Blisstree » Tools and Accessories

I’ve got the best husband ever

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:24:28 +0000

Look at what he surprised me with!

I’ve been lusting after a pair of Gingher scissors for years now – and he bought me a pair.
I think he’s a keeper

tool of the day – pro seam ripper kit

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:19:24 +0000

I recently bought a new style (at least, a new style to me) of seam ripper. It’s the best one I’ve come across – and believe me, I’ve used a few seam rippers! I’ve broken seam rippers, inserted seam rippers into my fingers and cursed at seam rippers

The “Pro Seam-Ripper” kit from Lee Valley Tools is a must-have (at least as far as I’m concerned

It’s got two styles of blades & holders (one for starting tricky seams, the other for ripping them out) as well as six replacement blades. A dull seam ripper is as dangerous as a dull knife, so with this kit you can make sure that you’ll keep yourself safe.

Post from: Blisstree

tool of the day – pro seam ripper kit

working with fabric paints

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:58:03 +0000

I was just asked about how to use acrylic paints on fabric and whether or not you can wash them. Most standard acrylic paints need to have a fabric paint medium added to them. The medium makes the paints softer when they’re dried and allow you to wash the paint without worrying about washing it out.

You can also go with fabric paints, which have the fabric medium already added. Commercial fabric paints have the added benefit of stronger colors. Fabric medium can dilute the pigment, especially if you’re using an inexpensive craft paint. Both commercial & hand-mixed fabric paints must be allowed to dry completely overnight & then heat-set, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

I personally prefer to use Lumiere, Dy-Na-Flo & Neopague fabric paints and Golden fluid acrylics mixed with GAC 500, a fabric paint medium. All the paints have different effects and it’s so much fun to play with them and see how they react with fabric.

Some fabric mediums do contain formaldyhdye, so follow manufacturer’s instructions for proper handling.

Here’s a painted piece of fabric I’m working with right now…

You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see how it turns out

Post from: Blisstree

working with fabric paints

cutting tables

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 02:38:33 +0000

I’ve got a question for all of my lovely readers.

What do you use as a cutting table for cutting out fabric?

I’m currently using a standard banquet-size folding table with a cardboard cutting mat on the top. I also have heavy plastic mats with grids on them if I’m using a rotary cutter.

At this point, I’ve got quite a small studio and need to either use the living room (which isn’t always convienent) or go downstairs and use the basement. I’ve got a lot more space in the basement – but the light isn’t good enough to cut out dark fabric in the evening.

I’d love to be able to get one of these folding tables eventually:

But I think that’s for when I have a bigger studio

Post from: Blisstree

cutting tables

different methods of pattern transfers

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 21:34:05 +0000

I’m enjoying an afternoon in my studio and wanted to work on my backlog of projects I’m trying to complete an overdue gift for my sister-in-law & thought I’d share it with you all.

I’m making a table runner out of a cotton-linen blend fabric. I’m going to applique a celtic interlace on to the center of it, out of the same fabric.

I have one little problem… The celtic interlace I want to use isn’t an iron-on pattern, it’s been printed off from my computer. It’s from a Dover copyright free book of designs. I started off by scanning the book & then photoshopping the drawing to the correct size. I also added little hearts to the design – just for something different

I’ve got a couple of options to transfer my pattern from the paper on my fabric.

The first method we’re going to try is using dressmaker’s tracing paper (it’s like carbon paper for sewing) underneath the paper pattern. Make sure your fabric is on a hard surface, otherwise you won’t get good results. Line up the design & the tracing paper to make sure there aren’t any areas not covered by the tracing paper. Try pinning the layers in place to prevent everything sliding apart.

Now take a pen or pencil with a dull tip and trace over the lines. You’ll need to press quite heavily to get a good transfer on the fabric. Carefully check the fabric underneath to make sure the lines are clear. Press harder if you need stronger lines. This is why you need to have the fabric on a hard surface!

There is a very cool product on the market from Sulky. It’s a white pen for making your own iron-on transfers for dark fabric! You just trace your design, using the pen, let it dry & iron it on – very handy!

Before you do a transfer on your good fabric, do a test patch on a scrap to see how it works first. Just follow the directions for drying & ironing time

Just one more thing… make sure you use the pen in a well ventilated area!

Now that your design is transferred onto the fabric – it’s time to cut & fuse.

Tomorrow…

Post from: Blisstree

different methods of pattern transfers

tuning up an old treadle machine

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:13:04 +0000

I haven’t had much spare time lately to play around with my new/old treadle machine (pout, pout) I’ve been trying to find a manual for it, but haven’t had any luck with tracking down any information for “Supremacy” machines. My fiance even took up the search (hmm… I wonder if he hopes that he’ll get a shirt out of it if he’s the one to find a manual ) with no luck.

I did however find a fantastic site for treadle machines called “The Sewing Machine Shop“. They have a ton of links to other treadle sites, instructions on servicing machines and even tutorials on how to clean a grungy old machine

I’ve heard fantastic things about treadle machines – let’s hope I can get mine up and running!

Post from: Blisstree

tuning up an old treadle machine

want to see what I got for my birthday?

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 01:32:05 +0000

Of course you do! Find out after the jump….

My in-laws found this wonderful old treadle sewing machine for me!

It’s a cast-iron Supremacy machine, complete with the full table & original treadle!

I’ve been looking for a treadle machine for more than ten years now – they’re not easy to find in my neck of the woods anymore!

The treadle mechanism still works, but I need to find a manual – I don’t want to mess this machine up!

Post from: Blisstree

want to see what I got for my birthday?

links for hand-embroidery

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:00:32 +0000

I thought it would be fun to post a great site for hand-work & embroidery

Nordic Needle carries an amazing variety of supplies & tools for handwork. I believe they have something like 19,000 different products? Definitely worth exploring!

Post from: Blisstree

links for hand-embroidery

No More Tangled Thread – The Thread, Not The Blog!

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 07:51:00 +0000

Do you use beeswax? If you don’t, consider it as a sewing accessory essential. It’s not only good for thread (wax not only strengthens thread but also stabilizes its twistability – hence no more tangled thread) but it’s also good for needles. I always stick my needle into beeswax before I start sewing. The needle glides easily through the fabric. These beeswax holders by Dritz are available just about everywhere sewing notions are sold. You can even get refills so you don’t have to buy holder after holder. But this will last a long time even if you use it for both thread and needles.

Here’s a very cool idea for a thoughtful little gift. Buy some bulk beeswax, melt it and pour it into a small mold – like this butterfly.

Be careful – if word gets out, you’ll have a crowd waiting you to make some for them too.

Here are some fun facts about beeswax from Wikipedia:

Beeswax has been used since ancient times; traces of it were found in the paintings in the Lascaux cave and in Egyptian mummies. Egyptians used it in shipbuilding as well. In the Roman period, beeswax was used as waterproofing agent for painted walls and as medium for the Fayum mummy portraits. In the Middle Ages beeswax was considered valuable enough to become a form of currency. More recently it found use as a modeling material, a component of sealing wax, and in cosmetics. Beeswax is also the traditional material from which to make didgeridoo mouthpieces and the frets on the Philippine kutiyapi, a type of boat lute.

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Post from: Blisstree

No More Tangled Thread – The Thread, Not The Blog!

Less Complicated Floss Organization

admin — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 10:21:00 +0000

This is the least expensive and perhaps the easiest way to store floss, again from Herrschners.

Here’s the winder from DMC®.

Here are plastic bobbins.

The bobbins can be stored in plastic sleeves, or a plastic case, or…

this lovely 3-Drawer Floss Cabinet!

Post from: Blisstree

Less Complicated Floss Organization