Easy Singer Style Pattern-Free Fashions & Accessories 15 Easy-Sew Projects that Build Skills, Too

114 Pages·2007·20.22 MB·English

by  Kate Perri

Pattern-free Fashions&accessores
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Copyright 2007
Creative Publishing international
18705 Lake Drive East
Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317
1-800-328-3895
www.creativepub.com
All rights reserved
President/CEO: Ken Fund
Vice President/Sales &Marketing:Peter Ackroyd
Executive Managing Editor: Barbara Harold
Acquisition Editor: Deborah Cannarella
Development Editor: Sharon Boerbon Hanson
Creative Director: Michele Lanci-Altomare
Art Director: Mary Rohl
Production Manager: Laura Hokkanen, Linda Halls
Cover and Book Design: Mary Rohl
Photo Stylist: Joanne Wawra
Photographers: Rudy Calin, Steve Galvin, Andrea Rugg
Page Layout: Lois Stanfield
Illustration: Deborah Pierce
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Perri, Kate.
Pattern-free fashions & accessories : 15 easy-sew projects that build
skills, too / Kate Perri.
p. cm. — (Easy singer style)
Branded by Singer At head of title:
Includes index.
ISBN-13: 978-1-58923-312-6 (soft cover)
ISBN-10: 1-58923-312-3 (soft cover)
1. Machine sewing. I. Title. II. Title: At head of title:. III. Series.
TT713.P43 2007
646.2’044—dc22 2006032894
Printed in China
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Due to differing conditions, materials, and skill levels, the publisher and various
manufacturers disclaim any liability for unsatisfactory results or injury due to
improper use of tools, materials, or information in this publication.
All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyrights herein may be
reproduced or used in any form or by any means—graphic, electronic, or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping of information on storage
and retrieval systems—without the written permission of the publisher.
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acknowledgments
Thank you to Aron, Dan, and Ben. I love you! Thanks to Susan
Guagliumi for years of friendship, humor, and advice. Thanks to
Nancy Rosenberger, owner of the Quilt Cottage (Mamaroneck, New
York) for embroidery, friendship, notions, and tea. Thanks to Ben
Pasternack for his T-shirt designs, stenciling, and patience. Thanks to
Libby Hollahan, Madalyn Kozlow, Lisa Ihde Costa, Ellen Highsmith
Silver, and my many friends for supporting me, sharing my excitement,
and laughing at my jokes. Thanks to all the girls and boys in my class-
es, for testing patterns and being so creative.
Many thanks to all the suppliers for letting me play with their beautiful
fabrics. It has been a pleasure to work with editor Deborah Cannarella.
Her support and encouragement were always thoughtful and
unflagging. Thank you, Creative Publishing international, for the
opportunity to write about my lifelong passion.
about the author
Kate Perri teaches hand and machine sewing and quilting to
middle-school-age boys and girls in after-school programs, camp
programs, workshops, and private classes. She has developed a range
of projects based on these experiences—and on kids’ special requests.
Kate has a BFA in Designer Crafts from the Maryland Institute College
of Art in Baltimore. Visit her at www.kateperridesigns.com.
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contents
7 Welcome to Sewing!
9 Fabric Facts
10 Width and Length
10 Grain
10 Right or Wrong?
11 Preparation and Care
11 Press as You Go
13 Tools
14 Measuring
14 Marking
15 Seam Ripper,Pins,and Pincushions
16 Shears and Scissors
17 Rotary Cutting Tools
19 Sewing by Hand
20 Threads and Needles
21 Making Knots
22 Utility Stitches
23 Decorative Stitches
24 Project: Pretty Pincushions
26 Project: Button Change Purse
29 Sewing on Buttons
30 Project: Jazzed Jeans
33 Raw-Edge Appliqué
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35 Sewing by Machine 77 Working with Body Measurements
36 Machine Parts 78 How to Measure Yourself
38 Machine Controls 79 How to Mark a Hem
39 Tension and Threading 79 Measurements Plus Math Equal Fit
40 Getting Ready to Sew 80 Project: Fabric Belt with Slide Buckle
81 Finding Your Size
43 Stitching Simple Shapes 82 Cutting
44 Working with the Seam Allowance 84 Project: Sassy Skirt
44 Tricks for Accuracy 87 Finding Your Fit
44 Working with Rotary Tools 87 Making a Double-Turned Hem
46 Project: Off-Kilter Pillow
49 Pivoting at Corners 89 Change Your Clothes
50 Project: Silky Prom Wrap 90 Project: Embellished Vest
93 Simple Beading
53 Working with Curves and Trims 94 Project: T-shirt Backpack
54 Project: Photo Album Pillow 95 Cutting and Fusing the T-shirt
55 Printing Photos onto Fabric 98 Project: Lacy Jeans Skirt
56 Edge-Stitching and Topstitching 99 How to Use a Seam Ripper
58 Project: Cross My Heart Pillow
61 Sewing and Clipping Curved Seams 103 Templates and Illustrations
62 Project: Frayed Bag on a Cord
110 Suppliers
67 Stitch to Shape
68 Project: Grab-and-Go Bags 111 Index
71 Guidelines for Fusing
71 Working with Interfacings
72 Project: Reversible Tote
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welcome to sewing!
Whether you’ve never threaded a needle or you’ve only dab-
bled with sewing on your own,this is the place to discover
the techniques and tricks to begin sewing successfully.
Each project in this book teaches a skill or skills that you
will use every time you sew. The first three projects offer
explanations of hand-sewing. The comprehensive chapter
on the sewing machine explains the parts and the functions
of the machine,which you can refer to again and again. Best
of all,you will learn to make great accessories,home deco-
rating projects,and simple garments. Check out the chapter,
“Change Your Clothes”—and before you know it,you’ll be
sorting through your closet looking for things to alter
and embellish.
What could be better than displaying your own creativity
and skill for your family and friends? You’ll be amazed how
people react when you’re wearing the sensational silky prom
wrap you made or when you present a photo pillow you cre-
ated as a gift.
Picking and choosing fabrics,notions,and trims makes
projects personal and unique. Tap into your creative side,
and you will be exploring your unique vision for the rest
of your life.
Have fun! You can sew it!
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fabric facts
Shopping for fabric is exciting,but looking at the
wide selection of choices can be overwhelming.
Learning about fabric makes it easier to choose.
The fabrics you’ll need to make each project
(and the amounts you’ll need) are provided with
the project instructions,but here are some basics
to get you started.
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