To Sew or Not To Sew, That is The Question

Sewing Machines

2006-10-26T22:13:00.000-04:00

Sewing Patterns: "Sewing Machine Repair Sewing Machines Sewing Notions Sewing Organizations Sewing Patterns"

Sewing Machine Cabinets

2006-10-25T20:30:00.000-04:00

Sewing Fabric: "Sewing Fabric Sewing Links Sewing Machine Sewing Machine Cabinets Sewing Machine Parts"

Martha Pullen

2006-10-24T21:39:00.000-04:00

Martha's Sewing Room : "New Martha Pullen certified instructor in Heirloom Sewing and Quilting

Martha Pullen, host of PBS-TV series Martha's Sewing Room announces that Wendy Ann Wood of Portland, Oregon, has recently completed training in Huntsville, Alabama to become a Martha Pullen/Janome Licensed Teacher. This title has been awarded to a very few, select sewing teachers across the United States, England, Canada, Mexico and Australia. Pullen heads a sewing empire, Martha Pullen Company, Inc., based around the concept of heirloom sewing, which includes the publication of an international magazine, Sew Beautiful. Sew Beautiful, Founded in 1987, enjoys a readership of over 100,000 people six times a year. Each licensed Martha Pullen-Janome teacher is allowed to sell all of Pullen's twenty-nine books written to promote this art as well as the Martha Pullen brand of imported fabrics and laces.

Pullen has been conducting The Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion in Huntsville, Alabama for eighteen years. The need arose to have very specialized teachers to teach the Martha Pullen methods when she began receiving hundreds of invitations to teach that she simply could not accept.

It became a new objective to carefully choose a few individuals who could travel for Mrs. Pullen sharing the joy and techniques of heirloom sewing and quilting. Wendy is one of the very small number of people who will be doing just that – traveling and teaching for Mrs. Pullen.

What is heirloom sewing? Heirlooms are hand made and meant to be treasured by families for generations to come. Handmade family pieces, such as the products Wendy is licensed to teach, are always sought after and carry warm memories of the person who made the garment. Heirlooms are stitched knowing that probably they will be around much longer than the person who made the garment or other item. Heirlooms, which Wendy has been licensed to teach, are fashioned after elegant Victorian clothing, which was extremely popular around 1900. The revival of heirloom sewing started around 1970 and is more popular today then when it began. At one time heirlooms were completely made by hand but with today's computer technology advanced sewing machines and sergers; almost all of this type of sewing and embroidery is done by machine. Certainly the lack of time for today's busy individuals who sew has necessitated that the process be faster. Janome has been one of the leaders in helping people who love to sew have the luxury of returning to their sewing machines to create these masterpieces.

From Pullen's research, people are sewing for two main reasons today. First, sewing offers stress relief in a very fast moving world. Second, individuals love the creative aspect of making art pieces, the category into which these heirlooms certainly deserve to be placed. The classes Wendy will teach offer both of these elements to her heirloom sewing students.

The Janome Sewing Machine Company is headquartered in Japan where the sewing machines are manufactured; they are sold worldwide. Classic embroidery has been considered very aristocratic for centuries. With the new Janome sewing machines, elegant embroidery can be done with the touch of a button. With this new computer technology, making museum quality heirlooms has become very easy. Pullen has designed heirloom embroidery cards for Janome as well as other ones under the Martha Pullen Company brand. Many individuals enjoy the embroidery aspects of these computer machines to embroider numerous items, not just delicate heirlooms.

Classes which Wendy is certified to teach include an elaborate christening dress, an heirloom portrait dress for a little girl, several home decorating projects, and eighteen inch doll dress, angel fairy ornaments, custom pincushion and a museum quality quilt. Each Martha Pullen teacher is licensed to conduct classes anywhere in the world. With Wendy's classes she will certainly facilitate her students to be able to create family heirlooms and memories using modern technology. One of the best-kept secrets of the sewing world is how easy it is to stitch a beautiful heirloom.

Anyone can take a Martha Pullen Heirloom class. All you need is a working sewing machine that can do straight and zigzag stitches and basic sewing knowledge. For more information on Wendy's upcoming classes in our area you may visit her web site at: http://heart2hand.home.attbi.com/ and click on the ‘workshops' button. Or contact Heart To Hand at: 503-884-1953.

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Serger

2006-10-23T21:39:00.000-04:00

Sewing: " Scissors Serger Sew Sewing Sewing Buttons"

Quilting Patterns

2006-10-22T21:21:00.000-04:00

Quilting Supplies: " Quilting Machines Quilting Patterns Quilting Supplies Quilt Patterns Resources"

Quilting Designs

2006-10-21T19:03:00.000-04:00

Quilting Fabric: " Quilting Books Quilting Designs Quilting Fabric Quilting Fabrics Quilting Frames"

Historical Loss Development Study

2006-10-20T20:39:00.000-04:00

Need to reinforce awareness: "Need to reinforce awareness of historical loss development patterns in companies writing casualty excess reinsurance business.

Research and Markets announces the addition of the Historical Loss Development Study to its offering.

The Historical Loss Development Study has been produced since 1969 to reinforce awareness of historical loss development patterns in companies writing casualty excess reinsurance business and in primary companies writing high deductible or umbrella insurance. This 230-page book contains over 40 years of loss development data compiled from 23 companies and is full of insightful analysis of attachment points, ranges of variation, comparative treaty and facultative data and the impact of mass torts on loss development. Comprehensive data is presented for the major lines of insurance including automobile liability, general liability, workers compensation, and medical malpractice. The study also includes a comparison of reinsurer and primary insurer historical loss development.

The new edition also includes an exhibit on discounted vs. undiscounted development of workers compensation and presents analysis of the ratio of asbestos and environmental & other mass tort losses compared to total general liability emergence by accident year.

For a complete index of this report click on http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/223185

About Research and Markets Ltd.
Research and Markets Ltd. are Europe's largest resource for market research. R&M distribute thousands of major research publications from the world's leading publishers, consultants and market analysts. R&M provide you with the latest forecasts on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest market trends.

For additional information on ResearchandMarkets.com, their range of reports or their value-added services, visit their web site at http://www.researchandmarkets.com or mailto:press@researchandmarkets.com

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Quilt Fabric

2006-10-19T21:40:00.000-04:00

Quilting: " Pregnancy Pillow Prom Dresses Quilt Fabric Quilt Fabrics Quilting"

Vogue Patterns

2006-10-18T20:23:00.000-04:00

Wedding Decorations: "Vogue Patterns Waverly Fabric Waverly Fabrics Wedding Decoration Wedding Decorations"

Fall/Winter Fashion

2006-10-17T20:46:00.000-04:00

Anything burgandy: "Fall/Winter Fashion for Teens

Anything burgandy, which I love seems to be one of the fall colours. Also love dark brown. There is lots of brown in many shades, but still reds, blacks, greys, greens. Much better color selection this fall than last year when there was almost only black, red and olive greens.

The fashion mood is mix-and-match with girly looks such as ruffles, embroidery, fringe, sparkles, creative colors, playful patterns. This is a departure from the hard-core sex appeal from seasons past.

Satin is not just for evenings anymore...bring it into the light during the day by pairing a satin camisole with a fitted jacket or wear a satin skirt with a knitted cardigan. This fabric also looks great with denim. Bottom line, the best way to wear it is to highlight just one piece: a little satin goes a long way.Best example - pink satin cami under a blazer.

Ponchos, capes and wraps continue to make news. There are lots of quirky tweeds, funky mohair and slinky jeans, shrunken tweed blazers worn with pleated mini-skirts or faded denims.The shrunken tweed blazer is the height of cool...pair it with some faded denim, but push up the sleeves or it may look a little too country. A black, velvet, bracelet- sleeved jacket looks chic with a simple camisole and jeans, or cropped cords and worn with a fabulous mohair poncho, a drape-necked sweater, or a flirty tweed skirt, skin-tight pencil skirt. Try a candy-pink, silk shell top, printed with miniature horses. Leaf and tweed corsages are dotted all over lapels and shoulders.

Layered Ts and sweaters have a definitely boyish bent. Snug tops and contrasting colors are in. Wear a button down shirt with untucked hem under a V-neck sweater or layer a long-sleeve T under a short sleeve tee. A blue Oxford shirt, a pair of beige chinos and a really classic trench reflect the current trend.

Pants are more fitting now, so they feel more current. They are slimmer through the thigh and waistlines are creeping back up...superlow jeans are out. Try something new like ankle crop pants with boots for a fresh take. Super skinny black pants and darker denim are cool - but without the whiskering, or excessive creases, etc.Pants usually push out skirts, but not this season, when skirts are stylish for coolweather. In addition to miniskirts there are A-lines, knee-length or mid-calf skirts in everything from worn denim to crisp menswear. Legwear is back with everything from bright tights to fishnets covering up gams with skirts.

Dresses are paired with matching short coats, and are a super-feminine look. Worn short and graphic they are hip and mod. Black dress rules in everything from satin to silk to lace.

A matching fitted jacket and skirt is an ultra-feminine silhouette that harkens back to the retro chic of the 1950s and is still an easy way to look elegant and polished. Suits are also a smart investment because of the their versatility; pair the jacket with jeans, wear the skirt with a sweater - for a less formal look. A pair of wide-leg tweed or wool pants can be dressed up with a camisole and jacket or can be worn casually with a simple cotton tee.

Fur, real or otherwise is being seen everywhere. Indulge yourself with a jacket, or look for accessories such as scarves, mitts and bags. Don't wear all of them together - a touch of fur is all you need to look stylish.

Hair is being worn in a variety of styles; Textured and shaped to allow control over your hair style or sleek and smooth pulled away from the face to give a clean look. The messy, tousled look is still in. Layered, razorcut styles allow for whispy, sexy strands. Ends are flipped up [but not curled using a blow dryer and paddle brush. Flipped back layers look great on brunettes as well as blondes.Shoulder length hair with waves and curls allows hair to fall naturally. Deep brunette and auburn shadesset the trend for Fall and Winter hair color.

For makeup choose rich, jewelled shades like berry, plum and emerald to complement all the tweeds and browns you'll be wearing. Natural daylight becomes grayer in the cooler months so subtle shades may fade out.

Models are showing smudgy, smokey eyes accented with blue and green in lieu of the basic charcoal gray we're used to seeing. The new liquid eyeliners are not harsh, as those of the past. Avoid black, but instead try a new burgundy or berry shade or a shade of brown, bronze, blue, green or silver. In lipstick 'Plum' works for a variety of skin tones. Look for soothing ingredients such as lanolin, petrolatum, aloe vera, jojoba or macadamia nut oil or beeswax on labels. Although many come with their own moisturizing gloss, it's best to save them until next summer.

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Plus Size Womens Clothing

2006-10-15T21:10:00.000-04:00

Patterns: " Pattern Patterns Plastic Canvas Patterns Plus Size Womens Clothing Precision Vinyl Cut Patterns"

Online Fabric Store

2006-10-14T10:15:00.000-04:00

Online Fabric Store: " Mosaic Patterns Neck Pillow Online Online Fabric Store Outdoor Fabric"

Machine Embroidery Designs

2006-10-13T20:22:00.000-04:00

Mccall's Patterns: " Machine Embroidery Machine Embroidery Designs Machine Embroidery Software Machine Quilting Mccall's Patterns"

Fashions of the Gilded Age

2006-10-12T22:28:00.000-04:00

The Gilded Age : "Rare Bustle Era Fashion Resources Now Available

Lavolta Press is proud to announce the publication of _Fashions of the Gilded Age_, a two-volume anthology edited by Frances Grimble. _Fashions of the Gilded Age_ is a self-contained resource for theatrical costumers, reenactors, doll artists, and needleworkers who reproduce period garments. It makes hundreds of rare patterns and illustrations available at a fraction of the cost of originals, and at a lower cost than a wardrobe of full-size reproduction patterns. And it is a valuable tool for collectors and costume historians who identify, date, and research vintage clothes, accessories, or patterns.

Fashions of the Gilded Age contains a complete wardrobe of authentic women's styles from the late 1870s and early 1880s. The 343 patterns and 798 illustrations are selected from numerous original sources. Volume 1 includes patterns for corsets, bustles, lingerie, skirts, day bodices, evening bodices, overskirts, polonaises, and day dresses. Volume 2 focuses on evening dresses, ball gowns, wedding dresses, riding habits, bathing costumes, and outerwear. It also includes millinery, accessories of all types, and needlework trimmings created by such techniques as embroidery and crochet. Each pattern is accompanied by practical instructions, and often by an exquisite fashion plate. Extensive quotes from fashion magazines and etiquette manuals give in-depth information on construction, materials, trimmings, and wardrobe planning. Volume 2 includes an illustrated 87-page manual, created for this book, on 1870s and 1880s dressmaking and millinery techniques. Although enthusiasts will want both volumes, each can be purchased and used independently.

The author says, "Fashion was international. The same patterns, fashion plates, and dressmaking instructions were published in the United States, Germany, and other countries. A large part of my anthology is based on a rare German pattern book, _Vollständige Schule der Damenschneiderei_. I had it translated into English for the first time. It uses apportioning scales, special rulers that enable you to easily enlarge patterns to a custom size without doing arithmetic. A full set of scales is printed in each volume.

"I also used 112 issues of _Harper's Bazar_, the premier Victorian American fashion magazine. Their oversized supplements are densely printed with overlapping patterns--they look like road maps. Today the supplements are desirable collectibles. But they are scarce, expensive, and fragile; and the patterns are hard to puzzle out. For _Fashions of the Gilded Age_, I disentangled and redrew the patterns. I wrote step-by-step instructions for enlarging them with a projector and by gridding.

"Other sources include numerous other fashion magazines, drafting manuals, and sewing manuals. Most information from them has not been widely available since its first publication."

Frances Grimble is the author of four previous books: _After a Fashion_, _Reconstruction Era Fashions_, _The Voice of Fashion_, and _The Edwardian Modiste_. Over 60 of her articles have appeared in national magazines, such as _Threads_, _Sew News_, and _Antique Trader Weekly_. Since 1972 she has collected vintage clothing, reproduced historic styles, and studied related fashion publications.

Each volume of _Fashions of the Gilded Age_ can be purchased separately for $49 in bookstores, or ordered from Lavolta Press at 20 Meadowbrook Drive, San Francisco, CA 94132.

_Fashions of the Gilded Age, Volume 1
Undergarments, Bodices, Skirts, Overskirts, Polonaises, and Day Dresses 1877-1882_
Edited and with additional material by Frances Grimble
Publication date: June 2004
8 1/2" x 11" quality paperback
469 pages, 200 line illustrations, 160 patterns
Glossary, bibliography, 2 indexes, apportioning scales, metric conversion table
ISBN: 0-9636517-5-7
LCCN: 2003114921
$49 for volume 1 only (plus sales tax for California consumers)
$4 shipping (for book post within the US), $6 shipping for both volumes together

_Fashions of the Gilded Age, Volume 2
Evening, Bridal, Sports, Outerwear, Accessories, and Dressmaking 1877-1882_
Edited and with additional material by Frances Grimble
Publication date: June 2004
8 1/2" x 11" quality paperback
541 pages, 598 line illustrations, 184 patterns
Glossary, bibliography, 2 indexes, apportioning scales, metric conversion table
ISBN: 0-9636517-6-5
LCCN: 2003114921
$49 for volume 2 only (plus sales tax for California consumers)
$4 shipping (for book post within the US), $6 shipping for both volumes together

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Kids Halloween Costumes

2006-10-11T21:53:00.000-04:00

Kbt Fabrics: " Kbt Fabrics Keepsake Quilting Kids Halloween Costumes Knifty Knitter Patterns Knitting Patterns"

How To Sew

2006-10-10T22:31:00.000-04:00

High Thread Count Sheets: "High Thread Count Sheets How To Sew Husqvarna Joann Fabrics Joann Fabrics Coupons"

ANNETTE GRIGSBY

2006-10-09T21:47:00.000-04:00

Internationally Acclaimed Quilter: "Internationally Acclaimed Quilter Creates New Art Medium

Most artists paint ON fabric, but artist ANNETTE GRIGSBY doesn't. She paints WITH fabric! While quilting bees and quilters replicate traditional patterns in practicing this traditional craft, Annette has converted her extraordinary quilting talent to that of a new and unique art medium. Fabric art.

'I was born in Missouri, raised in Arkansas, married a Louisiana man in Mississippi and spent the last 43 years learning, teaching and traveling all over the country making quilts,' Annette says. She finally ended up in Kansas, America's mid-point, where she continues to innovate and redefine her craft . . . her art . . . well, her artistic craft.

Her first memory of sewing was as a small child making doll clothes with her sisters on the front porch of their Eudora, Arkansas, home. Fifty years later the obviously gifted brood of three sisters, Annette, Betty Sanders (Cactus Flower Gifts) and Nancy Campbell (Designs on You), now strewn by the tides of life from Washington state to Texas, are all three Charter Exhibitors in OurCraftShow.com, a recently launched online virtual arts and crafts show.

Annette set a previously unexplored course for her talents, never satisfied with as good as any. 'Of course, as soon as I learned the way they told me to do something, I figured out a better way for me,' Annette explains. While some quilting patterns suggest three dimensional objects, like cubes and stars, Annette's quilting adds an unusual ingredient of depth and perspective to the picture. Her departure from repetitive patterns and shapes gave her the freedom to create images, scenes and interpretations not previously or elsewhere seen in the quilting community. Taking depth a step further, some of her works are actually in full relief, like her Le Fleur, pictured above [photo available if not attached.

So, when Annette entered into quilting competitions it surprised no one but Annette that she took the field by storm. Her work has won awards in both national and international competitions. First place, International Hoffman Competition; Finalist, Good Housekeeping Quilt Contest; Specialty Award from Woodlawn Plantation; and blue ribbons from too many state fairs and regional competitions to list.

Recognition is always appreciated, but it's evident that Annette is not driven by her competitive side. "I confess, I haven't kept up with all of the awards. There are a lot of others, but I just gave most of the awards away with the piece," says Annette.

No, what drives Annette is the only motivation strong enough to push an artist to the top of her craft, the love of her work. While her bent for detail and perfection is evident in the workpiece itself, her own description reveals the thought, concept and emotion she attempts, no, succeeds, in conveying. Of her Watchers From the Shore, shown above [photo available if not attached, she writes "You can almost hear the murmurs of amazement as the three natives witness the three ships' arrival in their world. Were these gods or men? Were they friend or foe? Hidden among trees and foliage, you can see the fear in the way they hold their bodies." A lesser passion would have produced a lesser work.
Just as there is only one original "Sunflowers", one original "Irises", most of Annette's pieces are one of a kind, like Watchers From the Shore, Christmas Eve at Our House, America's First Land-Sailing Adventure, I've Got the Blues X 3 and Sweet Caroline. But the same craftsmanship and originality are found in her other pieces, like her Forever Friends series.

Annette Grigsby's work can be seen and purchased on the internet at her booth (Annette's Fabric Art) at www.OurCraftShow.com.

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Hancock Fabric Stores

2006-10-07T21:00:00.000-04:00

Hancock Fabrics: " Free Sewing Patterns Halloween Costumes Hancock Fabrics Hancock Fabric Stores Heart Patterns"

Free Quilting Patterns

2006-10-07T20:59:00.000-04:00

Free Sewing Pattern: "Free Purse Patterns Free Quilt Block Patterns Free Quilting Patterns Free Quilt Patterns Free Sewing Pattern"

Halloween

2006-10-05T22:47:00.000-04:00

Costume book winner: "Halloween costume book winner of Writer's Digest Award

As soon as the first pumpkin appears, Halloween fever starts and the children will jump up and down in anticipation. What will they remember when they grow up? Illegally Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids by Leila Peltosaari (ISBN 1-896106-03-X) is the winner of 2001 Writer's Digest National Self-Published Book Awards (reference): 'An amazing collection of 100 costumes you can make for kids, with simple patterns, no-sew shortcuts and last-minute solutions. Four-color illustrations on every page with step-by-step instructions.' Kids come in all sizes but costumes don't, so consider making one that fits even without a sewing machine. It's easier than you'd think and worth every minute of your time. Easy fabrics like fleece can be hotglued together for a quick but spectacular costume to thrill the kids.

A good costume is not just for one night but will go from school to parades to parties to trick-or-treating to dress-up games through many kids. Let the kids choose the costume they like and help you in making accessories and personalized treat bags for that special night. Imagine the memories. Whether you buy or make the costumes, don't hide them when Halloween is over. Start a dress-up trunk or box and make an irresistible magnet for your kids and their friends. Watch their eyes light up at the sight of costumes that feed imagination and provide good times without TV or computer. A trunk full of costumes will soon become a trunk full of unforgettable childhood memories.

Illegally Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids is sold at UNICEF boutiques in NYC, and from 1-800-363-6205 ($19.95, free shipping). A portion of the proceeds is donated to UNICEF to help needy children of the world.

Please see http://www.easyhalloween.com for more info, photos, free patterns, and last-minute solutions.

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Free Knit Patterns

2006-10-05T22:46:00.000-04:00

Free Patterns: "Free Knit Patterns Free Knitting Patterns Free Machine Embroidery Patterns Free Patterns Free Plastic Canvas Patterns"

Free Crochet Patterns

2006-10-01T22:12:00.000-04:00

Free Embroidery Patterns: " Free Crochet Patterns Free Cross Stitch Patterns Free Easy Crochet Patterns Free Embroidery Designs Free Embroidery Patterns"

Free Crochet Afghan Patterns

2006-10-01T22:09:00.000-04:00

Free Craft Patterns: " Free Bead Patterns Free Buttons Free Counted Cross Stitch Patterns Free Craft Patterns Free Crochet Afghan Patterns"

Tropic Lines

2006-09-28T21:29:00.000-04:00

Screensaver: "Tropic Lines Screensaver has been released!

Tropic Lines, a delicious screensaver for to relax and meditate, creates before your very eyes unique and inimitable patterns made of traces in all and every rainbow color. A few minutes to contemplate it will fill you with a mood that has no equal, grant you new forces, instigate your imagination, and bring your work mates to your work place.

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Baby Knitting Patterns

2006-09-25T22:23:00.000-04:00

Quilt Patterns: "Fleece Fabric Foam Pillow Free Baby Knitting Patterns Free Baby Quilt Patterns Free Beading Patterns"

Fire Retardant Fabric

2006-09-24T21:40:00.000-04:00

Fabric Stores: "Fabric Stores Fashion Design Fingerprint Patterns Fire Retardant Fabric Flame Pattern"

Public Enemy Number One

2006-09-23T18:08:00.000-04:00

The #1 Sewing Resource for sewing articles and links: "The Fate of Public Enemy Number One

We live in a world of patterns. But, according to science, patterns are unlikely. Any patterns that do occur are described as chance events that become quickly reabsorbed into a pervading trend towards formlessness or featurelessness. You can test this easily. Take several coins and pile them up, one on top of the other, on the palm of your hand. You will observe a 'cylinder' of coins - a recognizable pattern. Now toss them on the ground. If three or four of those coins wound up in a pattern you would be surprised. If you tossed the coins again and they fell into the same pattern you would be completely flabbergasted. What generally happens, of course, is that the coins wind up in a scattered arrangement on the ground. All of the natural forces identified by science, except one, lead to randomness. The exception is gravity, which leads to the simple spherical shapes of planets and stars. But even the stars and planets are scattered across the heavens. If there are any patterns, these have occurred by chance and will not last. But gravity cannot account for all the complex patterns and structures that repeat everywhere you look. Here on earth there are people, animals, plants, fish, birds, reptiles, insects. There are any number of repeating patterns of behaviour. Why? .
Science and logic attempt to explain the existence of patterns and structures by saying that chance is responsible for them. According to our learned duo, the whole world is a clockwork, predictable process in which order and routine appear by chance within a general trend towards featurelessness. In other words, the routines of your life occur by accident and always in an onward march towards meaninglessness, dissipation and the grave. Logic and science say that, ultimately, your bones will be nothing more than so much dust blowing in someone else's eyes. Well, that is one explanation. Now I will tell you a secret that logic and science are not aware of. Most of the patterns and routines that drive your actions and those that you encounter in your daily life have no logical antecedents. This means that there is no chain of causes and effects that you could trace that would lead up to the routine or structure in question. 'Patterns' just emerge into the world in a surprising way.
The patterns of development that emerge as if from nowhere repeat themselves in every era. Originally they were depicted in the great mythological stories. One such is the Greek myth of Phaeton. This is an important story because the pattern of development that gripped the central character is common in the modern world. Phaeton's father was the Sun God. Now this God was far away in the sky, so Phaeton was brought up by his mother alone. One day the young Phaeton's pride was hurt when his great lineage was doubted by an acquaintance. So Phaeton went to his mother and asked for proof that his father was the Sun God. The great lady directed her son to the land in the east where the sun rose. Phaeton traveled there and was greeted by the Sun God who confirmed that he was indeed his father. As an act of good will, the Sun God grants Phaeton a wish. The young man, still smarting from damaged pride, asks to be allowed to drive his father's chariot across the sky. Because of his inexperience, he was warned not to attempt such a feat. But Phaeton could not be dissuaded and he launches himself forward in the chariot. Eventually, control is lost and the fiery chariot lurches towards the earth threatening a great scorching of the land. Before damage could be done Phaeton is blasted out of the sky by a thunderbolt and is killed.
Now what possible relevance could that story have for today's world? Well, it is the 'pattern' of development that is important. The absent father. Offspring brought up by lone female. Lack of self-esteem. The young person biting off more than they can chew. The catastrophic fall to earth. The children of unmarried mothers are very much 'available' to this archetypal pattern. Perhaps the youngsters turn to crime and are emboldened by some early success. They climb to dizzy heights of notoriety. But, in their battle against authority, they have taken on more than they can handle and the police inevitably catch up with them, bring them down to earth and cast them into gaol. In those lives, the mysterious living trend of Phaeton will have been fulfilled. Many privileged people, politicians, industrialists and people in the public eye suffer a similar fate within the channel of their individual activity. Hitler, for example, did not get on with a father who died when he was thirteen. He then went on to live the tragedy of Phaeton. If you examine these lives you will discover an absent father or a weak father or perhaps they were sent away to boarding school. This lack of a male role model will prevent the optimum 'plan' for their lives from unfolding and they will become available to the one-sided living trend depicted in the myth of Phaeton.
Could public enemy number one, Osama Bin Laden, be gripped by the myth of Phaeton? His father was generally absent and died when Osama was ten. The boy was then brought up by his mother alone. This would have made him available to the living trend. However, nothing is certain because living trends emerge in a surprising way. They are unpredictable, unlike events that occur under the known laws of interaction. But you can see how Osama could be living the tragedy of Phaeton. His father was missing. And plainly, in his war against the west, he has bitten off more than he can chew and the standard 'pattern' of the living trend is emerging. Osama's followers think that he is some kind of religious prophet. He certainly looks like one, with his Biblical clothes, general demeanor and apocalyptic utterances. But appearances can be deceptive. If he were a prophet, why can't he 'see' the 'power' in which he is caught up and the fate that awaits him. He can't 'see' because he is 'blind'. He is 'blind' like the rest of us who must go on in 'darkness' and live out, to the very end, the folly which we call human life.
It looks as though George Bush will 'blast Osama Bin Laden out of the sky', thus fulfilling the archetypal 'pattern' that was 'intended' from the beginning. But should George celebrate his great 'victory over evil'? Maybe not. You see, George is living out his own myth and it is an unpleasant surprise that awaits him too. It looks as if old George is living the myth of the problem solver. This is the myth of Hercules. Our hero is seen chopping off the heads of the Hydra, only to be surprised by more problematic heads growing elsewhere on the body of the monster. So here we have George 'Hercules' Bush chopping off Osama's head only to be confronted by more terror tactics from the monstrous AlQaeda terrorist network. Here also we have George ousting the Taliban in Afghanistan, only to create a 'vacuum' which sucks in an equally unacceptable regime. So George's solutions are turning into new problems. He is simply acting out the myth that most of us are embroiled in. So don't celebrate yet George.
We shouldn't laugh, because human folly afflicts us all. In a world where recognizable patterns of development are unlikely, everyday life is crammed with them. These living trends or vortexes of disembodied 'intent' emerge, in a surprising way, from a dimension beyond time and space. Call this dimension what you will - the unconscious, heaven, hell, the underworld, eternity, the void, phase space, it does not matter. The trends emerge just the same to enlist each one of us in a life of folly. They get away with it because we are unconscious of the nature of reality. We think we are in control but nothing could be further from the Truth.
You see, there is a transcendent 'pattern' for the development of Osama and George and you and me. But this never manifests because something goes wrong early on. A father dies, imperfect knowledge is imparted, unrealistic mind viruses are contracted, some unforeseen event pushes us off-track. For the transcendent pattern of a life to emerge it must be evoked by an already existing role model or by a special teaching. The teaching is designed to help a person correct imbalances and become available to a 'power' that creates nice surprises. In the absence of nice surprises, all you are left with is the living trends of science, technology, religion and culture. At the end of those beguiling 'paths' is an 'abyss'.

For information on a
Strategy for Getting Nice Surprises
visit Tom Horn's website at:
http://www.angelfire.com/ab4/goldenflower/

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Fabric Store

2006-09-19T21:41:00.000-04:00

Fabrics: " Fabric Blinds Fabric Quilting Fabrics Fabric Shower Curtains Fabric Store"

Embroidery Supplies

2006-09-16T04:22:00.000-04:00

Fabric: " Embroidery Software Embroidery Stitches Embroidery Supplies Embroidery Thread Fabric"

'YES!' Moments

2006-09-13T06:19:00.000-04:00

Your #1 Sewing Resource: "How to Increase Those 'YES!' Moments

I jotted this note down from a speech I heard. Kids are imagination machines. Their world is a kaleidoscope in which reality and make-believe run together into a riot of fantastic patterns and colors. Why do so many of us lose this ability as we age?

How many of you had a delightful toy where you swiveled the end piece and bits of colored paper or plastic created new shapes continuously? Maybe you have the grown-up version using glass pieces encased in a heavier material than cardboard that you still point at the light and ooh and aah at. Perhaps it's time to go and get one as a reminder to let yourself be in awe of the wonder of how simple changes can be made and new solutions found through a little twist.

I worked for a company that named one of their post-production special effects products "Kaleidoscope" because of it's ability to take images and merge, convert, and generally perform magic. If you watch any movies or television you have seen the amazing results that technology allows people to achieve. Think of your brain as an incredible piece of equipment powerful enough to mimic this exercise. Study after study has shown that we use just a small portion of our brain's capabilities - and much of that is on the logical and analytical portion.

Want to know how to encourage the use of your imagination to create more instances of achieving those intuitive a-ha solutions and moments of knowing that you are on the right course? That flash of insight feeling? A direct knowing or comprehension. How about that spontaneous understanding of the how or why of something. Whether you pay attention or not is a matter of trust in yourself. Of being willing to accept that what you have just realized is valid. Even if it isn't the final solution - it's a step up the ladder to creating a better you and a new opportunity to reaching the goal you are currently pursuing.

Are you providing outlets for your creative senses and the need to stretch your boundaries? Allow yourself to feel and act beyond your typical innovative and inventive styles so an even more original strategy can evolve. This generally requires you to be willing to accept ideas from wherever they may emanate (the concept of allowing the universe to bring to you what you need and want). Is your mindset one of limitations or expansiveness? Are you willing to think bigger than "normal"? Or are your patterns of thought more in the realm of being squished inside a box because that is what you are used to?

Some people believe that you have to be very specific about what you want your outcome to be. It's true that some tasks or projects require an understanding by everyone involved. It's essentially the starting point from which you then work backwards to figure out the best way(s) to get to that level of achievement. This may be referred to as having a common vision or a shared sense of purpose.

I believe it's okay to be vague when you are starting out on a project. This allows you to be more receptive to possibilities. Brainstorming, mind-mapping, jotting notes, or just talking with others can stimulate your mind into new directions that you weren't even considering before. Try not to anticipate an outcome as that can be a mind closer. Another approach that may appeal to you is to consider your main topic to be the eye of a hurricane and as it swirls and builds force - more and more is brought into its fury until it is finally spent and settles down.

You have probably all heard that it is the quantity of ideas that is more important when investigating or exploring a new avenue. In other words, related and unrelated ideas are all important at this stage. It is then -- as you begin to sort, categorize, meld, piggyback, and organize all those comments and ideas into some kind of order -- that a stronger semblance of quality emerges. This is a good time to practice the infamous reporter (or 4 year old) questions of: who, what, why, when, where, and how.

I've been on task force teams that had the good sense to bring in "outsiders" who weren't involved with the project in any way because they didn't come in with preconceived notions. They listened and then added ideas based upon their experience and expertise. Also - since they had no personal stake in the outcome and no rivalry with the other members - they felt more free to toss out "wild ideas" that might trigger thoughts for those more intimately involved.

If you've really been open, a new solution may pop out and you know it's what you need to get moving. So get started and add on from there. You start to cull from the other ideas to add depth and width to the project. This is when the finesse shines through.

Other times, the challenge to figure out what needs to happen next takes a bit longer. That's good too. This gives your brain more time to digest and mix with all the other knowledge you have stored. Applying pressure at this point can be detrimental. As long as you give yourself time to consider other angles, this is when some of the best breakthroughs will appear in your subconscious and/or conscious mind. It's from this point that many people get their a-ha's, gut feelings, or dawn of realization solutions.

Let the intuitive and the rational be partners. The voice of our own "genius" can only be heard if you are listening for it. It's okay and actually necessary to allow some emotional feelings to come through. This can be difficult due to cultural, social, and family upbringing. Those hunches, the light bulb coming on in the mind, and the casual or serious observations of what goes on around you allow you to exploit opportunities to "birth" new ideas almost instinctively.

Why should you cultivate your imagination and intuition? Because it helps you to be open to "acting on impulse". These thinking styles draw from your storehouse of knowledge, skills, and talents. The subconscious mind holds even more treasures just waiting to be found, opened, and used to your benefit. Let these attributes act as a springboard to the normal functioning of your brain's capabilities. Value and nurture them regularly.

In reality, achieving those "yes!!" moments is due to an already extensive familiarity with the topic. You're permitting yourself to consider all possibilities from a variety of sources and resources. And, you are trusting yourself to know that whatever you have been seeking is there for the taking right now. I encourage you to peek around the corner and look over the edge - you might be pleasantly surprised at what you discover.

It's not really magic - unless you consider all of life to be a magically wonderful rainbow-colored, pot-of-gold seeking adventure! Now that's an imaginative picture and my intuition tells me it's time to go out and play!

(c)2003 Virginia Reeves OK to reprint. My motto is share your smiles as you search for the pot of gold. Ezine on enhancing growth offers alternate weeks of Virginia's articles and a guest. This provides variety to benefit you. mailto:millionairemindset@GetResponse.com For more choices, please check website at http://www.rainbowopportunities.ws Thanks!

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Embroidery Sewing Machine

2006-09-10T23:37:00.000-04:00

Embroidery Machine: "Embroidery Library Embroidery Machine Embroidery Machines Embroidery Patterns Embroidery Sewing Machine"

Belief Pattern

2006-09-08T23:12:00.000-04:00

- Sewing Articles: "Do You Want To Change Your Belief Pattern?

What do you believe about yourself that you wish you didn't? This belief that limits you or, at the very least, has undesirable results. What belief is that?

There are lots of negative belief patterns out there, here are just a few: *I'm too stupid.* *I'm too short.* *I'm too tall.* *I'm too fat.* *I'm too skinny.* *I'm too poor.* *I never went to college, so I'll never get anywhere.* *My brother/sister is the successful one. I'll never get where they are.* *I don't fit in.*

Which belief pattern is yours that you want to change? One of those, or do you have a different one?

Now, what submodalities do you use as you imagine or picture it?

*** TIP: Space is at a minimum here, so I am assuming you've learned the submodalities in*Power Picture.* If you haven't, you can read it here: http://www.tameyourbrain.com/powerpicture.htm

Now, let's see a different picture. Imagine or visualize a picture of something you doubt. Something that might be true or might not be -- you're just not sure. What does this picture look like?

Now, list the submodalities for your picture of your unwanted belief AND for your picture of doubt.

After you've done that, catalog your feelings for both by answering these questions:

How is your stomach when you see this picture? Is it tight, does it have butterflies in it, is it gurgling, is it upset, does it have a lead weight in it? Or is nothing at all going on in your stomach?

Do you have a weight on your chest/shoulders/head? Or does it feel like a weight is lifted? Or is nothing at all going on in those areas?

Is your heart beating faster or slower?

Is your breathing faster or slower?

Now, you have two lists, one for each picture. Those lists tell the submodalities for each picture and the feelings that picture has caused in your body.

Now, what new belief would you like to have in place of the belief you wish you didn't have? This belief states that you can learn to change, NOT that you have changed.

Now, think for a minute. If you have this new belief, could it cause a problem? Think about your new belief in relationship with your friends, family, work, relationships? When you've figured out that the new belief is a win/win situation, continue.

Here is the process:

Change your belief, the one you want to change, to doubt by making the submodalities the same as the doubt picture. If your picture is far away in the doubt picture, make your belief picture far away. Now, change content, the picture is now a doubtful picture, so you don't believe what you used to, you *doubt* it. Make your old picture dim and far away, then have it come back as the new picture of doubt.

Now, here's how you change doubt to belief:

Change doubt to belief using the same technique you used in to change belief to doubt, only now, you're changing it to the belief you want. Be alert to any difficulties. If new belief isn't stated right or has negations *not or no* in it, some part of you may object. Change it until it works.

Test: How do I feel? If you feel good, if you feel successful, you did great! Congratulations! Now, that you know how to do it, change your other limiting beliefs and watch your life change!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Copyright 2003, Jan Tincher, All Rights Reserved Worldwide

---------------------------------------------------------------

Learn unique strategies and techniques for personal success
from Jan Tincher online at http://www.TameYourBrain.com

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Jan Tincher nationally recognized expert in Hypnotherapy & Neuro-Linguistic Programming, teaches strategies and techniques to help you live a better, happier life! She has helped thousands of individuals succeed. Visit her site to sign up for her free ezine *Tame Your Brain!* She'll send you *Do Butterflies Land On Your Shoulder?* Go here: http://www.tameyourbrain.com

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Embroidery Designs

2006-09-06T21:52:00.000-04:00

Embroidery: "Easter Decorations Embroidery Embroidery Blanks Embroidery Designs Embroidery Digitizing Software"

Drapery Fabric

2006-09-04T17:28:00.000-04:00

Discount Fabric: " Directory Discount Fabric Doll Clothes Patterns Drapery Fabric Dress Patterns"

Decorator Fabric

2006-08-30T23:37:00.000-04:00

Designer Fabrics: " Custom Embroidery Custom Embroidery Patches Custom Pillow Decorator Fabric Designer Fabrics"

Federal suit to preserve it's right to sell found property

2006-08-29T21:17:00.000-04:00

Monsterpatterns.com: "Monsterpatterns.com an online retailer of sewing patterns files a Federal suit to preserve it's right to sell found property that was discarded

American dream in the garbage

Livonia, Mich. -- Mosterpatterns.com LLC announced that it filed a federal declaratory judgment action against both pattern creators McCall pattern company and the Simplicity pattern company. Monsterpatterns.com seeks to have the Court rule that its discovery and later sale of abandoned pattern envelopes does not violate federal copyright and trademark laws, constitute unfair competition, or constitute tortious interference with business relations. In addition, Monsterpatterns.com seeks damages from the pattern companies for effectively taking down the Monsterpatterns.com website using broad provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and inteferring with its contractual and business relations.

By alleging copyright and trademark infringement, the pattern companies effectively caused Digital River to remove all access to the website www.monsterpatterns.com. Digital River has also been named in the suit.

Monsterpatterns.com is seeking to prevent the two companies from inteferring any further with its ability to sell its sewing patterns on the Internet. Specifically. the complaint charges that the claims of infringement are unfounded and that Monsterpatterns.com has the equitable fair use rights to display pictures of products that it owns at its website for purposes of furthering the sale of such products. It further claims that the pattern companies' conduct in obtaining the removal of the website constitutes interference with a legitimate and competitive business.

"The sewing patterns that we are selling were discarded by local stores still sealed up in the shipping boxes and they are abandoned property - we retain title and are intent on selling property that we own", says Derek Gendron, owner and founder of Monsterpatterns.com.

For three years the organization has effectively sold sewing patterns on the internet and auction sites. For the same time period, both major pattern makers referred scores of customers to Monsterpatterns as a great source for discontinued patterns. These referrals came by way of email and telephone from Simplicity and McCall employees. Only recently have the pattern companies claimed that the sale of the patterns by Monsterpatterns.com is unauthorized.

Due to the demands by attorneys for both companies, the hosting company Digital River, which owns Freemerchant.com, cancelled the hosting of the Monsterpatterns.com website.

"We have had to re-create our website, reformat all inventories and pay an attorney to research and take this case. We examined our alternatives and felt that we had no other choice but to pursue this action to protect our interests. This is another clear case of abuse of the DMCA by a large corporation against a small business", said Mr. Gendron.

Monsterpatterns owns and operates the message board www.SewingCommons.com. It appears that from the customer comments, there is overwhelming support of the website and the customers will continue to buy the sewing patterns at 30-60% discounts of retail pricing. The suit was filed May 21, 2003 at the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Detroit division.

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Crafts

2006-08-28T22:00:00.000-04:00

Craft Patterns: " Crafts Crochet Patterns Cross Stitch Patterns Curtain Patterns Custom Clothing"

Clothing Patterns

2006-08-27T23:47:00.000-04:00

Craft Patterns: "Clothing Patterns Comcast High Speed Costumes Cotton Fabric Craft Patterns"

Predictive Patterns

2006-08-27T08:35:00.000-04:00

Sewing Articles: "Predictive Patterns Licenses GeneLinker Products and Technology

Predictive Patterns Licenses GeneLinker Products and Technology

Predictive Patterns Software Inc. is pleased to announce that we have licensed the rights to sell, support and develop new versions of the award-winning GeneLinker(TM) product-line from Parteq Innovations, the Queen's University's technology transfer company.

Predictive Patterns is a new company founded by Dr. Tom Radcliffe (President) and Mark Chatterley (Vice-President). They are the Director and Manager of Software Development from the former Molecular Mining Corporation, which developed the original GeneLinker products and ceased operations in March 2003.

"We are excited to be able to continue to offer the award winning GeneLinker products to researchers around the world. The GeneLinker products are maturing--this is the sixth release of GeneLinker Gold and the fourth release of GeneLinker Platinum. Both products have many advantages over competing products and are much too good to disappear after the closing of Molecular Mining." said Tom Radcliffe, Ph.D., P.Eng., co-founder and President of PPS.

"Ease of use is our major strength. We can literally have new users analyzing their data within five minutes of installing the software," Radcliffe said. "Microarray researchers know the biology but need access to powerful computing tools that are easy to use," added Mark Chatterley, co-founder and Vice-President of PPS.

Instead of using field sales personnel, Predictive Patterns will concentrate on selling their software over the web. "This allows us to keep our costs down, allowing us to price our Gold product at less than half the price of other entry level gene expression analysis products. Platinum has features that just aren't available in any other products, at any price," said Chatterley.

GeneLinker Gold is an entry level product that is well suited to researchers just entering the area of genomics or proteomics research, while GeneLinker Platinum offers powerful feature detection and neural network algorithms more suitable to the intermediate or advanced researcher.

"We are committed to supporting the GeneLinker products and developing them further. Our goals are to provide the best scalable desktop gene expression and proteomics analysis software products to our users at a reasonable price, and provide our customers with the best scientific software experience they've ever had," said Radcliffe.

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Brother Sewing Machines

2006-08-26T22:09:00.000-04:00

Butterick Patterns: " Brother Sewing Machines Butterick Patterns Buttons Celtic Patterns Clothing"

Body Pillow

2006-08-24T22:51:00.000-04:00

Body Pillow: "Beginner Quilting Bernina Sewing Machines Best Buy Gift Card Body Pillow Bridal Shower Decorations"

Beading Patterns

2006-08-23T23:21:00.000-04:00

Bead Patterns: " Beaded Lanyard Patterns Beading Patterns Bead Patterns Bedding Bedding Pillow"

Creating and Selling Craft Patterns

2006-08-23T00:08:00.001-04:00

Your #1 Sewing Resource: "Creating and Selling Craft Patterns

Creating and selling your own craft patterns for fun & profit!
Crafters are creative and talented people who thrive on the thrill of seeing the finished product. As a crafter myself, I enjoy seeing the talents of other come to life at craft shows and patterns that I discover in magazines and books.
If you are a crafter and have always wanted to get your ideas published here are some ideas and suggestions for writing and getting your ideas sold.
My favorite craft is to crochet, but I also make candles and soaps. I like following the directions on some of the many craft patterns out there but a lot of times I will be creative and make up my own. I have started to compile my patterns into a notebook and share them with others.
In order to get started you must first write down everything you know about the item that you have created. First start with what materials are needed. For example if you are creating a crochet project, write down the type of yarn you used, the size of the needle and any other materials that were needed. If you are doing a general craft, make sure to specify what the materials are such as glue, paper, etc. Try to be as detailed as possible to make it easy for crafters to locate the materials they need at the store.
Once you have a list of materials required, start out listing the basic steps and instructions for your craft project. For example if you are creating a candle craft make sure to provide safety tips and instructions, along with suggestions on how to prevent errors. A good suggestion is to review other craft patterns you have read to see how they were prepared.
The next phase is to write out your craft pattern in detail, providing step-by-step instructions. Make sure your information is clear and precise and to the point. Tr"

Applique's and Patterns for sewing

2006-08-21T23:11:00.000-04:00

- Baby Quilt Patterns: " Applique Appliques Baby Blankets Baby Canopy Beds Baby Quilt Patterns"

Read for Halloween?

2006-08-09T00:47:00.000-04:00

Sewing: " Accessories Adult Halloween Costumes African Patterns All-over Stencil Patterns Anything Art"

Embroidery

2006-07-05T22:02:00.000-04:00

Embroidery Software: " Embroidery Sewing Machine Embroidery Software Embroidery Stitches Embroidery Supplies Embroidery Thread"

A Gift for the Seamstress

2006-05-16T22:40:00.000-04:00

For the Seamstress

This practical, easy to make jellyroll is perfect for the seamstress in your family. It also makes a very thoughtful gift for sewing or quilters projects.
Please read all instructions carefully before sewing. Use 1/4" seam allowances.

MATERIALS:

2 pces. fabric 6" x 9" 1 pce. low loft batting 6" x 9" 1 strip fabric 2" wide x 44" for binding 1 square felt 2" x 3" 15" satin ribbon 2 pces. co-ordinating fabric 4 1/2" x 4" for pocket DIRECTIONS: Cut felt 2" x 3" and centre on left side of lining. Stitch up 3 sides. Stuff lightly, stitch up last edge.

Put pocket fabric right sides together. Stitch from bottom left corner up and across top. Flip top fabric to back and press. Mark division line on pocket 1 1/2" from side edge. Put aside.

Layer body of jelly roll. Pretty fabric wrong side facing on the bottom. Batting in the middle and lining on top. Baste 3 layers together around outside. Align pocket with lower right corners.

Stitch up from bottom left hand side of pocket and backstitch at top. Stitch division line for 2 pockets.

Fold satin ribbon in half and sew to outside 1/4" in from edge. Either edge is fine.

Press 2" strip in half wrong sides together. Cut ends on diagonal. Line up raw edge of strip to raw edge of jelly roll on outside edge.

Begin to sew 2" away from end of strip thru all layers. Sew around entire jelly roll, easing fabric around the corners to within 2" of beginning.

Cut off excess, leaving just enough to tuck and secure with a backstitch. Fold binding to inside and hand or machine stitch. Now your small scissors, thimble, pins,needles or markers have found a new home. Cut ribbon and roll your jelly roll towards ribbon edge. Tie with pretty ribbon and there you have a Sewing Jelly Roll.

Makes a cute little gift for any seamstress or quilter on your gift list!

Mary

About the Author

Mary Wilkins has three grown children and six perfect grandchildren. Completely self taught, she has been sewing, and crafting for over 30 years. Her website http://www.sew-whats-new.com has been recognized in many sewing magazines and newsletters alike.

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Designer Fabric

2006-05-03T21:46:00.000-04:00

Discount Fabric: " Decorator Fabric Designer Fabric Designer Fabrics Discount Fabric Discount Fabrics"

Tradingpatterns.com announces the release of version 4.1 of APS Automatic Pattern Search

2006-05-01T13:29:00.000-04:00

- Sewing Articles

Tradingpatterns.com announces the release of version 4.1 of APS Automatic Pattern Search, a software program that discovers price patterns that fulfill user-defined performance criteria. With APS, traders specify the performance of the price patterns to look for in historical daily and intraday market data and the rest is done automatically by the program. The System Tracking function of APS monitors any trading signals generated by the identified price patterns. Another program function allows scanning a universe of securities for price patterns formed as of the close of the market, which fulfill the performance criteria specified by the user.

APS Automatic Pattern Search is based on "Forward Synthesis of Trading Systems", a concept pioneered by Tradingpatterns.com. Based on this novel approach, the desired performance of a trading system is specified in advance, followed by a search for a model that matches it. Version 4.1 includes an advanced algorithm for searching historical daily and intraday data for price patterns with a high historical profitability.

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Sewing Patterns

2006-04-28T23:45:00.000-04:00

Joann Fabrics: " Sewing Patterns Beaded Lanyard Patterns Quilting Free Quilt Patterns Patterns Bead And Button Magazine Halloween Costumes Joann Fabrics"

Order yarns, patterns and supplies on-line to knit, weave and spin.

2006-04-27T13:31:00.000-04:00

Order yarns, patterns and supplies

Welcome to the largest and most beautiful selection of yarns and supplies for knitting, spinning, and weaving projects. Our store is located in an historic home built in 1903. Come browse our on-line "home" to purchase all the supplies you will need to complete your next knitting, spinning, or weaving project.

On the first floor you will find our: Parlor, living room, sunroom, library, and studio. These rooms house our designer yarns, Chinese cashmere and silks. Elegant heirlooms, notions, supplies, buttons, needles and pins. Christmas items. Traditional yarns, weaving supplies and equipment along with patterns books, videos, and computer programs.

Our second floor is home to the study, kids' room, gallery, and studio two. Here you will find schedules for classes and workshops including information about the Midwest Masters 2001 weekend. Everything for babies and kids projects, original hand-paints, hand-dyed yarns and sweater kits, including our collection of Finnish sweaters. Along with all the supplies, equipment, and yarn you will need for your next spinning project.

Our Web site is easy and fun to navigate and includes descriptions and photos of all the yarn, equipment, and supplies we carry. There are even full color photos showing colors and yarn textures, so you can choose exactly the color, weight, and gauge of yarn you need to complete your project.

Visit our site today at www.yarnsbydesign.com. You will NOT be disappointed! New products and manufacturers added weekly.

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Preparing Your New Sewing Machine to Sew

2006-04-26T14:16:00.000-04:00

Preparing Your Sewing Machine

A few weeks ago I wrote a column on how to choose your sewing machine. If you have made your choice, we will continue on with getting your machine ready to sew.

Threading the machine is something that is pretty basic, yet a little different on every machine. It is VERY important to refer to your manual when first learning the procedure. If the threading isn't correct, nothing else will work either.

Here is a basic rundown of threading a sewing machine. Remember, each machine is different. This is just the general idea.

1. Put your spool of thread on the spindle on top of the machine.

1a. A vertical spindle or post - position the spool so that the thread runs clockwise as you sew.

1b. A horizontal spindle - the spool is held in place by an end cap. If your spool has a small cut in it, be sure to have the cut to the right.

NEWBIE TIP: If your spool is brand new and there are labels covering the holes, uncover yhour holes completely to allow the spool to turn easily.

2. Pull thread to the left of the spindle and thru your first thread guide.

3. Draw thread down thru your tension guide. (It is extremely important to have your presser foot UP when threading your machine.)

4. Draw thread thru the next thread guide.

5. Insert thread thru the take up lever.

6. Bring thread thru next thread guide.

7. Finally! - thread your needle. Most needles are threaded from front to back, some from left to right.

Practise threading your machine. It is no small chore if you are a beginner, but after a while you will be able to do this with your eyes closed.

WINDING YOUR BOBBIN - THE NEXT STEP

Follow the instructions from your manual carefully when winding your bobbin.

If your bobbin case is built in, the bobbin will be wound in place with the machine fully threaded.

Removable bobbins are wound on the top or side of the machine. Your machine must be threaded before bobbin filling.

Your bobbin thread must be drawn thru the tension spring. For wind in place bobbins, this is already taken care of. You MUST make sure this is done if you are using a bobbin that already has thread in it.

BALANCING THE TENSION:

Balancing your tension is a huge issue when you first start to learn about your sewing machine. There is nothing that will cause you more grief than your tension.

Your stitch is formed by interlocking the bobbin and needle thread. Every time the needle goes down, a hook catches the needle thread and wraps the bobbin thread around it. It is a tug of war that must be synchronized for a good stitch result.

If your needle thread tension is stronger, your bobbin thread will be pulled to the top of your fabric. If your bobbin thread tension is stronger, the needle thread will be visible on the underside of your fabric. When the tension is just right and evenly balanced, the stitch will lock in the middle, halfway between the top and bottom of your fabric. This is what you want and have to find. It might take some playing around with your tension guide, but worth the extra bit of time it takes.

TEST - TEST- TEST

The easiest way to test your tension is to thread your machine and put one colour thread in your machine with a totally different colour in your bobbin. Neither one should match your fabric. You need to examine your stitches.

If your tension is too tight, you will see your bobbin thread on top.

If your tension is too loose, you will see your top thread on the bottom of the fabric.

If your tension is correct, you will see machine thread only on the top of the fabric and bobbin thread only on the underside of the fabric.

MAKING ADJUSTMENTS:

BEFORE you start adjusting your tension, make these three checks. This is very important.

1. Be certain your machine is threaded properly. Even long time sew-ers can miss a thread guide.

2. Be sure your bobbin is properly installed.

3. Make sure your needle is inserted properly.

After going thru the three checks, you may have to adjust the tension in order to sew a good stitch. Check your manual to see how this is done. Each time you have adjusted, sew a line of stitching. You should only have to make small, slight adjustments to correct your stitch.

If after what seems like an eternity of changes, you still don't have a balanced stitch, leave your machine. Don't even look at it for a few hours, maybe a day or so. Then go back and try again. It could be you are tired, frustrated or distracted. It happens to all of us.

Or, it could be that your bobbin needs adjusting. Most sewing machine manufacturers don't want you to adjust your bobbin tension. If your manual doesn't cover this area, then it is best to take your sewing machine in to a dealer or reputable repair man.

Happy Sewing!

Mary is the mother of three grown children and grandmother to six perfect grandchildren. She is also owner/editor of http://sew-whats-new.

How To Choose a Sewing Machine

2006-04-22T17:46:00.000-04:00

Choosing a Sewing Machine

You have finally come to the conclusion that you need or want a sewing machine. Now, what is on the market and how do you make the right decision?

There are many brands of machines out there and everyone boasts different features. Some machines appeal to quilters, others want you to embroider everything including the toilet seat and the shower curtain. Searching for the right machine is going to take some time.

Shopping for a new machine can make your head spin. The girls on my boards discuss which machine is best every time someone needs a new one. We all know the name brands but I am not going to suggest one, that decision is yours. It's a personal one and an important one. I will, however give you a few basic questions you should ask yourself.

1. What type of sewing do you plan to do?
- clothing
- crafts
- repairs and alterations
- home decorating
2. Where will you sew?
- sewing room
- kitchen table
- integrated into other family living area
3. How will your machine be stored?
- in its own cabinet
- in a closet hiding behind the coats
- leave it out to sew every spare moment
4. Consider your budget and buying habits? How long will you keep this machine?
- 6 months
- a few years
- forever and a day

When you answer these questions, you are on your way to making the right decision. Obviously if you are going to sew from the kitchen table, you don't want a machine with lots of accessories or add-ons that will take up too much room. If you are doing repairs and alterations, you don't want a machine that duplicates the quilting stitch. If you have small children around, your machine needs to be tucked away safely. Just a few things to think about.

Research is the name of the game here. Check out the latest consumer reports. Visit the forum discussions on sew-whats-new.com and see what the girls are using. They will gladly tell you what works and what doesn't. Another source is the well known sewing magazines. Sew News and Threads do comparison studies all the time.

If you are lucky enough to have local dealers, pay them all a visit. Test drive all their machines and ask lots and lots of questions. Take fabric with you that you use and test out things like stitch length, reverse and some of the different presser feet. Find out about lessons. Lots of dealers will give you a few free lessons to get you acquainted with your machine. Above all, take your time. I cannot stress this enough. Don't let anyone rush you thru the process. Leave the kids at home so you have no distractions. While you are in the shop asking questions, you can see how the staff relate to customers and if they have the answers to all your questions. If they seem impatient or brusque, imagine how they might be after the sale. If they are not helpful now at the prospect of a sale, they probably won't be later if you need help.

On the other hand, a strong sales pitch can also steer you in the wrong direction. Paying for a top of the line model doesn't mean you are getting the machine you will be happiest with. You must resist the urge for that impulse buy. Go home and talk to someone who sews. Find out their experiences and listen to what they have to say. Again, take your time with this decision.

If you have visited all the dealers, and test driven their machines visit them all again. Visit again when you are rested and can make a clear decision. Go back and take a second look at those machines. You are looking at them with new eyes now. Maybe there are a few things you never noticed the first time that stand out now. What about that foot pedal, is it comfortable? Do you want the even feed feature? Does the machine run smoothly and quietly? Are there more programmes than you will ever use? If so, make a mental note and you can scale down your possible choices. This second visit will tell you more than you expect.

Ask about the warranty that comes with each machine. Be sure you know who is responsible for standing behind it, your dealer or the manufacturer. Are repairs made locally or will you have to pack everything up and send it away.

Be very sure you understand what is included with the sewing machine. Which feet, how many bobbins and what about a manual. The manual is very important. You will refer to the manual time after time so it should be a good reference guide to all the accessories and stitch designs along with any other functions. The manual should be full of pictures and diagrams for the basic sewing as well as clear directions. If your manual isn't helpful, do you want to go searching out the answers every time you have a problem. I wish I had a penny for every time someone has emailed me with a problem that their manual doesn't answer.

Be sure you get your sales agreement in writing and keep your copy in a safe place. Nothing less will do.

The bottom line is you must do some work before you ever sew your first stitch. If you make the effort and educate yourself, the rewards of a great sewing machine are yours.

Mary is the mother to three grown children and six perfect grandchildren. She is also owner/editor of http://sew-whats-new.com Her site has been recognized in many national sewing magazines.

This article courtesy of http://sewtoyourheartscontent.com.
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Sewing Patterns

2006-04-17T13:52:00.000-04:00

Sewing Patterns: " Sewing Bedding Free Knitting Patterns Free Crochet Patterns Clothing Fabric Sew Sewing Patterns Beaded Lanyard Patterns Quilting Free Quilt Patterns Patterns"

How Come I Can't Sew?

2006-04-15T22:26:00.000-04:00

Sewing - Your #1 Sewing Resource

Sewing by definiton means to make, repair, or fasten by stitching, as with a needle and thread or a sewing machine. Sewing is simple if you can find the information or instruction you need and take things one step at a time. Fabric and sewing machine retail stores often offer classes. Find a reputable store in your area and see if they offer sewing instruction or if they don't, ask to see if they can recommend someone who does.

So, if you are just beginning to sew or are an experienced seamstress, the wonderful world of sewing for you and your friends awaits.