Book Review- School of Sewing

my speedy pillowcase

 

if like me you purchase your books on Amazon then you know that every time you search for a book or buy a book Amazon will  recommended similar book for you to buy. This is how I came across 'School of Sewing' by Shea Henderson. what made me click the buy now button was that the book had a section called 'Your sewing machine " and with all the trouble I have had recently with my machine I wanted to read that section.
Am I happy with my purchase? Absolutely. I read the book cover to cover within two days. Its well written, easy to follow and included many informative photos. The first half of the book provides the reader with a ton of information on sewing machines, what each part is called, how to maintain your machine, the different types of machines available- mechanical, electronic and computerized. There is a round down of the different feet available and when to use each one. Next sewing supplies are discusses which ones are essential and which ones are nice to have. The book also covers fabric. The different types of fabric available and also how to pick a fabric, the author recommends quilting cottons for beginners. I agree. There is a section on interfacing- fusible v's sew in, woven v's non woven.  The section titled Driver's Ed talks about cutting and unsewing (using a seam ripper, threading a machine, stitch types ( straight, zigzag, etc) and hand sewing.
The section I found most interesting was Pressing 101. What I learnt was there is a difference between ironing clothes and pressing fabric during a sewing  project. Ironing can stretch the fabric especially when cut on the bias.
The second half of the book contains the projects. There are 12 projects each project introduces a new  technique or builds on a previously learnt one therefore each project increases in difficulty. The author suggests that you try each project in the order given in the book. Also each project has an extra credit step.
I liked the projects in this book because they are all useful items that can and will be used once made. There are bag and pillow projects, an apron, placemats and a quilt.
 I had a go at making the first project (pictured above) called 'Speedy Pillowcase'. yes it was quick. What took me the longest time was picking the fabric. The technique learnt in this lesson were French seams. The instructions were easy to follow and the step by stop photographs clearly presented each step. I had no problems or confusion while making this project.
Another thing I like to mention about the book is that the author has included comments from 8 of her students, how they felt , what they learnt, what went wrong while making the projects. This I feel removes some of the fear and loneliness associated with learning a new skill from a book because it shows how others how successfully learnt the skills you are trying to master and the problems they faced while learning.
My one negative would be that the book at sometimes felt like an advertisement for Janome.
'School of Sewing" is aimed at beginners but I feel that we can all learn something from this book. I know I did!

Hand stitching

well my sewing machine is still not working so it was perfect timing that I received the Lucky Bear plushie kit with issue 50 of molliemakes last week. This kit is an exercise in hand sewing using a variety of different embroidery stitches, my new favourite stitch is now the buttonhole wheel and scallop.

A Good Friend

my sewing machine jammed yesterday I cannot fix the problem so I need to take it to someone for repairs and it feels like I am losing a good friend hopefully only for a short while. however before it died I did make some thing like this cushion and doll. I was in the middle of making the dolls dress when the said incident occurred.

Hearts for Valentine's Day

12 x 16 in Rectangular cushion with appliqued hearts.

Cats

Made these kitties for the special people in my life. I used the kitty pattern from this book, and changed the oval tummy to a heart.

The Pi Project

My number for The Pi Project.

I only heard about it day and  the deadline is this Saturday, hope my panel makes it there on time!

The Blue Dress

Have been working on a new doll this week. The dress pattern I used is the Sundress from this book.

News

Just wanted to let you know that the deadline to submit artwork  for Stuffed magazines August 2015 issue is fast approaching( March 15th).  So go on send that adorable doll you made in. Its awesome to see it in print.

Learning to sew

I am teaching my daughter to sew. We are making a quilt using up my fabric scraps. The goal here is to enjoy the process and learn how to sew. Its a variation of the log cabin design. So far we have made three blocks of the 30 required to complete the quilt and with the  expected snow storm I am sure we will be making many more in the next few days.

Happy New Year

we had snow early this week and freezing temperatures. Its cold and colourless outside. so I have made two cushions that will certainly add colour and a little warmth to my sofa. the fabric is from Joann's by Jules and Coco in speckles orange, zig-zag and pink floral. I used a fun pompom trim for the rectangular accent cushion and piping for the large square cushion

White and Blue Cushion with Embroidery

A couple of weeks ago I signed up for the Penguin and Fish news letter and in return I received a lovely  picnic pals embroidery pattern. I used the pattern on this cushion cover slightly larger than the original. The cushion measures approximately 12 x 16 inches.

it has begun...

 The radio stations are  playing Christmas songs and its cold outside. Its time to start thinking about gifts, will you be making or buying for the peopleyou love?  my shop has handmade dolls for little ones. just something to think about.
Have a good week

Sharing

Just sharing a link this week to a new digital magazine that is calling for submissions -'Seamwork' check it out here .

Corded Fabric

More playing and experimenting this time with a technique known as cording. The type of cording I am referring to here places a cord or yarn inside a stitched channel, this creates a raises fabric surface. Coding can be done by hand or machine. I am not a very patient person so naturally I used my sewing machine. A twin needle is essential to create the stitched channel which holds the cord or yarn.
How its done. place cord under fabric (I used acrylic yarn in my cushion), stitch on the right side of fabric, use fingers to guide cord making sure its centered between the twin needles, and experiment with straight lines, wavy lines, spiral patterns. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!
Another way to cord is to sandwich the cord between two pieces of fabric. cording will reduce the size of your fabric so always start with a larger piece.

Inspiration

The idea for this cushion cover popped into my head during my yoga class last week. It a variation on the work I have been doing recently on fabric gathering but simplified. This got me thinking about inspiration and new ideas.
Where does it come from and how can we tap into it everyday. Over the years I have read many books on this subject and the most commonly mentioned point is to just get started with a project and ideas will slowly began to flow for new work. Keeping a sketchbook of ideas is also invaluable.
Personally I have noticed that ideas will come to me when I am not actively thinking about my work like during yoga last week.
Sigmund Freud once said "When inspiration doesn't come, I go halfway to meet it"
Where or how do you find inspiration?

This week

This week I have been working on Christmas themed cushions. If you like what you see visit my shop.

Autumn

Right now I am enjoying the Autumn as the leaves  change colours and gently float to the ground as I take  walks around my neighbourhood.

I remember

It was Grandparents week at my children's school the week which made me reflect on my wonderful grandparents. The bench  in the above picture sits in my mudroom, the cushions on the bench  were made a long time ago by my grandmothers.
My grandmothers were friends who often worked on the same projects. My paternal grandmother was very skilled with a embroidery needle and the work on the front of the cushion was done by her. My maternal grandmother would create pure magic with a crochet needle the trim around each cushion was done by her.
Both grandmothers were always busy making something. the something was always an item for the home, a table cloth , a cushion or tea towel.
 I remember my grandmother telling me that the project she was working on was for me for when I grew up and had a home of my own I could display the item and remember her. This of course made little sense to me at the time but today when I see the cushions in my mudroom I remember- my grandmothers made those cushions for me.

Matilda

Went to see Matilda the Musical this weekend in New York.

Frilled Cushion

Adding a frill to a cushion cover gives it a soft feminine look. A frill trim need not be restricted to floral fabric.
To make the frill you will need to measure the cushions perimeter and add a seam allowance of about 5cm (2inches) and double it. Decide if you would like a long or short frill for the width and double that figure also. Cut strips of fabric  that measure the length and width you have calculated, joining strips if needed. Fold the strip in half on the short side (width) wrong sides together. Using the longest stitch length on your machine tack the folded strip on the raw edge. To gather pull the threads. The gathered frill should measure half the original length. Attach to cushion front the same way you would any other trim.