RedHeadTexan

I have a concave sternum which makes all bras fit me incorrectly and uncomfortable.  Does anyone else have this issue and have you found a bra that fits correctly?  Underwire fits better than no-wire, but I prefer to go braless at home.

Lisa

4 hours ago, Anita Latte said:

Beautiful quilt top Lisa. So bright and cheerful!

 

How did you find your long arm quilter? I actually saw a listing on Craigslist the other day...it got me thinking and wondering.

I googled "Longarm Quilter" and the small towns that are nearby.  I live outside Knoxville, TN and discovered that service oriented businesses are much less expensive out in the rural areas.  Once I found some ladies that do this out of their homes, I checked out their social media pages to see their work.  Elizabeth, who is my quilter, lives way out in the sticks and does a phenomenal job.  She taught me how to hand sew the binding.  

I have some small makeup bags that I plan on making as Christmas gifts this year and will work on quilting those with my walking foot.  I just ordered this book on  Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1940655218/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 on machine quilting with the walking foot.  

Lisa

This is the quilt top that was inspired by the Caribbean.  It is at the long arm quilter now and will be a birthday gift for my older sister who also loves cruising.

My current projects are 3 mystery quilts, a Project Linus quilt, and a block of the month group.  At some point over the next few weeks I plan to sew a couple of pairs of pants.  It’s a pattern I have seen once before, so all the height adjustments have been made. 

Lisa

22 hours ago, geocruiser said:

I have been missing going on a cruise.  Sew I thought that I might try making some pillow cases with nautical fabric, that will remind me of the cruises that we have taken.  Has any one used this methordmof making mpillow cases?

 

https://www.craftsy.com/post/burrito-pillowcase/

 

https://www.craftsy.com/post/burrito-pillowcase/

I have not tried this method, but it looks pretty straight forward.  You just have to make sure that the roll is nowhere near the presser foot when sewing.  

I like the idea of making nautical pillowcases.  I just finished a quilt top that was inspired by a sunny day in the Caribbean.  

Lisa

Another option for tracing paper is exam table paper, like the rolls on the exam tables at the doctor's office.  I bought mine on Amazon and it was pretty inexpensive.  The patterns that I make over and over get traced onto craft/butcher paper.  That seems to hold up for years.

Lisa

21 hours ago, geocruiser said:

They are really beautiful.  Are you going to send them all out to a long are quilter, or do some your self?  I don't make any thing larger that a table runner.  Just too many little pieces for me to cut and sew.

You did such a great job on the quilt tops.

The top one with the pinwheels I quilted on my machine...it was stitch in the ditch and then parallel lines on the borders.  The big ones go to the long arm.  Anything that is a throw or smaller I can quilt on my Juki.  I am slowly learning free motion quilting.  I make quilt sandwiches out of scraps and practice.  I would love to be able to free motion quilt my smaller projects by the end of the year.

Lisa

Here are some of the quilts I have been working on.  The hearts and the star are at the long arm quilter getting finished.  I forgot to take a picture of the hearts after I added the borders.

Lisa

3 hours ago, Anita Latte said:

Nice. For the quilt top, did you do one of those sew the strips together and cut and flip and turn and sew the cut pieces together type quilts? I started a quilt like that before DS was born but still haven’t finished it😱

 

Nevertheless, I bought a Modern Quilting magazine several months ago with just such a pattern on it for a new coverlet for our bed...someday...lol

 

Having a dedicated cover stitch machine is quite the luxury. Is it the same? The two lines are what you see as you sew and the turned under hem is unseen? Do you trim your hem beforehand? Or do you trim it to the seaming after sewing? Any tips? I know you see a lot with knits.

I have not tried using the cover stitch for the decorative underside showing on garments.  I mostly hemmed dresses and rompers with it and had the double or triple line stitches showing.  I will have to make some more athletic leggings and try it out.

Lisa

On 2/22/2021 at 12:28 PM, geocruiser said:

Great info Lisa.  Thank you.  Do you also use stretch or ballpoint needles on your serger?

 

Maria

I prefer ballpoint with slippery knits like spandex.  If it's not a slippery knit, then either one works fine.

On 2/23/2021 at 9:59 PM, Anita Latte said:

 

My serger has the capability to what it calls a cover stitch. It is a hem stitch. When you look at ready made knits and the hem has two straight lines on the finished side and all those crazy overlapping zigzags on the inside of the garment. It's not easy to do. I suppose if I exerted extreme control over the seams and the hems cut to size and could manage to catch the hem under the zigzags (which is face down on the machine) then it would be cool, but I usually leave the hem long and then have to cut the fabric to the stitching. My cuts aren't usually pretty and it's a nerve wracking cut. How do you finish your hems?

I have a separate coverstitch machine, the Janome Cover Pro 1000CPX, to do all my hems.  My Juki F600 is the machine that I use for quilting and is a fantastic sewing machine.  I got bored during the pandemic and decided to try making a quilt. I just finished my 4th quilt top, and ready to start working on Christmas quilt gifts.

Lisa

21 hours ago, geocruiser said:

Hi Lisa,

 

I do have a Viking serger.  Do you have to use a special stitches for the seams?  Do the seams need to stretch with the fabric?

 

Thanks,

 

Maria

I just use the 4 thread Overlock (standard width) for my serger seams.  Seams generally need to stretch with the fabric or they will pop.  If you are using a standard sewing machine, the any horizontal seam needs to be done with a narrow zig-zag or narrow lightning bolt stitch.  Veritical seams can be done with a straight stitch IF the pattern is not form fitting.  For example a knit wide leg pant can have a straight stitch on the vertical seams, where as leggings must have a stretch stitch (zig-zag or lightning bolt).

Lisa

6 hours ago, geocruiser said:

HI Lisa,

 

Thank I do have a walking foot.  I also have a roller foot too.  Have you ever use a roller foot on knits?  To sew his shirt I just used a plain B foot.  Not the best choice, I see now.  What needle type do you use for knits?  Sewing is a process of learning.  Up to this point I been using fabric in the same family type.  It is time for me to branch out!

https://www.husqvarnaviking.com/en-US/Accessories/Roller-Foot

 

Maria

Hi Maria,

I forgot to mention needles...oops.  I use either a stretch needle or a ball point needle for knits.  Universal needles really don't work well with knits.  I have not used a roller foot.  Most of my knit sewing is done on my Baby Lock Imagine serger.  Sergers make knits a breeze, but it's mainly for seams and not hems.  

Lisa

15 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

I just came across this post.  I love these dresses, especially the far left, followed by far right. Fabulous fabrics, and beautifully made.

Have you ever been to Hawaii?  Seeing all the fabrics (probably sarongs) in the markets was a highlight for me, better than the beaches!  A vintage rayon Hawaiian-print dress I took with me got a lot of use on that cruise.

Thank you!  I have not made it to Hawaii yet, but it is definitely on the list of places I want to go.  

Lisa

On 2/19/2021 at 7:39 AM, geocruiser said:

Hi everyone,

 

I have been finishing a pair of pants, that I had left undone for a long time.  kI am going to try to finish some unfinished clothing sewing.

Last night my DH ask me to take off a the turtle neck from turtle neck pull over he had. The fabric was a stretchy knit.  I have never worked with a stretch knit fabric.  I did use a stitch that my sewing machine advisor said to use.  And after being sewn, the fabric did stretch and the thread did not break.  So it was fine.

But I would like to know it any one has any tips for sewing on stretch knits?  Any help would be welcome.

I always use my walking foot when using my regular sewing machine on knits.  It keeps knits from sliding all over the place while sewing.

Lisa

14 minutes ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

They are afraid it is not going to sail.

I seriously doubt that Holland will be sailing in February.  If they do, then I will be pleasantly surprised.  

7 minutes ago, KirkNC said:

Too bad they don’t change penalties accordingly.

I thought that was odd.  I read it a few times just to make sure that I was reading it correctly.  

Lisa

HAL sent me a notification on my February 13, 2021 Nieuw Amsterdam cruise on our final payment date.  Final payment is now due 60 days out instead of 90 days:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

In order to provide more flexibility as you plan for your voyage, we have adjusted the final payment terms on this booking.  Final payment will now be due 60 days before your sail date, rather than 90 days before your sail date.  Please refer to your booking confirmation for your cancellation fee schedule, which has not changed.

We look forward to welcoming you on board your next Holland America Line cruise.

On 10/24/2020 at 6:05 PM, geocruiser said:

I have not done any sewing lately.  But I did go through my sewing and fabric supplies.  Everything is arranged nicely in plastic boxes and put into two large cabinets.  I was very happy to find lots of fabric that I forgot about.  It was like going shopping in my basement.

If you have gone through your sewing "stuff", what treasures have you found?

Walt and I have been going through boxes in the basement that were from his parent's house.  They have been sitting down there for 13 years...we procrastinated.  I found a tackle box filled with vintage buttons, silk covered snaps, and lace trim.  Everything is still in the original packaging.  My guess is that they are from the 1950's and 1960's.  

Lisa

Just remember the knit needs to have horizontal stretch or you will not get it over your head.

Lisa

Here are the pics...tonight is Date Night, so I need one to go into the restaurant.

Lisa

2 hours ago, geocruiser said:

Lisa,

 

How do you wear the neck gaiters ?  I have never seen them before.

Basically, it's a 19"x19" square piece of knit fabric that you serge or zig zag stitch into a tube.  I just wear it around my neck when I don't need a face covering and pull it up when I do.  I have used them when rowing in the winter to protect my face.  I will take a few selfies and post.

Lisa

I have been officing from home since March 16th.  I will be back in the office every other week starting June 8th.  This week I decided to search my scraps and make coordinating neck gaiters.  I will be styling at the office. 

Lisa

On 5/20/2020 at 12:07 PM, tntornadox said:

So, just to confirm from those who have taken this offer. They are asking for the $200 per person deposit/OBC and the Port Fees & Taxes at the time of booking?

I booked with the offer on Wednesday, and yes, $200pp plus port, fees, and taxes due at the time of booking.  We booked the Nieuw Amsterdam for Feb 2021.  We did the free inside and did not upgrade.  I am fine taking the risk with a guarantee inside.  

I decided to take tote bags using an old Holland America canvas bag for the pocket.  I made one for my sister, and am starting mine today.  I started off deconstructing the HAL bag, then dying it.  I dyed Stacy’s orange, and will dye mine fushia.  I made sure to serge the edges before dying to minimize the fraying.  I really liked how Stacy’s came out.

Lisa

On 4/25/2020 at 6:38 PM, geocruiser said:

Lisa,

Happy to see that you are back..Did you make the beautiful dress?  I love that your masks match your outfits.

 

Maria

I drafted the pattern and made the dress.  I am very happy at how it came out.  I spent yesterday sewing another dress from that pattern.  Still have to hem it, but it should be finished sometime this week.  

Lisa