Adding Sewing to your projects....

Today's Feature Friday video is all about sewing. If you read here often, you know that it pretty rare when I don't sew on a card!  I'm often asked for some pointers, so I did a quick video today.  I'm using a Janome Sew Mini. I think it is the perfect machine for stampers. Nice and small, fits easily on your desktop, easy to operate and very reasonably priced. I've seen them from time to time on Overstock, you can also get them at Amazon.com or at Hancock Fabrics.  

I think stitching adds such charm to projects, and its really easy to do! Today's video has some pointers for you... and I've also got some notes below....

For today's project, I'm using My Favorite Things All Smiles 

and the Solid Bracket Border Die-namics.

I’ve seen many of you saying in blog posts, or on Facebook, that you already HAVE a machine and haven’t put it to work just yet. Go ahead and take that baby out of its box and let’s play! Like any other technique it just takes a bit of practice!  Some advice for newbie paper sewers….

• Go slow, there’s no rush! Consider stitching on a patterned paper that you can follow along, maybe follow along a grid line, or on a set of polka dots.  Till you get used to it, this will help you to stitch straight.
• Check your stitch setting before starting. I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve been on the zig-zag stitch when I wanted to go straight, but then I was committed to zig-zagging!
• When making a turn, always stop stitching with the needle through the paper.  Then you can raise the presser foot and turn the paper while the needle is marking your place.  Then place the presser foot back down stitch away!
• When you’ve finished sewing, be sure to pull your loose ends back through the card stock and secure on the backside with tape. This will keep your card front neat and clean!
• Don’t try to stitch through too many layers at a time.  You can stitch an accent piece individually and then add it to your project with adhesive. It looks like it is sewn in place without forcing your machine to go through too many layers all at one time.
• Do not stitch directly over adhesive.  This will gum up your needle and damage your machine.  I use just a bit of adhesive in the center of my panels, then stitch around the edges.

If you’re having trouble, I suggest pulling out your spool of thread and try re-threading the machine. Even on times when I was sure it was threaded correctly, when I re-threaded, it worked perfectly!    Dust your machine. Little bits of paper will eventually collect and can damage your machine. I periodically take a bit of that “canned air” and dust!  If your bobbin is wound too loosely, that will also cause a huge mess of tangled thread.  

Just practice, practice and have fun.  I think you’ll decide that sewing adds just that extra touch and the more you do it, the better your stitching will look!  Let me know if you have any questions,  I'm here to help!  And I look forward to seeing YOUR stitched projects!