Its Sew Easy

8/9/2019 Its Sew Easy

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Its SEW EasyGeorgia Hauglid ([email protected])http://www.virtualconvention.biz/Georgiac.html

Thread/Fibers

Before we start sewing, lets review thread. Thread comes is a variety of colors, fibers, andweights. It is important to select the right type of thread to get the look you want.For sewing on layouts and cards, I generally use poly or cotton thread. These are the standard

threads for garment making (poly) and quilting (cotton) and can be found at the local sewing

store. In general, cheap thread is cheap. It will break and lead you to frustration so stay awayfrom cheap thread.

Embroidery floss is widely used for hand sewing because you can get a nice thick stitch.Embroidery floss comes in thousands of colors. It typically comes in multi strand form. Use as

many strands as will work with your needle.

For papercraft sewing, I use a bobbin thread in the bobbin. Bobbin thread is a very lightweightthread that comes in the basic colors but I find I never use any colors other than black or white. I

like a bobbin thread because if your tension is set right, the bobbin thread will not show on the

top side of the stitching. And you dont have to change the bobbin every time you switch colors,only when switching between light and dark.

Other fiber materials work great for hand sewing. This can include yarn-like fibers, waxy flaxand hemp cord. Ribbon is another great option for hand sewing.

See listing of DMC floss colors that match the 60 CTMH colors at the end of this document.

Machine SewingIf you dont already own a sewing machine, there are many standard models on the market for a

reasonable price. I have not found a small inexpensive craft type sewing machine that I wouldrecommend. I recommend sticking with the full size models and avoid the frustration of

threads breaking and really bad tension that seems to occur in the mini craft models.

You dont need to have a sharp needle when sewing on paper. In fact, the paper will dull the

needle so be sure to replace the needle before using the machine for other sewing purposes. I

keep a pin cushion just for dull needles and use them for papercrafting. Also, you dont want tolarge of a needle. I suggest using a size 70 or 80 needle for most papercraft projects.

Take a look at the presser feet you have available for your machine. The most useful presserfoot is one that is clear. With this type, you can easily see where you are sewing. If yourmachine does not have a clear foot, check with a local sewing machine dealer. You may be able

to order one that is compatible with your machine.

Before you start, ALWAYS test your stitches on scrap paper. Use the same paper or an

equivalent weight.


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For best results, do not sew through any more thickness than absolutely needed. Sometimes you

need to sew through multiple layers to hold pieces together but with a little planning, you canminimize the thickness and improve the quality of the sewing.

As an example, take two cardstocks to have a zig zag stitich connecting. Do not overlap the

cardstock. Please the cardstock side by side and feed it into the machine. Sew at a mediumspeed to have the best control.

I suggest sewing at a medium speed. You might think you have more control when going slow

but a little faster can be easier. Give it a try!

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER sew over adhesive! Adhesive will goo up your needle and may

jam up your machine. If you need to adhere the items you are sewing, do it in a place that you

will not be sewing over.

Always be sure to finish off your thread ends. The easiest way to do this is to pull the loose

threads to the back and tape down. I use photo safe scotch tape. If your sewing ends in themiddle of the paper, pull the threads to the back by gently pulling up on the bobbin thread. Asyou pull, you will see a loop from the top thread peaking through the hole. Catch the loop of the

top thread (using a pin, paper piercer or similar object) and pull. The top will look nice and

clean and simply tape down both loose threads.

Another option for reinforcing those loose ends is to backstitch. A backstitch is simply a

reversing of the stitch to provide reinforcement.

Hand Sewing

I love hand sewing. I think it is very relaxing and gives you lots of flexibility in how to place

your stitches.

*tip* Avoid using paper that is very lightweight when hand sewing. It can tear easily. Or be

sure to use a stabilizer (see section below).

Start with a template to identify where your holes will be placed. This could be (1) a stamp set

(2) a plastic template (3) an image (i.e.: patterned paper, dies cut, or hand-drawn line/shape).

CTMH carries 2 stamp sets designed for hand sewing: Placement Guide and Stitch alphabet.

These are my most used sets. Each set stamps the holes only. The straight stitch stamps on

placement guide set have a variety of distances between stitches and include correspondingstamps for proper corner placement. There are also zig zag and other stitch options. To use

these sets, stamp the holes onto the paper, place the paper over a piercing pad and use a piercing

tool to punch the holes where indicated.

To use the template, simply place you paper or cardstock over a piercing pad and place the

template on top. Use your piercing tool to punch holes where indicated. I hold the template inplace by using a thumbtack through a section of the template not being used holing it onto an

area of the paper that will be trimmed away or simply into the piercing pad.


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To sew using an image, outline the image with holes spaced as needed to form the image. Forexample: sew a word from a stamp set or printed font, use the lines of the word to pierce the

holes. Example of a template made from a stamp:

Once you have your holes, you need to thread a needle. In hand sewing, I prefer to use heavierweight thread or embroidery floss. Start sewing by placing the needle in the hole from the wrong

side of your project and pull to the front. Dont pull all the way through. Be sure to leave a tail

of an inch or two of the thread/floss and tack it down with a piece of tape. You could also tie aknot in it but it is quicker to tape it down.

You then start sewing from hole to hole by coming up from the bottom, moving to the next hole

and going down from the top. It is really that easy!

What is a piercing pad? There are piercing pads sold specifically to use with templates. These

pads are thick and have a surface that grips the papers. Many other surfaces can be used as apiercing pad including a mouse pad, Styrofoam or think craft foam.

Using Stabilizers

Why do you need a stabilizer? Keep in mind that when a needle punctures fabric, the fibers formclosely around the hole. This is not the case with paper. When you puncture paper, you are left

with a hole the size of the needle.

If you use a dense stitch on paper or cardstock, you have weakened the surface and it could fall

apart on you. To avoid this, place a piece of stabilizer (woven or pressed) on the wrong side of

your surface.


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Also use a stabilizer when sewing on lightweight paper to avoid rips and tears.

Examples

Now onto the fun part of class. Here are examples of various sewing techniques and tips on how

to achieve the look.

Machine Sewing Use machine sewing to frame a layout.

Machine Sewing Group images and sew from the back to create distressed holes.

Hand Sewing Use Placement guide to add special details to a project.


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Hand Sewing Add special details: Centers of flowers and add a charm

Hand Sewing Just a little sewing to add color to create balance in a layout.


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Hand Sewing Create consistency between page elements. Create this stitch look by stamping

the placement guide set and when piercing the holes, skip every third hole.

Hand Sewing Stitch over a stamped word and use sewing to hold ric-rac in place. Sewing canbe functional and decorative at the same time. TIP to create uniform holes when hand-sewing

ric-rac or ribbon in place, first stamp the holes using the placement guide set, pierce holes and

then lay ric-rac in place. The holes will be visible from the back.

Hand Sewing Use a stamp to create an outline to sew. Set used: Cottage Floral


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Hand Sewing Add a French knot to the center of flowers

Hand Sewing sewing adds a special touch to hand made cards


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Embroidery floss (DMC) Reference

Here is a listing of the DMC numbers that coordinate with the CTMH 60 custom colors. I wraponto floss keepers and place each season on a large ring.

Spring- HarmonyAmethyst: 210

Baby Pink: 818

Heavenly Blue: 3761

Key Lime: 772Sunkiss Yellow: 445

Taffy: 754

Spring- Blossom

Breeze: 964

Kiwi: 472Lilac Mist: 341

Orchid Bouquet: 3608

Pink Carnation: 3708

Spring Iris: 156

Summer- Carnival

Clover Meadow: 703Holiday Red: 349

Hydrangea: 333

Orange: 970Star Spangled Blue: 312

Sunny Yellow: 727

Summer- Celebration


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Bubblegum: 957

Citrus Leaf: 907Dutch Blue: 334

Ocean: 3812

Topiary: 3347

Watermelon: 602

Autumn- HarvestAutumn Terracotta: 3826

Barn Red: 918

New England Ivy: 936Outdoor Denim: 823

Pansy Purple: 327

Sunflower: 725

Autumn- Garden

Garden Green: 3364Goldrush: 976Hollyhock: 3731

Indian Corn Blue: 932

Olive: 3052Vineyard Berry: 315

Winter- Classic

Buttercup: 745Cranberry: 347

Garnet: 3858

Moonstruck: 797Ponderosa Pine: 890

Smokey Plum: 3740

Winter- Cozy

Blush: 3354

Crystal Blue: 519

Sweet Leaf: 3348Honey: 3821

Petal: 3836

Twilight: 931

Basic- Antique

Bamboo: 3782Black: 310

Desert Sand: 611

Grey Flannel: 3072Grey Wool: 414

White Daisy: white


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Basic- TimelessBrown Bag: 3064

Chocolate: 632

Cocoa: 839

Colonial White: EcruParchment: 951

Vanilla Cream: 739

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