August Sewing Blog
Hi Sewing Friends,I always find myself in a race against time when August comes screeching in. There are all the last minute summer alterations and remakes along with fall’s set of projects filling up my ‘wanna-do’ list.Don’t let unfinished business from your past dreams keep you from conjouring up another challenge. Simply pack away any unfinished business in pastels for the following spring. By then you will have new inspiration to infuse into it!Last week I was browsing through a women’s fashion store and stumbled on an interesting fringed scarf. In addition to the eye-catching color combination (Caribbean greens and blues) the weave had layered cut out and frayed areas adding textural interest. It was too bulky for a belt and too heavy (in Florida) for a head wrap but too unusual to leave behind so I purchased the scarf priced at $16.00. In my sewing studio I realized that there were several remnants of fabric that coordinated nicely with the gypsy pashmina. A deep blue piece of Dupioni Silk and a chartreuse scrap of chiffon along with my newfound neck wrap was all the inspiration I needed to get started on the gypsy-hobo-pirate blouse. I’ll admit that I put this together and let it be for a few days while I chewed on the obstacles.
Problem: The body was too boxy and darts would interrupt the surface design in the fabric. Problem: The sleeves were too long, predictable and boring. Problem: Shirt not large enough for Front bands to overlap all the way down. Problem: Executing front bands closure. Zipper? String? Frogs? |
When to WatchAugust 17 & September 1
August 17th
12am , 1am , 7am, 8am, 11am, 3pm, 4pm, 7pm & 10pm. September 1 Watch in September for National Month of Sewing shows. We’ll have our new Melrose Value packs available on quarterly auto-ship so you can collect all the brilliant colors over the course of a year. The fun never stops on HSN!!! |
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Some designer can conceptualize a complete ensemble in their minds and sketch it out flawlessly. For others, it’s a process. Either way, it’s a satisfying journey that will stretch your thinking and surprise you. Take it one step at a time and let the fabrics, colors and textures speak to you (along with logic) while you work. Try to imagine a balance that represents your point of view and is pleasing to you. It’s impossible to make a mistake. Any goof up is a new design opportunity and solutions can be worked into your unique piece. Don’t be afraid to mix and match pattern pieces when you’re starting out. Measure twice, cut once! It will also help to have a dress form and a full length mirror. Savor the time it takes to make your masterpiece. It will be unlike any other and well worth the effort.
EMBROIDERYSome of today’s most popular embroidery machines are also advanced sewing machines. This dual functionality gives the sewer an advantage. You can construct as well as embellish practically any project imaginable. Many of you have been asking about heirloom fabric baby books. My guess is that if you ask ten different sewers, you’ll get ten different answers. Following are three books from three of SINGER’s consultants. They are all made differently so I wanted to feature them all to give you plenty of ideas before you decide how you would like your heirloom book to look. 
WHAT’S NEW? SINGER’s new Professional Computerized machine has the most functionality that SINGER has ever offered in their HSN lineup. With four sets of permanent memory modules, Programmable needle up/down, Mirror imaging and elongation, Large, easy to read back lit LCD screen, 392 built in patterns including two alphabets in upper and lower case with numbers and twenty bonus feet, you’ll be glad you tuned in on August 17th to see this “Professional Masterpiece” in action. One Day ONLY with FREE Shipping and Handling. Sew Your Dream,
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As you can see, the books use the embroidery and decorative sewing features of the FUTURA. The counting book has ribbon stitched to the cover while the teddy bear’s ribbon is decoratively stitched and free flowing and tacked onto the cover in a few places. The rainbow grid book’s ribbon actually is holding the pages together as it is functionally going through all the layers. Each book has 5-10 pages. Whether you’re counting, learning colors or telling a personal family story, your book will be treasured for generations.
The finished size of the larger book is 13” x 10 ½” and is made from a heavily reinforced home décor dobby weave with a colorful quilting cotton binding. The teddy bear book made from pre-quilted cotton with satin ribbon binding is 9” x 9”. The rainbow grid book is 8”x 8” and although the outer cover is a thin wheeled corduroy, the internal pages are felt with pinked edges. The larger counting book is made by constructing three large placemats on both sides and then stitching all together straight down the middle through all layers.
The outside placemat is larger than the inside mats measurement. Plan ahead. If you utilize BOTH sides of every page and the inside of the front and back cover, you’ll have 10 pages! In the example on the right, numbers, lettering and repeat design were used all in one hooping! This is a great way to get to know your software as you will be able to exercise multiple functions including color choices, Fonts, sizing, repeat design, rotations, stitch choices, density, etc….. The outside placemat (remember to make two-one for the cover and one for pages 1 and 10) measurement is 21 ¼” x 13 ¼” . The middle placemats ( there are four to embroider but when backed and bound together, make two. 2 & 9—-3 &8 —-4&7—-5&6) measurements are 12 ¼” x 20 ¼”. That way the inside pages are tucked neatly inside the outer cover and lay just inside the binding.
The teddy bear book has five pages executed in a potholder style. Each one was made separately, only stitched on one side of the page and then backed with another piece of pre-quilted cotton and basted around the edge. Then the edge was finished by folding ribbon lengthwise and sandwiching it over the raw edges. The pages were then tacked together using a heavy home dec thread and finished off with a decoratively stitched ribbon bow tacked in place.
The rainbow grid book has three inside pages made from fusible felt. The felt piece started as 8 ½” x 16 ½” to embroider. After the embroidery, the page is folded with adhesive sides together and pressed. A border of decorative stitching was made around three sides and then ½ “ pinked off to even and finish. The three pages were stacked on top of each other and sandwiched inside the outer cover. Two holes 4” apart were punched through all the layers and a 1/8” ribbon strung through and tied on the cover in a bow securing all the layers.
I purchased the SES 1000 and just received it last evening. I love the machine and how it works, however, mine is missing the bonus software and I am told via Customer Service that I have to call Singer to get was I was supposed to receive with my order. :(…I am considering sending machine back and buying elsewhere. :(
I am looking for the software at home design I saw that is offered with the ce250. Can I buy it? I have the ses1000
HI Darlene Love your shows on HSN.
I noticed you mention you have a Singer Felting Machine I’ve searched HSN & Singer’s site and can’t find it. Is it out on the market yet if not when will it be able? I currently have 4 Singer machines & a felting machine has peaked my interest.
Jill, I teach sewing classes and use the brother sewing machine, beacause it is easlier for beginner to use. But at home I use my singer because they have more features and my creativity run wild. I have my own children clothing line and sell them locally and online and just a couple of year I strarted sewing prom and for clients. I brougnt a Singer Futura C200 about 4 1/2 years and just purchase the SES 1000 and love them both.
HI again,
I undestand the differences between CE-150, 250 and 350. But I also know the exceptions that HSN makes, for the Futuras that are been sold right now, does any brings the editing software? Is the editing software ever been offered on any of the Futura Machines? Thanks!
Hi, I watch you on HSN almost religiously. I own the Futura 250 and love it. The clip art download worked easily and I made a communion dress for my niece with the Communion Dove on the . You always offer different presser feet packages with different machines. I was wondering if Singer would consider selling the presser feet packages separately, i.e. the decorator feet package, the quilters feet package, etc. sometimes i want to purchase the machine your showing just for the presser feet.
Hi Darlene,
Love you show, loved the jacket and love Singer. Can you list the accessories included with the Singer CE150 as you describe in the presentation? i have the one from the web but per the presentation there are more.
I’m looking forward to more presentations with you.
thank you.
Bought the Singer’s TDS. I too would like to know more about the reversable jacket that Darlene wore during the August show. Also can Singer share the instructions for the bedroom peices that were shown on the show; they were gorgeous. By the way, the machine is great.
Hi I was watching show on monday. The host had on a jacket that Darlene had made does anyone know what pattern that was?
Hi Darlene, I SO enjoyed the Singer Special Value.I love the way you present it and agree that they should let you do the presentation.I am considering the Singer CE-250 with all the software. I have a Babylock Ellage E which I love but it does not have the USB port and cannot be updated.Is there a software package you may recommend to just do the basics and simple as the Singer software? I would hate to have to buy a new machine if I already have a great one. GIRLS, I TAKE SUGGESTIONS. Thanks.
To Gay, GA…
If you want to print the designs that comes with the machine go to the singer website and you can see them and print them. If you want to print the one on the Stock Designs CD of 3900 you have to open the cd on the computer and select the one you want to print. It gives you the option when you insert the cd.
Thanks, Tammy, for your comments. If you could only have one of the machines you use, which would it be Singer or Brother? How exciting that you own a sewing boutique. Do you sew for individuals or for stores and do you do all the sewing yourself? Do you make all types of garments and do you make your own patterns? I think that is very exciting!
I have had a couple of really good seamstresses tell me they prefer the top of the line Brother machines. I wanted more opinions from more people.
To Jill from GA, I have my own sewing boutique business and I own both Singer and Brother seiwng mahcines, in fact I have 4 singer sewing machine and 2 singer embrodery machine and 3 brother sewing machine and 2 brother serger and love them and just last week I brought the Singer SES 1000 and just order the Singer 2010. I being sewing for over 20 years and will only use singer and brother. I have never had a problem with any of my machine. I used the Singer SES last week and it worked great.
Hi Darlene, I wasn’t able to get in, in time to get the Singer proffesional 2010, I talk to Singer and they said Thats it, no more are being made. its up to Cindy Grossman to have Singer make more for HSN? Is this true? And if so can you talk to here about making a new batch. According to Singer it will never be sold anywhere but HSN only. I have a Singer SES 1000 and I truly enjoy it.
Hi Darlene, I wasn’t able to get in, in time to get the Singer proffesional 2010, I talk to Singer and they said Thats it, no more are being made. its up to Cindy Grossman to have Singer make more for HSN? Is this true? And if so can you talk to here about making a new batch. According to Singer it will never be sold anywhere but HSN only.
Although I have only owned Singer machines, I am curious about the Brother sewing machines. I recently visited a Sewing Machine Store and was introduced to some of the top of the line Brother machines. I was extremely impressed. I am wondering if someone who has owned both Singer and Brother could give me some ideas about which they prefer and why. Also, when can we expect to see another Brother Sewing Machine show on HSN?
Edna, I emailed Singer about the Vista 64 bit problem, as their software will only run on a 32 bit Vista OS. They have fixed that problem with a download from their site. You can go there for a fix.
Hi Darlene, I just bought my first Singer – the Pixie. I’m so excited to try sewing and see if I keep it up. If so, I’ll probably buy that computerized one. Here’s to starting a new skill.
Hi,
I already have a SES-1000 and really want to buy the new bundle with the CE-250 and the editing software and tuturial dvd. Any chance it will come again? I misses it the last time and the CE-150 that had been offered couple of days ago is the same I have.
I have the SES1000 and love it. So, I just ordered the Super Long Hoop It All and the circular presser foot. Can’t wait to get it. I have been designing my own patterns and editing other on-line patterns to my liking. It’s a great machine. As I wrote before, I have embroidered now 20 towels and quilted on this machine 3 table runners. I’m like the energizer bunny, just keep going, going, going.
Hi Darlene – I really liked the reversible jacket you wore during the Singer sewing shows yesterday. It would be a great jacket for the holidays, and I believe it is something I could sew at my skill level. Is there a pattern brand/number for the jacket that you could share with us or is it something you created? Thanks!
Hello Darlene,
I have the futura SES 1000 and have been sewing with it all year. Today I tried to sew
and it won’t move. The red light comes on the start/stop area and nothing happens.
I rethreaded it and the bobbin still nothing. The only thing I did different is change
the presser foot. I turned the maching off and on several times hoping it would reset
itself, but it is still not sewing. Please help—-tell me what might be causing this
problem.
Thank you,
HI I bought the Singer Furtura computerized Sewing machine. I love it, my problem is my computer is now Vista not Windows. The software doesn’t work well with this computer. Do you have any ideas. They would be greatly appreciated. thanks
Darlene, see if you can get the simplicity bias cutter also. I would like to see if demo on tv.
Thanks connie
Darlene, can you see if you can get the new bias maker machine, I really would like to see you demo it on tv..
thanks Connie