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