I still remember the excitement of my first sewing course. I made a skirt for my young daughter and was thrilled everytime she wore it. Since then I have enjoyed collecting sewing hints to save time and money.
Here are few of tips that I would like to share with you:
1. Before discarding pants, cut off the belt loops and use to sew on the inside of children's coats and jackets for a coat loop. No more fallen coats at school.
2. Before sewing on buttons, tape each one where it belongs with a strip of transparent tape. After the first stitches are made you can remove the tape.
3. To avoid pinholes when hemming delicate garments, mark the hemline with tailor's chalk and use clips to hold the fold in place.
4. Prevent future errors in sewing by slipping a memo into individual patterns explaining any size alterations or changes for that item.
5. Prevent fraying by reinforcing the hems with a row of zigzag stitching in a matching or contrasting color.
6. Sew a large button on each end of the drawstring on pajamas and sweat suits. This will keep the string from disappearing.
7. Keep a spool of clear nylon thread on hand. Because it is transparent it will pick up the color of the fabric. This will also work when a bobbin runs out and the spool is almost empty; just put the clear thread on your bobbin.
8. Place a thin sheet of foam rubber under your sewing machine's foot pedal to prevent it from sliding around when you use it on an uncarpeted surface.
9. Store a magnet in your sewing basket to attract loose pins and attach one to your sewing machine to hold extra needles. If you glue a small magnet to the end of a wooden yardstick you won't have to bend over to pick up any pins that fall on the floor.
10. Thoroughly washed and cleaned mascara brushes can be used to clean the crevices of your sewing machine.
11. When letting down a garment hem you can diminish the crease by applying white vinegar to the wrong side of the fabric and steam press it.
12. Try this economical substitute for custom-cut table pads: Place a quilted mattress cover over your table top and trim with scissors for a custom fit. You'll have a sturdy, heat-absorbent table pad to protect the finish of your table.
13. For a substitute needle threader: push the needle through a sheet of white paper, the eye will be easier to see.
14. When shopping for accessories for a recent sewing project, staple a small fabric sample to an index card and carry it with you to the stores.
15. To organize loose buttons: String them on twist ties and twist the ends together for an easy way to store them.
วันพุธที่ 13 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2552
วันศุกร์ที่ 8 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2552
12 Creative Ways To Recycle Your Christmas Cards!
Don't throw your Christmas cards away! There are so many creative ways to use your Christmas cards, many of which you can do with your kids. We have brought together some ideas below.
Christmas jigsaw game:
Make a Christmas jigsaw game. Gather 10-20 cards and cut each one into 3 or 4 pieces, using straight lines. Shuffle them up and lay them out on a flat service such as a dining table or the floor – then put them back together again! Store the cards in a shoebox for next time. This is fun on a quiet family evening at the beginning of the season as it helps to get everybody into the Christmas spirit!
Christmas tree ornaments:
Make cinnamon stick ornaments for the Christmas tree. Wrap a small bundle of cinnamon sticks together with a pretty ribbon tied in a bow (leave a loop for hanging). Using a small dab of glue, attach a pretty shape cut from a Christmas card with pinking shears to the centre of the ribbon bow to finish the ornament off. These look pretty and smell delicious too!
Scented sachets:
Make scented sachets to give as gifts or fragrance your own home. Simply glue the bottom and side edges of the card together and then slip a small amount of potpourri (or a cotton ball on which you have dropped a little Christmas essential oil) into the space. Use a hole punch to make two holes on the top edge, through which you can thread a pretty ribbon before tying a bow. If you leave a loop in the ribbon, the sachets can be hung on door handles, coat hooks or radiators (the heat will help to release the scent, but it won’t last as long) to create a welcoming, Christmas atmosphere.
Christmas mobile or “string”:
Cut shapes out of the cards in matching pairs. Hearts work nicely, as do simple Christmas tree shapes and even plain squares and circles. Stick the cards back to back and laminate them, then punch a hole in them and use to make a colorful and child-friendly mobile or “string” to decorate next year. You could add to this every year. As a variation, you could back each shape with a plain-colored piece of card or construction paper and write on it the date and name of the person who sent the card.
Christmas card game:
Cut playing-card shapes out of the cards, stick a piece of plain card over any writing if necessary, and use to make a Christmas game or quiz for your children to play next year. Laminate to protect.
Gift tags:
A traditional activity, but one which never fails to amuse the kids, is making gift tags for next year's presents. Use pinking sheers, a hole punch, and leftover ribbon
Gift bags:
Make gift bags for next year by saving smart paper bags. Cut a nice shape out of each card and stick it to the front of the bag (covering any shop labels if necessary). Sometimes one Christmas card will yield many different bag decorations! Add a little ribbon bow just above the card and wrap your present in tissue paper before putting it into the bag. This looks lovely with brown paper bags and tartan ribbons.
Miniature Christmas cards:
Some Christmas card designs can be cut and folded into miniature Christmas cards for the kids to give next year, or for decorating the dolls house.
Christmas screensaver:
Scan your favorite cards into the computer – and some of your favorite messages from inside the cards as well – and make them into a Christmas wallpaper or screensaver with a photo program. Children love this and it is a great memento if you do it each year.
Lacing card:
Cut out the pictures on the larger cards, punch holes around the edges with a hole punch, add a shoelace or brightly colored yarn (with sticky tape wrapped around the ends) and you have a cheerful and cheap lacing card for little ones. If they are particularly popular you could laminate them to make them last longer.
Christmas confetti:
Make some Christmas confetti to use next year (scatter it on the Christmas table, or put a pinch inside your Christmas cards and gifts!) Use either a plain hole punch or a special Christmas one (both together look great) and choose the most colorful areas from each card to cut. Gold and silver looks very effective, especially mixed in with red and green. Small scraps of leftover wrapping paper can be used too. You can keep the children busy with this for hours!
Christmas jigsaw game:
Make a Christmas jigsaw game. Gather 10-20 cards and cut each one into 3 or 4 pieces, using straight lines. Shuffle them up and lay them out on a flat service such as a dining table or the floor – then put them back together again! Store the cards in a shoebox for next time. This is fun on a quiet family evening at the beginning of the season as it helps to get everybody into the Christmas spirit!
Christmas tree ornaments:
Make cinnamon stick ornaments for the Christmas tree. Wrap a small bundle of cinnamon sticks together with a pretty ribbon tied in a bow (leave a loop for hanging). Using a small dab of glue, attach a pretty shape cut from a Christmas card with pinking shears to the centre of the ribbon bow to finish the ornament off. These look pretty and smell delicious too!
Scented sachets:
Make scented sachets to give as gifts or fragrance your own home. Simply glue the bottom and side edges of the card together and then slip a small amount of potpourri (or a cotton ball on which you have dropped a little Christmas essential oil) into the space. Use a hole punch to make two holes on the top edge, through which you can thread a pretty ribbon before tying a bow. If you leave a loop in the ribbon, the sachets can be hung on door handles, coat hooks or radiators (the heat will help to release the scent, but it won’t last as long) to create a welcoming, Christmas atmosphere.
Christmas mobile or “string”:
Cut shapes out of the cards in matching pairs. Hearts work nicely, as do simple Christmas tree shapes and even plain squares and circles. Stick the cards back to back and laminate them, then punch a hole in them and use to make a colorful and child-friendly mobile or “string” to decorate next year. You could add to this every year. As a variation, you could back each shape with a plain-colored piece of card or construction paper and write on it the date and name of the person who sent the card.
Christmas card game:
Cut playing-card shapes out of the cards, stick a piece of plain card over any writing if necessary, and use to make a Christmas game or quiz for your children to play next year. Laminate to protect.
Gift tags:
A traditional activity, but one which never fails to amuse the kids, is making gift tags for next year's presents. Use pinking sheers, a hole punch, and leftover ribbon
Gift bags:
Make gift bags for next year by saving smart paper bags. Cut a nice shape out of each card and stick it to the front of the bag (covering any shop labels if necessary). Sometimes one Christmas card will yield many different bag decorations! Add a little ribbon bow just above the card and wrap your present in tissue paper before putting it into the bag. This looks lovely with brown paper bags and tartan ribbons.
Miniature Christmas cards:
Some Christmas card designs can be cut and folded into miniature Christmas cards for the kids to give next year, or for decorating the dolls house.
Christmas screensaver:
Scan your favorite cards into the computer – and some of your favorite messages from inside the cards as well – and make them into a Christmas wallpaper or screensaver with a photo program. Children love this and it is a great memento if you do it each year.
Lacing card:
Cut out the pictures on the larger cards, punch holes around the edges with a hole punch, add a shoelace or brightly colored yarn (with sticky tape wrapped around the ends) and you have a cheerful and cheap lacing card for little ones. If they are particularly popular you could laminate them to make them last longer.
Christmas confetti:
Make some Christmas confetti to use next year (scatter it on the Christmas table, or put a pinch inside your Christmas cards and gifts!) Use either a plain hole punch or a special Christmas one (both together look great) and choose the most colorful areas from each card to cut. Gold and silver looks very effective, especially mixed in with red and green. Small scraps of leftover wrapping paper can be used too. You can keep the children busy with this for hours!
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 3 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2552
10 Tips for Peaceful Crafting with the Kids
Are you looking for ways to keep craft time with your children simple and fun? If so, I hope you will put some of the following suggestions to use.
1. Find the craft the kids want to make and then make a list of all the supplies you will need to make the craft.
2. If you do not have everything on hand add the supplies you need to your shopping list so you will not forget them.
3. Put a plastic table cloth down where you will be crafting.
4. Have all supplies laid out before you announce craft time to your kids.
5. Use non-toxic paints, glues, etc.
6. Have wet wipes and paper towels handy for spills.
7. Always try to have extra supplies in case something is lost or torn, etc.
8. Let them wear old clothes so you will not be stressed out over ruining what they are wearing.
9.Show the kids how to do the craft but let them do it in their own way. If you insist on it being perfect then you might as well do the craft yourself and forget about having craft time with the kids. It also makes the children thnk that everything has to be perfect and that their best is not good enough. Sometimes little hands need help but you know you have gone too far when you are the only one left at the craft table.
10.Have fun! Don't worry about a little paint on their hands & faces, take pictures instead.
I hope you will try these suggestions for a stress free craft time with your children. Show them how to have fun, they will learn how to be stressed out way too soon anyway.
1. Find the craft the kids want to make and then make a list of all the supplies you will need to make the craft.
2. If you do not have everything on hand add the supplies you need to your shopping list so you will not forget them.
3. Put a plastic table cloth down where you will be crafting.
4. Have all supplies laid out before you announce craft time to your kids.
5. Use non-toxic paints, glues, etc.
6. Have wet wipes and paper towels handy for spills.
7. Always try to have extra supplies in case something is lost or torn, etc.
8. Let them wear old clothes so you will not be stressed out over ruining what they are wearing.
9.Show the kids how to do the craft but let them do it in their own way. If you insist on it being perfect then you might as well do the craft yourself and forget about having craft time with the kids. It also makes the children thnk that everything has to be perfect and that their best is not good enough. Sometimes little hands need help but you know you have gone too far when you are the only one left at the craft table.
10.Have fun! Don't worry about a little paint on their hands & faces, take pictures instead.
I hope you will try these suggestions for a stress free craft time with your children. Show them how to have fun, they will learn how to be stressed out way too soon anyway.
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