About Sewing on Vinyl

The top handbag is my most recent piece of art. LOL. Sewing on "marine vinyl" is not for the weak hearted. I had to "google" every trick in the book. You need to understand some of the basics of Vinyl before you start a project. I'm telling you this because I started the project before I knew.....which is typical of all of my projects.

First, let me just say that vinyl is sticky and does not like to feed forward. It sticks and refuses to move without feeding with your hand from the back side and pulling from the other hand from the inside. Plus, after much research.....I learned that you must get a teflon foot which helps to feed the material through. You can also tape your foot with scotch tape-but the teflon foot was like 3.00 and well worth it.

You will also want to do some trials on some pieces of the fabric (vinyl) that you are going to use to test out the tension and stitch length.

Apparently, the weight of your thread is important, and you want to use a heavy cotton thread for this type of project. I did not really get into this part and still I had some tension issues.

FORGET about pressing your seams with vinyl. It is not going to happen. There is no trick. So you need to think about that before you begin a project. What was really difficult about the top left purse was that it required top stitching. It took me 30 minutes to pull the entire top of the purse/lining through for top stitching. I love the outcomes, but I want to learn more about how to make this project easier. I have some canvas waiting for some heavy duty lime green vinyl. Don't know if I'm scared or challenged. LOL

Paper Flowers and Fabric Flowers

Well, I'm kind of in a creative funk again. I hate it when this happens! I'm so glad that next weekend I am going to Fredricksberg, TX again to the trade days. I know it will inspire me in all kinds of directions. Meanwhile, while I am trying to get my groove back........I have been making a lot of little short term projects in the paper department. I made this little posey pin from faux vintage post/letters etc papers from the scrapbooking department. I actually wore it yesterday on my jacket. Then I spotted this book on Fabric Flowers by Elizabeth Helene Searle at the fabric store and I had to get it. I used her instructions to make this first fabric flower. I want to try several of her other flowers instructions. Now, what will I do with them? Who knows? Does it really matter if I am enjoying myself? Probably everyone will get fabric or paper flowers for Christmas! Heehee Have a great day.

Some Work Humor

Cows...A Poem by Richard Armous Cows Do nothing but browse And drowse And now and then moo. That's all they do. Yet even while grazing They aren't lazing. Even while snacking They aren't slacking. If not illustrious Thay are inner industrious, Making milk with all their might. With every bite. Cream too, With every chew. I'd like it fine Could I combine In such measure Business with pleasure . Happy Friday from the Funky Art Queen.

Etsy Treasury

I got an ETSY Treasury today! Look what I made! Go and check out the real thing here, it took me an hour to figure out how to just get a snapshot for the above photo. Rediculous. YOu should be able to just have some html and share the dang thing! Anyway, here it is, I would appreciate any views and/or comments. Hugs

Miss Zeglin said…

The end result looks great. A friend bought a really cool looking vinyl bag at a craft show and it totally feel apart. However, these bags look really study. I do have some vinyl, but I'm having problems with my Singer. I'm only sewing straight and I'm still having issues. Happy sewing.

12:16 PM

Funky Art Queen

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