Mommies Magazine » Sewing

Upcoming Project

Crafty Mom — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:16:47 +0000

Well I have an upcoming project I just have to share with you. We are going on a vacation soon and I had to have something to distract me in the vehicle with the kids. But I had to have something that would not be too difficult.

I have a nephew coming soon (my step sister Jen) and I wanted to have something for him so I picked up this great project and can not wait until to get started. It is all stitching and felt applications.

You should of seen all the cute ones they had. I need to find more people having babies so that I can keep working on them.

I will keep you up to date on how much project is going. And can’t wait to show you the finished project.

Five Great Sewing Machines and Where to Buy

Crafty Mom — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:00:10 +0000

When it comes to purchasing a sewing machine, how do you decide what to buy? There are many options today and then there is the option to buy online rather than having to make the trip to the store.

Here are the pros and cons of buying online. If you choose to purchase a sewing machine online, you can do a search and find literally thousands of options within seconds. The con to that is that you cannot sit down and test out the machine or even look at more than a picture of it before buying it. However, online many times you can get a better deal than in stores and sometimes even with free shipping.

Another great option for purchasing a sewing machine online is to check the auction sites such as EBAY where someone who has recently bought a machine and then needed extra cash or decided to upgrade is auctioning off their model for a great deal.

Doing a simple search online can reveal many choices for purchasing a machine online if you choose to, results of my initial search, where I searched for the top five sewing machines on the market today are as follows:

1.QuickStich can be found at Priceground.com for $39.99.
2.Brother 10 Stitch can be found at Circuit City.com for $89.99.
3.Singer 7 Stitch can be found at BestBuy.com for $99.99.
4.Brother XL3750 can be found at Target.com for 139.99.
5.Singer 30 Stich can be found at Bestbuy.com for $199.99.

4 Step Potholder from Scrap Fabrics

Mom Mag — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:00:38 +0000

Here are the instructions for making your own Potholder from Scrap Fabrics.

Step 1: First cut two 8-inch (21 cm.) squares of fabric to be the front and back of the potholder. Choose coordinating fabrics that match your kitchen for these pieces. To make it easier, you can make an 8-inch square pattern from a piece of cardboard to use as a pattern. Cut more 8-inch squares of any old fabric to stack for the filling. You want the stack of fabric squares to be thick enough to protect you from a hot pot, but thin enough to be flexible and able to be sewn through.

Step 2: Stack all layers so that the outer layers are facing to the outside and the filler layers are inside. You can put a couple of large straight pins through all layers to keep them together. Now sew right across the middle of the stack. Sew across the middle again, perpendicular to the first stitching. You will have divided the square into 4 squares. Sew across the stack again from corner to corner, and again from the other corner to corner. The layers should be joined and sturdy now.

Step 3: To bind off the raw edges of your creative handicraft, trim with scissors so that all the layers are again even at the edges. Open out one folded edge of the bias tape. The wider bias tape might seem to be easier to use, but the narrow type makes a neater finished product. Starting at one corner, line up the edges of the tape with the edges of the potholder, and start stitching through all layers along the first fold line, which will be about 1/4 inch from the edge. Stitch neatly and slowly, attaching the opened tape all around the edge until you reach the beginning corner. Cut the bias tape off, leaving 3 inches, (7 cm.) to make into a hanging loop.

Step 4: Fold the bias tape over the raw edge so that the middle fold lines up with the outside of the potholder and the other fold is hiding the raw edge of the bias tape. Now, for best results, hand sew the binding down, forming a loop on your creative handicraft when you get to the end.

This potholder is just one example of a creative handicraft you can create. When it’s finished, you will have a useful item made from all recycled materials.

Organize your Fabric

Crafty Mom — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:51:15 +0000

Just last year I started getting a great collection of fabric together because I have some really great projects in the works. But as of right now I am not very orgainzed with my fabric. First I started out putting my fabric in a huge plastic bin. But then when I wanted to go and do a project I ended up having to dig for hours to just find the fabric that I wanted. So my next plan went to putting all the project fabrics into plastic zip lock bags and labeling them. And I have to say that so far that has worked out great but one of my new years resolutions was to get organized and nothing is going to stop me.

So I started looking for ways to organize my fabric and sewing things and I founds awesome and amazing things all in one great place. I went to Target and found everything I was looking for and more.

This I would like to store each project in one drawer. Then when I am ready to get a project out or put a project away I can just go to that drawer. But maybe not everyone is into the industrail look. And if you are looking for something a little easier on the eyes you could go with this beautiful white storage unit. It has three great drawers and will keep all your fabric hidden for your guest.

Now here is something that you could use also that rolls around so that you could take it where every you needed it and you could pretty much store anything and everything in here. I think If I was to get this one then I would probley store my fabrics according to themes or colors in this one. I was really excited to have found this next craft storage. Because I can store my pins, my needles, my buttons, my small beads. You could store just about anything in here. So over the next couple months keep an eye out because you will see the transformation of my unorganized fabric to my organize fabric.

And the Winner is…………..

Crafty Mom — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:26:27 +0000

I am so excited. Today is the big day. I have asked my great friend Alyssa from Life from my lap top to help me pick a winner. I asked Alyssa to pick a number between 1 and 10 and she picked six. Yes 6 it is. And that would make Brandi from A Journey of 1000 Stitches Begins with Just One…. The Winner. Congradulations Brandi. I will be contacting you this weekend to get all your information so that I can send your Quilt off in the mail.

Weekly Project turns into monthly Project

Crafty Mom — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:00:29 +0000

I started that wonderful Mom-Me rag quilt what two weeks ago hoping it would be a weekly project but I wanted to update you on how far along I am. I have started sewing the squares together to make stripes together. I sew each square together and then cut along the seam so that once I wash the blanket it will make the rag look on the quilt. Here you can see the pictures and see how each stripe looks as it goes together. So until next time happy sewing.

Fall Y’all Bloggy Giveaway!

Crafty Mom — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:54:16 +0000

Rocks in My Dryer is having a great Fall Y’all Bloggy Giveaway. And I thought this would be a great way to kick off Mommy Hobby. I am giving away a homemade Mom-Me Blanket to one lucky person. All you have to do is leave a comment below and on Friday November 2nd I will draw a winner. So happy commenting. This blanket is a rag blanket and it is 36″ x 36″ and has small bear firefighters on it. Who ever wins this will love it.

Weekly Project

Crafty Mom — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:44:24 +0000

Weekly Project

With Christmas right around the corner it is time to start thinking about Christmas presents. Some people wait until the last minute to even think about Christmas and others start planning the day after Christmas. I have found that over the years people much more enjoy and appreciate Hand crafted Christmas projects compared to store bought presents. Many of us have Moms, Dads, Husbands, Wives, Daughters, Sons, Brothers, Sisters, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends to Christmas shop for.

This week I will be working on making a Mom-Me Rag Blanket for my 2^nd Cousin. This particular blanket takes me about a week to make from start to finish. The right colors can make or break the whole blanket. Since I am making this for a little girl I picked pretty butterflies with bright colors as the main fabric and then matching bright colors as my secondary fabrics. Now what size do I want to make my Mom-Me Blanket. Each of my blocks are precut 6″ x 6″. So I decide my blanket is going to be 36 ” x 36 “. I then decide what the back of my blanket will look like. I go with all Butterfly fabric on the back of my blanket. So I lay out the back of the blanket first and then begin laying out the front of my blanket.

I normally lay my blankets out on my bed while I am trying to figure out my patterns. First I decide which block will be your main block. And lay out your main blocks first. Then you can add in your secondary blocks and start working on what kind of pattern you want. It is pretty much up to you on what kind of pattern you do. When I am laying them out I do not try and make them all perfect and straight because for me this is like a rough draft. I may end up changing how it looks two or three times before I start the actual sewing. I also don’t start sewing on my blanket until I am sure I love the pattern. If you don’t love the pattern than keep trying until you do.

Once I have the pattern all set out and have totally decided that is how I want the Mom-Me blanket to look then I pin each row together and make them with the row number. I do this so that when I start sewing on them I don’t get the rows messed up and then my blanket will not look the same. After I have pinned together each row and marked it I put it into a gallon sized zip lock bag because I don’t want to loose one of the rows or a piece of fabric. I also place them in the bag so that nothing gets spilled on them or so that cats don’t lay on top of them and get them all full of hair. I place the blanket in the bag each night after I am done working on them. See you tomorrow for Day two of my weekly project.

Antique Sewing Machine

Crafty Mom — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 01:13:38 +0000

There are many people that collect antique sewing machines. You will find that some of them sew, and yet, some of them will just like to collect sewing machines. There are many places that you can find an antique gem that will remind you of what you grandmother used to sew on when you were little. Some of them are still in working condition, and some of them might just need a little tender loving care. However, if you love to collect sewing machines that are antique, you will need to know my best tips for locating them.

Estate sales are great for finding an antique sewing machine. You will find that many people are cleaning out their attic when you go to an antique sale, and some of them need to sale their extra treasures so that they can move. This is a great place to find that antique machine that you are wanting, and you might even luck up on a treadle machine that is still in working condition. Many of the treadle machines were workhorses and you will find that if you come across one to buy and take home, that you will love sewing on yours as well.

An antique sewing machine can also be found at an antique shop. Many towns will have a local antique shop that is nearby, and you will enjoy going inside to see what goodies you can find. There are some antique store owners that will let you try out the working antique machines before you buy them. Some of them will do this to hook you, knowing that if you sew on the machine that you fell in love with, there is no way that you will go home without it.

An antique sewing machine in your home would be such a treasured antique that you would love. If you already have one that you grandmother left you, be sure that you have it out in the open to show it off, and everyone that comes to you home and sees it will ask you about it. These are great conversation starters, and you will find that you will love talking about it and sharing it with your friends as well.

Kenmore Sewing Machine

Crafty Mom — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:01:07 +0000

The Kenmore sewing machine is one that everyone has heard of. Anyone that quilts or sews has heard of this brand many times. Many people that do not sew have also heard of Kenmore. They make many large appliances that we all use on a daily basis. Why shouldn?t we trust the sewing machine that they make? You will find that this brand is also known as the Sears brand. This means that you will find the sewing machine that is made by them at Sears, if you are looking for a brand new one.

Many sewers use a Kenmore sewing machine on a daily basis. This machine comes in many different models, and has many different features that you can use for your sewing projects as well. Anyone that loves to sew will love sewing on this machine. The key is choosing the machine that features the type of sewing that you do the most. If you are a seamstress, and make clothing the most on your sewing machine, you will be looking for a machine that has a great zig zag as well as a tight straight stitch.

Someone that is wanting the Kenmore sewing machine to make quilts will want to be sure that it comes with a walking foot, and has the stippling feature where you can drop the feed dogs for easier maneuvering when you are quilting. This is very important when you have a large quilt under your needle. You will need to be able to move the quilt freely, so that you can quilt it in all of the places that you want to.

While the Kenmore sewing machine is available in many models, you will also find many prices as well. You should buy the best machine that you can afford. When you do this, you are getting the most machine for your money, and you will be glad that you did once you get it home and put the machine to use. Do not go for the cheapest machine unless that is all that you can pay. You will wish later for more features, and maybe even the better warranty. Buying the best that you can afford is a great rule to follow when you are sewing machine shopping.