Crochet Pattern PDFs



Peanut Butter Pattern, $6.50


Circles Scarf Pattern, $5.00



Stellar Beret Pattern, $5.00



Raindrops Scarf Pattern, $5.00


Artichoke Hat Pattern, $5.00



Lace Slouch Hat Pattern, $5.00


Starry Night Cardi Pattern, $6.50


Pebble Hat Pattern, $5.00


Petal Beret Pattern, $5.00


Covered Hangers Pattern, $5.00


Diamond Lace Scarf Pattern, $5.00


Blackberry Beret Pattern, $5.00


Cotton Candy Cowl Pattern, $5.00


Simple Hat Pattern, 4 Sizes, $5.00


Cables + Lace Scarf Pattern, $5.00
To see more of my crochet patterns, click here!.

Categories
« Cloth Napkins  
  Hot Stuff: Patchwork Oven Mitts »

Oilcloth Place Mats

placemats.jpg

This week I worked up some pretty placemats to brighten our eating area. I bought this pretty print in Austin, and previously used it to transform my air conditioning box into a “table” (nice camoflauge). Since I don’t need an air conditioner in Montana, I once again had the pretty fabric. It was a royal pain to sew, and as I was working on theseI thought of a couple of ways the project could have been much easier, but alas, I am stubborn. Were I to do it again, I would have sandwiched the oilcloth together (wrong sides facing) and used a bias tape around the edge to sew them together. This would eliminate both the hassle of turning the placemats inside out, the sewing through four layers of oilcloth, and the drag on the machine (oilcloth likes to stick!). Or, I could have pinked the edges and sewn them together. But I didn’ t want water seeping in, and I wanted them to be completely wipeable (hence no fabric bias  tape). Now I know!

All in all, it was worth the challenge. I secretly like testing the bounds of my cheap-o sewing machine by feeding it different materials.

August 31st, 2007 | Category: Color, Sewing | 4 comments
  • kathleen harper

    For a quick solution to sewing seams on slick fabrics, lay a strip of "scotch" tape along the seam line and just remove it when the seaming is done. Also if you lower the pressure on the presser foot you will have an easier time sewing on thick fabrics. If you are concerned about pinked and stitched edges not being water proof, try this. Sew the seam extra wide and then layer a bead of fabric glue between the oilcloth at the seams. Press together and when dry you can pink the edges. They will be sealed against moisture.

  • lindamade

    they definitely are a good option-- you can also just lower your feed dogs/use a walking foot (i found it sticking on the bottom too) or use tissue paper/paper and sew through that too. honestly i haven't even investigated different feet for my machine, i always want to do a project right when i think of it, so that doesn't always leave time for a trip to the store. :)

  • what nancy said. before i saw her comment, i was all set to suggest a teflon foot or a foot made for working with vinyl/leather. would make sewing (and by extension, your life!) MUCH easier! :)

  • turning FOUR LAYERS of oil cloth? good heavens. that would have had me bleeping up a storm. i recently bought a "teflon foot" for my sewing machine, which they say is meant to make it glide more easily over those sticky fabrics like oilcloth and vinyl. haven't used it yet but I'll let you know if it works (it was like $2). they are lovely, though, and i definitely want to give a set a try for my new place!

blog comments powered by Disqus