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Monday, July 23, 2012

Will I see you at Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Pittsburgh?

I'm so excited about going to Pittsburgh in a few weeks.. It's going to be the first time going to the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo. Is anyone going there too? Has anyone been there before? What did you like about it? Did you like the classes?


I've signed up for some awesome hands-on classes. There are sooooo many classes that it was hard to narrow down.. And it was hard having to chose between two classes that was offered at the same time :-(
But I've finally got my list of classes picked out and registered for them.. Thank goodness the ones I wanted wasn't full yet.. Don't wait too much longer to sign up if you're still thinking of going.. Classes or not, I think it's going to be an awesome time.
So after long hours of debating, here is my class schedule.

Thursday Aug 2: 
  1. Cosmetic Serger-y Workshop with Gail Yellen
    I'm excited with this class because I'll be able to practice using a serger.  I'm trying to decide if I need a serger or not.  I know it's used for finishing edges but there has to be more uses for a serger. So with this hands-on class, it will be a treat to actually use a server and play with it.. How often do use your serger?
  2.  Mini Messenger Tote with Kathy Stachowicz
    Another serger class.. :-)  Notice the theme for Thursday classes..  This class will include zippers and cover stitches..  So with a little research, I found that there are two types of sergers.  One can do an overlock stitch and another to do cover stitch..  Most sergers only can do one or the other, but Babylock has one that can do both. 




    The Bablylock Evolution can do both overlocking and cover stitch on the same serger.. How cool is that. 
    On top of that, this serger auto tension and the air threading system that looks sooo easy to do.. 
    Hopefully that's the serger I will get to use in this class,
    I can't wait to try it. 
  3.  

Friday Aug 3: 
  1. Mitered Corners and Setting Triangles with Nelly Vileikis
    Mitered corners is a technique I'm dying to learn.. I've watch tons of youtube videos but it's not the same as learning it first hand in a class.. I've been dreading to do blankets because I don't know how to put the finishing touch on.. Wish me luck in this class, hopefully I will come out feeling confident to make a mitered corner on my own.

Saturday Aug 4: 
  1. Quilted Cosmetic Bag with Chris Dolinar
    I'm not too sure what to expect from this class but the description talks about "texture and dimension are the current buzzwords in all kinds of sewing projects. Learn just how easy it is to add texture in your embroidery."  I'm up for texture and dimension in my projects..

  2. Gifts in Minutes: Pretty, Practical Projects with Hope Yoder
    This class is all about binding.. Binding is also another technique which I desperately need help in.  I've tried different binding methods but just can't get a consistent way to get the binding to look straight... is it just me?  Binding can't be that hard to do,  right?  So binding, here I come.. 
5 classes in three days...I'll definitely be super busy during the expo.  But I'm so glad the expo provides the sewing machines for the class, instead of me lugging my machine for a 6 hour drive.. One less thing to worry about and pack..

There is so much more to do in the expo other than the classes, I don't know if I will have time to do everything.  I have squeeze in some time to go to the Make-It Center and meet Beth Bradley from Sew It All and Sew News.. And of course, must make time to walk the aisle of vendors to do some SHOPPING!!!

9 more days to go, I have to start packing...
Is anyone else going to Pittsburgh Sewing & Quilt Expo??    Hope to meeting you all there..

~~Words of Encouragement~~
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24 (NLT)


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Current Passion.. Machine Embroidery

About 7 years ago, I was at the stage in my life where I was getting married and so were all my friends.  For a period of 3-4 years, I had average of 10 friends getting married per year.  This meant gifts for the wedding, bridal shower and baby showers came right after for those who had kids right away... So what is a girl to do??  Buy an embroidery machine :-)

I decided to buy a sewing and embroidery combo machine so I can personalize their gifts myself. It took me a bit to figure out what to buy.  Originally I was going to go with a computerized sewing machine that had more stitches to embellish my gifts but when I went to a Sew & Vac store, I discovered about embroidery machines. 
(^-^) and (♥~♥)

If you never gone to a Sew and Vac store, you're in for a treat.   There were two I visited and each had similar offers but the second one allowed me to bring it home with no cost to try for a week free.  No commitment to buy.. How great is that!! I couldn't resist.. so I tried a computerized sewing machine for a week and went right back to try something else.  I would have been bored quickly with just the computerized one since it's mainly for regular sewing with fancier stitch options.. the guy at the store showed me a combo with embroidery.  The combo is a computerized sewing machine and embroidery machine in one.  It was the best of both worlds.  So I took home a Janome Memory Craft 9500 for a week and fell in love with it..


For those who never tried machine embroidery, go to your local Sew and Vac store and give it a try.  It's so much fun being able to embroidery already made items or sew your own things and add a personal touch.

To start doing machine embroidery there was a slight learning curve.  It's slightly different than regular sewing.  Sewing you just have to worry about the needle and the thread tension.  With machine embroidery, you have to learn about stabilizers and which one to use for the various types of fabrics.  Stabilizers will make or break the outcome of your embroidery because it's primary purpose is to support the fabric and create a well formed stitch.

There are various types of stabilizers to be used to support embroidery design on your fabric.   Most common stabilizers are used as a backing to your fabric to prevent puckering or slipping.   The stabilizers used on top (called topper) of your fabric is used to prevent stitch from sinking into the fabric (like fleece or towels).   Stabilizers come in many different weights and properties.  The most common ones are tearaways, cutaways, washaway, peel and stick.  As you can see the names represent the properties of the stabilizers.  They each have different uses depending on your project.  I prefer the tearaway and the washaway since they come out easily; no trimming needed.
There is so much information out there about stabilizers, I won't go into the same details. Check out the links I've included within this post.

So are you curious on what gifts I started to make with my new embroidery sewing machine???
Well, the weddings was definitely first priority...
I decided to make a wedding frames with the bride and groom's names and wedding date.
 
1st Frame

Thisturned out pretty good for my first attempt. Lots of puckering but not too bad.
2nd Frame

This turned one was too complicated. It looked better in my mind. I was trying to make a Winnie the Pooh wedding party. Way too much puckering.
3rd Frame

I fell in love with the heart frame style. This is one of many using the heart frame. Still haven't learned how to deal with the puckering. :-(
4th Frame

I wanted to try sliver metallic thread but it wasn't a good contrast with the light blue fabric. Puckering is better since i switched to heavier fabric.
5th Frame

I'm getting the hang of this. What do you think? I tried to make each frame slightly different. Look, minimal puckering.. FINALLY.
6th Frame

Last one in the series that I took picture of.
No Puckering (^_^)

So hope you'll get inspired to try machine embroidery.. I had lots of fun creating these wedding frames for my friends.

Question of the Day: What wedding gifts have you created?


~~Words of Encouragement~~
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)


Monday, July 9, 2012

Blogger's Block....so early

Ohhhh WOW, has it been over a month already since I started this blog??  It's harder than I thought to come up with new postings..  I was debating on which craft to write about next.. But when I tried to look for my photos related to the craft, I couldn't find any.. :-(
I was going to share about my adventures of learning to make gifts from the following crafts below, but for now, I'll just list them with links to others who have done a great job in putting up tutorials and videos...


Plastic Canvas

Plastic Canvas
Basic Tutorial
Video Tutorial
Plastic Canvas
Patterns
Cross stitch

Cross stitch
Basic Tutorial
Video Tutorial
Cross stitch
Patterns
Macrame
(friendship bracelets)

Macrame
Basic Tutorial
Video Tutorial
Macrame
Patterns
Rug Latch Hooking

Rug Latch Hooking
Basic Tutorial
Video Tutorial
Rug Latch Hooking
Patterns
Knitting

Knitting
Basic Tutorial
Video Tutorial
Kitting
Patterns
Loom Knitting

Loom Knitting
Basic Tutorial
Video Tutorial
Loom Knitting
Patterns
Origami

Origami
Basic Tutorial
Video Tutorial
Origami
Patterns
Paper Quilling

Paper Quilling
Basic Tutorial
Video Tutorial
Paper Quilling
Patterns
Straw Stars

Straw Stars
Basic Tutorial
Video Tutorial
Straw Stars
Patterns

That's just at the top of my head..
I probably tried so many more types of crafts but just can't remember them at the moment..
Maybe one of these days, if I find the pictures of some of these, I'll post some up.. But for the moment, I have decided to just skip the old crafts I used to do and just skip to the present crafts..
so stay tuned for more to come... :D


Question of the Day: What types of crafts have you tried in the past???

~~Words of Encouragement~~
May the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace. Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT)



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