Using Your Serger to Sew Stretchy Fabrics

The overlock machine, or serger has certainly improved garment construction with its speed and professional finishing ability; but many sewers are in a quandary about how and when to use different serging techniques and stitches.

For best results with stretch fabrics, serge the seams and attach ribbing using a 4-thread mock safety stitch. The extra row of stitching adds the strength that a stretchy seam requires. The 4-thread safety stitch works particularly well with two-way stretch fabrics, such as spandex, and is the perfect seam for bathing suits and leotards.

Control the stretch of knit, loosely woven and bias-cut fabric by reinforcing seams with twill tape, Stay-Tape (a fine sheer tricot), clear plastic, or a serger-tail-chain.

Feed the Stay-Tape through the slot of a standard presser foot on your serger (if it has a slot through which to feed the tape – as do the Baby Lock sergers) while serging the seam.

In this short video you will see Pam Carter, Sewing Center Director at Mary Jo's Cloth Store demonstrate how to serge a seam in knit fabrics with Stay-Tape.

http://youtu.be/beFi7ZXUsX4

For more serger tips and techniques, join us on April 11-12, 2014 for our Serger Event featuring Baby Lock expert Joan Friedrich. To learn more and to reserve your seat, call 704-861-9100. 

Sewing, Quilting, & Home Décor in April!

Quilting
	Tues, April 1st Texas Chain Instructor: Daniela Hogan Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $35
Not all chains are Irish! Join Dani in taking strip piecing to a new level while making this Texas Chain.
	Tuesday, April 1st Paper Piecing Club Instructor: Patti Hayden Time: 6pm to 9pm Fee: $25
Learn paper piecing, a foundation technique that will allow you to create blocks that are all the same size; each with precise, sharp points and perfectly matched intersections. This easy to learn method will open up the world of quilting, to include designs you thought you couldn't do. You'll be seeing "stars"!!
	Wednesday, April 2nd & 9th T Shirt Quilts Instructor: Aimee Griffin Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $65
Gather all those T-shirts you just can't throw away and make a memory quilt.
	Thursday, April 10th & 17th Ms Hogan Instructor: Aimee Griffin Time: 6pm to 9pm Fee: $45
Like working with 10" squares? This quilt is fast, fun, and before you know it's done!
	Saturday, April 5th Leaf Placemat Instructor: Vickie Clontz Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $45
Create a beautiful centerpiece or place-mat using pre-cut jelly-roll strips in your favorite coors. Quilt as you sew in this easy-breezy techniqe featuring an optional self-napkin ring. We'll make one in class; the 20-piece jelly-roll pack is enough to make 4-6 placemats.
	Monday, April 7th Quilt with Aimee Instructor: Aimee Griffin Time: 11am to 2pm Fee: $75 plus supplies
Learn the fundamentals of quilting in this 4 session class, you'll be on your way to becoming a master quilter. This is a 4 session class Continued Dates: April 14th, 21st, and 28th. Pattern: Window Boxes
	Tuesday, April 8th Square Dance Instructor: Daniela Hogan Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $35
Looking for a new way to use a layer cake? Don't want tot chop up your elarge print fabrics? Then I've got the perfect pattern for you. Grab your favoite layer cake or largee print fabrics and join me for a "Square Dance".
	Wednesday, April 16th Machine Quilting Basics Instructor: Karen Ponischil Time: 10am to 1pm Fee: $45
Student will learn the basics of free motion quilting. This is no mark technique workshop where the student will be introduced to several different free motion quilting patter designs. Student will learn: about thread, machine feet, needles and batting how to ready your machine starting and stopping several free-motion quilting designs.
	Saturday, April 19th Stabilizer Class Instructor: Pam Carter Time: 1pm to 4:30pm Fee: $30
Take your emboridery to heights by learning about stabilizers, needles and more in this lecture! We will discuss the what, when and why of stabilizers, needles and thread.
	Tuesday, April 22nd Feathers Machine Quilting Instructor: Karen Ponishcil Time: 10am to 1pm Fee: $45
Feathers are the classic quilt motif. Learn the basics of creating feathers from the "shell/teardrop" shape in this free-motion quilting class. This is a minimal/no mark technique workshop where you will be introduced to several different feather patterns. Student will learn about thread, machine feet, needles and batting -how to ready your machine starting and stopping-several free-motion quilting feather motifs (with spine, without spine, free form and funky feathers).
	Tuesday, April 29th Finishing Class Instructor: Daniela Hogan Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $35
Need some extra time and instruction on a project? Stumped on the next step of something you started? Join Daniela and get the help you need with those WIP's (Work-in-progress). This is a free form class that you can bring your own project and work at your own pace!
Sewing
	Friday, April 4th Child Pillowcase Dress Instructor: Carmen Baugh Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $35
We bet you can't just make one. Join Carmen as she shows you step by step instructions to this addictive dress.
	Tuesday, April 1st Stitch-by-Stitch Instructor: Pam Carter Time: 6pm to 9pm Fee: $100 includes Book/DVD
Learn to sew one project at time. Book included. This is a 5 session class Continued Dates: April 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th.
	Wednesday, April 9th It's in the Bag Instructor: Jessica Trimmer Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $30
I admit I was really scared of zippers at first, but I quickly found a few tricks that make them a little less scary - throw in a curved seam and yikes! Don't worry, I will take you step by step through both. We will make a stylish yet functional cosmetic sized pouch. Yes, it has a zipper, and a rounded top, and we will throw a few simple pickets, just to make sure you remember how. This class is also offered on April 26th
	Thursday, April 10th Spring Apron Instructor: Jessica Trimmer Time: 10am to 2pm Fee: $30
Looking to brighten the kitchen this spring? How about adding this cute apron to your kitchen wardrobe?
	Monday, April 11th or 12th Serger Event Instructor: Joan Friedrich Time: 10am to 5pm Fee: $45 each day includes boxed lunch and class kit
From Basics to advanced techniques, learn all about serger machines.
	Saturday, April 19th Wrapped Baskets Instructor: Patti Hayden Time: 10am to 1pm Fee: $25
Learn to make these amazing bowls, baskets and purses from clothesline and fabric, using simple wrapping and coiling methods and zigzag stitching. You'll make one project in class, but you'll learn the techniques to make any project. These projects are easy and FUN to make and they make great gifts! Anyone and everone can do this!! Book: It's a wrap, (book is not necessary for class)
Home Decor
	Thursday, April 10th How to Dress Your Windows Instructor: Susan Woodcock Time: 6pm to 8pm Fee: $25
Are you redecorating your home, and you need inspiration for window treatment ideas? Would you like to learn more about planning and sewing curtains and valances? Join home décor sewing expert Susan Woodcock for a fun and informative look at window treatment styles and sewing techniques. Learn how to measure your window, choose the best fabric and lining, create a custom style for your window, select hardware and the supplies and methods used in making window treatments.
	Thursday, April 17th Creating Custom Cushions Instructor: Susan Woodcock Time: 6pm to 8pm Fee: $25
In this class you will learn about the materials and supplies used to make custom cushions. This class will help you make the right choices before you tackle a cushion project; saving you time and money. Susan will share sewing tips for creating boxed edges, covering welt cord, adding zipers & show how to create new, wrapped foam inserts.
Clubs
	Saturday, April 19th Embroidery Club Instructor: Pam Carter Time: 9am to 11am Fee: $10
New techniques each month.
	Saturday, April 12th Home Dec Days Instructor: Susan Woodcock Time: 10am to 11am Fee: FREE
Join Susan Woodcock, AKA Home Dec Gal at Mary Jo's Cloth Store every second Saturday of the month for free home décor mini-workshops 10:00-10:30 Pillow Styles & Design Ideas 10:30-11:00 Learn How-To Choose Pillow Forms
Kids Sewing
	Monday, April 14th Fun for Kids Learn to Sew Pillowcase Instructor: Melanie Stilwalt Time: 3pm to 5pm Fee: $25 plus supplies
Calling all kids 10 years and older. Come learn how to sew with Melanie. This week learn how to make a pillowcase using the tube style, learn how to make hidden seams and a French seam. Book/Pattern: provided in class
	Monday, April 21st Fun for Kids Learn to Sew Instructor: Melanie Stilwalt Time: 3pm to 5pm Fee: $25 plus supplies
Calling all home school kids 10 years and older. Come learn how to sew with Melanie. This week learn how to make an apron with pockets. Book/Pattern: provided in class.
	Monday, April 28th Fun for Kids Learn to Sew Instructor: Melanie Stilwalt Time: 3pm to 5pm Fee: $25 plus supplies
Calling all home school kids 10 years and older. Come learn how to sew with Melanie. This week learn how to make an apron with pockets. Book/Pattern: provided in class.
	Saturday, April 26th Girl Scout Project Instructor: Jessica & Kathy Trimmer Time: 10am to 3pm Fee: $15
Two hours of learning and fun with the girl scouts, new project each month. To sign up for any of the above classes, call 704-861-9100!

Store Grocery Bags with Style

Plastic grocery bags come in handy around the house but storing them is a mess!

Here is a great idea that you can sew-up in a jiffy, and unclutter your home by storing plastic grocery bags in style.

Step-by-step:

1. Cut one piece of fabric for your bag 16 inches x 18 inches.  Cut one piece of fusible fleece for the lining 16 inches x 18 inches.  Attach the fleece to the reverse side of the fabric following product instructions.  

2. Fold the edges along the 18 inch side together, secure with pins and sew using a ½- inch seam allowance.  

 3. Press open the seam allowance.  

        4. Sew across the bottom edge, using a ½-inch seam allowance.

         5. Flatten out the bottom, measure and mark 2 inches from each corner.  Sew along the mark. 

         6. Carefully clip apart the seam between the marks.  

        7. Sew along the edge of the opening at the bottom, on both sides. 

        8. Cut a piece of fabric for the top binding 3 inches x 16 inches.  Fold and iron so that the cut edges are towards the center.  Fold again and iron to create a ¾-inch binding.  

         9. Pin the binding around the top, tucking under the cut edge at the end.  Sew the banding along the edge. 

        10. Cut a piece of fabric for the handle 3 inches x 14 inches and iron as in Step 8 to create a ¾ inch wide handle. Sew along each side, tucking in the cut edges at each end.  Pin the handle 1 inch down on each side of the bag, with the seam facing the back.  

        11. Sew the handle to the bag creating an “X” with the stitching. 

12. Stuff all of your plastic grocery bags into the top and pull them out of the bottom.  Hang in a convenient spot in your kitchen or laundry room. 

Recycle Old Blue Jeans into a Fun Apron

Before you throw that old pair of jeans in the trash, take a look at this easy project that will turn your trash into a treasure!  Make a cute apron from old blue jeans!

This apron is perfect to wear in the kitchen, but the deep jeans pockets are handy for keeping tools at your fingertips in the garden or art studio.  If you want to make a more masculine version, omit the ruffles and choose a solid or striped fabric for the ties and binding.

We found inspiration for making this project from the Creative Green Living website, which has a wonderful tutorial for making what they call a “Cowgirl Apron”. http://www.creativegreenliving.com/2013/04/farm-girl-apron-tutorial-from-recycled.html

Here are our step-by-step photos – it’s a fun project!  We hope you enjoy turning trash into treasure by making your own blue jeans apron.

Cut off the legs of your old blue jeans.

Cut away the seat from the front along the seams.

Mark a straight line from the crotch to the bottom and sew along the mark.

Cut off the bottom to make a curved, apron shape.

Split open one of the leg pieces and use the hem of the leg as the top edge of the apron.  Trim off excess  at the bottom to match the waistband on the bottom section, allowing an inch extra for sewing them together.

Cut away on each side of the top section for a better fit around arms.  To figure out the fit, pin the top and bottom pieces together and hold it up to your chest and mark a curved line.

Cut off one of the back pockets and sew to the center of the top section.

Make ties from a cute fabric and pin on each side of the waistband.

Make ruffles and sew around the bottom section.  Our ruffles are made 1 ½ inches wide.

Sew the top to the bottom, topstitching along the waistband.

Make a fabric binding and sew it around the cut edges of the top section of the apron, allowing enough binding to continue topstitching past the top, as ties for around the neck.

Cut a piece of fabric to line the bottom section.  Sew around the edges and turn right sides out.  Turn under the fabric at the top edge, pin and sew.

Your blue jeans apron is finished!