Thread Riding Hood

Making Merry with Janome! Christmas Ornament Placemat {tutorial}

by | Dec 7, 2015

I love having a theme with a deadline to sew for, it brings out all kinds of crazy-creative in me and today’s project is no exception. I’m thrilled to be part of Making Merry with Janome today! Since Janome Canada is my sewing machine sponsor, they’ve let me borrow a beautiful Skyline S5. (Squeee!)

This Janome machine truly makes my sewing more merry all on it’s own. But this blog hop is about Making Merry by sewing at Christmas, so I decided to create a Christmas-themed table runner, since our family didn’t have one yet. Now we do and I love it! The tutorial with printable pattern pieces is included below so you can make one too.

These quilted 14″ placemats can be used for a table setting or laid out in a row as an interchangeable table runner. I prefer to use them in table runner style to save myself the mild heart attack of letting my kids eat cranberry sauce over them! Of course, you could make just one to decorate a small round side table as well. If you are a little bit adventurous, you could even turn the circle applique into a round pillow. How cute would that be?!

All of the fresh and pretty fabrics I used for this project were provided by my blog sponsor, Country Clothesline. Their uniquely curated fabric selection is full of gorgeous florals, vintage reproductions, dots and stripes. Plus you never know what else you’ll run into! Apparently I like dots, since three of the 4 fabrics in this project have them. Find them all here: Red Dot, White Dot, Grey Dot, Wintery Blue.

As usual, please feel free to use my patterns/tutorials for your personal projects and gifts and for charitable fundraising events. Please do not sell anything sewn with this pattern. If you are interested in making this item for sale, please contact me and I will set up a license for it in the shop. Thank you!

Materials:

  • 1/2 yard each of 3 pre-washed fabrics (to make 3 placemats)
  • 1/4 yard (or fat quarter) for hanger applique
  • one 14.5″ square of quilt batting per placemat
  • fusible web for applique (this one is my favorite!)
  • 1/2 yard backing fabric (enough for 3 backing pieces)
  • matching thread for applique
  • removable fabric marker
  • fusible interfacing to layer under applique if colour shows through (I used this between blue/white stripe)
  • optional: walking/even foot is desirable for quilting
  • optional: basting spray (or pin baste)
  • CLICK TO DOWNLOAD: Christmas Ornament Placemat Pattern Pieces, 5 page pdf

Printing the Pattern:

  • Download the Pattern Pieces using the link in the Materials listing. Print out all 5 pages of the pdf on letter size (8.5″ x 11″) or A4 paper. Important: Do not select “fit to page” when printing, make sure you print at the original size. Once you have printed the pages, measure the 1″ test square to ensure the pattern is the correct size.
  • Cut the pages on the outer gray lines and tape/glue the pages together, matching the letters in the gray half-circles. Once you are finished, cut out each pattern piece.

Cutting your Fabric:

  • Use the cutting layouts below to cut each pattern piece. ** Be sure to cut as indicated to leave room for the bias cut binding strips.
  • Cut 3 bias-cut binding strips to match each main ornament fabric (as shown below)
  • Cut one 14.5″ square of low loft batting per placemat
  • Cut one 14.5″ square of backing fabric per placemat
  • Cut fusible web for each stripe and hanger pattern piece you need
  • If desired, cut fusible interfacing to place between the stripe and the main ornament fabric. This helps a darker main colour not to show through a lighter stripe.

Preparing to Sew:

  • Piece the three bias strips together to make one long strip. Fold the bias strip in half lengthwise and press well. Set aside.
  • Layer your main fabrics. Place the backing right side down, layer the batting on top, layer the main ornament circle over the batting right side up. Spray baste if desired, or pin baste later on.

Sewing the Applique:

  • Place the stripe and hanger correctly on the ornament circle following the red/dashed lines on the pattern piece. Adhere the fusible web.
  • Pin baste layers together (if not spray basted earlier)
  • Use an applique/blanket stitch to stitch around both fused pieces. (Skyline S5 Stitch #37: 3.5 wide, 3.0 long, AUTO tension)

 Quilting the Placemat:

  • Mark all light grey quilting lines from the pattern piece onto the ornament and hanger, including the hanging loop. I found that my hera marker worked well – I placed the paper template over the fabric and marked each line, then traced them with a water soluble fabric marker for better visibility. You can also use dressmaker’s carbon and tracing wheel, or even cut the pattern pieces on each line and trace around them to mark each one.
  • Stitch the Quilting line on the hanger with the applique/blanket stitch.
  • Quilt all other lines with a straight quilting stitch, leaving hanging loop to the next step. (Skyline S5 Stitch #01: 4.5 wide, 3.5 long, Tension at 3)

  • Use a contrasting thread and small zig-zag to stitch hanging loop. I had some grey-tone embroidery thread on hand that I used. (Skyline S5 Stitch #11: 2.0 wide, 0.2 long, AUTO tension)

Binding the Placemat:

  • Trim excess backing and batting, following the edge of the main ornament circle.
  • Apply the bias binding as desired. I like to machine quilt my bindings and use this tutorial as a guide. ((Skyline S5 Stitch #01: 8.5 wide – brings needle to 1/4″ from edge of even foot, 3.0 long, AUTO tension)

Remove all fabric markings, press if desired, and you’re done!

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I’d love to see your project! You can share photos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (links below) using the  hashtags #alongforthreadride and/or #threadridinghood. Thank you!

Disclaimer: Janome Canada is my sewing machine sponsor, you can read more about why I love Janome machines from earlier this year. Country Clothesline is a blog sponsor and provided the fabrics for this project. I truly love each of their products and always give my honest opinion. Thank you for supporting this blog’s amazing sponsors.

The most amazing thing, reviewed! {Janome Skyline S5}

by | Aug 27, 2015

Getting a sewing machine upgrade is so exciting! I plan to get it, then it’s on my desk, I open the box, sit down at it and (always) I’m stumped as to what to do first – it happens every time. There are so many new things to do! Should you start with a straight stitch? Test the automatic buttonhole on random fabric? Make a zillion tiny labels with words on them? This is where I usually start to sew a new project and find out – Wow, everything is so much simpler than it was on my last machine!

Sewing does not require a fancy machine, you can sew amazing things on a budget machine, it’s 100% possible. What this professional level machine will do is help you sew the same things – just in a better way! Like I said in my last post – the Janome Skyline S5 makes your life sew much easier! They have seriously thought of everything. Every button is where I want it to be, it has a huge number of stitches, needle positions, loads of storage, cutters everywhere – the list goes on.

As a disclaimer before I begin,  Janome has kindly allowed me to borrow this loaner machine on a 1 year contract and I am so grateful to them!  I want to say again, as with all the products I write about – I always tell you my own honest opinion. I have bought and worked with Janome products for 90% of my sewing life and used their products long before they contacted me. I am so happy to give them a great review because I already love and support this product. They’re my favorite and I’d love for them to be your favorite too!

On with the review. There is no way to write a comprehensive review of the Skyline S5 after only two weeks of using it, but here’s a first go at it! (This machine does so many things I would recommend heading over to check out the list of features, because I won’t be able to cover all of them here.)

I was stumped when sorting out which Janome machine might be best to work with. I’m not exclusively a quilter, garment sewer, or a bag maker… I sew a bit of everything. In the end the Janome Skyline S5 was the best fit. When prepping to write this review, I chose lots of different types of projects to make. The goal was to use many different settings and types of fabric. It even got me excited about trying to empty my mending pile! I’ve worked on knit leggings, sewn a woven cotton shirt, hemmed heavier weight shorts and pieced a few quilt blocks.

Body of the Machine:

  • It is hefty, light enough to carry, but don’t plan to go far! I like the weight – you can sew super fast and there’s very little vibration, if any. My last machine was lighter and would move around some at higher speeds.
  • Storage! I love to be organized and everything that came in the box (except the instructions and knee lift lever) fit inside the machine.
  • The presser foot lever is wide and easy to find on the back of the machine.
  • It came with a soft cover, with pockets for your rulers, scissors etc.
Bobbins, Threading, Tension:
  • The bobbin winder has 5 built in cutters underneath to use before you wind it! And a separate one for when you have filled the bobbin. This is what I mean when I say Janome has thought of everything!
  • While we are on the topic, there is another cutter where you install the (easy access drop-in) bobbin, and the usual one on the side of the machine for when you don’t use the thread cutter button.
  • Threading the machine is similar in all Janome machines and I am so thankful for that! It has an automatic needle threader that works every time. I may soon forget how to get thread through the eye of a needle by hand!
  • The tension is set with a simple dial on top of the machine. I LOVE that it has an Auto Tension setting. I haven’t had change it at all yet!
  • As an aside, one thing I cannot do on any of my Janome machines is turn up the tension to gather fabric. On lots of machines if the tension is set higher the fabric will naturally gather as you sew. Not sure why, but it is easily fixed. If you hold the thread lightly as it comes off the spool it gives it enough tension that it gathers “automatically”.
Stitch Settings:
  • The 170 built in stitches are likely more than I’ll ever be able to use!
  • It has a 9mm stitch width (just less than 3/8″) allowing for amazing use of the 91 stitch positions. Craziness!
  • My kids had lots of fun thinking of things I should spell/draw with the monogram and decorative stitches. Cars, hearts, stars, scissors, thread anyone?
  • The machine allows you to memorize stitches and will stitch them in order by itself, just press the Start/Stop button to run the programmed stitches!
How it Sews:
  • Smooth and quiet! I had a friend over the other day and that was her first comment.
  • The 6 built-in LED lights help you brightly see every detail in what you are doing.
  • Super responsive foot pedal. I can stop and start this machine quickly whenever I want. It is more responsive than my 2030QDC.
  • It has an automatic thread cutter button. I’ll admit it, I still grin whenever I press it – a lovely little mechanical noise – lift the presser foot and pull your fabric away. No scissors necessary!
  • It is possible to run the machine without using the foot pedal – just by pressing the Start/Stop button. I’ve tried it and so far failed miserably, but lots of sewers swear by it! Practice?!
  • I love the wide general sewing foot. The edge of the foot is at the 3/8″ mark as opposed to the 1/4″ mark on my 2030QDC. I think this extra width likely helps feed the fabric through more evenly, especially good when sewing knits!
Quilting:
  • I used the 1/4″ quilting foot to piece a few quilt blocks. I was familiar with this from my other machine. The difference (sew much easier!) with the Skyline S5 is the 1/4″ stitch setting. Clip on the foot, set your stitch and sew, always knowing your needle is exactly 1/4″ from the edge! With my other Janome I kept a sticky note with the stitch position on it so I wouldn’t forget.
  • A walking foot and free motion foot are included as well. I haven’t had a chance to use them yet, but they come with the machine.
  • Raising and lowering the feed dogs is so easy. Just flip the switch on the side of the machine.
Sewing Knits:
I use this as a bit of a gauge for a sewing machine. Knits can be a bit trickier to sew because they stretch under the presser foot. Simpler knit sewing makes me happy!
  • Sewing knits just works better with a 7-piece feed dog. I have one on my other machine as well and it pulls the fabric through a lot smoother – it helps eliminate some of the extra stretching you tend to get when sewing knit fabric. Hemming is not so scary anymore!
  • Double-needle stitching is fun on this machine as well. I used an extra long stitch of 4 or so to hem a pile of holey-kneed leggings into bike shorts for the summer. This machine even has a setting for a double needle! I assume this setting makes it impossible to choose a stitch that will cause the needles to break?
More Things:
  • One of my favorite things about the Janome machines I’ve owned is that they arrived with tons of extra feet. I have never had to buy a foot for any of my machines! Walking feet, free motion, rolled hem foot, zipper foot… the list goes on!
  • I am excited that the presser foot pressure is easily changed. It’s adjustable with a dial on the top of the machine. I would love to take some time to play with it and see what difference it makes.
  • Though I’ve never used a straight stitch needle plate, the instructions say it is great for lightweight fabrics and piecing. I’ll have to give it a shot. This machine comes with this extra needle plate and it only requires pulling an easily accessed lever to remove the current one before switching. They go on by pressing a specially marked dot on the plate. My youngest was fascinated that she could see the insides of the machine, so we had fun with that one! It also allows for easy cleaning – one less reason to procrastinate.
  • I found the Video and Booklet Instructions to be really helpful. Watching a video helps with things like winding the bobbin and installing it properly.

Argh – I never even got to talk about the locking stitch, needle up/down, knee lift bar, digital LCD screen, angled markings on the needle plate… the Start/Stop button even reacts to how you press it, allowing you to speed up and slow down. I could go on and on….

As a way of finishing up this review, it’s important to say that never in my life would I have thought I’d be sewing on a machine like this long-term. I’m being spoiled rotten over here! I know some of you cannot imagine ever owning a professional caliber machine, do not be discouraged! You can sew almost anything on a budget machine that has a straight stitch and a zig-zag. I hacked my budget machine for many years before I upgraded last summer. Find the tricks you can use to make it work for you! And, if you can – upgrade a little at a time – you never know how far you will get! (Oh, and get a Janome!)

What would you like to see this machine do? I’d love to know if you have a project idea for me. Something I could try and then review for you?

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So, the most amazing thing happened…

by | Aug 26, 2015

The fall is nearing and feels like a good time for reflection, and some exciting news for the future! This summer has been full – full of warm weather, full of work, full of family and friends, and full of my kids! They were home all summer, causing this online life to take more breaks. All with good reason I think! As we approach the start to a new school year, it’s time again to take stock of where this blog has been and where it is going.

I LOVE writing, and taking photos and I love sharing my life with you. So many things have happened over the life of Thread Riding Hood, many over the past year… many, many of them through amazing connections and emails that have landed “randomly” in my inbox. Off the top of my head:

Working with Cloud9 Fabrics to produce the Time Warp Tote tutorial. Meeting & planning with Elizabeth Olwen and Warp & Weft to promote the Wildwood fabric collection. Posting the Forest Glen Satchel pattern, and you all started buying it! Teaching my first workshop. Being part of the Indiesew Summer Collection blog hop. Working with fabric designers and indie pattern makers. Writing monthly posts for the Craftsy sewing blog….

I cannot even say how grateful I am to be working with this blog’s sponsors, their ads allow me to keep up this amazing hobby-turned-job. And to you… I am so, so thankful for your support! I never, ever, envisioned that I would be able to accomplish all of these things here. All of it is truly a dream for me. I am so grateful to all of you for being my sounding board and allowing me to continue writing.

I still look back in amazement that this has all happened because I started writing about something I am passionate about and love, and discovered that you love it too! (Your support of my sponsors and companies I work with is so appreciated!)

With that I have one more exciting thing to tell you about. A month or so ago Janome Canada contacted me to ask if I would talk to them about working on a project together. I think I jumped out of my chair and ran (literally) to tell everyone the good news! (I also think I sounded a bit crazy also when I talked to Debbie, from their Vancouver office, on the phone later on that week. Argh. I am blaming my love of sewing for that!)

I am sure I’ll be talking more about this new partnership in the future, but for now I am so excited to introduce you to my new on-loan machine – the Janome Skyline S5. *squeeeeeee!*

I am super-excited to work with Janome! It is so satisfying to work with a company that I already know and love – and already use on a daily basis! Now 4 Janome machines live at my house + the new Skyline makes 5! After a first very low cost Singer, I upgraded to a Janome SUV1122. My husband bought a 2030QDC last year for my birthday, and a Kenmore serger (made by Janome), came for Christmas. We also just bought our youngest a Janome New Home 1/2 size machine for her birthday – it’s so cute!  Since the Skyline S5 is an on-loan machine, they will all stay with me for now, just in case I need to return it someday.

I will be posting a first review of the Janome Skyline S5 in the next few days, but my first impression is… *Surprise!* I LOVE this machine. It makes my sewing life sew much easier! (Sorry, not sorry for the pun!) 

Before I go, I’ve got an important question for you!

What would you name this machine?This S5 doesn’t have a proper name yet – and I think she deserves one. I thought it would be fun to get your help and we can all name her together. Comment below with your name suggestions – yes, she’s a girl! I’ll put up a poll soon with some top favorites and get my kids to throw in a few too. I’m so excited to see what wins!

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