1. Do not use waxed hand-quilting thread for machine sewing. There is a reason the label specifies hand-quilting. This is not a scam to get you to buy more thread. That wax? Sewing machines don't like that wax
2. There are probably people who can get perfectly matched right-angle corners. I am not one of them. I know how crazy quilts came about.
3. A dog lying under the sewing table can run the sewing machine, but it's probably not a good idea.
4. Just because the needle looks okay doesn't mean it is.
5. An unidentified bent needle can drive a normally rational woman around the bend faster than a toddler with a permanent marker.
6. There is no reason to save old needles. None at all. Should you choose to save them "just in case" it is on no one's head but your own when you mistakenly put an old needle back in the machine. (See #5 above.)
7. Sewing is kind of the inverse of knitting: fast to do, sloooooooow to undo. There's no easy way to frog sewing.
8. Sewing faster will not straighten out that wonky seam.
9. Sewing a perfect seam doesn't count if the needle isn't threaded.
10. It is possible to "use up" a seam ripper.
11. The Knitting Goddess has a sister, and she is one nasty b*tch.
12. Perfection is overrated.
17 comments:
That gave me a good laugh! I am getting back into sewing again and know how you feel. :)
I think perfection is for people who can't see the creative possibilities of imperfection! Love all the scrappy colours. I really need to make some time to sew soon.
I am laughing my head off!! Thank you, thank you - I just started a quilting class and this post made me laugh at myself so much!!
Want to know how most quilters get square angles? They trim the blocks, strips and corners *after* they are assembled. Some even go so far as to block their quilts. Its a mad business.
I especially like the crack about the knitting goddesses sister. Awesome. :)
I love charm packs! I'm about to make a sewing machine cover using them. Here's a tip for right angles, not so useful with the small squares, but if you ever do larger pieced ones... you can iron freezer paper onto the back and trim that to the proper size. Then when you sew your strips you can sew through the paper, and your seams will line up. That's what I did with my quilt. But I agree - it's super persnickety, and I am not that exact. You can also get a magnetic seam guide that sits on your machine bed and keeps you from having uneven seams.
My cat once sat on the serger pedal while I was threading it. The serger has a knife - I have learned my lesson, and only thread with the machine off!
Your sofa quilt is going to be pretty - I like the colors you've chosen!
Oh yeah, I don't mess with that bee-yotch. She scares me. She's like the KG on a bad acid trip- she is a primary cause of smoking amongst "middle-aged" women. Listen to your soul when it says Take A Break.
You have pretty much outlined my sewing experiences. At first it's great because it's way faster than knitting, but you realize that this really means that you can just make faster mistakes that take a really long time to rip out and fix.
But take a deep breath, it looks really good!!
So true, so true, I especially can relate to #7.
Thanks for the humor. Happy Mother's Day!
Love the post..you are right about the ripping out, its slower but there are a few tricks. The best one I know is to use the seam ripper on about every 5th stitch on the top side of the seam. The one the upper thread was on. Then turn the fabric over and pull the bobbin thread gently. In most cases if your stitches are not set super small the seam will come out fairly quick.
Have fun,
Val
ps: Loved the "stone" for your Molly, will you share how you did it? I am curious how/when you did the writing.
Wonderful list. Had a cat who loved to help me sew until he got his tail in the wrong place. I have a question to ask. Would you please email me regarding your old sewing machines? I received one this weekend as a gift and would like to know how to clean it and where I can get info on it. I have tried the Singer sight and they don't have my model number or the number on the side of the machine on their list. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you Bonnie browne426@hotmail.com
Of course the Knitting Goddess has a sister... I believe she has several sisters. (snort, giggle)
I want that quilt!
Just another educational snippet...thumbs do NOT go under the needle with the fabric. And yes, that is personal experience. The quilt looks great!
LMAO @ #9 ... been there, done that!
2. Yeah, I hate those people. Just a little bit. Okay, maybe more than just a little bit...
7. I am much, much, much too familiar with this.
9. I've done this twice. You may have heard my "NOOOOOOOOO!" scream all the way down at your house.
Number 9 made me smile.
A hearty "Yes!!" to almost every one of these! I love the quilt top btw.
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