“Sara’s Holiday Traditionsâ€
Since Christmas 2006 landed on a Monday, I thought I would share how some of my younger holidays were spent. Being from a smaller family, there were some Christmas days and especially New Year Day that were spent by choice with just my Mom and I. The days leading up to the holidays were never a stressful time. The two of us would look forward to holidays being spent working on a special project together. Many years we would select a quilt and other years it was a home improvement project such as a new bed. I always anxiously waited for Christmas Day to arrive so I could sew with my Mom! We usually put a turkey in the oven with a few simple fixings so we would not have to stop very long to eat. The house had a wonderful smell as the turkey cooked and the sounds of Christmas music playing in the background.
Each year we were thankful to be healthy, together, and not having to rush off to relatives houses for festivities. In my teenage years, I knew eventually I would be married and included in traditional family activities. But for those years, a sewing project with Mom WAS tradition!
And so the tradition continues! I still like to have a special project that I don’t start until the Christmas weekend! (I had to make myself stop sewing this weekend to write this SewSara segment).
I hope everyone takes time for the traditions that are the most important this Christmas season.
May everyone be blessed and take time to bless others this year and throughout the coming year.
Merry Christmas!
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Can I use prewound bobbins?
Approximately 60 percent of the machines on the market are compatible with the standard L size prewound bobbin. The debate continues but the prewound users are winning. Although some machine manufactures warn against using prewound bobbins, it is a fact that many of the educators on their staff do use them. The risk of prewounds is in the thread quality. Make sure a good quality thread is selected and the bobbin area is cleaned out regularly. The advantage is in saving time and not having to wind your own bobbins. Prewound bobbins hold up to three times more thread than self-wound bobbins. Most prewound bobbins have cardboard sides which are removable so bobbin sensors can still operate. It is recommended to leave at least one cardboard side intact to prevent the bobbin from jumping around as it runs low. Some sewing machines with bobbin sensors will not properly alarm when a pre-wound bobbin is getting low or is empty.
Heirloom Creations, and Steve, our resident thread expert, recommends the Superior Threads pre-wound bobbins. These bobbins have approximately 100 yards of pre-wound The Bottom Line thread and are available in 25 colors and variety packs.
Machines that are capable of using the “L Style†prewound bobbins are:
Bernina Artista 180, 185, 200, 640, 730
All Bernette Decos
Brothers with drop in bobbins
Husqvarna Viking machines that use green Viking bobbins
Pfaff (all models)
Babylocks
Elnas with drop in bobbins
Singers with drop in bobbins
All Janome/New Home home sewing models
Check with your local sewing machine service technician if you are unsure if your machine can use a pre-wound bobbin properly.
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Applique Pressing Sheets
Applique pressing sheets have so many uses that you will want one beside your iron at all times! Use it for fusible appliqué, as a craft sheet or a pressing sheet. The coating provides a non-stick surface for fusible appliqué and its transparency allows clear viewing when aligning pattern pieces to the placement guide. The double-sided, reusable pressing sheet is made from ultra high temperature glass and coated with non-stick Polygon; 13″ x 17″. Just roll up for storage. The sheet has a 5 year manufacturers warranty.
Here are a few uses for an applique pressing sheet:
1. An applique sheet for pre- assembling quilting blocks and applique pieces.
2. An pressing cloth, including for painted pieces, photo transfers, and over paper piecing.
3. An craft sheet – hot glue peels right off, as do any glues, wax, clays, or stiffening projects.
4. For kids crafts – protects all surfaces and cleans up easily.
5. A painting palette: projects won’t stick and paints peel off when dry.
6. For baking projects that don’t contain oil such as shrink-art, clays, and salt dough.
7. Work surface for rubber stamps
To clean simply rub off any excess fusing medium. If the whole sheet is covered, just use an extra scrap of fabric and press to the top of this multi-sided sheet. When cool, simply peel the fabric off and any ‘gunk’ from the sheet will have transferred to the fabric. You may also wash the sheet using soapy water. A soft scrub will remove any ink from pattern transfers.
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Fabric Naps
We often find ourselves wanting to work with rich satins or silky velvets during the holidays or for special occasions. These luxurious fabrics present a few challenges that can make them difficult to work with. Take a minute to learn a little about how they are made to guarantee an outcome without surprises. These sumptuous fabrics generally have specific direction to their look, whether it is a shiny fabric or a fabric with texture. To see if a fabric has a nap turn the fabric 90 to 180 degrees and see if the fabric changes color or has a distinctly different look. If so, these specialty fabrics have a nap that needs to be kept all going in the same direction when cutting out a pattern. Examples of “with nap†fabrics include velvet, corduroy, satin, knit fabrics and toile designs.
For home décor items, the fabric nap usually runs from top to bottom. Some patterns will require extra yardage to make sure the fabric nap continues to run in the correct direction. Always check yardage requirements prior to purchasing napped fabrics.
Create a two-toned look without needing two different fabrics: Selecting one “with nap†fabric and using it in two different directions can give the illusion of shading. Just make sure each piece is planned out before cutting. Again, extra yardage may be needed.
Refresh YOURSELF with a Nap: If your body really wants a nap of its own, you probably need one! Remember what the airlines say, “Be sure to secure your oxygen mask before assisting others with theirsâ€. Please take time to get some exercise and enough sleep. If we are not properly refreshed, it is hard to be prepared to help and bless others this holiday season.
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.