20. Loose Ends

Usually, when I sew together items, using my overlocker, the end of a seam intersects with another seam, has it's end turned back (for a hem) or overlaps on itself, so I just chop the end of the thread off and let the overlapping stitching stop it from unraveling.

Sometimes, the over-locked seam runs all the way to the end (like in children's sleeves), so if you were to cut the end off, it would unravel. You also don't want unsightly overlocking ends hanging out of your child's sleeves. This is what I do....



Cut the thread with a bit of a tail, five to ten centimetres should be ample.

Grab a needle with a big eye, and preferably a bluntish point, and thread the loose thread onto the needle.



Use the needle to take the loose end of thread between the two layers of fabric and the overlocking stitch. Alternatively, you could just thread it back between the fabric and the stitching - you might do this if there is only one layer of fabric.



Pull tight and snip the loose end. All done!



Isn't that all nice and tidy!

19. Giving Handmade Gifts

The other day, I was on Facebook and came across a conversation about giving handmade gifts at birthday parties. Someone was asking if she should include a "bought gift" along with the gift that she had made the birthday child.



My response was something along the lines of saying that people should not under-value their hand-made gifts and that it was silly to think that you need to add an extra gift to "make up for" your handmade present.



Today I second guessed myself. I have given pencil rolls like this before and they have been received really well. But as I looked at the gifts the birthday boy received before we got there, my gift looked so different and out of place and I began to wonder if he (or others) would actually appreciate it, or just think it was silly. Liam said he liked it...



I really hope he does like it. Do you give hand-made gifts? Do you feel like you have to subsidise these gifts with extra toys? Do you like receiving hand-made gifts?

18. Compromise

I worked out a way I can satisfy my need to use some of the scrummy fabric that I showed you yesterday (earmarked for my placemats) and still go with the original plan I had for my doll quilt swap. The solution was simple - buy some more fabric!

My plan involves some "sky" and I really like the rain in one of the fabrics. You can't see it in the photo, but the fabric beneath it with the garden-y type stuff also has umbrellas, so I think I can get those to work together. I really hope my swap partner likes it. I also hope I can get my vision to work in real life....