Re: Sewing question...

Witchy Woman · ‎03-15-2010

The blankets I've seen tied are about 45" x 45" and they have batting.

If your blanket isn't large and if you are not using batting, I don't see why you would need to sew the two layers together.

Hope it comes out to your satisfaction. I love sewing -- even simple projects. Love the hum of the machine!

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

@Witchy Woman...ok, thanks. I will follow thru with my original plan and see how it goes!

I used to sew a lot when I was younger...christmas dresses for my young nieces, curtains, etc. I loved to sew. Now when I think about starting a project, I think to long and put it off, ha! I think one reason is that I have no one that shares that interest or that I can go to when I run into a problem. My mom was a great seamstress and she was my go to but she has been gone for 20+ years and when she died, I lost my sewing/crafting pal.

BUT... I still dearly love fabric!

Tigriss · ‎03-12-2010

Basting spray, like spray glue, that sandwiches the layers without anything moving. You can find it at WalMart, HobbyLobby, or anywhere that carries fabric.

Witchy Woman · ‎03-15-2010

@Tigriss wrote:
Basting spray, like spray glue, that sandwiches the layers without anything moving. You can find it at WalMart, HobbyLobby, or anywhere that carries fabric.

I think yours is the winning response!

You know, I've never tried that spray, but will put it on my list of things to buy the next time I am at Walmart. The one in my area recently put the fabric area back in after a long absense. It's just so fun to stroll through!

Thanks for this great idea!

Witchy Woman · ‎03-15-2010

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Witchy Woman...ok, thanks. I will follow thru with my original plan and see how it goes!

I used to sew a lot when I was younger...christmas dresses for my young nieces, curtains, etc. I loved to sew. Now when I think about starting a project, I think to long and put it off, ha! I think one reason is that I have no one that shares that interest or that I can go to when I run into a problem. My mom was a great seamstress and she was my go to but she has been gone for 20+ years and when she died, I lost my sewing/crafting pal.
BUT... I still dearly love fabric!

I could have written your post -- wish you lived closer to me, then we would have a kindred sewing spirt to consult with!

My mom taught me to sew and she used to make almost all our clothing. Then, I took over and taught myself how to use tailoring techniques -- bound button holes, french seams, etc. I was pretty good. Then, I went to work and had enough money to buy a few things and I stopped sewing.

Picked it up again when I started quilting, but kinda fell off that wagon when quilts started showing up everywhere. Not that they are the same as a hand made one, but no one can appreciate the work that goes into one. Like you, I have no one around me to offer support or consult with -- it got to be too much of a job just making a quilt -- so, I stopped.

I just recently started using my machine a lot again when I volunteered for The Linus Project. The blankets are simple, but satisfy my fabric addiction (even if it is just fleece).

Yes, my mom has been gone a long time, too. Wish I had saved her machine. She was a professional seamstress and worked making beautiful lingerie at what was Miss Elaine. They might still be in business, but the factories were wretched -- Hot in summer and cold in winter and no noise protection or any safety rules. She loved it though and I think that's the gene she passed on to me.

Thanks for letting me ramble on an reminisce.

Happy sewing!

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

If you are "lining" the fleece and not going to tie both the fleece and the backing at intervals I would at least top stitch all around the edges once you turn it otherwise I think it will have a tendency to want to roll.

I don't like working with fleece because of the stretch factor so yes, use the walking foot and pin the heck out of it.

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

UGH...well I sewed the two pieces (cotton/fleece) together, turned and then stitched around the edges, per my original plan...well I am not happy with it.

I washed the blanket so I could see how it would hang after washing....it does not lay like I want it to, so I am going to trim all around my sewn edge, and rethink how to proceed.

The fabric pieces were decent size to begin with so cutting off the edges to start over won't end up with a skimpy blanket...IF I TRY AGAIN...right now it just irritates me that I have to re do it.

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
UGH...well I sewed the two pieces (cotton/fleece) together, turned and then stitched around the edges, per my original plan...well I am not happy with it.
I washed the blanket so I could see how it would hang after washing....it does not lay like I want it to, so I am going to trim all around my sewn edge, and rethink how to proceed.
The fabric pieces were decent size to begin with so cutting off the edges to start over won't end up with a skimpy blanket...IF I TRY AGAIN...right now it just irritates me that I have to re do it.

It could be that the cotton shrunk. The fleece wouldn't.

Also if the cotton wasn't true and square it could distort after washing.

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

@CelticCrafter wrote:
@Mom2Dogs wrote:
UGH...well I sewed the two pieces (cotton/fleece) together, turned and then stitched around the edges, per my original plan...well I am not happy with it.
I washed the blanket so I could see how it would hang after washing....it does not lay like I want it to, so I am going to trim all around my sewn edge, and rethink how to proceed.
The fabric pieces were decent size to begin with so cutting off the edges to start over won't end up with a skimpy blanket...IF I TRY AGAIN...right now it just irritates me that I have to re do it.
It could be that the cotton shrunk. The fleece wouldn't.
Also if the cotton wasn't true and square it could distort after washing.

I prewashed and did my best to 'square' the fabric ....I think my neighbor sews a little I will ask her to walk me thru the squaring up the fabric. I have read how to do it a zillion times and I understand what the directions say but for some reason I have a bit of disconnect when actually doing it!