The Magnificent Nine
This past Friday concluded the first of two Kid’s Sewing Camps for Summer 2008. Check out pictures and descriptions of each of the quilts from the “Magnificent Nine”!
I had so much fun with this group of wonderful young women and a young man in the 10-13 age range. The “Magnificent Nine” learned how to use their sewing machine properly, stitch straight lines, and they learned patience while working with the cumbersome full size quilt during the machine quilting section. Each student selected their own fabrics prior to class.
Courtney’s eye for detail showed in that every seam was perfect, and her finished quilt demonstrates her workmanship.
Mitch selected colors that made everyone envious of his quilt! He came all away from Arizona to take this class!
Maddy spent the entire week absorbing every word I said which has made her hungry for future sewing classes.
Taylor loved last year’s Kids Camp so much she came back to do the same quilt this year. It was amazing how her love of sewing has grown over the past year.
Abby braved a minor mishap and had to miss a day. She and I will have a private sewing day next week so she can finish her quilt. Her passion of sewing is obvious with her ability to follow directions without needing a lot of help.
Meg (left) inspired everyone with her color selection and her focus throughout the entire week.
McKenna (right) found a new hobby that she is a natural at. Her quilt is probably going to summer camp with her next week!
Brittany’s favorite part of quilting is the sewing and she also liked the ironing.
Dalia’s quiet spirit kept her focused as she sewed diligently throughout the entire week.
I want to thank all the parents and family members who gave these children a special way to remember this summer. A quilt is something that can be used for both warmth and comfort all year long, and they acquired sewing skills they can use for a life-time!
Watch for some of these quilts to be on display at the Quilts and Vines quilt show, Saturday, August 9, 2008.
I would love to see all of you students again, and wherever your future sewing adventures take you, bring your projects by anytime you want to show them off!
Have a wonderful summer!
Parents – High resolution pictures are available by e-mailing me at info@heirloomcreations.net.
Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond Debut
Going to the Husqvarna VIKING Convention is a lot of work, but loaded with fun and excitement.
A sewing machine convention for me is a time to see friends, be rejuvenated, be inspired and take hands-on classes with all the new products. This year Heirloom Creations was presented with the “Husqvarna Viking Club” award in recognition of outstanding performance in 2007!
Pictured from left to right: Charlie Bayer, Scott Fox, Sara Snuggerud, Steve Snuggerud and Stan Ingraham
Steve, Gary and I returned home last week from an extremely exciting International debut of Husqvarna Viking’s newest gem – the DESIGNER DIAMOND. After months of waiting in high anticipation, the Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond was unveiled for everyone to see. And on Friday, June 20, our very own DESIGNER DIAMOND arrived at Heirloom Creations.
IT’S IN THE STORE NOW!
Come by and be one of the first to see the new Husqvarna Viking DESIGNER DIAMOND in all of its majestic glory! The coolest part of this machine is the 14.2” x 13.8” embroidery field! WOW!
This blog is not long enough to write out all the new wonderful things this machine will do. You have got to come in and see it for yourself!
Convention Highlights:
Martha Stewart attended the Viking convention and offered insight into her sewing background and what she sees for the future of sewing. It was like being on her TV show! Martha Stewart and Viking will be lauching a special “Martha Stewart” embroidery collection featuring beautiful monograms.
Husqvarna Viking and Scott Fox gave Martha the first Designer Diamond as a gift.
4D Family Portrait
The 4D Family Portrait Embroidery software can transform color photos into full color embroidery with just one single click of a button! It is a stand alone software package available for all brands of embroidery owners.
QBOT Automated Quilting System
QBOT is a hands-free automated quilting system that works with many of the quilting frames and offers the precision quilting at the fraction of the price of professional systems. Choose from many pre-programmed machine quilting patterns or have QBOT record your own designs and save it to one of its 999 memories! We will have QBOT set up in our store soon. Watch for future e-mails and demonstrations!
Here is what I made (it made) in my hands-on QBOT class.
Thread Velvet Embroidery Collection
Imagine creating velvet with your embroidery machine! I will be stitching out some thread velvet samples this week in the store! Click here to see this special collection of thread velvet designs.
LIVE WEBCAST
Click here to watch the live webcast of of the DESIGNER DIAMOND hosted by Sue Hausmann.
If you currently own a Husqvarna Viking Designer SE, Designer I, or a Quilt Designer II, click here to see the differences between each machine.
Steve, Gary and I are glad to be home, and are ready to help everyone fulfill any and all of your sewing dreams.
Will this be the year you will treat yourself to a new sewing machine? Will this be the year you get the DIAMOND of your dreams?
Making a T-Shirt Memory Quilt
Milestones such as graduations are events to honor with memory quilts. Graduations are a very special time for a person as they finish one era and move on to the next life challenge. Many sewers are drawn to creating quilts with special memories for these graduates, and T-Shirts that portray special events or themes are a great way capture and preserve memories.
So why am I writing about this topic now that graduations have just happened? So that you can begin planning for anyone who might be graduating NEXT year! This is the time to talk to a future graduate to see if they first would like their T-Shirts put into a quilt, or if they would prefer something else. Getting a head start with a whole year to plan the quilt will make your sewing time more enjoyable. Avoid if you can rushing it at the last minute.
Here are a few things to prepare for planning a T-Shirt Memory Quilt:
1. Pick up the book “You Did What With My T-Shirts” at Heirloom Creations.
2. Get an idea of how many T-shirts you will be working with.
3. Select a color scheme and begin purchasing a variety of fabrics to include.
4. Find out what interests the graduate has, such as a particular sport or music, and be looking for fabrics with particular themes.
5. Set an approximate size (i.e. long enough for a Twin size college dorm bed or a smaller throw size to cuddle with on the couch).
6. Will pictures be included with the T-Shirts?
7. Sketch some layout options.
8. Watch for future T-shirt classes to be offered at Heirloom Creations.
T-Shirt Selection:
Just because you are handed an entire bag of T-Shirts that this person has ever worn, does not mean you need to use them all! Just like in scapbooking, only the very best pictures are used. Have the person select the most important, cool, best looking T-Shirts to use. If this quilt will be a surprise, get some input from another family member to help pick out the best shirts to use.
Interfacing:
To make the T-Shirts easier to handle and to add durability for many more future washings, select a light weight interfacing to iron on to the back of each T-Shirt. Begin by cutting the shirts open along the sides leaving as much of the front or back as possible. The shirts will be cut down to size later. Note: This is the longest part of the process. Use an appliqué pressing sheet to keep the interfacing “glue” from getting all over the ironing board. Use a wet press cloth over the fusible interfacing for a perfect bond.
Design Layout:
Cleo likes to design her T-Shirt quilt in columns. This allows for a more dramatic layout that is not just a block-block-block layout. This method also helps incorporate T-Shirts that are different shapes and sizes into the quilt. All those fun fabrics you collected for this quilt can all be combined for an awesome finish!
Printing Pictures:
Gather together a couple (not the entire picture book!) school pictures, graduation picture, a team picture and pictures with friends. Transferring pictures to fabric using your very own ink jet printer has become super easy these days. We recommend a package of Printed Treasures or EQ Printables for best results.
Design Wall:
If you do not already have a design wall, this is the time to make a make-shift one. Arranging T-Shirts, fabrics and pictures together on a vertical surface is a lot easier than doing it on the floor. In a pinch, use a piece of flannel or a large sheet and pin each piece to it as you decide on the final positions for each block.
Quilting Options:
If you plan on quilting the finished quilt yourself, do note that a T-Shirt quilt may become extra heavy. Be prepared with a good sewing machine set into a cabinet for the best result. However, this is one quilt that is worth sending out to be quilted! And since you started an entire year in advance, you will have time to have it professionally quilted if you choose. We suggest an all-over design to keep all the T-Shirts, batting and back properly secured and looking nice for years to come.
Come on in and we will help with the first couple of steps! And, if you start planning now, you will thank us next May!
© 2008 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
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Wedding Dress Exhibit in Sioux Falls, SD
The other day I took myself on a little side trip downtown. It was a beautiful day to be out and about, and I was actually doing something I wanted to do which was not work related! Being an only child, I enjoy doing things by myself when I have the opportunity. I can handle traveling by myself, spending a night (or four) in a luxury hotel by myself, and shopping or visiting museums solo. I can go at my own pace. If I get bored I can move on, or if I want to linger and read every description, or sit and relax, I don’t have to ask or feel like I am holding others back. (Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my husband, Steve. And, as most of all of you know, we are with each other 24/7)! But there are those days, when I just want to be by myself.
OK, all that to say, I took some time to check out the beautiful wedding dress exhibit at the Old Courthouse Museum. This was the first time I visited the historic building since becoming a South Dakotan, and it felt like I was stepping back into time.
One of our customers, April Woodside, is part of a historic team that creates professional displays, everything from “Homesteading Dakota: Decisions on the Prairie” to “Vacationing in America”. Currently on display is the history of bridal gowns:
“Let’s Get Hitched! The Road to Matrimony”
You can hear echoes of wedding bells at the Old Courthouse Museum! Encompassing over 100 years of bridal gowns as well as wedding invitations, marriage certificates, photographs, and other objects, the exhibit traces the development of the traditional white wedding we are familiar with today. Topics include floral decoration, jewelry, bridesmaids and groomsmen, bridal showers, receptions, and the cake. You may even be able to help them identify some photos of our local “mystery” brides! Come down to the Museum and help celebrate the story of matrimony in the Midwest.
The 16 dresses on exhibit range from 1860-1960. They are made of silk brocades, wools, and crepes. Embroidered organza and chiffon mix with tulle and lace. There aren’t only white dresses, either—there are pink, blue and brown wedding dresses from early weddings as well.
The Old Courthouse, an imposing Richardsonian Romanesque building designed by prominent architect Wallace Dow, is now occupied by the Siouxland Heritage Museums System. The massive building, its polished interior, and the original oil paint wall murals have been gently restored. The Museum and its interpretive displays are open to the public.
So before wedding season officially starts, take an afternoon stroll through some of the history and traditions that we still see in today’s twenty-first century wedding celebrations.
Old Courthouse Museum
6th & Main, Downtown Sioux Falls, SD
Hours
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed on major holidays. Free admission. Free parking. Wheelchair accessible. Open daily. Call (605) 367-4210 ext. 0 for more information about current exhibits, tours, and fun, educational programs for all ages.
Parking
Free two hour parking is located to the north and to the west of the museum. Enter from Dakota Avenue or Main Avenue. Metered parking is available as well, curbside south of the museum along 6th Street and on the east side of the building on Main Avenue.
Click here for a list of other exhibits currently on display.
The Thread Stand Solution
Thread stands save money and aggravation! Whether working with fussy decorative and metallic thread, super fine monofilament thread, the large cones of machine quilting threads, or any thread that does not fit easily on the sewing machine, a thread stand is the answer to problem threads and pocketbooks.
Decorative and specialty threads come with their own varieties of idiosyncrasies. Fussy threads can tend to fray, kink, break, and twist themselves right out of the thread guides. When the spool is on the horizontal spool pin and is close to the first thread guide the loopy-ness of the thread as it unwinds can work itself out of the thread guide. If you are not watching it can pop out of the tension disk and suddenly you have a real mess.
Much of the cost of thread is in the winding of thread onto small spools to sell in stores. When purchasing thread on larger spools, the savings can really add up. One of Heirloom Creations most popular threads these days is the MasterPiece thread by Alex Anderson. With its popularity came the demand to stock the larger 3,000 yard spools at $24.95 verses the 600 yard spools for $7.50. Though the initial purchase seems like a lot, it is like getting almost two 600 yd spools for free, and translates into a savings of $12.55! The amount saved is half the price of the larger quantity for the same amount of thread.
The way thread is spun and wound makes a technical difference in the way it should unwind. We are most familiar with the threads wound on spools in parallel rows, or “stack wound” threads. This thread should come off as the spool turns, or horizontal as the spool sits vertical. As long as the spools are not too big the weight of the spool itself does not cause much extra drag on the thread. However, this is not practical for larger quantities of thread. Extra drag can affect the performance of the machine and the tensions.
We now see more thread that looks like it zigzags across the spool. This type of thread is referred to as “cross wound”, and is meant to unwind off of the top as the spool sits vertical. In order for it to do so a thread guide situated above the cone of thread allows the thread to unwind freely with no drag what so ever. This is the purpose for a thread stand that sits near the machine, and is ideal for any size or quantity larger than 300 yards. The horizontal spool pin which is found on all machines now, serves the same purpose; however the space is limited to smaller spools.
Look for a sturdy metal thread stand. Do pass on those inexpensive light-weight plastic base thread stands that can easily tip over or “walk” away from the sewing machine due to the vibration on the table while sewing. If you are a cat lover, he will often want to have his paws into everything you are doing including sewing. A metal stand can hold steady while Fluffy walks around the back of the sewing machine in his quest to “help”.
I use my thread stand all the time at home, and I use a lot of the Isacord embroidery coned thread when sewing. It is so much easier to place the spool on the thread stand instead of messing with (and finding) the proper sized spool cap for the sewing machine.
And, the next time you use a decorative thread and it is misbehaving, put the thread on a thread stand before you throw it out.
Click here for more information than you ever thought you could learn about thread!
© 2008 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Do you have a sewing question? Send me an e-mail at info@heirloomcreations.net.