The Sewing Room

Savvy_sewing

I have just judged the seam allowances by eye for years, but when I first started out I used the guide on the footplate. You can put stickytape along the line that you butt the fabric up to. All the guides that you are talking about are magnetic bars that you butt the fabric up against. Which is a lot of money for a magnet really. You could use any magnet there. As the foot plate is metal anyway.

I went and bought some more fabric in town today. Some Christmas ponsettia's on a green background. It was £3 a metre so I bought 2 Metres. Just in case I do get around to making some christmas gifts etc.!!! My daughter came up behind me, as I was buying it and said to the stall holder, Dont serve her she has a loft full of fabric. 26 years worth!.
If she only knew exactly how much fabric I have and have spent on in the last 3 years she would have kittens!. Oh well.
I just seem to always want something different to the stuff I already have, when I have plans to make things! Well thats my excuse anyway.
When my curtains come I will take a picture. (IF I can find my Camera, which is currently missing alas. DGD has a habit of using it, so now i cannot find it!).
Also bought some Tattyteddy tissue packs, handyandy style from the pound shop, to put in some of the tissue holders that I used to make. Think I will make a few more of them. Use up some of the smaller bits of fabrics and give me a break from the Black and White patchwork. I am craving a bit of colour at the moment.

cuddles123

£3 a metre is good for christmas fabric Mooloo :money:

I have been making a Christmas themed ragdoll for a swap.
Have decided I need a turning tool to turn narrow tubes. Does anyone have one or can recommend one please? Not even sure what to search for

rufusdog52

I know what you mean cuddles but not sure what they are called. One way you can do it is to place a length of string or something "inside" the tube you are sewing and make sure you dont sew over it while sewing up the side. Make sure the string is longer than the tube. Sew across one end (if you need both ends open when finished then make them a bit longer to start with) catching the string in the sewing then pull the string the other end and it should turn through. You might need to cut the corners off the "sewn" end to get it to go through. Once pulled through you can cut off the end that you sewed and you will have the tube. I have done this for loop making.

rufusdog52

When I have been sewing the elves I have used a knitting needle to turn the arms and legs through. Make sure its not too pointy though or it will poke through the fabric. You could try binding over the end of the needle with something maybe.

Savvy_sewing

I know which tool you mean. I have one. it looks like a large darning needle with a ball on the end of it.
I also have another plastic one that I think is also for turning things, but havent had the opportunity to try and see if it works.
When I made the wedding dresses I just had a double thread down the centre as Rufusdog has described, and pulled the roule (think thats what they called it) through!. But its fiddly which ever way you do it. and if the thread breaks a few choice words are often muttered!

merrymary

Hi ladies, can I join in? I go to a sewing class every tuesday and I would love to learn to sew different things for the house and clothing too for DD and maybe for myself, too ambitious? I've been reading the last few pages and working my way back to the beginning.

I'm loving the photos of all your creations. They're brilliant! I also just started my blog so I have sort of a diary of what I have accomplished so far, far from perfect but am proud of them. You all seem to be experienced. I could learn from you all.

Cuddles123, I have used a wooden spoon with a very long handle for turning out legs and arms of my sock monkey. hth

rufusdog52

Welcome to the thread merrymary xx

rosalie-lavender

cuddles123 wrote: »

£3 a metre is good for christmas fabric Mooloo :money:

I have been making a Christmas themed ragdoll for a swap.
Have decided I need a turning tool to turn narrow tubes. Does anyone have one or can recommend one please? Not even sure what to search for

I turn mine with a hairgrip, a tip I learnt when I sewed for a company that made dresses for Liberties.

The fatter end of the hairgrip is cut off and smoothed as much as possible. That removes the fatter end so it will go through really narrow tubes. Then to use it just cut a nick through the fabric tube about 1/4 inch from the end, push the hairgrip in so it catches on the 1/4 inch fabric at the end and thread the hairgrip through the tube and pull the fabric through.

If you have someone who can cut off the end of the hairgrips for you it is a cheap and effective way of turning tubes. Fatter tubes like belts we turned with a knitting needle, knob end in first.

Savvy_sewing

Hi Merrymary, hope you continue to be inspired and that you get as hooked on sewing as a lot of us are!.

pennib

Have to say hate turning tubes, they are so frustrating. You need teeny tiney fingers:o

This is the start of a quilt I'm working on. A 'quirky' house applique lap/back of sofa quilt.