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| Bernina 801 straight stitch...except I went wonky... Usually I would unpick but today I didn't..... |
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| Burda 9712 Dress......size 18 months Just before I washed it Still needs buttons.... |
Fabric, Bernina & Burda
Today I'm making (well it really took me two days) a little girls dress with some material I had tucked away....This was no easy task as the pink and white spotted material was very unforgiving.......It puckered had no stretch to ease the bias facing under the arm, it just looks puckered. Ironing the fabric was a hassle too (I gave up trying to fix it)....Whilst it is a pretty piece of fabric it didn't work with the green cotton. If I had used a fabric of a similar texture it would have been an easier project as the green was very easy to manipulate...Would I make this pattern again...yes I would as it's simple to make. But I would have preferred a little more gathers in the front of the dress.
Elna 745 Stitches
With my favourite overlocker not working I have been using my Elna 745.....We didn't get off to a very good start...... it looks like the knife needs sharpening....The Elna 745 was very temperamental when I tried to do a four thread stitch (it looks more like a three thread to me). Is that anything new, we have a love hate relationship! I finally figured out how to get an acceptable stitch I altered the blade width and the she started to behave herself...Here is a pic of the stitch.
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| This just doesn't look like a 4 thread to me.... But all 4 threads were moving, so it's got to be??? Anyway it was the best she would do on the day.... I think she needs a service.... better wait till the other one is back |
Almost Finished
The skirt is almost finished I just have to fit, mark and hem....It's okay but I don't think I would make it in a Linen again......only because it has made the skirt look a bit sack like. I hate the skirt band it's not that becoming........ (also it's not a skirt for me and the wearer doesn't like the pleats in the front). I must admit I don't like to wear pleats in the front either......I used to sew mine down flat which I will so to this skirt too......I'll put a pic up when it's finished.
Pin Cushion
I've always wanted one of these...it was more expensive than I thought and I probably could have made it for less......
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| A pin cushion for your wrist... |
Making a Skirt
Today I started......well prepared to, sew except one thing was missing from my agenda.......When I was ready to start sewing I couldn't find my Elna overlocker. Where I have I put it? I really don't know, it'll turn up. In fact most of my sewing experience today has been a bit off.......I glued the iron-on stiffening to the iron (I had to wrong side up).....I hate that, now I'll have to clean the sticky stuff off......
The material I chose was around $35.00 a metres so being a really frugal gal I bought exactly what the pattern said 1 whole metre....I might have known buying the exact amount could be risky....... I decided to cut cut the skirt a little longer (there was a bit of material spare). I thought it was odd that I had excess, but didn't think to double check the pattern pieces. I needed to cut four facings not just two. I really had to scrounge to get them out of the scraps, I did it but they're not on the grain......One facing I will have to join but you won't see it.......It annoys me but it's too far to go back and buy more material.
Usually I have my Tru-Lock overlocker to fall back on but it's broken ( too much earth shakes)....Never mind I have made a start and most of the ground works done I just have to sew the skirt now......It always feels good when you have everything pinned up ready to go.
The material I chose was around $35.00 a metres so being a really frugal gal I bought exactly what the pattern said 1 whole metre....I might have known buying the exact amount could be risky....... I decided to cut cut the skirt a little longer (there was a bit of material spare). I thought it was odd that I had excess, but didn't think to double check the pattern pieces. I needed to cut four facings not just two. I really had to scrounge to get them out of the scraps, I did it but they're not on the grain......One facing I will have to join but you won't see it.......It annoys me but it's too far to go back and buy more material.
Usually I have my Tru-Lock overlocker to fall back on but it's broken ( too much earth shakes)....Never mind I have made a start and most of the ground works done I just have to sew the skirt now......It always feels good when you have everything pinned up ready to go.
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| Making this in a Linen, very easy to press and sew |
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| I haven't worked out what those lines are On the skirt going to the hem I thought they were seams but they are not Perhaps they are showing the shape of the skirt |
Juki F600
Yes that's my new sewing machine, she's very impressive.....In fact so impressive that I was rather scared of her and thought I may have a made a mistake? My mind kept screaming 'you should have bought a mechanical machine' But I wanted a sewing machine that could do more....I was thinking of the future......
To start with I threaded the Juki up wrong, my daughter to fixed that wee problem (her eyes are better than mine). For now though the needle threader is out of bounds. When I owned a Janome 6260QC I broke the needle threader straight away. I'm sure I'll break the JukiF600 needle threader too and best I don't use it for now........
Well it didn't take long I soon got used to the sewing machine to be able to sew a nice straight line... Then I used the stretch stitches and zig zag. The Juki F600 just purrs along quietly I love her already and of course I can see I will have to look after her better than my Bernina 801, after all she's computerised......You can leave the Bernina 801 gathering dust sitting on the table and she still goes fine....
To start with I threaded the Juki up wrong, my daughter to fixed that wee problem (her eyes are better than mine). For now though the needle threader is out of bounds. When I owned a Janome 6260QC I broke the needle threader straight away. I'm sure I'll break the JukiF600 needle threader too and best I don't use it for now........
Well it didn't take long I soon got used to the sewing machine to be able to sew a nice straight line... Then I used the stretch stitches and zig zag. The Juki F600 just purrs along quietly I love her already and of course I can see I will have to look after her better than my Bernina 801, after all she's computerised......You can leave the Bernina 801 gathering dust sitting on the table and she still goes fine....
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| So cute the turtle and the rabbit...... I think it's a Turtle or is it a Tortoise? |
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| Juki ZigZag |
The Sewing Cat
Oh it's sad...... my pin picking cat is not pin picking any more (that's a bit of a tongue twister). He only pinched one pin out of the couch and lost total interest in the rest, he usually picks them all out......He's getting old now and is on his last legs, mind you I've been saying that for years......
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| See the pin in his mouth..... Very freaky you always think he will swallow it |
Covering a belt
I'm not sure how you cover a belt.......years ago you could get belt kits. My mothers dressmaker used them. I don't know if you can get these anymore.........Here is an easy tutorial that shows you the steps to cover and make a fabric belt clearly.
Sew Sister
I'm waiting and waiting for my new sewing machine....Can you guess what brand I bought? It's not mechanical, it's computerised. Guess.......
Japanese Sewing Book
This is my new sewing pattern from Japan. I'm wanting to make something from this booklet......For now though it will have to wait, this will be a big project (I don't know Japanese) and I will have to trace the pieces out and learn a little Japanese (symbols that is) on the way. But I thought I'd post a pic anyway as it's a really nice pattern booklet....
Elna 745
My over locker I love her, I hate her, what a relationship we have....Now the Elna 745 is meant to be a great machine......a real workhorse. I have never put her through her full paces as I hate changing anything I want everything to done fast... I can never see the threads to thread the looper and I always break the chain on the 5 thread. But I've solved the re threading problem......Last week I went and bought one of these, the Trendy Timms overlocker threaders and this little gadget should fix the looper problem.
Perhaps I'm a creature of habit because I really love my old heavy red and cream metal Tru-lock serger best, she's only 3 thread (so old). I love my mechanical Bernina so much that I leave my Bernina Activa 220 sitting on a shelf......Would I purchase the Elna 745 again? I'm not really sure I think I would have liked to have tried more brands first (I didn't I just bought it). The problem with this machine there is very little back up for it here......I use the Internet for information mostly. I just wish there were Elna 745 specific classes here so I could run her through her paces and know I was doing it right. Really all I needed was a 5 thread overlocker I didn't need the cover hem feature as I have the Janome 1000CP for that. It was the 5 thread and the blanket stitch that sold me (I stiil haven't used the blanket stitch).
You can find reviews from other sewers on the Elna 745 Overlocker here. The international Elna site here also gives you a lot of information on Elna, Overlockers and accessories .
Perhaps I'm a creature of habit because I really love my old heavy red and cream metal Tru-lock serger best, she's only 3 thread (so old). I love my mechanical Bernina so much that I leave my Bernina Activa 220 sitting on a shelf......Would I purchase the Elna 745 again? I'm not really sure I think I would have liked to have tried more brands first (I didn't I just bought it). The problem with this machine there is very little back up for it here......I use the Internet for information mostly. I just wish there were Elna 745 specific classes here so I could run her through her paces and know I was doing it right. Really all I needed was a 5 thread overlocker I didn't need the cover hem feature as I have the Janome 1000CP for that. It was the 5 thread and the blanket stitch that sold me (I stiil haven't used the blanket stitch).
You can find reviews from other sewers on the Elna 745 Overlocker here. The international Elna site here also gives you a lot of information on Elna, Overlockers and accessories .
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| A robust heavy machine...not a light weight Not easy to lift and carry about.... Where you put your hands is akward you get tangled up in the cotton... Not a segrer you would take to classes easily |
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| Great feature tilting needle clamp... |
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| Easy visual instruction on machine for different stitches |
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| Instruction booklet a bit confusing Photos very soft not so clear and crisp Hard to see if you are looking for the visual |
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| Why didn't I think of this before... How come I've never seen them are they new? |
Gherkins I luv These
As you can see not much sewing is getting done at Eastgate Hill. I think I'll let the fates decide today where my thoughts and actions wander off to....Here is a good recipe I found on a blog called Sew Darn Cute. I've lost mine and homemade Dill Pickles/Gherkins are such a treat, much better than the shop bought ones ( bottling is my preserving method)......Not many calories either if your diet conscious......
Sew Darn Cute: Homemade Dill Pickles: I grew up in a home where we canned everything. I wasn't always a fan of the process, but I am a fan of the results. My FAVORITE thing to ...
Sew Darn Cute: Homemade Dill Pickles: I grew up in a home where we canned everything. I wasn't always a fan of the process, but I am a fan of the results. My FAVORITE thing to ...
Lightbox Luv
This is a great sewing resource, so handy for tracing patterns just plug it in and start tracing.......
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| Love my lightbox....... |
Crazy Cooking
I'm getting a new sewing machine isn't that so exciting? In the mean time I'm cooking, and I hate cooking......I try to ignore it most days, but you know someone has to do it and I am the chosen one. For my recipe of choice I made an Egg and Bacon pie minus the top pastry.
Of course I couldn't just make Egg and Bacon pie and make my life easy.....I substituted grated cheese and sliced tomatoes for the top pastry. I also had no spring onions so I added dry onions ( they are not good as they give you a rumbly bottom) to the egg and bacon mix, then I chucked in some peas. Now that would have been all very nice except I decided to throw in a couple of dollops of sour cream......Well that impulsive action took away from the egg and bacon taste and left the pastry soggy..... No worries there though, I just cut up some slices of pie and popped them on a pizza tray with holes and crisped the bottom....
The salad well that was not much of an effort either. I'm into effortless...all the greens came from a bag and I soaked avocado in lime juice and was so impressed that for once I cut the avocado up nicely...I'm glad yesterday is over. Tonight I'm off out at dinner time so I won't be cooking....
Of course I couldn't just make Egg and Bacon pie and make my life easy.....I substituted grated cheese and sliced tomatoes for the top pastry. I also had no spring onions so I added dry onions ( they are not good as they give you a rumbly bottom) to the egg and bacon mix, then I chucked in some peas. Now that would have been all very nice except I decided to throw in a couple of dollops of sour cream......Well that impulsive action took away from the egg and bacon taste and left the pastry soggy..... No worries there though, I just cut up some slices of pie and popped them on a pizza tray with holes and crisped the bottom....
The salad well that was not much of an effort either. I'm into effortless...all the greens came from a bag and I soaked avocado in lime juice and was so impressed that for once I cut the avocado up nicely...I'm glad yesterday is over. Tonight I'm off out at dinner time so I won't be cooking....
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| The bacon sunk it must be the sour cream.... |
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| That's not dirt on the bottom it's pepper... |
Dipping Downunder
This fantastic dip has been around as long as my old Bernina...How do you make it? So easy........Buy yourself a tin of reduced cream whip in some vinegar or lemon juice, about a teaspoon......and the add dried onion soup mix. Mix it all together and pop it into the fridge for about 30 minutes, even better if it's longer......yummy!
I couldn't resist buying the soup and reduced cream today. The supermarket had a promotion for the world cup. If you bought two you got a free bowl with little Kiwi birds and rugby posts...who can resist that.
I couldn't resist buying the soup and reduced cream today. The supermarket had a promotion for the world cup. If you bought two you got a free bowl with little Kiwi birds and rugby posts...who can resist that.
Time for a Tidy up
Have a sewed anything yet? No......I'm going through all my stuff organising everything. I found some clear containers reduced from $44.00 down to $4.95. I can't resist a bargain so I bought them with the idea I would put all my sewing machine accessories in them. The good thing is you can see everything so I won't have any trouble finding things.......The Tooth Fairy is on the back burner and I'll get round to it one day...I'm an all or nothing person with sewing and when I start I just go for it. When I stop it takes me a long time to get motivated again......
Here's my favourite girl she must be about 31 years old now, she's survived three major earthquakes and is still standing. I think I paid $600.00 for her back in then in the 70's and it took me two years to pay her off. I have just loved this machine and I still do......So much so that I leave the Bernina Activa 220 sitting on the shelf......I like the control a mechanical machine gives you, besides the Activa stitches are too hard to unpick. I'm changing though I sense it's time to try a bigger better machine......
Here's my favourite girl she must be about 31 years old now, she's survived three major earthquakes and is still standing. I think I paid $600.00 for her back in then in the 70's and it took me two years to pay her off. I have just loved this machine and I still do......So much so that I leave the Bernina Activa 220 sitting on the shelf......I like the control a mechanical machine gives you, besides the Activa stitches are too hard to unpick. I'm changing though I sense it's time to try a bigger better machine......
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