Replies

1. 
   Cherrypops | May 20, 2007 03:25am | #1

   My Ma does this, I will ask her your questions and get back to you.

   info is in next post. :)

   CherryPops

   Edited 5/19/2007 11:28 pm by Cherrypops

1. 
   Cherrypops | May 20, 2007 06:27am | #2

   Mum Says:

   you can disolve it and paint it onto some baking paper, let it dry and it comes away from the baking paper so that you can use it in your hoop, top of material like on towels etc. to stop stitches sinking into the pile and/or bottom of material so that you can do lace work or cutaway patterns. 

   mix it so that its thick like paste.

   You can also soak your material in it let it dry but when you press it you must use a dry pressing cloth, this way it stabilizes the material and then can be washed out to leave the material soft not starched.

   Hope this helps.

    

   CherryPops

1. 
   Pattiann42 | May 20, 2007 10:49pm | #3

   Thank-you to you and your Mother! 

   I've been saving my scraps thinking they would come in handy.   I'm going to give both processes a try.

2. 
   JanF | May 25, 2007 12:52pm | #4

   I must thank you for this - Ive got loads of bits which I was loathe to throw away and just being using it by overlapping pieces. It never ceases to amaze me why even the simplest of things dont always spring to mind - you would have thought I would have at least considered this possibility!!
   Jan

1. 
   Cherrypops | May 25, 2007 01:54pm | #5

   You're welcome Jan, This method was news to me too. Mum-in-law has learnt a lot more since sewing class. she made her own clothes for many years and now makes quilts, and of course machine embroidery.

   Today she is finishing a wedding cake ( made cakes for many yrs also), for one of the locals and knits for me in her spare time.

   She is very good at all her crafts.

   She is involved with her local lawn bowls club and has a lot of trophies.

   She is 64 and lives 9hrs drive north of me. We email regularly.

   She's the best second mum I could ask for.

    

    

1. 
   JanF | May 26, 2007 02:12pm | #6

   Surprising who you learn things from - 9 hours is quite a long distance from you - especially as u have young children don't you?
   Some people might say its a mixed blessing I suppose - but if ur own mum lives away/or working/or possibly not in your life - ur right - mum in laws can be invaluable!
   This tip seems a good one to send to Threads - i hadnt thought of it - why don't u send it in?
   Half term holiday starts 2day - bliss - a week to spend on a recycling project - how many things can I make from my old clothes etc. - to sell at a youth club fair near Liverpool 2 weeks time - theme = eco/recycling.
   have to post some pics when I'm done!
   Jan

2. 
   Cherrypops | May 26, 2007 02:33pm | #7

   Yes it was hard not having my mum or ma around especially when Thomas was little. but we survive. My mum lives 13hrs drive away and has alzheimers.

   Yes I will send the tip in to threads. I thought of that earlier today. need to find the proper email address.

   I've stitched out my first small design on my new Janome 350e. No problems with tension or bobbin thread. Used a built in design and one colour. work my way up. Ma is learning digitizing, so if i need to, i send her the pic and she puts it into the embroidery file for me.

   I was just chatting to her on messenger ( windows live) helping her with computer things.

   Term 2 closes 21 June. We have 10 week blocks or thereabouts. then 2 weeks off.

   Glad your keeping well.

   CherryPops

3. 
   JanF | May 26, 2007 11:42pm | #8

   I'm sorry that ur Mum is not too well - my husband's mother had it too so my heart goes out to anyone who has a loved one with this problem. Very hard for you in particular, but ur mum will be ok in her own way.
   Regarding the machines-
   What do you think to the Janome?
   I have 2 fairly basic ones at school - and one that links to the computer which works well but is actually quite old technology now. I think they are good machines, fairly well priced. I think i could digitize pics for the school machine - but I only use it by scanning in pics with its own hand scanner system. It downloads onto little discs that slot into the side of the machine. Its enough for me to access the CAD/CAM part of the syllabus but I dont think I will bother updating much more. Ive gone into learning a fashion design programme called Speedstep as my last bit of new technology. It allows pupils to design garments and then produce colour views as per industry etc. - Its good - but I still have got problems with the technician at school not getting it set up properly for me! Dare I say - "thats men for u!"
   Anyway - its my target for this coming year - get it up and fully operational!
   This week - as I say - I'm hopefully recycling like mad, but sadly Ive also got my Dad's funeral too. I have had hospital visiting since feb half term and stopping at mums 2 nights a week but dad finally passed awaylast monday.
   Dare I say a blessing in a way? He was 89 though, but its still sad - and of course Mum is finding it hard too. No doubt a few of fellow "Threads" writers understand where i'm coming from.
   Anyway - a good funeral planned - Mum said Dad was a one -off - so it'll be unconventional (he wasn't a church go-er)but he was a great musician and last night we had a great time going through all his old records etc. trying to choose 4 to represent each stage of his musical life. It really helped my Mum
   Anyway - Beatles - to Boogie (war-time) to military band(he played the euphonium) to Widor's toccata on organ (he was really good on the piano and organ)so in a way I'm looking forward to giving him this send off!
   However - I'm off to stagnate in front of the jolly old box(TV)now - had a great curry meal - a few drinks and Sat night with hubby who has been brilliant in not minding taking a back seat for the last 3-4 months.
   Speak again
   jan

4. 
   Cherrypops | May 27, 2007 02:48am | #9

   Thank you for sharing more about you. It is never easy when a loved one is lost. My Ma's Mother passed on a few years ago, and the funeral was very humourous, serious but not to soppy, Nan loved a laugh, she would have been laughing with us. My Mum is in good hands. She and Dad both still live at home. My sister visits them often. My Dad and father-in-law have health issues. We visit both sets of parents each xmas. Always take the Video Camera and still camera with us.

   Machines:

   This is my first janome, but so far so good. I used my ma's Singer (1960's era) for a while, upgraded to a Brother Star 140e, this also allows for small quilts. don't have many fancy stitches, but at the moment I don't need them. I have a Bernina 800dl serger, top of line in Australia at time of purchase, the college design students used it - i have had no problems with it.

   I found the 'Submit A Tip' to threads webpage so I sent the tip in. Keep an eye out.

   You may like to start a new topic on Speedstep when you get it up and running. Others may be interested too. I have not heard it. There are probably similar design programmes in other countries.

   I have a great hubby too.

   CherryPops

    

    

    

    

5. 
   JanF | May 27, 2007 07:42pm | #10

   Thanks for ur reply!
   I hadn't thought of info re. Speedstep for the Threads topics because I haven't fully explored it - if u want to see some examples of what u can do - egs on
   javascript:ol('http://www.cadinschools.org/');
   shows what some teachers can do - my stuff is very basic at the moment - but hopefully my students will get to grips with it and turn in some great stuff next Autumn - or before -if it goes according to plan!
   My serger (overlocker in UK terminology!) is a bernette334DS which I've had for ages and still does the business (got 2 in school)- but I wish id got a 5 thread overlocker. I don't think I experiment enough with it either - cos I actually only use it for purely functional neatening/joining and if I had time I think I could do more. I do narrow rolled hems for decoration too and this is easy for use in school - but other than that, school use is limited to function only - some little darling would really damage them if I allowed them to fiddle endlessly (some do now and that's when they go wrong - trying to rethread when a class of over 20 are busy doing other sewing as well without a technician to do this for me is a pain in the a..e!)
   I've just bought a blind hemmer for school - and its easy - but some little s..t nearly always manages to cut the thread just to be a devil I suppose but, thank goodness so far it seems easy to rethread!
   I've no doubt some members might not appreciate my references to pupils - always someone's little darlings - just not always mine!
   I do like them usually - honest!!! - don't let me prejudice u against ur children's teachers!!
   Are u a quilter then?
   I don't do much of this now - too time consuming for me - I like to do things a little too ad-hoc for quilting I think!
   Or perhaps I'm just a bit lazy - this is a downside to my character I feel - cos I work too much under time pressure so lots get done as and when. I'm brilliant at thinking on my feet - useful when a pupil makes a sudden mistake - like sticking the unpicker through all fabric and big slits appear.When they howl and the rest of the class look up - I have to suggest all sorts quickly - otherwise the enthusiasm goes for them and I can't bear unfinished items.
   Necessity the mother of invention and so on!!
   Anyway - back to my recycling - not going too badly - bags seem to be prevalent!

6. 
   Josefly | May 28, 2007 02:48am | #11

   I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. It sounds as if you're planning a wonderful celebration of his life. I always enjoy your comments, suggestions, and shared experiences.

7. 
   JanF | May 28, 2007 01:26pm | #12

   Thank you for your reply - yes it will be a good send off I think. Choosing the music has kept Mum a little more upbeat and while yes - he was at times a very awkward man - his oddity seems to be what my Mum is remembering. Funny how all the times he was extremely unbending seems to be of no importance now.
   I'm glad in a way 'cos it has allowed us children to let go of all the "not so good " memories. I'm sure everyone has them - families wouldn't be families without them. I have to say that seeing him towards the end of his life made me realise that the person he was, obviously was a product of his upbringing - very Victorian - he loved us - but couldn't show or talk about it. A pity really - but there the man!
   Ooh a bit heavy for this chat - sorry - but Ive done a lot of personal soul-searching the last few months and I have vowed to make sure my children (grandchildren if we have any)know how much we love/are proud of them. Luckily Pete and I had similar upbringings - so we said right from the day we had our 1st. child that they would talk to us about things etc.
   Mind you - I'm sure that there are things they don't like about their upbringing which we might be unaware of!! Those of us that are parents probably recognise where I'm coming from here!
   Anyway - still trying to have a productive half term break at the same time - exam papers to mark - recycling ideas to do - places to see, people to talk to that i have kept telling I will try to catch up with them at end of term!!!
   And time to while away in front of the computer too!
   Jan

8. 
   MaryinColorado | Jun 02, 2007 05:17pm | #13

   I am sorry for the loss of your father, may he rest in peace.  God bless You and your family at this difficult time.  Cherish the memories.  Mary

9. 
   JanF | Jun 02, 2007 11:09pm | #14

   Thank you Mary - we actually had a good time at Dad's "after- funeral" do!
   A bit hairy before that - but it was great to get family/friends together to chatter about past happenings etc. - surprising how u forget them until a new memory surfaces because some other person triggers them off with "I remember..."
   And of course the age old "Why do we only see everyone at funerals/weddings etc?"
   Probably no different to most families!

10. 
    solosmocker | Jun 09, 2007 01:25am | #15

    Jan, I, too, am very sorry for the loss of your father. No matter how old we get we are always Daddy's little girl, a very special relationship. Take care and God bless.solo

11. 
    JanF | Jun 09, 2007 12:38pm | #16

    Thank you, probably the hardest part over - but Mum will probably have to leave the family home - which is the next hurdle!!
    Suddenly u start to feel the passing of time and you feel a bit older somehow once a parent dies. I never appreciated this beforehand!
    Jan

2. 
   maggiecoops | Sep 13, 2007 03:45am | #17

   Hi Spicegirl, I have been using Gloop, my name fordissolved wash away film since the late 90s with great success. I don't make new film with it but use it as a paint. I first used it to kill stretch on my own machine knitted fabrics so I could machine embroider on it. I simply put a handful of scraps in a screw top jar, add some water and stir it first then put the lid on and give it a bit of a shake. To use it as a paint it needs to be the consistency of single cream and pearlescent. I add more scraps or water to get the consistency I need. I use a stencil brush or a pastry brush with the tip cut off to work the Gloop into the fabric. Then either leave it laid flat to dry, or use a hairdryer to speed it up. On knits you still need a cutaway stabiliser to supprt the integrity of the design, as stretchy fabrics can create sad looking embroidery after a few launderings. I also use it to strengthen sheer fabrics, prevent puckering on very dense stitch designs rather than have several layers of stabiliser, and on items where I don't want a backing to be seen. It makesyour fabric stiff and prevents any stretch occuring, then after you've finished you just wash it away.

1. 
   Pattiann42 | Sep 13, 2007 11:02pm | #18

   Thanks for getting this discussion back on track.  While the method of making new sheets by liquefying scraps is a good one, your method is the one I was looking for.

   Thank-you.

1. 
   Cherrypops | Sep 14, 2007 02:40am | #19

   good  things come to those who wait.

   pleased you have your answer!

2. 
   maggiecoops | Sep 14, 2007 02:48am | #20

   Hi Spicegirl, glad I could help, I love the stuff as it's so easy to use. The first few lots you make might be too thick or thin, but you'll soon find the right consistency.