Sew Fun

Ask Sewfie... advice for the sewing obsessed, because you know you need help. E-mail "Ask Sewfie" today!

Dear Sewfie,

My husband is complaining that I spent “too much” on quilting fabric, but I say my stash is not that big. What do you think? How much is considered “a lot”?

-Small Stash

Dear Small Stash,

According to the 2010 Quilting in America survey conducted by Quilts, Inc., the average quilter spends $219 per year on fabric. At about $9.90 per yard, that is just north of 22 yards per year. Sewfie thinks that’s totally reasonable and not “a lot”. That’s not even two fat quarters per week!

Fabric: GOOD

When you consider the average cost of a cup of coffee in the U.S. is $1.38, if DH got one cup of coffee every work day, he’d be outspending your fabric habit by more than 50%.

Coffee: BAD

Sewfie says, if you are guzzling down less than 22 yards per year, then you are the very picture of self control upon entering a fabric shop!

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2. How To Make Perfect Fabric Baby Blocks
3. Pajama Pants Pockets?

Ask Sewfie... advice for the sewing obsessed, because you know you need help. E-mail "Ask Sewfie" today!

Dear Sewfie,

How did Sew n Vacs get to be so popular? What do sewing machine and vacuum cleaner repair have in common? They are two completely different machines.

Heather

Dear Heather,

That is a good question. And a bit of a stumper, so Sewfie consulted some industry experts to get the real back story.

Judy Patterson, President of the Vacuum Dealer Trade Association (VDTA), replied, “Many of the businesses today carry both vacuum cleaners and sewing machines. Both require demonstration, product knowledge and repair.”

Furthermore, industry expert John Douthat, President and CEO of AllBrands.com, explained, “Sears started the Sew Vac combination in their store space and merchandising over 50 years ago. Dealers picked up on it to compete with Sears and each other.

Although sewing machines and vacuum cleaners perform different functions, from a repair perspective, they have many kinds service in common, for example: replacing cords, plugs, switches and belts, installing new carbon brushes, cleaning motor armatures, and even motor and light bulb replacement.”

Thanks John and Judy, that totally makes sense!

Sewfie would also like to thank Beth Vitiritto, also from the VDTA, for her help in answering this age old question!

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Ask Sewfie... advice for the sewing obsessed, because you know you need help. E-mail "Ask Sewfie" today!

Dear Sewfie,

All of my sewing projects are totally stressing me out. Nothing is going right. I tried putting down one thing that was frustrating me, only to get annoyed by another project. What do you do when all your projects are making you nuts?

- At Stitch’s End

Dear Stitch’s End,

When Sewfie has a bad sewing day, she KNITS! Although its hard to believe that the following is “relaxing” in any way.

Maybe when it looks as cute as this it will be.

Seriously though, if none of your projects are going right, just take a break. The best thing you can do is use the time to organize your workspace. Sewfie often finds that when things are more organized, projects go more smoothly. If not, at least you’ll be able to find your shears.

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Ask Sewfie... advice for the sewing obsessed, because you know you need help. E-mail "Ask Sewfie" today!

Dear Sewfie,

I’m sewing pajamas pants for everyone in my family for holiday gifts this year. The pattern I am using (New Look 6321) has pockets. I am wondering what is up with that? Why do you need pockets in your pajamas? Wouldn’t anything you put in there just fall out or be uncomfortable while you were sleeping? I don’t get it. Please explain.

- Kat’s Pajamas

Dear Kat’s Pajamas,

First off, majors props to you for starting your holiday sewing so early! Sewfie is very impressed. Second, Sewfie wondered a bit about the pockets thing as well. So, she consulted an expert in Pajama Pants fashion, a 14 year old girl, where upon she immediately learned that – DUH – the pockets are a MUST HAVE for your omnipresent lip balm and cell phone! Silly Sewfie. But seriously, the pockets are useful for when your PJs are being used not so much for sleeping but rather for lounging.

Our sage pajama expert was kind enough to supply this photo of her sporting her new pajama shorts, made from quite possibly the Cutest Fabric on Earth, Sushi by Timeless Treasures. It doesn’t get any cuter than cartoon talking sushi. Yes, we think you are “really, really rice”, too!

Pockets are a must for pajama pants

Sushi by Timeless Treasures

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Ask Sewfie... advice for the sewing obsessed, because you know you need help. E-mail "Ask Sewfie" today!

Dear Sewfie,

My sister-in-law sews a lot of gifts for the whole family. She puts one of those “Handmade by So-and-So” labels into EVERYTHING she makes, whether it be a bag, a shirt, a pair of pajama pants… she even sewed one to the bottom of a stuffed animal she recently made for my son!

Too many labels?

She is making me crazy with all the labels. I know its handmade. I know she made it “especially for me”. I just find the whole tag thing pretentious and annoying. How can I get her to stop?

- Tagged Out

Dear Tagged Out,

When one sews a handmade gift for someone, it is an act of love. It takes both dedication of effort and time. The sewn-in label is just a way of saying: “I thought of you and I care”. Its like a tiny little greeting card. So for Pete’s sake lighten up! You should be grateful she wants to spend her precious time trying to create something special for you.

I’m guessing you didn’t mind when Tommy Hilfiger put his little flag on your chest or Victoria emblazoned her moniker on your drawers, so your dear Sister-in-Law should be shown the same courtesy. And you might want to give a quick re-read to one of Sewfie’s previous posts: Don’t Be a Handmade Grinch. The same crabbiness applies.

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