Darlene’s Thread: Gift a Zero-Calorie Hearts & Flowers Bouquet on Valentine’s Day
When-to-Watch: Catch Darlene on air February 27th at 4 A.M. and 1 P.M.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
What’s better than giving a big box of chocolates to express your love on Valentine’s Day? How about an embroidered hearts and flowers bouquet! All my sewing friends are so wonderful, I wish I could give each of you one of these bouquets. So here’s a project from my heart to yours that you can complete in one afternoon. A treat with no calories–your thighs will thank you!
Once you locate a plain heart graphic or two, run the graphic through the Futura’s AutoPunch, and then copy and paste a second one in the larger hoop. Now add small flowers or HyperFont in the words of your choice to fill in the heart. Use sticky stabilizer and felt, since felt won’t unravel and offers a nice weight to the finished hearts.
After stitching, remove the embroidered hearts from the hoop and back them with a second piece of felt by basting around the outside edge. This hides all the backside stitching and stabilizer that is stuck under the stitches. Be sure to leave a small space 1/2″ at the bottom to insert your sticks.
» Sewing ideas: How to recycle old clothes into new styles
Cut around the outside using straight, decorative scissors or pinking shears. Squirt hot glue into the hearts bottom hole, insert a shish kabob stick (available at grocery stores), and quickly press closed. Arrange your heart flowers in a marble or styrofoam filled vase and enjoy! You can tie ribbons around the vase or mix these beauties in with real flowers! You can wrap floral tape around the sticks, and add silk leaves to make them more flower-like or paint the stems red. For St. Patrick’s day, stitch shamrocks. Ffor Easter, stitch crosses or easter eggs, etc. Whatever holiday you choose will be celebrated with fewer calories and longer lasting sentiments.
Go For it!
–Darlene
More Sewing Tips from Darlene Cahill:
» Top 10 Sewing Tips to Always Remember
» Choosing the Right Scissors to Make the Cut
» Which Sewing Machine is Right for You
More Sewing and Crafts from HSN.com:
» Shop sewing new arrivals
» Stay steady and organized with a great sewing table
» Shop all crafts and sewing supplies
thanks to everyone who answered my question about the 9960 bobbin size. i actually went to the singer site last week and asked a csr the same question and she informed me it took the 15j bobbin size. and yes….i ordered three packs of them so i’m good to go now.
thanks again for all your help though. it’s good to know you can actually get answers from informed sewers here.
loving my 9960.
tncrafter
sewthankful, with so many feet doing so many things, is there really a need for the straight stitch foot or can the zig zag foot do as well? thanks
sewthankful, thank you for the info on the chenille foot and the chenille straight sewing stitch. I will be watching both your shows on the 27th because you are my inspiration to sew. Don’t laugh…I’m almost 60 and luvin this new hobby of mine. Guess I needed the time and patience but I’m havin a ball. Keeps a granny off the streets!!
Doodle52: You are sooooo funny! Glad to hear that our streets are safer and that you’re taking some “Me time” learning to sew…something so many women find themselves too busy to do. Enjoy the fun, creativity, relaxation, skill building, productivity, money saving, satisfaction and keep us posted on your accomplishments so we can celebrate with you!! Thanks for writing~~ See you on-air.
sorry, i’m new at this commenting thing, and i couldn’t figure out where to ask a question of darlene….
ipurchased a quantum stylist 9960 from hsn and for the life of me i can’t find anywhere in the instruction booklet the size/type bobbin it takes. it’s a plastic drop in but i don’t see any specific number to select. i even asked another well-known sewing site for help and they answered that near as they could figure it would take a class 66 bobbin. so, is that correct. help. tncrafter
HI tncrafter,
You asked a smart question because using the incorrect bobbin size can wreak havoc with your machine and cause distortion in the stitches.The Stylist 9960 takes a Class 15J bobbin. Happy Sewing on your Dynamic machine!
hope you had a great Valentines Day. Do you know if singer will be selling the chenille foot by itself? Would love to get it. Also, will you be showing sewing machines on the 27? Can’t wait to watch you. You’re GREAT!
Hi Doodle 52,
There’s no word yet on the chenille foot being sold a la carte. It’s a great foot as it helps with the chenille strips alignment but it is possible to straight stitch down chenille strips without it so don’t let it’s absence determine whether or not you try your hand at chenille-ing. Go for it! I will be on with a Singer sewing selection on February 27th at 3am and 1pm so set your TIVO. Thanks for writing and I’ll see you on-air!
Hi Darlene…I recently bought the Quantum 9960 and so far, love it! I would like to get a ruffler foot for it and saw on one of your blogs that the feet from Stylist II will work. I found one: Singer Ruffler #086742-P and I think it would work with my new machine but not sure. Do you kow if this would do?
I’m still planning to buy an embroidery machine. You said you would have a Singer selection on the 27th. Will an embroidery machine be in the mix, hopefully the Quartet again?
Thanks much
hi idynrddoor…
since you have the same machine as i do….the quantum 9960…could you tell me the size/type bobbin you buy for it? i’ve been told a singer plastic class 66 bobbin might do…but i can’t find anyone to say for sure it will. i hate ordering some only to find out it doesn’t work. help! the machine only came with three or four and i need more than that to change colors. any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
tncrafter
Hi tncrafter…the machine uses 15J bobbins. I am also planning to buy more so that I can have a variety of ready-to-go bobbins when I sew. I hope you are enjoying yours as much as I am!
Sorry for so many replies but as I search online I find more places to buy the 15J Bobbins. I can’t believe I didn’t check Singer in the first place. They have them in a pack of 10 for $5.00 and they are the Singer name brand! I just ordered some.
Hope this helps.
Hi ldynrddoor,
The selection on the 27th will include an embroidery machine but not the Quartet. It will be the Futura 250.
Regarding your ruffler foot, go for it. I see no reason they would be incompatible. Enjoy your 9960. It’s a gem!
Thanks Darlene…I will watch for sure. I will read up on the 250 before the shows. Also, I have a good friend who would really love the machine I bought (9960) but can’t really put out that much money right now so I said I would see if I could find out if it might be featured on the 27th at the previous sale price. It is absolutely worth the existing price but I can certainly understand her situation so hopefully she will get lucky on the 27th. She will be watching for sure!!
Hi Darlene. Could u please tell me if u lay the bias strips right side up when sewing for chenille? Also, if using more than 1 strip, do u put them wrong sides together? I’m looking forward to watching your shows later this month. Hope u remain well!
Hi sewandsew,
That’s a great question! Unless the bias strips are printed on one side , I would say that it doesn’t matter what side they’re on. With multiple layers, if there is a brighter side, make sure that one is facing up since the fuzzy chenille sometimes flattens and you would want to see the best side on top. A safe bet would be to simply layer them all face side up! Happy Chenille-ing!
Hi GoGarzaGo,
Sorry, I don’t know when the quartet will be available again. As soon as I know, I’ll be sure to post it. Thanks for asking!
Hi Darlene, glad to hear your all better. Do you know when the Quartet will be back and if there will be a special pricing? I missed the TSV pricing and wish it came back soon.
Take care!