July Sewing Blog
| Hi Sewing Friends,I’m back from our two week Mediterranean Cruise and ready to sew up a storm for our August Today’s Special day with some of the unique treasures I found. Aquiring fabrics from around the world is one of my favorite passions. Florence, Italy is an inspiring fusion of fashion. In Lido di Jesolo, a seaside city near Venice, we found a family owned fabric store with rare designer remnants. In the Greek Isles, an extra large embroidered linen tablecloth along with a handful of sarongs was the closest thing to ‘fabric’ I could find. Repurposing those items will be an exciting challenge. It was in Istanbul, Turkey when we went to the Kapalicarsi Grand Bazaar (founded in 1461) that we found a delightful fabric store and trim shoppe among the 4,000 vendors. |
When to Watch
August 17
Monday, August 17 at 12am , 1am , 7am, 8am, 11am, 3pm, 4pm, 7pm & 10pm ET |
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When I approached the storefronts, there was so much to look at I felt like a one-eyed dog in a bologna factory! Hundreds of bags of sequins and coin bangles amid rolls of gold trims and metallic ribbons and threads. The colorful organzas, ornate brocades, fine silks, rayons and sequins were a sight to behold. A touchy-feely frenzy ensued and within an hour we were back on the tour bus carrying bags of overseas potential.
We saw an old German SINGER sewing machine in a shop that pre-dated WW1. I wanted to take it home but it weighed twenty-two tons had a $3,600.00 price tag!
Collecting fabric from a foreign city or country can be a great incentive to go there. The hunt is the fun part because of all the things you discover along the way. Just remember to bring along an extra suitcase for all your fabulous fabric finds. EMBROIDERY
Here’s one way you can save a font as clipart. Take this one step at a time. Everything you need to know is on your computer screen. Take your time. It is well worth it!!
TIPS
QUANTUM SERGER TIP When replacing the needles, you must loosen all the screws so the needles can sit all the way up inside the shaft. Push the needles way up to the top and then retighten all the screws. (you need to be an octopus to do this) If the needles are not seated properly, you will not be able to accomplish any stitching. Be sure to tune in on August 17th when we have our next Today’s Special. We will be featuring a Brand New Computerized SINGER machine and the ever-popular Futura SES1000 will be on again with even more bells and whistles. I will be wearing the fashions I made and repurposed from my Mediterranean Stash. Thanks for reading. See you on-air. Sew Your Dream,
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There was a spectacular display of felted hats in the Grand Bazaar. Inside the store were many trinkets, jewelry, pashminas, handbags, etc… all done with hand and machine felting. I could hardly wait to get home to my SINGER felting machine after seeing all the creative ideas and feeling a new rush of inspiration from the avalanche of colorful projects.
If you have the SINGER FUTURA embroidery machine, you more than likely have Auto Cross-Stitch software. We always talk about converting digital artwork into cross-stitched designs but did you know that you can also Cross-Stitch Fonts? There are fonts built into your computer and you can cross-stitch the fonts to combine with one of the 120 built-in embroidery patterns for exciting new kitchen towels!
I’m wondering if anyone has a clue as to what machine will be the special value on August 17th?
I am very interested in digitizing embroideries. I have the Brother Sewing/Embroidery machine and love it. However, I would like to make my own or edit embroidery designs. I would like any advice about this I can get. Thanks!
I just wanted to share how the Cricut can be used to cut fabric. Use fusible web like you do with regular applique, put you fabric square fabric side down on your mat with the paper still attached to the top, secure with painter’s tape along the sides, and cut like regular paper. You will have to experiment with the settings to find the right ones, but it will make your applique easier, quicker, and much more unified. You can do it traditional or just fuse and embilish.
Hi Darlene
I’m excited to have you offer the Singer Futura SES 1000. I have this machine and absolutely love it. I have made many things for myself, and as gifts. I must admit it took me awhile to learn how to machine embroider. I was taught by hand however, by my belated Mother. This is sooo much easier. I find myself having problems with the Lock Cutter. I can’t get it to work. Maybe, you could address this in your next blog. I look forward to watching you and see again the many tips.
Darlene: apparently the SES 1000 has problems with its bobbin case jamming and popping up during embroidery. Singer does not have the bobbin cases on its website. Since this needs to be replaced regularly, can you get hsn to stock them along with the chromium needles. Many of the complaints of the Futura machines is the bobbin case so why hasn’t Singer done anything to fix that problem? Have you incurred the same problem and how did you fix it.
Hello. I recently purchased the Singer Futura SES 1000 and have the same problem. The bobbin housing popped up and I have spent several hours trying to get it to stay put. Since you are experiencing the same problem it must be a defect. I was right in the middle of doing the second color of a project when it happened. I am taking a break and I hope and pray when I return the machine will work.
I am an experienced sewer and I also own another Singer electronic.
Marge in PA….I searched for Darlene Cahill’s site and found the project on her site. It pulled right up. I’m not sure what the problem is with the link on HSN’s page, but her page works. She also has other projects listed….you know darlenecahill dot you-know-what!! I hope this helps!
Marge in PA, there does appear to be a problem with that link and links to several other projects, so it isn’t you computer. I’m sure HSN will get it fixed since you have made them aware of the problem. You can try doing an Internet search for it, though I’m sure it wouldn’t be the same pattern. Don’t forget to watch Frisday 18th at 5am!!
JoAnn in Washington I searched needles for machine embroidery and found that the recommended needle size is 11/75 and 14/90 because of the density of the embroidery designes. Goodluck and have fun.
Darlene, I recently purchased the Brother Sewing/Embroidery machine. Embroidery is a new avenue for me and I really don’t know much about it but I can’t wait to get started. I need to know do you use the same needles for embroidery that you would for regular sewing? I have purchased books to begin machine embroidery but none of them mention what type of needles to use. I look forward to your response.
Darlene,
I am trying to look at the jeans purse pattern, but my computer will not let me. Is there any way to receive it a different way? Thanks for all the work you do for those of us who love to sew!
I am jealous. I went on a cruise to Key West and Nassau, Bahamas during Christmas, but alias the Nassau stores were closed due to Christmas. I would have loved to have been with you on the trip. Oh what a treasure trove you found. Please make sure that HSN shows all of your wonderful fabircs and pictures of your trip!!