Celebration Season!

           
Cel-e-brate, good times come on! That is such a daggy song, but it's true!            

Thread Thrills is beginning it's celebration season. We are coming up for:

- 2000 page views
- 6 month anniversary [ tomorrow! ]
- and 50 post anniversary! [ already had ]

This calls for a major celebration. Some of my posts will reflect on how far I have come with making my blog and how far your sewing skills have improved during this time period.

I would just like to say thanks to all my followers and subscribers for reading my posts. It has given me great pleasure when I see people have commented, or participated in the polls. Most of all to hear your feedback on my posts.

Thanks again. I hope you have a fantastic year in 2014 and keep those sewing skills going!


Note: I promise the posts on how to make a skirt and how to make an apron are coming really soon, I am just having a small delay!

Lincraft Sale!

Attention Everyone!                                                    
There is a Lincraft sale on all fabric from Thursday the 6th of February to Sunday the 16th of February!

I am definitely going to go, this is an awesome sale!

To find out where your nearest Lincraft store is go to http://www.lincraft.com.au/storelocator/ .

Please note: The sale is only for fabric sold by the metre.

I will show you what I've bought on the ' Fabrics' page.

Elastic

Elastic is used in sewing mainly for making clothes. You usually find it in the waistband of a garment. To make a waistband tighter, you put more elastic in. This is usually how elastic is used for hand sewing.

I recommend that you have elastic in your sewing tool box. It will come in handy and especially has I put more posts up on how to make clothes.

What type and size of elastic should I get?

It doesn't really matter what brand or type your elastic is. but it is best to purchase it at a proper craft store, however you can but elastic at a discount store as well.

The size of your elastic depends on what you are going to make. Obviously your elastic length will be long as it comes in rolls, but it depends on the width of your elastic.

I find it best to use wide, woven elastic for garments like skirts and leggings. It would be a tad stronger than a thin strip and would be less likely to fray.

Basically, you can use a thin strip of elastic for all other projects.

If you are having trouble deciding what width you should get, just tell me your project and where you plan to buy your elastic from and I will tell give you the answer.

Note: Quality of elastic may vary between stores. Choose a brand that you trust and think is good quality.

Woven or Braided Elastic

Strongly woven or braided elastic is the strongest type, I recommend you choose this. Look on the package label to be sure.

Note; Always check how long the elastic is before you buy some! This is critical to your sewing!

Up Coming Post: How to make a Waistband Tighter using Elastic

 

 

Courtesy of Google Images

Cutting Fabric

Cutting fabric is really important [ then again, most things in sewing are! ]. It can seriously affect your work, and if you do it incorrectly, you will waste fabric.

How to Cut Fabric-Rules

1. Always cut a shape from the edge of the fabric. If you cut it from the centre, you will waste fabric and when you want to do other projects with the same fabric, that require lots of the same material, you will have to buy more because your other shape will not fit in the space left.
2. When you have a shape like a pony, for example, there are some parts of its shape that need to be rounded, such as a neck. What you do is you snip a few small triangles from the edge of the fabric to the stitches. However you should only do this if instructed.
3. Cut slowly. If you cut your fabric really fast you can make a mistake, so it's best to cut slowly and steadily.
4. Make sure your fabric is straight, not crumpled! This rule is very important. Your fabric MUST be straight and flat before you begin cutting. If it is crumpled, your shape will go all wrong and you would've wasted fabric.
5. Cut your fabric on a flat surface. Never cut your fabric in your lap or on an unsteady surface. Cut on a table or a tray, or anywhere else that is flat, not a bed!

How to find Fabric Catalogues Online

Sometimes you want to know the price of fabric before you buy it. Check an online catalougue. Sometimes you want to know how much it will cost per meter. Check an online catalougue. Sometimes you will want to know what colours are available. Check an online catalougue.

I found this catalougue online, for the Spotlight shop. Most other craft stores will have this available to you so I suggest you check it out, especially before going shopping, so you know exactly what you want, how much it costs, etc.

Below is the Spotlight catalougue and what materials are on sale.

http://salefinder.com.au/Spotlight-AU-catalogue?gclid=CMeI9pLxp7wCFVJxvAodNg0A3A

Embroidery Hoop/Frame

A few days ago I bought an embroidery hoop/frame. They are used to keep the fabric straight and in place while you do embroidery.

In my opinion it is essential to have one in your sewing tool box.

There will be a post coming later on how to use one.

How to make a pony

I was reading Crafty Creatures by Jane Bull, and came across this super cute pony. I decided to make it and it was surprisingly easy, and I received lots of positive feedback.

Difficulty Rating: Easy-Medium

Time: 2-3 hours approx hand sewn

What you need:

- Sewing tool box ( includes tapestry needle, black embroidery floss, 2 buttons )

- Lots of wool/yarn

- Scraps of felt

- Thread that matches your fabric

- Thread that matches your pony's ears
- Thread that matches your pony's tail and mane
- Fabric of your choice
- Matching felt scrap
- Template ( shown below )
- Lots of longs strands of wool
- Stuffing

How to make the body

1. Trace the template below and pin onto your fabric. Cut.
2. Turn both your pony shapes to the wrong side of the fabric. Pin together.
3. Sew a back stitch around the edge. Leave a gap for stuffing.
4. At the neck of the pony, snip 3 small triangles from the edge of the fabric to the seam. This will help shape the pony. Make sure your triangles do not interfere with your stitches.
5. Turn your pony right side out.
6. Stuff through the gap. Stitch it closed with a slip stitch.

How to make the tail and attach it

1. Get about 20 long strands of wool and tie in a knot at the top. If you wish, you can do less strands.
2. Cut the tail to the length you are satisfied with.
3. Place the knotted end of the tail onto the body at the rear end [ see template below ] .
4. Sew onto the body with a tapestry needle [ optional ] with strong stitches from the base of the knot to the body.
5. Tug to make sure it is sturdy. If not, repeat step 4.

How to make the mane and attach it

1. Get a strand of wool and tie a knot at the top. Tie another knot in the same place.
2. Sew the strand onto the beginning of the mane with matching thread. Use strong stitches from the base of the knot to the body.
3. Repeat step for all of mane. Place each strand next to each other until you reach your satisfied point.
4. Cut the length to your satisfaction.

How to do the finishing touches

1. Cut out the ears.
2. Position the ears in place at the top of the head.
3. Sew a small over stitch that attaches the ear to the body. Make sure it is strong and that the thread matches the ears.
4. Repeat step with other ear.
5. Sew the eye onto the correct position on the face with black embroidery floss.
6. Repeat with other eye.

You are finished!

Template:

Increase size by a few centimeters.

Felties

For Christmas I got the Felties book which I had told you about earlier.  As you may know already, this is
where the idea for the Polar Bear feltie originally comes from.

Felties: How to make 18 Cute and Fuzzy Friends by Nelly Pailloux is a really cute book. Some of the ideas require fine, small stitching so I recommend having those skills before you begin.

Also make sure you have plenty of felt as all of these projects are made from this material.

Crafty Creatures by Jane Bull

Crafty Creatures by Jane Bull is a great sewing book  for kids. Jane Bull has thought of many fun projects such as;

- How to make a Pony                                          

- How to make a Giraffe                                              
- How to make an Elephant

And more projects that I will write about soon.

I recommend you buy this book, it is a must-have in a sewing book collection.
   

Slip stitch

Slip stitch is used to join 2 fabrics together but makes the stitches almost invisible. It is most commonly used by me and others to stitch a gap closed. The slip stitch is a great stitch for discreet sewing.

How to do slip stitch

Note: Make sure you do this stitch only when joining 2 fabrics together. If you do it on one fabric it will pretty much be useless. Also try to use matching thread to the fabric so your stitches are more discreet.

1. Bring your needle up through Fabric 1. Secure thread.
2. Insert your needle through a tiny weave in the same fabric. Do not pull thread through.
3. Insert your needle through a tiny weave in Fabric 2. Do not pull thread through.
4. Insert your needle through a tiny weave in Fabric 1. You stitches should be forming a zig zag pattern. Do not pull thread through.
5. Insert your needle through a tiny weave in Fabric 2. Pull your thread through tightly. The stitches should be hard to see.
6. Repeat steps 2, 3, 4 and 5.

All stitches should be parallel to the opposite stitch eg; Fabric 1 stitch is opposite to Fabric 2 stitch.

How to make Bunting

Bunting is a display of colourful flags hung up on string. Usually the flags have an appliqued letter on each one, to spell out a sentence or message, such as 'Happy Birthday!' or a person's name.

Here you can learn how to make your very own bunting. Enjoy!                    

Please note: I do not recommend making bunting if you are unfamiliar with a sewing machine or plan to make it by hand. Only make it by hand if you are doing a few flags, otherwise it will take a while.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: Depends on how many flags you are making but 1 flag takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes [ approximately ]

What you need:

- Fabric of your choice [ lots ]                                    
- Sewing tool box
- Iron
- Different fabric for letters
- String
- Sewing machine [ recommended if doing many flags ]

How big should the flags be?

The flags can be any size you want but the standard size is 25cm long and quite wide at the top.

What shape should the flags be?

You can choose any shape you want, but most bunting shapes are a triangle, like the one I have done or the one on the right. Be creative!

To make the flags:

1. Iron both your fabrics, if you haven't done so already.
2. Trace the templates below and cut.

3. Pin the template to your flag fabric and cut. Repeat step for all flags.

4. Fold back half a centimetre on the two edges on the side. Pin in place. Repeat step for all flags.

5. On the top edge, fold back half a centimetre. Repeat step. Pin in place at the bottom of the fold. This is where your string will go. Repeat step for all flags.

6. On the two side edges, sew a stitch of your choice along the fold [back stitch is the most common] Repeat step for all flags.

7. Poke a thin object, such as a pencil, through the top edge fold. Repeat step for all flags.

8. Sew a stitch of your choice along the bottom of your fold. Repeat step for all flags.

How to make the letters

1. Cut out the letters of your choice, and sew onto each flag with a stitch of your choice.   

Make sure your letters are a good visual size. I also recommend a blanket stitch for attaching the letters to the flags. Or, if your fabric is non-frayable, you can do a neat running stitch, back stitch or chain stitch.

To finish

1. Put your flags in order according to letter. Thread your string through the top edge of the flags. Tie a knot at both ends onto where you will hang it from.

You can also do some embroidery onto your flag and create images, such as a cake to go with the message ‘Happy Birthday!’

Some people make a bunting collection of 26 letters for the alphabet, and then sell them in a pack. Others make several copies of each letter in the alphabet and let people choose

Either way, bunting is fun to make and an awesome decoration.

Techniques: Starting and Stopping Sewing

Tying a knot is not always necessary when you begin or finish sewing. This technique is stonger than doing a knot, as the knot will, when you pull it hard, rip apart and undo your stitches.

How to do the new technique

I can't think of any name for this technique so if you have an idea please tell me in the comments.

What you need:

- your fabric
- needle
- thread

1. Position your fabric in your hands.
2. Come up through the back of the fabric with your needle and thread. Stop when your thread is nearly all the way through, leaving a centimetre of thread on the other side.
3. Go back down through the fabric in the same spot. Make sure you do not pull the thread to much as this will take out the previous 'stitch'.
4. Bring the needle up through the fabric again, in the same spot.
5. Repeat steps until thread is secure. However, 3 or 4 of these 'mini stitches' are usually sufficient.

Please note that when I say, bring the thread down in the same spot, I mean bring the thread down very close to your previous ' stitch' .

How to make a Lucy's Monster

This little monster is so cute and great for kids. It has a soft body [ made out of polar fleece ] and an adorable expression. A Lucy's Monster is simple to make and is a must have in your toy collection.

Difficulty rating: Easy
Time: 2-2 and a half hours hand sewn approximately.

What you need:

- Template
- Sewing tool box [ includes 2 large black buttons, black embroidery floss, and red thread ]
- Stuffing
- Polar fleece [ colour of your choice ]
- White felt for the eyes

How to make the face

1. Cut out the template below and pin onto the polar fleece. Cut the fabric.
2. Attach the eyes to the head with a blanket stitch, using the black embroidery floss.
3. Position the buttons onto the center of each eye and sew down with the black embroidery floss.
4. Sew a stitch for the mouth with the black embroidery floss. Try to make it into a small dot.

How to make the body

1. Turn the body right side out so the face  is facing down.
2. Pin the body together.
3. Sew a back stitch around the body with a seam allowance of half a centimeter. Start just below one of the arms and finish at the top of the leg, so you have a gap of a few centimeters.
4. Turn the body inside out.
5. Stuff the body. Make sure you stuff the body tightly, especially the arms and legs.
6. Stitch the gap closed with a slip stitch of hemming stitch.

Your Lucy's Monster is finished!

Template: Shown below

140% may be a size to big for your Lucy's Monster so you might want to only increase the size by 60% or so.

New Poll: Project of the Month

I have started a new poll to get feedback on what project posts I have done. During every month, I will have a poll, located on the right side bar, where you can choose your favourite project of the month. I will have that and other polls as well.

Also, if you have any more feedback, feel free to tell me in the comments.

How to make a Pin Cushion

Pin cushions are very safe places to store your needles. You can make lots of different pin cushions but this one is the most basic one.

Difficulty: Very easy
Time: 20-30 minutes

What you need:

- Pins
- Fabric of your choice
- Matching thread
- Stuffing

How to make a Pin Cushion:

1.Cut out your fabric and turn to the faded side. If this does not apply to your fabric, such as felt, ignore step 1b.
2. Fold in half.
3. Sew a stitch of your choice along the two side edges.
4. If needed, turn right side out. Poke a pencil around the corners to make a straight shape.
5. Stuff the cushion evenly until you reach the top edge.
6. Sew a stitch of your choice along the top edge. To maintain a good look, do the stitch you did for the two side edges.
7. Insert pins!

Tip: Make sure the depth of your pin cushion is deep enough otherwise your pins will go right through it. This will be dangerous to you as well as being pointless.

Here are some images of some pin cushions! Please add more in the comments if you see ones that you like.

Note: Please be aware that some images may fail to show.

  

How to make an Arno Cat

Arno cats are soft toys that are easy to make. They make good gifts, as well as having your own.

Difficulty rating: Easy
Time: 1 hour to 2 hours hand sewn

What you need:

- 2 black buttons
- Lots of stuffing
- Black embroidery thread
- Sewing tool box
- Polar fleece for the body
- Contrast polar fleece or felt for the face
- Scrap of white felt for the eyes
- Template [ shown below ]

How to make the face

1. Cut out your arno cat template and place it onto your fabric. Cut around the template.

Note: Be careful when cutting your arno cat's shape. Polar fleece is a rather expensive material so you don't want to be making any mistakes;

2. Sew your white felt onto the face with a small blanket stitch.
3. Sew your two black buttons onto the center of each eye with a cross stitch using black embroidery thread.
4. Sew a small triangle, made up of small straight stitches, onto the center of the face, below the eyes.
5. Sew a smiling mouth with a back stitch that connects to the bottom corner of the triangle.
6. Position the face to the top of the arno cat's body, near the ears. Make sure it is straight.
7. Sew a blanket stitch around the face onto the body.

How to make the body

1. Turn your body right side out. Make sure your face is facing down.
2. Pin around the edges.
3. Sew a back stitch around the edges. Leave a gap.
4. Turn you body right side out and stuff through the gap.
5. Stitch the gap closed with a hemming stitch.

Your Arno Cat is finished!

Template: You may want to adjust the sizing.

What is a good seam and what is a bad seam?

Do you know what a good seam is and what a bad seam is? It is important to know this when sewing because, like most things I have talked about, it can affect the presentation of your work.

Also, the quality of your work depends a lot on your seams.

Let's start from the start: What is a seam?

The definition for a seam is a line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together in a garment or other article.

A good seam is a seam that:

- is strong when you pull it [ meaning it does not fall apart ]
- is hard to see the stitches
- has no gaps/looseness

A bad seam is the complete opposite of this.

More posts coming soon!

Just to let you know, more Thread Thrills posts are coming soon!

I will be doing a post soon on:

- How to make an apron
- How to make bunting
- How to make a pin cushion

And later:

- How to make a cardigan pillow!

Of course, I will have more posts coming after these ones.

I hope you look forward to these new projects!

Right Side, Wrong Side

When sewing, it is important to know which side is which. Yes, that sounds confusing but believe me, it is important!

Basically, all fabric has a wrong side or a right side.

The wrong side is the side with the light, faded print of the fabric. Mostly, we do not use this side as it isn't as fuller or as brighter as the right side.

The right side is the side with the bolder, more fuller colours of the print. This is the side we use the most for sewing.

Sometimes we can have trouble deciding which is which, as some fabrics sides are really similar.

If you have any trouble deciding, take a photo of both sides and show me in the comments.

Fortunately, as you deal with more fabrics, you get used to telling which side is which.

How to make a Polar Bear Feltie

This polar bear is so cute! Felties are really easy to make and can be made into brooches, key rings, or just little toys.


Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 and a half hours approximately                      
                                                                             
What you need:

- White felt
- Black embroidery floss
- Pink pencil
- Black pencil
- White embroidery floss
- Template [ shown below ]
- A small amount of stuffing
- Sewing tool box

How to make the face:

1. Trace the template below and pin onto felt. Cut.
2. Separate the black embroidery floss into strands of 3.
3. Using 3 strands, sew the polar bear's eyes on with a french knot onto the face/head. If you can not do this stitch, sew a small dot and go over it a few times to make it thick. Make sure each eye is close to the edge of the face.
4. Add some eyelashes by doing a straight stitch on top of the eye.
5. Repeat step for other eye.
6. With 3 strands of black embroidery thread, sew a nose by doing a straight stitch. Repeat step but with each stitch getting smaller than the other.
7. Add a mouth by sewing 2 straight stitches that are slightly curved.

How to make the ears:

1. Sew the ears onto the face with a straight stitch.

How to make the head:

1.Align both head pieces together.
2. Using 2 strands of white embroidery floss, sew a small over stitch or blanket stitch over the 2 head pieces. Leave room at the bottom for the width of the body.
3. Stuff carefully with tiny pieces of stuffing.

How to make the body:

1. Attach the arms to the back of the body, with 1 strand of white embroidery floss.
2. Sew the pouch on to the front of the body with 1 strand of embroidery floss. Make sure the thread goes through both layers of felt.
3. Stick your finger in the pouch to make space for the baby.
4. Align both body pieces and sew with a blanket stitch or over stitch. Do not sew the top of the body.
5. Carefully stuff the body through the top of the head.

How to attach the body to the head:

1. Insert the top of the body into the gap of the head. Pin in place.
2. Use a small over stitch to attach the body to the head, going through the front of the head and the front of the body.
3. Repeat step on opposite side, going through the back of the head and the back of the body.

How to make the baby:

1. Sew on the baby's eyes and mouth with 3 strands of black embroidery thread. Create a french knot for the eyes and a tiny X for the mouth.
2. Sew around the baby's body with 1 strand of white embroidery floss.
3. Place him/her into the pouch.

Finishing touches:

1. Add some cheek colour by gently using the pink pencil onto the polar bear's cheeks.
2. Add some claws with the black pencil onto the arms.
3. Colour in the most of the polar bear's ears.

Your Polar Bear is now finished!

You can make your feltie in a brooch, by attaching a safety pin or brooch back.

Or you can make it into a key ring, by leaving a gap at the top of the head, threading a key ring through some strong ribbon, folding the ribbon in half and inserting it into the gap at the top of the head. Stitch the gap closed with an over stitch or blanket stitch.

Template [ sizes are roughly to scale ]

You may want to increase the sizing by a few milimeters or to your satisfaction ]