Disboutiquers Part 23 Kids Disney Boutique / Customs Clothes psst..we sew ;-)

[SallyfromDE]

Hey guys! Here is what I sorta finished (need to adjust elastic around PP neck)

I really like how it turned out, she will wear it to Hoop De Doo Review. She has cowboy boots to wear with it.

Thanks for looking!

OMG!! This is the best! I love it.

Hi Everyone! I am new to this thread and have been reading it for about 2 weeks and still can not catch up! I am not a seamstress but learned tidbits from my great grandmother when she was alive and thought I would start trying to re-learn all that she taught me (Its been 10 years since she passed).

I told my DH that I wanted the Brother Machine. Well, I received an early Birthday Present, probably the best gift i have ever gotten for my bday! The door bell rang at 12:30 and it was UPS with my Brother Machine!
DH wanted to surprise me with it and boy did he ever! So, I just wanted to share with all of you what he got for me and to Thank you all who are so talented and have inspired me to learn your craft!

So now I am going back to page ONE and see what all I need to do. Oh and I haven't even taken it out of the box yet since DD7 needed to study for a Science test.

p.s. I hope you all do not mind if I have a ton of questions to ask as I'm learning

Congrats!! Looking forward to seeing your projects.

My embroidery machine is sick The monitor is all flickery and funny colors, it sewed ok, but I didn't want to risk it, so it went to the machine Dr. Initial diagnosis is a bad screen, but fixing it is possible, though expensive. No estimates yet, but I know to replace the entire machine is probably close to 4K, I looked at the new ones while waiting in the store, I think I can deal with a couple hundred in repairs after seeing that! I still have a machine to use, so I'm able to sew, just no embroidery for now. I feel bad about that with the new quickie Big Give, I would have made t-shirts for big boys willing to wear them!

This is why I don't want a combo machine. Hope the news isn't too bad.

Well after being a lurker for a long long while and being AMAZED and totally inspired by all of your creations I'm jumping in.

I've been wanting to learn to sew for the longest time, a life long aspiration if you will, so I finally decided to sit down and just do it already. My parents got me a GC for my birthday and my mom told me I MUST use it on something I've really really wanted, something for me for once, so I went out and got the Brother CE5500.

My first project ever was a skirt & embellished shirt for our DD and I can't believe I pulled it off.

So thanks for inspiring me. I'm also a member of the Big Give board and hope to be able to participate in one sometime soon.

Do you have pictures of your skirt? Your going to have a great time sewing.

*Good News! I've gotten enough saved to get my PE770!
Here's where I need your help. Can you make recommendations on the "other stuff" I should save for before purchasing? I hate to buy the machine and then not have enough money to buy the extras and not be able to start sewing!!!
**I know that people recommend marathon thread...are the mini cones going to last me for a while, or should I buy the king size? I see they have the value bundles.
**What about bobbins. I know people recommend prewounds...do you get those off the marathon site too? There are so many different kinds! What about Polystar? I saw those on amazon for a decent price.
**Stabilizers? Cut away - Tear away? On the roll or in precut sheets?
**What am I forgetting?

WOO HOO!! When I got mine, I already had many of these things. But the first thing I did was get a 4X4 hoop (cheap off Ebay). I figured when I did a smaller design, I'd at least be saving on intercing. Or even be easier on the smaller shirts. I use it pretty often to. I'd recommend the little curved snips, and applique scissors. Both I got of Ebay for half the price of the stores. My first machine was picky on the type of bobbin thread I used. So I just stick with Janome or Brother. As for intfacing, I'd go to JoAnnes when they i 50% off. They even have a value package. It's good to get started with until you learn what it is you like to use. Good luck with the machine.

 

[Twice_as_Nice]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

Today I hand appliqued a mickey head top to go with DD's skirt, and learned that I need to go slower and get better with my curves. It didn't turn out that badly for a first try.

Then I made some easy fit pants for DS out of an old denim curtain, I feel like Maria Von Trapp I added the cuff, I messed up the cuff somehow so I winged it a little but it still turned out cute. They are a touch short but he loves them.

I'm having fun and I have to say my machine is SUPER easy to use. I love it.

I'll try to post pics in a bit of my first projects.

 

[juliesews]

I have a dumb question. I have been sewing forever but I guess I just never notice the disney fabric. Where do y'all buy most of your fabrics? I have seen tink and pooh at wal mart but y'all seem to have everyone! Joanns, hancocks, online???? what is your best source. I would love phineus and ferb.

 

[Stubbzilla]

Well, it's not the cutest Disney item, but I made it for our Disney trip. It's a babywearing jacket to go over my Ergo. I altered an old jacket.

With the "kid":

Without, the back closes up:

And then underneath for more warmth, I used an old fleece jacket that's wayyy to big. Fits ok when it goes over both of us, and all I had to do was cut a hole for the baby's head to peep through.

 

[Disneymom1218]

Well, it's not the cutest Disney item, but I made it for our Disney trip. It's a babywearing jacket to go over my Ergo. I altered an old jacket.

With the "kid":

Without, the back closes up:

And then underneath for more warmth, I used an old fleece jacket that's wayyy to big. Fits ok when it goes over both of us, and all I had to do was cut a hole for the baby's head to peep through.

This is a Great idea and Excellent job.

 

[miprender]

So, here are 2 more outfits I made recently.

I haven't done any appliques yet, so I stole this princess from a pillowcase.

And this isn't disney related, but it was fun to make.

Cute

OK everyone...
DH and I were out and about today...
He talked me into going to the sewing machine store...
We checked out sergers...
I've been interested in getting one (but absolutely no reason to justify it)...

We are talking sticker shock of $1500! Ouch... we don't do payment plans... we don't finance... we pay cash... that's a lot of money! BUT... (and that's a big but) I'd consider saving for it, if it really is as great as she said it was.

The shop has been open for years... I'd get free lessons on it forever (which I really need)...

Does anyone recommend this one? Is there another one that's simple to use that would be less expensive?

Educate me on sergers pretty please....

I have the brother serger that only cost $200 from HSN and after being brave enough I attempted to thread it and it was not that bad as I thought. My mom has the babylock one and she does love hers, but DH would freak if I had bought that one.

Hey guys! Here is what I sorta finished (need to adjust elastic around PP neck)

I really like how it turned out, she will wear it to Hoop De Doo Review. She has cowboy boots to wear with it.

Thanks for looking!

That is just too cute. When are you going back to Disney?

Thanks for the link. Question - when you hoop a t-shirt how do figure out where the middle of the t-shirt is? I can get a hoop in the right spot but I always have trouble finding the center of a t-shirt. Any suggestions?
:

When I do tshirts I don't really hoop them. I use the 505 spray and stick it on to the stabilizer. My non scientific way of finding the center is I try to line it with the tag that is sewn in and then I will use the grid that comes with my hoop to double check that it is straight.

I just used the free version of stitch era. I just clicked the little letter button, picked my font and typed it all in - 1 line at a time so I could line it up the way I liked!! Easy peasy!!! But, thats about all I can do = haha!!!

Mine just came in. I printed the 200 page instructions from work. Hopefully I will be able to do some lettering with it.

Hey everyone! I just caught up on the thread. I was sooo behind. Anxiously awaiting my hubby to come home. I miss him so much for those 2 weeks he is gone. I've noticed I miss him so much more lately. I think it is because my mom is sick and I am so emotional. Please pray for my mom. She has colon cancer that has spread to her lungs, kidneys, and liver. She just finished her 4th round of chemo and is getting really sick. We find out on Monday if the chemo is working. She is going to MD Anderson on Sunday for scans and will have results on Monday. This feels like a dream I am waiting to wake up from. I know I posted about this before.. but really this feels like it is consuming my whole life. Sometimes it is all I can think about.

As someone already posted cancer does suck.

*I can't even say how many adorably wonderful things that have been posted lately. I have been lurking since we got home from the trip and am finally coming out of my trance and getting back to sewing!

Good News! I've gotten enough saved to get my PE770!
Here's where I need your help. Can you make recommendations on the "other stuff" I should save for before purchasing? I hate to buy the machine and then not have enough money to buy the extras and not be able to start sewing!!!
**I know that people recommend marathon thread...are the mini cones going to last me for a while, or should I buy the king size? I see they have the value bundles.
**What about bobbins. I know people recommend prewounds...do you get those off the marathon site too? There are so many different kinds! What about Polystar? I saw those on amazon for a decent price.
**Stabilizers? Cut away - Tear away? On the roll or in precut sheets?
**What am I forgetting?

Congrats on your new machine. I just bought some extra hoops that came in a variety of sizes for my machine which was about another $100

As for the bobbin thread, I use the brother one that was posted a few pages back and wind the thread myself.

You will also need a topper if you are going to do towels. You just place a piece of it on top of your fabric and the embroidery design gets sewn into. I use the heat away one. It prevents your thread from getting swallowed by the fabric after a few washes.

Why I love having a machine dedicated to a ruffler? Because I took it out for the first use in many months and it ruffled perfect the first time! Benita gave me her ruffler foot to put on a machine I no longer used. Now it is set up and calibrated to ruffle. That is all the machine is expected to do and it works perfect.

I love your layout.

I have a dumb question. I have been sewing forever but I guess I just never notice the disney fabric. Where do y'all buy most of your fabrics? I have seen tink and pooh at wal mart but y'all seem to have everyone! Joanns, hancocks, online???? what is your best source. I would love phineus and ferb.

I have not seen any P&F fabric yet. But Joannes & Fabric.com have Disney fabric. Ebay sometimes will have hard to find Diney prints and I am lucky that I have a small little fabric store near me that also carries some Disney fabric.

Well, it's not the cutest Disney item, but I made it for our Disney trip. It's a babywearing jacket to go over my Ergo. I altered an old jacket.

With the "kid":

Cute... and I love your "kid" he's adorable.

 

[PurpleEars]

Hey everyone! I just caught up on the thread. I was sooo behind. Anxiously awaiting my hubby to come home. I miss him so much for those 2 weeks he is gone. I've noticed I miss him so much more lately. I think it is because my mom is sick and I am so emotional. Please pray for my mom. She has colon cancer that has spread to her lungs, kidneys, and liver. She just finished her 4th round of chemo and is getting really sick. We find out on Monday if the chemo is working. She is going to MD Anderson on Sunday for scans and will have results on Monday. This feels like a dream I am waiting to wake up from. I know I posted about this before.. but really this feels like it is consuming my whole life. Sometimes it is all I can think about.

I am sorry to hear about your mother's condition. Sending hugs and saying prayers for your family and your mom.

Well after being a lurker for a long long while and being AMAZED and totally inspired by all of your creations I'm jumping in.

I've been wanting to learn to sew for the longest time, a life long aspiration if you will, so I finally decided to sit down and just do it already. My parents got me a GC for my birthday and my mom told me I MUST use it on something I've really really wanted, something for me for once, so I went out and got the Brother CE5500.

My first project ever was a skirt & embellished shirt for our DD and I can't believe I pulled it off.

So thanks for inspiring me. I'm also a member of the Big Give board and hope to be able to participate in one sometime soon.

I just want to say

I have a question about our patchwork twirl skirts. Because they are for adults they have required a lot of charm squares. The skirts are very weighted and I wanted them to poof just a little bit.

Would it be ok to put a layer of Tulle under the patchwork and then line the skirts? Would it give them just a little bit of poof without being outrageous?

In theory it sounds fine to me. I hope others who have done somthing similar for adults can chime in!

Good News! I've gotten enough saved to get my PE770!
Here's where I need your help. Can you make recommendations on the "other stuff" I should save for before purchasing? I hate to buy the machine and then not have enough money to buy the extras and not be able to start sewing!!!
**I know that people recommend marathon thread...are the mini cones going to last me for a while, or should I buy the king size? I see they have the value bundles.
**What about bobbins. I know people recommend prewounds...do you get those off the marathon site too? There are so many different kinds! What about Polystar? I saw those on amazon for a decent price.
**Stabilizers? Cut away - Tear away? On the roll or in precut sheets?
**What am I forgetting?

Congrats on saving enough money for the 770. I know it takes time and discipline to save up! I can't help you with the thread as I use other brands. I wind my own bobbins and I haven't had any problems with the Brother bobbin thread or Gutterman bobbin thread. Stabilizers - I usually use cut away on knits, tear away on woven, and water soluable ones on towels (both on top and under for towels). I used water soluable stabilizer for my signature quilt blocks since I didn't want to spend all day picking bits of tear away from the blocks. I get them in rolls because I can use less stabilizer by hooping creatively.

Why I love having a machine dedicated to a ruffler? Because I took it out for the first use in many months and it ruffled perfect the first time! Benita gave me her ruffler foot to put on a machine I no longer used. Now it is set up and calibrated to ruffle. That is all the machine is expected to do and it works perfect.

Wow. Nice sewing space!

Editing to add one more question...I watched a tutorial online where the lady doing the applique used heat n bond lite on the back of her applique fabrics, then ironed in on the back side when done and out of the hoop to "set" the heat n bond and stick the fabrics all together. I didn't think I remembered hearing about that step over here...do you all do that too?

I am pretty sure I am the odd one here. I actually trace my applique pieces on the back of fusible web (paper side). I then fuse the web with the paper to the applique fabric, peel the paper off, line the applique to the outline (already sewn), iron the applique on, put the hoop back onto the arm and let it finish the satin stitch. I usually just skip the tack down stitch since the applique is fused on. I do not take the item out of the hoop when I iron on the applique - travel irons are great for that. I haven't experienced any problems with my embroidery needle getting gummed up. In fact, I think I used the same needle for over 30 Mickey heads and it is still going strong.

I have a dumb question. I have been sewing forever but I guess I just never notice the disney fabric. Where do y'all buy most of your fabrics? I have seen tink and pooh at wal mart but y'all seem to have everyone! Joanns, hancocks, online???? what is your best source. I would love phineus and ferb.

I get polka dots from Joanns. I have purchased Disney fabric from Joanns in the past but I am now getting them from a Canadian fabric chain store.

Well, it's not the cutest Disney item, but I made it for our Disney trip. It's a babywearing jacket to go over my Ergo. I altered an old jacket.

With the "kid":

Without, the back closes up:

And then underneath for more warmth, I used an old fleece jacket that's wayyy to big. Fits ok when it goes over both of us, and all I had to do was cut a hole for the baby's head to peep through.

Neat idea!

 

[Adi12982]

Hey everyone! I just caught up on the thread. I was sooo behind. Anxiously awaiting my hubby to come home. I miss him so much for those 2 weeks he is gone. I've noticed I miss him so much more lately. I think it is because my mom is sick and I am so emotional. Please pray for my mom. She has colon cancer that has spread to her lungs, kidneys, and liver. She just finished her 4th round of chemo and is getting really sick. We find out on Monday if the chemo is working. She is going to MD Anderson on Sunday for scans and will have results on Monday. This feels like a dream I am waiting to wake up from. I know I posted about this before.. but really this feels like it is consuming my whole life. Sometimes it is all I can think about.

Praying!

 

[mommy2mrb]

*Toadstool* will keep your mom in our prayers too!

 

[teresajoy]

Hi Everyone! I am new to this thread and have been reading it for about 2 weeks and still can not catch up! I am not a seamstress but learned tidbits from my great grandmother when she was alive and thought I would start trying to re-learn all that she taught me (Its been 10 years since she passed).

I told my DH that I wanted the Brother Machine. Well, I received an early Birthday Present, probably the best gift i have ever gotten for my bday! The door bell rang at 12:30 and it was UPS with my Brother Machine!
DH wanted to surprise me with it and boy did he ever! So, I just wanted to share with all of you what he got for me and to Thank you all who are so talented and have inspired me to learn your craft!

So now I am going back to page ONE and see what all I need to do. Oh and I haven't even taken it out of the box yet since DD7 needed to study for a Science test.

p.s. I hope you all do not mind if I have a ton of questions to ask as I'm learning

and congratulations!!!! We need some pictures!

My embroidery machine is sick The monitor is all flickery and funny colors, it sewed ok, but I didn't want to risk it, so it went to the machine Dr. Initial diagnosis is a bad screen, but fixing it is possible, though expensive. No estimates yet, but I know to replace the entire machine is probably close to 4K, I looked at the new ones while waiting in the store, I think I can deal with a couple hundred in repairs after seeing that! I still have a machine to use, so I'm able to sew, just no embroidery for now. I feel bad about that with the new quickie Big Give, I would have made t-shirts for big boys willing to wear them!

Oh no!! I hope they can fix it quick! I know the touch screen went out on Heather's Viking awhile back. They got it fixed for her pretty quickly. I'm thinking it didn't cost her too much either. I hope yours is a fast fix too!

it wasn't until I had done several shirts that someone told me it was hard.

I think it's best if you don't know what other people think is hard!!! I sewed with satin and silks for years before someone told me they were hard!

The weather is crazy, isn't it Teresa? The wind here sounds awful! I wish my DH didn't have to go out on the roads tomorrow to "protect and serve". No snow days for him! When is Heather supposed to fly home? Will she be able to get home?

It sure was howling here last night!! And there was an icy rain type thing coming down!

Brian didn't have to go to work, but he shoveled the driveway, then went ice fishing!

Heather is coming home on Saturday through GR. I don't think she will have too much problem by then. I hope!

Hey everyone! I just caught up on the thread. I was sooo behind. Anxiously awaiting my hubby to come home. I miss him so much for those 2 weeks he is gone. I've noticed I miss him so much more lately. I think it is because my mom is sick and I am so emotional. Please pray for my mom. She has colon cancer that has spread to her lungs, kidneys, and liver. She just finished her 4th round of chemo and is getting really sick. We find out on Monday if the chemo is working. She is going to MD Anderson on Sunday for scans and will have results on Monday. This feels like a dream I am waiting to wake up from. I know I posted about this before.. but really this feels like it is consuming my whole life. Sometimes it is all I can think about.

Kira, I'm so sorry. We will be praying for her and for you. Cancer is evil.

Well after being a lurker for a long long while and being AMAZED and totally inspired by all of your creations I'm jumping in.

I've been wanting to learn to sew for the longest time, a life long aspiration if you will, so I finally decided to sit down and just do it already. My parents got me a GC for my birthday and my mom told me I MUST use it on something I've really really wanted, something for me for once, so I went out and got the Brother CE5500.

My first project ever was a skirt & embellished shirt for our DD and I can't believe I pulled it off.

So thanks for inspiring me.I'm also a member of the Big Give board and hope to be able to participate in one sometime soon.

Yay!!!!!!!! How exciting! We need pictures!

Cancer sucks I really hope she has some good results.

I'll agree to that!!! Cancer just makes me mad!

And why was I at Joanne's you might ask (or you might not) -- my dd informed me this morning that she wanted me to sew her a dress for the Chinese New Year celebration at school tomorrow. She requested a dress with an appliqued dragon. No such luck -- I do not applique dragons with less than 24 hours notice! I found black fabric with red Chinese lettering and she'll get that in a wrap dress with a red tie. And she had dare not complain about it the lack of a dragon. Washer's beeping -- must get that fabric dried and cut b/f I have to get the kids from school.

Why yes, I did ask myself that! You are a very nice Mom to sew up a dress with such little notice!

Good News! I've gotten enough saved to get my PE770!
Here's where I need your help. Can you make recommendations on the "other stuff" I should save for before purchasing? I hate to buy the machine and then not have enough money to buy the extras and not be able to start sewing!!!
**I know that people recommend marathon thread...are the mini cones going to last me for a while, or should I buy the king size? I see they have the value bundles.
**What about bobbins. I know people recommend prewounds...do you get those off the marathon site too? There are so many different kinds! What about Polystar? I saw those on amazon for a decent price.
**Stabilizers? Cut away - Tear away? On the roll or in precut sheets?
**What am I forgetting?

I like the cut away stabalizer, but it's really a matter of what works best for you! You really need some little curved scissors though.

Why I love having a machine dedicated to a ruffler? Because I took it out for the first use in many months and it ruffled perfect the first time! Benita gave me her ruffler foot to put on a machine I no longer used. Now it is set up and calibrated to ruffle. That is all the machine is expected to do and it works perfect.

I like your sewing area! Isn't Benita a sweetheart!

That's great info...Thanks, Anita!
I was looking at the value bundle of thread too with the 50 most popular colors. Do you find that most of your "disney girly" projects fall within those colors?
I saw that the prewounds from Marathon were type L...and on Amazon, I am almost sure that they were selling type M and saying it was compatible with the pe770...does anyone know for sure what type of bobbin it takes?
Editing to add one more question...I watched a tutorial online where the lady doing the applique used heat n bond lite on the back of her applique fabrics, then ironed in on the back side when done and out of the hoop to "set" the heat n bond and stick the fabrics all together. I didn't think I remembered hearing about that step over here...do you all do that too?

Marathon will let you pick other colors for the 50 pack too. Heather does that. She either called them or emailed them to do it. I'm thinking she called.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

Today I hand appliqued a mickey head top to go with DD's skirt, and learned that I need to go slower and get better with my curves. It didn't turn out that badly for a first try.

Then I made some easy fit pants for DS out of an old denim curtain, I feel like Maria Von Trapp I added the cuff, I messed up the cuff somehow so I winged it a little but it still turned out cute. They are a touch short but he loves them.

I'm having fun and I have to say my machine is SUPER easy to use. I love it.
I'll try to post pics in a bit of my first projects.

We need pictures please.

Well, it's not the cutest Disney item, but I made it for our Disney trip. It's a babywearing jacket to go over my Ergo. I altered an old jacket.

With the "kid":

That is really neat!! And, what a cute little baby!

 

[MyDisneyTrio]

What would make the the thread continuously break? I have an Innovis 1500D and my thread is breaking all the time! I cleaned out the bobbin case, changed needle, rethreaded, etc... I am about to pull my hair out. Any ideas? Or am I going to have to take it in to be checked out?

 

[NiniMorris]

What would make the the thread continuously break? I have an Innovis 1500D and my thread is breaking all the time! I cleaned out the bobbin case, changed needle, rethreaded, etc... I am about to pull my hair out. Any ideas? Or am I going to have to take it in to be checked out?

Speaking as a self admitted Thread Snob....if you have done all those things and it is still breaking, your thread might be dried out.

Thread does not have an unlimited shelf life. Sunlight and dust shorten it life even more. There is a silicon spray you can get (a little pricey for my tastes) and spray it on the thread, let it soak in (only takes a couple of minutes) and then the thread will behave a bit more.

Unfortunately, when you buy thread at any store, there is no guarantee how long that thread has been around. Even if there id s quick turn around on the thread, it could be from a box that got hidden in the back.... (see I told you I was a thread snob!) I buy 99% of my thread directly from the manufacturer. That way, if there is a problem with the thread they are quick to help you with the problem...


I have a beautiful spool of variegated turquoise quilting machine thread that I bought from a local quilt shop....can't use it no matter how I baby the machine. I keep it as a "reminder".

You didn't say you checked the tension...that is another reason you might have thread breaks. If the thread is shredding, it almost always due to either a bur or a bad needle...


Sorry...probably way more information than you wanted!

Nini

 

[rtruba]

I have a dumb question. I have been sewing forever but I guess I just never notice the disney fabric. Where do y'all buy most of your fabrics? I have seen tink and pooh at wal mart but y'all seem to have everyone! Joanns, hancocks, online???? what is your best source. I would love phineus and ferb.

If you have a Walmart with a fabic dept still or Hobby Lobby. They usually carry different fabrics than Joanns. Good Luck.

 

[miprender]

What would make the the thread continuously break? I have an Innovis 1500D and my thread is breaking all the time! I cleaned out the bobbin case, changed needle, rethreaded, etc... I am about to pull my hair out. Any ideas? Or am I going to have to take it in to be checked out?

What thread are you using? Some of us (including me) had bad luck with the Coats & Clark thread. or as Nini mentioned maybe your tension is off.

 

[ms_mckenna]

Hey everyone! I just caught up on the thread. I was sooo behind. Anxiously awaiting my hubby to come home. I miss him so much for those 2 weeks he is gone. I've noticed I miss him so much more lately. I think it is because my mom is sick and I am so emotional. Please pray for my mom. She has colon cancer that has spread to her lungs, kidneys, and liver. She just finished her 4th round of chemo and is getting really sick. We find out on Monday if the chemo is working. She is going to MD Anderson on Sunday for scans and will have results on Monday. This feels like a dream I am waiting to wake up from. I know I posted about this before.. but really this feels like it is consuming my whole life. Sometimes it is all I can think about.

Hugs hun saying prayers as always.

Speaking as a self admitted Thread Snob....if you have done all those things and it is still breaking, your thread might be dried out.

Thread does not have an unlimited shelf life. Sunlight and dust shorten it life even more. There is a silicon spray you can get (a little pricey for my tastes) and spray it on the thread, let it soak in (only takes a couple of minutes) and then the thread will behave a bit more.

Unfortunately, when you buy thread at any store, there is no guarantee how long that thread has been around. Even if there id s quick turn around on the thread, it could be from a box that got hidden in the back.... (see I told you I was a thread snob!) I buy 99% of my thread directly from the manufacturer. That way, if there is a problem with the thread they are quick to help you with the problem...


I have a beautiful spool of variegated turquoise quilting machine thread that I bought from a local quilt shop....can't use it no matter how I baby the machine. I keep it as a "reminder".

You didn't say you checked the tension...that is another reason you might have thread breaks. If the thread is shredding, it almost always due to either a bur or a bad needle...


Sorry...probably way more information than you wanted!

Nini

Thank you for posting I did not know about the shelf life. Good to know! Do you just buy from the websites?

What thread are you using? Some of us (including me) had bad luck with the Coats & Clark thread. or as Nini mentioned maybe your tension is off.

I am going to second Coats and Clark. Funny thing is I can buy it from HL and be fine but if I buy it from Walmart I am breaking thread every time.

I lost my quote of yoda baby but very cool!

I have gotten a whopping nothing accomplished as far as sewing this week. I need to get in gear because I still have a lot to do. Including a big give that I have not even started. Oy. Oh and completely off topic but I am super excited. I know my FB friends are already sick of hearing about it but EE was picked as a model for Servane Barrau Designs new fall line. We will be going to Houston in March for the shoot. It is her first shoot so should be interesting lol.

 

[aboveH20]

I am pretty sure I am the odd one here. I actually trace my applique pieces on the back of fusible web (paper side). I then fuse the web with the paper to the applique fabric, peel the paper off, line the applique to the outline (already sewn), iron the applique on, put the hoop back onto the arm and let it finish the satin stitch. I usually just skip the tack down stitch since the applique is fused on. I do not take the item out of the hoop when I iron on the applique - travel irons are great for that. I haven't experienced any problems with my embroidery needle getting gummed up. In fact, I think I used the same needle for over 30 Mickey heads and it is still going strong.

I'm not sure if I'm understanding this correctly, so let me reword what I THINK you're saying and you can say "yeah or nay."

If, for instance, I wanted to do a quilt with lots of the same size Mickey heads (I have heathersue's Mickey ), can I make a pattern of the Mickey head, then cut out 50 Mickey heads from the pattern, let my embroidery machine do the outline stitch, then take the hoop off and use the travel iron to iron on Mickey?

It's 57° in my basement where my machines are so I haven't been down there too much lately. My husband says to bring a space heater down, but I hate to heat the entire basement for my little sewing corner. I'm heading to WDW on Sunday. . . it better be warm there!

 

[NiniMorris]

ENABLER ALERT!!!


In case you didn't see...There are three separate 15% off codes at YCMT.
Use SewClothing for 15% off items in the Clothing Creation category
Use SewHomeDecor for 15% off items in the Home Decor category
Use SewValentines for 15% off items in the Handbags category


Now...I was not a happy camper when WalMart stopped selling fabric by the yard. However, when they get a new shipment in, all the hanging 2 yard cuts of fabric gets marked down....so I just spent $25 and got 28 yards of fabric! A two yard cut of fabric is less than the cost of their fat quarters!

This is the third time I have been able to do this...but the problem is there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when it happens. Since there is no dedicated 'fabric' person, the computer decides when they need a new shipment and how much. (unfortunately, this new way of selling fabric is costing them money, so my local manager said they may be discontinuing the selling of fabric...)


Just in the sharing mood today!


Nini

 

[VBAndrea]

First up is a Valentine Portrait Peasant (with a few modifications). I decided to graduate dd to a size 6 (she's 7 y/o now) and it's sooooo big! Oh well, she can wear it next year too!

Side view is only to show you her Princess Jasmine hair:

And this was yesterday's project. I happened to mention to the kids yesterday morning that upon getting dressed tomorrow (which is now today) to remind me to have them wear red for their Chinese New Year's party at school. DD didn't like that idea -- she wanted a red dress made by me with an appliqued dragon. As I mentioned in an earlier post you had darn well give me more than 24 hours notice for an appliqued dress (I only hand applique). Joann's only had a few Asian prints but I loved this one. It was on sale for $7.50/yd and my pattern required 2 3/4 yards! I bought two and it worked perfectly even with the directional print (and I hope I made the dress with the print in the right direction -- I'm not Chinese so I have no clue!). And then dh had the nerve to ask me if I was certain it was Chinese font and not Japanese. Ugh! Anyway, it's beautiful, high quality fabric and I loved working with it.

And here's my China Doll (complete with plastic skewers in her bun -- the chopsticks we had were way too long):

Pattern is "Miss Mary" from YCMT -- debated between that and the Wrap Top/Dress but this one went a size higher. Definitely not the ease of instructions you get with a Carla C, but nonetheless fairly simple to construct.

 

[Granna4679]

First up is a Valentine Portrait Peasant (with a few modifications). I decided to graduate dd to a size 6 (she's 7 y/o now) and it's sooooo big! Oh well, she can wear it next year too!

Side view is only to show you her Princess Jasmine hair:

And this was yesterday's project. I happened to mention to the kids yesterday morning that upon getting dressed tomorrow (which is now today) to remind me to have them wear red for their Chinese New Year's party at school. DD didn't like that idea -- she wanted a red dress made by me with an appliqued dragon. As I mentioned in an earlier post you had darn well give me more than 24 hours notice for an appliqued dress (I only hand applique). Joann's only had a few Asian prints but I loved this one. It was on sale for $7.50/yd and my pattern required 2 3/4 yards! I bought two and it worked perfectly even with the directional print (and I hope I made the dress with the print in the right direction -- I'm not Chinese so I have no clue!). And then dh had the nerve to ask me if I was certain it was Chinese font and not Japanese. Ugh! Anyway, it's beautiful, high quality fabric and I loved working with it.

And here's my China Doll (complete with plastic skewers in her bun -- the chopsticks we had were way too long):

Pattern is "Miss Mary" from YCMT -- debated between that and the Wrap Top/Dress but this one went a size higher. Definitely not the ease of instructions you get with a Carla C, but nonetheless fairly simple to construct.

Andrea - that is very pretty. I love the fabric too.

QUESTION: A few days ago, someone posted an embroidery design of Mickey sitting in a director chair on FB. Does anyone know who posted that or was I dreaming? I really would like to find it.

 

[Twice_as_Nice]

I haven't gotten to sewing anything today but I am going to take advantage of that YCMT coupon code, thanks for posting.

From my first couple of projects I've learned that I am a standing sewer, I've tried sitting to sew but I can't do it. Is this weird? Maybe I need a higher chair or something? My thigh muscles are getting a good workout though.

One question, what type of thread do you use to do applique with your sewing machine? I used 100% plain polyester for the shirt I did for DD but it doesn't look nice and silky shiny like I would like. Should I try a different kind?