What is a French seam…..

carolv723 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:25:02 +0000

Serger Seam

You’ll see in many of the descriptions of creations in fabrics ‘professionally finished seams’. What exactly does that mean?

There are many people who do own sergers. These types of sewing machines create the finished seam you will find especially in stretch designs. The photo on the left side shows a serger seam. It is a neat seam, and very easy to do since the serger machine does all the work for you. It cuts the fabric and ‘overlocks’ the raw edge. All of this helps to prevent seams from unraveling and helps them to ‘look’ finished.

In my garments, I use a ‘french’ seam. This enables me to ‘finish’ a seam without the expense of another machine, BUT it takes twice as long to make the seam. A french seam looks like :

French Seam

A french seam basically hides the edges completely. This takes two steps in completing the seam, thus twice as long as a traditional ‘unfinished’ seam or a serged seam.

While I may someday purchase a serger, I still prefer the french seam for my toddler’s outfits. I enjoy having less thread for those little fingers to find, pull, and twist about. I use french seams everywhere I can. I also use facings, seam bindings, and other means to make the inside of every outfit look as beautiful as the outside.

Watch my patterns in action!

carolv723 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:47:25 +0000

I have decided to share my friend’s creativity through my blogs. My applique patterns, especially, people may ask ‘what would I use an applique for’? Well the answers are numerous. Get ready for the holidays…use appliques as refrigerator/file cabinet magnets. Starch them and use them as a key chain. Too many ideas…so little time.

Here is how my wonderful friend, Hevinlee, used my seahorse pattern. It no longer looks exactly like my pattern – but that’s the idea! Take a pattern and make it your own. Put your heart into it. Crocheting knows no fear – you can always unravel!

I am writing more info on my friends on my Friends Page. That way my friends creations will not fade off into the sunset when my blogs push them off the screen. Just go to My Friends and fellow artisans page and revisit.

Here’s a tease of what’s on there:

Noah's Ark by Hevinlee

Creativity is Recession Proof!

carolv723 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:22:35 +0000

Happy New Year! And to start it off well….here’s the first 2009 free crochet pattern. Hacky Sacks, juggle balls, or fill them with catnip for your cat! Whatever you want to call them…they are the basis for learning how to crochet ‘in the round’ or ‘ending each round’. I’m sure you’ve heard this terminology time and time again…and the newbies are saying – what on earth are they talking about?

Well…download this PDF and you will learn! I show you the difference between the two methods and give you some advice on when to use each. Take this pattern and alter it! Make a larger soccer style ball….or use multi colors for your hacky sack!

Then visit our etsy store to purchase our newest crochet patterns when you’re ready for some new challenges.

FREE HACKY SACK PATTERN

My Production – Your Gain

carolv723 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:44:46 +0000

Yippee, I finished Volume I of actual basic crochet instructions. After having made a few patterns, I felt that I had explain everything little thing – for those newbie crocheters. I’m sure this would bore the ‘old timers’ and it was rough duplicating the same instructions on every pattern.

So, I have developed, compiled or whatever else you would like to call it a FREE (yes, free) download of crochet instructions through the double crochet stitch. I have called it ‘Volume I’, with the anticipation of developing a volume II with more intricate stitches.

I would love my patterns to also be a teaching tool and maybe get someone really excited about crochet.

: Basic Crochet Stitches Illustrated

If you do not want to do a ‘download’ of a PDF, just visit my website, www.carolvegadesigns.com and go to Crochet Instructions. The entire volume is on the website.

Freebies for You

carolv723 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:41:05 +0000

What a week. Two treasuries in Etsy, blessings of amazing friends, and it’s just Tuesday. I do not know what I did to receive this week, but I want to pass it on to you, the reader (hopefully customer) of my blog.

My Monday post featured a FREE download of crochet instructions (how to decrease a stitch). Take a look at how my instructions are before you buy. I am anticipating many more patterns, since my brain is working overtime in the creativity department. In case you missed it, click here and save the PDF to your computer:

Now today…I decided that you needed to see my graphic downloads as well. Why would you want to purchase something and then find out your printer is all you thought it was. So here it is, click here, save the PDF to your computer, put some cardstock in your printer, and print to your hearts content. If you’ve enjoyed these ‘freebies’ go to my store, http://www.carolvegadesigns.etsy.com/ and purchase a few!

Enjoy the Freebies stay posted for future gifts!

Tied up in More Knots

carolv723 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:58:11 +0000

I have been pulled back into the world of crocheting again, and I am loving it. I have discovered amigurumi, which are adorable, little, fun stuffed whatevers. I have seen everything from rabbits and frogs to angels and teddies. The whole theme with them is small. The next theme, especially important for crocheters, is that they are constructed from continuous single crochet rounds. This is (supposed to be) the simplest stitch and pattern to do.

After making one, and noticing the immense cuteness of it, I decided I needed to make some money to support this new habit. Ah ha, sell the patterns! So that is what I am doing. And I’m not doing some ordinary, black and white, abbreviations and numbers kind of instructions – I’m talking pictures.

As I crochet, then rip out the stitches, crochet again…changing certain stitches…finally happy with the result…I jump up, take pictures, intrictely writing down every step. I usually try to leave a creation at least overnight, then look at it in the morning and see everything wrong. Then I either start a new one, or rip up whatever part of it disturbs me and start again.

It may sound aggravating, and at moments it is. But it is exciting. It is somewhat similar to wire wrapping in jewelry (which is my other love), but way less expensive. And the yarn does break from being bent too many times.

My pattern downloads (I email you a PDF file) are on my Etsy store: www.carolvegadesigns.etsy.com. But if you want to see the quality of the instructions I’m selling, check it out, click here:

The pictures in this file are big (and full of explanation), be aware of a large file size. Click on the picture and save the PDF to your computer – FREE. I want you to see what you are buying. If you are happy with what you see, then visit my Etsy store and see the variety. Stay tuned to my blogs to see my daily thoughts and blunders.

Welcome

carolv723 — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:47:47 +0000

My first post. I feel like saying ‘testing, testing, 1, 2, 3′. Because of time constraints (show this weekend) I can not really blog on my first blog! I did allow myself this ‘fun’ time to discover wordpress…and in the process blogging itself.

I look forward to my stumbles and learning this fascinating new world. You are more than welcome to hop aboard and come along. This way, technically, I will not be ‘talking to myself’.

Until tomorrow! Peace and Prayers – Carol