E-mail: mardi@selvedges.com
|
|
|
Snippets
Volume Number 15 Sept 2009
I heard, and then saw, a flight of Canada Geese just a few days ago. So much has happened since the last newsletter, it seems a very long time since they went the other way, but I know it isn’t.
We started renovating our store in June. For those of you who may have been too busy over the summer to come for a look or a visit, we have been turning the wall shelving into stand alone shelving. The idea is to have fabric bays with notions in between. That way everything can be touched (without a ladder) and by me!
Tom decided he wanted a vacation in July, so he checked himself into Kamloops hospital for 16 days and two surgeries. Thanks to our wonderful staff, I was able to stay with him and not worry about what was going on up here. He’s fine now and all caught up on the machines that came in while he was away.
A very good friend of ours offered to come over for a couple of days after we got home to get the renovation going again. Between his help, family’s help and Tom’s stubbornness, the shelving is now complete and the slatwall should be up this weekend. Now that everything is moved, no one knows where anything is and the fun continues!
We are bringing in 6 new models in the Janome lineup this fall – 4 sewing machines, a serger and a cover stitch machine. Be sure you stop in to look at them. And we have a couple of shipments of new fabric coming in during October, maybe into November, so don’t be strangers; you never know what you will find hiding in a corner.
We used to mail out our news letter to about 150 people around town. Unfortunately, the last time my computer had a hissy fit, all the addresses were lost. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please stop by and add your name to our mailing list once more. Sorry for the inconvenience; hopefully, we’ll be up and mailing soon. In the meantime, we have hard copies at the store and if I have done my job correctly, on our website www.selvedges.com.
CLASSES
Have a look at the class list on our website, www.selvedges.com. We have listed all of the classes we have been asked about and a few more besides. Remember to sign up early because our class size is small.
CLASS REGISTRATION
We are dedicated to offering the classes you want, in a casual and friendly atmosphere.
Classes are kept small, so register early. Fees must be paid 7 days before the class is scheduled.
Classes will be cancelled if we do not have a minimum number of students registered and paid 7 days before the class.
If a class is cancelled by us, your fees will be refunded.
If you find you are unable to attend your class, and it is less than 7 days before the class, please send a friend; we are unable to refund your fees, as the teacher must be paid.
USING YOUR FEET
Quilting/Darning Foot – this foot has a larger opening than the regular darning foot (on some of them I can’t tell) and this provides better visibility for large quilting projects.
Gathering Foot – I don’t know how this works, but it does. Place the fabric under the foot and it gathers. If you don’t think it’s enough gathering, increase the stitch length and the tension. What could be simpler? Now, if someone would only tame the rest of life!
FABRIC FACTS
Silk Charmeuse – I can’t think of anything that feels more wonderful than silk charmeuse (or polyester charmeuse, for that matter!!). Charmeuse is the stuff from which wonderful lingerie is made, but it makes lovely blouses and skirts as well. If it is polyester, then not much of the following applies (at least as far as preshrinking, etc. is concerned). If the charmeuse you are sewing with is made from silk, then preshrinking is done with a steam iron held ½” above the fabric surface. If the material is a dark colour, then dry clean the finished garment; if it is a light colour, the finished garment can be handwashed with warm water and shampoo, treat it with conditioner and air dry. Press while still damp.
When laying out your pattern, you should use “with nap” layout on double layer of fabric, although for special occasion garments, you may want to use single layer. Use a good quality chalk, white soap sliver, or disappearing ink to mark notches, darts, etc.
To make cutting accurate, put a layer of tissue paper on the table, place double folded fabric over the tissue and pin the tissue to the fabric at 12” intervals. Layout the pattern and pin to all layers, including the tissue paper. Keep pins in the seam allowances. MAKE SURE YOUR SCISSORS ARE VERY SHARP and cut through all layers.
Interface with silk organza (crisp) or silk chiffon (fluid). Sew with silk or cotton embroidery thread, which is finer than regular sewing thread and will not stretch. A fine needle (60/8 or 70/10) and a shorter straight stitch (1/5-2.0mm length) should give you a nicely sewn seam. If you have a straight stitch needle plate (one with a single needle hole, rather than a slot), use it to support the fabric. If you don’t have a straight stitch plate, use your left needle position to give support on 3 sides. Loosen both top and bottom tension 1/8th to ¼ turn.
Silk needs lots of support, so use flat felled or French seam. Press with a dry iron on silk setting. If you want to topstitch, use a fine thread and stitch close to the sewn edge or hand pick with something lovely like Sulky rayon. For button holes, use a fine machine embroidery thread to reduce bulk. Hand roll hem or turn ¼” twice and stitch.
Remember, we want to be here for you, so if you have questions, drop in and ask. We will do our best to find the answer.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Barb, Janet, Marie, Tom and Mardi
Selvedges, Fabric & Notions
195 S. Birch Avenue, Box 507
100 Mile House, B. C., V0K 2E0
250-395-4227
www.selvedges.com
(Right next door to The Outlaw)
May 2009
-
14
Snippets - Spring 2009
December 2008
-
Volume 13
Snippets - Winter 2009
Sept 2008
-
Vol 12
Snippets - Fall2008
Click below to link to some of our previous archived newsletters.
See Past Newsletters: Go to Archive >>
|
|
|
|
