Archive | June 2016

June is for Babies!

Jun29

Oh goodness, where to begin?  June seems to be the month of babies!!  One of my besties had a grandbaby boy so “Aunt Becky” knocked out some new bibs on the embroidery machine.
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Look at this First 4th of July applique!  Isn’t it just darling?
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Then my next door neighbor’s youngest had a baby girl earlier this month.  Truthfully, the 0-3 month Onsie is WAY too big for her, but hey, she’ll grow into it.  Disclaimer, the “House White” design is from a Craftsy class , Embroidering With Knits with Deborah Jones.  Also, for a good starter class, choose Craftsy’s Big Embroidery in a Small Hoop with Lisa Shaw.  She’s very good about explaining all kinds of basics.
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And what else…OH!  My beautiful DIL is expecting grandbaby #3 in October…a BOY!  Once they found out the sex, she created the most beautiful virtual nursery set at babybedding.com and my son asked if I would make it for them.  Are you kidding me?  A project!  YAY!  I’m going to see them in August so hopefully I can have it finished in time to check it vs. ship it.  The new addition won’t be here until October but it’s way too cold in Oct where they live for this Grammy to visit.  I’ll see the newbie next summer.  Y’all, I don’t go north of Dallas after Labor Day.  Ever.  CarouselDesigns

Have you guys heard of Carousel Designs at babybedding.com?  They allow you to create your own nurseries out of the most beautiful fabrics.  And either they will make them for you based on your fabric choices for an outrageous amount of money ($125 for bumpers?  Seriously?) Or, if you have a very cool MIL, like my DIL does, said MIL (moi’) will make the nursery for you at no charge!   I’m glad she emailed me about it when she did because they were having a Father’s Day sale at 20% off with free shipping.  Total fabric cost for the entire nursery was only $84.  SCORE!  My DIL has such great taste.  Isn’t this gorgeous?   I use Vogue 7245 as a pattern that I bought for my first nephew’s nursery…and he’s almost 21!  Lawd, the time!  And you no-bumpers-in-the-crib people can stow it.  Of course cribs need bumpers!

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She also asked if I’d make her a nursing cover.  When I asked about fabric choice, she said she liked grays & blues and the colors of the one in the link she sent, but to surprise her.  So I hopped over to ConnectingThreads.com and chose the Monarch (Graphite) #8938 in the Atrium line by Joel Dewberry for Free Spirit Fabrics.  I love buying fabric from them.  Their website is awesome and the service is great.  I’ve received shipping notices from all the companies so this week my front porch should look like Christmas.

My grandson turned 5 this month.  He wanted a Cat in the Hat themed birthday.  Okie dokie!  I found this applique and embroidery pattern on Etsy.
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And I whipped out a 4th of July tee for my granddaughter.  But now it’s too late to send to her.  I hate it when I do that.  I didn’t send it because I had to make one for her big brother too and that never made it into the queue.  Oh well, I’ll find a willing recipient I’m sure.

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So that’s it!  Happy US Independence Day everyone!  Be safe!

 

Serger Tip Clips with Gail Yellen

Jun11

One of the things I love about the sewing community is the willingness to share knowledge and tips with others who love the craft.  One day while watching a video from Joyful Expressions, she mentioned that her friend had told her about free serger videos on YouTube by Gail Yellen.  I was intrigued, because not only do I jump on any opportunity to expand my knowledge and skills, but I’m enrolled in one of Gail’s classes on Craftsy, 40 Techniques Every Sewer Should Know, and she’s an awesome instructor.

Here is the first of her tips clips.  They go from the very basic to using advanced specialty feet that cover ruffles and serging in elastic.

Gail has 19 videos out there now and I’ve binged-watched them all.  Her machine is a serger/cover stitch combo, but the techniques she describes and teaches apply to the machine that just a serger as well.

And check this out…In several of her videos, she encourages you to contact her by email to make suggestions for new videos.  So I did.  This morning I emailed her asking if she could do a Tip Clip on how to install a zipper with a serger and guess what?  SHE REPLIED!  She said she has added it to the list of future videos so I guess my suggestion made the cut!  Yay!  Also, in her email she encouraged me to share her Tip Clips with others and encourage them to subscribe to her channel.  So I am!  Here’s the link to her channel.  Please visit!  You’ll be happy you did!