Sarah J. Doyle's Blog

Sewing Room Accessories - SAVE TIME and MONEY

Sarah Doyle — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:33:44 GMT

Many sewing accessories may not fall into the category of "necessities", but when they add to the effectiveness of a procedure, the beauty of the completed garment, or the convenience of working, they do become very important to the quality and ease of workmanship.

Consider the following list of crucial questions to determine the value of certain sewing room accessories.

Will it lessen the risk of damaging the fabric or miscutting it? Yes to the seam rippers with a safety ball to protect fabric from cuts; a cutting board (the kind that folds easily for storage) that includes special bias-lines and one-inch graph lines; and a definite yes to sharp shears (without nicks) that will easily cut the fabric and not make "pulls" in the fabric.

Will it save time? eyesight? strain? A definite yes to something as simple as a wrist pincushion which will keep the pins where you can reach them without stretching. A good magnet that can be used to gather up pins, needles, snaps etc to eliminate having to pick them up one by one would be great to have. How about the needle threader with magnifier to help find the ever illusive eye of the needle and the easy-threading needles for those with hand-eye coordination problems, arthritis or eyesight problems.

Will the accessory make an entire procedure easier and faster? Yes to a curved ruler that duplicates natural body curves to use when altering or making patterns, a T-square for straightening the grain of the fabric and for use in original pattern designs. A buttonhole spacer makes for easy and quick placement of buttons and buttonhole locations, and an E-Z hem guide that permanently attaches to the sewing machine for an easy guide for sewing hems, trims, waistbands, etc.

We have not covered all the accessory/tools that are available on the market, but have simply skimmed the surface in order to get you thinking of what you already have in your sewing room, as well as items yu may have been wanting to buy. Before buying or ordering the next gadget that comes out, give it the "usefulness" test to determine how it may fall into place when considering the above questions, as well as how the item will relate to the type of sewing or craftwork that you may do.

What is BMI - And How Does It Apply To You?

Sarah Doyle — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:55:02 GMT

I have just read a blurb this morning regarding BMI (Body Mass Index), and the information is very disturbing. The report says that evidence continues to accumulate that obesity leads to a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and many cancers. Most recently, a Swedish study indicated that a high BMI or body mass index is associated with a higher risk of colon cancer.

It appears to me that even a little bit overweight can lead to all kinds of health issues. The information from Daily Health News by BottomLineSecrets gives the link to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's calculator for body mass index. The link is http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi. It is very simple - plug in your height and weight and you'll instantly see your BMI. There is also a chart there that tells what the index means -- are you underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese? I won't tell you what mine says, but I will say that I'll be cutting way down on my snacking!!

Sewing With Leather

Sarah Doyle — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:09:09 GMT

Every once in awhile I find myself doing some sewing and crafting with leather or suede. Awhile back I decided to try to make myself a leather thimble -- my fingers seem to be a little too big for the thimbles you can find in stores. I was very lucky and found a fantastic sewing with leather site, which had a leather thimble kit. I purchased the kit, made it and it has been the best thing ever. Everything was there that I needed to make the "custom fitted thimble", and of course I made it to fit ME, not just a standard size finger!

I just visited that site again a few days ago, and I found the NEATEST pattern for soft sole leather shoes for children! I'd been wanting to make some for my quadruplet grandchildren and their big brother, so I've just placed my order for that pattern! The full size pattern has sizes 1-9 all included in the same pattern, so I only had to buy ONE pattern and will be able to fit the whole crew! The shoes in the picture on the site were just beautiful, so now I can't wait to get started making mine.

NOTE: The basic sewing with leather book on the home page of the site is the book I started with when I originally wanted to get into leather and suede sewing. I highly recommend this book, as well as the kits and patterns that you see.

Plus Size Children's Patterns vs. Regular Size Patterns

Sarah Doyle — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:52:02 GMT

Sewing for plus size children can be a real challenge. A friend tried to make a simple skirt for her overweight 9 year old daughter. The daughter had a chest measurement of 36", waist 34" and hips 38" and when she tried to get a commercial pattern "close" to her daughters' measurements, she ended up with one of the "plus" size 16 patterns. Now we all know that an 8 or 9 year old child is NOT going to be as tall as the 16 year old, neither would the arms be the same length, etc, depending on the garment you're trying to make.

I had told her about our Plus Size Children patterns, and she was a little hesitant about trying anything since the huge waste of time and fabric ordeal when she dealt with the plus size 16 pattern. I figured it was time to prove a point with her, as well as others that might have questions about the plus size children's patterns. I used a regular commercial size 10 skirt pattern, whose measurements said 24" waist and 32" hips, and made a skirt (the pink one). I then used our Plus Size Children size 10 pattern, with measurements of 32" waist and 38" hips and made a skirt (the burgendy one). The following picture compares the two "size 10" skirt patterns.

As you can readily see, the skirts are the same length. Whether the size 10 girl is skinny, regular size or overweight, they're normally about the same height - just a major difference in the WIDTH of the hips and waist. After seeing my "show and tell" skirts for a size 10 regular and overweight size child, she was definitely ready to try another skirt - this time using my size 10 plus size children pattern. We did do a minor adjustment to the pattern as her daughter had a 34" waist and our size 10 had a 32" waist, but the rest fit perfectly!

The difference between the plus size children patterns and the regular commercial patterns is that we had accumulated the actual measurements of overweight children from our customers for over a year, then got them all into a data base, from which we made the patterns. So, as you look at the patterns on the Plus Size Children site, you'll see the actual "plus size" measurements for each age grouping, and if you compare YOUR child's measurements to them, you'll see that they're pretty much on target for what your plus size child's measurements are. Every pattern on the plus size children site has been made using the actual measurements of overweight children.

If you have a plus size child or know of somebody who does, you could be doing yourself or them a real favor by trying one of the patterns, and see how much easier it is to sew for the plus size children.

Applique For Fun

Sarah Doyle — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:23:43 GMT

I love appliques, and you can just about applique ON anything, and use ANY type of fabrics for appliques. The children's prints have so many wonderful things that can be appliqued onto wall hangings, on little shirts, dresses, shorts and whatever else you might be making. Here are some other applique tips.

To make appliques out of any fabric design (like the children's prints) iron some "Wonder Under" to the back. Trim around the design to be used for the applique, then peel away the wonder under backing and iron the design to the garment, a wall hanging, children's playhouse, etc. This is the quickest and easiest applique to make!!

If your child has gotten some hand-me-downs from an older brother or sister, or handed down from friends, personalize the garment by putting some lace on the garment or an applique, or just embroider his/her initials somewhere on the garment.

When stuffing small detail areas of appliques, use a long tweezers. By using small amounts of stuffing and placing them correctly, you'll have a "lump" free project when you're finished.

You can enlarge and reduce craft and applique patterns easily by using a photocopy machine. If one enlargement or reduction is not sufficient, simply place the enlarged or reduced page back into the copier for a second enlargement or reduction.

If you photocopy a picture from a coloring book or another picture to use as a pattern for an applique, you can get one iron-on transfer from the photocopied picture. Be careful doing this, however, as the picture will come out backwards when transferred to the fabric.

If you're making appliques to sew on from scraps of fabric, spray starch the applique and iron it - the stiffening will make it easier to work with and less flimsy. Use the glue stick to position it, and you're ready to sew it in place.

Have any other ideas for appliques? Let us hear from you!

Curtain Creations

Sarah Doyle — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 04:25:22 GMT

Sometimes readers will send me some great tips and ideas, which I like to pass along to others. I'm sure everyone does some "curtain / drape" changing in their home as the furniture style changes, etc. Even with no changes, curtains do get dusty, so the best thing I know about dusty curtains is "because dust gathers on sheer curtains of any synthetic material, soak the curtains in cold water before washing for as long as it takes to remove the surface dirt". WOW! New curtains without having to buy new ones -- well, at least they're CLEAN!

A couple of other curtain ideas include:

1. Instead of throwing away old draperies, try making placemats out of them - make some matching coasters as well.

2. Old draperies could be transformed into little doll blankets for the children. See the little eyes light up because you've made something special for their "baby".

3. Twin flat sheets make great curtains for a child's room. You can use the design of your choice, and they're already hemmed!

4. Bath towels make excellent bathroom curtains. Either hang them with the clip rings, or turn down one end for a casing. Use ribbon, or some other trim for the tie backs, or just let them hang.

If you have other uses for old draperies or ideas for new, just pass them along to us with a comment.

Nite Nite Mamaw!

Sarah Doyle — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:13:45 GMT

Yesterday the quads and big brother Jacob spent the day with us, as is usual on Tuesdays. We go over early in the morning, around 8 and pick them all up, bring them back to our house to spend the day, then we take them back around 5 pm after naps. This "free" day for Mommy and Daddy, isn't actually what it sounds like it should be -- it is actually a day that they can try to get caught up on things that can't be done with 5 babies around, and get a little work done.

Last night the phone rang at 8 pm. When I answered, my daughter said "Thank goodness you're home!" Sienna, one of the quads, was pitching a fit and refused to go to bed until she could say "nite nite" to Mamaw! So, with the phone held to her ear I told her nite nite - I love you, while she was "kissing" me on her end. Now that Sienna got to say nite nite to Mamaw, the others all lined up to get their turn. After they all finally went to bed I called my daughter back to say how nice it was that they wanted to say nite nite to me. She informed me that it might be nice on MY end, but rather stressful on THEIR end. So, what are Mamaw's and Papaw's for, besides spoiling the little ones a little? Nite Nite babies - I love you!!!

New Sewing Business Blog

Sarah Doyle — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:09:59 GMT

My daughter, Denise Hall and I have spent most of our lives earning a living in the sewing and craft fields. Because of our love for this "niche" we have started a new blog, which is a tribute to those who either currently earn, or would like to earn a living in the field of sewing and crafting. This blog includes special projects, business tips, product and website reviews and exciting Business Spotlights of promising creative endeavors. Do YOU have a product, blog or website you'd like us to review for the SewingBusiness.com blog??? Or do you have a project or tutorial that you'd like us to add to the site -- of course we always give all credits to the person sending the item or project to be reviewed.

Buttons and buttonholes

Sarah Doyle — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:07:02 GMT

Garments with buttons / buttonholes can be a little bit frustrating as you try to mark the positions of the buttonholes. The easiest sewing tool I've found for this purpose is the "expanding gauge". Open the gauge so that the points are the correct distance apart, then mark the positions for the buttonholes.

This same tool can also be used for marking pleats as well as other craft items where you need to mark the distances between decorations, appliques, initials, etc.

And, speaking of buttons, nothing is written in stone that says you HAVE to sew four hole buttons a certain way. Especially in children's clothing, try sewing them on "decorator" fashion, as in the examples below.

OR, for more of a "decorator" style, try using a variety of assorted buttons for closures, or try spacing them together in groups or two or three instead of the standard even spacing down the front.

In sewing you can "bend the rules" a little, expecially when sewing for children, so try something a little different - you might be starting a new trend!

Work is done - time for a rest

Sarah Doyle — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:28:38 GMT

Our little quadruplet grandbabies and their older brother love to work with Papaw, as I've mentioned in a previous post. They were great little helpers dragging the little "branches" from the trimmed bushes to the side of the street to be picked up. When finished, we handed them little bottles of water or juice and they all sat down under the big shade tree to rest up a bit.

Everybody gets a big star for being such good helpers!

Changing the neckline on a blouse or dress pattern

Sarah Doyle — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:27:28 GMT

How many times have you wanted to use your "basic" blouse / dress pattern that fits so well for another garment, but you just don't want so many blouses or dresses to look the same. Even changing fabric colors and types don't change the appearance of the basic pattern. Today I'm going to give you a very easy example of how to change that "basic" neckline into a new square neckline.

On the above drawings you can see the "basic round neck", which we are about to change. The dashed lines on the pattern indicate your basic round neck pattern, with changes to make the square neck. The individual steps in changing your basic pattern are as follows:

STEP 1: On the front neckline, measure over along the shoulder line 1 5/8". From this shoulder-neckline point, draw a vertical line that is parallel to the armhole as shown.

STEP 2: Measure down 1 3/8" along the center front line. From this point draw a horizontal line to meet the vertical neck line drawn down from the shoulder. The new vertical and horizontal lines form the square neck.

STEP 3: At the shoulder edge of the back neckline, measure along the shoulder line 1 5/8". Remember here that whatever change you make to the FRONT shoulder line, you have to make the same change to the BACK shoulder line in order for the front and back bodice pieces to fit together when sewing.

STEP 4: At the center back of the neckline measure down 5/8" and draw in the new neckline curve as shown.

Because you have made a new neckline, you will need to add 5/8" seam allowance to the area that you've just changed. The rest of the pattern, of course, already has seam allowance on it. (NOTE: if the pattern you're using says "1/4" seam allowance added", then you'll need to make the new neckline seam allowance 1/4" as well, so all the seam allowances are consistent).

When you change the neckline of a pattern, you obviously won't have proper facing pieces in the pattern envelope to make the facings. The following illustration shows how to lay out the bodice in order to cut out the new blouse / top and the facings for the new neckline.

The above illustration shows how to lay the pattern on the fabric (this will also be given in your pattern envelope). The reason we're showing it here is to let you see the areas left after the bodice pieces are cut out -- the facings will be cut from the remaining material.

In the above drawing the printed area indicates fabric and the black shaded area indicates the areas where the front and back bodice have been cut from the fabric. The front and back bodices are the bodices previously cut out of the fabric, and positioned on the remnants to indicate how to cut out facings for the new front and back neck. Be sure to put the center front neck on the fold and the back neck along the selvage edge, as was done with the bodices. After cutting the neckline and down 2 3/8" along the shoulder line, flip the bodice and fabric over and cut the neck facing 2 3/8" wide, as shown in dotted lines. (The 6 you see is the number used if your pattern also has centimeter measurements in it).

You can see how easy it is to change the basic blouse/dress neckline into a completely different style. If you would like to learn how to make EIGHT different necklines from that ONE basic pattern, we invite you to check out the neckline changing classes that are available at PatternsThatFitYou.com/Necklines.htm. There are two neckline classes available - one for the regular S-XL size ranges, and the Full Figure class for those who are 1X - 8X size ranges in the "Plus Size" category on the site.

Kids NEED to learn how to work!

Sarah Doyle — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:29:16 GMT

I've read so many articles and posts about the necessity of teaching children how to work at a very young age. This starts with letting them "help" you take clothes to the laundry room, let them help take junk mail to the trash can, etc. Children LOVE TO HELP - even if it takes you twice as long to do something, LET them help. This is the beginning of learning a work ethic, not to mention helping them feel good about themselves for accomplishing something. Give them little "chores", adapting the chores to their particular ages, and they will grow up learning responsibility. Our little 2 1/2 year old quadruplet grandbabies and their big brother (3 1/2) LOVE to help - and at home they help load the dishwasher, help clean off the table, help take laundry to the laundry room, and at our house they do pretty much the same, except here they get to also help get the trash can to the side of the road for the garbage truck to pick up. Then we all stand and watch as the garbage truck comes by to pick up the garbage, wave to the garbage man (and he honks and waves back), then we all bring the trash can back to the house. In addition, all the little ones LOVE to help Papaw trim the bushes and help take the little "branches" to the edge of the street to be picked up. We have a picture of all the little ones standing beside the house with their hats on (Papaw's golf hats), and ready to help trim the bushes. Please, let your little ones HELP you!!

FREE clothing pattern make-over classes

Sarah Doyle — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:07:25 GMT

We are pleased to introduce an array of new free classes at PatternsThatFitYou.com/freeclasses.htm. The best part of these classes is that all you need is to have ONE BASIC blouse or dress pattern that fits. The basic pattern can have just a simple round neck with a short sleeve. We all have an A-line dress or simple blouse pattern we wish we could use as the basis for every garment because it fits so well. Now is your chance to do just that! Dig that pattern out, then check out the free classes showing you how to make new necklines, new sleeve styles and even add a collar to that basic pattern. And, while you're browsing the classes, don't forget to try your hand at using your own measurements to make a shorts pattern or skirt pattern, and if you know someone who is pregnant and needs maternity clothing patterns, check out the class on how to convert regular store bought clothing patterns into maternity patterns. Happy Sewing!

Excellent new website!

Sarah Doyle — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:28:49 GMT

I've been telling you about the PERFECT baby shower gift that I'd found the pattern for, and have been making. The Portable Diaper Changing Station is so easy to make, can be made in the color scheme the parents have chosen for the new baby, or if there's no particular color scheme, just use boy baby fabric or girl baby fabric, whichever the case may be. WELL, this item has apparently become so popular that it NOW has its OWN website -- PortaDiaper.com. I am so thrilled because I simply LOVE this pattern - have made over a dozen of them for shower gifts, and the new parents, or parents to be, are so happy to get them. Check out the site and the pattern -- try making one for the next baby shower you're invited to, and relish the "oohs" and "aahs" you hear when YOUR most practical gift is opened!

Spring "sewing tips" contest ended

Sarah Doyle — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:29:42 GMT

Our Spring "sewing tips" contest ended the end of April, the winners have been "drawn from the hat" and notified by email, so you'd think that page of the blog would be closed. However, what has happened that I would never have dreamed about, are the cyber friends that I've made because of this contest. Some people that submitted comments through the blog as well as sending personal emails to me with their hints, tips and suggestions have become ones that I now draw inspiration from and correspond with. One of my favorites is Patti, who also has a blog at pattisoriginals. Thank you Patti for entering our contest, and now for becoming an inspiration!

Do multiples, like in quadruplets, cause mayhem in a home????

Sarah Doyle — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:31:22 GMT

I do believe the title of this post would be the understatement of the year!! These little 2 1/2 year olds, that I've talked about previously, would probably tear apart a bear that accidentally stumbled into their playground area, then very sweetly say "sorry bear". Our daughter, the mother of the "quads plus one", started a blog, http://MultipleMayhem.com so she can "rant and rave" about the family journey with five little ones under the age of 4. She tells some very interesting and scary tales about the children - this journal is one that I know you would all like to check out -- if for no other reason than to consider what your "hard to deal with 2 year old child or grandchild" COULD be if multiplied by FOUR! YIKES!!

Oh, and consider this -- she works out of her home (does eBay, designs craft patterns and designs t-shirts, etc), because there is no way she and her husband could afford the $150 per week PER CHILD x 5 little ones (that's $750 PER WEEK)! Needless to say, she doesn't have a spare minute anytime of the day! I aplaud her and I get tired just thinking about all the work she has to do, and somehow manages to get it done!

Clothing can create an optical illusion - Good or Bad!

Sarah Doyle — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:07:54 GMT

Too often, even the most accomplished sewer finds the results of her efforts simply hanging in the closet or being worn self-consciously. In most cases, such discouraging experiences cannot be blamed on the actual sewing, but rather on the optical illusion that was created because of the pattern design that was used, or the fabric chosen for the garment. At SewWithSarah.com we discuss many of the "optical illusions" that can be avoided if we stop for a moment and think about the fabric we want to purchase, our figure (figure faults, perhaps), and the style of garment we want to make. Not all fabrics and patterns are suited to every body type, therefore it is up to each one of us to determine what will work for our particular body type. After reading the above titled newsletter article, I believe you'll be like me and do a little more planning ahead on garments I intend to make and in choosing my fabrics and not just grab material at the fabric store because it appeals to me at that time.

Scarves, the versatile accessory

Sarah Doyle — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:31:56 GMT

Today I'd like to talk about scarves. The scarf can be the most stylish and adaptable accessory you own! Scarves can help you build a fashionable wardrobe without demolishing your budget. Creatively used, the scarf can provide many changes of look for your wardrobe and can even be used to flatter your figure or draw attention away from any figure faults you may have (THAT'S MY reason for using scarves - draw attention away from the figure faults!) At 101waystotieascarf you can read all about a very popular "how to" scarf book, and at PatternsThatFitYou.com/freescarfclass.htm you can get some FR*EE information about scarves. Actually, scarves provide the quickest and easiest way to do a makeover of your wardrobe and change the look of the clothing garments you already haave.

A sad day at my daughter's house

Sarah Doyle — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:32:40 GMT

One of our grandsons, whose parents are stationed in Korea, came to live with my daughter and her husband shortly after her quadruplet babies were born. He was going to stay with them and help out while he was deciding what he wanted to do with his life. Nearly two years later, at age 21, and the quadruplets 2 1/2 years old, he decided he wanted to go into the Army. He has been soooooo much help with the babies and their big brother, it has been very hard for the family to see him go. He left yesterday for Ft. Sill for bootcamp. We all wish him luck and let him know we will miss him greatly! The picture I'm attaching is my daughter, big brother jacob to her right, then the quads and Ryan, who has just left for the Army.

Happy Mother's Day!

Sarah Doyle — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:33:06 GMT

The day is almost gone, but I don't want to miss the opportunity to wish all the mothers and grandmothers a very Happy Mother's Day!! I hope you had as nice a day as I did -- my daughter, with the 2 1/2 year old quadruplets and big brother Jacob, invited us, my sister and her husband's mother out for a cookout this afternoon. She and our son-in-law had to do some fast moving to get everything ready while the babies were taking their afternoon nap. We had a wonderful time and those babies, who dearly love being outside, were having a blast! Thank you so very much, Denise and Bryon for a wonderful day!!!