September 15, 2017

CELEBRATE NATIONAL SEWING MONTH - DAY 15: BY DESIGNING YOUR OWN APPAREL LABELS... ...

...it took me 4ever (years) to decide on a custom design label for my much loved hand crafted garments.  I could never seem to come up with anything that quite satisfied.  I also thought custom labels would be outside of my budget.  I even told myself that I really didn't need labels for the clothing I made for myself - who would ever see them anyway?  But in the back of my mind I still yearned for a classy little custom label to punctuate my work.

I finally took the plunge back in June when a fellow sewing blogger offered 15% off orders from Dutch Label Shop.  One of my sewing mentors had suggested that I have a design with lettering like this, so that is what I went with
I was not only happy with my new labels, but also the "whole design your own label" process, AND the price.  Finally, I had that classy little custom label I had wanted for so long.  The design process was so easy.  It guided me through step by step allowing me to see how the label would look as I made changes to arrive at my final design. It was amazingly easy!

Fast forward to just a few weeks ago when I was contacted by Abby from Dutch Label Shop asking if I would like to participate in one of their promotions.  Of course, my answer was an resounding YESSSS!

Having already gone through the design process once made this time a breeze.  I chose the same black label but with sparkly gold lettering and border.  There were so many options to choose from, (size, lettering, color, sew on or iron on and even symbols).  Designing my "Hello Beautiful" labels was so much fun, but it will be even more fun as I actually sew them into one garment after the next!



I'm celebrating National Sewing Month by offering all my readers a 15% discount from               Dutch Label Shop. The discount will be available for the next 30 days, using this discount code:  "fayesewingadventure15" (all lower case).  You can just enter the discount code when  prompted during the purchasing process,

 so you too can add a little sparkle to your sewing life!

September 14, 2017

NATIONAL SEWING MONTH - DAY 14...

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SEWING TIP OF THE DAY
(Maybe you've heard this, but just in case you haven't) 

Tired of pinning patterns to fabric?  Make your own pretty pattern weights using low cost hardware store washers of all sizes, pretty ribbons or trims, and a glue gun.  Mine are made using just a single washer.  To make heavier weights, wrap two or three washers together.

September 13, 2017

NATIONAL SEWING MONTH - DAY 13:

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SEWING TIP OF THE DAY
(Maybe you've heard this, but just in case you haven't)

ROLLED HEMS
Before starting to sew a rolled hem serge or zigzag  the edge of the hem.  This will reduce fraying and give you a sturdy edge and more control over your narrow/rolled hem. 

September 12, 2017

NATIONAL SEWING MONTH - DAY 12...

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 SEWING INFO OF THE DAY
(Maybe you've heard this, but just in case you haven't) 

It would have been so nice of me if I had mentioned Craftsy.com's Free For All on Labor Day for the benefit of those who did not know about it.  Truth be told, I only thought about doing that just today.  Please forgive me!  Hopefully they will have that offer again sometime in the very near future.

But in the meantime, it started me thinking about ALL of the Craftsy classes I have:
One Pattern Many Looks:  Pants - Kathy Ruddy
Patternmaking + Design:  Pants - Suzy Furrer
Patternmaking Basics:  The Bodice Sloper - Suzy Furrer (mmmm, forgot I bought that one)
Create any Size:  Pattern Grading for Sewers - Kathleen Cheetham
Essential Guide to Tailoring - Alison Smith
Jacket Fitting Techniques - Pam Howard
40 Techniques Every Sewer Should Know - Gail Yellen
I've even picked up a few free classes along the way:
 Machine Savy: Tips for Creative Sewing - Linda McGhee
Sew Real:  Machine Basics - Amy Alan
Sewing Machine Feet A to Z - Steffani Lincecum
Mastering Zippers - Suni Standing
Know Your Wool - Deborah Robson
Complete Knife Skills - Brendan McDermott (for the Sewing Gourmet that I am)

So I was wondering if you'd share your Craftsy list???


September 11, 2017

NATIONAL SEWING MONTH DAY 11: NOTABLE MENTIONS 6:

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SEWING INFO OF THE DAY
(Maybe you've heard this, but just in case you haven't) 

You just never know who might be harboring a secret, (a sewing secret that is)!  Recently one of my readers informed me that Canada's Lieutenant-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell of the Province of Ontario has just such a secret.  I found this fact absolutely inspiring, especially since I, myself been experiencing a "sewing Lull" of sorts.  You can learn more about her secret here:




Sheryll's had more fabulous sewing tips for the month of August at patterns.scissors.cloth

September 10, 2017

NATIONAL SEWING MONTH - DAY 10...

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SEWING TIP OF THE DAY
(Maybe you've heard this, but just in case you haven't) 
CURE FOR RUNAWAY FOOT PEDALS

Use shelf or drawer liners to create a no-slip surface for your sewing machine’s pedal. Cut in a square shape, slightly larger than the machine foot pedal, and this textured foam will help keep the pedal in place as you stitch.

September 9, 2017

NATIONAL SEWING MONTH - DAY 9...

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SEWING TIP OF THE DAY
(Maybe you've heard this, but just in case you haven't) 



Metal hem guides get too hot for fingers when pressing up a hem. To eliminate this problem, purchase a silicone pot holder and cut in per-measured strips (1/2", 1", 1 1/2", 2" and so on) to use as hem guides.  One pot holder is usually large enough to yield all the standard hem sizes we use.
The iron will not harm the silicone, and they always remain cool to the touch.

September 8, 2017

NATIONAL SEWING MONTH - DAY 8...

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SEWING TIP OF THE DAY
(Maybe you've heard this, but just in case you haven't)

Purchase interfacing in 5 or 6 yard lengths.  Preshrink in a basin of hot water for 15 minutes.  Hang to dry over the shower rod.  This way your interfacing is ready to go whenever you need it.

Paying Homage to Black Pattern Designers...

...for years February has been set aside as a special time to learn about and recognize accomplishments of African Americans and other peopl...