Wednesday, September 5, 2012

It's that time again...Winter scarf sewing


       When I was up north the other week, I had a rather shocking revelation. Seasons actually change up there! It was cool and lovely in the mornings and evenings...which led me to realize I had best get a move on with stocking the shop with Fall and winter items! I must say, the heat and the bugs around here certainly did not put me in the mood to sew scarves. Looking at them does make me happy to know sometime in the future it will cool off!


     I have a good more to do, but this is a good start. I've been stock piling knits for a while now, can you tell?? I showed you last year, in this post, how you can make your own ruffled scarf using elastic thread. This time around, I thought I'd throw out a few pointers on using elastic thread. I've had some questions on it over the last few months, so hopefully this will help a little.

  1. Hand wind your bobbin with elastic thread. Don't pull it tight, but don't let it be loose either. You need a little stretch in the thread as you are winding for it to sew right.
  2. Set your top stitch length just a tad longer than your usual straight stitch. You shouldn't need to do anything to the top tension.
  3. If the elastic isn't sewing in tight enough, or it is too tight, adjust the bottom tension. You can do that by adjusting the little screw on the bobbin case. You'll need to make it tighter or looser based on how thick the fabric is you are working with. (see the little screw on the side? Just mess with it to get the thread to feed right. Don't forget to set it back for regular thread!)


       Also, just to throw out there, all knits are not created equal. For a nice ruffle, the thinner the knit is, the better. Rib knit or double knit will not behave very nicely with elastic thread, even baby rib knit does not do too fabulous (although, I do use it on occasion).


       Once you make one, you'll find yourself wanting to make one in every kind of knit you can find! Speaking from experience here...good thing I have my shop as an outlet for my addiction!


       Off to sit under my AC and dream of winter!

 1 Peter 5:7   Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

3 comments:

  1. These are great scarves. Thanks for the tutorial. I have a link party on Wednesdays, and I would love it if you would link this and any other posts. It is called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party. It runs from Wednesday to Sundays.
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/09/simple-anti-aging-moisturizer-and.html
    I hope to see you there. I am your newest follower, and I would love for your to follow me also. Have a great Day.
    Debi Bolocofsky
    Adorned From Above
    www.adornedfromabove.com

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  2. I love these! I just started playing with elastic thread this spring when I was sewing costumes, and wished I had known about it sooner. I have been wanting some scarves for fall before I pull out the heavier ones, and these are perfect! Thanks!

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  3. In love! I'm going to try to make these but if not I'll be coming to your shop!

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