More Padding...

...that is on SusieQ, my dress form. That is what I was working on this afternoon. A work in progress. Still have to add more padding to the waistline and hips. I've been using polyester batting to fill in the areas under the bust.

When I pulled off the undergarments, I accidently turned one of the side knobs and thus one side of the bust was smaller. I couldn't turn the knob up and I can't find my instructions. The knob can go down easily, but not up. So, if any of you have a TwinFit dress form...how do I turn the small knob at the side of the bust up another size?


When I get back from vacation, I will retake my measurements and make the necessary adjustments on SusieQ. I hope to lose some weight after all the snorkeling.

Crayolas and Soil Separator - Sewing Cloth

Ahhh...did my title catch your attention?

I've been busy looking for some type of media to use when I trace out my patterns on my new sewing cloth. So far, the winner is...Crayola Pencils! There's got to be a good reason why they are preferred by teachers. Let me tell you, I first tried my reliable Ultra Fine Sharpie. Well doggone if that didn't bleed right through the cloth. I know, I've been warned. But I had to try it. Good thing I had paper protecting my cutting table underneath.

I am finding that regular pencils leave behind smears and can get all over my hands. I know, I did recommended it along with my tracing paper in a previous post. As you can see in the pictures...the pencil dust/smears gets everywhere and my pattern weights are turning a dingy color from my grungy fingers.

So far, I have found that the Crayola Pencils works really well with the sewing cloth and my tracing/sketch paper.

Here, you can see I've traced out a sample using one of the Crayola pencils. I did have to trace over the lines twice. That probably had more to do with my eyes getting bad (that's another story).

After I finished tracing, there was hardly any trace of the Crayola pencil markings on the KS pattern sheet underneath.

This will be interesting to see what I can do with 12 colored pencils when I start using this cloth. Good thing I didn't get the 24 pack of colors. lol!

Again, I will keep you posted as I start using this cloth more and more.

My Favorite Threads

It's that time again to chat about my favorite notions. In this post, I will be talking about my favorite threads.

My favorite sewing machine threads are the ones made by Mettler (pictured). I use both the polyester and their silk covered cotton threads. If I’m sewing a cotton garment, I will use the cotton thread. All other types of fabric, I will use the polyester thread.

When I bought my first Viking sewing machine, my dealer recommended Mettler. That’s where it all started.

I haven’t had problems with thread shredding or breaking. No skipped stitches.

My favorite local place to find Mettler threads is G-Street Fabrics. G carries a lot of different colors. If I don’t find a color I need (which is rare), I will use Gutermann’s. My local Hancock’s carries Mettler polyester threads, but in limited colors.

So, now you know my second favorite sewing machine thread is Gutermann’s. I will buy this thread if I can’t find Mettler available. I can find Gutermann’s at Joann Fabrics and at G.


My favorite serger thread is Maxilock. Only because it’s locally available (Joann's, Hancock's & G) and when it goes on sale…I buy a lot. I usually buy my serger thread colors in pairs. I can usually pair my colors together to create a blended serge stitch color. Like for a black, gray, or dark blue fabric, I would use a combination of black and graphite. For beige, taupe, and tan color fabrics, I would use off-white and beige. For a light pink fabric, I might use off-white and light pink. I think you get the picture. No need to buy 4 of the same colors.


My favorite embroidery thread is Isacord (pictured here). I love these large spools of threads. I can get these locally at G. As a result, I have ended up with a rainbow of colors. I haven’t had any thread breakage while using my embroidery machine.

My next favorite embroidery threads are Madeira, Sulky and Robison-Anton. I love the colors they carry, but they are not readily available to me. So, I tend to order these via the Internet. I use these threads to fill in for the missing Isacord colors I do not have on hand.

I have also used these embroidery threads in my sewing machine (top thread) when I have the need to use one of my decorative stitches on my garment.

Do you have any favorite threads you'd like to share with me?

My Favorite Tracing Tools (updated)

I have received some questions from fellow sewers on PR…what do I use to trace my patterns? Great question. Here are the basic tools I use: tracing paper, yard stick, 18" ruler, pattern weights, pencil & eraser, and a Sharpie marker.


For the tracing paper, I use Staedler’s sketch paper (on a roll). It’s an 8lb lightweight tracing paper that loves my Sharpie marker. I don’t have a problem with bleed through on this paper with my Ultra Fine Sharpies. It comes in two sizes (rolls). The roll shown in the picture is 18” x 50 yards and it’s the widest roll I’ve seen available. It’s a highly transparent paper and accepts pencil, ink, charcoal & felt tip markers. My only issue with this paper is water. Be careful when using this paper, not to get any moisture on it. This roll was about $15 at my local Staples.

To keep the tracing paper flat over my pattern paper I use my pattern weights. You can use other heavy items, like a stapler, small cans of sliced olives, metal washers, etc. I think you get the idea.

For tracing the lines, I simply use a pencil Crayola Colored Pencils. I found the Crayola Colored Pencils do not leave behind dust/grit. When I used the regular lead pencils...my hands and tools (e.g. white pattern weights) would get dirty. Not the case with the colored pencils.

For marking the pattern, I use an Ultra Fine Sharpie. I mark my notches, dots, squares, shorten/lengthen lines, grain lines, darts, pleats, etc. I also use it to write my pattern information, size, finished sizes, etc.

For tracing straight lines, I use my metal yard stick. You can easily use a wood or plastic version. I also have an 18” plastic ruler for drawing smaller lines. I prefer the metal ruler for it’s added weight, as I get less shifting/movement while tracing.

For tracing curved lines, I use nothing but my hand. I’ve gotten really good with drawing curves by hand. I think that’s related more to my drawing/sketching/painting experience. There are curved rulers available that can help you trace a curve.


I was out and about last night with DH and made a trip to our local Lowe’s. I found the Carriff Soil Separator Cloth. I bought the smallest roll (in width) they had: 24” x 300’. This roll was located next to the black drainage tubes that are used to help with drainage around the house. This roll was about $18. On Carriff's website...they do have a listing for Sewer's Cloth which has the same SKU number as the soil separator cloth. Interesting, huh? For the rest and future posts, I will refer to this cloth as "sewing cloth". I'd rather use a sew-friendly terminology. :)

DH who works in the plant nursery business, mentioned that he could get this cloth for me. I told him, let me try this out and see if I like it enough to get a humongous roll. lol!

I plan on trying out my new sewing cloth later today. Part of my test will be to find a writing tool that doesn't bleed on this cloth. I will post my findings and results later.

Stay tuned for a future post on "why do I trace my patterns".


** Update: I forgot three other tools that I use: a cutting board, Scotch (Magic) tape, and a good pair of paper scissors **

I have a foldable cardboard cutting board that I use over my wood cutting table. I use it to protect my table from nicks when I use my scissors to cut the tracing paper and fabric. Also, it protects my pins from dulling...the cardboard is softer than my wood table.

The Scotch tape is used when I need to shorten the traced pattern piece or when I need to add on to the tracing paper because the original pattern is wider than the tracing paper roll.

I have special scissors for cutting paper and other non-fabric items. I love using my Fiskars (the orange handle). Lets face it, after tracing so many pattern pieces you want a good comfortable scissor to use.


** Another update: Sketch/tracing paper **

I have two Staples in my local area. One store closest to my house carries the sketch/tracing paper. The other Staples (bigger store) does not. ??? If you can't find the Staedler’s brand, I remember seeing another brand (can't remember the name) at AC Moore and it also came on a roll. You just need to make sure the paper can take felt tip markers...meaning no bleed through.

My Favorite Pins & Pin Cushion

Once again, it's time to talk about my favorite notions. The topic for today is Pins and Pin Cushions.

I have been collecting pin cushions for as long as I have been sewing clothes for myself. My first one was one that I made back in 2005 when I first started sewing...a heart shaped cushion. A few months ago, Gloria gave me one in the shape of a dress form. That one is really classy and is more for display purposes (and I'm still looking for some fancy "bling" pins to dress it up).

My "workhorse" pin cushion is this fancy one from Dritz. I love the size and the square shape. It holds a lot of pins. And notice the included scissors? Too cool! I ended up buying two of these at Joann's. One is used at my ironing station. The one in the picture is used at my sewing machine. This even fits in the wide harp area of my Viking Sapphire SM.

Now, what's a pin cushion without pins? These are my favorite pins. They are heat resistant glass head pins. I love them because they work with all the different types of fabrics I have used used so far (lightweight fabrics to home dec). I have ironed over them without any problems. They are 1-3/8 inches long. They are extra-fine with a ".5mm" nickel-plated shaft. These are made by Dritz. Other brands that I like and continue to use: Clover (red and white pins) and Collins (yellow pins). The key is the .5mm size shaft. They are very sharp.

While I was teaching my first sewing class, I was showing my students how to pin the pattern piece to their fabric. I borrowed their pins and oh my gosh! I almost had a fit...I had a hard time getting their pins through the fabric. At the next class, I brought in an extra box of red and white Clover pins that I had and gave them to use. Guess what?? They were happy campers. For them, it was a lesson well learned.

Happy Sewing!

My Favorite Cutting Tools - Kai Scissors

Since I'm between sewing projects, I thought it would be a good time to start talking about my favorite sewing tools and notions. I thought I would start with my scissors, the most important sewing tool.

In the 3 years I have been sewing, I have used Ginghers, Mundial, and Fiskars. I now own Kai Scissors. These Japanese made scissors are stainless steel with vanadium. What is Vanadium? Well, I did some quick research on Google and came up with this brief description: Vanadium is a soft and ductile, silver gray metal. It has good resistance to corrosion and is used along with stainless steel to make surgical tools. It has good structural strength.

Let me tell you, they are lightweight and a joy to use. I have used them to cut lightweight fabrics, home decor, fleece, and denim without any problems.

I have used them for over 2 years and they are of course my favorite. I have the dressmaking shears in 8-1/2 (N5220) and 8 (N5210) inches. The 8-inch fits comfortably in my hand and I used that as my primary fabric cutting scissors. I also own the 6-1/2 inch scissors (N5165), which is great to keep near the sewing machine for clipping threads and mostly for trimming fabric. I also have the 4” needle-craft scissors (N5100) for cutting threads. The 4-inch might be a bit small for folks with large hands.

I have recently purchased the 8” pinking shears (N5350). I ordered them on a Friday and received them on a Tuesday. Jim did not waste any time processing and shipping from the West Coast. Free shipping is included in the price of the scissor.

Check out the Kai Scissors website to see the variety of scissors they carry.