Toilet Paper Couture!

Last weekend, I threw a bridal shower for my future mother-in-law.  She’s getting married in a few weeks.  Zede is making her dress, and once that’s finished, there will be a blog post about it.  But, for now, we have a very different type of dress to show you!

One of the shower games we played was the “Toilet Paper Wedding Dress” game.

Here’s how it works:

- Split guests into even teams, one person from each team being the “model”

- Hand out rolls of toilet paper and duct tape (we had some really cool patterned tape)

- Start a timer for 15 or 20 minutes.  Each time has that much time to create a masterpiece from TP and Tape!

- Once time is up, run a mini fashion show, describing the highlights of each dress

- The bride picks her favorite and the winning team gets presents!

What does this have to do with sewing?  Well, it pretty much follows in the tradition of draping fabric on a dress form in order to visualize design ideas.  That’s right, do this at home with muslin, pins, and your dress form- just don’t start a timer.  Who knows what you’ll come up with!

Oh, and if you’re throwing a shower, make sure and play this game, it was loads of fun!

 

MonogramWorks: A “Small” Embroidery Software With A Big Punch

The embroidery software marketplace can be tough terrain to navigate when you’re new to the field.  There are lots of different products out there, and you have to keep in mind the type of embroidery machine you have as well as what features you want in a program when looking to purchase software.

At Zede’s Sewing Studio, we carry Baby Lock and BERNINA software.  We love them both!  When a new embroiderer comes into the store to explore embroidery software options, they’ll hear about everything we carry so that we can find the right fit for them.

Lately, for a lot of our customers, MonogramWorks has a been a comfortable fit in both features and price range.  MonogramWorks retails for $169.99.  Plus, you can try it for free before you buy it!

MonogramWorks allows you to combine designs.  So, if you own a Sofia2 or an Ellure Plus, this software will let you put “Tommy” under that teddy bear design so that you can visualize them both on your computer screen, get the spacing correct, and maybe even change the baseline of the text.  Then you just send it over to your machine as a .PES file and watch it stitch!  No more guessing.

MonogramWorks has 40 fonts that don’t come in the BERNINA software.   Let’s do the math here: $169.99/40= $4.25.  Now, tell me where you can get quality digitized alphabets for $4.25 a piece.  You can’t.  So, even our customers with “bigger” software have MonogramWorks.  It supplements their alphabet library at a pretty low cost!  This also means that if you later upgrade to a software program with more features, you’ll still be happy that you have MonogramWorks.

MongramWorks can be installed on as many computers as you like, and you don’t need a security device or “dongle”.  It’s easy to edit designs on any computer in the house, or while you’re on the go.

The only drawbacks to MonogramWorks is limited sizing capabilities.  You can only go up and down by so much and the program does not recalculate stitches for you.  But, that’s why it’s a “starter program” or a “supplementary program”.

When you’re first starting out with machine embroidery, you don’t want to break the bank, but you do want the process to be enjoyable.  MonogramWorks will make that happen!

If you’re interested in MonogramWorks, come to Zede’s Sewing Studio or find a Baby Lock dealer near you.  You can purchase it from the Designer’s Gallery website, but if at all possible, get it from a dealer.  At Zede’s, you get guide classes with your purchase, and we even let you apply your club discount if you are a member- plus you don’t have to pay shipping!

Do you have MonogramWorks?  How do you like it?

Inside Zede’s Sewing Studio: Episode 2

Check out the latest episode of Inside Zede’s Sewing Studio.

This time, we talk about how to make the perfect purse strap and why you should keep your sewing machine clean.  Before you watch the show, check out the little “commercial” we made in order to scare people who think they don’t need to keep their machines clean!

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Now, enjoy the show!

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Do you have questions for us?  Come to the next filming of Inside Zede’s Sewing Studio on March 20th!

Fabric Bowls: Free pattern when you come to class!

As many of you know, Linda B teaches at the shop quite a bit- especially on Tuesdays!  This coming Tuesday, the 28th is no different!

Come join Linda and learn to make a Basic Fabric Bowl.  The class is $15 and she gives you the pattern to make the bowl.  

This class is back by popular demand, it’s also a prerequisite for the Flower Bowl class that’s being given later this month.

After taking this class last year, one of our customers ended up making over 50 bowls, several of which she sold at craft shows!  Come see how fun they are to make!

How to Make Monster Bookmarks: Free Embroidery Designs

I got the idea to digitize these monster bookmarks from Pinterest- the original pin is on our “Project Ideas” board. The bookmark I saw was made of paper, not fabric, so I decided to dive in and digitize my own version of this super cute concept, using BERNINA V6 Embroidery software.

Let me tell you a little secret before I give you the design for free: I am OBSESSED with digitizing “in-the-hoop” projects. I do them all the time. Keep a look out for more. If anyone ever tells you that digitizing software is a waste of money, they aren’t having nearly as much fun as I’m having!

Moving on…

Watch this video for full instructions.  Even if you don’t make the monster bookmarks right away, you’ll learn a few things!

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Here are the files in .ART and .PES format.  If you need to convert files, download ArtLink here.  You don’t have to have a BERNINA machine to download this program- but it’s a wonderful tool for those without software!  Read more here.

ART Files

Angry Monster Bookmark.ART60

Crazy Monster Bookmark.ART60

Silly Monster Bookmark.ART60

PES Files

Angry Monster Bookmark.PES

Crazy Monster Bookmark.PES

Silly Monster Bookmark.PES

These designs are for personal use only.  Make them for your friends and family, share this post with other embroiderers. Please do not sell them. If you wish to sell them for fundraising purposes, please contact zedessewingstudio at gmail dot com.

 

 

How To Insert A Magnetic Snap

I love to use magnetic snaps in my projects, so we made a video explaining how to insert them.

You can use them in purses, tablet covers, on garments, etc.  They can really lend a professional feel to your projects, since you often see them on designer bags.

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One thing that Zede points out that I don’t mention in the video is that she will often put a square of felt behind the snap for extra stabilization.  Good tip!

Have you ever used a magnetic snap?  What project did you put it on?

BERNINA ArtLink 6 Embroidery Software- For Everybody!!!

Do you have embroidery software?  Do you need it?  Well, come to Zede’s Sewing Studio and ask us about software- we’ll figure out which one is best for you.

In the meantime, if you need to visualize designs, convert designs from one format to another, or write designs to a BERNINA embroidery machine download ArtLink V6 here!  For free!

Even if you don’t have a BERNINA embroidery machine, you can use this software.

Here’s the deal.  Download ArtLink V6.  Ok?  Good.

Now, you can open any design file: .ART, .HUS, .PES, .PCS, etc!  That’s right guys, you can open those proprietary .ART files without purchasing embroidery software.  So, feel free to purchase whatever designs you want!

After you open your designs, you can save them as any file format that ArtLink allows. Awesome!  If you do have a BERNINA, ArtLink will let you send your files over to your machine in the proper format as well.

Even if you own the full version of BERNINA V6 Embroidery Software, you can download this for convenience.  You don’t need a dongle to open it.  So, if you don’t need to edit a design, just open up ArtLink to send designs over to your machine.

ArtLink V6 won’t let you combine designs and it doesn’t have any fonts, but it will let you resize a design up or down by 20%.  This is a great program backed by a reputable company- so you don’t need to feel nervous about downloading and using it.

When you go to the webpage, there is a menu on the right-hand side, click on the “download” tab and then you can download the zip file.  It’s a little confusing, but you can do it!

Happy Sewing!!!

If I Had A Hammer: How to Sew with Sequined/Beaded Fabric

You may never sew a beaded silk dress in your life.  But if you ever do, you’ll be down on your knees thanking us for this blog post!  Beaded fabric, silk or otherwise, can be a pain-in-the-behind to sew with.  Here are some pictures, tips, and pop culture song references to get you through such a project!

As you sew along on this fabric, the glass beads will inevitably break your needle, no matter how hard you try to miss them.  When we first started sewing a garment from this fabric, we thought the solution would be to cut the beads off the dress.  Unfortunately, that also meant cutting threads that held other beads and sequins on the fabric, leaving bare spots.  What to do? What to do?

Hammer time!  I can’t exactly remember how we got to this solution- I’m sure it was all mom’s idea- but here it is!

Trace your pattern onto your fabric and then place painter’s tape along the edges of the pattern piece.  Painter’s tape is low tack, so it should not damage your fabric. (I’m using a small sample of the beaded silk here, because it can cost $100/yard)

Then, hammer along the painter’s tape to break the bulky, glass beads.

Pull the painter’s tape up, and voila! all the little pieces of glass are nicely contained and ready to be thrown away. Hint: You may need to repeat this process a couple of times- it depends on how heavily beaded your fabric is.

 

Your seam lines are clear of debris and hazardous decoration.  Best of all, the threads holding the sequins down are still intact, so you don’t lose any more sparkle than you have to!

Believe you me, we were pretty excited when we figured this out!  It erased our fears and motivated us to use the fabric more often.  Here are some photos of projects we’ve done with beaded silk…they were both for me :)

Mallory and dance partner Brad in 2007. Ballroom dress repurposed from a thrifted beaded silk gown.

Mallory and friend Becca at prom in 2007. It was the year of the beaded silk dress!

 

Happy Sewing!!!

Blog Tour: Sharon Boggons

I’ve recently gotten a lot of compliments on our blog, and I just want to say “Thank You!” to everyone reading.  This blog wouldn’t be here without you.

When formatting and choosing topics for our blog, I often look to other blogs for inspiration.  And I have to say, I’ve been a little disappointed in what I get in my Google search for “Sewing Blogs”.  I figured that maybe a few of you have run up against the same problem.

So, I’ve got a little present for all of you- links to other awesome blogs!  As I find other well-written, informative, creative blogs, I’ll link to them here.  These blogs will mostly be about sewing.  And, just to be clear, a lot of these bloggers are much more experienced in the blogging world than we are- so we hope to learn as we go along as well!

Our first stop on the blog tour is Sharon Boggons’ blog, Pin Tangle.  Sharon is from Australia!  Read more about her here.

I was first introduced to her blog by Jane, who teaches her at ZSS.  Jane has been stitching along with Sharon for about a year, following her Take A Stitch Tuesday (TAST) program and other stitch challenges.

I’m honored to have her on the blog!  To get to know her better, I did an interview via e-mail, check it out below:

How long have you been stitching?  Which techniques got you interesting in sewing first? 

One of my earliest memories is sitting on the back verandah of my house with embroidery in my hands. It was before I went to school so it was before I was 5 years old which means thatit is over 50 years since I am 56 “

Who do you make things for?

Friends, Family and now mainly as teaching samples so indirectly they are for my students.”

Why did you start blogging?  What did you do before you started blogging? 

“I was teaching in our local art school (University Level) across 2 departments textiles and new media. I taught textile design and web design when I noticed blogs becoming more popular in the digital media area. I first noticed them around in about 2002 but it took me until January 2004 before I started my own. I was curious about the genre. There were very few textile related blogs then. In fact that is the subject of my first post “Where are all the Textile blogs?”

What’s the most exciting thing that has happened since you started blogging?

“I started teaching online which has enabled me to work from home and spend more time in my studio. It has changed my life from that angle. I delivered a series of workshops in Connecticut at the Crazy Quilt Adventure in America 2011.”

What is your favorite medium?  Do you prefer threads to beads, etc.?  

I do both hand embroidery and crazy quilting so that is very difficult to answer. The medium of textiles – particularly surface embellishment really attracts me.”

What’s your best advice to a new stitcher?

 ”Just do it and share what you learn. Don’t be fearful, the days of too many rules for hand embroidery are over. Take pleasure in developing the skill.”

What’s your best advice to a seasoned stitcher?

“Do it more, share what you know and take pleasure in your skill but also carry on learning new stuff too!”

What’s one material that you use a lot that is hard to find?

“I don’t use hard to find material. Much of what I use I have on hand or have scavenged from secondhand shops.”

Which tool in your sewing kit would you never live without?

“A needle!”

Some great things you’ll find on Sharon’s blog are: Online Classes and Stitch Challenges

Thank you Sharon!  I can’t wait to see what you come out with next!

 

 

Free Downloadable Book for Using a Ruffler Attachment

Guys, guys!!!! Sorry to fill your inboxes with two blogs this morning, but this could not wait!

Using the magic of the internet, Pinterest in particular, I discovered an awesome “e-book” about how to use your Ruffler Foot!

Find it on this website!

The post was written by The Scientific Seamstress, and I don’t think we’ll all be able to thank her enough for the awesome instructions.  It’s a PDF file, so just download it to your computer, save it, print, laminate it- whatever!  Keep the info near your ruffler and you’ll be bound to use it!

Need a ruffler?  Come to Zede’s and get one!  We’ll help you use it!