Snowman Coat Sewing Directions!!

I received an email from Char in SW Pennsylvania and she asked if I would elaborate on the making of my snowman coat.  I had a dream and I was wearing this coat.  This never happened to me before and never happened since.  But I woke up and remembered it and thought, I am going to make that coat because I just love snowmen!!  Here are the steps I took to create my coat.

I started with McCall's pattern # 7409.  I traced the pattern pieces I would be using for the coat with freezer paper.  Starting with the front pattern piece, I started by drawing lines on the freezer paper copy and sectioning off the copy in sort of a crazy quilt pattern.  I used different shapes and sizes. After drawing in my lines, I then assigned a number to each of my pattern pieces and then I added lines and arrows connecting the pieces together, so I would know how to put the pieces back together.  This way I would know if I had my pieces upside down or right side up.   Now, I made another copy exactly like the first one and this would be my guide.  Next, I cut my shapes apart on the first copy and the second copy would be my guide for sewing it back together.  (Click on pictures to enlarge)

Now I took my shapes and cut pieces of jean material and left about a one-inch seam allowance all around the shape.  I also copied pictures of all the snowmen embroidery designs that I was going to use.  I laid them on the pieces where I thought they should be embroidered.  Some pieces I embroidered snowmen on, some I left without.  Each shape after being cutout and decided whether it needed embroidery, I would place it back on my second copy that is my guide.  I could then see where I needed embroidery.  After I was happy with my layout, I embroidered on my pieces and then I started sewing pieces back together.  I drew a line  around each pattern piece for a sewing line.  I left the extra 1-inch on each piece just in case things did not line up right.  This was the first time I attempted a project like this, so I was unsure where I was going with it.  It actually went back together very easily.

After I had the entire front piece sewn back together, I topstitched along each seam with a different  decorative stitch and a different color on my sewing machine, so it would have that crazy quilt stitch look to it.

When I had the seams top stitched, then I placed my #7409 pattern piece back on the material and trimmed it up exactly like the pattern.  I repeated these steps for each pattern piece.  Back, sleeves, etc.

 Next came the zipper, when I tried to add my zipper it looked very messy when I turned back the seam when I followed along the pattern directions.  There was the seams and the topstitching that just did not look good turned back to add the zipper. So I decided to make a placket.  I actually sewed the zipper down two sides of jean material the length of the coat then I attached that to the coat and this looked wonderful.  I also lined the coat by copying the same pattern pieces in a flannel material,  and sewed in a lining.  The pattern does not call for a lining, but it was easy to attach.  This is the warmest coat I ever had.  No wind gets through it.  I hope this helps you understand the steps I took to make this and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.  I can't tell you how many times I have been stopped when I where this coat.  Everyone remarks on it.  Unfortunately, I have lost 30 pounds and now it is a little big on me, so last year, it just hung in the closet. I lost weight, YEAH!! Can't wear my snowman coat, VERY SAD!!

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Serger Bath Mat Directions

                                                      Serger Bath Mat Directions

Website  -  www.cynsew.com


For video instructions visit: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjW4noEKa6U

Purchase three large bath towels.

I trim off all of the sewn sides of the bath towel so nothing is left but the terry cloth material.  For the size of bath mat that I made, you need 40 squares cut 6" X 7".

I cut 13 squares of two colors and 14 squares of the one remaining color.  This equals out to 40 squares. 

The bath mats finished size is approximately.21" X 32".

Serge 20 squares together in the pattern of your choice for the top of the bath mat and repeat for the 20 squares left for the bottom.  After you have the top and bottom made, put right sides together and serge around edges leaving an 8" opening for turning right side out. 

Turn bath mat right side out and sew  8" opening closed by hand.  I also do a small tack stitch by hand in a few of the corners of several squares to hold the back and front together.

HOW TO USE YOUR DIFFERENTIAL FEED ON THIS PROJECT 

If you run into the problem while serging that the bottom square is longer that the top square you can use your differential feed to adjust the difference.  What I do is turn my differential feed up all the way to 2.2.  What this will do is pull that bottom square in tighter.  Take several stitches and measure again.  When you see that the top square and the bottom square are now even, you can set your differential feed back to the original setting of 1.0 - this also works the opposite way.  If the top square is longer than the bottom square, then turn the differential feed to 0.5, take  a few stitches and when the top and bottom square are even again, then set the differential feed back to original position of 1.0  .

Remember the higher number tightens and the lower number loosens your bottom layer. 

Kwik Sew 7171 Pattern

  I made the cherry purse and  the yellow purse with this pattern.  Amazon only has 4 left.  You can purchase right here if you want one.

Great Pillow Made By Phyllis!

I wanted to show everyone a pillow made by Phyllis in VA.  She followed along with my pillow videos and did a great job, didn't she!!  Phyllis says she is making one now for her sister.  The more you make the faster you can whip these out.  I just love how nice the piping turns out.  Phyllis this looks fantastic and I love your choice of material!!

If anyone wants to try this project you can watch my videos.  There is a part one and a part two!!

Cherry Purse Winner

Lucky Number 52!!!!!!  Thank you to everyone who participated,  I appreciate you stopping by my blog and I hope you will continue to follow along with me.  I will have a new video coming out this week for you to enjoy!   Now the Winner Is::::::::::::::::::::::

Peach Rainbow is the winner of the "Cherry Purse"  Congratulations! 

Peach Rainbow said...


Sweet bag!

I follow via GFC!

Thanks for the chance :D



May 25, 2011 12:22 PM

Be Sure and Sign Up To Win This Cherry Purse!!

Hi Everyone and Welcome to any new vistors here visiting my site through Sew Mama Sew's GiveAway Day!

Would you like to WIN this purse??  It is a cute little sling purse with big cherries on it!  I made it for the contest and then thought, oh it is to cute to give away, but I will!!  I think I have enough material to make another one.  Just great for the upcoming summer months!  To win, you must be a follower to my blog, and you also must leave a comment on my purse.  Also please let me know how you are connected to my blog.  Email, Follower, Facebook, RSS Feed?  The May Give Away Day is May 23rd!  Hurry and sign up, this could be on your door step real soon!

Lets go over this again!

1.  Be a follower to my blog in some form and let me know what that is.

2.  Leave a comment on this Giveaway post.

3.  Be sure and leave me your email address so I can contact you.

                                                          Click On Picture To Enlarge!

International shipping is O.K.  This giveaway will end on May 25 2011, at 11:59 PM EDT. Winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. Winner will be chosen by the Random.org widget I have embedded at the bottom of this page. GOOD LUCK!

Just Made A New Purse!

 I made this new purse.  This was the first time I tried a purse like this.  I made a few changes.  I made strips of several different fabrics. I just sewed them together to make my material.  Then I cut out the pattern.  After I had the purse finished, I realized, I should of put in a magnetic closure. Duh!!  Nothing was mentioned in the pattern, but I should of picked up on that.  I then added the tie straps, so I could tie the purse closed.   Actually the purse is deep enough that I don't think anything would fall out but I just wanted to be sure.  Sometimes I give them a sling into the backseat of my car when I am driving.   I added antique buttons to the end of the ties.  This is a Kwik Sew Pattern # 3171.  You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Material Department Coming Back To Walmart!!

I just heard some really great news!  My daughter is associated with Walmart and she got to see the new store plans.  They are putting back the material section in all the stores!!  She told them how happy her mother would be.  She said they will still keep the precut section also!  I was always running into Walmart for thread, elastic, or this or that!  This just made my day and I had to share with all you sewers out there!!  Yeah Walmart!!

This Weeks Sewing Project!

When you sew, you become very versatile.  Some ladies just quilt, but I sew everything.  As you can see in the picture below, I am going to try and repair this canvas cover for my brother.  This goes over a swing that sets in his backyard and it has torn.  It is rather large and it would be a pricey cost to replace.  I will be showing pictures on how I will repair this and save him some money.  I also use this same technique for jeans, dress pants, shirts or any article of clothing that has a rip in it.  It makes a nice clean repair and really blends in nicely with clothing.  Well here goes!  P.S. My brother is a plumber and helps us out all the time, so I am always happy when I can repay him with a little sewing!!



Continue down the page to see the sewing directions !!

Torn Canvas Swing Cover Repair

Well, this was a pretty simple project.  When you have to make a repair on any clothing like this, always try and sew it BEFORE you wash it.  After you wash it, your seams will not match together as nicely. 

The first thing I did, since this is a very heavy canvas, was I pinned the first seam together and used my ironing board as the pin cushion.  I then sprayed the seam with a temporary adhesive and added a patch of material to it for more support.  This was my backside. (Now when I do this for regular seams, such as jeans, I just use a piece of iron on interfacing to the back of the tear to hold it together.)  I had to use something different for this project because you will be able to see the repair from both sides.   Now I was able to carry this to my sewing machine with the seam held together exactly where it needs to be.  I attached an open toe foot to my machine, so I can see where I am sewing. 

The stitch that I use is usually available on most machines.  It is called a multiple zigzag stitch.  Many years ago, this was always called a mending stitch.  I guess they changed the name because no one mends anymore!  Ha Ha!!  You have to set the stitch so it sews very close together.  My setting was 0.10  If you are doing this for a regular project, you would not have to be quite that close together.  I used the 0.10 because it was a very heavy canvas and I needed the support.

I trimmed the material away from the seam on the back side after I sewed it because this side will show also. 

Above is a picture of the stitch up very close and below is the finished project.  It turned out really nice and I don't think it will be noticeable at all, unless you are really looking for it!  I think my brother will be happy with it.

Granddaughter Had A Bad Bicycle Accident

My granddaughter is O.K.  She ended up having one broken bone and two fractures.  We took her down to the Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.  They set us up with a Children's specialist and she did not have to have surgery.  She will be in a cast for some time, but we are very thankful for the results.  Thank you to everyone who responded with well wishes and prayers.  We feel they have been answered and very much appreciated!  Now I am ready to get back to sewing!!

Granddaughter Had A Bad Bicycle Accident

My 10 year old granddaughter, Allura, and her mother, April, were visiting with friends and my granddaughter had a bad accident on a bicycle.  She has fractured her hand in several places.  My daughter took her to the emergency room last evening and they said there is no one in our town to fix these fractures.  We need a chidrens specialist.  It is her right hand, she is in good spirits, but I am sure she does not realize yet how this will effect her,  especially at the beginning of summer.  I will probably be busy for the next few days trying to help out with babysitting and we will have to find a specialist either in Cleveland, OH or Columbus, OH.  If anyone knows of one, please let me know!  I would really appreciate it!  It is hard to turn a loved one over to someone you do not know and know nothing about.  We always want the best for our children.  I will keep you posted on how things are going.  All prayers would also be appreciated!!  Thank you everyone!

Cynthia

Serger Pillow Easy and Quick Sewing Directions

Serger Pillow Easy and Quick Sewing Directions Part 1 and Part 2

Website:  http://www.cynsew.com/

For Video Instructions visit:   Part 1  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfZEukGvtDI&feature=plcp

For Video Instructions visit:   Part 2    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNhbwRX2qtA

18" Pillow

1 - 18" Square for Pillow Front
1 - 18" X 10" and 1 - 18" X 15" panels for Pillow Back
4 yds X 5"  Panel for Ruffle
2  1/4 yds Cording
2  1/4 yds X 2" for Cording Material


12" Pillow

1 - 12" Square for Pillow front
1 - 12" X 9" and 1 - 12" X 7" panels for Pillow Back
2 yds and 24" Panel for Ruffle
1 1/2 yds for Cording
1 1/2 yds  X 2"for Cording Material