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!

Enjoy these related posts...

1. Going on a Fabric Diet
2. How To Make Perfect Fabric Baby Blocks
3. Pajama Pants Pockets?

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!

Enjoy these related posts...

1. What is a tea towel?

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.

Enjoy these related posts...

1. Scared to Sew? Tips on Reducing Sewing Anxiety
2. Too early to start sewing for baby?
3. Selling your house? Hide your sewing stash!

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

Enjoy these related posts...

1. Debate over “Handmade by Me” labels
2. Stitch clear of the “Boyfriend” Curse
3. Post Holiday Crafting Wrap-Up

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?

- 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.

Enjoy these related posts...

1. What to do with a handmade gift Grinch
2. Too early to start sewing for baby?

Dear Sewfie,

I’m trying to sell my house and my real estate agent says I have to put ALL of my sewing stuff away, completely out of sight. She says I have to bag up my entire studio, closet my stash and put away my sewing machine. She says all my desk tops need to be completely “free of clutter“. Frankly, I’m offended that she referred to my sewing equipment as “clutter”…. be that as it may, is this necessary? I sew every day and I earn an income from selling my crafts on line. Putting away all my stuff would not only render me bored witless but also without an income! Do you think this is really necessary?

- Stitch-less in Seattle

Dear Stitch-less,

Your zealous agent’s assertions are sad but true. Because of the dismal state of the real estate market, sellers are in a terrible pickle and buyers are totally taking advantage of the situation. Before they walk away with your house at a steal of a price, they expect to be paraded through it as if it were newly set for a photo shoot with Martha Stewart. They expect beautiful, expensive and immaculately pristine furniture arranged by a feng shui master and any hint of individual personality must be scrubbed from your home. Or better yet, stashed in off site storage.

Case in point, in a recent article at MainStreat.com, this photo of a little sewing machine in the corner was featured in a article called Ugliest Real Estate Photos. Apparently, the author felt home sewing was as ugly as dirty toilets and faux wood paneling.

Innocent vintage sewing machine impugned by "Ugliest Real Estate Photos"

Although Sewfie laments this sorry state of affairs, sometimes one must go along to get along, thus she advises the following 3-point plan for keeping your real estate agent happy:

• Box up the majority of your fabric stash into clear storage bins and keep it in the closet. The clear containers will help you find stuff more easily when you need it and after your stash “ages” in there for a while, you might find there is some of it you can live without. (Sewfie will write more on “thinning out your stash” at a later date.)
• Save out the tools (scissors, rotary cutters, tape measures, etc.) and notions you use everyday. Keep them in a small storage container, like a tackle box or similar container with a lid. This way, when a house showing comes up, you can toss that container into the closet without losing anything. Keep out the fabric for your current project only. When you are not actively working on that project, keep your UFO* in a tidy folded pile on your sewing desk.
• Cover up your sewing machine. There is a nice tutorial on Sew, Mama, Sew! for a reversible sewing machine cover.

Following this simple plan, you should be able to keep up your sewing work while maintaining the requisite tidy workspace. With any luck, you’ll soon be able to stitch up one of these** for your new place…

*UFO = Un-Finished Object
**Art Quilt Wall Hanging, “Home Sweet Home” by Moran Art and Quilts

Enjoy these related posts...

1. Finding time to sew for a busy Mom
2. Getting Your Child Started with the Sewing Machine
3. Scared to Sew? Tips on Reducing Sewing Anxiety

Dear Sewfie,

I bought the pattern for the Baby Puzzle Ball. I am wondering about putting a couple bells in there for noise?

Any suggestions about that?

Thank you

- Mary

Dear Mary,

I have tried adding bells and it works well. I use 1” jingle bells. I wrap them in a bit of stuffing or batting then I insert them into one of the wedges during Step 8, when you were already stuffing the wedges anyway. Then, sew the wedge shut as usual. It is important to sew the bell INSIDE the wedge so they don’t come out and pose a choking hazard.

The stuffing makes the bells a little quieter, so I usually sew 3 bells in – one inside each of 3 wedges. Three bells makes a really nice jingly sound when the ball is being played with!

This baby approves!

Enjoy these related posts...

1. How To Make Perfect Fabric Baby Blocks

Dear Sewfie,

I have WAY too much fabric. It’s cluttering up my house and life. I can’t find fabric that I’ve previously purchased. I’ve even resorted to re-purchasing fabric I knew I had, just because I couldn’t find it! I want to go on a fabric diet. How can I shed those extra yards?

- Packing an extra 100 (yards)

Dear Packing,

Diets are really pretty simple: burn off more than you consume. Simply buy less and sew more. Let’s start off by focusing on the buy less part of that equation. Just like Coke and Wendy’s French fries, you can cut back on fabric too. Starting today, tell yourself you will not buy any NEW fabric if there is a perfectly suitable alternative already in the house. (For those of you who are Extreme Fabric Dieters, you can preclude yourself from acquiring any new fabric while there is any fabric at all available in your house… good luck with that.) And that means, no, you can’t go out to your Local Quilt Shop to get that one little fat quarter in the perfect shade of purple to finish a project … even though you already have 10 other purples in the house which you deem not quite the right match. You’ve already proven you can’t be trusted to go into that shop: you will buy the one fat quarter, and probably $40 worth of other fabric that, although beautiful, fills no immediate need in your sewing queue. And, no, seeing how pretty it looks on your shelf doesn’t count as filing a need.

You know you have so much fabric, that you could meet all of your sewing needs for months (or years) without the need to buy more. You already know this to be true, so just try it. Being forced to use what you already have in your stash is actually an exercise in being creative. Instead of just buying pre-matched color ways from some collection, you will give yourself the opportunity to pick from different designers, different lines and even mix and match between modern and vintage. The results will be truly unique. And just like those pesky Pilates, all that stretching may hurt a little at first, but after a while, you will start to enjoy it and soon you will be appreciating the results.

Sewfie always practices what she preaches. On that note, here is an example: a lovely baby quilt she is working on – entirely from her stash.

:: What can you sew from your stash? ::

No related posts.

Dear Sewfie,

I just found out from my mom that my sister is expecting her first baby. I’m so excited I could just squeak. Mom wasn’t supposed to tell anyone but obviously she is really bad at keeping secrets. My sister doesn’t want to announce her pregnancy until her first trimester is over but I can’t wait until then! I’m itching to get started sewing for my little niece or nephew. Would it be bad luck to start a quilt for the baby before any formal announcements are made?

- Eager Auntie-to-Be

Dear Auntie,

Sewing a quilt for someone is an act of love: you think of them as you chose the fabrics, arrange the blocks and stitch all the pieces together. Emitting such positive energy into your sister’s world could never be bad luck! However, for the sake of covering for Grandma Leaky-Bucket, you should probably avoid asking your sister if she prefers pink or blue!

Enjoy these related posts...

1. How To Make Perfect Fabric Baby Blocks
2. Scared to Sew? Tips on Reducing Sewing Anxiety

Hi,

I have been away from sewing for awhile. All of my thread has been hanging on my walls on the thread holders.
Does thread get old? It has been there for several years…Will it harm my machine? Also what is the best thread to use for sewing baby knit’s? I am a new grandma to twin boy’s, sewing lots of outfits for them.

Thanks much,
Jill

Dear Jill,

I’m delighted to hear you will be dusting off those spools and returning to sewing!

Old thread will not harm your machine, but age may make it too brittle to be useful for your sewing projects. To test if the thread is still viable, unroll about 12” from the spool, grasp the ends firmly and give it a quick tug. If it breaks easily, it’s too old. If you are not sure “how easy is easily”, then compare to some recently bought thread. In general, thread does last a long time – as in years. If it’s more than a decade old, it’s probably getting too old. But if it’s just 5 years or so, I’m sure it’s still good. It also depend on the type of thread. Cotton will deteriorate faster than polyester. I’m pretty sure I still have polyester thread in my sewing basket from high school, oh magenta…. how I loved thee.

As for the best thread to use for sewing baby knits, you’ll most certainly want to use polyester or nylon threads and avoid cottons. Cotton doesn’t have the stretchiness that the synthetic fibers have. Additionally, if you are sewing on a conventional machine – as opposed to an overlock or serger which is specially designed for sewing knits – you can increase the stretchiness of your seams by dialing up a slight zig-zag stitch. This will give the seam a bit more stretch for those wiggly, growing little boys.

For best results in sewing knits on a conventional machine, be sure not to stretch the fabric while sewing, or else you end up with a scalloped looking seam. You can also lighten up on the pressure foot tension to get less stretching and puckering of the seams. Finally, I have found a walking foot (often used in quilting), to be helpful when sewing knits, especially in sewing across the grain. The “hopping” motion of the foot helps to eliminate stretching.

Enjoy sewing for those little ones and be sure to get started right away… they grow so fast!

Friends, do you have any other suggestions for sewing with knits? Please leave a comment below!

Enjoy these related posts...

1. Getting Your Child Started with the Sewing Machine
2. Got them Basting Blues?
3. Finding time to sew for a busy Mom