Monday, September 27, 2010

Quilting is Great Exercise!

I've been machine quilting a baby quilt today and feel like I've really gotten a workout.  Who needs a gym when you can quilt!!  I think I'm getting a little better at machine quilting--I guess practice does make perfect (well not perfect yet)!  I still prefer hand quilting for my larger projects, but love the machine for baby quilts.  I did a simple loop pattern and it is now finished!!  Time for binding. 








Monday, September 20, 2010

Ruffled Netting Dresses

Homecoming dresses with netting that is ruffled on the bottom are very popular this year.  Here are a couple of pictures:




Here's how you can do it yourself:

First a couple of notes  1)  These directions are for a netting skirt.  You can achieve a similar look with chiffon but the process is a bit different.  2)  Make the netting several inches longer than the finished length--these ruffles will shorten the skirt 2 to 3 inches.

You will need netting and some monofilament.  I buy the 30 lb.  fishing line below.


Fold the edge of the hem around the monofilament about 1/4"


 Sew along the edge and over the monofilament with a zig zag stitch.  The trick is to stretch the netting as you sew.  The more you stretch the netting, the more dramatic the ruffle.  Just be careful not to rip the netting.







That's all there is to it!   The effect is better with several layers of netting or you can go crazy and do something like this:





Enhanced by Zemanta

Monday, September 13, 2010

Homecoming dresses have taken over my sewing room!

It's that time of year again.  Homecoming dresses are demanding my attention and keeping me from the projects I want to do!!  I have managed to get a little more hand quilting done on Jay and Amy's quilt and added one more row to the baby quilt.




It's still warm outside, but I saw the most beautiful wool in the fabric store the other day.  Years ago my first tailoring project was a suit made from a very pretty blue wool.  This reminded me of that suit and I had to buy it.  I love sewing on wool (and wearing it).


Now I just need more personal sewing time!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Rare and Wonderful Day

Today was one of the very rare days when I didn't have to work.  I love it!! I have spent the day working on two quilts, preparing a room to be painted and finishing  a dress from my  personal project list.  the dress was made from Butterick pattern # 4914.  I added a 1" casing with elastic around the neckline to make it wider and tighter.  Quick and easy pattern.  Cute dress.

Here's a picture.