And the verdict ladies and gentlemen...

Beads are BACK!!!

Graduates

Another round of students have graduated @SewMoni :-)

October Sewing Classes!

Fall has arrived and we've opened up registration for October sewing classes! 

Part of the exciting fall line-up is our new sewing studio in Manhattan. So get ready city-dwellers, we'll be hosting classes out of our city-space right next to Bryant Park! Check out Beginning Sewing and Beginning Dress Construction available on Monday and Wednesday nights.

Also stay tuned for our quilting and knitting courses coming up in November!

For more information regarding classes or registration click here, or email katie@sewmoni.com.

Happy Monday!

-Katie

www.sewmoni.com

July 4th has brought out the best in me.

1. It's made me realize that I often need a 4 day weekend
2. It's given me time to catch up on old movie classics that simply make me giggle, more than white wine
3. It's provided extra time to try new foods, such as risotto
4. It's reminded me that one can never have enough damask inspired fabric

Xo

Moni

Sewing Tips: Facts about Fabrics

Below is an excerpt from 150 Sewing Tips by Mary Johnson, printed in Woman's Day in 1962. I found this booklet in my grandmother's sewing library. Reading it not only conjured up memories of my grandmother, but reminded me of the legacy of this crafting tradition.

Facts about Fabrics

* Woolens are the easiest to handle, especially the firmly woven medium weights. They come folded wrong-side out, all ready or the pattern.

* Cottons are the next easiest. They are folded right-side out and when printed, or when the right and wrong sides are different, as in sateen, they must be re-folded wrong-side out, before pinning pattern.

* Tubular jersey and other knits are often manufactured with the right-side out, but sometimes come the other way around, so inspect them carefully before laying out the pattern.

* Some wools have nap, a surface finish on the right side that is smooth to the touch when brushed with the hand one way, rough when brushed the other. Use with nap smooth in a downward direction.

* Some cottons such as corduroy have a pile, smooth to the touch one way, rough the other. The smoothness is usually worn upward for clothing, directed down for household items.

* Synthetics, made in many imitations of natural fabrics, often have a nap or pile too, and they are used in exactly the same way as their natural counterparts are.

* When silk, rayon or synthetic velvet is used for clothing, the pile is usually worn upward for richer color and better wearing quality.  

* With upholstery velvets, the pile is placed downward. The tone is subtler and it is easier to clean.

* Some fabrics must be held taut during stitching, with one hand ahead of the needle, the other behind it. This applies to heavy coatings on which the presser foot tends to move the top layer and cause uneven ends at the bottom of the seam; to plaids so that the lines stay matched; to synthetics and to sheers like organza, no matter what their fiber content, to prevent puckering.

Have more questions about fabric? Stay tuned for Textile Tuesdays where we highlight a different fabric's make and use every week.

Sew on people!
-Katie

Sewing Tips: Your Sewing Machine

Below is an excerpt from 150 Sewing Tips by Mary Johnson, printed in Woman's Day in 1962. I found this booklet in my grandmother's sewing library. Reading it not only conjured up memories of my grandmother, but reminded me of the legacy of this crafting tradition.

You Sewing Machine

* If the thread breaks when you stitch, the machine is improperly threaded, you've inserted the needle improperly or you are using the wrong make needle.

* If the machine has been unused for some time, oil it in the tiny holes provided for that purpose. Stitch through cotton strips to absorb excess oil.

* Regulate length of machine stitching to suite fabric texture. For heavy coatings, 12 to 13 stitches to the inch; for medium-weight suiting, cotton or synthetics, 14 or 15; for sheers, 16 or 18.

* Use a medium-size machine needle for general garment making.

* If the stitches don't look right, check threading and bobbin. If the trouble still exists, consult the instruction book.

* You can improvise a seam guide with a strip of adhesive tape about 2" long. Place it straight up and down on the machine plate as far right of needle hole as width of seam allowance (usually 5/8"). When you stitch, bring raw edges of fabric up against tape edge.

* If your machine puckers some fabrics take the needle out of the shaft and roll is on fine sandpaper; or sew through the sandpaper without thread (abrasive side up to sand won't get into the works).

* If machine skips stitches on synthetics, especially tricots, change to a fine machine needle and nylon thread.

Let the good times roll and happy sewing!
-Katie

Sewing Up Love.

Key to my Heart.

Morse code |ˈmôrs|
noun
an alphabet or code in which letters are represented by combinations of long and short signals of light or sound.
verb [ trans. ]
signal (something) using Morse code.
ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: named after Samuel F. B. Morse (1791–1872), U.S. inventor.

I'm dying to tell you what we have cooking in our crock pot of creativity here in Ft. Greene Brooklyn.

However, my team has sworn me to secrecy. At least until January 15th.

I am allowed to give you a hint: It has a lot to do with code and a little bit of romance.

FYI: Chocolate Fabric is not the answer.

XO. MB.

Fabric Experts Unite!

I recently took a trip to Staten Island to pick up fabric at a local Jo-Ann's store. While there I met an individual who sparked up a conversation with me about his design aspirations and quest to find the perfect wool blend. He noted how searching for fabric or even knowing an online site where fabric is critiqued, not just sold, is scarce. This brief discussion got me thinking that there are probably fabric critics out there and maybe we at SEWMoni could help build a list of such critics?

Selecting fabric is definitely personal and if not, a crucial decision regarding any project. Facets of a fabric's texture, down to weather or not it is washable, are important factors will affect your project.

All this to say, if you are a person who critiques fabric, we'd love to hear from you! Please send us your blog or contact information. Our goal is to link to students and craft peeps to one another as well as provide any information that might make sewing easier.

XO

Moni

I'm Happy to be an American

I was recently mugged and assaulted in Brooklyn, NY. I know. I felt violated, scared and the experience left me jaded for a few weeks. Also, it happened at 2:30pm in the afternoon, in broad daylight! Is that even allowed? Luckily, a few people witnessed, heard my screams and actually came to my rescue. They helped me, picked me up off the ground and took care of me till the police showed up.

Even though our economy stinks and I happened to be a victim of the increased crime rate due to the economic slump, I'm still happy to be living in the US. I'm so blessed that strangers were there for me and their efforts proved to me that city people are kind.

Coincidentally, much of my sewing inspiration is derived from America. The two horse prints above are Robert Kaufman fabrics and I LOVE them. Horses remind me of Texas and all things patriotic. And, the print with flags perfectly moving in sync while horses gallop in glory gives me a sense of comfort.

On a similar note, this week marks a huge gallop for sewMONI. We are bringing on 2-3 part time employees! It's important to me that our small company supports employment efforts in the USA. All of our goods are handmade in the USA one stitch at a time with much care. Our newest employees are quite talented and I am anxious to see what new things will be generated within the next few months.

Enjoy your weekend!

XO

Photo Credit: Robert Kaufman