Thursday, November 27, 2014

Thanksgiving Blag-a-Bag

This is an extremely tardy blag-a-bag! A number of Thanksgiving-related social events and some unexpected complications with the strap manufacturing set me back a bit.


The outside of this super cute zippered tote bag is made enirely with upcycled fabrics!

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Holiday Stocking Tutorial

With US Thanksgiving this week, many of us are starting to get into the mood for the holidays! I myself get pretty obsessed with giving gifts. How could I not? Shopping for the perfect present to bring a smile to people I love is just another way I like to spend my time. But maybe you're like me, and you need a place to put those presents?


For this stocking with a cuff and a ribbon loop, you'll need the following:

  • Fabric: 1/2 yard
  • Lining: 1/2 yard
  • Interfacing or batting: 1/2 yard
  • Ribbon
This tutorial shows you how to create a stocking pattern to whatever size you desire, although a quick Google search will give you any number of stocking shapes that you can use!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Electroloom

A few weeks ago, I happened across this blog post on Medium. Electroloom is a company making 3D printed textiles, which of course caught my attention. It's amazing to see the progress that they've made in the last year, and the gifs showing the fabric's flexibility immediately had me wondering about its hand, and how it would sew in comparison to traditional textiles.

So when my friend Shaun forwarded an email, saying that the guys at Electroloom were looking for somebody to help them sew a shirt, I immediately thought, "UHOMGYESPLZ!" and quickly got in contact with Aaron.


Where but in the Bay Area would you get a chance to sew with startup fabric?

Friday, November 14, 2014

Upcycling

Last week I mentioned having gone to a FabMo selection event recently. It was something else! FabMo accepts fabric (and mo'!) from companies that would otherwise be tossed out, and makes them available to others for free. You can sign up to attend a selection event, and pay a donation to pick out whatever you want.


The majority of the materials available were upholstery samples, but at the one I went to, there were carpet samples, wallpaper, rugs, tiles, tassels, ribbons, and probably other things I didn't even see. The pieces range from fairly small (around 5" square) to very large–the biggest piece I brought home is taller than me!

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Zipper Foot

"Last week was boring," you're thinking. Who gives a flying... uh... pig... about a foot you already know how to use? Well, in this installment of Better Know a Foot, we'll look at the zipper foot. The Fightin' Zipper!


Every machine should come with a zipper foot attachment. This is one of your best tools, even if you never intend to sew a zipper. This post shows you four different ways to use your zipper foot!

Friday, November 7, 2014

Crossbody and Ring Clutch

I realized I forgot to photograph and post my blag-a-bag last week, so this is a 2-in-1.


Part of my tardiness is due to the fact that I was waiting for my order of a tripod and photo cube to show up. That should explain the white background and weird lighting, though it doesn't really excuse that I didn't iron the back fabric. Um.......

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Presser Feet Basics

When looking at sewing machines to buy, often you will see many manufacturers boasting about how many stitches the machine has, and how many feet it comes with. But does it really matter, when you just want to start sewing, already?

To be honest, I don't really see the real benefit of having 500+ fancy stitches. Give me a straight stitch, a zig-zag, and a decent buttonhole in a sturdy machine with a strong motor, and I'm happy. However, I do love specialty presser feet.


Using the right presser foot can make a huge difference in your sewing, and can shave off a lot of time and frustration as you work. This first post on feet will look at the universal foot, sometimes referred to as your all-purpose or general foot.