3D Embellishments: Cutouts & Couching in Sewing

My Weekly Craftsy.com Blog Post

This time I'm offering 2 super simple ways to give a flat print fabric some 3 dimensional elements. Both require just a basic sewing machine and some zigzag stitching; no fancy embroidery machines for special tools. Easy peasy, done! Here is the link:http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/01/sewing-cutouts-and-sewing-couching/
 

Exposed Zipper for a Handbag Pocket

My Weekly Craftsy.com Blog Post

This week's post instructs how to insert an exposed zipper - this time the kind you see inside (and sometimes outside) handbags. They are the kind used to secure pockets. They are a cinch to do. Here is the link for the step by step instructions:
 http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/01/handbag-pocket-zipper/

Grainline - Making Fabric Thread Perfect

My Weekly Craftsy.com Blog Post

I had two posts this week. The most recent ran this past Saturday - Crafty's biggest day for readership - Yeh! for me. My post offered instructions on how to make fabric thread perfect (when a single crosswise thread can be pulled across the width of the fabric) and how to check to see if fabric is on grain.  Here is the link to the post: http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/01/grainline-of-the-fabric/

Be sure to check out the next post which will offer ways to correct material that is off grain.

Serger Alternative: The Lock Cutter Attachment

My Weekly Craftsy.com Blog Post

I'm a bit behind on updating my website with regard to my posts on the Craftsy.com blog site.  Last week's post was on this device that came with my Singer sewing machine - The Lock Cutter. I call it a serger alternative because it cuts and sews at the same time just like a serger. With this device it sews a zigzag stitch instead of an overcast one trimming the seam as it sews.  I like to use it to finish my seams that have already been sewn with a straight stitch. I have gotten alot of comments on this device.  Here is the link:  http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/01/lock-cutter-attachment/

Exposed Zippers - The Full Monty

My Weekly Craftsy.com Blog Post

The Full Monty. That's what I call a fully exposed zipper. This week's post will teach you to apply this suddenly stylish zipper. Check out how easy it is to do. Here is the link: http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/12/sewing-exposed-zippers/

A New Sewing Machine - Now What?

My Weekly Craftsy.com Blog Post

Is a new sewing machine on Santa's list this Christmas? If so, once the box is open, now what? This week's post offers my tips for familiarizing you with your new machine and introduces you to a stitch sampler.  Here is the link:  http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/12/sewing-machine-tips/

Do You Shop for Fabric, or Fabric Shop?

It's an interesting question when you really think about it. Not everyone has the luxury of living near a huge metropolitan fashion center like New York City or Los Angeles where the sky’s the limit when it comes to shopping for fabric.  Many cities, like where I live, offer few options for buying fabric beyond the local Joann’s or Hobby Lobby stores. For buying really good fabric, well, that almost doesn’t exist.  I can’t tell you how many times I have an image and/or a pattern of something I am dying to make and can’t come close to finding the right fabric to satisfy that craving. It’s extremely frustrating and I have to believe I am not alone. 

My latest 50% off purchases

As a result, I rarely shop for fabric. Instead, I fabric shop. What's the difference? Think of it as the way Europeans are known to shop for food. Their meal of the day is based on what they find at the open market that morning.  So rather than shop for items to fit a predetermined menu, the food they create from their purchases becomes the menu.

I find this method is sometimes a better approach when it comes to shopping for fabric as well. When I find a beautiful piece of fabric I buy 2, sometimes 2 ½ yards or more of it even if I have no specific pattern or garment in mind. I do, however, contemplate what type of garment is best suited to the fabric, which helps determine the amount of fabric I buy. When material goes on sale 50% off, I stock up.  What I make from my purchases comes later. It has become easier these days to match a pattern to the fabric than to match the fabric to a pattern. 

While this may not always be the most economical way to shop for fabric, it keeps things real. Real, in the sense that this is what’s available for me to work with.  There have been many instances when I have passed up an opportunity to buy a beautiful piece of fabric because I had no specific pattern in mind and later regretted that decision when it was no longer available.

As you can see, this is a recipe for accumulating lots of fabric and I admit, I do.  To keep  track of what I've purchased, I document my finds before I stash them away in bins in my studio.  I pin a pre-designed label to the fabric which identifies what kind of fabric it is, fiber content, care instructions, and the fabric width and yardage.  Not too long ago I wrote a post  on the subject -- see my post on Fabric Stash Organization: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2240031731523458318#editor/target=post;postID=3196290962237856201;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=24;src=postname 

So, do you shop for fabric or  fabric shop?