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The Love of Sewing – Baby Lock Common Threads

June 21, 2016 by girlinspired Leave a Comment

New sewing techniques, tips, and notions at Common Threads 2016 . #babylocksewingOne of the best parts about building a career as a “maker” is the opportunity to connect with others who share my same passion for creating.  Last week, I had the absolute privilege of attending the 2016 Common Threads event put on by Baby Lock/Tacony at their headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.  Common Threads is a private event that brings together the most amazing group of designers, bloggers, sewlebrities, media partners, and leaders in the sewing and quilting industry.  It’s mind-blowing, actually, to participate alongside a group of men and women that love sewing as much as I do.  I wanted to share a little more about this event with you – I learned new techniques and tricks, had the opportunity to network with new friends and old, and I also gained a more in depth perspective of a touching charity project that I’m eager to share with you.  In addition, Baby Lock is hosting a link party so that you can read the perspective of many different attendees.  And if that’s not enough information – they are going to be sharing FREE videos so that you, too, can learn and sew with this great community.

New sewing techniques, tips, and notions at Common Threads 2016 . #babylocksewing

New sewing techniques, tips, and notions at Common Threads 2016 . #babylocksewing

Common Threads is held at the Tacony headquarters – we spend the good part of three days in this sewing room FILLED with dreamy sewing machines and sergers (do you see all those Destiny machines???).  It blows my mind how much they pack in to this event.  There is plenty of time for socializing as well as learning, and there is almost always a machine or two whirring in the background – because we just can’t stop!!  Baby Lock treats us like kings and queens – plenty of coffee 😉 snacks, meals, and treats.

New sewing techniques, tips, and notions at Common Threads 2016 . #babylocksewing

New sewing techniques, tips, and notions at Common Threads 2016 . #babylocksewing

This year, we were greeted by the Notions Emporium and bags to fill with goodies.  Polka dot scissors and macaron tape measures???  Yes Please!  Of course everyone knows what to do with cute scissors, but I also took home a few goodies to experiment with, like a ruffler foot for my serger and a few spools of the new Frosted Matt Thread from Madeira.  In addition, we were gifted with a SWAG bag of treats from many of the attendees – patterns, books, notions! I love new treasures and I’ll be sharing more details over the coming months as I play in my sewing room!

New sewing techniques, tips, and notions at Common Threads 2016 . #babylocksewing

New sewing techniques, tips, and notions at Common Threads 2016 . #babylocksewing

In addition to socializing and treasures, there were classes!  There is just something so satisfying about sitting down with a group of people who love to sew and having someone take us through a new project step by step.  Evy, from A Bit of Stitch, designed and taught us this darling fabric shopper embroidery pattern.  After appliquéing and embroidering the design, we sewed it up into a little handbag.  How cute is that!!  I actually had to finish my bag at home and quilted it free-motion style.  The Destiny machine has a built it “stipple” function that was really cool.  I shared a machine with my oldest online sewing friend, Lindsay, which reminded me just how much fun it is to sew with friends.

New sewing techniques, tips, and notions at Common Threads 2016 . #babylocksewing

Speaking of Lindsay, in the next class, The Cottage Mama herself walked us through machine appliqué and the assembly of these precious pillowcase dresses.  In a few hours time, the group completed around 50 dresses, which will be donated to Little Dresses for Africa.  It was powerful and inspiring beyond words to be part of something that will make a real difference in the lives of little girls.  I would encourage you to read more about this organization here, and join the movement by sewing pillowcase dresses – you can find the instructions for the dresses here.

New sewing techniques, tips, and notions at Common Threads 2016 . #babylocksewing

We heard from Dana, Vanessa, and Kristi as they spoke on the Influencer Panel about trends and techniques in the sewing community and social media.  There is so much value in speaking with other people in the same industry as we shape our content and voice to fit with the changing needs throughout the community.

New sewing techniques, tips, and notions at Common Threads 2016 . #babylocksewing

Finally, we created this super quick zipper pouch with Sara Gallegos completely on the sergers.  Did you know you could install a zipper with the serger????  I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve wished this was possible – and it is!  You just need a Cording Foot for the serger – which is on my immediate must-have list.  We used decorative thread in the looper and “quilted” the fabric prior to stitching it into a bag.  The bag took about 15 minutes start to finish.  And isn’t the fabric bright and fresh?  All of the fabric for the entire event was donated by Riley Blake Designs – amazing!

Common Threads was special.  As you know, I’ve been working with Baby Lock for a couple years now and I continue to believe that this company is a cut above the rest, on every level.  I appreciate so much their energy and commitment to building up our sewing community.  I’m so excited that you will be able to create these projects and access the valuable information that I received attending the event – the Common Threads “After Party” with all the details can be found by clicking here.  THANKS BABY LOCK!!

 

Filed Under: Sewing Tagged With: Baby Lock sewing, Common Threads, machine embroidery, sewing event, sewing for charity

Embroidered Table Linens – quick gifts!

December 22, 2015 by girlinspired 1 Comment

Simple Gift Idea - embroidered table linens!!

Looking for an easy last-minute gift idea?  Sew some embroidered table linens!  Linen toweling or pre-made napkins are readily available at both fabric stores and in the housewares section of most department stores.  It takes just a little time at your embroidery machine to turn a plain linen into something personalized and beautiful.

Simple Gift Idea - embroidered table linens!!

I created these pretty linens in just a couple hours as part of the Baby Lock Holiday Gift Guide – November edition.  You can find the instructions for the Fa La La Linens here.  If you’re like me, there is always someone on your Christmas list that appreciates a handmade gift so much more than the same old things you find in every store.

Simple Gift Idea - embroidered table linens!!

 

I love watching my machine (these were sewn on an Ellure Plus) embroider – it’s like magic every time!  Be sure to use a good embroidery stabilizer behind the fabric so that the design stays flat and crisp.  Choose a design or monogram on the machine or download one from Amazing Designs, for example.  There are so many options out there!  And remember that you can choose your own thread colors to customize the design however you like!  Remember the leaf pattern I embroidered on my Autumn napkins?

Gorgeous DIY Linen Fringe Napkins for your Thanksgiving table!

I used all metallic thread colors and, once again, the linens turned out so luxurious and professional!

Embroidered-Linens-3

There are some really fun gift ideas in the December edition of the Baby Lock Holiday Gift Guide.  Be sure to check it out!

More Great Christmas Gift Ideas

DIY Personalized Gift Bags

Holiday Cards for Crafters with Cricut

DIY Snow Globe Ornaments

Miniature Snow Scenes for Christmas

 

Filed Under: Christmas, gifts, Holiday Inspiration, Home Decor, Sewing Tagged With: Baby Lock sewing, gift ideas, machine embroidery, quick gifts, table linens

DIY Linen Fringe Napkins

November 17, 2015 by girlinspired 1 Comment

Gorgeous DIY Linen Fringe Napkins for your Thanksgiving table!

You guys!!!  I made the most beautiful napkins for my Thanksgiving table!!  I can’t get enough of that fringe technique I used on my flannel throw blankets a few weeks ago, so when I came across this crisp, white linen in Jo-Ann, I knew I had to make some linen fringe napkins to add to my napkin collection.

Add warmth and sparkle to your Thanksgiving table with these easy DIY Mason Jar Luminaries

Gorgeous DIY Linen Fringe Napkins for your Thanksgiving table!

Once I had the napkins made, I needed to embroider something with metallic thread and I found the most perfect leaf pattern already loaded on my Babylock Aventura sewing and embroidery machine.  I could not possibly love these more!!

Gorgeous DIY Linen Fringe Napkins for your Thanksgiving table!

Want to make a set????  I’ll show you how:

Gorgeous DIY Linen Fringe Napkins for your Thanksgiving table!For four napkins, you will need just over a yard of fabric – let’s say 1 1/4 yards.  Pre-wash and dry the linen. Begin by rough cutting the napkins into 19.5″ squares.  We’re shooting for a finished 18″ napkin, but in order to easily do the fringe technique, we need to really get our fabric cut precisely along the grain line.  So, give yourself some working room and cut the squares out larger.  Work on one side of the square at a time and begin pulling out the cross threads until you have one thread that goes all the way across the edge – now you have a straight edge to measure from.  Repeat for each side until you can see a perfect square.  Now, trim down the napkin into a perfect 18″ square.

Gorgeous DIY Linen Fringe Napkins for your Thanksgiving table!

On your cover stitch machine (I use a Babylock Evolution), sew a border around the entire napkin, about 1/4″ away from the raw edge.  You can alternately use a regular sewing machine and sew two rows of stitches around the napkin to mimic the same look (or use a twin needle!)

Gorgeous DIY Linen Fringe Napkins for your Thanksgiving table!

Gorgeous DIY Linen Fringe Napkins for your Thanksgiving table!Next, pull the threads to form a fringe edge.  Remove the cross threads to the stitching, but not beyond.

Gorgeous DIY Linen Fringe Napkins for your Thanksgiving table!

Using a cover stitch here really makes for a lovely, professional finish – see the backside there?  Looks good and keeps the material secure!

Gorgeous DIY Linen Fringe Napkins for your Thanksgiving table!

Repeat to complete your set of napkins.

Thanksgiving Table

Machine embroider (or hand embroider) a festive pattern centered over a corner of each napkin.  I used five different shades of Madeira metallic thread and just randomly rotated through them for each step of this leaf embroidery pattern.  They’re so beautiful!

Gorgeous DIY Linen Fringe Napkins for your Thanksgiving table!

Gorgeous DIY Linen Fringe Napkins for your Thanksgiving table!

I also grabbed some pretty trim to make some simple napkin rings.  Cut the trim into 6″ lengths, overlap the ends and hot glue them together.  Trim any hanging threads and apply Fray Check to keep the edges from fraying further.  Easy!

Gorgeous DIY Linen Fringe Napkins for your Thanksgiving table!

Add warmth and sparkle to your Thanksgiving table with these easy DIY Mason Jar Luminaries

More Thanksgiving Table Ideas

DIY Mason Jar Luminaries for the Thanksgiving Table

How to Sew Dinner Napkins

Autumn Acorn Napkin Rings

Paper Flower Napkin Rings

Thanksgiving Centerpiece to Last the Season

No Sew Fabric Pumpkins

Filed Under: Fall, Holiday Inspiration, Home Decor, Sewing Tagged With: Babylock, machine embroidery, sewing tutorial, table linens

Shopkins Birthday Party Dress

July 8, 2015 by girlinspired 17 Comments

Other than delicious Shopkins cupcakes, the only thing the birthday girl requested for her party was a new dress!  I had just one day to make her something spectacular and I thought I’d be able to get away with a color coordinated plain dress, but Addie insisted that it have a “big Shopkins right in the middle!”  I didn’t know how in the world I was going to put a character on there, but I was feeling inspired to really try out machine embroidery on my Baby Lock.  By the end of the day, I had finished this Shopkins Birthday Party Dress for Addie and she could not have possibly been more happy!  Wanna see?Shopkins Birthday Party DressAdd this cute dress to your must have list of Shopkins birthday party ideas!Shopkins Birthday Party Dress

Shopkins Birthday Party Dress

That’s pretty happy!!

I started with a self-drafted knit bodice.  I will share the pattern soon, but today let’s look at this cute face and the features of this particular dress.  (That’s my way of saying it’s not ready and this packing/moving thing has taken over for now!)

Shopkins Birthday Party Dress

Prior to sewing together the dress, I added the Shopkins “Wishes” character using my embroidery machine.  This was my first time doing an appliqué/emboidery at home and I got the hang of it pretty quickly.  I used a lot of metallic threads which turned out SO SO good!  I purchased the design on Etsy and had the file plugged in to my sewing machine within five minutes (find the link to that Etsy shop below).  It was almost too easy!

Shopkins Birthday Party Dress

Shopkins Birthday Party Dress

The fabrics for the dress were purchased at Jo-Ann.  The gray knit with metallic gold polka dots is really soft on the inside and totally perfect for a fun party dress that’s also comfy.  The skirt fabric cost a small fortune, but was so worth it because it looks amazing, am I right?  I used my rolled hem foot to finish the hem of the skirt – always my go-to on tough and curved fabrics!

Shopkins Birthday Party Dress

The drop-waist is this girls’ favorite style right now and I think the bow at the side waist adds just the right weight to the center of the dress, balancing it.  She wears this dress nearly every day, I’m calling it a winner!

Shopkins Birthday Party Dress

Click here for the shop where I purchased the digital design file for this embroidery design.  It actually looks like she’s added a few more Shopkins designs since I found this one – SO CUTE!!

Shopkins Projects

Shopkins Cupcakes

Shopkins Birthday Party Ideas

Filed Under: Parties, Sewing, sewing for girls Tagged With: machine embroidery, party dress, Shopkins dress

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It is my hope that you will find inspiration on the Girl. Inspired. blog. All photos are copyright protected by Girl. Inspired. If you wish to share something that you have seen here, I am absolutely thrilled! Please use only one picture with a direct link back to the project you are referencing. Thank you so much for your understanding!

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