Quick and Easy Zippered Pouches

August 5, 2014 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

If you’re looking for a quick accessory to stitch out on your embroidery machine,

might I suggest these great zippered pouches.

I use one to store my iPod – that way it is protected from scratches

and it keeps the ear buds close at hand.

They could also be used as gift bags,

or to store small toys (jacks, marbles, handheld game system),

or even pencils and pens.

Fabric by Amanda Murhpy

I chose to use one solid piece of fabric for the back side.

The back is a great canvas, though, for a monogram, or first name,

or mascot, or so many other options!

Almost everything I used is from my stash.

I like to stock up on zippers and other notions when they are 50% off.

So I even had the coordinating zippers on hand.

Yay.

The only item I purchased for this project was the design file .

If you are new to in-the-hoop embroidery designs,

OESD offers a video tutorial you can watch before your purchase.

I’ve been stitching in-the-hoop designs for years and I’m hooked!

So there ya’ go.

A quick and easy mid-week project to use up your scraps and supplies on hand.

Quite functional also.

Are you a more productive weekday sewer,

or are you a weekend warrior?

Sharing our Craft

August 2, 2014 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

Please meet Evelyn.

Evelyn is 9 years old.

Evelyn is my granddaughter.

Evelyn just sewed her first complete project.

Evelyn is very proud!

She learned how to use a sewing machine when she was six.

She has never used a pattern – until now.

She learned all about pattern selection, fabric, and cutting.

She is quite meticulous with her cutting.

Finally, the last pattern piece.

Time to get sewing!

Using the sewing machine is Evelyn’s favorite part of the process.

The finished product is her favorite result of the process.

Evelyn asked to sew more from patterns,

including something for herself.

As you can see, friends, the purpose of this post is not to review the

Simplicity 4707 Vintage Baby Doll Clothes pattern.

But the purpose of this post is to encourage you to share your craft with somebody.

You too will be rewarded with a smile like that!

Go.

Teach.

Have a most rewarding weekend 🙂

Stitch Selection Savvy: How to Add Elastic Shirring to a Flat Waistband

July 28, 2014 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

Greetings sewers!

As promised, here is the explanation of how I added the elastic shirred back waist band

to my Anna Maria Horner Roundabout Top.

This photo shows the waist band from the inside of the garment.

Notice the front waist band (top of photo) is flat

and the back waist band (bottom of photo) is elasticized.

The pattern is drafted for a flat waist band all the way around,

and it instructs to cut two front and two back pieces.

That way you have a front and back waistband piece and a front and back facing piece.

To allow for the elasticized gathering, I cut the back waist band and facing pieces

one size larger than the rest of my blouse.

On the back facing piece, I drew three horizontal lines (with iron-off marker)

to help me properly position the elastic.

I assembled the blouse waistband as instructed,

except that I did not completely close up the side seams.

By leaving the side seams open, I was able to bury the ends of the elastic in the seam

so I don’t have raw elastic edges showing on the facing side of my back waistband.

When I finished attaching the elastic with a narrow zig zag stitch,

I hand stitched the side seams closed.

There ya’ go.

An elasticized back waistband using a flat waistband pattern.

If you have a tried and true method for accomplishing similar results,

I would love for you to share your method.

Please leave your instructions in the comment section.

Thanks so much, and have a most lovely sewing week.