Monday, September 24, 2012

Wow! What a Notion!

During a recent event we saw how easy it was to sew flat, finished on both sides seams using a flat felled foot. This is really the easiest way to get great looking seams on garments.

And there's an added bonus you can get out of this foot. Have you ever needed to make not so wide ties for a project out of a thin strip of fabric? You can try to iron and sew accurately but the strip is so small that it makes the job difficult.

But with the flat felled foot the job is nearly automatic and so easy. We can help show you how and if you're ever stuck at 2:00 in the morning or at 5:00 on a Sunday afternoon, here's a handy Husqvarna Viking video to show you the trick to a flat felled foot.

On sale this week only. See store for complete details.

     



Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Sewing up a Spooky Halloween

Last year  seven tiny teenagers descended on a local fabric store to hunt fabric for Halloween Costumes. The seven had a ballerina costume in mind and wanted tulle and patterns to make matchhing tutu's. What a lovely picture they would make, all in different colors, tiny ballerina's to the Halloween Party. The only problem standing in their way was that they couldn't get any advice at the fabric store.

You will always find a lot of friendly advice at the Kalamazoo Sewing Center. We have a knowledgeable staff to answer questions and provide the tools you need to have a great holiday season. We have classes, like our Autumn Table Runner that teaches cutwork design and we have unique designs like the Anita Goodesign Halloween Quilt full of fun ideas that could be used for pillows, treatbags, aprons, or costumes.

And if the tiny ballerinas needed advice on how much and what fabric to buy and how to best sew their tutu's, we'd be right there with help to make their Halloween a treat.

We've scoured the net and here are some Halloween project ideas we like for home decorating, costumes, and parties. Have a spooky time sewing for Halloween!

And for more inspiration come by the store where we'll be getting together to sew up ghouls, ghosts, and goblins for a spooky Halloween.







Monday, September 17, 2012

Wow! What a Notion!

One thing that is a challenge when going from sewing garments from patterns to quilting is that 1/4 inch seam.

It has to be so precise and there is so little room for error. If you're having problems with piecing your quilts on that 1/4 inch accurately that is the time to come by the sewing center and find some help.

One gadget that might just help you with accuracy is this clear quarter inch piecing foot. It's clear so you can see where you're going and where you've been and it has a handy flange that rides the edge of the fabric and keeps your seam exactly where it's supposed to be.

And, best of all, it's on sale this week---so hurry in and get one! See the store for complete details.



     

Monday, September 10, 2012

Sewing Tip--Soluble Stabilizers


A water soluble stabilizer topper is a must when embroidering fabrics such as towels, velvets, or anything with a nap. You can also hoop a couple of sheets of soluble and use as a backing for projects such as lace. If necessary, for added stability you can sew together 2 sheets of water soluble using water soluble thread.
Water soluble thread and stabilizers should be kept in a sealed plastic container when not in use, otherwise you'll return and find that your solubles have turned to hard, unusuable lumps.  
And be sure to mark that bobbin of water soluble and place it in the plastic container---wouldn't want to confuse water soluble with usual thread.




Happy National Sewing Month to You!

Did you know that September is national Sewing Month? To celebrate we are having a sale on feet this month. For a limited time selected feet are on sale. Here's what we have on special this week and next:



Hurry in to the store; this is a limited time offer and some restrictions apply (see the store for details.)




Saturday, September 8, 2012

We are so excited and really dazzled by the 5D Professional Embroidery Software's Portrait Stitch component. Sewing Star and Husqvarna/Viking Associate, Deb North gave us some tips  recently on making stitched portraits with pizazz.

Deb says that because portraits are stitch intensive a good, heavy duty fabric is a must. Use a fusible and a no show mesh and cut away/tear away stabilizer.

And the more thread colors for skin tone the better---the sewing center can provide you with a complete set of skin tones for your particular ethnicity so that your portraits can come out looking like your family.

And a last tip: make sure the background on the picture that you choose frames the face well and is a different color than the face it's framing.

There are so many things that you can do with these portraits. In addition to framing, why not stitch a family tree quilt and include pictures of all? Take old pictures of the Great Grandma's and Grandpa's and stitch a gorgeous heirloom--the possibilities!

And as usual, we're here for you if you get stuck or need help for those things that are just not quite right. Come see us for all your sewing needs today!






Friday, September 7, 2012

Sewing Tip---Helping You to Sew Better

Do you sometimes get those nasty birds nests underneath your hoop and into the bobbin compartment when doing machine embroidery? Sewing expert and Husqvarna Viking enthusiast Deb North says there's an easy solution to that problem.

And it's called the Straight Stitch Needle Plate or the Straight Stitch Plate. This needle plate has a smaller hole than the regular plate so it's not going to allow that thread to get all tangled up down there!

Stop by the sewing center today and get your fix to this pesky problem.