Avoid a headache!! Using the right needle and thread for your fabric

Hello people!

One mistake I made when I started sewing was using the same needle all the time. Regardless of which fabric type I was working with, I just went ahead and thread my machine and started sewing. I was being miserable with all the issues and complications I had to face when my fabric will  get uncooperative to work with. Of course I will blame it on the fabric...Yes! rookie mistake!!

When I started reading page 47 in the book The Complete Photo Guide to Sewing from Singer, which I mentioned in a previous post,  it was a surprise to me that you need to do your homework and make sure you have the appropriate needle and thread for the fabric you are working with.

For a quick reference you can follow the link below which contains an easy chart to identify which needle type and size is more convenient for your project.

http://www.wwwearables.com/techniques/sewing-needles.htm

So remember...for a less complicated sewing experience make sure to use the right needle and thread for your fabric.

happy sewing!! :-)

Summer Tunic from Love Sewing Magazine Issue 3

Hello again!

Here I would like to share with you my latest project.

I was going through my stack of magazines looking for a quick project that will lift my sewing spirits again. Then I found Issue 3 of  Love Sewing Magazine. The Summer Tunic seemed like the perfect project to do since I am lately craving to go to the beach and luckily  I live in Puerto Rico where we have beach weather all year long! I went to a local fabric store and picked a turquoise gauze fabric (or how we call it here in Puerto Rico "Tela India") which I think is perfect since I want to wear it on top of my bathing suit.

But before I started my project I made sure to do some research about this fabric since it was the first time I was working with it. I used a round tip needle which I understand made my life easier.

The pattern had the tunic with pockets but I am not a fan of how the pockets looks in the tunic so I decided to skip them.

One observation I have about the pattern is that the instructions were not included so you need the magazine for the instructions. It is very easy to made and I am happy with the results.

I am planning on making another version with a linen fabric I bought that I think looks very nice for a garment to wear at the beach.

Here is the final product!

Thanks for reading!

Simplicity 1589 A Learn to Sew

Hello again!
Don't be surprised that after a long time without new posts I am publishing two today! Well when it comes to sewing I've had my ups and downs but now that I have spent some time to create a nice space at home for all my sewing tools and materials, I am feeling very inspired lately to sit and get back to my favorite hobby.
So I have been working on Simplicity 1589 A pattern. It is a nice pattern for a beginner like me. I got to practice the seam finishes  for the square cutout which was nice.
I used a rayon fabric with black/ivory polka dots. The rayon fabric made kind of difficult handling the neckline and armholes sections. I added a black bias tape to the neckline because I accidentally did a hole on the fabric while using the seam ripper!! The hem was challenging too, but I am proud to say that is done! Anyways here are some pics.

Thanks for reading!

Simplicity 2226

Hello dear friends!
Yes I am back! So I finally finished the skirt on Simplicity 2226 pattern. It is very simple and easy to do. I ran into a problem with the zipper but to be fair this will be the first time I sew a zipper by myself without guidance. My advice will be to practice the technique that is explained in the instructions with scraps of fabric before you go ahead and do it in the actual skirt.
Another problem I had was that the skirt ended up being too big for me. To be honest I started this months ago and did it little by little...when I tried it sometime ago I thought it was going to fit. Anyways I still have a lot to learn and I am not getting discouraged. I know soon will be the day where I will get to wear the clothes that I make.
Anyways here is a picture of the skirt in my dress form. Since it was big I decided to not to do the fabric belt so I just added a belt I already have.
thanks for reading

TECHNIQUE: Gathering Fabric

Hello!

I have been working on the Simplicity 2226 pattern project and I found myself in a step that so far I have not done before: Gathering fabric. I want to share with you this tutorial I found that have help me to get this step done!!

http://www.danamadeit.com/2011/10/technique-gathering-fabric-the-proper-way-and-the-cheating-way.html

Do you have another technique? Feel free to share it here!

Hi! I am back!

Hello all,

It's been a while that I have not posted anything on this blog and to be honest at this point maybe is not that important since I am starting with it and I know I don't have many followers at this moment. As I mentioned before, the purpose of this blog is not either make money or look for web traffic, but to commit to develop my skills on my favorite hobby which is sewing.

I would like to share with you what has been going on... my husband graduated from law school (I am so proud of him!!) so I was in the middle of the graduation activities. Also work has been crazy for me, too many things and not able to handle them without working until late. So my extra time for working out, sewing, and having a life.... went straight to heck as you may imagine.

But then, something happened! I got two interviews for jobs I have been applying...and to make the long story short, I have a new job!! :-)

I started this month and I like it a lot! The best thing is that I have a schedule now that will allow me more time to sew among other things I have wanted to do a long time ago!! I made a promise to myself to make sure I have quality of life and not just work work work!

Anyways that is all I wanted to share with you today, oh! and also that I am working on a skirt, the pattern is Simplicity 2226. I will be posting the finished product and my feedback on this pattern later this month.

Thanks for reading!!

Double Sided Headband!

Hello again!!
I have been so busy with work lately that I have not been able to spend time sewing which I missed so much!! :-( ...but anyways to shake off some of the rust of my hands I found this great tutorial from www.happytogetherbyjess.com on making headbands. What I love about these is that they are double sided so you can get creative with the fabric combination.
www.happytogetherbyjess.com/2011/07/double-sided-fabric-headband-pattern.html
Here a picture of the ones I made... Enjoy!!