by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 15, 2015
I’m happy to share another tutorial with you today! And another baby tutorial with the most perfect baby fabric – Cuddle by Shannon Fabrics! Sew Sisters Quilt Shop has sponsored this tutorial and you can find the Play ‘n Snuggle Mini Blanket Tutorial on their blog.
This tutorial incorporates Dimpled and Solid Cuddle fabric – the softest fabric ever! I’ve got a fun idea I’m hoping to pull together for some simple kid Christmas gifts using it, and I think my husband would like one too. Perfect for Cuddle-ing. (See what I did there!) Sew up this beginner friendly afternoon project for your baby or someone else’s.
You can find the tutorial on the Sew Sisters blog – Play ‘n Snuggle Mini Blanket Tutorial!
+ Make sure you head over for your chance to win the Cuddle you need to make the blanket!
by Sherri Sylvester | Sep 9, 2015
Today’s project… (Yes, I know it’s late afternoon!) is to work with these fabrics to make a myriad of “pencil” cases for my oldest to take to school. Both girls started back again yesterday. Thankfully with lots of excitement, and they were still happy when they got home, Day 1 success. It’s pretty hard to believe that our oldest is in grade 3 this year!
Reminds me I should hold on tight, soon they will be graduating high school!
I’ve been reworking our office lately and am feeling the push to de-stash again. There’s just SO MUCH fabric! I’d love to sew all the things, but I know in reality (and from experience) that I can’t use up the giant bin or teeny tiny scraps, or all of the knit fabrics. Maybe one day soon you will see an Instagram de-stash happening… just as soon as I research how in the world to pull one off!
The little piles of fabric were made by my oldest. In an effort to let go of some of my favorites, I decided to give her open access to my smaller scrap shelf. It’s mostly full of fat quarter sized pieces that I’m sure I’d know what to do with if I was a quilter. The photo above is only the “good stuff”. I don’t even want to think about the “by colour” sorted baggies in the bin under my desk…. or the “smaller than small” pieces I’ve got put away!
Speaking of stashing fabric….
Public Service Annoucement/Fabric Enabler: Double Decker Fabric is back for a short while. This Canadian online shop is closing and all remaining stock must go! Get 40% off on all quilting cottons and amazing pricing on solids. Don’t miss out! (P.S. They ship within Canada and the US! P.P.S This is not a sponsored post, I love supporting Canadian and this is a great shop!)
(Oh, and note to the weatherman… rain for the first two days of school should not be allowed! “First Day of School” outfits and boots just don’t match!)
I’m Curious… If you are not a quilter, what do you do with your small scraps?
by Sherri Sylvester | Aug 28, 2015
Fabric Spark is giving a paper copy of this pattern away today! They provided the fabric for this top. All opinions are honest and my own. Thanks for supporting the shops that support this blog!
Step 1) Procure gorgeous super-soft Loominous fabric. Step 2) Mix in your (favorite) top pattern. Step 3) Sew for 2 hours. Step 4) Remove from sewing machine. Step 5) Press and wear. (Maybe 3 days in a row!) Best. Shirt. Ever. Really! I am IN LOVE with this Loominous fabric from Anna Maria Horner. And I got to use my favorite top pattern The Bess Top from Imagine Gnats. The fabric is Loominous from Anna Maria Horner – yarn dyed lightweight woven cotton, it has an amazing hand and drapes so well. Plus, it’s called Big Love, the Primary colourway – how could you not love it?
I met Daryl from Fabric Spark for coffee a few months ago. She is super inspiring to talk to and I always come away ready to check out amazing bloggers and pattern makers I haven’t heard of yet. So good! Anyhow, We started chatting about working together on an apparel project and I immediately thought back to the Loominous fabric I’d seen in her shop when I picked out my Monthly Sparks bundle.
I had recently made a muslin for the Bess Top pattern from Imagine Gnats. (Imagine Gnats makes my most favorite patterns ever!) So I suggested that maybe we could make a Loominous Bess Top. Lucky for me she agreed! Fabric Spark now stocks the Bess Top, the Alder Skirt and the Roly Poly (children’s Pinafore). Hooray!
Bess Top pattern by Imagine Gnats
Imagine Gnats patterns make wearable, comfortable clothing that’s not too fancy. They all have little design elements that look great and are really simple to sew. And they come in a really wide range of sizes. (I have made the Alder skirt before as well, in fact I wear it the most out of all my handmade clothing!)
The Bess Top (or tunic or dress without pockets) is made from only two pattern pieces. The back curves over the front and *bam* you’ve got sleeves, without even knowing it! Rachel has taught me to use jersey strips to finish the neckline, hem and sleeves and it has changed my life – literally! I’ve been using the technique on lots of other projects recently.
This top is a size 6 throughout, with a size 4 through the bust area. I used the lower neckline and replaced the shoulder pleat with pretty gathers. I don’t hate the pleat, in fact I love it. Unfortunatly, the pleat doesn’t love me, the gathers soften the detail by spreading the extra fabric along the whole seam. Much better!
I’ll do a proper pattern review when I post about the next Bess I’m making, from nani IRO double-gauze. I managed to order some from Fabric Spark before this print (Jewel Song Pocho) went out of stock, but she has others and some Ellen Baker double gauze in stock as well. Everyone is talking about double gauze – really, everyone!– so I figured it was high time I got my hands on some. My first impressions are great, and I’m excited to see how it drapes in a top. Fingers crossed it will be amazing!
Loominous by Anna Maria Horner
When I started working with this fabric I asked for a bit of extra so I could match the main stripesat the sides of the top. In the end it doesn’t look exactly matched because of the ikat-esque “stripes”, but I did end up using about 1/2 yard more than the pattern calls for to match the main sections. Ordering a little extra will save you lots of time and headache!
The bold patterns in this fabric make placement really important. I quickly searched online and found this top by Miss Make – wide strip in the center front – perfect. The internet is such a useful thing! The back of this top is centred on the two large orange stripes, mainly because I was trying to conserve fabric so I could make a little something for one of my girls with the leftovers!
If this Loominous print is not your favorite – Fabric Spark stocks 5 to choose from!
Hooray! Fabric Spark is giving away a paper copy of the Bess Top pattern today!
This giveaway is open to International readers, from August 28 – September 3, 2015 at midnight EST. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter – and if you don’t have Facebook to sign in with, just use your name and email address. There’s a “click to enter”, no social media login entry too!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
by Sherri Sylvester | 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?
Hey, thanks for reading to the bottom of the post. Join me for “thread ride” so you don’t miss more great content!
by Sherri Sylvester | 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!
Thank you for reading the whole post! Join me for “thread ride”, don’t miss more great content!
by Sherri Sylvester | Aug 8, 2015
I’ve been thinking about making my Grandma a quilt for a few months. When my mom was visiting in July it seemed like the perfect time. It would go a bit faster, (Thanks Mom!) and three generations could work on it – my mom, myself and my kids – as a gift for the 4th generation, my grandma! I picked a quick quilt pattern and we set to work.
My kids sewed at least one of the seams each, my mom cut and helped me with piecing and we basted it together. Then my parents had to leave and it sat for a little bit while I scrambled to put together a 5 year old’s birthday party and pack us up for 5 days away. Everything got finished last Thursday and I’m so excited to send it off! While I write this the girls are hard at work making a card for their Great Grandma – one they’ve never met, since she lives on the other side of the country.
I’ve always wanted to make a Giant Vintage Star Quilt. It seemed easy enough and fast enough that it was do-able and wouldn’t end up as one of my WIP quilts – I’ve got too many of them that are sooooo close to finished. I should really get on that! Turns out it was perfect. We sized the squares down from the fat-quarter-friendly 18″, to 14″ so as to accommodate the fabric available (more on that later). Turns out it is a great lap size anyhow, finishing at 65″ square. I was even able to quilt it myself.
The fabric for this project was all in my stash and already pre-washed. Of course good, because we were in a hurry! The white was a lightweight set of curtains, I think – that came with the same fabric I used for these Easter maxi-dresses. I was going to use it to make this set of blocks, but since it was needed here plans changed! I did order some white not too long ago from Double Decker Fabrics (now closed) and it will stand in for the other project. (Oh, and the label was from Double Decker as well!)
The top is Spring Bloom fabric by Bella Caronia – scraps from these self-drafted dresses for the girls. I ended up with quite a bit of fabric left over since I needed extra for fussy cutting. I over-estimated a bit since it was my own pattern and I didn’t want to run out! Turns out it was perfect, just enough fabrics for exactly creating the star on the quilt. My mom was amazing and scrounged like crazy when she cut the pieces. In the end we only had to piece one of the large triangles!
The backing fabric is super soft Art Gallery Fabric, Jeni Baker “Dreamin Vintage” from Fabric Spark. It was originally going to be a top for me, but when I saw it with the Spring Bloom colours it was perfect. The border (again, scrounged from scraps and even cut off grain to get enough pieces!) sets it off perfectly. Don’t tell, but I think the back is my favorite! The cream background on the Dreamin’ Vintage adds so much warmth! (It’s sold out now, since I bought it last year, but you can check out her other vintage inspired fabrics here!)
Now that it is done, it’s into the mail and me holding my breath that it gets there. Not that I don’t trust the postal service… but it’s a bit nerve wracking! And it has to travel across the country and over a border…. ack!
Reader Feedback: Have you sewn a generational quilt?
Disclaimer: Fabric Spark provides fabric to me at a discount, and I in return link to their shop when I post related projects.
