Simple Sewing Saturdays

Welcome to a new segment of So Now I Know: mama's collection....

Simple Sewing Saturdays!!

Each Saturday at this location, we shall endeavor to clarify those pesky simple things that just can be our undoing.(and I do mean 'our') You know, buttons, zippers, terminology, grain, nap, all those Terribly Mystical Sewing Things that most books/patterns assume you know.

This Saturday's Segment is dedicated to the most misunderstood of all:
Rick Rack.
Back in the day, way before my day, apparently, Rick Rack was a panacea for Wardrobe Expansion. It appears that you could take an old skirt and embellish it to the point that no one would notice that it was 'Last Year's' Skirt!! Imagine!! Cle-ver!

However, more than likely, those of us that are quite happy with Last Year's Skirt, would be looking for a more simple decorative application of the beloved Rick Rack Trim.

Maybe something like a pillow for your porch swing? Don't you always like a perky Rick Rack little scallopy look peaking out of a seam of a pillow?

Well, it just so happens that I have the very thing on my To Do List today!

Hint #1. If you can't follow a seam allowance (5/8") carefully, you might want to stitch a 'follow line' before you apply the RR. (NOT rail road:D)

2. Beginning on the RIGHT side of the fabric, sew the RR, catching the very tip of the RR on the stitching line.

3. Place the other right side of the other piece of fabric that will be the other side of your pillow, even with the RRed piece of fabric, right sides together.

4. Sew your normal seam allowance, usually 5/8", connecting your two pieces of fabric, a front and back.

5. Continue on the other three sides with the RR application.

6. Stitch the other three sides together, raw edges even.

7. Turn the pillow inside out.

8. See the dazzling little scalloping RR's peeping out your seams and making you all happy.

9. Press the edges nice and sharp.

10. Finish the pillow by stuffing and sewing up that last side with a blind hand stitch. (What? I have to tell you about that too? OK, next week......)

You might want to consider this other very cle-very Rick Rack application!

Who knew that scraps of RR could be so very valuable!

If you are indeed thrifty enough to want copies of these most vintage of patterns, I shall see to it! I might even feature you and your shwanky earrings and updated Last Year's Skirt in a blog post.

I might even purchase them from you!!!

OK, probably not.

Happy Rick Racking!!!

Day Two of Bag Giveaway Week!

Look at my Sewing Room Assistant!
Just lounging around while I am hard at work.
Have to admit, I've put her through her paces this week..
Going from one project to the next, involving all parts of our home...
And being quite the shadow, I'm sure I've worn her out!
Actually, I wanted to get a photo of the new curtains I put up in the Guest Room upon completion of The Update, but she was lying there on the quilt,looking quite pensive, that I just had to get a pic of it.....
You'll see the curtains later....

Did I mention that Hubby's been off this week?
Yay projects!
On one of my doggy walks, I noticed an old crib kicked to the curb.
For some useful reason, I had this thought while taking my bath...
'Why don't you grab that unuseful as is crib in it's incompleteness, and make a hanging quilt rack out of it??
So after my bath on Sunday night, I announce to Hubby that he need not take off his shoes yet; he needs to go fetch an incomplete crib, on the ground, down the street.
And after all these years, he did not question it a bit.
He just re buttoned his shirt, grabbed his keys and headed out on this crazy mission.
We scoured the hardware store on Monday night, looking for appropriate hardware, only to find what worked in our own garage. Even better.
So, Ta-Da!
All my beloved quilts are now on display!
Huzzah!

Crazy Dee still has me working on her updating projects as well.
She wanted me to recover her couch pillows. And she was very specific.
She wanted them professionally done (as if) and swanky. And free.
What the??
Anyway, I do as I'm told and here is the after and before.
I removed the piping off the old and I think it shall resurface soon....
Her birthday was February 2 and I am still gifting her....
And she thinks I'm difficult, birthday wise.....:D

Now!
Day Two Update!!
The Giveaway Bag is shaping up! I took the blog photo before quite a bit of work was done on the bag. Took a dog walk to clear the cobs out of my brain and plan better for it....
VERY excited about how it's coming along....
I know from all the comments, that it will go to really nice lady..
So many nice things being said...
Thank you all!!
Comment Away!!!