Learning new techniques on my Evolution Serger

Here is an overlock stitch with a chain stitch.

Pictured is the reverse side of the overlock fabric with a chain stitch.

My new serger can stitch with 8 threads simultaneously.  It took a bit to get the hang of it.

Pictured is the reverse side of the fabric.

This is a technique called serger lace that I read about some time ago.  My old serger was not capable of doing this pretty intricate edging.  This is fun to do and looks delicate and pretty on the edge of fabric.

Making serger lace with rainbow colors is fun and decorative for fancy fabrics. I can't wait to try it on something other than white cotton fabric which I used here.  It took me a few tries to get the hang of this but the end result is colorful and fun. I look forward to trying it with some bulky/woolly nylon or pearl crown thread. 

Baby Lock Evolution Serger - my new baby

I have a new baby baby baby. I have a new baby Baby Lock Evolution Serger.

I was trying out some stitches on my brand new Baby Lock Evolution Serger and accidentally made a tiny apron for my daughter's doll.  I was just trying all the neat features and looked down and realized the fabric looked like an apron with a little detail pink threading at the bottom.  We randomly tried it on Cookie Crumbles her Lalaloopsy doll and it fit.

Here she is with another doll's dress on and the tiny apron with a couple fancy stitches displayed.  I can't wait to see what other fancy stitches I can make with this amazing machine.

The delicate ties for the apron are serger chains woven and knotted off.

Here is my new Baby.  I cannot wait to sew all the fabric I have been collecting in my sewing room with this new Baby Lock Evolution Serger.

Here is my 136 page guide I have been reading very slowly to learn everything.  As I read I am dreaming of all the posibilites of what I can make.

Reading instruction manuals has never been my favorite activity, but I always read the manuals so that I don't miss any important cool features that a new toy can do.  (Yes, I am the kid who reads the car manuals, directions on every toy that comes into this house.  I have always done it and probably always will.)  This instruction manual came in the Babylock Serger and is 89 pages.  I am only on page 38 as of now but the next few pages look really interesting. I am starting to read about features this new serger can do that my old beloved Protege serger couldn't do. My old machine has been loved to death.  I received it as a college graduation gift from my family.  Although it cannot be repaired due to worn out obsolete parts, I may never be able to part with it.  It has been my loyal companion for 17 years.   It is the second machine I have owned and I have learned so much on it.

I am very excited about all the potential fun items I can make with my new serger.  It is so much faster than a sewing machine and has 5 thread needles, 3 loopers.  This means it takes eight cones of thread and can sew eight threads simultaneously.  I am stunned by this.  Really?  How do they not get tangled up at such a fast sewing rate?  It is amazing what one can dream up when given new tools and a piece of fabric.   I can't wait to explore the possibilities.

P.S. Stay tuned for fun new items I make while learning all the new features.  My serger class starts in May.  I just can't wait to see what I will learn.  

Heating or Cooling Pack with a tie.

 I have been planning to make some hot/cool pack for some time but just finally got around to it last week. If you have aches and pains you need one of these.  This is an obi inspired hot/cold pad that I found in the book "One Yard Wonders" with ties to hold the pad in place.  I love that the ties are really long so they can work for anyone.

 Here it is with the ties on as a back pain comforter.

You could use it for neck and shoulder pain too.

Socks what socks?

Sophia was better yesterday so Jingle Bells came back. It looks like he for into something else. Wearing Sophia's socks on his head, hands, and feet.

"Mommy, uh, Jingle Bells must have been sewing on your sewing machine because we didn't have those ladybug socks or these other red ones before."

I answered, "Really? Do you think the Elf used my old sewing machine downstairs?"

Sophia replied, "Yes, because your other machine is at the shop. I think he stole some socks out of my dresser too."

I asked, How can that be? Did you see him or hear him in your room?"

"No. He must have been really quiet and sneaky.".


Sophia noticed that Jingle Bells made an "S" for Sophia out of the socks I sewed for her.



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Cuteness is all in the details - making ordinary socks into extraordinary

Today I decided to challenge myself to see if I could turn an ordinary boring white pair of socks into an ordinary cute pair of socks on my serger.

Here are my results:




First I took some random strips of red with white polka dot fabric I had leftover from another project. I serged a rolled hem on one raw edge of each. Next, I put the ruffling foot on the serger and ruffled and serged the sock edge and fabric edge together. Ta Da! Kaylee has a ruffled pair of socks.




Next task make ruffled lettuce edged socks on serger. These turned out okay but next time I try it I will use wooly nylon instead of regular thread. It makes a fancier edge and spreads out better. This was just a first trial. I wonder if I can do this test.




The third trial was Ribbon ruffle socks serged up in a minute with the ruffling foot. These are my favorite so far made with bright pink with black polka dots grosgrain ribbon.

My challenge for today was fun. I knew today was going to be busy and I didn't have a lot of time to sew so I decided I would finally try a few things on my mind I was thinking I could probably make.

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Kaylee wearing some giant shoes

-Kaylee is putting on some shoes. I wish she would hold still for a second so every picture wouldn't be a blur.


Trying to put them on again.


Notice the tiny ruffled socks I made for her on her ankles.


She put both shoes on now.


Before I asked her she said, "Cheese!". Too funny!

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Blue Tote with Red Ribbon

I serged this cute little denim blue colored tote with red bow accents and red inside.







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Red and White Polka Dot Pleat Skirt

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Large Purse/Tote Bag

I serged this zebra print tote this morning. It has a stiff lining which makes it durable for carrying somewhat heavy stuff inside. It also stands on its own because of the stiffness of the lining.



Zebra print large purse/tote bag

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Serging some quick Christmas gifts for my Etsy site

These are my favorite little hairbows and the newest ones I will be adding to my Etsy site.

Sophia my daughter's exact words were, "Mommy, you can't sell those I want them!".

No worries. I made several so she can have her own set too. I guess that meets the little girl testing phase. She loves them so I believe other girls will love them too.

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