The Efficiency of A Serger

For years, I looked for a serger, but I never had enough courage to buy one.  I was unsure, for starters, if I could handle the learning curve.  In addition, I dislike the sergers' price tags.  😅  I only recently began sewing knit/jersey, and I quickly realized that a serger would truly spare me from the unprofessional finishing and the hassle of dealing with knit fabric.  

The other day, I went to eBay to browse.  I decided to test the auction after spotting this baby lock Lauren up for auction, which would end in ten minutes.  "If someone outbid me, it was not meant to be," I assured myself as I set my budget. 🤞  Ultimately I outbid other bidders by just $1. 😳  I stumbled across this serger at an unbelievable deal that I couldn't believe.   

The serger arrived in pristine shape.  😍. The only disadvantage was the musty odor that lingered.  This serger was probably once owned by a crafty lady who no longer has the time or energy to sew or serge.  In my heart, I thanked her for passing her serger to me and promised to take good care of it and put it to good use. 🙏

My initial course of action was to eliminate the odor.  Febreze, in my experience, does wonders.  I lightly sprayed the box and the threads, avoiding the metal parts, and hoped for the best.  It took about two days for me to be able to get to the serger without wrinkling my nose.   

Threading the machine proved to be tricky but not impossible.  I got the hang of it after a few tries, thankfully.  I have yet to try gathering and hemming.  But I am content for now.

Because lint and dust are particularly prevalent adversaries of sewing machines and sergers, my first serger project was to create a cover.  I wanted it to be a quick project, but I still wanted a cover with some structure. So I went with a 24"x30" double-sided quilted pink fabric scrap.   It was bit shorter than desired, but I compensated by sewing 2 pieces 24"x4" of pink plaid flannel fabric to each sides, adding additional texture at the same time.  Putting this cover together was a breeze with the serger.  The cover was done within 20 minutes! 

Of course, as usually, I couldn't help but add a personal touch.  

And here it is.  

Believe it or not, it took me far longer to cut and attach the letters than it did to use the serger.  😂

Now I'll go on to my next endeavor. 

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OCC Cards

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Simple Greeting Card

I love this white snow flake embossed paper!  I thought some blue/green accent will go well with it.  This time, I wanted to practice the stripe inlay technique for my "hi" die cuts.  I wish my stripes were skinnier, but it turned out fine.  This card is for one of my favorite teachers.  I wanted her to know that I am thinking of her this time of the year.  I hope this card will bring her joy.

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Thanks To You Cards

These two cards are very similar.  The 1st card feels like spring/summer time.  The 2nd one is more like late autumn/early winter.  The 2nd card has a dyed card base with matching "to you" (though the color for the embossing power for "THANKS!!" was not a great choice).

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Birthday Card

Yup, this card looks just like the Thank You card I made not long ago.  Instead of holding a present, the fox is now holding a cake and saying "happy birthday".  

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Hoppy Birthday Card

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1st (Birthday) Shaker Card

JJ and I have always wanted to try making a shaker card.  But the thought of the project sounded daunting.  The heart embossed paper and the large die cuts were my muse.  And I decided to give it a go.  I turned the ornament upside down to use it as a huge balloon. I do not have tiny sequences.  So I rummaged through my drawer and found a bag of bugle beads.  Just the right size and color for the window.  It's more manageable than I thought and it's so fun to make!  My favorite part is having the reindeer holding the string of the balloon (though gluing the string was a pain). The only thing I will do differently if I make this card again is to change the white circle backing to the balloon to another color.   

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Anne Coin Purse

My intention was to make a frame coin purse.  However,...let's just say that it did not work out.  (I have not had any luck making frame purses yet.  Arrr.)  I had to improvise and turn it into a zipper pouch.  The puffy shape is charming.  But my favorite part is hidden at the bottom.

Look at that.  LOVE!

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Checkbook Cover

---using Keyka Lau Patterns

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Chococat Zipper Pouch

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Zipper Pencil Pouch

 I made a sundress for F 2 years ago.  The fabric has really beautiful gradation of color that reminds me of sunset.  I used this same fabric to make a pencil pouch for one of JJ's best friend, AL.  I hope this pouch brings her a smile every time she uses it. =)

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AJ Zipper Pouch

This is a birthday gift for a very creative and artistic friend who makes everyone she talks to feel special and cared for.  AJ is generous and so kind.  She's stylish yet modest.  She's definitely a beautiful lady inside and out.  Happy birthday, AJ!

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Tutorial: Easy Zipper Yarn Dispenser Bag

It all began with one multi-colored shower curtain.  From the same curtain, I've made a tripod bag, a trash bag for the car and a back support pillow.  I love the vibrant colors, the stripes, the heavier weight fabric and the grommets.

I wanted to utilize the grommets and thought a yarn dispenser bag would do just that. 

Here's how I made the zipper yarn dispenser bag:

Cut a piece of fabric measuring 11" x 26".
(I have folded the curtain lengthwise, thus it appears to be 11" x 13" in the picture.)
Be sure to put into consideration the grommet placement and that the grommets should be on one of the shorter ends.

*Since the grommet end is already finished, you will be attaching the zipper and top stitching with just one step!
Mark the center of the zipper (13" long) and the shorter ends of fabric.  With the zipper right side up, lay the fabric (grommet end, right side up) on the zipper, and match center marks.

Pin, pin, pin. 

Change your sewing foot to a zipper foot and stitch.

 Now, attaching the other side of the zipper with right side of the zipper and right side of fabric facing.  Match center marks, pin and stitch.

Turn the fabric right side out.  Top stitch.

 *OPEN the zipper! (so you could turn the bag right side out with you are done sewing.)

 Turn the fabric wrong side out.  Leave 1 1/2" on top of the zipper, pin and stitch both open ends close.  (stitch over the zipper back and forth a few times) Clip the excess zipper ends.

With the seam facing up, pull one the bottom corners to create a point.
Measure 1 1/2" from the point and mark sewing line with water soluble pen.

Stitch.  Clip 1/4" from stitched line.  Repeat on the other corner.

You could clip the raw edges with pinking shears.  Or...

 Bind it with bias tape.
Cut single fold bias tape 1/2" to 3/4" longer than the raw edge.
Unfold the bias tape lengthwise.  With wrong side facing up, lay bias tape along the raw edge.  Fold in the 2 short ends of bias to match the length of raw edge. Pin.

 Stitch right on the fold closest to the edge.  Then, fold the bias tape to the other side.  Fold in the 2nd fold to sandwich the raw edge and pin.

 Select a short zig zag stitch on your machine.

Stitch.  Turn the bag right side out.

 Put your ball/skein of yarn in the bag and thread the yarn through the grommet.  I am now ready to knit my next project!

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