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Jan 31, 2013

New USB Sticks at Zede’s- Aren’t They Cute?

January 31, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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Want to carry around your designs in style?  We’ve just started carrying some new USB sticks that we know you’ll love to have in your sewing room.

They have a capacity of 2GB.  That’s plenty of room to carry around 100 designs or more.  Plus, they’re adorable!

They are available here for $19.99.  Enter code ‘USBSTICK” when checking out, and you’ll receive $10 off your order, so that you don’t have to pay shipping.

Right now, the “tape measure” is on back order until April 2013, so I don’t have those up for sale yet.  I only have about 20 in stock for now, so if you want one or two or more for gifts, make sure and order soon!

Hurry, before they’re all gone!

Filed Under: BuySewingThread.com, Random Thoughts, Sewing Products, Software Tagged With: , , ,
Sep 1, 2012

DIY: How to Make a Needle Book from a Real Book

September 1, 2012 By 1 Comment
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I’d like to start off this post by saying that I am an avid reader. I love the written word and I love books. When I studied in Paris when I was in college, I took a bookbinding course in Montmartre with Eloise Baille.

I respect books and the wonderful history that goes along with their creation. So, when I butcher one later on in this post- I do so with the greatest love and respect.

I’ve been inspired by a lot of book purses that I’ve seen lately.  I think they’re neat.  So, I went to the Salvation Army near our shop and found a few hardcover books- 6 to be exact.  Then the nice lady told me that they were 10 for $1…so I got 14 more. I had A BALL picking them out.  There are books with the title “A Woman of Substance” or “The Life of the Party” and “California Girl”….how fun!  I did not find many pieces of fine literature- and that’s ok.

What I find the most entertaining about this process is finding books with funny/ironic titles- which generally are not the great works of our time.

Except for the book that I tore up this time!  Marjane Satrapi is the author of, among other books, the graphic novel Persepolis.  It is about her childhood in Iran and her experience growing up under a repressive regime.  It’s a revolutionary novel and Ms. Satrapi has my greatest respect as a writer and artist.

Little did she know that she would tempt me to modify one of her later works entitled “Embroideries”…what better book to transform into a unique needle book/sewing kit?  I could not resist!  I also can’t wait to read it- the insides are intact and waiting to be read.  Will I make a new cover for it?  I don’t know.  That seems a little silly.
This is not an in-depth tutorial, that will come later.  That’s because I got so excited while making it that I didn’t take detailed pics- so enjoy this abbreviated version of my needle book!
First of all, I cut out the “guts” and started to lay out the things I wanted in my kit.  I made a list of helpful sewing tools beforehand, and then adapted my needle book accordingly. This gave me a good idea of what would fit in my book- and it definitely changed as the process went on.
Next, I created a liner for my book.  This is the life of the needle book.  It is what I will sewpockets/elastic/magnets to in order to keep my stuff in place.  After I get it figured out- I’ll just glue it in.  I cut two pieces of fabric and serged the edges with YLI Candlelight thread to make it pretty- I like shiny things.  Once it was the right size, I could really get down to business.  Woohoo!
Now that I’ve got my foundation and all my sewing jazz, I start to space it out.  It’s clear that I’ll need to cut down my notebook, because it’s too long.  Also, I don’t use a seam ripper, I use a razor blade- so I’m planning on adding in some magnets under that needle flap to secure the razor blade.  Also, the needles will affix to the magnet and keep the razor blade covered.  I won’t give up my razor blade, and that’s that.
BTW- this is not ok to take on a plane. I’ve also got a thimble and some Metrosene thread- I won’t use ANYTHING ELSE for sewing construction.  I also find those stork scissors to be adorable- so there they are!  Also, an ink pen, a marking pen and a sewing guage.   Would I like more stuff in my sewing kit?  Of course.  But I’ve got some limitations.  If you have a larger book, the sky’s the limit! You can add in pages and zippered pockets and stuff- and then you can send it an email to show us!
Next thing on the list, I add in elastic straps to keep things in place.  ”How did you get your elastic to be so beautiful?”, you may ask.  I serged it with the Candlelight thread!  It retained it’s “stretchiness” and it’s gorgeous as well.  I laid out the whole thing on my book cover to make sure everything was still fitting- I have not glued it down yet.
But wait! I did something else really cool that Eloise taught me- I added an elastic strap to keep my book shut.  I punched two holes in the back of the book with a buttonhole cutter, threaded the elastic through, and glued it to the inside of the book…BEFORE I glued down my new sewing “guts”.
Oh and here’s a shot of the razor blade magnet-keeper-thingy.  I love that I have my razor blade tucked away safely like this!
Now, It’s time to glue it all down.  I used 450 Adhesive.  That’s important- it is a fast drying glue that does not stain fabric.  Believe me, you don’t want to sew all that elastic down and then get glue daubs all over your book….use 450.  I glued the sides down and I placed glue on the places where I sewed down the elastic- just to keep them a little more stable.  It’s working so far!
Here’s a shot of the needle book all closed up.  I think it looks great!  If Marjane Satrapi sees it, I hope she likes it too!
What do you want in your needle book?
Filed Under: BuySewingThread.com, Clothes & Garment Sewing, DIY, Inside Zede's Sewing Studio, Software
Aug 18, 2012

DIY: How to Laminate Fabric!

August 18, 2012 By 17 Comments
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Laminated fabrics are all the rage lately, and I love them for so many reasons. They are water-resistant, durable, and of course…shiny! Of course, they are a specialty item, and not every fabric that you love comes in a laminated version. So, what do you do?

Laminate your own fabric!

Lately, I’ve been taking this personalization a bit further, by designing my own fabric, and then laminating it- but that’s another blog post!

Here is some photo-guided instruction for how to laminate your own fabric…the sky’s the limit!  Read the whole thing before doing it yourself, there are some tips at the end!

Here’s what you need!

Step 1: Cut the vinyl to the size you need- it likes to curl, so you’ll need to use a weight.   I used “Heat ‘n Bond Iron-on Vinyl”- it comes in a 2 yard roll.

Step 2: Peel it! Lay your fabric-to-be-laminated on your ironing board  (of course, it’s easier to laminate a small piece of fabric- but these rulse apply for larger pieces too!)  Peel off the paper backing from the vinyl.

Step 3: Apply it! Smooth the vinyl onto the fabric, sticky side down.  Do this carefully and patiently.  If you get a bubble, simply lift the vinyl off gently and re-apply.  It’s best to get it right the first time, though.

Step 4: Fuse It!  Use the paper backing as a protective shield between your iron and the vinyl.  I also put a Teflon Pressing Sheet underneath my project so that I don’t laminate my ironing board.  Place your iron on the paper/vinyl/fabric/teflon sandwich in sections for 8 seconds at a time- if you have a press, this is A LOT easier.

Step 5:  Fuse It Again!  Turn your project over to the other side, so that the “wrong side” of the fabric is facing upward.  Once again, use the paper backing as a shield, and press in sections, this time for 4 seconds at a time.

VOILA!  You have a piece of laminated fabric!  Sew away!

Questions about what I wrote?  Put them in the comments, and I’ll update this post with info- thanks for reading!

Laminating FAQ:

What is a Teflon Pressing Sheet?  Well, first of all- IT’S MAGIC!  If you don’t have one, get one right now!  They are super heat resistant and easy to clean, plus they are reusable forever and ever.  They are wonderful for protecting your iron from glues that are on fusible stabilizers and interfacings…as well as anything else that ends up in your ironing area.  A Teflon Pressing Sheet does conduct heat, so be careful when handling one that you just pressed.  Oh, and if you’re getting one, just get two while you’re at it- then you can make a “teflon sandwich” to protect both your ironing board and your iron.  Oh, and to answer the question….It’s a pressing sheet made from Teflon.

Do I use steam when laminating fabric? No.  I think some manufacturers recommend removing water from your iron.  I did not- I just refrained from pressing the “steam button”

What if I threw my paper backing away?  Well, you didn’t read the whole blog post, or you got here a little late in the game.  Have no fear!  You can use another Teflon Pressing Sheet as your ironing shield or even a piece of smooth, heat-tolerant fabric.  Just make sure it’s flat and smooth, and that it can withstand the heat of your iron.

What if I got laminating-stuff on my iron?  You, my friend, need some iron cleaner.  Here’s how to rid your iron of jazz that should not be on it.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: BuySewingThread.com, DIY, Ideas, Random Thoughts, Tips
Jun 12, 2012

How To Buy Thread Online

June 12, 2012 By 1 Comment
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Of course, the best way to buy sewing supplies would be in a store.  Preferably a comfortably large, clean, well-stocked, well-staffed store that served you cupcakes while shopping and let you swim around in fabrics, threads and beads…ahem- at least that’s my fantasy.

Unfortunately, that is not the reality for many of our readers.  That’s why we’ve opened BuySewingThread.com for people who don’t have helpful retailers close by. Zede (my mom) and I run Zede’s Sewing Studio in Columbia, MO, but recently we’ve been expanding and welcoming stitchers to our community from Australia, Russia, France, Scotland, etc.    BuySewingThread.com is where we, the experts from Zede’s Sewing Studio, are selling our favorite sewing products to our ever-growing sewing community.

Of course, if you have a super supportive and friendly local shop that carries the products you love- buy from them!  If you don’t support them, they won’t be around to help you in the future.  But if you find yourself at a loss for where to find Sulky Blendables or Madeira Aerolock serger thread- we can be of service!

So…how do you make sure you’re getting what you want when buying online?  It can feel like a gamble sometimes.  Here are a few recommendations:

1.) Purchase a thread chart- If your online retailer has thread charts available, which we do at BuySewingThread.com, purchase the one that you plan on using most.  And don’t just purchase any thread chart- purchase one with some real thread on it!  Some threads only come in a few colors- but Floriani threads come in 360+ colors!  This leaves a lot of room for interpretation- I’d definitely recommend a Floriani thread chart if you like to use their threads for embroidery.  Then, when you re-order, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting.

2.)  For embroidery thread, purchase three variations on each color.  This is excellent advice for the beginner embroiderer, whether shopping online or in the store.  Are you going to stitch out a teddy bear- I bet you 5 bucks you need three browns- one foundation color, then a lighter color for highlights and a darker color for shading.  Stitching out a flower?  You’ll most likely need 3 greens for your stems/leaves and three pinks or purples or blues- depending on what type of flower you’re stitching out.

3.) Buy products that you can trust.  Every single product on BuySewingThread.com has our seal of approval.  We sew…everyday.  We teach…everyday.  We service machines…everyday.  We know that quality products matter.  Beware bargain thread- whether online or in a store.  A lot of times, it’s cheap for a reason- it’s not high quality.  You spent money on your machine and time on your project- don’t use crappy thread to save a few pennies.

4.) Buy from nice people.  Like I said, use your local retailers and support them!  But when you buy online, make sure to buy from a supportive site.  We’re new to this, but we’re bringing years of sewing-oriented customer service to the table.  So, let us know if you have a problem on the site or if you have a question about a product.  We want to help!

Happy Sewing and Happy Shopping!

Filed Under: BuySewingThread.com, Random Thoughts, Tips