Back in the game

Until my couple recent posts, it has been a while since I've posted to this blog on a regular basis.  However, I've recently retired...Yay!  So I'm trying to get my sewing grove back.  I'm planning on spending more time in my sewing room and will be post more blogs and videos of my projects again.  

I also decided to get a new sewing machine, kind of a retirement gift to myself.  I got the Janome Continental M7 machine:     

                                             

It's a really heavy duty machine that I believe will handle anything I throw at it.  I really like it a lot and will do a post with more detail about it as well.  

I've also got back into another hobby (Cross-stitching).  Years ago I did a little bit of cross-stitching and I've been meaning to get back into it, so I did and I'll do another post sharing what I got and the projects I'm working on cross-stitching projects.   The nice thing about cross-stitching is, there's no machinery needed.  You can do it while traveling, watching TV or just relaxing. 

I'll be back with more soon, bye for now!

Happy Sewing!!

Got your fabric, now a few tips on what to do next.

So here's a couple tips for you when you bring home a wonderful fabric haul.
Before you put away your fabric haul into your stash or lay out that cute little pattern you're so excited about, and especially before you cut into that fabric, there's a couple very important steps you want to take first.  I serge the raw edge of my fabric whether it's woven or knit then I pre-wash my fabrics.  For the woven fabric it keeps the raw edges from fraying and it's an indicator that the fabric has been prewashed when I add it to my stash.  Another reason it's really important is you don't want to sew up a cute little project and after you launder it the first time it shrinks and you can never wear it again. Pre-washing gets rid of the chemicals & sizing in the fabric sometimes used during manufacturing.  The true texture and drape of the fabric is also more pronounced after pre-washing, then you get the true feel of the fabric.  Next step is to pick your pattern, cut out your project and start sewing.  Hope this helps any beginner sewists out there as pre-washing is a very important first step.  Enjoy!

Happy Sewing!