More pillowcases

I made another pair of pillowcases for Valentine's Day presents. I did the same thing with the appliques that I did on the previous pair, with different fabric.

I really like how they look.

This time I used the instructions in one of my Sewing with Nancy books for the construction of the cases. Here is how it goes:

* Cut out the pieces: in this case I cut two pieces approximately 45" X 27" of the main case fabric, and two of the "cuff" approximately 45" X 9".

* I folded one main piece , selvages matching, right sides together, and stitched the long side seam. I overcast the seam, then ironed it toward the case.

* I stitched the top seam, starting at the fold and catching the folded seam. Overcast the seam. Repeated these steps for the second case.

* I appliqued the cuffs, positioning the pieces on the upper half of the cuff fabric.

* I sewed the cuff side seams, right sides together, after lining them up with the case seam so they would be as close as possible to the same width when sewn.

* I folded the cuff pieces, wrong sides together, raw sides together.

* I sewed the cuffs to the main cases, right sides together. I finished the seam with an overcast stitch.

* I ironed them both.

I am not the best at cutting pieces exactly. That's why I had some trouble matching the pieces when I sewed them together. I think this is a skill I need to work on. Cut carefully and the rest should be easier. In the meantime I think I'll sew the cuffs to the main parts before sewing the side seams in the future. It's just a lot easier for me, although it leaves the finish of the cuff raw edges to deal with. No, wait, seems like that's really not an issue if I just sew them on as above, then do the sides. Yes, that's the trick.

Piecing fabric

One of the projects I am considering is the making of reusable shopping bags from pieces of different fabric. I did not know what the rules of "piecing" are and I am not in class right now so I did some looking on the web. I finally found these instructions, which are clear and complete. The others I found left a lot out, probably assumed I already knew part of it.

My sewing machine manual also has a section on piecing, mainly letting me know which presser foot to use and how to use it for both left and right seams. It also has a special stitch for these seams - I am not sure what the difference is, perhaps the stitch width. Of course one does not have to have this option. Any sewing machine with a straight stitch will do.

Armed with this knowledge, I will bring in the old clothes and leftover fabric I'd like to use in the bag tomorrow. I should be able to get one bag done by the end of the marathon.

A little bag

I have hunted around the web for cool easy projects to try on my sewing machine. The pillowcase cat pillow was one. The placemat was a variation on something I happened to see on some crafts page. And this bag is a third project.

I have several pairs of jeans that were due for the thrift shop. Some of them will still get there. But I figured I could use one or two for various projects, thereby saving a bit of money, considering how much I have spent on the machine, equipment, fabric, and thread. This little bag appeared to be just the ticket.

The bag is made from the leg of a pair of jeans. You cut the length you want, plus a couple of inches to allow for seams. Sew a seam at the top to be used as a casing for the cord, then cut out a round of denim from somewhere on the pair of jeans and sew that to the bottom. Thread the cord through the casing and that's it.

Only thing is, I forgot about making a hole for the cord. After I had sewn the casing I then used a seam ripper (generously supplied as part of the accessories that came with my machine) to tear out the stitches on one of the original seams, within the casing on the outside of the bag. I tried to thread the cord through that. Thing is, I didn't have decent equipment for this maneuver and couldn't get more than a couple of inches. I finally tore out a bit of the casing seam (that I had just sewn), tucked the cord in that, then sewed it back up partway. Then I tore out more and continued pulling the cord through this way, sewing it back as I went, until I got around the perimeter. Not a good way but it worked.

Now I know what I need: a bodkin. I had no idea what this thing was, frankly, although I have seen them from time to time. Now I do know. It's on my list for when I have any money.

One thing I have discovered from the web instructables is that many of them assume quite a bit of sewing knowledge. The project may be easy but the details are left to the reader, and if you are a novice that can be a problem.

My first lesson

This last Monday, June 22, I drove back down to Santa Barbara for my first freebie lesson on using my new machine. Susan set me up on the table inside the shop and showed me several different seams, which I made one at a time on small pieces of fabric she had cut. She also told me about thread (the higher the number the thinner the thread; cotton threads have sizes on the spools but polyester does not; get better-quality thread so it holds up and does not break; different threads are suitable for different types of sewing and fabrics) and a bit about needles (sharps and "universal" - rounded tips - and something else - leather needles, which stab the fabric).

I used different presser feet for the different seams and got pretty good at changing them (it is very easy). She then showed me how to make a buttonhole (one step!!) and sew on a button.



An overcast seam


French seam


Flat felled seam


Two different stitches that are good on knits


Button and buttonhole