The mending pile

Sometimes the mending pile gets so big that it actually needs to sorted into colours like the washing. In that way I feel like I am getting some kind of efficiency by doing all of the black things together, then the purple, red, black etc.

This is today's job.

Tracksuit pants hem tutorial

Ok, this is a tute for all those who would like to put up their hems of their trackie dacks (tracksuit pants) so that they look just as professional as before.  It is not as hard as it seems.

Step 1: First thing is to measure how much you will need to take them up.  You may need help from someone else with this.  A good general rule of thumb is that the bottom of the new hem should be the bottom of your heel.

Step 2: Now turn your pants inside out and measure that distance from the current bottom of the pants up.  This is where you will now fold the pants up with the outside of the pants folding toward the inside.  You should be seeing the inside out of the pants with the outside of the fold.  It is best to do this on your ironing board as you will be ironing this in a moment.

Step 3: With your iron set on the appropriate setting for the pants (check the label), iron the crease of the fold (which will be your new hem line) all around the edge.  Do this for both legs. (please ignore the cut on the pants in the photo - I took the photo after I had done Step 5!)

Step 4: Now measure the length of the current hem.  It is always a good idea to follow what has been done already, except in the cases where it is too small.  In these cases, allow for more fabric for the hem.

Step 5: Now with this measurement of the hem, cut that length from the ironed crease (toward the bottom of the pants) all the way around the pants - be sure to cut evenly.  Do this with both legs.

Step 6: Now with your overlocker, stitch around the edge in cotton that either matches or is neutral.  If you do not have an overlocker, use a zigzag stitch along the edge. Do this for both legs.

Step 7: Iron with steam to relax the fabric back and to set the stitches. Do this for both legs.

Step 8:  Pin the hem around (knob ends pointing down to the bottom of the pants. Do this for both legs.

Step 9:  Pop your Twin Needle (make sure you use the "Stretch" needles for stretch fabric) and thread up your machine with cotton to match the pants or slightly darker cotton (use either two cotton reels or make up two bobbins and use one bobbin up the top as your other reel).

Step 10: Making sure that you are stitching on top of your edge of your hem, sew on the right side of your pants.  Careful not to pull the fabric as it goes through the machine.  Keep it at a consistent width from the bottom edge.  Do this for both legs.

Step 11: Turn up the steam on your iron

and put the finished pants, inside out on the ironing board.  You will notice that they are all bubbly.  Don't freak out!  Hold the iron over the top, not ironing, just holding over, push the steam button and give them a shot of stem and watch the fabric reclaim its elasticity! 

Ta Da!

Step 12: Now turn them the right way and give them an iron and your job is done!

A Photo a Day in August - Day 4

Ok, I feel like I might be cheating here, but running out of time... anyway, here is my still life photo of my buttons, scissors & thread..... which I used on my facebook page to create the event to tell anyone who needs to / wants to, that the Kensington Neighbourhood House is offering Basic Mending (run by me) on 5 Sept from 2.30 -4pm where I will teach people how to sew on a button, (even thread a needle), simple hemming, simple patching... If you, or anyone you know, needs this, it really is very, very cheap at only $10/$8 (concession) , but you do need to book in by contact them:
89 McCracken Street, Kensington VIC 3031
Ph: 03 9376 6366 kwgp@vicnet.net.au

There is also the UFO Workshops that I will be running. The first one coming up is 29 Aug, then at this stage 7 Nov, 5 Dec. The purpose of these is to bring along the sewing projects that you are stuck on, or need some inspiration on, or would just like to be in a creative environment with other sewing types. Sit & sew, swap ideas, help each other, give tips on sewing, haby & fabric haunts, have a lot of fun. I think that the 2 hours will probably go pretty fast.


Head over to The Byron Life to some great pics & links to others joining in A Photo a Day in August

Mending softies

My boys think that skip shopper and I can fix anything & who am I to burst their bubble? Sometimes things just sit for an incredibly long time until it has been forgotten or superseded, other things, like these old softies, just get slowly mended (some of them like orange doggie get done over & over & over again).

Old George has been so well loved that his "skin" needs to be remade. Orange doggie needs his ear remade.

Caramello bear's legs sewn back on.

These are the important things that I do in the night.