Zip & Carry Bags
I am always on the lookout for fun, easy to make gifts that are unique and could qualify as the perfect gift for EVERYONE on this year’s gift list. Maybe you have kids who are invited to birthday parties every month and you are tired of running out at the last minute to purchase a gift. You then hope someone else did not select the same gift as you did. If this is you, you have got to check out the new bags made completely out of one long zipper!
Mary Mulari’s new book Zip & Carry Bags instantly caught my eye when it arrived. It has 10 clever bags made out of zipper by the yard. They looked so fun I just had to try them out!
Classes enhance your learning experience. Teachers work out the “bugs” and pass on to you the tips and techniques they learned in the process, saving you the trouble of deciphering directions. We have scheduled our hands-on class for these fabulously fun zipper bags on Monday, June 2 at 6:30pm for. Click here for a supply list.
In testing out the ins and outs of this very uniquely assembled bag, I discovered a few helpful tips to pass on. First, depending on the brand of zipper selected, it is advantageous to stiffen the zipper tape. I found that pressing the nylon zipper acts like starch and keeps the zipper from stretching during the sewing process.
Next, I decided to add a litte pizazz to the bag by adding a 1/4” decorative ribbon to the one edge of the zipper prior to sewing up the bag. Use a zipper foot to stitch both sides of the ribbon. To avoid any additional stretching, loosen the pressure of the sewing machine’s presser foot to half its normal setting.
I prefer using the zipper by the yard so there is no waste. With some bags needing 2 yards and others needing up to 4 ½ yards of zipper, you can always cut the exact zipper length.
When purchasing zipper by the yard remember to purchase a package of zipper pulls as well. Pulls are started at either end of the zipper and worked onto the coils until it zips. Sullivans brand Make-A-Zipper, has the zipper pulls already attached.
I also discovered that sewing these bags does not require cumbersome turning around the free arm of the sewing machine. Because the way the zipper works, the majority of the bag is sewn in one long straight strip as shown. Each bag style is started and finished in a different manner.
The Zip & Carry Bags book is well illustrated and makes for a fun afternoon project. But be careful, you will want to make more and one!
Come in and check out our sewn zipper bag samples. We have the books, black and white zipper by the yard, and zipper pulls in stock! Join us on Monday, June 2 at 6:30pm for our Zipper Bag class!
Heirloom Creations, where any day sewing is a good day!
© 2008 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
The Unveiling of a Masterpiece . . . from BERNINA
On July 21, 2008, you could be one of the few to witness the exclusive debut of the only luxury high-performance sewing and embroidery system in the world. It will redefine the art of sewing as we know it.
Attend the Kansas City unveiling event in person July 21–22, 2008. Or experience it live on our free webcast.
2008 – The Year of New Sewing Machines!
We love to do home improvements! OK, maybe we don’t all love to DO the home improvements, but we all love the final result. New kitchen counters, new flooring, new bathroom fixtures, a new deck, new energy efficient kitchen appliances, even just a new color of paint on the walls makes such a difference. No matter how big or small the project or budget, the upgrades and improvements are worth the time, energy and money.
Home improvements are one thing, but all too often older sewing machines hang around for years holding on to antiquated mechanics. We sew on the same outdated machine not realizing what the age of technology has done for the sewing world.
Most of us do not drive cars that are as old as some of our sewing machines. Why? It is that they no longer may be reliable, and we do not feel safe. Kitchen refrigerators are one of the largest energy hogs we have in our houses. Keeping an older model actually COSTS us more money. So tell me again, “Why you are still using a 20 year+ old sewing machine?”
Using old sewing machines can cause unneeded frustration, squash creativity, and even discourage children (who usually “inherit” the old machine) from a lifetime of sewing enjoyment. A new machine does not need to cost more that your first car to get some of the modern features, like a built-in needle threader, and automatic needle positioning. Find out why these two improvements make sewing such a pleasure, erasing years of frustration with your machine. But many of the top of the line sewing machines are worth their weight in gold and broaden the world of fun and creative options over other machines.
2008 is going to be a big year for two of the top sewing machine manufacturers in world and the events are going to be HUGH! On Sunday, June 15, 2008, Husqvarna Viking will debut their brand new top of the line sewing machine via a LIVE webcast from the dealer convention in San Antonio. Steve, Gary and I will be attending the convention and maybe you will see us in the audience! Click here to sign up for this live event.
One lucky Internet viewer will be chosen LIVE and will win one of the brand new Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond sewing and embroidery machines.
In late 2008, a brand new Swiss Bernina sewing and embroidery machine is slated to rock the world of sewing with over 50 exclusive features and boasts the largest throat space in the industry. This beauty will be a dream come true for all quilters and sewers alike. Steve and I will be attending Bernina University in Kansas City in July to be one of the first to see this new machine.
If you are a Bernina lover, Bernina will be offering to the first 1,000 consumers a chance to sew and play with this new sewing machine July 21-22, 2008 in Kansas City. At this time, the information has not been released on how to be part of this special group. Click here to read more information about attending this event.
Or watch this live event via the Internet on Monday, July 21, 2009 at 6:30CST. Click here to register.
So if you have an older sewing machine, this is your year! Come see all the newest models and let us help match your sewing style, needs, and budget with the perfect new sewing machine!
Heirloom Creations, where any day sewing is a good day!
© 2008 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Sewing on an Airplane
With the ever changing airline carry on restrictions and limitations, it is good to know ahead of time what can be taken on the airplane. I recently received an e-mail asking what type of sewing tools can be used on an airplane. There is nothing like a good hand sewing project while being cramped up in the aerial cattle car.
They do allow plastic and metal scissors with blunt tips and metal scissors with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches in length. Knitting and crochet needles are also allowed.
To read and print the complete list of restricted items, click here for the official list from TSA.
Another good tip I heard about when all the carry on limitations went into effect was to always travel with a medium to large self-addressed stamped padded envelope. That way, if by chance you happened to forget to remove something from your purse or carry on that you really don’t want to part with, you will have the instant opportunity to mail it home to yourself. Or, if you are away from home and restrictions change while you are traveling, you will have the perfect Plan B! Keep a couple dollars worth of stamps in the envelope and just guess what the total postage should be. Remember, too much is better then not enough!
Thanks, Deb, for the question. Happy and safe summer traveling everyone!
© 2008 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Three Days in Thread Heaven
Wow! What an exciting three days we had in class with Kathy Ward from Superior Threads, engrossed in thread, finding new uses for thread, and experimenting with NEW types of thread. If you missed out, take a few minutes here to read some of the topics I personally found extra interesting. I have also included links to Superior Thread’s Education section of their website if you are interested in reading more. Superior Thread website links will teach you a lot!
One of my favorite concepts that Kathy taught is not to worry about thread weight when selecting thread. The sometimes confusing thread numbering system can be enough to boggle one’s mind. Kathy helped us learn how to evaluate thread by sight and by touch. If the thread is thicker than regular sewing thread, make sure to have a larger needle. She primarily uses Schmetz Topstitch 90/14 and Topstitch 100/16 needles to accommodate decorative and machine quilting threads. Now wasn’t that easier that trying to figure out that a 20 weight thread is actually a LARGER thread then a 50 weight thread!
For a nice neutral bobbin color, Kathy uses sage green Bottom Line thread #613. Who would have thought that sage green would disappear into most fabric colors!
As we changed from thinner threads to medium weight threads to super thick threads we each discovered how to change the tensions on our own machines to achieve the perfect stitch. Machines differ in tension settings from brand to brand. Some machines acted like Golden Retrievers and some acted like Dalmatians! Some machines are like calm, loving Golden Retrievers – very eager to please and they love everything we do. Other machines are like high-strung Dalmatians, requiring lots of attention and extra training. Most machines are somewhere in the middle. Even within brands, there is some variance from machine to machine. Just like a dog, if we learn how to train or adjust the machine, it will serve us well and bring much happiness. An untrained machine (and dog) can cause more frustration than joy. Click here to read more about adjusting tension.
We discovered that it is OK to stitch decorative stitches on just one piece of fabric and a thin batting WITHOUT a backing fabric. To eliminate puckering on light weight fabric without a lot of body, we ironed a light weight fusible interfacing to the fabric, and then layered it with the thin batting. My thread test sample came out beautiful!
We all tried our hand at thread painting using free motion techniques with a zig-zag stitch. This was an easy way to create texture around appliqués!
If you missed this weekend’s workshops and/or lecture, click here to read from Bob, owner of Superior Threads. He has a huge list of commonly asked questions about machines, tension, use, type and how thread is made.
We will keep our consignment order of thread for a couple more days . Come see all the pretty colors and try them out yourself!
And the classic question that we heard at each workshop… “Will Polyester Really Wear Out Cotton Fabric”?
What do you think?
Truth?
Tradition?
Or myth?
© 2008 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.