Hi Everyone! It's September and it's National Sewing Month - Yay! We have a lot going on in Sewing With Cinnamon this month! We are going to join in with the Babylock / Sew Powerful sewing month event challenge and use the Sew Powerful Purse pattern to practice and illustrate several sewing techniques - applique, upcycling, and more!
But first, we are going to do a fun group activity! Being that it's National Sewing Month, I thought it was the perfect time for each of us to share their favorite sewing tip, tool, or technique with the group. Watch the video below for more info!
As the topic progresses, I'll be demonstrating these methods while sewing the Liberty Jane Cross Body Purse pattern (now published as the Sew Powerful Purse) to help illustrate how the basic techniques and methods are used. We will kick off the purse sewing instruction next week, but in the meantime, be sure to download the free pattern and read through the supply list to be sure you have everything you need to jump right in with us next week! (More info and links below)
Are you ready? Let's go...
Watch the overview video for this months topic:
Then, Jump over to the SWC Facebook group to share your favorite tips, tools, or techniques with the group!
Since we're on the topic of favorite sewing tips, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite past technique videos too!
Sewing a curved hem can be a challenge, here's my technique video with my best tips!
Top Ten Tips: Back in 2017 I did a topic "Sewing In Bulk". This video is from that series, it's my top 10 tips for sewing in bulk or for efficiency! These tips carry over to sewing in general, even if you're not looking to mass-produce items to sell.
Week One task:
- Watch the videos. :)
- Think about your sewing habits and challenges. What stands out to you as something that has helped you overcome a challenge or something that saves you time. Share your thoughts in the Facebook group under the National Sewing Month Post. (or in the comments below this post).
- Jump over the SWC Facebook Group for conversation and project sharing.
Next Tuesday - Part 2: We'll kick off our purse sewing contest and tutorials! Stay tuned for the exciting challenge contest announcement!
Prepare for next week:
Download the Sew Powerful Purse pattern. The beginner level pattern is in the SWC Bonuses section. You can also find the Intermediate level pattern on the Sew Powerful website.
Interested in doing this at the tiny doll scale? We have a doll size pattern available as well!
Gather up all the supplies and fabric needed for the project.
- Fabric: twill, denim, duck, faux leather, suede, corduroy, or any other mid-weight fabric. Note - quilting cotton can be used, but it should be interfaced for structure and durability.
- Purse Body: 1-1/2 yards 44" width OR 1/2 yard 54" - 60" width
- Purse Lining: 1/3 yard 44" width
- Interfacing (optional): 1-1/2 yards (Pellon® SF101 is recommended)
- If desired, you can use 1" width webbing for the purse strap instead of making one from the fabric. The finished strap is 52" in length.
- Applique supplies: Coordinating fabric scraps, Decorative thread, Fusible web such as Heat n Bond™, Iron.
10 Comments
My favorite tip, is to have a comfortable chair while sewing and sitting properly. Something my teacher was constantly reminding me to sit properly, I found out the hard way why, sore back next day.
Since I work on my dining room table and have to put things away, my tip is that when starting a project, allow yourself enough time to finish the whole project so you won’t have to put away an unfinished item. I have a problem getting back to the project to finish it once its put away, or I lose a part of it.
my favorite tip is using coffee filters when sewing small stuff so your machine doesn’t “eat” the project. the only downside is picking the little bits of paper out of the stitches when you are done sewing it.
My favorite tools are the different presser feet and the tutorial that Pixie Faire provided on how to use them. As a beginner sewer at age 62, the items I make have a more professional look (example: top stitching). Thank you Pixie Faire!
Since I have arthritis in both hands, using scissors can be very painful. My favorite tool is my digital cutter. I have both the Silhouette Cameo as well as the Cricut Maker.