my favorite summer 2013 images, but it would also be entertaining to see what I actually incorporate into my designs.

As June is nearing the corner, the sewing projects are grumbling louder and louder inside my head. Pillows, bags, pouches and storage bins.. the list goes on.  For some reason, I thought it would be helpful to offer my finished projects to friends to give as hostess gifts. Originally I thought it would inspire me to come up with some really unique ideas for the lake, cabin and vacation home.  Now, I’m not sure if this was a good idea or not.

Here is my summer 2013 list. Yes, most are typical images. But they conjure up that feeling of summer, the beach, vacation, freedom, youth..  I am excited about integrating them into my sewing projects and reworking them into modern, fun and bold prints.

Cottage theme – coastal, nautical, beach, water inspired, sunset and palm trees

 Cabin theme – lazy days, log cabins, birds, wild flowers and cute bugs

 

School’s out theme - patios, parties, fresh scent of laundry, fire flies, fruit and veggie gardens

Check back over the upcoming months as I embellish my sewing projects - accessories, home accents and baby items with these summer inspired designs!

Happy Sewing.

Posted in: Inspiration

Tagged:, , , ,

A Few Tips On Sewing With Vinyl

May 16, 2013 1

Have you wanted to sew with vinyl, but weren’t sure how to get started? Scared to attempt it.. Well read on.

I made these adorable clear, plastic pouches and shared them on my blog on Monday.  I had a blast and can’t wait to make more pouches to carry and organize all my stuff.

I’ve been thinking alot about my project and I that didn’t share a few issues that came up while sewing with the vinyl.  The laminated fabric was fairly easy and glided through my machine. The vinyl was not as easy and it made me second guess myself a little. It was very sticky and my presser foot didn’t want to help at all.

So, thought I would share a few tips that I found when sewing my pouch.

  1. Laminated facing - I placed the laminated fabric facedown/closest to the feed dogs.  My sewing machine and feed dogs  reacted very differently to the laminted fabric and pulled it through with ease.
  2. Sewing the side seams – The side seams are vinyl on vinyl.  I found my sewing machine got stuck and wanted to sew in the same spot over and over.  I increased the stitch length a little and also helped guide/ pull the vinyl through the machine.
  3. Clear Vinyl – I used a 12 gauge clear vinyl. It worked fine, but next time I buy more vinyl, I plan to buy the 16 gauge. I think it might be a little stiffer. I will keep you posted on how the 16 gauge works out!
  4. Wonder Tape – Wash Away Wonder Tape from Dritz is amazing!! I love it so much, I actually wrote a blog post on it.  I used little pieces of this to secure the cotton canvas backing to the laminated fabric.
  5. Clear Thread – I had to adjust the tension on my machine while using the clear thread. You may have to play with your machine a little. You also don’have to use clear thread. A pop of thread color would make these pouches really cute.
  6. Cotton Canvas Backing – The cotton canvas backing shows through the clear vinyl.  The “recovering perfectionist” in me had to let this go.. I could have used a matching color of cotton canvas material, or even lined it.. But I let this one go.

I am headed off tomorrow to Napa for a girls weekend.  I made a few clear pouches to give away to my friends, a special one for my friend Sue who uses zip locks to hold her stuff.. I hope she likes it.

Happy Sewing!

 

Posted in: Sewing Tips

Tagged:, ,

DIY.. Colorful vinyl pouches

May 13, 2013 6

 

I have a friend who uses a zip lock bag as a clutch when she goes out.  It holds all her stuff – phone, cards, lipgloss..  Everyone gets a real kick out of it.  When they are out with her they take pictures of her holding the ziplock and then text me saying..  Look someone else uses a zip lock like YOU DO!!  Sadly, this is true.

I was shopping in Knoxville, TN last month and came across these clear vinyl pouches.  They came in 3 sizes and had so many uses for the beach,  baby, work, household items…  It made me think of my friend Sue. I knew right away that I wanted to attempt to make one for her.

Continue Reading →

Posted in: DIY Projects, Fabric

Tagged:, , , ,

DIY.. Heart Shaped Sachets

May 10, 2013 3

LOVE YOU MOM!  This one is for all the Moms out there.  Not only is this project easy, but it’s also super sweeeet!

This is a perfect Saturday morning last minute project.. Just give yourself an hour.  Sit down with some fabric scraps, sewing machine and air freshners an make Mom a bunch of these. You will have a cute AND fresh scented gift for Mother’s Day.

Project level – beginner sewing skills needed

Materials Needed:

  • Fabric – a variety of colors.  Good use for scraps or fat quarters
  • Thread, pins, scissors
  • Paper and pen to make the hearts
  • Air freshner - buy a nice, happy scent for Mom
  • Sewing machine

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Fabric

Tagged:, , ,

DIY.. Flirty Lace Skirt

May 8, 2013 3

 

Inspiration.. done.  Now it’s time to get working on the pattern. 

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Fabric

Tagged:, ,

Inspired By… Lace

May 6, 2013 1

Lace is EVERYWHERE these days.  From dresses, to skirts and tops – Lace is no longer just for table tops and wedding dresses..  

Inspired by all the lovely white and nude colored lace outfits I have seen – I thought it was time to make a casual AND easy lace skirt. Between a few toddler naps this past weekend, I used my dress form to create a few skirt mock ups:

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Inspiration

Tagged:, ,

Product Review.. Little Monsters Pillow

May 3, 2013 1

I’ve said it a few times here on my blog. I like taking sewing classes.  They are a great way to learn new techniques and brush up on my sewing skills.  This time around, it was an applique class that caught my eye.  And a very cute pillow as the class project!

 

The pillow project was called “Little Monsters” by the amazing quilt designer Kellie Wulfsohn.  She is Australian and designs incredible products – her pillow and quilt patterns are sold internationally under the name “Don’t Look Now”.  It isn’t easy to find current information for her, but check out her facebook page

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Product Review

Tagged:, , ,

DIY.. Easy Strap Making Technique

May 2, 2013 1

When it comes to the end of a handbag or sewing project, do you hate making the straps?  For some reason I hate it.   It makes me crazy – attaching the safety pin and pulling the strap through itself.. only to have the safety pin come undone.  And then you have to repeat the steps all over again..

I just learned a SUPER easy technique that makes sewing straps fun again, if it was ever really fun.  I used this method while sewing my last post on the cotton canvas storage bins  and the straps were a breeze.

Continue Reading →

Posted in: Fabric

Tagged:,

DIY.. Cotton Canvas Storage Bin

April 30, 2013 18

 

This one is super cute. 

Like many of my projects, I have wanted to create this storage bin for awhile.  I just needed the time and reason to develop it.  We had a birthday party last weekend and I had planned on sewing it to hold the gift card.  Unfortunately, I didn’t finish the project in time for the party.. So, I had to keep it.. 

This is the perfect size for storing almost anything.  The diameter of the bottom is 10″ and the height is 7 1/2″. 

Continue Reading →

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Posted in: DIY Projects, Fabric

Tagged:, , ,