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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New Life to the Keyboard Tray

I have recently "inherited" my hubby's old desk as my new crafting/sewing table.  Before this, I was using a folding table for all my activities.  So, this is definitely an upgrade.  Remember the days when you have to attach a keyboard tray under your desk?  Well, this desk is old enough to have one.
I thought about removing the tray, but wanted to see if I can use it to store my supplies.  Guess what, this tray can hold a lot!  My sewing feet, bobbins, pins, needles now sit happily in this shallow tray.  If you have an old desk like me, check quickly!  You might be one of the lucky ones to utilize an old tool in new ways.
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Vintage Finds

Joanna told me about a gold mine of free sewing materials in my neighborhood.  The owner was cleaning up her garage and reserved a bin of goodies for me.  I have nothing vintage in my house (things that are worn or need to be discarded do not mean vintage).  When I opened the bin, I thought of the word "inheritance."  It gave me goosebumps that I was about to peek into another's life.

There were a few pieces of strawberry napkins.  Cute!  

Lovely laces.

Spools of colorful thread (will find out if they are "too vintage" to use).

I had no idea what this thingamajig was.  The lady just stuffed it in the bin and said "why not."
I am so thankful that at this day and age, I could find instructions for ANYTHING online. Click here for the link.  Guess I will be playing with rhinestones pretty soon.

 Then came THIS.

It opens up to reveal several compartments.  I immediately thought, "hey, great for cupcakes!"  (sorry, it was lunch time and I was overdue for a meal.)  Then, again, it might be best for jewelry storage on a nightstand.  LOVE the cherry embroidery.

Loads of buttons!  

 La Mode buttons are still easy to find now a days.  They run anywhere from $1.60 to $7 per package.  Look at the price back then!  60 cents! BTW, isn't it cute that this lady used the back of the package to jot down measurements, notes or calculation (the numbers did not add up though)?

 While the buttons now are almost always made in China with no description in the back, these buttons were mostly made in Japan, with "Guaranteed washable" printed in the back.

 I don't see Sears buttons anymore.  Not to mention for just 49 cents.  The others were 29 cents.  Again, guarantee to be washable!

Guess there used to be a Vallco Drug that sold discounted Chic buttons for 12 cents a package.

Lastly, a few yard of Italian waist band elastic (the wrapping board was a piece of wood, not cardboard) and washing instructions (with extra button and yarn) for a sweater.
I promised the lady that I would send her a picture of how I utilize these sewing materials.  Thank you, for passing down a piece of your life to me.
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Feeling Stuck

I started sewing a Michelle pattern messenger bag back in January.  Loved (and still love) the pattern.  But when I was half way into sewing the bag, I realized that I added 3/4" seam allowance to all the cut fabric!  I was horrified!  What could I do?  At first, I was in denial and said to myself that the proportion of the bag would not change if every side added the same seam allowance.  But who am I kidding.  I had to figure out with seam allowance was necessary and which could be left along.  The 3/4" does not help, either.  I did not want to deal with fractions.  I wanted to SEW!  It was a mess.
It's been almost 4 months now and I have not had the courage to finish this bag.  I have found ways to escape by completing 2 other bags and shifting my attention to gardening.  Sigh.  Aiyah, so stuck.
 

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Treasures @ Rummage Sale!

Vintage.  Retro.  LOVE!
Platform shoes, bell bottom pants, omega hairdo...etc.  That's my childhood.  That's the way I remember my mom.

The school rummage sale had tons of gently used toys, Christmas decorations and Halloween customs.  But none of those interested me.  Then I spotted a box of vintage sewing patterns.  Cute, cute, cute!  I was like a child being presented with a jar of candies, I wanted them all!!  At the end, I needed to ask myself "would I really sew this?" to avoid spending every dollar in my wallet.  To my dismay, the 4 patterns that came home with me only cost $1 total.  I really could have gotten more...  Now, excuse me, I have some sewing to do.

 

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Mini Tutorial: DIY Paper Bag Thread Catcher

Fish tacos.  I did not know how addictive they could be.  We must have gotten them two weekends in a roll that we accumulated a few paper bags in the house.   You know, they make the perfect thread catchers for the sewing table (that is if you are like me, too lazy busy to sew one).

Here's how I did it:
1. Determine how tall you'd like your thread catcher to be and cut.  I cut about 4" off of mine.
2. Insert the 4" top portion that you just cut off into the bag.
3. Line up all four sides and staple.  (make sure the the crown of the staples are on the outside and the teeth are on the inside so you don't get poked.)  Then, with masking tape, tape to the edge of your sewing table.

Looking at the paper bag makes me feel hungry.  I think I might want to go get a fish taco or two...
 

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Trash or Treasure--Great Finds @ Goodwell

 You never know what you will find at thrift stores!  Earlier this year, I got this whimsical Sewing Room sign for about $1.  One woman's trash is another woman's treasure.

One Saturday last month, while I was waiting for F during her dance class, I dropped by Goodwell in hope to find a tall glass container for the growing avocado plants in my kitchen.  Instead of coming home with what I was looking for, I ended up with these four items.

The first is the doll bed that only needs a coat of paint, a foam mattress, a bed sheet, a pillow and a comforter.
JJ has a dolly named Jimmy (I know, I know, it's a boy's name.  But JJ wouldn't change the name!) that she loves.  She carried her to BxSF classes when she was younger and still sleeps with her today.  Jimmy needs to move out, she needs her own bed.
When I googled for a dolly bed, I was surprised to see how pricey one could be.  This one, priced at $4.59 is a sweet deal.

What is this?  Apparently the person who priced this item did not know.   It was labeled "Home and Garden--Stationer".

This is a Sock Loom/Adjustable Wood Knitting Board!  In excellent condition for only $2.49.  (new in store could be up to $20-$30++)

  Hand Jingle for $0.79.  Fair.

And, finally, a new thread rack that fits 9 bobbins and 60 spools!  It had a Mervyn's (don't know how many years ago) tag for $9 but was priced @ Goodwell for $3.49.

Grand total, $11.46 for all four items! Perfect thrift store trip for a craft nut!! 

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JJ's Crazy Hat

This summer during VBS week, the kids were invited to create and wear their crazy hats to the assembly. Together, we came up with 3 different hats.  But, like Goldilocks, JJ would say, "It's too big; it's too heavy; it's too silly."  Finally, she pulled out her knitted winter hat and said, "how about this?  It's just right."  To make it "crazy", I sewed on the marshmallow bunny stuffy I made for Easter and wrapped pom-pom trims around the bunny ears (don't ask me why; it's supposed to be crazy...and, yes, I was aware that the bunny was as big as JJ's face...)  Ta-da! Crazy hat for JJ.
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Ric Rac Rose Ring

      I made this quick ring for Jaq as a "have fun in college" gift.  The angle of the camera made the ring a lot bigger than it is.  It is actually a sweet size for a lady's hand.

  Here is how I made it:

  1.     Cut 2 pieces of 15” long ric rac. 

  2. Braid the two pieces of ric rac together (in an up and down fashion) and clip along to secure the braid. 

  3.  Then, roll the braid first into a rose bud. (note that I pinned the rose bud just for photo shooting purposes.  you don't need to pin it.)

  4.   Continue rolling and secure the braid end with a dab of hot glue.

  5.   Tie a piece of skinny elastic to fit the ring finger and sewed to the bottom of the rose. Cut a piece of felt into a circle that's big enough to cover the bottom of the rose. Cut a small cross in the middle of the felt to let the elastic slip through. Then, pull a few outer layers down to create the petals.
  6.   Hot glued the felt to the bottom of the rose.  That's it!

  7. Side view of the ring. 

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Binder Foot

Sewing narrow binding has been a pain. If one stitch does not catch the binding, I have to rip out the entire stitching and redo the whole thing again.
Then, there was the alien-looking 1/4" binder foot.  All bindings came to beautiful finishes.  So glad to have this in my tool box.

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Helpers on My Sewing Table

Helper #1:   

On my trip to the fabric store, I found a $10 self-adhesive measuring tape.  Good idea, but VERY pricey.  I happened to have a measuring tape (which used to be part of an auto rewind tape measure until my little one pulled it too hard and separated it from the rest...)  I use double sided tape to adhere the measuring tape to the edge of my sewing table.  From then on, I do not have to find my yard stick during sewing.  Technically, it's free. 

Helper #2:

I had on my project list to make a beautiful quilted thread catcher.  But, sadly, other projects always climbed to the top of the list.  At the end of the day, my thread catcher was nowhere to be found.  I needed one badly!  So, the compromise became a brown paper bag taped to the edge of the table.  Surprisingly, it has served me well!  Not only do I have a wide mouth thread catcher, it's deep enough to last and it's disposible!!  woohoo!

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Baby's Crinkle Hankie

Our friend Sue is having a baby boy.  JJ was so excited about the coming of this baby, she asked if she could make him something out of fabric.   So I gave her a piece of flannel to work with.  She came back with the flannel cut into a square, saying that it was to be the baby’s hankie.  

So, I helped just a little to finish up this baby hankie.

     

    1. Cut a piece of fabric the same size as the flannel as the   back of the hankie.  

    2.

    3. Sew the plastic to the back piece.  Set aside for now.

 

    4. Pin and baste various folded ribbons (with different textures) to the 4 sides of the flannel piece.

    5. With right side facing, sew the flannel (main) piece to the back piece.  Stitch all the way around, leaving a 2-3" opening for turning.

    6. Turn right side out.  Stitch the opening closed.

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