Catchy title, huh? Why duh???
Well, this weekend is our spring Country Sampler retreat. So, of course, I needed a new project to sew on (along with the three "need to finish" projects that are going too) - so that meant a little precutting. I wrestled with that stupid rotary cutter - slicing, reslicing, pressing harder - until I FINALLY changed the blade... DUH! What a difference a need blade makes!
Why do we want sooo long to change the blade??? I'm now deeming this "National Change Your Rotary Cutter Blade Week". No, I'm serious - you never know - it could catch on. And while your at it, why not put in a new needle in your sewing machine. If you're like me, you probably can't remember the last time you did either of these two minute tasks. And what a difference it makes!
I've been doing a little stitching this month too. FIrst, I finished this April "Count on It" - in the stores now and kits available!
And I'm ready to start the May "Count on It" at retreat.
I also stitched up this little anime bag for my daughter...
She's an anime nut, speaks Japanese, has a "serious" Japanese boyfriend, and just got back from a semester in Japan in December (thank you, God). I got the pattern from this magazine...
I liked the pattern, but unfortunately I didn't realize the seam went right down the middle of the bag's front and back. Solution?? The big fussy cut pocket on the front!
I was afraid that the regular cotton fabric wouldn't be sturdy enough for the hard use she puts her totes through, so I double stitched all the seams and backed the front and back fabric with some 200 count muslin. I just used my old buddy, 505...
and spray glued the muslin to the bag front and back. It worked like a charm. I really didn't want to use a iron-on interfacing and this method seemed to give the bag and the handles a little needed "umph" and stability without getting stiff.
Now, I know on other blogs they're showing these huge quilts they've finished in three days; but for me, I'm just pretty excited to get two small projects out of the old sewing room. Baby steps, Edith, baby steps.
I've gotten in the habit of changing my machine needle and rotary blade every time I start a new project, saves me lots of time recutting fabric and bad stitches on my machine.
Posted by: Deb A | 03/17/2011 at 12:57 PM
Yup, thats the way to do it and I KNOW thats the right way, but I have a thousand excuses whythey dont always get changed out like they should. HA!
Deb Cizek
Country Sampler - Omaha, NE
www.countrysampleronline.com
Posted by: Deb Cizek | 03/17/2011 at 02:57 PM