Happy Valentine’s Day! Giving Friends & Family Our Hearts
Hi Sewing Friends,
Thank you all so much for your enthusiastic reception of our January Today’s Special, the new Singer 160th Anniversary Special Edition machine! Our sewing day was a huge success and your support made all the difference. We especially appreciated your phone calls and testimonials. Thanks again!
Happy Valentine’s Day! This is one of my favorite holidays because we get to show our affection to family and friends by giving them our hearts, tucked inside a greeting card. There’s still time to make a bundle of these cute, embroidered novelty magnets with names, cartoons or icons. Whether they land on a file cabinet or refrigerator, they’ll remind your sweetheart how much you care!
DECORATIVE EMBROIDERED MAGNETS
SUPPLIES
- Embroidered designs – I used clip art and Singer XL-400 AutoPunch software to digitize on tear-away stabilizer
- Felt to embroider on – no shreds or frays when you trim
- Large magnet sheet – available at your local craft store
- Industrial strength fabric and craft glue, such as E-6000
- Small, sharp, precise craft scissors
DIRECTIONS
- Carefully trim around embroidered designs, being careful not to cut any threads
- With embroidery design facing up, trace the embroidery design outline on the front (white) side of the magnet sheet
- Cut the magnet sheet along the traced outline
- Glue the embroidered design to the front of the cut-out magnet
- Press design firmly. You may place a heavy book on top and let completely dry
*TIP: Conserve your stabilizer! If you transmit your blocks one at a time, you can make fabric changes without having to use another sheet of stabilizer. You can also fit multiple designs in one hoop. 6″ x 10″ is a LOT of room!
DARLENE’S TOP TEN REASONS WE SEW!
- Because our mothers & grandmothers taught us
- Define our personal style
- Express our creativity
- Set a mood or atmosphere
- Acquire a sense of satisfaction
- Save money and time
- Turn a house into a home
- Provide a feeling of accomplishment
- We enjoy puzzles and challenges, problem solving and thinking things through!
- Build confidence
…Why do we sew? Because we can! And YOU can too!
Following are my ‘Cheat Sheets” for the Flower Foot attachment that was included with the Singer Anniversary Edition 160 sewing machine. The L , M, R stand for Left, Middle and Right position, which determines the size of your flowers. The next settings are stitch selection and width. Feed Dogs are down, so there is no length adjustment. The flowers on the right are the results of the settings. Now you can make a garden just in time for Spring! Enjoy!
WHEN TO WATCH
- March 2nd at 10 a.m. & 3 p.m.
- March 3rd at 4 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Hi Darlene, I am SO VERY HAPPY that you demonstrate Singer sewing machines and products. I learn new tips everytime I watch you on TV! I have the Singer XL 400 FQ and the New 5 thread serger. I am learning new techniques everyday! I am writing to thank you for telling us how to get to your BLOG on HSN internet, during your presentation for the Singer 400XL. I think that was VERY HELPFUL!
Saw you on HSN and you said you could tell us where to get free fonts, so can you let me know where to get them please. Thanks
hi darlene,
I have the futura ce250, lately when I’m sewing and using some of the great fancy stitches, the bobbin area makes noise . I’ts sounds like the bobbin wants to come out of the holder. I used the embroidery hook up and noticed that the back of the project had thread buildup. Can you help me trouble shoot the problem. Thank you.
supersewer
Hi SuperSewer,
I know Darlene will answer but in the meantime I will give you my advice. I did have the same problem and for me it was that the bobbin case was getting old. What I did is that I adjusted the tiny screw that is in front of the bobbin case. If you are using your machine as sewing, you can turn this scre from under the clear plate. The adjustment is minimal, meaning… just like an eight of an inch or less. Well that was my answer I hope it helps you. Research more of it online.
Darlene, just to comment on the singer 160…It is a fast machine and the reverse stitch also is fast. I like that as some are draggy. Stitches are beautiful and I love the wide work area. Lighting is good. Oh, did I mention gorgeous?
Hi Darlene I purchased the Singer Futura Quartet for my B’day Oct 26. While recovering from a breast biopsy I studied the instruction manual and so far so good. I would like to know how to purchase the circular sewing attachment and the flower sewing foot and if they would be okay to use on the Quartet. Also if you could suggest a good book for beginning embroidery really would appreciate it. Love you much, you are better for depression than Cymbalta, etc. Good Bless You
I really, really need you to come back on with the latest xl 400. I have the futura 250 now. I saw the xl400 and fell in “want” BAD. It’s all my husband hears. So please, Please come back SOON.
Darlene
When will the green Heavy Duty Singer be back in stock?
Hi Darlene, Will HSN ever bring back the Singer Quartet with all the bonus feet?
Just purchased my Sewing 160 and wow. Big Beautiful machine. Never had such a nice machine. I have already done more sewing on it then any machine I have. Singer you out did yourself this time. Can’t wait to make the little purse with the fringe foot.
Darlene, I will appreciate your advice on the better serger stitch for making a fringed skirt hem. My older serger book says to flatlock, then pull out fabric threads below the stitching to create the fringe, but since I am fortunate to have the Singer 5 thread, I wonder if the cover stitch would work as well ? Fabric is a wool blend from my stash, and I don’t have enough to make too many samples.
Thank you for your on line advice and on air inspiration for all.
HI neverlistless, I’m not entirely sure what you mean by a skirt fringed hem. If you mean making fringe from the serger tails then the stitch you use would depend how heavy you want the fring to look. The cover stitch would be heavy fringe and the rolled hem would make a lighter fringe.
If you mean removing a line of thread that holds the stitch down and then one side releases as ‘fringe’ –I’ve never tried that, but you’ve peaked my curiosity so I’ll check it out today and report back:)
Darlene, sorry for the confusion. The flatlock is done around the width of the skirt, say 3 inches above the finished length for 3 inches of fringe. Then the crosswise fabric threads below the stitching are removed to create the fringe (the flatlock directions say to use decorative threads to show at the skirt/fringe intersection). I thought the cover stitch (triple)may serve as well to reinforce the skirt/fringe intersection. A serger project to go beyond seaming (if it works) Thanks
Hi Darlene,
Is there a way to actually join this blog, or do I just have to come visit from time to time. Thanks! Cindy
HI cynsew,
I think you simply have to show up and submit your comment. There’s a new blog with info every month so why not mark your calendar for a monthly reminder to drop in and say Hi!
Thanks for checking us out and thanks for a great question!
Hi Darlene! I love to see you on the air. Even though I’ve been sewing for 40 years, I always learn something new from you. This year I’m planning on buying a new machine, and finally retiring my old Singer. Do any of the machines that HSN offers have a sashiko stitch, other than the Quantum? My budget is going to be around $500. Thanks for all you do! Susan
Darlene,I didn’t know that about serger thread, thanks. I don’t sew clothes (yet), I just use it for craft projects like your wonderful idea with the lamp shades and silk flowers, table runners and curtains. I usually put everything together with my singer serger I bought 14yrs ago(hsn)and you! She still hums! I have a variety of machines mechanical, electronic and computer, serger, and embroidery. I luv variety in crafts and critters, 3 dogs, 3 cats, 9 birds, 2 lizards (son’s), fish. Joan’s Ark
Jazzie Joanie—YOU are my kind of girlfriend! Variety is the SPICE of LIFE!!! Thank you for watching our sewing shows over the years. Craft projects that we use in the home are great reminders of our accomplishments. Keep up the inspiring work Joanie. I appreciate you!
Hi Darlene, I wanted to follow up with you and inquire if you were able to find anything out about the Futura XL 550? Any idea if Singer will bring this machine to us here in the USA? Have a great day, looking forward to seeing you on air with all of your wonderful tips.
HI GoGarzaGo, Your inquiry was submitted and we’re awaiting a reply:) I’ll recheck and let you know as soon as the verdict is in! Thanks for asking~~
Hi Darlene. I bought the singer anniversary sewing machine. Could you please make the chart for the flower foot availabe on this website? I don’t do facebook and I would love to be able to get it. My sewing machine was on backorder and it will arrive today or tomorrow. I can’t wait to get started sewing with this machine. Thank you.
Hi Tinadeeyore,
Thank you for the suggestion. I’ll ask if we can post it here.
Thanks for watching HSN and for taking the time to write! Let us know how much you enjoy your new Classic Beauty!!! Happy sewing!
HI Tinadeeyore, Your wish has been granted! The fantastic web team at HSN agreed to post my Cheat Sheets !!! See Below:) Thank you for your suggestion! HSN Rocks!
Hi, Darlene, where do I find these flower foot cheat sheets? Also, I just received my new 160th Anniversary Machine. It is B-U-T-FUL. Love it. Thanks for educating us when ever we see your presentations. I love watching, and learn something new each time. Thanks, Dubya_bird
Hey Darlene! I just saw when you are going to be on again! March 3, is my birthday!! Yea!! Hubby will probably take me somewhere, but I’ll be sure to tape ya!!
Wonderful JazzieJonie… Thanks for taping our sewing shows. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday full of sweet surprises:)
Sew your Dreams~~~~~
Hi Darlene! Enjoyed seeing you, whenever I sew I pop one of my tapes that I tape on hsn and hear you and we sew together!! You are an inspiration! I have a tip, if anyone has a mechanical sewing machine, you can use one of those thread holders and put a cone of serger thread in a coffee cup under the holder and thread your machine like normal and it works like a charm, but it doesn’t work with electronic or computer sewing machines! Hey, it saves on thread because those spools are 1000yds!
JazzieJoanie—They say ” necessity is the mother of invention!” Be sure to make a double seam (sew it twice) when using a serger cone for regular thread—especially if the fabric is tough (such as denim) ….serger thread is not as strong (60 wt./2 ply) as regular sewing thread ( 40 & 30 wt./ 3 ply) and you’ll want your seams to hold up through washing and wearing! Thanks for sharing your *TIP! We all appreciate it!!