April Blog
| Hi Sewing Friends,Are you keeping your New Year’s resolutions? I am thrilled to report that beating myself up three times a week in step class at the YMCA has done me a world of good. My cholesterol has dropped 65 points in three months—without pharmaceuticals! I’m inviting you to tear yourself away from your sewing room for cardio exercise and stretching… it’s more enjoyable to sew with a sense of well being and physical strength and it’s never too late to begin!
March was a busy month of spring cleaning and Home Décor. My friend Joan moved into a new house and wanted her breakfast nook to feel like a contemporary café. We shopped for material, agreed on a tab topped valence (to mask the different heights of the three large windows) along with two table runners and serged napkins to complete the look. Joan purchased a mission style round café table with four chairs and had vertical shades installed on all the windows. No matter how many makeovers I accomplish, I’m still amazed at what a difference a little fabric can make.
Joan’s new breakfast nook is warm and inviting and feels elegant, clean, hip and relevant! All the pieces were sewn on the new SINGER Stylist ‘Today’s Special’ Electronic machine and Serger combination. Now that’s a difference Joan can live with. Be sure to upload your makeovers on our craft viewers projects page. My friend Vivian Lavinskas (SINGER product knowledge specialist) came down from Tennessee and we spent two days brainstorming the upcoming Dynamic Duo “Stylist” TS on April 16th. The pair of the 2-3-4 thread serger with six bonus feet and the 100 stitch pattern electronic sewing machine offer make the perfect addition for any sewing room. Be sure to tune in as I demonstrate at least twenty techniques on both machines and introduce my newest sewing student, Joy Song. (She’s six years old and is making her doll’s dress for our special day on HSN!) Chelsea (my assistant) and I attended the “Sewing and Quilt Expo” last weekend. I always get a new wave of inspiration when I see all the beautiful quilts and embroideries that other women have accomplished. Speaking of inspiration, Be sure to catch the next Futura presentation on April 16th. I’ll be crowing and showing a Fireman’s Quilt from one of our own viewers, Nancy. Nancy didn’t sew for twenty years and then purchased the Futura and made her grandson a beautiful quilt covered in fire trucks. It’s a work of art! EMBROIDERY  As I’m writing this, Singer is in the process of upgrading their software to make it compatible with the new Windows Vista operating system and as soon as it’s ready for release, you’ll be among the first to know—- (it shouldn’t be too long now!) TIP: When you are getting close to the end of a Melrose 600 Yd. 40 Weight Trilobal spool of thread , improve the delivery by folding down the Futura’s Spool pin to make a spinning horizontal feed. This helps eliminate twists and tangles while reducing drag on the snap cap. I’m still discovering the amazing versatility of the Futura! Pictured to the right is the back of the Futura while I was stitching out a design from the 3900 anthology in my Melrose Metallic thread for a friends maternity mother-of-the-bride dress! Yes, you read that right. My friend was eight months pregnant on Saturday as we celebrated the marriage of her oldest daughter. Try finding that in a store~ I’ll be showing Brenda’s dress in my upcoming Futura presentation on April 16th. NEW ITEMS Introducing…My brand new Melrose 9” Clear Thread Storage Tubes. It’s the handiest no tangle way to store, display and take along the way! Simply remove either end cap and fill with up to 4 spools of Melrose thread. No more tangled mess in the bottom of a sewing box. Store vertically or horizontal. Locate, protect and transport your thread investment with the newest innovation in thread storage. 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Q: What is the Beachbag Pattern? A: Super Easy Simplicity 5151 Q: How do I download the free serger manual for my Quantumlock from SINGER? A: Go To Singerco.com, click product manuals, type in 14T967DC (the 5-thread Quantumlock serger number) and hit enter. Download to a file on your computer in French or English. Q: How did you felt the coat? A: 1) I stabilized an old crushed velvet tablecloth by pressing on woven stabilizer with a hot iron. 2) then felted green and yellow Lion Brand Homespun Yarn that had been pulled apart leaving areas of the blue tablecloth to show through. 3) Cut out the coat pattern 4) Embroider the roses 5) Iron –On Glamour Gems.
WHEN TO WATCH APRIL 16th – A Brand New SINGER Sewing machine Today’s Special TS Shows on the day – 12am, 1am, 3am (host demo at end of hour), 7am , 8am, 11am, 3pm, 4pm, 7pm, and 10pm. Full Singer sewing hours – 12am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm, and 10pm. Sew Your Dream,
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I would like to purchase the SINGER SES1000 ALL-IN-ONE SEW, EMBROIDER AND SERGE MACHNINE (WITH ACCESSORIES AND SOFTWARE).PLEASE HELP!!! I have been waiting a long time. I don’t have a lot of space, so this ALL-IN-ONE would be GREAT!!!
I would like to purchase the SINGER SES1000 ALL-IN-ONE SEW, EMBROIDER AND SERGE MACHNINE (WITH ACCESSORIES AND SOFTWARE).PLEASE HELP!!! I have been waiting a long time. I don’t have a lot of space, so this ALL-IN-ONE would be GREAT!!!
HHI LYNDA- [SORRY i NEEDS CAPS TO SEE WHAT I WRITE]-
I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH PROBLEMS WITH THESE MACHINES I HAVE TO CHANGE THE NEEDLES AND SEE IF THIS IS A SOLTUTION FOR THE SEWING MACHINE? AS FOR THE SIRGER NOT AS YET ?I SURE HOPE WE ARE NOT NEEDING TO SEND THEM BACK??? THIS WOULD BE A SHAME.i AM HAVIONG I AM USING MY OLD COMPUTORIZED TH OUT A HITHC TO IT i GOT IT ON HSN TOO. OH BOY THE LEARNING CURVE OF ARE THE MACHINES GOING BONKERS HERE?
Darlene ~ Is there any way that we can get the monthly schedule sewing programs before your monthly blogs post, since they aren’t posted early in the month. HSN online guide only gives 1 week at a time,& the guides that come with shipments have such tiny print that I cannot read it even with magnifying glass. Wish HSN would post a month in advance. One more note~ I WISH THE HOSTS WOULD TALK LESS & LET YOU TALK MORE. YOU’RE THE EXPERT ARE ALWAYS SO RUSHED WHICH MEANS LESS INFO FOR VIEWER. THANKS.
I just got the singer stylist. I am having trouble getting the machine to stitch over seams on a T shirt. I don’t understand because I sewn for many years and never came across a machine that didn’t on a nit like this. I also have a problem with the serger, the thread keeps breaking. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Just an extra comment to make ;Did not Darlene say she was to make a special blog for the Stylist set that was the TD in April? ~~~ I am waiting for it, and want to see just what she is offering for us to do with thr Stylist machin and seger set? I am eager? Hummm? what is coming this Auguse ?, as it seemed like a big event for Singer sewing machinesis coming again~~ deLadyBex
Hello . i got this set as a gift to myself . My daughter actually helped me to get it ordered on her account. I just got it today and have to go over all the things that came with it. I am excited about the machines as i got most of my sewing machines from HSN.
I am looking forward to the circular sewing on the Stylist. I rememebr i once had a Stylist when it had cams and had ducks puppies and many patterns in it It was the state of the art back then. hehe I laughed as I must be a Stylist girl
Just checking to see it hsn will be bring back the SES1000. Would love to see it again. I have checked with many many stores and no one has any idea of what I’m talking about. Thanks
Hi Darlene,
I purchased the Singer Stylist and Serger as today’s special and when I received it I discovered that there were only two DVDS for the sewing machine. I am sure I saw on TV that you and your co-host were showing 3 DVDS. Why did I get only two? I want to go over all the information before I start sewing, etc. Am I missing something? Should I contact HSN customer service? I always enjoy your shows.
Nancy
Hi Darlene,
I record all your shows because you are a great teacher. On your April 15-16 shows you displayed a ruffled top that you said were ruffles attached to a store bought top. Could you give the instructions for those ruffles? The ruffles look like more than 1 layer of ruffles and they look like the ruffles on the costumes I saw on the movie, Queen Elizabeth, The Golden Years.
darlene,can you please bring in Brother Quatro 6000D to hsn soon? ASHA
Darlene, love watching you in action. I’ve bought several machines while watching you. Love them all but get a Thread Broken message while trying to embroider. Any suggestions?
at one time you had a pattern book maded by a Geraman family. It sold for $84.00 dollars and you could make any pattern that you needed to make form it.All you had to do was to take a bust maseurment put it on the pattern and than go from their. Please,please tell thath you will be geting it back need to order this please bring it back.
Hi Darlene, I ordered the Singer Futura 250 Sew/Embroider machine, and after reading your blog found the 3900 Designs are not compatible with Vista. Returned Singer, ordered a Brother but even with USB it will not be compatible either? Because, the Brother has designs/Memory Cards, I will be able to do some embroidery. I have had the impression Singer and Brother are now the same Co. if so, the Brother should work well also? I will be following your new blogs, thanks for the great HSN demo’s.
HI DARLENE I HAVE A BROTHER PE-700II AND HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS CAN I DOWNLOAD EMBROIDERY DESIGNS PURCHASED FROM ANOTHER WEBSITE TO MY COMPUTER AND SAVE THEM TO A DISC FOR FUTURE REFERENCE? BROTHER OFFERS A 5X12 EMBROIDERY HOOP CAN I PURCHASE THIS HOOP FOR MY PE-700II ITEM #SA445 PLEASE HELP!APRIL SHOWING WAS THE BOMB YOU ARE THE BEST
Hi Darlene, I have watched you for years and I have learned so much from you. I was on the air with you twice. You are so talented and so informative. Thanks for being on HSN. Love to watch you and Shannon. You are so good together. In the future will brother have some of just the software? The flex pay is the only way a retired person can purchase the machines. I have bought 4 from HSN. The 7ooll -never used-wouldn’t work so had to go to a dlr and have parts replaced.
Hi Darlene,
Love watching your demos on HSN, very informative. Could you help me out in understanding what the differences are in the Futura line of machines offered on HSN. Thank you for your assistance.
I also love my Futura 1000 machine.
I can’t figure out how to put on the serger foot. Can you help?
Hello I have the Singer 150. I love it. Is there an easy way to change thread colors and return to spot on design where you stopped? This is my only issue so far. Thank
Nice sewing and embroidery machine that you bring to us. I’m having a problem with the downloading embroidery images from the brothers website.
Darlene: I ordered the Futura C150 embroidery machine when it was first shown. I have it nearly a year now & still can’t use it except for simple sewing. I had to buy a laptop because it wasn’t clear that I needed one to drive this machine. I have written Singer many times for help & get no reply. I have asked for Singer dealers in my area & get nothing. I live near Knoxville and Oak Ridge Tn. & could go there for lessons if I knew where they are. I have a problem reading directions. Help!
Darlene I loved watching you today (although I missed having you in step class tonight). You are terrific, and your arms look magnificent! Glad to know I have been helping you beat yourself up! Maybe you can give me some tips on making my home look as good as your arms. See you soon at the Y!
Hi Darlene. How do you make the stretchy type smocking on fabric. You started to show us but you were interrupted and never got back to it. You mentioned 3 strands of elastic thread, but that is all I got. Any information will be fantastic! Thanks, Laurie
Darlene,I bought the SES1000 when it was first introduced and I love this machine!In fact I love it so much I want another futura!I have made several things with it and love it more and more!
Hi, Darlene…Thank you for providing directions for felting your coat. Please try to bring back the needles for the felting machine. After the above teasing,I’m soooooo looking forward to 04/16.