by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 6, 2017
Halloween Sewing Tip #6:
Specialty fabrics like vinyl can help make your costume extra-special. Don’t be afraid to use them when you sew!
Check out the start of the gumball machine costume pictured above. Clear plastic for the glass, vinyl for the money slot – they all add to the reality of the costume. Specialty fabrics can seem intimidating, but with a few easy-to-follow rules and tips you can conquer them!
- Use a leather/denim needle: Vinyl and thicker fabrics require a larger needle size to sew properly. Get one at your local shop.
- Use a Teflon or Ultra Glide Foot: This will allow the stickier fabric to slide through the machine more easily. (The snap on Janome Ultra Glide foot is pictured in the photo above.)
- Press carefully: Vinyl and clear plastic, even real leather, can be pressed carefully with a press cloth! But, too much heat can melt these specialty fabrics. Check the manufacturer’s instructions and use a press cloth to avoid direct contact with your iron’s sole plate. When in doubt, start with a low heat and work your way up.
- Don’t use pins: Needles and pins will leave permanent holes in vinyl or plastic. Instead use clips, clothespins or paperclips to hold your fabrics in place before sewing.
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Disclaimer: I am a Canadian Janome Artisan. Janome provided artwork (with my photos) for this project and the Skyline S9 on-loan machine I am currently using. As with all the products I write about – I always tell you my own honest opinion.
by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 5, 2017
Halloween Sewing Tip #5:
Fleece makes a great (easy to sew) costume. It stretches, so fitting is easier and more forgiving. Plus, you don’t need to finish the raw edges because it will not fray!
Fleece also creates body, since it is fluffy and, depending on it’s thickness, can hold a sturdier shape well. It also provides warmth for a small trick-or-treater in a cold climate!
Tips for sewing with Fleece: (Along with these you can read 12 tips for sewing knits.)
- Use a ballpoint needle: Fleece is a knit fabric and regular needles will cut small holes wherever there is a seam. Ballpoint needles are easily found online or at your local fabric store. Also, a good rule is to change your needles after every 8 hours of sewing to keep them fresh and avoid skipped stitches.
- Use a stretch stitch or a zigzag stitch: This is a good rule for any knit fabric. It allows the sewn seam to stretch while it is being worn.
Last year I used fleece for
my daughter’s princess costume (
pictured above) and there are more details and tricks for how I simplified the sewing process of her costume to make it as fast as possible in that post as well.
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Disclaimer: I am a Canadian Janome Artisan. Janome provided artwork (with my photos) for this project and the Skyline S9 on-loan machine I am currently using. As with all the products I write about – I always tell you my own honest opinion.
by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 4, 2017
Halloween Sewing Tip #4:
Choose inexpensive fabrics! A one-night costume doesn’t have to be fancy. Felt or broadcloth are great cheaper options, watch for sales at your local fabric stores or online!
I generally choose broadcloth (on sale) for most of my handmade costumes. It comes in lots of solid colours, is lightweight and translates well into the “clothing-type” costumes my daughters usually choose. (Princess, Princess, Princess… LOL) This year, however, my youngest wants to be a chocolate chip cookie – so I bought 4 1/2 meters of felt on sale last weekend. I’m excited to play with a new type of material I haven’t tried yet!
Sewing Tip: When sewing felt (and other fluffy Halloween fabrics like faux fur) a lot of fluff can accumulate in your bobbin case. Make sure to clean it out regularly to get the best performance from your sewing machine. Collecting fluff can put a lot of wear and tear on the mechanics over time.
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Disclaimer: I am a Canadian Janome Artisan. Janome provided artwork (with my photos) for this project and the Skyline S9 on-loan machine I am currently using. As with all the products I write about – I always tell you my own honest opinion.
by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 3, 2017
Halloween Sewing Tip #3:
Size up your pattern pieces! Sew the costume one or two sizes larger than your fast-growing child so it can spend lots of time in the dress-up box. (Maybe it could even be re-used or re-purposed next year!)
While you take the time to sew an awesome costume, make sure to start and end each seam with a locking or reverse stitch. This will hold the stitching tight and allow your costume to make it through the whole day at school and a busy night!
The Skyline S9 I have on loan from Janome Canada has a specific stitch that includes locking or reversing. The lock-a-matic (U2) and locking (U3) stitches will automatically reverse or create a locking stitch at each end of your seams. Check your sewing machine to see if you have a setting like this as well!
My oldest’s princess costume (from her first year of kindergarten in 2012!) is a good example of up-sizing. It is still upstairs in our dress-up box today and is “the favorite” dress to pull out when playing. It still fits my youngest and gets worn all the time.
(Of course, if you are in Canada or another cold-weather Halloween country, you know sizing up is important so you can fit the child’s snowsuit underneath! LOL)
Follow all 10 Janome Halloween Costume Tips with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Bloglovin’.
Disclaimer: I am a Canadian Janome Artisan. Janome provided artwork (with my photos) for this project and the Skyline S9 on-loan machine I am currently using. As with all the products I write about – I always tell you my own honest opinion.
by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 2, 2017
Halloween Sewing Tip #2:
Get your kids involved in sewing and designing the costume. If they do not usually sew, teach them with simple straight lines. They will be so proud of the finished project!
Kids love to help and the fact that you want their opinion on the final product will make them so pleased. Even more if you let them actually sew it too! You will be the best #supermom (grandma, dad…) ever!
A great tool to use is the Speed Control slider available on many sewing machines. Slide the control so the machine operates as slowly as possible. This will allow them to concentrate on the seam, not on how fast the machine is moving!
You can also get your child interested in sewing by teaching them how to gather fabric to make a ruffle or gathered skirt. (I know my girls love them some good ruffles!) This new skill might be enough to get them excited. Here are some tips:
- Use a strong thread, like a button weight.
- Set the machine to the longest stitch length.
- Start the seam with a locking stitch or a back stitch.
- Sew the length of the seam and leave a long thread tail without locking or back stitching.
- Pull the thread tail to gather the fabric.
Another idea is to sew the base project and get them to add details with fabric paints and markers. My daughter painted the complex embroidery on the front of her costume last year, and was so pleased with the results. Kids can also add ribbons and embellishments with glue. They’ll love being part of the plan!
Follow all 10 Janome Halloween Costume Tips with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Bloglovin’.
Disclaimer: I am a Canadian Janome Artisan. Janome provided artwork (with my photos) for this project and the Skyline S9 on-loan machine I am currently using. As with all the products I write about – I always tell you my own honest opinion.
by Sherri Sylvester | Feb 6, 2017
It’s almost February’s “Day of Love” and Valentine’s Day can kinda get a bit of a bad rep sometimes… This year, take matters into your own hands and treat yourself!
Around here, Selfish Sewing can often get put on the back burner. Well, to be honest, the back of the sewing table – or in project piles in the closet, for longer than I’d like. Everyone else (and the laundry) seems to take priority!
Here’s a little help to stop the cycle, click over to my latest Craftsy post to find 10 inspirational sewing patterns you can make to treat yourself this year. There are options for everyone, whether you are getting ready for date night or staying in!
Take the night off, grab a cup of tea and some fresh flowers floral fabric and sew!
