2896
A bit of a 'do' / Re: Bridesmaids dresses...one down one to go
« on: September 06, 2018, 14:35:48 PM »
Lovely - very clever!
She's a lucky soon-to-be daughter-in-law!
She's a lucky soon-to-be daughter-in-law!
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2897
Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Re: Wrestling with an octopus...
« on: September 06, 2018, 12:28:11 PM »
I recently machine quilted my first large quilt (By The Sea). I bought special plastic roll clips and arranged it all with the sides rolled and clipped ready to start in the middle.
Nope. Just nope. The clips wouldn't fit through the harp space. The stiff, rolled sides wanted to push me backwards off my chair.
Stuffing is the way to go.
Nope. Just nope. The clips wouldn't fit through the harp space. The stiff, rolled sides wanted to push me backwards off my chair.
Stuffing is the way to go.
2898
Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Re: The Darksides Next Challenge ... Midsummer Applique Challenge
« on: September 04, 2018, 21:50:01 PM »
I really love that. 
2899
In the wardrobe / Re: Blue and white striped top
« on: September 04, 2018, 18:29:45 PM »
Very nice indeed. I like yours better than the one on the Butterick model. 
2900
The Haberdashery / Re: Machine needles
« on: September 04, 2018, 13:02:05 PM »
Ooh, thank you - that is very useful.
I realised recently that I have 8 to 10 machine needles stuck in my pin cushion, which means they have been changed because I needed a different type of needle, not because they were old. A very stupid thing to do, since it meant I had no idea what sort of needles they were. However, they are mostly Schmetz needles, so I should be able to work out what they are from the colour coding.
I realised recently that I have 8 to 10 machine needles stuck in my pin cushion, which means they have been changed because I needed a different type of needle, not because they were old. A very stupid thing to do, since it meant I had no idea what sort of needles they were. However, they are mostly Schmetz needles, so I should be able to work out what they are from the colour coding.
2901
Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Re: Die cutting machine for quilting
« on: September 02, 2018, 11:58:34 AM »
Brilliant @Lowena! It is on my Amazon Christmas list, and has been drawn to Mr Acorn's attention.
2902
Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Re: Die cutting machine for quilting
« on: September 02, 2018, 11:42:30 AM »
Thanks Low - so really you can minimise the waste by careful folding. I was concerned that you had to use a 5 inch wide strip to cut 3 inch wide pieces, or something like that.
I think I've got it now.
The ordinary dies just cut one shape (or 2 or 4 triangles, but one set) through however many thicknesses of fabric. The extended dies - which were being used in the video I managed to see - are effectively a row of dies, so all next to each other. The machine isn't using one die more than once as you turn the handle, which is what I assumed (and was very confused by!)
I think I've got it now.
The ordinary dies just cut one shape (or 2 or 4 triangles, but one set) through however many thicknesses of fabric. The extended dies - which were being used in the video I managed to see - are effectively a row of dies, so all next to each other. The machine isn't using one die more than once as you turn the handle, which is what I assumed (and was very confused by!)
2903
Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Re: Die cutting machine for quilting
« on: September 02, 2018, 10:27:20 AM »
I did try, but on my current lousy internet connection (0.2mbps) their site is a nightmare to use. I finally managed to get a video to load, stuttered through 6 minutes of it, only to find that the fabric they'd used was so busy you couldn't actually see the cut lines in the piece they pulled out.
I think I did pick up that a triangle die will give you two triangles forming a square, so won't waste fabric that way.
I think I did pick up that a triangle die will give you two triangles forming a square, so won't waste fabric that way.
2904
Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Re: Die cutting machine for quilting
« on: September 01, 2018, 23:17:13 PM »
So if I had a Big Shot Plus and I was using a die for 4.5inch squares, presumably I'd use a strip of fabric a bit wider than that. How much space would be left between the squares?
And if I was doing triangles, presumably a triangle would be left between each piece, plus a gap (as for the squares)?
And if I was doing triangles, presumably a triangle would be left between each piece, plus a gap (as for the squares)?
2905
Fun with Fabric / Re: searching for fancy fabrics
« on: September 01, 2018, 19:37:43 PM »
Ralston Fabrics have a nice selection of cotton velvets, mostly plain, but some patterned ones.
2906
Fun with Fabric / Re: searching for fancy fabrics
« on: September 01, 2018, 16:33:56 PM »
Liberty have some fabulous silk/viscose velvet. Not cheap, if course, although some are reduced to £29 a metre!
2907
Block of the Month 2018 / Re: September's BOM
« on: September 01, 2018, 10:23:53 AM »
Lovely! I have so many to catch up on... back to May, I think. I will do it though, just as soon as Mr Acorn takes himself back to work in a couple of weeks. Well, I might clean the house a bit first. Or not.
2908
Fun with Fabric / Re: searching for fancy fabrics
« on: August 31, 2018, 22:37:55 PM »
That sounds fantastic Arrow.
I've been saving bits of velvet and fancy fabrics to make a patchwork jacket for quite a while. Curtain weight velvet is great for that, but it might be a bit heavy/stiff for a robe. I think silk velvet is the most luxurious feeling fabric there is.
I've been saving bits of velvet and fancy fabrics to make a patchwork jacket for quite a while. Curtain weight velvet is great for that, but it might be a bit heavy/stiff for a robe. I think silk velvet is the most luxurious feeling fabric there is.
2909
In the wardrobe / Re: Kwik Sew 2325
« on: August 31, 2018, 09:40:25 AM »
Haha Jessie - I feel your pain.
When I was unexpectedly in hospital (a lot of years ago now) I told Mr Acorn where my pretty but not overly comfortable nighties were so that he could bring them in. I told him exactly, to within inches. He couldn't find them, and brought in a very old, faded, stretched cotton jersey nightshirt. (I suspect that he simply didn't recognise the pretty nighties as something I'd wear in bed...
)
No matter though, because my Mum brought in a dressing gown of hers that was very pretty, so I could hide what was underneath.
No. When Mr Acorn arrived that afternoon he was visibly upset because I didn't look like I do at home, so I changed back to my scruffy dressing gown (which, incidentally, I still wear almost 18 years later because it's soft and I like the colours... but not if anyone else might see me.)
When I was unexpectedly in hospital (a lot of years ago now) I told Mr Acorn where my pretty but not overly comfortable nighties were so that he could bring them in. I told him exactly, to within inches. He couldn't find them, and brought in a very old, faded, stretched cotton jersey nightshirt. (I suspect that he simply didn't recognise the pretty nighties as something I'd wear in bed...
)No matter though, because my Mum brought in a dressing gown of hers that was very pretty, so I could hide what was underneath.
No. When Mr Acorn arrived that afternoon he was visibly upset because I didn't look like I do at home, so I changed back to my scruffy dressing gown (which, incidentally, I still wear almost 18 years later because it's soft and I like the colours... but not if anyone else might see me.)
2910
Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Re: Die cutting machine for quilting
« on: August 30, 2018, 09:02:21 AM »
That's the thing that really attracts me - them being exactly the same size (and shape!)
Mr Acorn will be pleased to see it on my wishlist!
Mr Acorn will be pleased to see it on my wishlist!