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.

     

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.)

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!

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.  

Notion of Note

One of the most precious gifts I ever received was a box of handmade ornaments from my mother the first Christmas that I was married; a gift that will go on giving for many years even now that she's gone. Everytime I get them out they remind me of her and I smile.

If you're looking for a homemade Christmas for you or your loved ones check these ideas out. Holiday coasters and ornaments, gingies, snowmen, candy canes, and Santa's. We've also got a lot of new gift card holder designs this year. Sew cute. I can't wait to start a set for my own family!  

Notion of Note

Whether you're trying to get embroidery designs square in the hoop or placing an applique in your quilt one hand notion is the PAL or Perfect Alignment Laser.

It will even help you place a picture on the wall or sew a precisely straight seam.

Watch the video and see how versatile this notion is!