Tag Archives: sewing

Crafts, Wine & Friends

25 Monday Nov 2013

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photo 1 (16)One of the reasons I like making crafts and such is because I always feel so proud of myself when I’m finished.  I can stand back and say, “I DID THAT!”  I wanted my friends to have the opportunity to feel that way so I thought I’d invite them over to make their own 10 minute runner.  It just seemed natural to add wine to the mix.  This last Saturday my tiny house was full of crafty friends.  My dining room (which is tiny) became the sewing and gossip room.  The kitchen (also quit small) was the food and wine hook up.  My back entry photo (15)mud room (not really even a room) area housed the iron board and iron.  Finally my office (not a bad size) served as the cutting room.  It was like our own little factory.  Really boozy factory!  It was a lot of fun.

I’ve blogged about the 10 minute runner in the past (actually twice – here and here) so won’t make you read through all that again.  It’s a great project since it is fast and easy.  We had every level of sewing experience represented and everyone’s final result was perfection!
photo 3 (10) If you have a machine you can whip these up in no time.   Add a candle and they become the perfect hostess gift.  Everyone in my family has accumulated quite the collection.  One for each holiday/season … at least.

Even those who didn’t take part in the “craft” portion of the afternoon still had fun sipping on wine (a number of us drank the wine/sparkling water Giovanna special) and catching up.  Thanksgiving is almost here and one of the things I’m thankful for is being able to hang out and have fun with my lovely friends and family!

10 Minute Table Runner – Hot Tips

14 Monday Oct 2013

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photo (20)I wrote about the 10 minute table runners before.  In fact before sitting down at the sewing machine this weekend I re-read the blog post to make sure I remembered what I was doing!  The 10 minute table runner really is an easy and fun thing to make.  You can find the how-to here.  After making four of these I feel like I’ve become an expert and can share some important tips with you.

  • Fabric choice is key.  Avoid anything with straight lines or straight patterns.  Why make it harder on yourself.  Random patterns mean you don’t have to worry as much that you cut and sew at a perfect angle!
  • The brighter the better.  Bright colors will distract viewers from looking too close at your sew line and any holes from sew lines that didn’t make it and had to be ripped out with a seam ripper.
  • Have your mom cut your fabric for you with her quilting equipment.  Cutting something so it is perfect is a pain in the butt.  I suggest you don’t do it if you don’t have to.
  • 10 minutes is a big fat lie.  I’d say closer to 30 minutes and that doesn’t count getting the sewing machine out, threading the machine, getting the fabric cut correctly, etc.
  • Pins and the iron are your friend.  This is definitely a project where prep helps you out in the long run.
  • You’ll notice the instructions suggest use of a button while the one I made this weekend has tassels (made by my talented mother as if we were full Amish and don’t buy into silly store-bought niceties).  The button can cover up mistakes with lining up the two sides of your runner while the tassels are easier to sew on (just stick them in, tassel side inward, and sew at the same time you are sewing the sides together).  Pick your poison.
  • photo (19)Cursing usually helps any and all negative sewing situations you may find yourself in.
  • Longer stitches are easier to take out if you make a mistake.  It isn’t like you are sewing the crotch of some pants that need to be sturdy.  It’s a table runner.  It just has to sit on a table and look pretty.
  • It doesn’t matter how long you take trying to make the sides of the runner perfectly even.  They never will be.  Don’t sweat too much over it.  This is the step which usually takes me the longest and I have yet to get those stupid sides as perfect as I want them.

With these hot tips the 10 Minute Table Runner is pretty fun to make.  What are you waiting for?  Head on down to the fabric store and pick out some fancy material!

(Note – My mom found and purchased this fancy fabric for me.  Isn’t it brilliant?!?)