Expand Your Sewing Horizons
Hi Sewing Friends,
Do you find yourself avoiding projects that require challenging techniques? Those projects are exactly the ones you should be choosing to build your skills! When I was first married, perfecting my mother in laws spaghetti sauce eluded me. Each month I would try something different…a little less garlic, a little more basil, an extra slug of Cabernet, and still it never tasted like hers, even though I followed her recipe exactly.
One day I got the courage to admit to her that my sauce fell short and she told me her secret: She burned it! That’s right, every time Mary Lou made a pot of sauce it would burn slightly on the bottom and it was that error that made the sauce so unique and delicious!
Sometimes the best results come from solutions to error. If your biggest bug-a-boo is zippers, then try making a jean jacket covered in them. If it’s curves, choose a curved bottom apron with heart shaped pockets. If it’s buttonholes, make a shirtdress or blouse. By choosing projects that build skills and force you to tackle techniques you’ve been avoiding, you’ll creatively move forward and expand your sewing horizons.
The following project will develop your rolled hemming, mitered corners and topstitching skills.
PICNIC NAPKINS
The summer months are wonderful opportunities to take dining outside. Whether it’s a picnic in the park, at the beach or on a boat, bring along these easy pocket napkins. They will set the tone for any occasion; add a bit of humor or whimsy and save a tree! These washable wipes feature a handy pocket that will keep the utensils in check. Think of the pockets as ‘blank pallets’ and let your creativity loose. They can be plain, printed, appliqued or embroidered. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
SUPPLIES:
- For every 2 napkins: 22” of 45” flat fold printed cotton
- 2, 5 ½” x 8 ½” coordinating solid rectangles for the pockets (you may have suitable pieces in your stash)
DIRECTIONS:
- Wash, press and cut away the selvege edge of the napkin fabric. Cut on the fold to make two 22” squares.
- Using a straight stitch and matching thread, roll hem the edges with the wrong side facing you.
- STOP 2” before you get to the corner. Fold up a ¾” triangle and finger press. Now fold the next long side ¼” …and ¼” again. You should have a mitered corner. Use your stiletto to hold it in place while your stitching grabs the inside corner.
- STOP/Needle down/Lift presser foot/Pivot napkin/presser foot down/continue to the next corner.
- Repeat this for the next two sides and corners.
- STOP 2” before you get to the final corner. Turn up a ¾” corner triangle and double roll over the hem again forming the final miter, which includes the bottom hem already stitched in place. Stitch to the end and back tack. Trim threads.
- Customize the pocket to suit you. ½” Roll hem the top of the pocket. Press the sides in ½” and the bottom 1”. Pin in place onto the right bottom corner on the right side of the finished napkin.
- Topstitch onto napkin around both sides and bottom leaving the top open. Be sure to back-tack at the beginning and end. Bon Appetite!
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When to Watch:
- June 16th, 11 a.m.: A Special HOST PICK with Bill Green
- June 17th, 7 a.m.: Sewing with Singer
Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Darlene!
I have 2 questions. How do you sew with metallic thread without it breaking? I have folding tables I would like to put a skirt around, to hide supplies underneath. How would you attach the ruffled skirt to table? Any help would be appreciated! I recently split up my sewing from my scrapbooking and now I have plenty of room to cut and sew…yea!!! Enjoyed your presenation!! Joanie
Hi Darlene, I really enjoy your segments, I’ve signed up for reminders so I never miss a Singer presentation. I’ve purchased 3 Singers: the 8780 Curvy, Singer 160, and the Heavy Duty machine…I also have my mom’s Stylist 534 which she purchased in 1975. So you could say we’re a Singer family. I’d appreciate a copy of your cheat sheets. Thanks for inspiring everyone to sew!
I would also like a copy of cheat sheets.I have purchased the Heavy Duty machine, like it very much. The print outs you call cheat sheets would be most helpful. How do I get them?
Hi Indy500788—I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying your new Heavy Duty machine from Singer! I need your e-mail address to send you the .pdf of my cheat sheet as an attachment. If you message me on FB or e-mail me from my website, I’ll gladly forward them along. Happy Sewing!
mammadonna, Sew glad you’re part of the big happy Singer Family!!!You have a wonderful machine collection—SMART shopper! Thank you for watching the sewing shows on HSN! I’ll be happy to send you the cheat sheets but I’ll need your e-mail address. Will you message me on my FB fanpage? Thanks Again!
Watching you to when you was showing the Singer Heavy Duty sewing machine. I have one. Not good at it yet! You showed cheat sheets that your husband made up for you. How can I get a copy of them. I think they will help me ALOT!
Hi JMbug, Thank you for watching the sewing presentations on HSN! You’ll improve every time you use the machine….just as in cooking eggs—the more we practice, the better they turn out….and then one day you realize you’re a master egg-chef! I’ll send the cheat sheets as soon as I hear from you on a FB message or from my website e-mail. I need your e-mail to attach them. They are also listed on my FB fanpage….you can retrieve them there:) Thanks again and keep on ‘going for it!’
Hello Darlene
I love watching you. Over the years, you have inspired me to create many things. I have the first Futura embroidery machine and now the Futura Quartet. I also purchased the new Heavy Duty machine that was a Today’s Special the beginning of the year. But, I would still like to have the HD-110. Please let me know where I might find one or if anyone would like to part with the one that they have.
Happy Sewing
Ah Shucks SEWFORFUN, The Quartet is the Big Mac Daddy of machines—I’m so happy for you! Mine is stitching as I type this:) Unfortunately, The HD 110 is not going to be made anymore so you’re instincts were right….. You may want to try the auction sites or the private for sale sites. If you write to me on FB or from my site, I’ll be able to supply you with direct links. You can also do this yourself using your search engine. Your choice! Happy Embroidering!
Hi all,
I love Darlene’s sewing projects. I think the picnic napkins and the coasters are so cute. When I think I want to save the project. I copy and paste the instructions to my word processing program and save them for future use. This way if for some reason it would not download to my computer I am can still save it and have it.
I am sewing with my futura and heavy duty singers.
Happy Sewing,
cuppatea
Hi Cuppatea,
Thank you so much for posting your positive sewing experience:) It’s sewers like YOU who inspire all of us to try new things! I’m so glad you’ve been able to collect the projects for a personal notebook and appreciate you tuning into our sewing segments on HSN! Wishing you many years of sewing Bliss!!!
Thank you Darlene,
You have truly inspired me. If you made a collection of DVD’s Called Sewing with Darlene Cahill I would buy everyone. I watch all of the machines you are demostrating for Singer and have learned a lot from watching.
You are everything the HSN Hosts say you are. Fantastic. I love reading your blogs and if I can help someone out with my bit of knowledge I would try. I am learning something new myself everyday. I am embroidering throw pillows now with my FQ4&1.
Cupatea
Hi Darlene, when I had to get a new pc I lost my file for the basting stitch for my Futura 200. When I went back to the Singer site to download it there is no download box brought up to click on, just a page of garbled tech. The basting stitches for the other machines comes up OK but not for my Futura 200. Can you direct me to a download page that works?
HI Craftylady35,
I’m happy for you that you picked up a new computer and quite certain that your basting stitch fix is an easy one! Please call this technical HSN dedicated Singer hotline for one of the nice ladies to direct you to the exact location or even send you the link. 1-800-877-7391. Thanks for posting your question!
Dear Darlene, I have purchased 5 machines from you because you inspire me to sew with your many projects and ideas. Now, I want to sew your Jeans Purse but it will not come up when you click on it. Can you help me? I wonder if it has been blocked because the sewing machines are no longer available. What ever the reason I want to view the project because I can’t remember all the steps. Thanks in advance for your assistance.
JGOC–Thanks so much for watching the sewing segments and for making your purchases with HSN! Sometimes, there’s ‘ghosts’ in the electronics. I will gladly send you the instructions for the Jeans purse if you e-mail me your request at darlene@darlenecahill.com. Happy Sewing!
Dear RHDRAGON and donahda, Go to http://www.Singerco.com. They have a Futura support web page to go to. I have the Singer CE-150 Futura. The embroidery part can be confusing at times. Singer’s web page is full of answers along with video that can help you.
Thanks KYUCKER for helping the ladies with threading and embroidery resources. I’ve been in Tennessee visiting the Singer Corporate office and appreciate you taking the time to list their website which is loaded with support:) It’s people like you that make up our wonderful sewing family!!! Thanks again!
Dear Darlene, You know that I love seeing your patterns come to life. For some reason,I cannot download your picnic napkins. HELP!!!
Hi RHBDRAGON, Sorry for this late response. I got lost zip-lining in Tennessee–(we’ve been on vacation) I’ll shoot a note immediately to the HSN.com tech crew. They’re fantastic and will sleuth your inability to print mystery! Hang in there and thank you in advance for your patience! Picnic Napkins can still be on your future project list!!!
Darlene I purchases the SES 2000 almost a year ago and have not had alot of time to play with the embroidery. Do you know of any sites that have an actual person doing embroidery on this machine. I am a visual learner. I need to see someone actually doing it! Please help. Love the sewing part, but I am so lost in the embroidery. That’s the main reason I purchased this machine. Help please!!
donahda, I understand exactly what you are going through. If you find out anything, please let me know? Thank you so much. I too need to see something slow enough to completely understand. I still can’t even thread my serger, my ses2000, and the other machine that I can’t thread. Anybody have any tricks or tips that might help? Thank you so much. (BTW I have tremors and am blind in my left eye. Thanks again.
Hi RHBDRAGON, Good to hear from you:) The auto needle threaders actually will work if you’re blindfolded so I know you can do this:) If you write to me on FaceBook or my website I can talk you through the threading. I’m sorry I don’t have enough space here:) Let’s get you up and running!
Hi Donahda, Singer’s website has a section on Futura support and tutorials on U-tube. I know how you feel about being a visual learner since I learn better that way too. If you go to my FB fanpage or my website and drop me an e-mail, I can help you more. If you want a support rep to talk you through, you can call Singer at 1-800-877-7391. Once you get up and running I know you’ll love the machine and have years of satisfaction:) Hang in there!
Hi donahda, The SES2000 is a wonderful machine and the embroidery part is a snap—–once you know how. The singer support site has all kinds of videos and even if they’re not SES2000 specific, all the Futuras work the same way so watching any of them will help you. Is there a specific place where you’re getting stuck? There are also Futura support groups on FB. Write to me on FB and I’ll hook you up! Hang in there….it really is worth it!