I think this was the last pillow ornie I will do, unless someone can point me in the direction of a fabulous tutorial of how to stitch it together (with sewing machine or by hand or what??), how to stuff the dang thing right, and how to sew it closed without it looking all caddywhompus. Yep, that's a word. How do they get 'em so fully stuffed and pretty looking??
I'd also like to add some pretty beads to the edges of an ornie, ala Carol-her stuff is FABU, but can't figure out how to do that either, lol! I have looked all day for some really good step by step finishing tuts, but I didn't find answers to my burning questions. Working on that tiny little thing just took it out of me. It's not even fit to post!
That's why I frame stuff. :P
Ok miss Tammy...(chaddywampus is a word...so is kittywampus...I use that one lolol) email me sometime at xstitchquintmom@msn.com and I'll try to help you with some hand finishing. Sewing machines HISS at me as I walk by, that is why mine is in the basement! You can add beads to the edges by hand finishing them too...trust me....
ReplyDeleteHang in there Tammy! I've had a sewing machine for 14yrs (?!) and still haven't learned to use it, lol :) I sew everything by hand, which is why I don't make anything big!!!
ReplyDeleteHave you checked out focus on finishing? Lots of great tutorials.
http://focusonfinishing.blogspot.com/
I stitch a backstitch line around my design and stitch another backstitch line the same size on another piece of fabric then whip stitch the two backstitched seams together. The same method you'll find on biscornu instructions. Of course, this won't work if you want to use a printed cotton fabric for the backing.
ReplyDeleteI think we are finishing soul mates. I have the same problems as you....This tutorial may help. http://tts-tutorials.blogspot.com/2008/01/mattress-pincushionpinkeep.html
ReplyDeleteSue
Western Australia
Oh Tammy, I'm so sorry your ornament didn't turn out. Adding some cording to the edge would help to hide any bumps.
ReplyDeleteThe backstitch / whipstitchmethod (which was mentioned in another comment) has worked well for me. It is usually done in a color that closely matches your fabric. I like to use either several strands of floss or a medium weight perle cotton to do the backstitching. The stitches are easier to see and sit up off of the fabric nicely. You fold under your raw edges along the backstitching and work with the wrong sides together. Line up the backstitches on the front and back, and then whipstitch them together.
This backstitch / whipstitch method is also what is used to do a beaded edge. You just pop the bead onto the needle before you do each whipstitch.
Hope this helps! E-mail me if you have any questions :)
Ladies, THANK YOU!!!! I've gotten alot of great info and I really appreciate it--now I have to get stitching again, lol.
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy, so sorry to read that your ornament didn't turn out. I also have a sewing machine, but I do also have problems to stitch properly with it. Maybe it is better to sew it by hand.
ReplyDeleteHope you can try again, and it will work out OK now.
Oh how frustrating to be that close to having a finished finish and then having it go all wrong for you. I'm no good with a sewing machine, so the little I do I do by hand. However, even then I'm pretty challenged. I saw the suggestions made by the others, and really don't have anything else to add, other than to keep trying. It is like so many things that the first pass is the roughest but as you practice it gets easier. In addition to the other links, Vonna has some really nice tutorials
ReplyDeletehttp://thetwistedstitcher.blogspot.com/
Good luck.
Sue
I don't know how to sew or finish anything so I just want to say: good luck!!! You got some very nice advice here ;-)
ReplyDeleteHey Tammy, I forgot to mention...not sure if you're familiar with the Christmas Ornie SAL blog. But there are some ornie finishing links on there too :)
ReplyDeletehttp://christmasorniesal.blogspot.com/
Tammy...woman, I can show you how to finish your work! Remember, I did finishing for a needlework shop and for my business. Didn't I show you the pics?
ReplyDeleteWhen can I come over? LOL
Good luck with your finishing, Tammy. The other ladies have given you some good sites to look at. Sorry I can't help, as my finishing skills are next to zero(we'd make a good pair). Let us know how you go.
ReplyDeleteOh! I know I envy those who can sew around little things esp. like angels or kitties.
ReplyDeleteI do what daffycat describes.
I sew by hand, I have a sewing machine, but it don't like me, feelings mutual, lol.
Come visit me on my blog for an award...I know...I know...
ReplyDeleteOhhh no! I'm so sorry to hear what happened when finishing off your ornament~that exactly sounds like MY kind of luck though too, so you are not alone. I hope you can rectify it, and no one will know the difference. Just remember, practice makes perfect... :-)
ReplyDeleteHi, I just stopped & checked out your blog. It's sooo cute :-) I have the same problem as you when it comes to finishing ornaments. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteIf you WANT to learn to use your machine try hand stitching the back stitching around your edge with a contrasting color thread as described in earlier comments. Then lay the two pieces wrong sides together and place them on the machine so that the needle will stitch just inside the line you backstitched using the backstitched line as a guide for the needle. After doing a couple this way you will get the hang of it and zip right through them without doing the backstitching first.
ReplyDeleteIf there are square corners stop your needle 3 or 4 stitches before you get to the corner -- and stop so that the needle is still in the fabric so you don't lose the exact spot. Turn the fabric at a slight angle and just use your hand to turn the wheel on the machine for about 3 or 4 stitches until you reach the seam line. Stop again, leaving the needle in the fabric, and turn the fabric so you are aimed correctly at the new seam line and finish the seam.
When you pull the fabric out of the machine your corners will look funny because the stitched line runs smoothly up to the corner and then there is an angle. Cut the raw edges on the diagonal at each corner to get rid of "bulk" in the corner. Now when you turn the piece right side out, the corners will come out as nice points, as they should be.
Don't be afraid of your sewing machine, it's supposed to make your life easier!!! It just takes practice and we all went through it. This ornament can be saved by hand stitching some nice lace or other fluffy trim around it's edges to hide the mistakes. And that is something we all do as well. Last year I cut a fabric too small and thought I'd ruined the piece, But I got a lovely ornament out of it by placing a wide braid around the edge, nobody ever noticed -- not even me. So hang in there, nobody is perfect on the first try. We expect to see some lovely ornies from you in the not too distant future. E-mail me (yoyo_9203 @ yahoo dot com) if you'd like more help with the machine.
Oh, and the focus on finishing website mentioned before is really helpful!