Search results matching tag 'sewing'

Re: Is sewing frugal?

Edey — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:03:17 GMT

Quite often a store like Joann's will put patterns on sale for a$1.00 or some very low price, compared to the envelope price. That is when you buy patterns, because otherwise they are horribly expensive. Like was mentioned, find some very easy basic styles and then use your imagination to make those styles your own.

Do an internet search for fabric embellishment, clothing design, fabric manipulation, fabric decoration, etc. and see what ideas you can get.

Fabric Depot is one good on-line store for ordering fabric.

Look for large size clothing in thrift stores that may have large sections of fabric that you can cut down for yourself. For instance a man's shirt would have quite a large back section that could be used to make yourself a top, or possibly shorts, depending on the pattern.

Edey

Re: Looking for suggestions from those more experienced dollar stretchers!

Edey — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:16:28 GMT

Welcome!

Some quick tips:

Dilute shampoos, conditioners with 2 or 3 times the amount of water. They are more effective this way anyhow.

Use half as much of laundry detergent as you normally do.

Make your own cleaners using vinegar, baking soda and dish soap. Lots of recipes around for doing that.

Gather a bunch of rags and wash cloths and use them in place of paper towels, napkins and for cleaning. All cotton t-shirts are great for this.

If you don't know how to sew, now would be a good time to learn, both hand sewing and machine sewing. If you don't have a sewing machine, an older well maintained sewing machine found at a yard sale for a few dollars will serve you better than a new expensive plastic machine from Wal-mart or elsewhere. Check that the wires are intact and the motor works. Don't buy anything with bare wires unless you feel confident in replacing the wiring, motor and foot controller. Better yet, look for an old treadle that works and clean it up for the use and for fun. You can't get much "greener" than that.

Learning to sew even basics will help with repairs on clothes and other household goods, so they don't have to be replaced as often. You can repair torn hems, raveled towels or wash cloths, or replace worn elastic in items.

You can sew your own vegetable bags of fabric, make gift bags, or gifts themselves using recycled fabric found in ready made clothing.

Those are a few ideas to help cut down on spending money.

Edey

Re: A question for those who have made cloth napkins

homesteaderbelle — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 07:35:13 GMT

I have made cloth napkins for my family. The best material and my favorite material for cloth napkins, dish rags, and dish towels is homespun. Homespun fabric can be purchased at Wal-Mart for $2.00 a yard, sometimes $1.00 a yard if on the sale table. Most of the homepsun fabric is dark colored plaid, which is great becuse it doesn't show stains. Homespun fabric washes well, too. Napkins made of homespun will last a good while.

Belle

So excited - embroidery sewing machine arrives tomorrow !!

Dorrie — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:15:27 GMT

I'm so jumpy today ! Last week, Beloved Hubby had a windfall, and we took care of a lot of stuff. And we still had funds left over for fun ! I sew doll clothes for a hobby, and go to yard sales and thrift stores for thrills, and as a result, my 'Lab' (combined doll studio and sewing room) is packed with inspiration, so I couldn't think of anything to want. Seriously.

But Beloved, he knows me, and whispered those three words I didn't think I'd hear for another few years - 'Embroidery Sewing Machine' ! He gave me a budget and some project ideas he'd like the machine to do, and the hunt was on ! I found a great machine that wasn't too dear, and it's on the way. UPS says it'll be here tomorrow - wheeeee !

It can be a pricey hobby ! The machines come pre-set with designs, and there's lots of free downloads... but the ones you fall in love with can run $25 bucks. Each. There's also specialty thread, and stabilizers - at least a double-dozen types for various applications - and various other goodies like bigger hoops and tools available. Of course, I'm interested in having fun for little funds. I've downloaded some I'd like to try, I already have a box of stabilizer I used for doll applications, most folks would call it a box of used dryer sheets. And some scraps of other stabilizers I've picked up in grab-bags at Hancock Fabrics. I know I have to pick up Solvy, and there's a 50% off notions sale Thursday that I'm waiting for, rather impatiently.

Any other tips or tricks I should consider ? Good brands often overlooked ? I've already downloaded the manual, and I've been reading it - I can't wait to dig in. So I'd appreciate any tips you'd care to share with this machine embroidery beginner with an entry-level machine ! I'd especially like to hear any experiences with various digitizers like PeDesign, Embird, etc. That's gonna be the summer's big purchase, since Dearest wants to design !

Thanks !

Omnigrid "Come Quilt With Me" template sets

Edey — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:45:00 GMT

I found these at Joann's. They are laser-cut thick acrylic templates for making quilt pieces, either for rotary cutting or to draw around with a pencil or marker. They already have a 1/4 inch seam allowance added and cutout holes for marking the stitching line. There are several different sets for making Half-square triangles, diamonds, squares, hearts, etc. for making many different styles of quilt blocks. I really like using these, and they are so sturdy that they will last a lifetime.

After buying the one set at Joann's with a 40% off coupon, I thought I'd look them up on-line. There were many different sellers on e-bay that were selling them for about half of the price at Joann's. I'm happy to know that there is another source. The set that I bought was $19.99 at Joann's and with the coupon got $8.00 off. The e-bay prices ranged from $5.00 to $12.00, plus shipping. It would pay to look for the best price, and not just on e-bay.

These quilt templates can also be used for other crafting, whenever a shape is needed for something, so they are not just one time only tools. I think they are a good investment if you are getting into making quilts.

Edey

Re: Crafting Chair

Edey — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:18:49 GMT

I have a large recliner and a padded chair on wheels like an office chair.

One thing I learned: you can't use a treadle sewing machine while sitting on a chair with wheels. Try to push on the treadle and you roll back away from the machine. There is a mechanical principle in there somewhere. Edey

Re: button jars

Neko — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:59:34 GMT

Great Way to Recycle Those Unused Buttons!

Ever wonder what to do with the "stuff" that is left-over when you finish an art project. Stuff like yarn, felt, colorful buttons, beads, colored pencils, paper scraps with interesting designs, fabric - those things just a bit too small to use. Well, here's an idea! Why not donate them to a school. Primary teachers, like myself, are always looking for items to incorporate into their lessons. Varying the materials that are used to teach will provide a full sensory experience and make learning more hands-on and fun.

As an elementary school teacher working at a Fine Arts Public School, I try to recycle on a daily basis and teach my students about the importance and merits of recycling. Any items I have left-over from completed projects are donated to my school. It's my way of doing something for our environment - it reduces the cost for the teacher and the kids have fun.

If you are interested in donating those buttons that sit collecting dust in jars and tins to my school, please contact me at: Bagitup4me@gmail.com. Our students are always looking for materials that can be recycled into lasting and beautiful art.

If it is "safe" and isn't nailed down, our students will find a way of using it to create art.

Thanks and have a Happy and safe new year everyone,

Neko

Finally, here is a quote I hope inspires you:
"You are never too old to become the person you should have been."
author unknown -

Please share a quote that inspires or makes you laugh.
I would love to hear it.

Neko

Burdastyle.com

karen604 — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 05:13:10 GMT

I ran across this website tonight. I was looking for patterns to use up some fabrics. Under the Pattern section you can find 150+ patterns that are mostly free, some limited sizes. I would be sure to read the notes for the pattern. Some of the patterns even have downloads that you can bring to the copyshop to have bigger pieces printed.

I downloaded an pattern for a purse and on fpe hats and mittens.

Anyone have experiance with these pattterns?

String Quilts

Edey — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:06:00 GMT

String quilts are real easy to make. The "strings" are long strips of fabric, not cord type string. Usually it's left over strips of fabric that are too narrow for other purposes; this is a good way to not waste those scraps.

Basics for making a block: Cut a large square of a backing fabric, like plain muslin, but use whatever you want. Make as many blocks as you want for your quilt. I have a large 12 x 12 ruler that I just lay down on the fabric and cut around it. Then cut lots of strips of different fabrics at least 1 1/2 inches wide or wider. Varying the widths make an interesting quilt block

Next: You will be stitching down a strip with the wrong side up and stitching the right side with a 1/4" seam , then flipping the strip over. Fingerpress or iron it down. Lay the next strip down against the raw edge, stitch it down and flip it over, keep going until you have the whole square covered with strips. Then turn over the block and using the edge of the backing for a guide, trim off the overhanging pieces.

Make several blocks and lay them out in several different designs before sewing together. Cut a backing the same size, quilt to the top, then attach a binding. For small projects I used store bought bias binding, but you can also make you own.

I've made several of these for arm chair covers and for putting on the back of chairs, to keep those areas clean. They can be made into pillows, cushions, lap robes. It's a good way to use up fabric you aren't using and it's just taking up space. Edey

Quilt Frame Question/Suggestions please

joan of ark — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:59:36 GMT

Hi friends,
I found a set of used quilting frames for $10 at the local flea market yesterday. Perfect timing as my DD has just about finished up her quilt top. They are unusual as they have nails sticking up on the stand parts and the boards have holes in them that slip over the nails. I have two concerns- one is that I need something to slip over the nails both while they're being using and when they're being stored, and the other lesser concern is that the boards are not big enough to have the whole quilt stretched at the same time.

It wouldn't be bad to quilt half the quilt at a time as we are limited on space or I can invest in a couple of extra long boards and do the whole thing- as I'm more accustomed. How long do the boards need to be to quilt for a king? queen? full?

One lady suggested I just put spools over the nails. I was thinking maybe some kind of ball. All suggestions welcomed!