Stitchery! Sewing Machine Attachments, Needle, and Thread

Ebooks, Email, and Updates

2022-02-28T21:15:00.000-05:00

Time for an update! 😀

I will update the site page soon as I figure things out...lol...times have changed and I haven't diligently kept things up-to-date as you can see. Lots has happened, but that would fill a book and right now is just the time for important updates.

Email - Email me at phillipscf9@gmail.com. Thank you throughout the years for those who have reached out to me and put up with the confusion 😉

Ebooks - Each one is $10. Send payment to PayPal using the email phillipscf9@gmail.com. if you need an alternative payment method please send me an email. We'll figure it out.

Get Creative, Sew with Your Feet - this ebook started it all! It covers so many sewing attachments. As many, plus a few more, than the published book Sewing Machine Attachments. This ebook is the one I sent to the publishers and soon after we began the wonderful process of creating a beautiful book! Unfortunately, I don't have any of the Sewing Machine Attachments published books.

Featherweight 221/222 - A little bit of information about your Featherweight AND a list of those attachments, parts numbers, that were made specifically for the Feathweight. Plus a little bit of how to use some of the attachments.

Singer Sewing Machine Attachment Reference - A bit about Singer and those attachments and Fashion Aids, lists and parts numbers, for each machine, such as class 15, Class 66, Model 99's, 401, 500A, and so many more.

Updates - Working on sorting out old broken links, updating blog responses (due to spam I don't have anything publish automatically). Updating the site page...and whatever comes along.

Happy Sewing!

Projects, Mobile Apps, and Project Ideas

2015-04-22T17:35:00.002-04:00

Many of us find there is always an "app for that". I want to share a sewing app I use regularly. As springs winds down (hopefully! We have had such high winds), it's time to start looking for some new projects or just ideas to spurn our own.

BERNINA, USA has a wonderful app for your sewing feet. I have downloaded this one on my phone, Kindle, and tablet. Love it! Click here for information. You can also download the PDF file.

If you are not into mobile apps but still want some fabulous ideas, then sign up for BERNINA newsletter.

SPAM
Somehow a comment was published that really played havoc with the website. Hoping all is well now - deleted the comment. Fingers crossed!

What are you working on? I am still playing around with crocheting with beads. Startlingly VERY small, a bracelet. Pics to come (soon as it actually looks like something......)

Happy Stitchery!
Charlene

Get Creative! Sew With Your Feet

2015-03-22T23:16:00.003-04:00

Always near and dear to my heart is sharing with others anything I have learned. Since we learn from trial and error (and errors I've made!), I hope to relieve you of too many errors. Whether learning how to use your sewing machine attachments/accessories, serving quick and easy projects, how to use your sewing machine, or learning new techniques - I love them all!

Feel free to email me at charlene@thesewbox.com

Find additional information by clicking the "Author" page

Get Creative! Sew With Your Feet e-book was the start of publishing my works. This eventually led to the publication of The Sewing Machine Attachment Handbook, published by Krause. Available once again as a pdf e-book.

$10.00 (plus shipping) - email for more information.

Your Featherweight 221/222

Especially written for your Singer Featherweight 221/222! Begin with Singer history, facts, and interesting rid-bits. Next, learn how to use some of those lovely Singer attachments made for your Featherweight. Lastly, have at your hands a listing of attachments/accessories and their part numbers. Never purchase an incorrect one again!

$10.00 (plus shipping) - email for more information

Click the "Author page" tab to find additional e-books and all three books published by Krause

The Sewing Machine Attachment Handbook

The Sewing Machine Classroom

Simply Serging

As always,

Happy Stitchery!

Charlene

Sunday!

2015-01-25T19:06:00.001-05:00

I always think of Sunday as the day of rest - just as God devised. Rest and relaxation and sewing seem to go hand in hand. There are so many UFOs I need to finish and they range from quilts to purses (and totes!) to stuffed toys. I just keep starting more! Then I'll grab a crafty book to "just read" and BOOM! I am starting another item. I have sewing, crochet, and even knitting to finish.

I finished two stuffed pigs that had been cut out for a year! They are gracing my sewing room so nicely.

I finished my comfy pants! Simple pattern but I still had to make major adjustments. Some in fitting, others as the sewing steps, and also in design. Gotta make it your own!

Sitting beside me is our spoiled cocker spaniel, Abby. I made her outfit last week and finally made my pants to match. No - I'm not going eccentric, just having fun! Though at times that may be somewhat eccentric and crazy!

Pics will follow of my cutie pigs!

Even with all my UFOs laying around and my goal to tackle them one by one and not start anything new - totally blown! I just feel ready for several new purses and totes!

The clothes line purse was fun and educational to do.
Loved this purse I made from my grandma's curtain.

Need to make another tote using the Mylar. Both the totes I made for the magazine article have bee given away!

I have more small, miniature quilts on my UFO list. So much fun to do and really use up the tiniest bits of scraps.

Sew.......... will see what I grab to do while sitting in front of the TV tonight. Maybe crochet, finish the knitting project, hand sew miniature quilt...... hummmmm.

Happy Stitchery!

Charlene

2015! a brand new year

2015-01-04T12:24:00.000-05:00

With 2015 I hope good health for all along with a fabulous support group of family and friends. The death of my sister over two years ago - friend and sewing buddy - left such a void in my life and sewing. Following her death, came more of uncle, aunt, step-sister, step-mother. Hubby battling cancer the past year - seems a load of struggles. I know I am not alone as many of you have you have your own cross to bear. So, with THREE tubs of fabric from sis's stash (added to my own very large stash), I'm ready to tackle new projects. Ready for new challenges also!

the end of September left me in a hand cast - emergency surgery for two broken fingers - pins put in. Mid November was another surgery on the pinky. another cast, finally it's now January and recent splint off most of the time. Therapy begins!

Be safe and soon as figure out how to get pics from phone to new tablet - will share more!

Charlene

2013-08-26T10:33:00.001-04:00

Wonderful to have some energy! I should post at least a tad when the fibromyalgia has me down. There are many of you that also deal with fibro or similiar diseases, or possibly dealing with financial issues due to the economy. We certainly have to help and support each other.

Was busy with canning season. Freezer now stocked with garden sweet peas, peaches, slaw, corn, and strawberries. Hope to have enough tomatoes to can. Last of cabbage fermenting into sauerkraut. All yummy this winter. Canned strawberry and peach jams.

Nothing is more energetic than sewing & crafting with friends. St. Bridget's Church, Liberty, Indiana is having Oktoberfest September 21st. We've had workshops to make items for our Country Store. We had fantastic fun making chicken hats, wreaths, towels, and so many are making preserves, breads, cakes, and more yummies! WhooHooo! I can't wait to shop our Country Store!

I have added several more tabs to the blog. A "work in progress"! I hope you enjoy other parts of my life. One new tab is about books, which we all love.I found a super site called Blogging For Books. If you are like me and love! love! to read, then check it out. I have just started and am almost ready to post my first blog. After that, I choose another book to review; it comes in the mail (FREE!), and I read and blog again. There are all genres to choose from. Wonder if they have my books.....hmmm...

Remember to keep using your serger! Add binding using the cover stitch. Soon (soon! soon! please!) I want to get a dedicated cover stitch machine. I can think of so many things to make and do with the stitch. Would be nice to just move over to the machine that is ready to go. So envious of you who have one already!

My vintage attachments article in this issue. I so love this magazine!

Love this vintage apron. Was my grandmother's. A nice way to zip through the house and do some quick pick-up. I think my "Decide later" pocket would be fuller than the others!

Happy Stitchery!
Charlene

Rainy Day Sewing

2013-05-30T09:10:00.003-04:00

Rainy days in Spring come at a perfect time!

Been outside cleaning up the "new" yard and trying to get some flowers in. A little harder now when dealing with Fibromyalgia. Do a little, stop a lot, do a little more. Otherwise the next day the whole body just retaliates! Terrible getting older but can't chalk the Fibro up to older. Been reading about young children having it. What a relentless disease for them, at such a tender age.

Anyway - about those rainy days - they give time to refresh and renew while the rain comes down. Refresh the mind, body, and spirit! My best way is to hit the sewing room. Haven't really started a new project (nor finished those UFO's!) but have gotten new fabric and reminisced over previous magazine patterns and articles.

Also, been at the serger. Working with a new one from Singer (well Singer has it out a couple of years but new to me!). Just refreshing myself on the ins and outs of it. Threads so different from the Bernina and have to get used to that. Having some thread breakage, so will have to turn to my book Simply Serging, to work it through.

What has everyone been up to the past month???

Happy sewing & serging!
Charlene

Sewing for your health

2013-03-01T10:26:00.000-05:00

It seems this winter has been one illness after another! I have spent more time on the couch than in the sewing room! This has given me time to catch up on reading, hand sewing, and a little bit of crochet.

Check out the latest Threads magazine, issue #166, for my article on three vintage sewing machine attachments. If you don't have vintage, there are newer versions available!

I have spent time reading my own books and the margins are full of more tips and ideas! Battenburg lace has always intrigued me and ready to begin a table runner. The photo is antique round table runner from Germany. All handwork. Following instructions in my book, The Sewing Machine Classroom learn how to use your sewing machine.

Amazing though is how much of a lift I get just fiddling in the sewing room. Sitting on the floor with loads of sewing patterns and fabric can cure any illness! The trouble is, now I have so many ideas and things I want to sew, I will never get them done! I will have a great time trying though!! :)

Quilt frame is now set up and ready to go! Have several quilt tops completed and ready to quilt. Can't wait to get the first one placed and ready.

How are you handling your winter months? or maybe you are the lucky ones and soaking up those warm sunshine rays!

Happy Stitchery,
Charlene

Threads magazine

2013-02-22T11:00:00.000-05:00

Just got my Threads magazine in the mail! Always exciting when one of my articles is in it. Time to bring out the ruffled, gathering/shifting, and binder and start practicing.
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/

Upcyled

2013-01-27T11:57:00.001-05:00

Saving money is always so nice! AND ending up with a useful and much needed item. Found some sites to share with you. Meanwhile I an working on my personal up cycled patterns. Takes some thinking but even that is fun. Keep my journal next to me as never know when ideas hit. Sometimes I only get an idea but don't know yet how to work it out. Other times I just list things I used to throw out and now saving as I just know there has to be a use.

Right now I save all my fabric selvages. Have seen so many uses! Also all scraps of course, putting the tiniest in special tote to make larger fabric pieces from them; either using sewing machine or the serger cover stitch to sew together. Use a base fabric for this. More of this later. Still waiting to order my cover stitch machine. A bit more saving and can pay cash! Important in these harder economic times.

This site uses old socks! How many times does your dryer "eat" one sock? Now saving socks! Might not crochet the backpack but will be something I can use - like totes! Head over and check it out. Love how she makes her pattern and, may not be perfect as she says, but gives you room to modify to suit you.
Penniless Parenting

If you have a source for old crates - make a coffee table!
Upcycle That

For all us sewers since we can never have too much storage!
Upcycle Your Life

This mason jar soap dispenser would fit perfect in my bathroom. BUT you won't find me near a drill! If you are handy, check this page from Country Living.
Country Living

Some ideas to get you started. I continue to jot down in my journal my own ideas, to be worked out later. Right now I will get busy on using some of my selvage scraps AND very anxious to see how I can use my tiniest scraps without hardly any waste.

Any ideas you come across, share with us! After reading each one, I hit my head, and think, "Duh, why didn't I think of that??!!"

Happy Stitchery (and serging!),
Charlene

Serger for Sale

2013-01-24T17:25:00.000-05:00

Hunting for a Serger? My sewing friend has one for sale and only used a tiny bit.

Are you hunting for a serger? If so, a dear sewing friend has one for sale. Such a great deal so wanted to share with you all the details.

She (T. Sergent) can be reached via her email for additional information - ausagda@zoomtown.com

She has a Husky-Viking 936 for sale for $650 and buyer pays for shipping or can be picked up in SW Ohio area.

It has never been used, only threaded. The machine was to replace the "death" of the one she was using. However, she has been able to give additional life to her present serger - and doesn't need the new one. So, just like buying a new one without any miles on it!

She has the manuals and extra feet. She can give you all the details via email.

Happy Serging!
Charlene

flu season

2013-01-11T21:02:00.000-05:00

Seems the flu season is really upon us! What started as my "cold" has turned into pneumonia and so still waiting to feel totally well again. Then I can - Please! - head to the sewing room!

Had been working on article for Threads magazine, and scheduled talks for quilt guilds. So nice to start the New Year with sewing friends!

More to come in 2013 and until later, stay well and stay safe.

Happy Stitchery,
Charlene

Coverstitch only serger

2012-11-15T06:38:00.000-05:00

With all the coverstitching I do, have decided to get a machine solely for the coverstitch! Fun part is researching various ones and narrowing down to features, quality, and price range. What is your BEST cover stitch machine? Suggestions please!

I love using my present Singer serger for coverstitch and time to come up with some tips and hints; along with ideas of how to use it.

What do you want to know about a cover stitch?
Do you need some ideas of what to use it for?
Other thoughts?

Ready to help in every way. I cover the coverstitch (nice pun!) in Simply Serging, but not to the extent you may need.

Happy Serging!

Charlene

Serger Book Cover

2012-11-09T16:39:00.001-05:00

Nothing goes faster than a project sewn up on your serger. Try any size book cover. In Simply Serging, instructions are given for memo pad covers however, I also let you know how to adapt to any size pad or a book!

Time has come for some serious couponing! I needed (ok, wanted) a cover for my small 3-ring binder. My sister, Monica, had given me an older Vera Bradley purse that I had never used but wouldn't give up for life of me! Miss her terribly, and right now so many objects give me joy and pleasure of memories. Soooo..... the cover was to be made from the Vera Bradley.First step was to decide what parts to use and begin ripping apart.

I wanted to retain the long handles, and the inside pockets. As the inside was "fresher" looking than the outside, that was the side I used.

Following instructions in Simply Serging, I placed the 3-ring binder onto the outside fabric I was using. Since I was serging, I made sure to cut at least 1" all around. My serger seam was going to be 5/8" and remember! we are cutting fabric off. Better to be larger than too small.

I placed the handles using painter tape. Easy to use and to remove without harming fabric.

Pocket pieces were cut accordingly and serged on the short ends. Normally, I would cut the pocket pieces, fold, and place but since I was using the pockets of the purse, this step was a tad simplified. Almost finished!

The "lining" piece was placed over the pockets. Make a layer - outside fabric, pockets, lining. The lining piece is cut at least 2" shorter than the outside fabric. This gives you turning space.

Turn to the right side and finished! I had wanted a closure but forgot to place along with my handles! But we are an adaptable bunch of sewers, aren't we? I hand stitched elastic to the inside. Placed and sewed my button on the other side. Closure was finished!

One of the inside pockets, was nice and long. I could place coupons here that I would redeem at the cash register. I pull them out of my binder as I shop the store. I again handsewed my elastic closure and a button to keep closed.

Thanks to using the inside of a purse, my larger open pocket, zippered pocket, and key ring are all in place. My coupon organizer is ready to shop in style!

Happy Stitchery & Serging,

Charlene

Simply Serging

2012-10-26T13:17:00.002-04:00

My author copies came in! Finally, I had the actual book in my hand and fabulous!

Sneak Peak inside .......

That means if you had pre-ordered from Amazon yours will be heading your way very soon!

If you would like to pre-order signed copies from me just send me an email via charlene@thesewbox.com. The retail price is $24.99. You can get the pre-order from me for $20.00 plus $3.00 shipping.

As always, I am available for workshops and lectures. I will place that information on this site very soon. Let you know all the avaialble goodies you can choose from.

Heading to the couch now and curl up with my new book!

Happy Serging!

Charlene

Hunting for a Serger?

2012-10-26T12:51:00.000-04:00

Ready to Sew!

2012-10-22T16:05:00.001-04:00

I finally can see my good friends set up on the sewing table, ready to go. Fabric is all put away (thank goodness for a very large closet!). Still have things to tidy up a bit, but at least I have made a good start.

I didn't think I would ever get all the fabric boxes open and on the shelves. Even before I finished, I made a trip to Pohlar Fabrics and just had to get more AND a new pattern for a very large tote.

Next projects.....

Thank you Judy from Punch with Judy for the pleat makers! Can't wait to give them a try and share with everyone.

And of course a book that should be in every sewing room.... order your signed copy from me!

Good to get some of my works in progress on the board and enjoy the colors and start the next steps. One is a block of the month from Bella Quilts, and others are just plain fun to do!

While unpacking, I found this fabulous purse I made years ago. My sister and I took the class and what fun we had designing our covers. A nice purse pattern (will have to find the name for you). You make the purse and then all the covers you want. Of course, mine is embroidered with my cup of coffee and a flowing briefcase :)

Was working on some shirring samples. Found at least 3 nice ways to make them and all depending on the final project. Will share tomorrow!

For now, happy sewing!

Charlene

More like a house!

2012-10-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

Up-to-date pics of what we have so far. Still so much to do but now can do it on a much slower "as necessary" basis. Just one closet or section at a time.

Front room finished for a while.

Even have a handmade battenburg lace table topper to dress up the table :)

Kitchen complete with stove, refrigerator, new rugs, and most everything in its place.

The landing is cleared of boxes. Still some organzition work here, but not a priority. I know where everything is at so no bather right now.

Just finished setting up a small play area in one of the large closets. More work later to expand it (which means getting some of my stuff moved to another closet.

Feels good to get the sewing room in a usable manner.

More of the sewing room, and still more organization needed here.

This about 1/3 of the fabric and notions in the huge closet in sewing room. Finally can see the floor!

Today was a REAL day off (never got around to those other rest days had planned). Went to several sewing shops and picked up some patterns and some luscious fabric. All for the Threads magazine article. Can't wait to see the finished skirt and the step out samples.

The blue below was called "blue jewel" and I can see why. Shines like a gem.

Lovely embroidered fabric....

Quilt frame is not up yet, but will be soon! Working on several quilts and the frame and quilting machine is going to come in very handy once again.

Quilts hanging over the staircase. You can see where the green paint ends and the white begins. The white still needs done. Stairs and this area will come later.

Back to the sewing room today which is pure pleasure. Sewing machines (Singer, BERNINA, & Janome), serger, and embroidery machine will get that run through and nice cleaning they have waited for. Some small projects to finish and will just take my time and relish every minute.

Thank you my friends for always being there,

Happy Stitchery!

Charlene

Nothing is more calming than watching the sunset on the Gulf.

Time to slow down yet?

2012-10-16T18:02:00.001-04:00

WOW! It has been over a month, about a thousand staples, 5 rooms of carpet removed, 4 rooms painted, and TONS of boxes upacked. Can't believe it has been that long (but the body sure feels like it). Those pics I promised have now been on my camera for at least 3 to 4 weeks and just now sitting down to put on computer and should a giant HI THERE! on my blog. Pics are now delivered AND we have made much more progress since they were taken. Will add those to next blog.

Today is my birthday and my personal birthday treat is to NOT do any work - just work on the computer and read some magazines. Just got home from several fabric shops. Picked up some luscious fabric for the Threads magazine article am working on. Just to feel them and their flowing, soft hand is heaven!

First, photos are about a month old but really shows the progress. Tomorrow's post will show what it looks like now. Still a LOT yet to do, but boy is there some progress.

Abby has found the upstairs window is great for watching everything!

Kitchen before stove and final paint. All cabinets primed and then painted, after removing all knobs, child-proof hooks, and doors

This lovely, gorgeous photo means WATER and HOT WATER in the house!

Washer and dryer for a small space - works very well.

Starting on the sewing room

Front room before the pain job. Still have that commode sitting there!

There were boxes everywhere! and more in the garage....

Finally got to fix a meal on the new stove. LOVE it!

To the left is the bathroom floor (tile) and it took about 2 hours of scrubbing to clean. For once was glad it was a small bathroom.

Front room ready to prime and paint!

New light fixtures in every room. Removed all the old (and dirty) fans.

Now, the kitchen floor to clean. Maybe a section every so many days????

In just a month there was loads of progress made on the house. Was always nice to find "new" clothes in boxes and seemed to have box after box and after box of fabrics, sewing books, and notions.

Still not finished - will be a while before that happens. But very livable and seems more like a home now. Might have to change the name from Green Acres to something else!

Have a happy ~~Monday~~ Tuesday,

Charlene

Time for a break!

2012-09-08T21:57:00.001-04:00

We have made so much progress on the house. It is basically redoing and decorating each and every room! Before furniture is placed, we have to first clean the windows (yuck!), carpet ripped up (done! and thank goodness!), remove old ceiling fan, walls mudded to repair holes, primer over crayon drawings - bold paint colors - etc, primer door frames & molding, paint everything, put down room carpet rug. Then furniture can come into the room. At a later date we will redo all the floors. Right now the large room carpet rugs are perfect! Lots of work to just get one room finished.

We have one totally done, and bits and pieces of others. Every surface area of the house has been scrubbed several times and all downstairs windows are clean! A nice feeling to just get to this point. Bathroom is totally usuable although final mudding and painting comes later this week. Kitchen cabinets cleaned and primered. Painting them white to brighten up. Color can be added through all the accessories for each room. Walls are a nice sage green. A very neutral and earthy color.

Waking up this morning was like just trying to move and couldn't.

Decided it was time for some rest! Days off! Sunday and Monday will be spent resting, and just doing whatever I feel like. A little dabbling in this and that but nothing at all strenuous! Will feel like a vacation :)

Stove and refrigerator arrive tomorrow. Surprised, but pleased, they deliver on a Sunday. Washer and dryer arrive on Tuesday. No more laundry mat!

So with "vacation" starting, I just checked email and found a wonderful course at an outstanding price! Called The Couture Dress and taught by Susan Khalj, given by the Craftsy site. Love the online courses as can view the videos whenever I want, and as many times as want. At this reduced rate very hard to pass up. Love the techniques of couture sewing and so many new tips to always learn. Also receive a pattern from Vogue. Now that is definitely a deal! Sewing room not set up yet, but may be some of my "dapbling" the next several days. Can at least get shelves in the large closets and fabric, threads, notions, patterns, books unpacked. Bring in the sewing machines and get ready to RELAX in a big way! Check out the Craftsy site for this class. Take it with me and we can compare our final product!

No matter where you are in life, family always comes first! Enjoy them, hug them, and tell them how much they mean to you!

Happy Stitchery,

Charlene

The "new" house

2012-09-04T22:39:00.000-04:00

Moving is certainly stressful! They say timing is everything and it couldn't be more true than selling and buying houses. We closed on the new house on a Thursday and the next day closed on the sold house on Friday. Had the weekend to move! A GIANT thank you to family for all the help. Moving day everyone pitched in with trucks, trailers, cars, and very nice sized closed trailer. Our movers ranged in age from 3 to 83; from grandkids to my dad. Best part? Having sister-in-laws who cooked a scrumptious meal for everyone! By the end of the day all of our belongings were packed (or stuffed) into the garage! Next step was to make the house livable..... back of the house below looks fairly good. Wait 'til you get indoors....

The house is a 1910 farmhouse and very solid!

Cabinets will be painted all white. All carpet has now been ripped up!

Do you know how many staples and nails have to be pulled to get the floor ready to just mop? Hundreds!

Before we bought the house, someone stole the copper. Makes it unlivable until fixed and have some water! Thankfully we are living in our 5th wheel camper.

Love the stripes? The door (unfinished) leads to huge storage closet.

How about some racing stripes? Another huge closet in this room. THIS is my sewing room.

All nice sized rooms and a dormer window in each one. Plenty of light to sew.

Carpet has been ripped up from both rooms. Gee.... should I keep the racing stripes?...LOL...

Old plumbing to be replaced and that lattice "wall" going up the stairs? GONE!

Abby has found her place in the camper! She sleeps on top the couch and has lots of windows to look out of. Then of course, she has to snuggle under the blanket!

NEW DOORS! Front, back, and garage. The back door was kept closed with just a padlock....grin. Just having doors that completely close and lock is a huge deal. Deck has now been "rearranged" into a nice seating area. Plants finally have found a place to show off their blooms and color!

Carpet? GONE! Staples? Now GONE!

Didn't think a hand could swell up after a day's work.

Stairs are fairly steep. Careful moving all my machines and sewing boxes up these!

The soon-to-be TV room, off the front room of the house. Was bright red with wallpaper border.

Abby is certainly the supervisor!

The front room before we began. Yep! that is my freezer in the room!

Not it's permanent spot for sure....grin....

Kitchen area has become "tool" central.

Lovely pattern and colors for a quilt!

Painted!

This was the "red" room.

Lattice gone.

Stairs are now clean. Notice all the staples - carpet pad still stuck to them.

Stairs alone had to have at least 100 of them!

Ready to clean some more, paint white, and add a carpet runner.

No water means no laundry at the house. Haven't been in a laundrymat for at least 30 years!

TV room almost done in this pic. Now have white blinds up, and ready to add some finishing touches such as side tables, table lamp, plants. Wall pics later on.

Nice large walk in closet off this room. That will be the "computer" room and Mary Kay area.

Large enough to add computer table, and antique cupboard to hold Mary Kay products.

For now we will place room carpets throughout the house, in each room. Later will work on the floors. Wood and thinking a nice rich color.

Next room! Ready to have holes repaired with drywall mud, paint with primer and paint.

About 15 years ago the entire house was pretty much gutted, with concrete actually poured on the first floor. A major ordeal to get the gravel and concrete in through a window. Makes a VERY solid foundation. Entire house was updated electrically. Someone did a lot of work years ago. Almost like building a new house! Shame we still have loads of work to do to get livable, but well worth it!

Color throughout house is an antique sage. Want to keep everything fitting to a 1910 farmhouse; with some ornate Victorian touches throughout. Can't wait to start adding color with pillows, pictures, and accessories! I have two gorgeous Victorian chairs that will fit perfectly! Deep maroon color and ornate wood. Can't wait to see this room finished!

Tomorrow we get water, and then can really start cleaning and painting the kitchen, bathroom, and floor tile. Have one room finished and only 5 rooms to go! Seems to take an enormous amount of time to just prepare the rooms before even painting!

At this point we have been working on the house for 9 days. One full day was spent outside digging up and hauling stones and rocks from the yard. A hodge-podge of flower beds. Time to think about landscaping much, much later!

At this point all of my sewing machines, fabric, threads, books, etc. is stuffed deep in the garage. Starting to get major withdrawal! May just rip the racing stripes off the wall (or should I leave them....LOL.....), have the sewing table set up (major job as it is about 8 feet long and now in 2 or 3 pieces), and start finding my fabric! Wood floors will come later and maybe even the paint. Right now, let's just get it cleaned and a room-sized carpet on the floor! I want to hear those machines start humming again. I have pillows to make, and maybe even a shower curtain!

Some fabulous sewing news! I am working on an article for Threads magazine and will share step-by-steps and ideas for some more vintage sewing attachments!

Happy Stitchery!

Share what you are sewing so I can live vicariously through you!!!

Charlene

Thank you

2012-08-12T19:20:00.000-04:00

Thank you all very much for prayers and thoughts. Amazing there still isn't a lot of research and public knowledge about pancreatic cancer. I hope to begin sending a percentage of business profit to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - both sewing and Mary Kay Cosmetics. They have valuable information for patients; sending many books and pamphlets. Their website is pancan.org.

We have more "on our plate" in the Phillips household - MOVING! Garage is full of packed boxes and house gets emptier and emptier. Hoping to close soon so I can find all my stuff! Closing on our house (SOLD!) hoping to be about end of month. So packing and more packing.

Must be in the family. Daughter is house hunting and packing. Son and daughter-in-law have their home for sale. Anyone looking for a large nice home in Hamilton, Ohio should check it out. I have always been amazed when you enter the house. Doesn't look as large on the outside, but inside is tons of room! On realtor.com and I think also zillow.com. Nice if they sold before granddaughter enters first grade, as may be in another school district. Click and check out all the photos!

Once again, thank you for your thoughts. I could feel so many prayers and virtual hugs! Soon, will head back to the sewing room and get some more projects started and others finished! Will be fun to plan out and set up the sewing room once we move. Pics later on :)

Happy sewing and continue to bless each day,
Charlene

Web sites

2012-08-08T12:39:00.001-04:00

Guess I can say UNDER CONSTRUCTION and watch the dust! Working on the websites and the blogger locations. Soon will have more sewing instructions AND will let you know where to buy my books, Singer Reference CS, Featherweight CD, patterns, and hopefully articles from my original web site of www.thesewbox.com.

Supposedly, everything will direct you to here and more pages will be at your fingertips. Want to give you as much free sewing ideas and articles as I possibly can. Yes, the website of www.thesewbox.com is no longer a separate site. Time to simplify life, both mine and yours!

Will be several days before I blog again and please forgive. I know you will understand. My sister, and my avid quilter and sewing buddy, had been fighting pancreatic cancer for 2 years. She had a major Whipple operation in 2010 which did give her these last years. Unfortunately, she did have every complication possible. As each tube was pulled from her body - we celebrated. We learned to bless and enjoy each day. We went to sewing shops - even changing up to 3 tanks of oxygen to get her there and back home. But, just buying more fabric and planning the next quilt, gave her so much enjoyment. Who cares whether those quilts would never be done.

She passed away on Tuesday and the hole in my heart feels like it will never be filled again. The next days will be filled with the funeral process. I know she is with me in heart and soul, and (together) we will be back quickly to share our love of sewing!

Bless each day with all you love,
Charlene

Packing and more packing!

2012-07-30T14:53:00.000-04:00

Packing everything in a house is not fun at all! I have managed to toss unneeded items around the house. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING has been tossed out from the sewing room. Box after box has 'fabric' written on it, and others just say 'sewing'. Have most of the area boxed up, but a gal HAS to have some tools of the trade and fabric to get through the next weeks. Of course, all machines are still up. Only the quilting machine and quilting frame have been taken down. Empty area!

I have tried to finish some UFOs on the design wall and my plastic bins, but not so successful! Every time I try to pack sewing or quilting books, I spend the entire time just looking through them and getting more ideas!

Sincerely and Happy Stitchery!
Charlene

Singer Serger

2012-07-24T18:38:00.000-04:00

Finally had some "play" time between selling our house and buying another - plus the beginning of packing to move! Whew! So time-consuming and tons of paperwork!

Played with the gathering and beading feet. There is such potential to these feet! Everything is very easy to do. Comes with a workbook CD which guides you through every step of the way.

Next, I worked with the coverstitch. Below is the front and the backside. After about 20 minutes I had a swatch of fabric decorated and ready to sew into a pillow.

The 4-thread safety stitch is a fabulous stitch. Very durable with the straight stitch (actually is the chainstitch).

A VERY important note about the 4-thread safety stitch is to watch the seam allowance. If your pattern calls for a 5/8" seam allowance, you have to remember the chainstitch takes up a tad more. If you line the fabric up with the 5/8" line - the seam allowance will really be 6/8". Important to line your fabric up accordingly.

(the chainstitch -straight stitch is on the edge of a 1" line - near my finger. To the far right is the fabric the serger cut off. You can see the seam allowance is actually 6/8", instead of 5/8")

I have a folding sunhat that just begs for the coverstitch - thinking decorative threads and maybe some metallic.

Happy Stitchery!

Charlene