Sewing for your health

It seems this winter has been one illness after another! I have spent more time on the couch than in the sewing room! This has given me time to catch up on reading, hand sewing, and a little bit of crochet. 

Check out the latest Threads magazine, issue #166, for my article on three vintage sewing machine attachments. If you don't have vintage, there are newer versions available!
 

I have spent time reading my own books and the margins are full of more tips and ideas! Battenburg lace has always intrigued me and ready to begin a table runner. The photo is antique round table runner from Germany. All handwork. Following instructions in my book, The Sewing Machine Classroom learn how to use your sewing machine.

Amazing though is how much of a lift I get just fiddling in the sewing room. Sitting on the floor with loads of sewing patterns and fabric can cure any illness! The trouble is, now I have so many ideas and things I want to sew, I will never get them done! I will have a great time trying though!! :)




Quilt frame is now set up and ready to go! Have several quilt tops completed and ready to quilt. Can't wait to get the first one placed and ready. 

How are you handling your winter months? or maybe you are the lucky ones and soaking up those warm sunshine rays!

Happy Stitchery,
Charlene

Threads magazine

Just got my Threads magazine in the mail! Always exciting when one of my articles is in it. Time to bring out the ruffled, gathering/shifting, and binder and start practicing.
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/

Upcyled

Saving money is always so nice! AND ending up with a useful and much needed item. Found some sites to share with you. Meanwhile I an working on my personal up cycled patterns. Takes some thinking but even that is fun. Keep my journal next to me as never know when ideas hit. Sometimes I only get an idea but don't know yet how to work it out. Other times I just list things I used to throw out and now saving as I just know there has to be a use.

Right now I save all my fabric selvages. Have seen so many uses! Also all scraps of course, putting the tiniest in special tote to make larger fabric pieces from them; either using sewing machine or the serger cover stitch to sew together. Use a base fabric for this.  More of this later. Still waiting to order my cover stitch machine. A bit more saving and can pay cash! Important in these harder economic times.

This site uses old socks! How many times does your dryer "eat" one sock? Now saving socks! Might not crochet the backpack but will be something I can use - like totes! Head over and check it out. Love how she makes her pattern and, may not be perfect as she says, but gives you room to modify to suit you.
Penniless Parenting

If you have a source for old crates - make a coffee table!
Upcycle That

For all us sewers since we can never have too much storage!
Upcycle Your Life

This mason jar soap dispenser would fit perfect in my bathroom. BUT you won't find me near a drill! If you are handy, check this page from Country Living.
Country Living

Some ideas to get you started. I continue to jot down in my journal my own ideas, to be worked out later. Right now I will get busy on using some of my selvage scraps AND very anxious to see how I can use my tiniest scraps without hardly any waste.

Any ideas you come across, share with us! After reading each one, I hit my head, and think, "Duh, why didn't I think of that??!!"

Happy Stitchery (and serging!),
Charlene

Serger for Sale

Hunting for a Serger? My sewing friend has one for sale and only used a tiny bit.

Are you hunting for a serger? If so, a dear sewing friend has one for sale. Such a great deal so wanted to share with you all the details.

She (T. Sergent) can be reached via her email for additional information - ausagda@zoomtown.com

She has a Husky-Viking 936 for sale for $650 and buyer pays for shipping or can be picked up in SW Ohio area.

It has never been used, only threaded. The machine was to replace the "death" of the one she was using. However, she has been able to give additional life to her present serger - and doesn't need the new one. So, just like buying a new one without any miles on it!

She has the manuals and extra feet. She can give you all the details via email.

Happy Serging!
Charlene

flu season

Seems the flu season is really upon us! What started as my "cold" has turned into pneumonia and so still waiting to feel totally well again. Then I can - Please! - head to the sewing room!

Had been working on article for Threads magazine, and scheduled talks for quilt guilds. So nice to start the New Year with sewing friends!

More to come in 2013 and until later, stay well and stay safe.

Happy Stitchery,
Charlene

Coverstitch only serger

With all the coverstitching I do, have decided to get a machine solely for the coverstitch! Fun part is researching various ones and narrowing down to features, quality, and price range. What is your BEST cover stitch machine? Suggestions please!

I love using my present Singer serger for coverstitch and time to come up with some tips and hints; along with ideas of how to use it. 

What do you want to know about a cover stitch?
Do you need some ideas of what to use it for?
Other thoughts?

Ready to help in every way. I cover the coverstitch (nice pun!) in Simply Serging, but not to the extent you may need.

Happy Serging!

Charlene

Serger Book Cover

Nothing goes faster than a project sewn up on your serger. Try any size book cover. In Simply Serging, instructions are given for memo pad covers however, I also let you know how to adapt to any size pad or a book!

Time has come for some serious couponing! I needed (ok, wanted) a cover for my small 3-ring binder. My sister, Monica, had given me an older Vera Bradley purse that I had never used but wouldn't give up for life of me! Miss her terribly, and right now so many objects give me joy and pleasure of memories. Soooo..... the cover was to be made from the Vera Bradley.First step was to decide what parts to use and begin ripping apart.

 I wanted to retain the long handles, and the inside pockets. As the inside was "fresher" looking than the outside, that was the side I used.

Following instructions in Simply Serging, I placed the 3-ring binder onto the outside fabric I was using. Since I was serging, I made sure to cut at least 1" all around. My serger seam was going to be 5/8" and remember! we are cutting fabric off. Better to be larger than too small.

 I placed the handles using painter tape. Easy to use and to remove without harming fabric.

 Pocket pieces were cut accordingly and serged on the short ends. Normally, I would cut the pocket pieces, fold, and place but since I was using the pockets of the purse, this step was a tad simplified. Almost finished!

The "lining" piece was placed over the pockets. Make a layer - outside fabric, pockets, lining. The lining piece is cut at least 2" shorter than the outside fabric. This gives you turning space.
 

 Turn to the right side and finished! I had wanted a closure but forgot to place along with my handles! But we are an adaptable bunch of sewers, aren't we? I hand stitched elastic to the inside. Placed and sewed my button on the other side. Closure was finished!

One of the inside pockets, was nice and long. I could place coupons here that I would redeem at the cash register. I pull them out of my binder as I shop the store. I again handsewed my elastic closure and a button to keep closed.

Thanks to using the inside of a purse, my larger open pocket, zippered pocket, and key ring are all in place. My coupon organizer is ready to shop in style!

Happy Stitchery & Serging,

Charlene

Simply Serging

My author copies came in! Finally, I had the actual book in my hand and fabulous!

Sneak Peak inside .......

 
That means if you had pre-ordered from Amazon yours will be heading your way very soon! 

If you would like to pre-order signed copies from me just send me an email via charlene@thesewbox.com. The retail price is $24.99. You can get the pre-order from me for $20.00 plus $3.00 shipping. 

As always, I am available for workshops and lectures. I will place that information on this site very soon. Let you know all the avaialble goodies you can choose from.

Heading to the couch now and curl up with my new book!

Happy Serging!

Charlene

Hunting for a Serger?

Are you hunting for a serger? If so, a dear sewing friend has one for sale. Such a great deal so wanted to share with you all the details.

She (T. Sergent) can be reached via her email for additional information - ausagda@zoomtown.com

She has a Husky-Viking 936 for sale for $650 and buyer pays for shipping or can be picked up in SW Ohio area.

It has never been used, only threaded. The machine was to replace the "death" of the one she was using. However, she has been able to give additional life to her present serger - and doesn't need the new one. So, just like buying a new one without any miles on it!

She has the manuals and extra feet. She can give you all the details via email.

Happy Serging!
Charlene

Ready to Sew!

I finally can see my good friends set up on the sewing table, ready to go. Fabric is all put away (thank goodness for a very large closet!). Still have things to tidy up a bit, but at least I have made a good start.

I didn't think I would ever get all the fabric boxes open and on the shelves. Even before I finished, I made a trip to Pohlar Fabrics and just had to get more AND a new pattern for a very large tote.

Next projects.....

Thank you Judy from Punch with Judy for the pleat makers! Can't wait to give them a try and share with everyone.

And of course a book that should be in every sewing room.... order your signed copy from me!

Good to get some of my works in progress on the board and enjoy the colors and start the next steps. One is a block of the month from Bella Quilts, and others are just plain fun to do!

While unpacking, I found this fabulous purse I made years ago. My sister and I took the class and what fun we had designing our covers. A nice purse pattern (will have to find the name for you). You make the purse and then all the covers you want. Of course, mine is embroidered with my cup of coffee and a flowing briefcase :)

Was working on some shirring samples. Found at least 3 nice ways to make them and all depending on the final project. Will share tomorrow!

For now, happy sewing!

Charlene