Posted by Fiberart7 on May 12, 2012
Hi, Readers!
Today’s post is about another great reason to learn how to sew! A little background is in order here…
A customer brought in a prom dress last week to the dry cleaner’s to have shortened. Unfortunately, for all parties involved, I was not there when she came in and another employee measured the gown for length. She did not realize (and neither did the customer, evidently) that the dress was made longer in the back than in the front by about 2 inches…and she measured from the back – OOPSIE!
Unaware of this fact, I hemmed the gown to the marked length, and it turned out to be too short – oh, disaster…what to do?! Girl is hysterical, prom is the next day. Oh, and I’m not there.
Right side ok, left side 2" too short!
So I get to work the next morning and find this little disaster waiting for me along with hysterical mother and daughter (on the phone). I tell them to give me an hour or two to survey the situation and come up with some sort of suggestion for a “fix”.
I had kept (I always do) the pieces of fabric that I cut off of the dress when I hemmed it, so, THANKFULLY, I had something to work with! It was time to get out the magic wand here.
Fabric pieces I had to work with.
I decided to make a 2″ band from the leftover dress fabric (the print) and add a contrasting 1/4″ piping from the lining:
Fabric band "fix"
Then I trimmed the dress evenly around the entire bottom and attached the “fix”:
Finished dress bottom with the band attached
I am delighted to report that the customer was tickled PINK with the outcome – she actually came back to tell me that she thought the dress looked better with the “fix” in place than it did originally! Ah, does the ole heart good to have turned this around!
See, one more reason to learn how to sew…you can fix boo-boos! Really, though, with some time and experience, you can perform all sorts of miracles with clothing and home dec items. There really is no limit to what you can do – and you don’t have to have years of sewing experience. Just a few basic skills is all you need. The above “fix” only required the stitching of 1 straight seam!
Thank you for visiting “Learn How to Sew” today – I hope you enjoyed your visit and will return soon!
Bye for now,
Paula
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Posted by Fiberart7 on May 2, 2012
Hi Readers,
My blog post was headed in an entirely different direction today until I stopped at my mailbox on the way home from work and found a package of patterns from Simplicity! My new Sew Simple patterns arrived already – only 5 days from order to mailbox. Great service! Oh, and did I mention that these patterns are only $1.99 each? If you have looked at any patterns lately, you will know that this is a GREAT price!
Well, I just had to put up a quick post with a picture of the patterns – they are awesome! Here they are:
My new sewing patterns...yippee!!!
Now, readers, how about leaving me a comment telling me which one to make first…I’m so confused, I love them all!
And whichever one you pick will be my first with full sew-along tutorial here on the site.
Be sure to jump on over to the Simplicity site and order some for yourself! Just click on the image link below:
Thanks so much for visiting “Learn How to Sew” today – hope you enjoyed your visit and will return again very soon!
Bye for now,
Paula
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Posted by Fiberart7 on April 28, 2012
Hi Readers!
If you are a subscriber to my “Seam Lines” weekly newsletter, then you read about these patterns earlier in the week. However, these patterns are SO cool, that they warrant an expanded discussion. These patterns are sold by the Simplicity pattern company under the “Sew Simple” label. They are designed for budding sewers. They may be simple, but they are in no way boring!
I was just scanning the Simplicity Creative Group website one evening to see what was new for the summer, and I came across this line of patterns…one of them caught my eye because it was such a cutely designed tank top that I had to buy it:
My great new tank pattern!
When I got the pattern, I took a “swim” through my fabric stash and came up with two possible fabrics that I could use to make this top:
Possible fabric choices to use for tank top.
I’ve since decided (I think!) to use the print for this top. The fabric is nice and cool and flow-y. I think it will make up really nicely in this style because the fabric is thin and the ruffle trim will lie nicely.
Since then, I have been back to the Simplicity website multiple times and ordered 5 (yes, you read that correctly – 5) more of these patterns. They are AWESOME! They are cute enough for someone who’s been sewing a LONG time – like me – to want to make these styles for herself, yet they’re designed for the absolute beginner! This pattern line is not limited to clothing, either. There are childrens patterns, craft patterns, home dec. patterns, and accessories like purses and totes. They even have costumes and dog “fashions”!
Being beginner patterns, the instructions are extra clear and informative, and there are pictures for each step. I purchased patterns for tops, skirts, capris and a dress. I plan to use these patterns here on the site to demonstrate sewing techniques for simple clothing so you can get started easily and have a finished garment to wear with pride in no time at all!
I’ve been working like crazy for the past few weeks ironing out a tutorial schedule and trying to figure out how to make quality videos for them. I’m GREAT at sewing, PC and electronic technology – not so much! But I am determined, so you will see the first video here in no time at all!
Well, if you haven’t already, hop on over to the Simplicity website to check out these patterns…just click on the Simplicity.com button at the top right of this page, follow the Simplicity Pattern link and then the Sew Simple option from the drop down menu – and have fun choosing your first/next sewing project!
Also, make sure to sign up for the “Seam Lines” newsletter by clicking on the link to the right of this post so can receive the weekly newsletter with great sewing tips and product information!
Thank you SO much for visiting “Learn How to Sew Now” today – please come back soon!
Bye for now,
Paula
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Posted by Fiberart7 on April 1, 2012
Hi Everyone!
Sorry for the absence from Learn How to Sew Now blog-ville recently. Without going into all of the gory details, suffice it to say that I almost lost my Mom to a nasty pseudomonas infection last month. She was hospitalized 10 days, 5 of them in the critical care unit. Spent 24 hrs. a day there for days. Then she was transferred to a rehab/nursing facility where she spent a full month getting her strength back. I am elated to report that she was sufficiently recovered to be able to return home last Wednesday. She is so happy to be home, and is sounding stronger every day. It was a really close call – she’s 83 and has a VERY bad heart. I feel so blessed to still be able to enjoy her company!
Oh, and all of this was/is happening 40+ miles from where I live! Lots of running, and let’s not forget that pesky job I have to go to! Hopefully things will calm down now that she’s home and I’ll be able to get back to blogging and sewing in between visits!
Well, now that it’s spring, I think it’s time to think about starting my summer wardrobe. And now that I have that wonderful Brother 1034D serger, I can make short work of some simple tops and skirts for the warmer weather, especially for work since it’s SO hot in there. I’m looking to make some sleeveless tops in a nice, cool lightweight linen or cotton fabric. Must hunt for a nice top pattern…maybe a pretty dress pattern too…oh, and some capris…….
Coming up here on the learn how to sew blog, I plan to get back to tutorials both in print w/pics and the debut of video! I’d also like to do a sew-along tote bag tutorial very soon.
I will also post some of my mixed media art projects that are in the works. All of them include sewing of some sort plus all kinds of other techniques. Fun and interesting!
I’m also looking for some sewing-related products to sell on the site. I’m not sure what they will be yet – sewing products aren’t that easy to find! But I was thinking it would be great to sell some basic sewing kits, sewing baskets and maybe a great basic sewing machine or two. Things to get beginning sewists started on their learning to sew journey.
If anyone has any ideas for products (or product sources!), ideas for tutorials and/or sew-alongs or blog post ideas, please feel free to let me know! I’d be happy to oblige!
Thanks SO much for visiting Learn How to Sew today! Please come back soon…and don’t forget to sign up for the weekly newsletter “Seam Lines” that I put out on Wednesdays. Just click on the link to the right of the blog post to sign up.
“Talk” to you soon!
Paula
P.S. Make sure to “Like” us on FB…http://www.facebook.com/pages/Learn-How-to-Sew-Now/201175146563297
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Posted by Fiberart7 on February 13, 2012
Howdy Everyone!!
It’s 4:43 am here in the Eastern US. What I’m doing wide awake is anybody’s guess! (Hey, that rhymes – cool!) Anyway, I woke up “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed” (as Mom used to say) about an hour ago and finally decided to put that energy to good use.
The “project” is moving along – albeit, at a snail’s pace!!! My vision for this piece included a fair amount of beading which is done completely by hand. And since I want the beads to be attached with the hole facing up, each bead has to be anchored in 2 places instead of just one; the way you would normally attach them.
I was determined to get into this part of the project, since I can’t really do much else until this is done. So I set up my work area in my fabulous bedroom, and this was the scene for Saturday and Sunday evening when hubby came in…
Hand stitching the beads...
If you remember from my last post, this is what one of the components of the project looked like:
First sewn component
I actually cut out the circle and finished the edge with a zig-zag stitch on my sewing machine (this will not be visible in the finished project). Then I started attaching the beads:
The beading so far.
I worked on attaching the beads for about 4 hours on Saturday evening (very closely supervised by my Petunia, of course), and about 3 hours Sunday evening. It’s amazing how tedious this job actually is…I needed help to stay focused and not go batty, so I set up a work area that included not only my project, but also my laptop and the TV stocked with a DVR full of foolish nonsense.
So, to save my sanity and get this project going, after every bead or two, I’d glance at my FB page to keep an eye on the online world, and/or watch the TV with one eye. This set-up seemed to work very well. So after about 7 hours, this is what is done:
Close-up of the beading.
Anyone have a guess as to what this is working its way toward becoming? The rest of the components can be seen here. You can leave a guess in the comments or on the FB page! Oh, it’s hard to tell the size of this piece – it’s about 4″ round.
Well, I must be off to work…I’d certainly rather stay home and work on my project for the day, but “duty” (nasty four-letter word) calls!
Thank you SO much for visiting “learn how to sew now” today. Please come back soon!
Bye for now,
Paula
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Posted by Fiberart7 on February 2, 2012
Howdy Everyone!
As you may have guessed from the title of this post, I’ve started a new project. I am the VERY best person in the whole world to teach you how to start something – finishing, maybe not so much 
Even so, let me tell you about this new project – sort of.
Actually, I am going to be showing you a few pictures and see if anyone can guess what I may be making. I think this will be fun. But before I get to the pictures I must tell you that I have my new laptop and wireless router all set up and this is my first post from my comfy and beautiful bedroom! I adore my new toy!!
Enough of that. On to the sewing related fun…
First thing to do when starting a new project is to gather everything needed for the project. I usually don’t start sewing on a project until I have all of the components for the finished project. I don’t like to have to stop my creative momentum because I don’t have a component for the project – that’s just the way I like to work.
The project components
And here are a few pics of the beginning of the project…
First component marked for stitching
Next component marked for cutting
Cut batting rings
Layering batting and fabric
First sewn component
Okay, so that is the first batch of pictures of the new project. If you have a guess you can leave it in the comments or on the FB page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Learn-How-to-Sew-Now/201175146563297). Don’t be shy – let’s have some fun!
Oh, and lest anyone think I am lonely working on this project…
Petunia inspecting my work 
Thank you so much for visiting “learn how to sew” today. Please come back soon!
Bye for now,
Paula
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Posted by Fiberart7 on January 29, 2012
Hi Everyone!
I’m awfully glad to report that I am feeling back to my normal self and really hoping to stay that way! So, you can expect a nice newsletter in your inbox next Wednesday! If you aren’t signed up for the newsletter, just click on the link to the right of this post that says “Seam Lines” Newsletter sign-up and the form will load. Be sure to choose the HTML option if you want to be able to view pictures.
OK, enough of that! Just the other day, I had a reader ask if I could tell them where to get a sewing machine manual for a machine that was given to them with no manual. I did some digging around on the web, and found an awesome site for manuals of all kinds!
I decided I may as well write a post about this, because this is something that happens often. I don’t know how, but it does. I have been given 3 or 4 machines – all without manuals. And although you may be able to figure some things out by yourself, you really need the manual for the machine.
THE most important thing about a sewing machine is the threading. If you don’t have the machine threaded properly, nothing else you do will make that machine sew correctly. The manual shows you how to thread your machine, how to wind and insert the bobbin correctly, and how to use the features that the machine comes with.
This is the link to the site:
https://www.2instructions.com/index.php#.TyVnqIHhcUU
They have over 10 MILLION manuals! So if anyone has a sewing machine that is manualless, I strongly suggest that you hop on over to this site and search for a copy of the manual for your machine – you’ll be so glad you did!
Thank you SO much for visiting “learn how to sew” today – please come back soon, and please leave any questions or comments and I’ll be sure to answer them as soon as I can!
See you soon!
Paula
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Posted by Fiberart7 on January 15, 2012
Hi Everyone!
Tonight I was doing some mending on a work shirt for my hubby so he could take it to work in the morning. All of a sudden, my sewing machine locked up on me. I thought I got some thread in the bobbin mechanism, but I couldn’t see it. I enlisted the aid of my mechanically inclined husband to check it out.
This is what it looked like about an hour ago:
My baby......:(
We managed to fix the problem, although we only found a tiny bit of thread which I don’t think was the culprit after all.
Hubby Jim put it all back together and everything moved freely. I decided to mend another garment, and when I put the machine on zig-zag, somehow the whole stitching mechanism shifted to the right, and the needle hit the the presser foot and broke it!!! I have NEVER seen anything like that happen in 30 years of sewing.
I want to cry. This is my Pfaff 1471 – my baby – my favorite machine! I guess I am going to have to find somewhere to take it and have it professionally serviced/fixed. Oh, no, I can’t stand it!
All I have to say is she better be fixable, because I just bought a laptop computer, and if I would have known I may have to replace my machine, I wouldn’t have bought that computer! (Can you see where my affection lies?)
Well, I will keep you updated on the Pfaff, and as soon as I get my laptop up and running all nicey-nicey, you’ll be hearing from me much more frequently!
If you haven’t signed up for the “Seam Lines” newsletter yet, make sure you click on the link in the box to the right of this post and sign up today!
“Talk” to you soon!
Paula
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Posted by Fiberart7 on December 8, 2011
Hello, Hello, Everyone!
Today I am announcing a new addition to the website – a weekly newsletter called “Seam Lines” (kinda catchy, the name, huh?)
Ok, seriously, though, beginning next week, Wednesday, December 14, I will be writing a weekly newsletter and delivering it by email to all my subscribers.
The newsletter is going to be short. No one, including me, has time to sit through a lengthy email – I hate those, even if it’s very interesting.
So, a weekly tried and true sewing tip for starters. Something truly useful! And the rest of the letter will bring you news of sewing-related products such as fabric lines, notions, patterns, sewing machines, accessories, etc. I will also present a quick review of a product or online shop that I love or possibly hate (like those pesky patterns from the Civil War costumes…I’m still gritting my teeth over those instructions!).
Silk dupioni vest
Gerry's Civil War Era Frock Coat Pattern
So, to sign up, just look to the right of this post, and you will see a box that says “Seam Lines” Newsletter Sign-up. Just click the link and a sign-up form will magically appear for you to fill in. You will be sent a confirmation email where you need to click to confirm your subscription, and then you will receive another email confirming your sign-up and giving you a link to your free gift.
Oh, wait! I didn’t tell you about the free gift yet, did I? For signing up for “Seam Lines” you will receive my report called “Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks for Machine Sewing”.
This report is a gem if I do say so myself. I put together all of the little things I learned over the past 25+ years of sewing that could (and do, on a regular basis) go wrong with your sewing machine when you are trying to be productive.
All kinds of little things can make your machine “cranky” and give you a migraine. Sometimes your machine may need the sewing machine repair people- sadly, it happens. But many, many times, the problem can be really easy to fix if you know what to look for. And that is where my report can help. You can try out these tricks and see if you can get your machine working again. This may save you time and even some money if you can avoid taking your machine into the repair shop when not absolutely necessary.
So, go ahead and sign up for the newsletter, it’s painless, I promise, and get your free copy of my report and your first issue of “Seam Lines” newsletter in your inbox on Wednesday – isn’t that something wonderful to look forward to??
Bye for now!
Paula
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Posted by Fiberart7 on December 6, 2011
Hey, Everyone!!
I was just doing some behind the scenes computer work (doing a LOT of that the past few weeks!) and while taking a much-needed break, I decided to check out one of my favorite on-line stores, AllBrands.
I discovered that they have the EXACT same model of sewing machine I use at work every day (yes, I use a home sewing machine at work – nothing fancy!) for the incredible price of just $199.00 (factory serviced) with a free carrying case!
When we purchased the machine for the shop I work at, we bought it used. That machine is a real workhorse! It sews really well, it’s very easy to use, and it’s electronic (my personal choice over mechanical)! It’s a Singer Advance, and it would be a FANTASTIC choice for a first sewing machine, or for an upgrade from a mechanical to an electronic machine.
Here is the product link for you to check it out:
http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp15304-0903.html
If you or anyone you know is seriously looking for an awesome machine without breaking the bank, this is the ONE! Don’t wait – check it out NOW!
And if you happen to have any questions about it, feel free to email me (fiberart7@learnhowtosewnow.com). I’d be happy to answer them for you – after all, I work with this machine every day!
Come back soon! Bye for now,
Paula
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Learn How to Sew – Tragedy to Truimph
