sewing machine
Showing posts with label sewing machine. Show all posts
sewing machine cover
I have been wanting a new machine cover for a while. My previous handmade one didn't cover the sides, the room I sew in can get quite sunny and a full cover gives better protection and stops dust too. After seeing this free pattern for a Serger and Sewing Machine Cover by Closet Core Patterns, I went on the hunt for fabric. The print they used was gorgeous and canvas seemed like a good choice. Sew Hot had this Poolside by Cotton + Steel print so it jumped into my basket in a recent haul, along with some black velvet piping that I thought would compliment the print well.
There's a nice Miami Vice vibe to this print that makes me smile. A larger print works well for a cover and as my machine is pretty big it really does suit it. I have an Elna 680 sewing machine, which did come with a really nice cover but it's RED and that's not my colour at all - also I sew in our dining room and it just doesn't work with anything else in the room. In case any of you have the same, or a similarly sized machine, I've included my cutting dimensions for the cover further down in this post.
start off stashing
Today I'm sharing a monthly sewing themed treat and my new favourite custom thread organiser!
How brilliant are these stickers?!
Part of the latest Signs of the Sewdiac subscription box from Sew Crafty, which has now ended but you can still snap up some of the goodies from the range in Samantha's Etsy shop. I'm not a knitter but still appreciate the design of this month's box 'The Knitting'.
And although I will probably pass the pin on to my knitting mum, these two products made me do a happy dance...
🦋 Liberty butterfly quilt
It's been gloriously sunny in Manchester and spring is in the air. The blue skies were a nice backdrop for this dancing Liberty butterflies quilt, even though it was a little bright to perfectly show off the pretty prints. Classic floral prints are quite delicate but look bold and modern framing the butterfly blocks.
I mixed the two print fabrics, swapping the borders in the four outer blocks and changing the butterfly wings. It's nice to play about with the wings, as they look different depending on the fabric combinations. You can also create another version of the block by swapping the larger wing pieces, which changes the top angle of the wing so they are pointing straight out from the body (see one I made here).
For the butterfly antennae I used a decorative stitch on my machine - mode 2, #07 note to future self. I used the memory function to stitch four star chains and I think they add a nice detail. In the past I have also used a zig zag stitch and hand sewn the antennae but I think it would be fun to play about with other stitches and make them all different!
I kept up with the decorative stitches for the quilting too, with a stitch I've used before - for waves on the Sailing Sailing quilt and a little on the Butterfly mini quilt - mode 2, #19, stitch width 9.
I love the pattern it creates, like fluffy clouds. The only problem is because the stitch is directional you can't turn the quilt around during quilting without making clouds into waves! After quilting through the centre diagonally I stitched the next lines to the left so the bulk of the quilt was going in to the throat of the machine - toughest part first! And then went back to the centre and quilted lines to the right. Technically I should have worked the other way, so the quilted section would be going in the throat (just to keep the quilt nice and flat and well basted) but I wanted to make sure I remembered not to turn it round. The quilt is 36" x 48" so it wasn't really a struggle to quilt.
You can see the demonstration in the video below and then 2 hours in to the show John and I have a 'sew off' making wonky star blocks, which is quite hilarious if you want a laugh!
Wishing you all a joyful weekend and to friends in the UK a lovely bank holiday too!
linking up to finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts
sewing machine 🎯 Elna 680 review
It was love at first use, it's been a year since I got the Elna eXcellence 680 (aka Elna 680EX), now I'm sharing my honest thoughts; the reasons I chose this model, its features and the overall pluses and minuses. This is not a sponsored post. If you are looking for a new sewing machine or simply have an interest in them, this might be helpful.
The list was:
✦ a needle down function
✦ speed control
✦ bigger throat space
Not an excessive list is it? The reason those three things were important to me is because I knew they would make my quilting life easier. Needle down function would allow me to pivot more easily (with less hand cranking!), as well as stop and start without the stitches jumping about. Speed control to help with free motion quilting or any time I wanted to just be slower - I'm a pedal to the metal kind of sewer! And bigger throat space for less awkward squishing while quilting.
But something was holding me back and it wasn't just finances.
dazzling thead and fabric
Experimenting with thread is always fun and I'm keen to try different varieties of threads. I have been adding metallic thread to sewing projects, even using some Wonderfil Spotlite on cork (which had it's challenges!). Metallic thread definitely requires you sew at a slower pace and do use a larger needle so it doesn't break.
This week I bought three spools of Aurifil Brillo from Lacewing Designs, in Black/Gold #646, Dark Copper #752 and Light Copper #723. They have really nice colour choices and I'm very tempted by the pinks.
It almost has metallic specks rather than being metallic all through because of how it's twisted. So it has both colour and a glittery effect.
stashing and stitching
I have had some happy mail recently, some necessary or just because and a couple of nice surprises!
First up I needed to get some more Liberty bias tape for my Green Tea and Sweet Beans quilt borders from The Weaver's Mill. The top two prints just fell into the basket.
clockwise from top left: Liberty tana lawn Tatum D and Jungle A; Liberty bias tape and a selection of scraps that came with the order (love that!)
Next Spoonflower had their buy one, get one free fat quarter deal - so I did, twice. I really enjoy searching through all the designs, there are so many great artists/graphic designers/print makers. It's like pinterest to me, very inspiring! While browsing I came across Sally Harmon, boris_thumbkin, Sally's designs are really cool, very graphic style with interesting colours and shapes. I was especially taken by how different cultures and styles find their way into her designs. I was feeling the retro vibe in the prints I chose by her and I have an idea of what I will be using them for. In contrast is a grid paper print by Lorrie Cranor, lorrietweet, which I got just because it's simple and awesome.
clockwise from top left: Peach Deco Motosu Moon Flower Stripe by boris_thumbkin; quarter-inch-grid by lorrietweet; Baby Checkerboard by boris_thumbkin and Ukrainian Pinwheels by boris_thumbkin.
I usually buy on Kona Cotton but this time I went for the poplin. Other people have seemed to like it so I will see how it washes and compare. It does feel lovely, though it still has that printed stiffness. I will let you know how I get on with it.
After trying a Q-Snap frame at the retreat - thanks Hannah! - I had to get one. It's so simple to use, collapses down and is really comfortable too.
I was lucky enough to win this adorable needle minder recently from Cloud Craft's giveaway on instagram. I love Mollie's designs and this is so pretty with a good magnet back too! Also sweeties ❤
And in case you haven't seen...
How amazing is this?! Fat Quarter Shop are giving away a totally gorgeous "Hello Lovely" Cotton + Steel Bernina 350 SE. For full details and to enter to win CLICK HERE.
Open internationally, ends July 25, 2017 at midnight CST.
Good luck!
△ Spectrum qst quilt △ & mini quilts △
I designed and made this quilt using two charm packs of Spectrum by V & Co. for a demonstration on Sewing Quarter.
It was so fun playing with the colours and layout and I love the graphic look of the quilt.
To make the blocks I sewed two four patch blocks, put them right sides together, sewed 1/4" around all the edges and then cut diagonally both ways. It is far simpler than making lots of triangles! You can watch the demo here.
Continuing the triangle theme, I made a Floating Triangles mini, using the pattern by Katy Jones in Fat Quarterly Shape Workshop for Quilters. Mine is a smaller version but it's a great technique!
I think this would look amazing as a full sized quilt! Katy's quilt in the book was quilted in a grid and I completely loved it so I did the same.
Black and white prints are so striking! I want to incorporate more into my own projects. You can see the demo for this mini quilt here.
Finally I made another fun mini. This one was adapted from the pattern by Nicole Vos van Avezathe in the book Fat Quarters: Small Fabrics, 50 Big Ideas by Amanda Carestio. Nicole's original pattern was English Paper Pieced and appliqued on a pillowcase, but for this demonstration I wanted to do some quilting and a different hexie technique so I made a mini quilt. I used Nicole's cross stitch pattern from the book for the lettering and the gorgeous Flowerbox Sublime Stitching floss, which matches perfectly with the Olive's Flower Market prints (I used a charm pack).
I didn't epp these hexies, I used a paper hexagon template to press the edges of the fabric over but then removed the paper. So with the seams pressed to the back I used a glue pen to position the hexies on the background fabric. Then I chose a decorative stitch to sew between the hexies, sewing them together and appliqueing them at the same time! This is a technique that Pat Bravo demonstrated at an Art Gallery Fabrics event I went to a few years ago.
note for the future - on my Elna mode 1 #47, stitch width 5, length 2.
Once the appliqué was done I made a quilt sandwich, with backing fabric and wadding. And top stitched around the hexies. So I'm quilting all the hexies!
Below you can see the loopy swirls which are also quilting, another decorative stitch - mode 2 #30 width 9, length 2.5.
You can watch the demo here - it makes a lot more sense when you see it being done :)
My littlest fell in love with this one so I might have to make another!
what else could brighten a dreary day...
better than lovely happy mail?! It is pure coincidence that it all matches so nicely!
The die cuts, stickers and journal cards that you see top and bottom are all part of a gorgeous kit from The Reset Girl. Her latest kit is 'Crafted', I bought the Essentials Kit and there's also a Deluxe Kit available. I plan on making some cute planner dividers and decorating everything!
The fabrics in the centre are all from Spoonflower printed on Kona cotton - they had a special offer of 2 for 1 on FQs. If you don't already know Spoonflower now also ship from Berlin, so the postage costs are really cheap for those of us in the UK and Europe. Just make sure you check the box to chose to have it shipped from Berlin! It did take about a month to arrive, which is slow but I love having different fabrics and supporting the designers.
left to right: Hexagon/spring/small by ivieclothco; Sleepy Eyes, Blush Background by kimsa; Square Grid - Mint by kimsa and Black white and mint mask by pencilmein.
Now I have to be strong and resist the urge to play with this lot right away because there's secret sewing to be done and a giveaway coming up on Friday ;)
havin' it large
No I haven't been out raving (ahh the good old Sankeys days) but I have hooked up my cone of Aurifil using this simple tutorial.
It's worked brilliantly for piecing and I will be testing it for quilting tomorrow.
I got my Aurifil 50 wt cone in 2021 from Fluffy Sheep Quilting and her prices mean it is better value than buying individual spools. I know the spools last for ages so it'll be interesting to see how much sewing I get done with this. Maybe check with me in a year?!
Hope those of you in the UK had a fun Bonfire Night! I've been enjoying writing my name with sparklers!
learn to sew a necklace and you could win a sewing machine
The Amazings are having a fabulous competition, open worldwide. The new class, featuring Gilda (an Amazing) and Lara (editor for Mollie Makes), is Machine Embroider a Textile Necklace and if you take the class you can enter to win a sewing machine worth up to £300/$450!
I was given access to the class so that I could do a review for you and share the competition.
I was given access to the class so that I could do a review for you and share the competition.
The techniques used in the class were totally new to me so I was excited to see how the necklace was created. Gilda really explains each step thoroughly and Lara asks questions that beginners might have so they cover all the ground. The conversations make it feel even more like being part of a class and are peppered with great tips and Gilda's wisdom.
Of course there are supplies that you need to make it but, other than the soluble cloth, most of the things you need you probably already have (if you sew) or can buy cheaply and they offer alternatives so it can be done without purchasing a lot of expensive items.
It is such a playful technique, just like colouring in. You can easily correct mistakes and I like the fast and furious pace you can use once you've got the hang of it, my kind of sewing! I love how all those zigs and zags and whimsical stitches make such pretty and delicate looking embroidery.
Despite knowing the soluble fabric would dissolve it was still exciting to watch the finished elements emerge, putting it together was simple and the final result is a really unique and beautiful necklace. I don't usually wear necklaces but I really want to try this out and it could easily turn into a headband instead. I genuinely felt inspired watching the class and enjoyed seeing more of Gilda's detailed work and how she uses machine embroidery. There are lots of other possibilities and uses for this technique so it is well worth watching and the sewing machine competition is an amazing added bonus!
Competition Details:
1. Purchase the Machine Embroider a Textile Necklace class.
2. After purchasing, crafters will receive email with a link to the competition entry. Simply submit your details and you're in with the chance to win.
3. Competition closes 11:59 on Sunday 15th September
4. Winner will be notified by email and invited to choose a sewing machine of up to £300/$450
5. Entry is available to crafters worldwide.
6. Full rules available on the competition webpage.
1. Purchase the Machine Embroider a Textile Necklace class.
2. After purchasing, crafters will receive email with a link to the competition entry. Simply submit your details and you're in with the chance to win.
3. Competition closes 11:59 on Sunday 15th September
4. Winner will be notified by email and invited to choose a sewing machine of up to £300/$450
5. Entry is available to crafters worldwide.
6. Full rules available on the competition webpage.
A Boy Named Sue - WIP Wednesday
Still working on the 'does not compute' blocks and put that on hold for a little while just to get my first quilt-a-long quilt quilted!! So that's what me and 'A Boy' are doing today:
Meet my machine, a simple Toyota - I couldn't think of a name but I knew he was male. Asked my husband for a name and he said 'Sue'. I said 'no, it's a boy' and, quick as a flash, he said...
'A Boy Named Sue'!
My husband wrote it on my machine in permanent ink!!
There's no link today for WIP Wednesdays but click the button on the left to check it out if you want to join in next time :)
Meet my machine, a simple Toyota - I couldn't think of a name but I knew he was male. Asked my husband for a name and he said 'Sue'. I said 'no, it's a boy' and, quick as a flash, he said...
'A Boy Named Sue'!
My husband wrote it on my machine in permanent ink!!
There's no link today for WIP Wednesdays but click the button on the left to check it out if you want to join in next time :)
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