Category Archives: SEWING

Sewing with handwoven fabrics, patterns.

FELTMAKING, SEWING

Wet Felting Project – Felted Cushion Cover

This is a project to felt and sew a hand felted cushion cover.

Felted Pillow Cover
Felted Pillow Cover

Materials used:
Wool roving for making felt
approx 1 yard of cotton fabric
16 inch zipper
19 inch pillow form

Hand made Felt
To make the felt top for this pillow, I made a large piece of felt approx 24 inches square. During the felting process the felt will shrink about 15%-30%.
I don’t like to waste wool, so I use the leftover thrums from carding for making felt. This comes from the fleece that is left on the drum carder and isn’t a good enough quality for hand spinning.
I placed a thin layer of the leftover wool onto the felting mat. I then added a second layer of gray wool roving over the wool thrums, laying the fiber in the opposite direction. I added a third thin layer of gray roving over the previous layer, again in the opposite direction.
I wet the wool with warm water and soap and rolled it up in a felting mat.
For more detailed instructions of how to make a piece of felt please see below.

Wet Felting thrums
Wet Felting thrums

After the wool was felted, the completed felt piece measured approx 19-20 inches square.
I cut 2 pieces of cotton fabric approx 2 inches larger than the felted piece.

Wet Felting Pillow
Wet Felting Pillow

I stitched the felt piece to one of the cotton fabric pieces close to the edge of the felt. I want to leave the outer edges of the handmade felt as a border on the pillow.
I sewed a second row of stitching about 1 inch inside of the outer edge, to create a border to the pillow.

Wet Felted Pillow cover
Wet Felted Pillow cover

I folded and pinned the outer edges of the felt to the inside, to prevent them from being sewn as I sewed the backing onto the pillow.
Wet Felted Pillow Cover
Wet Felted Pillow Cover

Right sides together I pinned the fabric for the pillow back to the pillow front.
I sewed one of the seams together and added a zipper.

Felted Pillow Cover
Felted Pillow Cover

After adding the zipper, I sewed the remaining 3 sides of the pillow together.
Turn the cushion cover right side out, remove all the pins and insert the pillow.
Time to put your feet up and enjoy!

Felted Pillow Cover
Felted Pillow Cover

Felt Making
How to Make Felt
Valentine Felt Pillow
How to Make Handmade Felt
Felted Place Mats

How to Sew a Zipper
Threads: How to Sew a Zipper
Sewing 101 – Zippers

Felt Making Books
Art in Felt & Stitch: Creating beautiful works of art using fleece, fibres and threads
Felting Fabulous Flowers: 30 Stunning Designs
Uniquely Felt

50 Colors Wool Fibre Roving DIY Needles Felting Starter Kit Handcraft Mat Tools

$16.99
End Date: Saturday Dec-14-2019 1:43:03 PST
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Merino wool: 1 lb, Raw Merino, merino sheep, merino fleece

$18.00
End Date: Tuesday Dec-24-2019 18:48:23 PST
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36 Colors Pure Wool Roving Needle Felting Sewing Trimming Cute Fun DIY Craft US

$9.98
End Date: Friday Dec-27-2019 19:28:27 PST
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Christmas Crafts, FELTMAKING, HOLIDAY CRAFTS, KNITTING, SEWING

Santa suit

In the previous article I provided instructions for knitting a Santa doll.
Knit Santa Doll
Knit Santa doll

Santa needs a Santa suit, so I thought that I would make him one from handmade felt.

I started by felting a fairly thin piece of red felt (approx 15″x15″ Square)

red handmade felt

Felt Making

How to Make Handmade Felt

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Santa’s Trousers
After felting I cut a piece of this felt that was wide enough to fit around Santa’s tummy, and long enough to fit his legs. Then I cut partly up the center of the piece of felt – to fit around his legs.
Santa Felted Pants
I hand stitched around the cut piece with a length of wool yarn, to strengthen the edges.

Santa's felt trousers

I then hand sewed the legs together with red wool yarn.

Santa’s Jacket

From the remaining red felt, I cut a slit into the fabric and a small oval for the neckline.
Sewing Santa suit

I fitted this around the Santa doll and then cut away small sections to shape the sleeves.
I hand stitched the sides and sleeves together.

Then I needle felted a trim around Santa’s jacket using white merino roving.

Santa Hat

With remaining bits of the red felt I cut a triangle shape for his hat and then needle felted some white merino wool for the brim of his hat.

felting Santa hat

Santa’s Boots

I hand spun a few ounces of black Shetland wool for knitting the Santa boots. You can use any pure wool yarn. The boots are knitted in a similar fashion to Santa’s legs.

Cast on 13 stitches
Knit 6 rows stocking stitch

Shape Feet
21 WS – k1, m1, k5, m1, k1, m1, k5, m1, k1
22 RS – purl
23 WS – k8, m1, k1, m1, k8
24 RS – purl
25 WS – k9, m1, k1, m1, k7, turn, do not work remaining stitches on left hand needle
26 RS – sl 1, purl 16, turn
27 WS – sl1, k7, m1, k1, m1, k6, turn
28 RS – sl 1, p 14, turn
29 WS – sl 1, k6, m1, k1, m1, k3, turn
30 RS sl1, p8, turn
31 WS – sl 1, knit to end of row
Cast off.

Fit the boots around Santa’s feet and sew up the seams.

Needle felt a bit of wool fleece for his hair and beard. Then attach his hat to his head lightly with a bit of needle felting.

Santa on Etsy
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Christmas Crafts Books

Artful Christmas: 30 Elegant Craft Projects
Glitterville’s Handmade Christmas: A Glittered Guide for Whimsical Crafting!
Knit a Vintage Christmas: 22 Stocking, Ornament, and Gift Patterns from Christmas Past
Scandinavian Christmas Stockings: Classic Designs to Knit for the Holiday

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Vintage Floor Loom Weaving 4 Harness, 6 Treadle with Warp

$650.00
End Date: Monday Dec-30-2019 20:10:41 PST
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XXL Extra Large Weaving Loom Kit (89cm x 87cm) | Professional Tapestry Loom

$100.00
End Date: Thursday Dec-12-2019 18:31:08 PST
Buy It Now for only: $100.00
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Vintage Little Loomhouse 4 Harness Weaving Loom & 4 Treadle Table Stand BIN

$245.00
End Date: Monday Dec-9-2019 17:36:28 PST
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Books, SEWING

Book Store – Sewing with Handwoven Fabrics

How to Sew Handwovens Books

Handwoven Tailormade: A Tandem Guide to Fabric Designing, Weaving, Sewing and Tailoring

Weaving You Can Wear

Fashions from the Loom

Sew Something Special: Sewing with Handwoven Fabrics

Hand Woven Designs Jackets & Blouses # 104,

Woven to Wear: 17 Thoughtful Designs with Simple Shapes

Handwoven, Tailormade Tandem Guide to Fabric Designing, Weaving, Sewing, and Tailoring

EBay Weaving Looms

Vintage Floor Loom Weaving 4 Harness, 6 Treadle with Warp

$650.00
End Date: Monday Dec-30-2019 20:10:41 PST
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XXL Extra Large Weaving Loom Kit (89cm x 87cm) | Professional Tapestry Loom

$100.00
End Date: Thursday Dec-12-2019 18:31:08 PST
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Vintage Little Loomhouse 4 Harness Weaving Loom & 4 Treadle Table Stand BIN

$245.00
End Date: Monday Dec-9-2019 17:36:28 PST
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SEWING, WEAVING

Janome Sewing Machine: aa112010

1 Comment

If you have been following some of my posts to our Forum, I had mentioned that I was on a search for a new sewing machine. When I moved to London several years ago, I had purchased a budget sewing machine – a Janome. At the time I knew that I would eventually need to get a better quality machine in order to sew handwovens, but at that time, it met my basic sewing needs.Since I rented a weaving studio at Wimbledon Arts Studios, and have started to weave again, the first warp that came off my loom caused me problems when it came time to hem the edges of the sauna towels that I had woven. The fairly loose twill weave and roughness of the tow linen caused the old sewing machine to choke. The thread constantly broke, or the seam skipped many stitches. So I did a bit of research on the suitability of sewing machines. I was looking for one that would have the power to sew heavier or thicker fabrics, yet could also handle fine silks.

What attracted me to some of the Janome sewing machines is that they have a heavy duty motor. And can sew both jeans and leather. The Janome has 7 separate feed dogs, giving you better control for feeding the fabric as you are sewing.

Janome DXL603

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Janome attachments

Janome

About Janome

“In Japanese, the word Janome (pronounced Ja-NO-me) means “eye of the snake.” The company earned the name in the 1920s when founder Yosaku Ose, a pioneer in Japanese sewing manufacturing, began to use a round metal bobbin system instead of the traditional long shuttle. The Japanese thought the new round bobbin looked like a snake’s eye, and from the innovative design, a name was born.”This Janome sewing machine has a top-loading bobbin that is very easy to thread.

At first I considered purchasing the Janome DC3050 Computerised Sewing Machine because it seemed to have all the features that I was looking for. Then I found the Janome DXL603 (Janome 3160 QDC in US is similar I think) – that is more geared to the quilter, yet also had the more powerful motor that could sew the heavier fabrics. It is fully computerized and has 60 different stitch types, probably more than I will ever use, but the option is there.

stitch sample

stitch sample

stitch sample

And there happened to be a special promotional offer that gave me a quilting table that attaches to the free arm, giving me a larger surface for spreading the fabric on as I am sewing. It also came with additional foot attachments.

  • Walking foot, quilting guide
  • Darning foot
  • 1/4″ seam foot
  • Ditch quilting foot
  • Craft foot

Janome quilting

As I read through the instructions, and threaded the needle for the first time, I was delighted to find an automatic needle threader, that is easy to use, and seems to work flawlessly.In the past, when I have started to struggle with threading a sewing machine needle, it has been an indication to me that it may be time to visit my optometrist.After trying out the various stitches, I then tested the sewing machine on a remnant of the linen towel warp that my previous machine had struggled with. I was very happy to find that this Janome was able to sew the fabric without a hiccup. I used an overcast stitch along the edge and then turned the edge over tohem it. The sewing machine was also able to stitch flawlessly through 3 layers of the loosely woven linen fabric using the standard No. 14 needle.

The Janome DXL603 doesn’t need oiling. But if you are sewing with handwoven fabrics, please be aware that these tend to create a lot of lint, so you will need to clean and brush the lint from the bobbin casing and feed dogs quite frequently.So far, I am very happy with my new sewing machine purchase.

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Sewing Handwovens

Sewing
How to Sew Handwoven Fabrics
Handwoven Finishing Techniques

Sewing Books

More Fabric Savvy: A Quick Resource Guide to Selecting and Sewing Fabric
Simple Woven Garments: 20+ Projects to Weave & Wear
Woven to Wear: 17 Thoughtful Designs with Simple Shapes
Weave•Knit•Wear: Simply Fabulous Clothing and Accessories for Rigid Heddle (and Other) Weavers
The Weaver’s Idea Book: Creative Cloth on a Rigid Heddle Loom

Charkha book style spinning wheel Vintage, Nice Condition!

$130.00
End Date: Friday Dec-20-2019 22:12:35 PST
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Ashford Kiwi-3 Spinning Wheel - Folding Treadle / Natural Finish - FREE Shipping

$479.00
End Date: Tuesday Dec-17-2019 12:29:32 PST
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SEWING, Videos

Clothkits

Clothkits is a unique sewing store that recently opened up just down the street from where I live, in Chichester UK.
The shop specializes in sewing fabrics that have the pattern printed onto the cloth. This is a perfect way for a beginner sewer to learn to sew.

Clothkits was originally created by Anne Kennedy in 1969 and sold in 1988. It was operated as a mail order business specializing as sewing patterns forn children’s clothes. The patterns and designs were printed directly onto fabric. All you need to do is cut on the dotted line and follow the sewing instructions to assemble your garment. Clothkits was resurrected by artist Kay Mawer and the original patterns are now available once again through mail order and through their local shop in Chichester.

Clothkits also offers other sewing and craft kits and supplies, felting kits, knitting kits and projects for both young and old alike. They offer sewing, embroidery and other craft classes as well.

Clothkits Relaunch

Clothkits Peekaboo Dress Tutorial


How to sew a child’s Peekaboo Clothkits dress.

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Charkha book style spinning wheel Vintage, Nice Condition!

$130.00
End Date: Friday Dec-20-2019 22:12:35 PST
Buy It Now for only: $130.00
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Ashford Kiwi-3 Spinning Wheel - Folding Treadle / Natural Finish - FREE Shipping

$479.00
End Date: Tuesday Dec-17-2019 12:29:32 PST
Buy It Now for only: $479.00
Buy It Now | Add to watch list

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SEWING, Videos

Sewing

Janome DXL603
A review of my new sewing machine.

Finishing Handwoven Yardage
When you take your newly woven yardage from the loom, the process isn’t complete yet. There are a few more things you must do before you are ready to sew.

Clothkits Sewing Kits

Loom Shaped Clothing

Accurate Darts without Permanent Marks
From the Threads Magazine website, a short video clip on sewing darts.

Pressing Templates for a Sharp Edge

Threads Magazine has a video demonstrating how to use templates to press a smooth edge for bands and hems.

Sewing Bags

Here are a few patterns for sewing bags and purses, that can be used with your hand woven cloth.

Square Bottom Tote Bag Pattern

Placemat Purse Pattern

More about Sewing

ArtLo Studio
A great website with lots of how-to sewing and craft ideas and videos.

Sergers
Information about and free patterns using a serger.

Sewing Pattern Books

Sew something special: Sewing with handwoven fabrics

Handwoven Tailormade: A Tandem Guide to Fabric Designing, Weaving, Sewing and Tailoring

Weaving You Can Wear
Coptic tunic, mexican huipil, himalayan sherpa coat, african shirt, south american poncho. huichol indian pocketbelt and many more.

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Vintage Floor Loom Weaving 4 Harness, 6 Treadle with Warp

$650.00
End Date: Monday Dec-30-2019 20:10:41 PST
Buy It Now for only: $650.00
Buy It Now | Add to watch list

XXL Extra Large Weaving Loom Kit (89cm x 87cm) | Professional Tapestry Loom

$100.00
End Date: Thursday Dec-12-2019 18:31:08 PST
Buy It Now for only: $100.00
Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Little Loomhouse 4 Harness Weaving Loom & 4 Treadle Table Stand BIN

$245.00
End Date: Monday Dec-9-2019 17:36:28 PST
Buy It Now for only: $245.00
Buy It Now | Add to watch list

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Books, Kimono

Book Store Kimono books

Pattern books for sewing Japanese kimonos.

The Book of Kimono: The Complete Guide to Style and Wear

For women, there are formal kimono, obi and accessories, and the lightweight summer yukata; for men, the yukata and the ceremonial ensemble of kimono, haori coat and hakama skirt. Children’s kimono for festive events are also described.
UK: book of Kimono

Japanese Kimono Pattern: Folkwear 113
Unlined informal kimono (yukata) can be worn in various lengths, as a dress, coat, or robe.
Pattern includes instructions for shibori dyeing, sashiko embroidery, and for making an informal obi or sash.
UK: Japanese Kimono Pattern

Make Your Own Japanese Clothes: Patterns and Ideas for Modern Wear
Step-by-step instructions for making 14 select traditional garments, from the luxurious wedding rove and the classic kimono to the informal hanten jacket and practical field pants.
UK: Make your own Japanese Clothes

Kindle Kimono Books

#0001 SUZUKI KIMONO VINTAGE KNITTING PATTERN (Single Patterns)
Kimono pattern from 1916.
UK: Kimono Vintage Pattern
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Patterns, SEWING

Handwoven Sewing Patterns: patternssewn

Free sewing patterns and projects using hand woven fabrics.
Clothing Patterns from the Weaving Room
A book review of Clothing Patterns from the Weaving Room. This book contains lots of excellent patterns and design ideas for sewing fashions with your handwoven fabrics.

Kimono Patterns
Kimonos are sewn from straight pieces of fabric, making them an ideal project for your handwoven cloth.

crackle kimono

Sewing Tips for Handwoven Fabrics
Handy tips, techniques and advice for sewing with handwoven fabrics.

Clothkits Sewing Kits and Patterns
The Weaver Sews
Daryl Lancaster shows how to turn cherished handwoven fabric into wonderful and well-fitting garments.

Sewing Books: Sewing Handwoven

Sew something special: Sewing with handwoven fabrics
UK: Sew Something Special

Handwoven Tailormade: A Tandem Guide to Fabric Designing, Weaving, Sewing and Tailoring
How to use handwoven fabrics to make tailor-made garments.
UK: Handwoven Tailormade

Clothing from the Hands That Weave
Hints and instructions for creating new clothes out of age-old designs
UK: Clothing from Hands that Weave

Fabric Savvy: The Essential Guide for Every Sewer
UK: Fabric Savvy

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