The Sewing Room

Kaz2904

Thanks for all the tips guys. Haven't seen anything in the manual about sewing a 1/4" seam. Can't remember if it was in my manual that it said I could move my foot over either. Hope I can. The machine does zigzag so it does move it's just whether it'll stay there or not I suppose.
jcr16 I really love the Lilly and Will range from Moda. It's only in 2.4" jelly roll strips though. But it is lovely
I've never heard of fabricland, I'm off to google it now!

wendym

jcr16 wrote: »

i'm wanting to make a nice patchwork quilt to use as a playmat for my baby.

Has anyone seen any nice material , ideal precut in 4 inch squares which is suitable. i keep looking but i just can't see anything which is baby enough. i'd like more pastal shades rather than bold and bright.

Have you thought of gingham? Much easier to work with not pre-cut, cos of the built in lines (I used it as one face of coverlets for my daughter's twins).

And if you buy cotton/poly gingham it will stand up to constant washing without ironing better.

Savvy_sewing

Would it not be cheaper to use a cuttingboard and rotary cutter, and cut your own fabrics? I am more of a dressmaker, rather then a quilt maker, but I do feel that the cost of precut fabrics seems to be quite high in comparison to buying by the metre? or half metre of fabrics? However I am no expert.
But that way you can choose exactly the fabrics you want, and not have to have some that your not so keen on becuase they are in the pack.

polkadot

Hart,MrPolkadot thanks you-I just spent £15 on patterns:oAnd only bought reduced ones.I got my motability car in November last year and am now learning to drive-so I bought some patterns for some car accessories I also got this one for some room organisers.Im going to adapt the one in the top right corner to make a peg bag as my pegs are all in a baby formula tin.I have plans for all the other ones in that pattern.

There were a few other patterns I looked at that I want to try but I thought I'd wait until I had done these ones first.

tiamai_d

Kaz, could you not get a marker pen and mark in your own markings?

Polkadot, I made a cosy toe/liner for the pram. It's just a banket with holes cut in for the straps to pull through. 2 for the arm straps and one for the crotch. Most things have the straps about the same place so you don't have to be exact.

Kaz2904

tiamai_d wrote: »

Kaz, could you not get a marker pen and mark in your own markings?

Polkadot, I made a cosy toe/liner for the pram. It's just a banket with holes cut in for the straps to pull through. 2 for the arm straps and one for the crotch. Most things have the straps about the same place so you don't have to be exact.

That's an option, it's just that if there's another way of doing it I'd rather use that because our permanent markers are so fat it would be hard to see what's the correct bit!

Keiss_21

Kaz, I found a magnetic seam guide, like this. Apparently, this magnet is no use for computerized machines (the magnet interferes with the workings ), and you need to use plastic bobbins if you have a top loading machine, so it doesn't affect them.

I have a Dutch machine, so all the markings on the plates, and the feet widths are all metric! It's a strong magnetc, and I can place it exactly where the 1/4 inch distance is...again right near the feed dogs. It works a dream!! I may get myself a 1/4" foot some day, but this works well for any seam allowance.

Right, must go and get more weeding done before the rain comes, may get some sewing done this afternoon.

Have a good day all.

Kaz2904

That's a nifty little foot and not a bad price. Especially as it is not only for a 1/4" seam allowance.

Keiss_21

Kaz2904 wrote: »

That's a nifty little foot and not a bad price. Especially as it is not only for a 1/4" seam allowance.

That's what I thought.

Oh what a shame...it's raining so I have to stay indoors and do some sewing/knitting...what a shame :D:D!! :rotfl:

Prudent

I have been very inspired by this thread and have now tried a few very simple things (bunting and Lavendar hearts). My sister has just had a baby boy and I would like to make something for him. Any ideas? I would like it to be very simple.