Making Dull Sewing Fun

As I was reading some blogs this morning, I noticed that others were actually having fun sewing.  I felt like this is not something I can do right now. I would love to - but I have to hem dresses and pants and alter bridesmaid dresses, make shawls and corn hole bags. Sort of fun, but mostly stressful.

But really that's not true!  I need a new attitude.  I need to realize I'm still handling beautiful fabric and stitching with beautiful thread. 

My daughter had a bright idea.  She suggested that I learn to use my rolling hem foot.

 I'm very good at turning under and doing a 1/8 hem.  But she's right I wanted to learn. I watched these YouTube videos on how to use a hem foot.  These ladies were so good I subscribed to their channels.

From Sewing Machine Warehouse

Sew it Online

First I practiced on the scraps leftover from cutting the dress length. It took some practice but I started really getting it down.

I hemmed the lining of my dress last night.  Then realized I didn't have enough of the blue thread to do chiffon top layer of my dress.  (Yes this happens ALL the time. In fact it's just a given now that I'll be running out of thread.  Hahaha) 

So off to Walmart this morning.

I bought Blue and some Natural - I don't want to run out of that either. 

Lily and I went to garage sales on Saturday  
and found these Hello Kitty glasses. 

Then we went and got chocolate milk.  A perfect Saturday!

Now all I need is this Hello Kitty-Chocolate Milk attitude and enjoy my sewing.

Happy Stitching, 
Linda
 (who now has a better attitude and can't wait to finish that dress)

Sunday I had a Meltdown

When Serena asked me to cut her wedding dress because it is too long I really didn't want to.  It is not her ceremony dress. She will be wearing this dress that her Grandmother-in-law wore, then her mother-in-law and now her. 

It is beautiful!  
I'm so happy she is wearing a dress that is handed down, keeping the tradition going.  However, it is so old and the lace rips so easily that she decided she needed to l wear a different one to dance and enjoy the reception. 

On Sunday I hated cutting the lace.  I was stressed to do a good job, the TV was on a bit too loud and then Bruce started joking around.  

I always love his joking, but Sunday I was too stressed. I tried to stay calm and told him, I can't handle him joking, the TV and cutting the dress.  And then burst into tears! 

Poor new husband was so confused, asked me what he did wrong and I told him it was just the dress - I was so stressed over cutting it.

He told me that Serena was so easy going she would not be upset if I ruined it. Then gave me some good suggestions, one being that I should mail it to her (she is in Colorado) as soon as I finished it.  It had been the plan to give it to her the day of the wedding.  But his idea is so much better.

This is her dress - I cut off the front flowers and 12 inch train in the back.

and trimmed it up nice and even.

She will get it on Thursday. 

I'm biting my nails until then.  Hahaha 

Also on Sunday, Bruce bought the suit to walk her down the aisle. 

 He wanted to wear tan or green.  NO - Serena put her foot down ahead of time. NO WAY! She knows how he is with colors.  

 The bridesmaids are wearing floral dresses, and groomsmen floral ties. Bruce said no he doesn't wear flowers! Until I found him this tie.  

Yes - another score for Serena.   

So now I have to hem his pants and add buttons for the suspenders. I don't want to pay the extra for someone else to do that.  I need to hem my dress.  Alter the bodice of Angela's dress and maybe hem some bridesmaid dresses.  Those are my goals for July, not quilting ones this time.  

Happy Stitching (without tears!),

Linda

At Long Last - Serena's Quilt is Finished

Good Morning,

I've been quite busy finishing this quilt, having company and having a bridal shower for Serena.

First up - Does anything feel better than a finished quilt? 

Only one that has a deadline to it.  And a Wedding is a big deadline. 

I would take pictures of my process - but then I would have to delete them before Serena could see them.  And then I wouldn't have them for a post!  I want to keep this as a surprise. 

I'm still a novice quilter.  I worried about that for a few minutes - and then figured it doesn't matter.  She will appreciate what I've done.  

My other daughter Angela had just bought some black fabric she didn't really want.  I asked for it and used that for the binding.  I was worried about how it would look.  I'm so used to seeing it without. But I think the black edging really pulls it together.  

Because the binding was just plain black fabric I could use a fancy stitch to completely apply the binding by machine.

  When I came to the corners as you can see here they got a little squirely.

Personally I'm okay with that.  

And my other comforting thought was - its just a blanket.  No one will see or care about the imperfections when it is cuddled up around them - or being used as a bed cover.

     Here's the back.  

I'm not sure I like doing a pieced back.  On this quilt I think it is okay. 

Cons: It was more work and time.

Pros:  It used up the rest of the fabric. Cost less than buying more fabric. 

Both Pro and Con:  Quilting on the back shows and doesn't show. 

Now I have a wedding dress to hem, my dress to alter and bags to make for the wedding.  

Wait - don't go yet!  I forgot to tell you.  I also after a LOT of debating and staring at the quilt decided to put their names & wedding date on the inside border.  So its there but not STANDING OUT & YELLING at someone.

Of course I took the picture before cleaning up the extra threads and chalk lines. 

And one last picture.  This is the only picture I took at the bridal shower.

My sweet little girl, Serena. 

Now I'm off to work. Stitching will have to wait til tonight.

Linda