Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Search Results for: sewing

Doll making tips

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I certainly don’t consider myself an authority on making dolls, but here are a few tips that experience (and repetition) have taught me:

* Wash your hands thoroughly before starting. This may seem obvious but even the natural oil from your skin can affect your skin fabric, remember – your doll will have been held a lot before she is completed!

* Use quality materials. Costly, yes. Worth it? Yes! This includes your threads.

* Use small stitches. Whether you hand or machine stitch your dolls you don’t want them coming apart at the seams.

* I like to keep all my work tidy, even the parts that won’t be seen. It helps to develop quality workmanship and good habits.

* When embroidering facial features don’t pull the thread tight, just let it sit comfortably on the surface – no puckers.

* I use doubled quilting thread for sewing on limbs It’s particularly important when making dolls for children that the doll is strong.

* Sink stitches back into the body when finishing for tidiness.

* If your dolls legs and body are one piece, double or triple stitch the groin area, as it’s vulnerable to coming apart or ripping.

* For corners (around hands, feet, etc) use the stitch, stitch, turn method.

* Don’t rush! Enjoy the process and take time to be careful. As you become more practiced you will also get faster.

Hope you find something helpful there!

Baby knot doll

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The sale of a few dolls lately has allowed me to be a bit adventurous and make up some new designs. This is my first knot doll, you just have to see it and hold it to know how cute it is! There is a little bell inside for a rattle.

I’m so loving this Hilco knit, it’s mighty expensive but gorgeous to sew with. I’d love to be able to afford to make the girls some clothes out of it one day, I know it would feel beautiful to wear. This little one is in my Etsy shop now.

Looking back over this week it’s a wonder I got anything done at all. The baby has chickenpox (making a good recovery now) and the other 3 came down with bad colds.
There has been a great deal of tomato harvesting and cooking, breadmaking, and a first time success with yoghurt making (I’ll share how soon). There has been homeschooling, piano lessons, Ash Wednesday, breastfeeding and piles of nappies and laundry.
And amongst all this I managed some sewing!!

My giveaway ends tomorrow, don’t forget!

Until then…………………

A successful barter and a whinge!

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Remember my post about bartering? Here is what I received in the mail today, thank you Gilly, what a welcome parcel! I don’t own many crafting books, so you’ve just doubled my collection. I just love surprises!

Now for the whinge. I picked up my sewing machine yesterday after it jammed and had to wait a week whilst it was (apparently) repaired. Naturally, I was very eager to use it yesterday, but what with h.schooling starting back today I had a lot to organise. Anyway…… I managed to steal a few moments earlier to work on a skirt, and, lo and behold – it’s still jammed!!
This is the point where I had to stem my natural inclination to run to the phone to ask the repairer if there had been a misunderstanding, as in – I give you $80, you give me fixed machine. Yes I appreciate your dusting my machine, after all it was a bit dusty, but I actually wanted to use it not just look at it. Ok, Ok, now I’m getting snitchy, but surely not without justification?!

On a lighter note, our first day back at h.school after the hols’ went brilliantly despite a toddler with a tummy upset and it has generally been a very good day.

Off to the sewing centre I go…………

An empty space (sniffle..)

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X marks the spot on my work table which is the home of my faithful Janome. As you can see, nobody is home today, nor tomorrow, not the next day either. In fact, this space will be empty for a whole week! A week of listless glances in this direction as I wander past. A week of concocting projects I can cut out in readiness for her return.
Perhaps it’s a good thing she jammed and is “in the shop” (in the middle of a doll order I might add!) Perhaps I might finally catch up on all those assignments I owe my tutor, perhaps I’ll clean out those cupboards that need it.
I don’t think I realised how integral the sewing machine has become to my life, what a great release it is to be able to sit and sew. The lady at the sewing centre said “Oh well, you can have a rest from it for this week” to which I replied “It is my rest!!”

From flaw to feature.

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I still make a lot of mistakes when sewing, mostly through lack of focus or simply experimenting. The great thing is when you discover that not every mistake is a disaster and the unpicker does not neccessarily have to be your constant companion. Such a handy tool, but gee I HATE UNPICKING!!
I need some more bibs for very vomity baby and thought I could use some fabric leftovers and make it up as I go along. All went well until I attached the binding and found it was way too thick and looked funny.


I spent ages making that binding in the first place, so the thought of replacing did not appeal. So, I ran a zig zag stitch around the inside of the straight stitch and voila! It anchored the inside of the binding down and balanced out the look.
Now I just need to figure out how to use my new snaps press and I can make a bunch more šŸ™‚

WIP frenzy!

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An art journal cover that I’m practicing hand quilting on (and I really need the practice!)

Peg dolls that are painted but as yet unclothed, I’m trying to figure the best way to dress them without interfering with the attached arms. Hopefully I’ll have a tute up for these soon too šŸ™‚

A pair of shorts for one of the girls from recycled clothing.


And, last but not least, a sewing table that is an absoloute disaster zone!!
That’s what you get for working on too many projects at once!

Nappy/ diaper liner or soaker tutorial

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This is so easy you could do it with your eyes closed. I used to use those expensive disposable liners from the supermarket (what are they made from anyway?!) Suddenly something clicked and I started making these. There a 2 methods, one for an overlocker (serger) and one without. The overlocker method is first. You’ll need some flannel (I’ve used an old pair of pyjama pants) and something absorbent (I’m using bamboo here, you can just use a few layers of flannel if you don’t have anything else). Cut 3 rectangles. The size is up to you, my flannel pieces measure 10.5 x 5.5 inches. The absorbent material should be about 9.5 x 4.5 inches.

Sandwich the bamboo between the 2 pieces of flannel, with the right sides facing out. Pin all layers together roughly.

Sew a rectangle in the middle, then another one about an inch in from the edges. Overlock the raw seams and you’re done! How easy was that?!

Now for the second method.
Lay your bamboo (I’ve used 2 layers of bamboo here for extra absorbency) on the wrong side of one piece of flannel and pin roughly. Sew the rectangles as for the first method. Now, turn it over so that the right side of the flannel faces out, then place your other piece of flannel on top of this with right sides together.

Sew a seam right around the edge, leaving one short end open. Turn the liner right sides out.

Fold the raw edges of the open end inwards and pin. Top stitch right around the edges and you’re finished.

I find washing nappies so much easier now that I use these, the liner gets soiled instead of the whole nappy.

Disclaimer: I was joking about having your eyes closed, please keep your eyes open whilst operating sewing machines!!

Tagged

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The lovely Lady Ophelia tagged me with this. Thank you Ophelia!

The rules are:
-Thank the person who gave you the award.
-Post ten honest facts about yourself.
-Pass the award on to seven others.

So, here we go:

1) I am a “Jack of all trades, master of none”. I find it hard to focus on one thing for too long but want to have a go at everything.

2) I am an introvert. I usually avoid social situations.

3) I love God and my religion.

4) I proposed to my husband when I was 17 and he was 16! (He accepted!!)

5) I loathe television, we are a TV free home and intend to stay that way.

6) I’m a “doer”, I like to always have something on the go.

7) I used to work as a singer at weddings, hotels, parties, but the late nights became too much. I still miss singing though.

8) I am driven to be creative, I don’t feel myself when I can’t get to the sketchbook, the sewing machine or just a needle!

9) I’m a pretty plain and ordinary person living a pretty plain and ordinary life, but I know there is great value in what I do (even if I find it hard to remember that at times).

10) Tomorrow is my tenth wedding anniversary! My husband and I are going out for dinner together (accompanied by baby of course) for the first time since our son was born (9 years ago, gasp!!) I’m so excited!

Now, to tag seven others…..

Mia Henry, Willow and Moo, And so, I sew, Mad Quilter, Romi Jade, Sew 2 B Happy and Cherri – Berri.

Miss Madeline

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I’m so happy to finish a sewing project these days and this was a great one to sew. It’s the Miss Madeline Dress pattern, I bought mine here. This is a size 2, but there are an assortment of sizes.
This is my kind of pattern, simple design and construction with maximum effect.


Do you recognise the fabric? I won it on Cherri’s giveaway some time ago. The waistband is a Tanya Whelan fabric. I lined the dress with a pale pink lawn.
My model wasn’t available at the time of writing, I believe she had a tough morning on the catwalk and is sleeping it off. She will be surprised to wake and find this little number waiting for her.

OK, today is absoloutely the last day to enter the giveaway!
The winner will be drawn and notified tomorrow.

Until then…….