I'm Still Here!

Hello sewing followers,

I'm still here!  It's been awhile, I know.  I had some issues with my beloved Janome 12000 and had to have my dealer tweak some tension settings for me last week.  Then I came down with some kind of dreaded virus for several days. 

I'm beginning to feel better but have company coming.  So I won't be able to do any sewing this week.  But I'm sure itching to put that new machine to good use!

If you haven't seen the machine I have in my possession you can see the new 12000 at http://www.janome.com/!

May you all have a good week!

Happy sewing,

Marla

First Project on my Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000

Hello,
I just complete my first project on my new Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000.  From here on, I will call my new machine the 12000 for short!

I have so much to learn yet on this machine including the new software called Horizon Link.  I will be able to create and edit stitches as well as embroidery.  I am to get an upgrade on my Digitizer software down the road. With that I can create and edit embroidery including monogramming.

So for my first project using this fabulous new Janome machine, I took some black napkins that I had made for my daughter's wedding and stitched around the edges with gold decorative stitching.  There were so many choices to choose from but here is a picture of one of the completed napkins:



And here is a picture of my precious machine:

I can't wait to begin another creation!

Have a great day,

Marla



Denim Purse

Hi everyone,

I just finished sewing a denim purse for my sister.  She wanted an intial on the front, so I embroidered her first intial using one of Martha Pullen's designs.  I thought it turned out cute,  so I'm posting a couple pictures.  The inside is lined in a red print. 

I should get my new sewing machine, the Janome 12000, in the next week or so!  I'm so excited!

Happy Sewing,

Marla

Janome's Newest Machine

Good evening,

I talked with my Janome dealer today about Janome's latest machine the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000 or Janome 12000 for short.  We agreed on a price with a trade-in of my Janome 11000 SE.  So he was going to order it for me.  I'm really excited!

Now I have to get really busy sewing and I need to increase my sewing business this next year.  I mentioned in the last blog that I may try to make and sell things on Etsy.  I've never sold things online before, but it looks like Etsy has lots of support for their online sellers!

Stay tuned for more later!

Marla

Ideas for Selling on Etsy

Hello,
I've been so busy sewing lately I haven't updated you on this blog!  I decided to look into making some things and selling at http://www.etsy.com/.  It's an online site where crafters can sell their creations or things to make crafts, etc.  I've been kicking around some ideas on what I could make to sell.  So far I've been thinking about making purses, wallets, and aprons.  Also, since I have a nice embroidery/sewing machine I may embroider some things to sell.

I also thought of making Bible/book covers.  I made a pattern off one of my book covers and then decided instead of crazy quilting that pillow I mentioned weeks ago, I would crazy quilt the book cover.  I have all the pieces crazy quilted, but I need to select some fabric for the lining.  Here's a picture of the front piece for the book cover:

I think it will turn out nice whenever I get it finished!  It is time consuming so not something I think that I would want to mass produce.  But I might make some more sometime.  You just never know!

Thanks for reading my blog!  By the way, my sewing business is now officially on Facebook! 

Happy Sewing!

Marla



Patient Gowns

Hello,
I'm here!  It's been awhile but I've been busy the last couple weeks making some patient gowns for my doctor's office.  I drafted a pattern off an existing gown.  Then I picked out some fabric and took it to the doctor to choose which fabrics she liked.

It was pretty simple sewing but there was a lot of measuring, pinning and ironing.  It reminded me of making curtains actually.

I'm posting pictures but they are not the best.  The gowns have four panels with two in front and two in back that overlap.  Hopefully patients will be happy that the gowns do not gape open in the back! :)

Here's the gowns with three different fabrics: 

The top fabric has "dots" of different colors, the middle gown has brown with little dots, and the last gown has puzzle fabric.

Happy Sewing!

Marla

Pictures Of My New Sewing Room

Hi all,
As I said in my last post we are moving my sewing and crafts into a new room in our finished basement.  It's quite an undertaking!  We have most of it moved and just a matter of more organizing.  I went through all my fabric and sorted out some that I'm willing to part with and am donating it to a garage sale at an area church to help their food pantry.  I still have tons of fabric!

Here's a few pictures.  I'm not done putting things away so please excuse the messy table, etc! 

Hopefully in another week or two I will have a place for everything and can get back to actually sewing!

Have a wonderful day,

Marla

Moving Sewing to New Room

Well, my husband likes to change things around once in awhile.  So he decided that it was time to move things around in the basement.  We are in the process of moving my sewing to a room in the basement that was at one time our daughter's bedroom while home from college.  The room is painted hot pink and lime green.  Ok, I can go with that.  Definitely feminine colors anyway.  The crucial items have been moved...namely my sewing machine, serger and the desktop computer which ties into my sewing machine. 

We have a LOT of things to organize and move yet!  If it can be done, my husband can do it.  I keep saying there's no way all my sewing stuff is going to fit in this room, but he is good at visualizing things.  It could be, too, that perhaps I need to sell or give away some fabric and other sewing supplies.  :(

It's a little overwhelming right now and I have to wait for my hubby to help box up some books, etc. that are on a built-in bookshelf.  I am looking forward to having my sewing books and maybe patterns and containers of fabric on these shelves!

My practice smocking is coming along.  I just got another book called A-Z of Smocking which has lots of nice pictures and instructions on various smocking stitches as well as information on pleating.  I love the pictures and I am sure they will help me a lot as I learn new stitches!

Have a good day,

Marla

Smocking Update

Well, it's been awhile since I last posted.  Family time over Labor Day weekend and then catching up on things has put my love of sewing on hold.  But I managed to find some time to work on my smocking stitches the past couple days! Still practicing on some basic stitches.

I just ordered another book to help me learn more about smocking called A-Z of Smocking by Country Bumpkin.  I hear it's an excellent book with lots of pictures showing step-by-step how to smock!

I think I need to do some more organizing of my sewing area.  With all the books I have on sewing, it might be good to get another bookcase!

Back to my smocking,

Marla

Smocking Progress

Hello, thought I had better check in here so you know I haven't vanished off the face of the earth! I started another practice piece of smocking a few days ago.  I decided I'm just going to work on a couple smocking stitches and try to improve.  So I'm doing a basic cable stitch and then a two step wave stitch.  Once I get to the point I feel more confident with smocking, I may actually make a little dress! :)

Here's a photo of my work in progress:

I think I'm going to just stay with the pink and green on this.  Who knows, I may use this practice piece for something!  :)

Thanks for reading my blog! 

Have a wonderful day (or evening) depending on when you read this!

Marla

Smocking Again

Hello,
Just checking in here to say I pleated another practice piece a few days ago!  It's now patiently waiting for me to begin practicing some more smocking stitches.  As you may have guessed if you've been following my blog, my quilted casserole cover is still sitting in a basket beside my sewing machine.  This is just not right!

I'm having major sewing withdrawal symptoms!  So next week, I am really hoping I can get back to some sewing!

Hope your week is going well so far!

Happy Sewing,

Marla

Zippers

Hello,
Well, I've been having major sewing withdrawal symptoms here!  Been busy with family the past week or so, but hoping next week to get back to some sewing.  I did have a sewing job this week to replace a zipper in a pair of slacks for a man.  I must confess replacing zippers in slacks and jackets is one of my dreaded jobs!  Seems like zippers are always breaking. 

I found out my order from the Old Fashioned Baby is on its way! :)  I am looking forward to learning more about heirloom sewing.  Not sure why, but I'm wanting to make baby and little tots clothing!  No grandchildren in the near future; but I love making clothing for little ones. 

If and when I actually make a dress with some fancy heirloom sewing I will post.  I had better get back to my quilted casserole cover.  It is still sitting in a basket beside my sewing machine in the same stage as I posted recently!

Happy Sewing to all my sewing enthusiasts!

Marla

Patterns and Books Arrived Today!

Hello,
Well, I have been waiting for some books and patterns from Martha Pullen Company.  They came today!  There is enough heirloom sewing projects in her Grandmother's Hope Chest to keep me busy till I die!  I also bought another book with projects and patterns with a square yoke.  Then also I bought some patterns.  Maybe next week I can begin sewing again and smock another piece to practice on!  This week was crazy with things going on each day, so I didn't get any sewing done!  I do believe I'm suffering withdrawal symptoms, so next week I have to sew!

If you love to sew, you understand!

Have a good evening,

Marla

Can't Wait for my Order!

Hello,

For you sewing enthusiasts, I just recently found a website for heirloom sewing: http://www.oldfashionedbaby.com/.  I ordered a book, pattern, and kit from this company.  I am so excited to find this site and looking forward to getting my order so I can get busy learning more about heirloom sewing!

I finally finished my first smocking piece.  I learned three stitches but need lots more practice!  So I need to get my pleater out, put the needles back in it, run some waxed paper through it, rethread it and pleat another piece.  I've learned you should only use the needles you actually need and it's good to run wax paper through it first.

I still haven't finished my insulated, quilted casserole cover but hoping to do that as well one of these day!  Summer sure is a busy time, isn't it!

Happy Sewing,

Marla

More Organizing

Today I decided to tackle all my patterns and organize them better!  I have twelve plastic containers full of patterns.  I broke them down into categories such as Baby and Toddler Patterns, Formal and Wedding, Women's Blouses, Tops, Skirts; Women's Dresses;Wardrobe Patterns;Bags, Purses and Hats, etc.  I put labels on each container.  Now I'm thinking I should consider putting all my patterns on a spreadsheet as well as all my fabric, notions, etc.  I found a software program that might be good.  Or I could list them on Excel...but this software program looked nice too!

I have a sewing job to get done tomorrow or over the weekend hemming five pair of slacks for a lady or I'd be smocking some more!

Here's a couple photos of a little dress and bonnet I made several months ago for my new niece:

Happy Sewing,

Marla

Quilt or Smock? This is the Question.

Hello,

I don't know about other seamstresses but I usually have more than one project going.  I have a quilted casserole cover in progress and also my smocking piece.  So far I've learned the basic cable stitch, feather stitch and now working on a chevron stitch.  They are each nice stitches.  I know I will like each type of smocking stitch that I learn.  And there must surely be all sorts of stitches!

So anyway, now I have to decide whether to finish up my casserole cover or practice smocking.  Hmmm...it is "sew" hard! Then I also still have these ties that I bought recently to someday make a crazy quilted pillow!  Here's some pictures of my practice smocking piece and the front piece of the quilted casserole cover.

 Happy Sewing,

Marla

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Smocking Away!

Hello again,

Well, I did it at last!  I got up the nerve to use my Amanda Jane pleater this afternoon.  I cut a 4 1/2" strip that was 45 inches long and used six needles.  I was happy with my very first attempt! :)  Now I am practicing smocking using a basic cable stitch.  I can already tell this is going to be fun and relaxing! 

Practice will hopefully make perfect!  Once I feel comfortable with some basic stitches, then I think I will start out making baby bonnets and then advance to a little girl's dress!  I'm just so excited I had to share!

Happy sewing!

Marla

Dog Costume

Projects

Heirloom Sewing

Hello,

I am "sew" excited!  (Sorry, I just couldn't resist that.)  I am anxiously awaiting some little girl's patterns for heirloom sewing that I ordered from Martha Pullen's online store.  Also, I ordered another baby dress pattern from the Old Fashioned Baby website along with a book on embroidery.  I have my very fancy Janome 11000 Special Edition that does lovely embroidery work; but I wanted to get back to some good old hand embroidery!

I hope you enjoy your sewing passion as much as me!  Or, if it's not sewing maybe it's some other hobby.  I think everyone ought to have some kind of hobby or interest!  :)

Have a good weekend!

Marla

Problems with Sewing Machine

I thought I would address some common things to look for when having problems with your sewing machine.  A lot of friends call me to help them because their machine is not stitching correctly.

First, make sure the machine is threaded correctly.  Refer to you machine's manual if not sure.

Second, make sure the bobbin is wound correctly and inserted in the bobbin case correctly.  Again, check your manual if you have questions.

If you still have problems, perhaps you need to change your needle.  I recommend changing the needle after each sewing project especially if the project was a large one. 

Be sure to keep your machine clean.  Lint can build up in the bobbin area and the feed dog.   Your machine's manual should have instructions on cleaning the machine. 

Periodically your machine may need oiling.  Refer to your manual about oiling your machine. Some of the newer models do not need to be oiled by the owner. 

Another possibility could be the pressure dial is not at the correct setting.  Or, it could be the tension.  Refer to your manual on how to set these.  Both settings can depend on the type of fabric.  A lot of the newer, fancier machines have automatic tension settings. 

I hope these tips help you if you are having problems.  When all else fails, call your machine dealer/repairman for advice.  Periodically your machine will need to be professionally cleaned and perhaps oiled.  It may even be in need of  repairs.

Thankfully, most of the time when you have a problem with your sewing machine it's something simple that you can do yourself and save a lot of money!

Happy sewing,

Marla Cooprider

Followers

Hello Readers,

Thank you for reading my blog!  I hope you are enjoying reading about my sewing adventures.  You can follow along my blog by signing up as a "follower".  You would get an email alert whenever I post something on this blog.

Just look to the left of this blog where it says "Followers" and click on the word "Follow".

Thanks again for reading my blog. 

Marla Cooprider

Organizing Buttons Brings Back Memories

Hi again,

I've been organizing my sewing area and this morning I'm working on organizing all my buttons I've accumulated over the years!

I had a package of unopened "self-cover" buttons that I purchased years ago from Danners in Danville, Indiana.  The sticker price was 69 cents.

That little package brings back many memories of my younger days growing up in Danville!  In talking with some friends on Facebook who also grew up in the area, they mentioned the Hooks Drug Stores as well as Ben Franklin.

Do any of you remember stores you used to frequent that are no longer in business?  Both Danners and Ben Franklin sold fabric and notions.  I miss those stores!  There just aren't that many stores that carry fabric anymore.  Thankfully, there's the internet! 

Back to organizing my sewing area!

Marla Cooprider

Organizing Sewing Room

Hello!

I just bought some Snapware at JoAnn Fabric and Crafts the other day.  I want to better organize my sewing area.  Snapware is nice because it can be stacked if the same size containers.  Some have dividers in them, so they are great for all those little sewing tools and notions.  (Seems like I'm always getting more notions and supplies for my sewing.)  It's good to be organized to avoid having to hunt for things!

Have a great day!

Marla Cooprider

Crazy Quilted Pillows from Neckties

Hello!  I saw on another blog a project that I want to try sometime; Crazy Quilted pillows from men's neckties.  So I went to my local Goodwill last night and bought five neckties that coordinated well!

I probably won't get to that project for awhile because I'm currently working on a quilted, insulated casserole cover.  In-between my personal sewing projects are my sewing jobs.

Do you have projects galore like me?  Maybe your passion is crafts, painting, woodworking or some other hobby.  But if you're like me, there's never enough time to do all these projects.  Then if you have a house, there's always projects to do on the house and property!  Not sure about you, but I don't even know what "boredom" means!

I hope to work on this blog and make it fancier as time goes by, so check back.  In the meantime, have a blessed day!

Marla Cooprider

Sewing Classes

Hi again,

I just got a call while ago from a lady inquiring about sewing classes for her daughter!  Haven't done any classes for awhile but I told her, yes, I would consider giving her daughter lessons if she wanted.

I gave lessons for 2-3 years, but seems like most girls like sports better these days!
I would love to give lessons to kids who share the same passion to learn about sewing as I did (and still do)!

Have a good day!

Marla

Greetings!

Hello everyone,
This is my first official post here!  Not sure what I'm doing yet, but here goes!  I love sewing and so this blog will mostly be about that!  I have been sewing since I was very little.  I started out sewing when I was about eight years old.  I distinctly remember visiting with an elderly lady one summer in New Albany, Indiana where we lived at the time.  This lady was sitting on her front porch sewing on buttons.  I was utterly fascinated and went home and told my mom I wanted to learn to sew!  That's how my passion for sewing began! :)

I've been a stay-at-home mom for almost 20 years now...never really got back into the workforce!  For about 5 years now or so, I've had my sewing business.  I taught young girls sewing for 2-3 years; but many today would rather play sports!  :( 

Now I do basic alterations and some custom sewing.  I love sewing for little girls and just ordered a smocking pleater.  I'm really excited about that.  Wish I had one when my now 23 year-old daughter was young!  But there's plenty of little girls out there; so I'm looking forward to making some little smocked dresses! :)

Thanks for checking out my blog.  I have much to learn about blogging so if you check back, maybe this will get fancier as I learn!

Bye for now,

Marla