Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Playing!

Hi! I'm sorry I haven't had much time to blog, but at this time of the year, there's just too much canning to do! ;-)

I have been carving out a bit of time to play with all the great features of my sewing machine and with all of the great presser feet that are available.

Yes, I sort of went crazy and bought every foot I could find (and yes, I really do plan on using each and every one of them... eventually! ) ;-)

There are some feet that I use a lot. The zipper feet (invisible and regular), the buttonhole foot, the hemmer foot and of course, the walking foot!!!

I've always had a walking foot and I've always used it a lot, but now, I own two new feet (or should they be called accessories?) that have made sewing even more fun.

First of all, the Ultimate Ruffler! This foot is marvellous! It gathers, it pleats, it rocks! I love it!

Then, my latest purchase and the most surprising of all: the "side cutter foot". Wow!!!

This little workhorse is made by Singer but fits all low shank machines. It works like a mini serger, meaning that it cuts the fabric while you sew!!! See it in action here!

I admit I was a bit dubious about the cutting part, but to my total amazement, it cuts through fabric like butter!

Mind you, it can't do every single thing a serger can, but for the huge price difference, the total ease of use, what I use it for and for the fun of using my machine to serge, it's perfect!

Since the beginning of fall, I've been sewing midi skirts and tunics. I hate being cold, so the skirts need to be midi length to cover my legs down to my boots and to be warm enough for late fall and winter.

I'm also back into full knitting mode! Oh yeah! For the moment, I'm knitting socks, a lot of socks. Not very original, but always useful and always a big hit with my family at the holidays.

I also plan on knitting sweaters for Christmas! If I can only find enough time...





Saturday, September 12, 2015

A new knitting technique!!!

Just when you think every knitting technique has been invented, something mind blowing comes along.

Do you read the Rainey sisters' blog? If you don't, you should!

One of the sisters (Susan) figured out how to do invisible stranding! Yes, completely invisible stranding!!! Check this youtube video out!

I purchased the Ravelry pattern to learn the technique and boy, am I ever happy I did! It works, it really does!

It just goes to show you that it's never too late to learn new tricks and to raise your hand knitting to a new level! ;-)