Handstitching Project: Sew an Easy Felt Doughnut Pincushion

 This is a fun and satisfying project for all skill levels. From beginner to experienced. It is also useful! I usually do this project early in the school year along with a felt needle book and its fun to see them being used all year.

Supplies needed 2) 5 inch felt circles for the doughnuts, 1) 5 inch felt circle for the frosting. Cut 1 inch diameter holes in all three circles. Cut around the edge of the frosting decoratively. I have templates.  It is important for the center holes to be pretty close in size and position.

I made a video. I stitch in real time. Time will tell if this is the best way to do a video. Unfortunately, I had background music playing. There were a couple copyrighted songs. I opted to have those sections muted, I may re do the video in the future. So there are quiet parts. If you have something I need to add clarity to, please ask in the comments here or on youtube.  

First add the center doughnut holes in the doughnut and the frosting.

Then stitch the frosting to one of the doughnut pieces. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire. I use a heavier thread or embroidery thread. I think I'm using a crochet thread, but I do a lot of second hand shopping and work with donations. So it works! I like to add sprinkles. This time I added an "x" for the sprinkles.

Next, right sides together stitch around the doughnut with regular thread. A running stitch works, but I ended up doing a backstitch.

Leave an opening. Do not stitch the doughnut hole yet!

Turn right sides out. Now it is time to sew the middle. I use an overcast stitch. Make sure to catch all the layers and stitch close together so the stuffing will not show.

Stuffing time!

I closed up the opening with a ladder stitch. I didn't get a photo! Please look near the end of the video.

Success!!

How to Thread a Pfaff Varimatic 6091

 I purchased my Pfaff Varimatic 6091 in 1998 from Sewing Products Inc. The machine has served me well. I still use it when I sew standing by my cutting table or when I wind bobbins for my industrial Pfaff.  This is a more modern Pfaff than mine.

I made a short video showing the thread path. Its very straight forward. I also show the dual feed and how to insert the bobbin.

Just for fun, I threaded the machine 15 seconds and made a short. This machine and I are good friends. You will have to watch it on youtube, I can't figure out how to put a short in Blogger yet!

I also use a thread stand when I sew with cones on this machine. I found a metal one here, I do not like the plastic ones. I haven't found one that is heavy enough to stay in one spot.

Easy Sewing Project: Make a Small Drawstring Bag

Supplies needed:

tee shirt knit 

(2) 1 3/4" x 21" 

cotton or cotton/polyester

(2) 3" x 10" for casing

(2) 10" x 10" for lining

(2) 10" x 10" for outside

I used my AccuQuilt cutter.

Hem the ends of the casing, double fold 3/8" wide.

Make a sandwich with the outer and lining, with the casing folded in-between.  Right sides together. 

Stitch all the way across. Backstitch at start and stop. About 3/8" seam allowance.

Match seams. Stitch all the way around, leaving a space in the lining to turn the bag right side out.

Watch for casing. You do not want to catch it in the side seam.

Turn right side out.

Stitch closed the hole in the lining.

Tuck lining in. Prepare to thread ties into casing.

Yay! Finished!

How many bags were completed in making of this video?

(Actually 6, my son confiscated one!)

Craft Haul! Fabric, Felt , and Fleece.

 Its time to start preparing for co op sewing classes. I picked up some fabric from a Facebook fabric swap group, some buy nothing local groups and Facebook Marketplace.

I use fabric cutters from AccuQuilt  it makes class prep go faster and lets the kids have more time for sewing. 

I plan to share some of my go to projects here and on youtube so be sure to follow if you'd like to inspire sewing in the next generation, or if you are just looking for some fun hand sewing projects for yourself!

Which Sewing Machine Should You Purchase?

If you are in the market for a new sewing machine the choices can be overwhelming. I believe there are good machines in all brands and at almost all price points (I am not a fan of the small plastic lightweight machines). If you are lucky enough to have a local retail sewing machine shop, that is my first choice. They generally offer lessons to help you learn the proper way to use your machine, and can service or tune it up when needed. Also, you can go into the store with samples, try some demo machines, and talk to a sales person about what machine is best for your needs.

If you don't have a local retail shop, I am an affiliate for Sewingmachinesplus.com, Inc.. While I haven't purchased a machine from them, I have purchased parts and presser feet. They offer financing, a price match guarantee, 60 day return policy, and expert sewing consultants to get you started on your sewing journey successfully. 

I know that there are good second hand machines. If you are just starting out, it can be difficult to get your machine running properly. If you have someone to teach you and/or someone mechanically inclined you can go this route, but I want you to be successful. Do not let a bad machine frustrate you when you are first getting started sewing!

And don't forget to join their mailing list while you are saving up and deciding which machine best fits your needs! (you may have to scroll down a little on the page to find it)

Making Recycled Denim bags from Post consumer Jeans

I was lucky enough to get an order for 20 market bags. I decided to share the process as much as I can here and to practice making youtube process videos. 

These are the finished bags, my pattern is made from an old fashioned brown paper grocery sac.

A quick view on "Betty" to show the size.

I use box cutters and a variety of scissors to disassemble the jeans. There are numerous ways that this can be accomplished. This is how I decided to cut these apart.

The pockets, belt loops, and hems I sold in my Etsy shop. The inseams and waistbands I used for the straps on the finished Market bags.

This is a video I made earlier cutting the strips. I do use the same process on the market bags.

Then I sort the strips so my finished bags have lots of shades of denim.

Sewing my strips together.

Measuring and cutting the size I need.

Stitch the stack of cut pieces together.

Yardage reveal.

Bag assembly.

Finishing the Market Bag.

This is another example of how I cut the jeans apart to make something else.

I use die cutters in a lot of my denim recycling. This bag was made using strip cutters from here.

Refashion Runway Season 5: Small to Large

In the Small to Large Challenge I tried something a little different. I'm often taking jeans that are too small and making something larger, so I tried with 2 pink pullovers and a chambray shirt.

You can vote this week at The Renegade Seamstress Blog.

This is what I started with:

And this is what I made:

If you visit my Pinterest Board for the Challenge you can see where I found my inspiration this week.

Both of the pinks were too small in different ways. The flowered one was too small to put on and the hoodie was too short, the zipper was wonky and the sleeves were too short. There were also logos with puffy paint on the front and back of the hoodie.

The hoodie I used for the base, but it still doesn't have the best shape. It's a company pattern drafting issue and I didn't take the time to correct it this make. If you are reusing the original garment shoulders and armholes, it is important to make sure they are well fitting (note to self!).

I really like the flowers and the reused button fronts. 

Figuring out my flounce. Page from this book (affiliate link)

More photos and a video about my week coming soon!