Sewing

By rowarrior

So do you like sewing, or are you sewing machine challenged? Find even hand stitching a nightmare, but still want the look? Here is a range of options for you to try out:

•  Machine sewing – when did you last look at the range of stitches available on your machine? Even the most basic machines usually allow you to at least do a straight stitch and a zig-zag stitch, which should certainly be enough to get you started, especially since varying the length and width of the stitches will give you a variety of looks. The only down side to the machine is that the thread you can use is not very chunky, so if you feel your stitching needs a bit of bulk, but you are also feeling a little lazy about drawing a pattern to hand-stitch, remember you can use your machine as a glorified paper-piercer if you don't put any thread in

•  Hand sewing – whilst it is certainly not frowned upon to go it alone with no pattern, it can be easier to plan your stitches if you either use a pattern template or draw your own pattern onto the cardstock first, then use a paper-piercer to punch the holes for you to sew through. This will allow you to use both normal sewing thread or embroidery thread to give varied thickness to your stitches.

•  Fake stitching – this only requires a serrated tracing wheel from the local fabric shop (don't worry, I'm sure the proximity to all that fabric won't bring you out in too much of a rash!) The most basic way to use this tool is to simply run it along a ruler to created a ‘stitched' look on your layout, eg on the edge of a mat. For a little more dimension you can run the wheel through an inkpad first, or rub a little colour over the holes in the page using either chalk or ink. To make your ‘stitching' a little more distressed, you can dispense with the ruler altogether, and if you feel you have wavered a little too far off your original track, you can then go back and try again, running roughly over the same line one or two more times.

Try all 3 options, on a tag if nothing else, so you can make your own mind up about how ‘challenged' you want to be about this!