Getting back at it!

Ok Ladies I am sure all of you are just as excited to get back into our project. We are only a few days away, so I hope you are!!!  Things are finally calming down, and going back to normal whatever that may be. I was planning on doing my last installment today, a nice long post on different fabrics and what they are used for but mother nature had other plans for me. Instead I am breaking fights up between Miss R, and Mr. J. With that said, I don't have a lot of time today to go into the details I want too. Buckle your seat belts ladies it will be a bumpy ride starting next Monday! I will post Monday morning about different fabrics, and then Monday afternoon I will have a post with the supplies you need to start your pillow cases. Once again, are you excited??

Hugs,
 ~ Michelle

Please bear with me.......

I am so sorry I haven't updated or gotten more put up. There has been a family emergency and I am currently unable to concentrate on anything else at the moment. I hope everyone understands, once things calm back down we will be back full force ready to make our pillow case!

Hugs~
Michelle

Get Ready, Get Set 2 sew part 4

Today we have a guest writer! Sandra from www.sugarcubesandspicecake.blogspot.com
is here to tell you all about thread! Read what she has to say and then go visit her as well :)

Just as you match fabric and needles to your project, you will also want to choose the appropriate thread. There are many many types of threads to choose from in your typical fabric store. Here are some of your options (as pictured from left to right).  

General Purpose--just as it is named, this thread is for general purposes, and will be the thread you probably use most often. The two spools pictured (brown and pink) are different brands, and both are 100% polyester, which is a stronger thread with a little more stretch than 100% cotton thread.

Heavy Duty / Jeans thread--again, the name is self-explanatory. You will use this thread when you need more strength in your project, or when you want to topstitch on jeans. Notice that this spool is the typical jeans topstitching color. In most cases, you will use regular weight thread in your bobbin when topstitching with Jeans thread.

Upholstery thread --this is very strong thread that is used in upholstery

Wooly Nylon--this thread is most often used in serging or coverstitching, or for a rolled hem. It looks fuzzy, so it fills in the edges well on a rolled hem, and it stretches, so it works well for use with knit fabrics. Wooly nylon will melt, so be careful with your iron!

Serger thread--serger thread usually comes on large cones and is finer than regular thread because a serged seam results in more thread being in the seam.

Embroidery thread--embroidery thread most often comes is rayon or polyester. This spool (green) is polyester, and is most often used in machine embroidery, but it can be used to do decorative topstitching in a regular sewing machine.

Metallic thread--exactly as it is named, metallic thread is used to add metallic elements to your sewing or embroidery. Metallic thread breaks easily, and typically requires use of a special needle with a large eye.

Monofilament thread--this thread is clear, and looks a lot like fishing line. It is used to stitch when you want your thread to be virtually invisible.

There are certainly other types of thread not listed here, such as topstitching thread,

buttonhole twist, and quilting thread. You can read more about thread here:  http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...es.html?cat=24

Thanks so much Sandra for sharing your thread advice!

~Michelle

Get Ready, Get Set 2 sew part 3

Needles, they tend to scare people. The look of them, the thought of them poking you and causing pain and so many more reasons. The only problem is you can't sew without them! While I sat here tonight thinking about how important the needle is to the creations I make and what I wanted to tell you about them I realized I, myself, didn't know as much about them as I should. I know the basics Ballpoints are used for knit fabrics, Sharps are used for Wovens, and Universal's are useful for both. But if you were to ask me about other types of needles I would look at you and shrug my shoulders. The same goes for the size of the needles. I use what I like, and honestly I found that by trial and error, not exactly the best way to figure something out! Because of this I figured we might as well learn about Needles together, there is no time like the present to learn something new right? So I went on a search to find the most information, the best, and the easiest and this is what I found. If you scroll through the different pages it will explain to you the parts of a needle, the different sizes, and types. Very useful if you ask me!

http://sewing.about.com/od/sewingmachineindex/ig/Sewing-Machine-Needles/Parts-of-a-Needle.--91.htm

It is also important to understand what happens when your needle goes through the fabric and into the hole in the throat plate. Here is a cool image I found that shows you what is going on!

http://kottke.org/10/08/how-machines-work

I hope this gives you more of an understanding of what is going on when you are sewing, and helps you understand all that crazy needle talk! (I know I found all that information useful!)

Get Ready, Get Set 2 sew part 2

Ok if you haven't done it already you need to do it NOW! Get those machines out, and READ the manual. Yes you read that right, make sure you know how to use the silly thing before you even start ;) I can give you the basic idea of how to use your machine, but since I don't own the exact same machine as you do I probably can't help you with threading your machine or putting in the bobbin. You also need to know what KIND of bobbin your machine takes. There are many different ones out there, and your manual is the place to find what kind you need. Most machines come with a few to start you off, but you are going to want more than that trust me. You also need to know how to care for your machine, and even how to turn it on ;) Now before we move on to different types of needles pull out that machine and make sure you know the look of it and have read that manual (keep it close by for reference later on!)

And remember just because back in 7th grade home-ec you couldn't sew doesn't mean you can't do it now! Just think this time you can take time to learn and you don't have to rush through anything to keep up with the class ;)


Also a very good recourse that I love to use is www.sewingmamas.com  It is a community of sewing ladies, and all are very helpful with everything from basics to more experienced stuff. I am an active member there, and LOVE all the things I have learned and continue to learn every day. Go check it out and join, it is sure to help you along the way and encourage you to try new things!

~ Michelle

Get Ready, Get Set 2 sew part 1

You don't have to spend a ton of money to start sewing, really I promise you that you don't! You just need a basic sewing machine (one that won't give you fits) some fabric, thread and an idea. Maybe a pattern too depending on what project you want to start with! I am going to start a series that is called Get Ready, Get Set 2 Sew. In this Series you are going to learn about the basic items you will need to start our first project a pillow case! Lets start today!

First thing you need is a sewing machine. There are many out there, and they range in price from very cheap to very VERY expensive. You don't need to spend a ton of money to get a good sewing machine. I started out using a Brother SE270D sewing and embroidery machine. http://www.amazon.com/Brother-SE270D-Computerized-Embroidery-Machine/dp/B000BS01KK
I bought mine at Wal-Mart and at the time I spent $500 on it. It was a good machine, it did what I needed it too plus some. Every girls dream, or so I thought. I fast learned that I wanted more and upgraded to a Baby Lock Ellure  http://www.babylock.com/sewing/ellure/  in reality this machine did everything I needed and wanted but for some reason it just wasn't good enough for me. After a year of owning it I upgraded again to a Viking Designer SE LE. http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/us/9501.htm
At the time I thought "I just HAVE to have that sewing machine!" It has all the bells and whistles plus some, now that I have it and have owned it for a year I wish I wouldn't have gone so "BIG". It's hard to travel with, and every time my kids husband or dog even look at my machine I freak out about them breaking it! I do LOVE my machine don't get me wrong, but the point is I didn't have to spend a ton of money (and don't ask me how much it may make you run away and never consider sewing again!) to have a good sewing machine!

Now that you know my sewing machine history lets make sure you learn from my mistakes. Yes you read that right, mistakes. I wish I had done more research and really thought it through before I bought my first machine and then upgraded so many different times! If you just want to start off sewing and you're not worried about anything fancy like machine embroidery I have the perfect machine for you! It is the Kenmore Computerized Sewing Machine with 110 Stitch Functions, the price on this machine is a shockingly low $250.00!! The best part about this machine is it is made by Janome a very highly rated sewing machine company. You just can't beat the price and quality of this machine. If you are looking for one to learn how to sew on I would highly recommend it. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02019110000P?blockNo=2&blockType=G2&prdNo=2&i_cntr=1297281872773
I am sure a lot of you are wondering why I am telling you to spend $250 on a sewing machine, why not just that $100 one you saw at Wal-Mart the other day? That answer is simple, my Best Friend's Husband bought her a cheaper Brother from Wal-Mart a few years ago. From the very start that machine was nothing but trouble. Even I couldn't ever get it to work the right way. If it could aggravate me after only 10 minutes I can't even imagine what it did to her as the beginner! This last Christmas her husband came to me and asked me to research machines for him the Kenmore was the best of the best in the price range he was willing to spend. My point is if you are serious about learning how to sew make sure you start off on the right foot.

~Michelle

Welcome!

Hey everyone I am so excited to get this blog off the ground and going. My goal is to help you understand sewing, from basics to more advanced. We are going to work nice and slow so no worries on not being able to keep up! If you have any questions feel free to ask them and I will do my best to give you the answer. I want to make it clear right from the start that I am not a sewing professional. I am simply a Mom who enjoys sewing in my free time for my children, family and friends. I am self taught and that means not everything I do is the "right" way! My opinions may differ from others, it is just up to you to find your grove and find what works best for you. Lets get started and have some fun!

~ Michelle