Vintage Curtain Heading with Crochet-Edged Hankies
As I designed my vintage hanky curtains, I had the idea of highlighting the beautiful crochet-edged handkerchiefs as the 'headings' above the curtain rods. Since I did one panel, and then the other one later after it 'worked', I took photos and made notes as I worked. Hoping you might be inspired to do something like this, my directions for how I did this can be found below. 1.Read More
Vintage Hanky Curtains
For my 'Memory' guest bedroom, I decided to make use of precious hankies from my childhood. 'Secret Pal' hankies that I'd received each year on my birthday in a card from my 'Secret Pal'...always an exciting envelope to open, are important hankies evoking fond memories on these curtains. Many of the other hankies are ones I played with while sitting at my mom's vanity. I distinctly remember opening her upperRead More
How To Sew Pillows WITHOUT ‘Dog Ears’
I'm not sure where I learned this technique, but I've been making pillows this way for YEARS...and it WORKS! The video says it all. https://youtu.be/gGPPwwvuEWo Give it a try! Do you have any pillow-making hints? I've been busy creating a 'Memory Room' using antique linens like laces, hankies, pictures, memory boxes... even my childhood MUFF! Watch for details and How-To's in upcoming Blog Posts.
Sewing Pin Selection & Storage, How To Use, and YES, You CAN Sew Over Pins!
All sewing pins are NOT created equal! In this video, I share my favorite sewing pins and explain why. What are my 2 favorite tools for storage of my all-important pins? The Zirkel Pin Magnet and Ewesful Pin Cushion! And........tada: YES, I DO sew over pins, and you can too. Watch my video to hear me 'state my case'. As I share in the video, I'm sure I'll get manyRead More
When, Where & How-To Clip, Notch, Grade, Trim Seam Allowances and Corners as You Sew
If you think you ALWAYS trim corners as you sew...that is WRONG! I learned this all-important and reasonable rule from Claire Schaeffer way back in 2003 when I had her as the last guest teacher of my retail storefront days. Watch and understand: [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="http://blog.londasfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/IG_Why-NOT-to-trim-intersection-of-seams-and-folds.mp4"][/video] Clarification of Trimming, Notching, Grading & Clipping If clipping, trimming, grading, notching seam allowances and corners further mystifies you - be sureRead More
Silky Feminine Blouses-Part 2: Hemming
Last week in my Blog Post, I shared about the feminine, often silky, blouses that I've been seeing lately. Flounces were the 'feminine' element - so I shared with you my technique for easy designing of flounces. Now - what about how to HEM these flounces? Woven Flounce Hemming This is the challenge - as hemming anything circular is - well, a challenge. Of course, there's rolled hem serging, but most oftenRead More
How To Select the Perfect Sewing Machine Needle for Your Fabric
Selecting the proper sewing machine needle for the fabric you're using is a VERY important decision. Londa explains what to consider in making this selection as she takes the mystery out of different needle types and sizes. The needle is the MOST important part of any sewing machine, so change them with every project. The My Pad is a great new 'notion' for storage with identification for needles that aren'tRead More
Why Sew? Here is Londa’s answer…
Even though sewing is increasing in popularity, many people get a blank look on their face when I tell them my business and what I teach. Why sew? Well - I have my answers that I share in this video. Watch and see if you agree. I welcome your sharing in the Comments below why YOU sew! https://youtu.be/Bd71fDNRaog
Back to School for Sewists: All About Proper Machine Threading and Thread
I couldn't believe what I was reading and learning about thread and threading a machine once I started selling sewing machines!!!! I wonder how I EVER sewed with any success at all before I learned all this 'good stuff' as a dealer from 1990-2003. Here are 2 more of my recent videos I've recorded to get this info out of my brain and into yours...(is that part of getting oldRead More
Silky Feminine Blouses Return-Part 1: Design