Chris over at 4 Lil Darlins is having a giveaway on her blog!
She has bows for toddlers, bigger girls and will even custom make bows for school girls.
You need to enter before Saturday to be in the draw.
So go, enter! Win something great!
Welcome to Solomon Sewing.
Join me, Carmel as I take you on my sewing and crafting journey.
I hope you find something you like.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Curtains
Curtains are very difficult to photograph.Here are some pictures of the curtains that I finished over the weekend for our bedroom. It is difficult to tell, but the fabric is cream, with a textured floral pattern.
The curtain rods had to be antique brass to match the bedside lamps. The curtain rods still need to be shortened. Spotlight were out of the 150cm rods, so I bought 2m rods. I might not cut the full 50cm off though.Spotlight also didn't have the hooks that I needed for the pinch pleats. They assured me that they would have some in later in the week, which they didn't. They didn't two weeks later, so I ended up doing the mail order thing from Lincraft.
I ordered 40 hooks. You would think that would be enough. Nup, I needed 48. So I ventured back to Spotlight who by this time had them in. One of them broke when I went to hang the curtains. So Lincraft have better hooks, just so you know.I also needed extra rings, as there were only 40 supplied with the rods.
(Hence the reason I thought it would be enough hooks, I mean, they were 2m rods!) Of course, they didn't have any in the antique brass, so I got some silver ones. You can hardly tell, but I have brass on order.I am glad to have my dining table back - not enough room in the sewing room for making curtains. Who knew curtains would take so long?
Well now that the curtains are done, and I love them (just so that you know I am happy about them after all the rigmorale) - what colour to paint the bedroom?
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Tuesday Tips, Tools, & Tutorials
Bias Binding
I was first introduced to bias binding in high school. The first item I ever made using it was an apron. We used store bought bias binding, which is cheap and convenient. It's cheap for a reason though. Generally, it is plain and boring. Often it contains polyester, which means when you press it, it shrinks and melts.
You can also make your own bias binding. It is easier than you think. I like to use quilter's cotton. It comes in many great colours and patterns, and it doesn't shrink and twist out of shape when you iron it with a scalding hot iron.
Bias binding is basically just strips, cut at 45 degrees to the selvedge edges. The edges of the strips are then folded to the centre. Lengths of strips can be joined together to make even longer bias binding. Pretty Jane has a really great tutorial to make continuous bias binding.
Once you have made your continuous bias strips, you need to fold them. You can use this technique, which I haven't tried myself, but it looks quite clever. Or you can use bias tape makers. Clover make great bias tape makers. Even though they are about double the price of the other brand that you often see, they are well worth the extra money.
There are many different ways to attach bias binding. Angry Chicken has a really good tutorial on how to attach bias tape to your project.
You should watch it, if nothing else, you will be thoroughly entertained. I actually prefer (when I remember) to attach the bias first to the wrong side of the fabric, and then fold it back over to the right side, and then top stitch it down. Sometimes, I will fold all of the bias tape to the front of my project so that there is none on the wrong side at all. This technique actually works really well for an apron. The project shown above (sneak peak, its a gift, I will reveal more later) was sewn with the bias attached first to the front and then topstitched also from the front catching the bias at the back.
If you are looking for a project to use up all the pretty hand-made bias tape you make, Nicole Mallalieu has a free tutorial for a bib. One day, when I have one that is completed and is not covered in someone's dinner, I will post a picture here. They seem to be going straight from the sewing machine to the table these days.
I was first introduced to bias binding in high school. The first item I ever made using it was an apron. We used store bought bias binding, which is cheap and convenient. It's cheap for a reason though. Generally, it is plain and boring. Often it contains polyester, which means when you press it, it shrinks and melts.
You can also make your own bias binding. It is easier than you think. I like to use quilter's cotton. It comes in many great colours and patterns, and it doesn't shrink and twist out of shape when you iron it with a scalding hot iron.
Bias binding is basically just strips, cut at 45 degrees to the selvedge edges. The edges of the strips are then folded to the centre. Lengths of strips can be joined together to make even longer bias binding. Pretty Jane has a really great tutorial to make continuous bias binding.
Once you have made your continuous bias strips, you need to fold them. You can use this technique, which I haven't tried myself, but it looks quite clever. Or you can use bias tape makers. Clover make great bias tape makers. Even though they are about double the price of the other brand that you often see, they are well worth the extra money.There are many different ways to attach bias binding. Angry Chicken has a really good tutorial on how to attach bias tape to your project.
You should watch it, if nothing else, you will be thoroughly entertained. I actually prefer (when I remember) to attach the bias first to the wrong side of the fabric, and then fold it back over to the right side, and then top stitch it down. Sometimes, I will fold all of the bias tape to the front of my project so that there is none on the wrong side at all. This technique actually works really well for an apron. The project shown above (sneak peak, its a gift, I will reveal more later) was sewn with the bias attached first to the front and then topstitched also from the front catching the bias at the back.If you are looking for a project to use up all the pretty hand-made bias tape you make, Nicole Mallalieu has a free tutorial for a bib. One day, when I have one that is completed and is not covered in someone's dinner, I will post a picture here. They seem to be going straight from the sewing machine to the table these days.
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