I’m Sew Excited

Hello, my name is Leslie and I’m addicted to sewing machines.

On Saturday, I had the privilege of getting to see Bernina’s latest and greatest sewing machines and accessories.
 
Bad idea for an addict, but we addicts cannot help ourselves.

About two years ago, I was given a sweet deal on this cutie as a companion for this baby.  Along with my serger, I was set.

So, why would I even consider another machine.  Stay with here, because in the world of sewing, this is big news.

Bernina’s latest and greatest is called the 780 and it looks like this with the embroidery unit attached:

Yes, it’s sleek and modern. But the real news is in the bobbin.
 
My Bernina 640 has a rotary hook in the bobbin which allows it to make a stitch up to 9mm wide.  This is huge when you get into decorative stitching.
 
I love me some 9mm stitching!

However, the rotary hook can be a little fussy and occasionally has to be tuned up.  Not a deal-breaker, but not perfect, either.  And don’t get me wrong, this is a sewist’s dream machine!

On the other hand, my 240 has the CB bobbin hook, which is perfection itself,  making lovely stitches every time.  It’s only downfall is it cannot make a 9mm wide stitch.

I always say owning this machine is like winning the sewing machine lottery.  I blow it little kisses occasionally because I love it so much.
 

With such sewing perfection at my fingertips, why would I even consider another machine?

Well, what Bernina did on the 780 was combine the bobbin peanut butter and with the bobbin chocolate to give us a totally new bobbin system.

Taking the best of the rotary bobbin system and combining it with the best of the cb hook bobbin, genius.
 
So, for you non-bobbin techies, what this means is the bobbin thread doesn’t twist and you get a perfect straight stitch every time.
 
Did I mention the bobbin holds 80% MORE THREAD THAN ANY OTHER BOBBIN AROUND!  That feature alone gives me chills.

But wait, sewing fiends, there’s more.  The 700 series (along with the 500 and 800 series) is now compatible with something called DesignWorks.

 

Think of this as a Silhouette on steroids.  It cuts, paints and does crystals all through the embroidery system.
 

   

Check out this jacket done with the Cutworks, Paintworks, and Crystalworks tool.

This is a design that was loaded into the machine.

Now, the design is being painted using the Paintworks tool.  On-the-embroidery-unit.  This IS a whole new world, my friends.

I’m not going to gloss over here; this set up is expensive.  So, why would I go on and on about something that most sewist’s could never afford.

One day, not too far off, a lot of what you are seeing here will be available at lower price points AND you will be able to afford it.

And that, dear friends, is why I am sew excited.

APPLIQUE BABY GIFT

 Well, it’s that time again.  I need a baby gift.  And I’m teaching another applique class next week.  Perfect timing.  Like blending peanut butter and chocolate.

Thankfully, I know the baby’s sex, name and nursery theme.  Bless those mama’s who share.  My life just got easier.  AND, the nursery theme is owls.  Doing a happy dance, now!


It took me all of 5 seconds to find this adorable owl embroidery design. Ten seconds if you count the time it took to purchase and download.  I added the baby’s name in my software and then did a bit of housework while the design stitched out.
 
I also wanted something that had a raw edge design to it.  Rather than hunting this down, I printed out one of the larger designs from the set, since, the design set comes in three sizes.  Then I traced it out.



Picked out some cute fabric scraps from my stash.



Traced the designs BACKWARDS onto the back of a fusible web (Steam A Seam 2, Wonder Under, etc.)



Ironed the fusible web pieces to the back of my fabric.



Cut out the designs and ironed them onto a pre-fold diaper. (Oops,I forgot to snap a picture of this before stitching.)  I also drew a couple of legs with a water soluble marker.
 


Straight stitch around all of the raw edges and stitch the legs.

Now, isn’t he adorable!

Excess is never enough!  Of course, there will be a burp cloth with the baby’s name in large letters.  See here for how-to directions.

How cute is that!

Fussy Cut Applique

I'm still working on projects and ideas for my applique class later this month at Sew Much More.   One of the class lessons will touch on 'fussy-cut' applique.  All that means is using a design already printed on fabric and appliqueing it to something...in my case, a kitchen towel.

 

This towel is from Ikea and is really cheap a great value.

I chose this fabric because it had bright colors.  Also, it was easy to stitch right over some of the lines in the design and give the towel texture.   Since the design already had lines on the fabric, I didn't have to draw any free-motion stitching lines with a water soluble pen.

This product is so easy to use.  Just follow the directions and add it to the back of your fabric where you want to 'fussy-cut' out a design.  Cut out the design and lay it out on your fabric.  Press with a steam iron and your fabric is there for good.

I did not use my Bernina Stitch Regulator for any of my design lines.  I used a zigzag on the perimeter of the design.  To create the stems at the top of the flower, I used a heavy stitch that comes on my machine.   If you don't have a specialty stitch, just go over it 2-3 times.  I did pin a piece of tear away stabilizer to the back and this kept things nice and even.

I placed my leaves where I thought a stem would go and ironed them down.  Next I secured them with a 2.5 mm zigzag stitch.  Next, I stitched over the black lines in the fabric. 

 

I then used my heavy stitch to make the stem.  I just started stitching around the leaves until it looked right.  No real science here.

I think the whole project took about 30 minutes.  Since I had all of the materials, it didn't cost a thing.   I think 'fussy-cut' applique has so many possibilities.  If you need a baby gift, find a fabric with a cute design and applique it to a cloth diaper.  It will make the most adorable burp cloth.  This would even work great on a zip-up hoodie for kids.  Car themes for boys, almost anything for girls. 

Sew much fun I can't stand it...

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

I thought I'd show a few of my favorite sewing things.  Feel free to forward this post to your True Love...

Let's start with glue.  Trust me...you cannot sew without a little glue and these Sewline Fabric Glue Pens are the best. Way better than pins and a whole lot less blood.  I use them to tack down hems, hold pockets in place, attach waistbands, hold zippers in place...the list goes on.  What makes these great...the glue goes on blue, dries clear and then washes out.   I found these at a sewing store, but check your local Joann's.

Speaking of glue.  If you've ever sewn one of my patterns then you will be familiar with this product.  That's right...I'm talking about Unique Stitch Fabric Glue.  This stuff dries clear and is PERMANENT.  I mean really, really permanent...as in the fabric will tear when you try to pull it apart.  Now, if you are attaching something special to a ready-made garment, this is the stuff for you.  I also use it to hold things in place before sewing...but it must dry for at least an hour before sewing.  A little bitty bit goes a really long way.  I get mine at Joann's with a coupon.

Fabric Marking pens...who can get along without them.  I used to use the standard blue water soluble pens until I found these...the Frixion Erasable Gel-Ink Pen.  They are erasable with friction.  What makes them even more awesome is that the ink disappears with a little bit of heat - as in your iron.  Just hover your iron over the ink and it is gone, gone, gone.  No more water needed.  I've seen them in sewing stores and office supply stores.  They come in a huge variety of colors. 

While the Frixion pens are great for most uses, they do not really show up on dark fabrics.  That's when I pull out this Water Soluble Pencil by Clover.   That right, no more problem removing chalk from fabric.  This goes on similar to chalk but disappears with water.  I found my pencil at a sewing store, but check with Joann's since it is a Clover product.  Don't forget the coupon!

I have lots of scissors.  Scissors for cutting fabric, scissors for applique, snipping scissors, pinking scissors.  All of them have a purpose, but my faves are these little snippers.  These are what I use to snip threads.  They have a slight curve at the pointy end so when you pull up threads to cut, they get right down to the fabric.  Very sharp, too!  These are made by Fiskar and were purchased at Joann's with a coupon.

Have you seen these Wonder Clips by Clover?  They are perfect for holding down things that are hard to pin (and don't do well with glue).  I like to use them when I need to hold something out of the way in order to stitch down something else.  I got mine at Quilt Market, but I've seen them at Joann's. 

I have these two specialty rulers that are really fun.  The first is the Wave Edge Ruler (aka Wavy Ruler).  You can find them in quilt shops or sewing stores.  I think they cost around $20.  One side has larger waves and the other side has smaller waves.  Be sure to use the really small rotary cutting blade with this.  The 45mm size is too big.  This ruler is great for hems on girl's dresses and tops.  Also, great for apron hems, placemats and table runners...

The other ruler I couldn't live without is the 2 1/2" Binding Buddy by June Tailor.  You set the angled end on the flat end of fabric and cut with a rotary cutter.  It gives you a perfect bias strip.  Joann's has these and they aren't very expensive.   Talk about making my life easier...

Lastly, when sewing garments or doing applique, you always need a little starch.  The spray starch that comes in a can from the grocery store will flake and burn to your iron.  Mary Ellen's Best Press starch will not flake or burn BUT it will starch your fabrics beautifully.  AND it comes in several scents.  Personally, I love the lavender, but there are others that are equally as pleasant.  I usually pick mine up at Hancock's, but lots of sewing centers carry this product.  It also refillable...

Sew, there you have it...a few little trinkets that (hopefully) will find their way into your stocking.




 PS:  I think I'm supposed to say that I was not compensated for my opinions.  These really are a few of my favorite (sewing) things.

Sewing for Boys

 

I am always looking for ways to sew for my two grandsons.  Let me tell you, it ain't easy! Target's reasonably priced t-shirts and cargo pants make sewing a bit impractical.  Still, I manage to find ways to embellish things for them.

One idea I recently had was to create a logo for shirts and pants.  Izod has a crocodile, Apple has an apple, Tommy Hilfiger has a flag-like design, so now my guys have their own signature logo that I can use to spruce up plain t-shirts and cargo pants.

 
I think I'm going to call this the "Praising Lizard".  I am not locked into anything; I will gladly consider your ideas!
 
I think I got a little lizard crazy because I went on and continued with the theme here.  Notice the snap closures on the shirt and JonJon.  I got some snaps and a snap setter from Snap Souce.  I highly recommend these.  I'm going to bury my old handle snap maker in under my oak tree!
 

Lastly, these are the Easter outfits.  The anchor is something I digitzed myself.  If you want one, let me know and I will send it your way.  Be sure to let me know your machine's format.

Some fun things I did on the boys shirt...I actually digitized the buttonholes and had my embroidery machine do them.  I did the same thing on the JonJon.

(smaking myself in the forehead)  Now that was easy!

 

A Pet Peeve

 

I have this serious pet peeve regarding pillows and cushions.

 I'm serious!  It started when I purchased a sewing/machine embroidery machine.

I would attend a class on machine embroidery where a design set was introduced.  Inevitably someone would then be sure to let the class know that that, "these designs would be perfect on a pillow!"

Now, when I read a magazine with an article on machine embroidery...guess what they think I should do with their stinkin' design....yup!, put it on a pillow.

If I had followed this sage wisdom, I think I would now have around 1,000 pillows.  

I think all of these embroidered pillows could actually be like fruit cakes that get passed around, but never eaten.  Passed from family to friend, never quite finding a place to land. 

Rant over...not makin' anyone any pillows!  I want some fresh ideas...how about towels....

TUTU CUTE FOR WORDS!

Meet the Tutu Tote Bag which is now in PDF Tutorial format and available in my Etsy store.  I knew I would one day be able to draw upon my experience as a wardrobe mistress for a ballet company.  However, I vaguely remember swearing off ever working with another tutu for as long as I lived!

Oh well, it isn't exactly a tutu!  And, every princess needs something this adorable...don't you think!

ADDICTION

Hello, my name is Leslie and I am addicted to sewing machines!

If you are a persistent reader of this blog and have been with me for more than six months, then you are aware that I am a serial sewing machine buyer.

Yesterday, while snapping photos of my grandson's birthday, a very savvy saleswoman at my favorite sewing store called me up to tell me that the machine of my dreams was available for almost 50% off. Now I ask you,  how is an addict supposed to resist such a bargain?

So, as soon as the party was over, I was at that store buying yet another machine.

Why another machine, you ask?   Well, you will just have to stick around because I have big plans for this blog and perhaps another in the very near future...one that will require some participation from you!

In the meantime, I can't wait to master some of the great features that this machine offers.  

It's like I always say, "I used to sew to save money; now I save money to sew!"

20 Babies and Counting

I attend a medium-sized church that has a LOT of young families.  Let me give you a better example.  At a meeting in January our pastor matter-of-factly said that there were 20 women who had made it known that they were expecting babies AND another 20 babies would likely be born during the year!  Yikes!  I like to be generous, but 40 baby gifts is even too much for me. 

I have a few appropriate embroidery designs; but my dilemma is trying not to replicate the same thing.  Imagine if everyone had the same car, dinosaur or ladybug on their baby's burp cloth and it was left in the nursery!  It could really get ugly.  So, I am trying to make things a bit more personalized, which is why I did these burp cloths.  It seems like the current trend is boys, but I think that will eventually change.