Yes, even though I am living far away in a travel trailer, I still get those calls from my children asking “Mom, how do you…?” Most recently, my youngest daughter, Emily called and asked how to sew a simple decorative seam so she and her son, the FabGrandson Spencer, could make some handmade Christmas ornaments. (Does she take after her mom or what?) I was trying to explain how to do it, and was not making much progress, so here is a pictorial lesson for her (and anyone else who might like to know):
To make a whip stitch edge:
1. Start with the needle at the back of the project. Bring the thread through to the front:
2. Put the needle a small distance away, into the back of the project again:
3. Before you pull the thread all the way through, put the needle through the little loop, then pull the thread the rest of the way through the fabric:
4. Put the needle a small distance away, through the back of the project again:
5. Before you pull the thread all the way through, put the needle through the little loop, then pull the thread the rest of the way through the fabric, again:
6. And again:
7. And again:
8. And again:
9. This is how the edge seam looks when you get it all done:
Another way to sew a seam is the running stitch:
1. Insert the needle back and forth through both layers of fabric:
2. Pull the thread through and do it again. This what the finished running stitch seam will look like:
This will be Spencer’s first sewing project. I can hardly wait to see the results. Have fun, Emily!
Thanks- now I get it. I think the whip stitch will be perfect for the outside of the ornaments. I will be using the running stitch to decorate the insides- such as the candy cane stripes. Can’t wait to get some done. You should see the floss I found a Michaels today. They had metallic floss in several different colors I can use. Should be pretty!!
This is great. Thanks Fabgrandma. I started doing some sewing with I was around 8-9 years old. I would call my mom at work and ask her questions. I am always amazed at how mom’s can figure out the answer to your questions. Cathy
This is great! I love the pictorial – they are so helpful when learning something new. I’ve never been a good hand sewer and I get the stitches confused all the time. Maybe you would consider doing a series of these – I know it would help ME! 🙂 Funny thing is I took sewing in home economics in high school and did well, but we did everything with the machines and I wish we had learned hand sewing too so I could hem my own pants and stuff.
Hello! I am also a grandma, also gluten free, amongst other things,, lol. Anyways, just want to say hello! I am off to read the rest of your blog, but wanted to say ‘nice to meet you’, and it looks like we both complained about the early coming of Christmas in posts. I,, being in Canada, have the Thanksgiving/Christmas overlap even earlier than you, so yes, I feel your pain,, hehe.