Cover Stitch Conundrum

Since I got the serger, I figured a whole new world of knits had just opened up to me. I'd stayed away from them with a regular sewing machine--stuff always looked, well, bad. Chalk it up to inexperience or not having the right equipment--or both.

Today I had the courage to serge (mostly) this cute little top, and I'm almost completely pleased with it. I really, really dug what the serger can do on this type of fabric. When it came to the hem, though, the instructions recommended switching to the regular sewing machine and using a double needle. Easy enough, I've done it before. The finished product, though, feels less than permanent. Sure, it stretches, but the stretch feels finite waaaay before it should--like it might snap if you pulled too hard or too quick. Another type of machine--a cover stitch serger--is what's needed to make those nifty hems I see on ready-to-wear t-shirts. It can't be created by anything I currently own. My friend checked into the cost of such a machine, and, well...it's gosh-darned expensive! Oh, the tragedy.

Is it wrong to want one more machine? Is it wrong to think, "Only then will my sewing world be complete?" Naw, probably not. For now, I'm super excited over the serger. And, I think I'm gonna stick to wovens for a while!

Pattern Consumption

It was my fault. I know she likes paper, yet I allowed my beloved Burda blazer pattern (8103) to ly around at dog level for weeks. I'm not sure if she thought about eating for all those weeks, and then one day just broke down and had to molest an expensive, unopened pattern...or if it just took her all that time to realize it was there and she had some chewing to do. Either way, the result was the same; I was slightly horrified and a little angry (mostly at myself for leaving it out at dog-lip level).

The shredded packaging was all that was left. A sick feeling crept into my gut...how long had I had this pattern? Is it now discontinued? I quickly did the math in my head; I'd had this pattern for more than 4 years, surely it's discontinued. The next time I visited a fabric store, I made certain I looked for it. No dice.

I then looked online and, behold(!), someone up in Canada hoards discontinued Burda patterns!!! Yay. :) I ordered a replacement, and learned a valuable lesson about how tasty patterns are to certain dogs.

First Serging Projects

Coming soon to a neck near you! Here are a few scarves I made with the serger. I struggled a little with the tension settings with the brown scarf--as you can see, it's not hanging quite right. I had a lot of fun cruising Joann's for summery prints.

I also made a cover for my dog crate...she likes a little privacy when she needs to get away from it all. I've included a close-up shot of the fabric, since it's difficult to see in the dog crate photo.

I made the bed inside the crate a few years ago with some jean material and shredded foam I bought off of Craigslist. Yahoo! I love repurposing.

Let there be light!

I first thought about buying a serger 10 years ago, but didn't. They scared me. Too many settings, too many dials, too much thread...too many ways things could go terribly, terribly wrong. After watching a few of my friends venture into the great serging beyond, I was finally convinced I could go there, too, with minimal consequence. So, here it is...a White Superlock 2900. She's a beauty. Check out the IKEA lamp that I clamped onto the back of the machine for extra light.