The Sewing Room

nuttybabe

PootleFlump wrote: »

Aww thanks very much. Mmmm, it should let you leave comments? Can you try again later and let me know if it still doesnt work.

just tried and still cant. but i think its a problem with my account as it did it the same thing when i tried to comment on my own blog a while ago. Will have a play later and see if i can get it working!

rufusdog52

Mooloo wrote: »

I cannot get to grips with my rotary cutters at all! I am not very good and always need to go back and use scissors over most of it! Must practise. Might be to do with my trouble with my arms of course!

I used to have trouble with my rotary cutter as well Mooloo as I have trouble with my arms and shoulders but my son bought me one of those big wide rulers, its about 6 inches wide and about 24 inches long or something. I find I can hold this ok while cutting. You can also buy something that is like a plunger/sucker kind of thing and it has a handle on the top so it sort of looks like a mini iron with a sucker underneath and you can place it on the ruler and get an even better grip. I saw them at a craft show once and my SIL said she was thinking of buying me one but I have managed fine just using the wider ruler.

rufusdog52

PootleFlump wrote: »

Hi Lesley

Thanks for that. Just mailed you. You have done all 4 things so can you leave another 3 comments so that you go into the "hat" 4 times and not just once!
Your table runner is lovely. I was having a nosey at it yesterday.

Ive been trying to sort through all my fabric and realised that alot of it is polycotton. Anyone got any ideas on what to make with it? As its thinner than 100% cotton, I dont find it does well with iron on interfacing so at a loss as to what to do with it all! Ive used it before with the sew in stuff but I still think it looks quite thin even though its patterned. Shouldnt have bought the damn stuff! xx

Thanks Pootle, I will go and do it in a bit. As for the poly cotton, I use it for backing on my quilts and table runners. The ones I did for the grandchildren years ago have been washed umpteen times and they still look all right. I also used some to make some tops and shorts for my grand daughter out of some.

Evansangel

PootleFlump wrote: »

Thanks Tamster and Florence. Might try yoyo's. Never attempted them yet.

Evansangel, Definately Olfa IMO. Would personally go for 45mm blade. Ive got this one which has a safety catch so the blade is locked away when not in use. Its great. You can also get pinking blades for it. You can get cheap replacement blades on ebay if you need them too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Olfa-Deluxe-45mm-Rotary-Cutter-Rty-2-DX-FREE-UK-POSTAGE-/220737070420?pt=UK_Crafts_Fabric_Textiles_SM&hash=item3364f46554#ht_1369wt_905

Thanks! I will definatley get that one then, i see it alot on the listings and a safety catch is good for clumsy me!

Mooloo wrote: »

I cannot get to grips with my rotary cutters at all! I am not very good and always need to go back and use scissors over most of it! Must practise. Might be to do with my trouble with my arms of course!

I cant seem to work scissors well, i cut very uneven choppy lines with them. But probably because im trying to stop my 1yo doing a multitude of things she isn't allowed to do haha.

Florenceem

Thanks for all the bias binding help. I tucked the flags in the binding and stitched it in one go. Like Mooloo - I would do it the correct way on other things.
My rotary cutter is by Fiskars - it has a safety catch. I think practice with a rotary cutter is needed - well - it was for me. It is getting the pressure right to cut through layers in one go.
My sewing machine behaved itself today so I finished the bunting and the shoe stuffers. I will post photos.
I plan to make a doorstop next.

Florenceem

I am showing a photo of the nursery curtains - you can just see the Mamas and Papas bunting they had. It looked silly once the curtains were hung. Mum wanted a 3cm finished binding with 22 cms flags and a 5cm gap between and at the ends. I had very precise instructions! I had a chart to match up the flag stripes with the curtain ones - the curtains are joined - so the colours are not regular. It is IKEA fabric with a poly cotton double hem band.



I made two strands of bunting two metres long.



Not the best photos.

Florenceem

I am quite pleased with how they turned out. I tried them in Daughter's Karen Millen shoes - what a shape they are - how can they be comfy to wear?
Any suggestions/help about the shoe stuffers welcome please.

Florenceem

I am not sure if I showed these makes before. I bought the faux suede a few years ago - either at Dunhelm or The Range. Don't look at my messy craft table!

Georgiabay

Lovely makes Florence!

I'm a bit confused as to who the bunting is for. When you say 'Mum' are you referring to your daughter? Surely not your Mum?

cuddles123

Lovely makes Florence.

Can I ask what you have stuffed and scented the shoe stuffers with please?