::Top Tip:: Getting Grease Out of Fabric

Back when I showed you my Navy S2444 Dress I mentioned that I had gotten grease on the bodice.

I ran it through the was and the stains didn't come out. I was devastated. I have had other clothing get grease stains that didn't come out. So I hit the internet searching for how to remove grease from cotton and cotton blend fabric (the dress is made of a poly cotton).

There was a lot of advice out there. There was some for vinegar, bicarbonate soda, baby powder, toothbrushes. *sigh* But the simplest solution I came across was...dish soap. Which makes sense as dish soap is designed to remove grease.

"It is I. Dish Soap. To the rescue with my tea towel cape!"

I just put a couple of drops on each stain. Worked it in with my hands and rinsed thoroughly a few times. I let the dress dry to see if it had worked. It had so I then ran it through the washing machine on a gentle cycle.

Phew. What a relief!

Here is a great reference if you get grease on your favourite clothes.

Have you ever been devastated by damage to your favourite clothes? What did you do?
Leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you :)

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Until next time,

::Sewing::Top Tip:: Folding Sewing Patterns

Lately I've been cutting out sewing patterns and then carefully folding them up and putting them back in the envelope so they are ready to go when I am.

I like cutting my pattern pieces out using a paper-only rotary cutter and a self-healing mat. It's a quick and precise way of cutting them out.

While doing this I've come up with a nifty 'new-to-me' technique of folding patterns so that they fit nicely back in the envelope. I'm probably late to the party on this trick, but I thought I'd share it just in case I help someone else wrangle their patterns back into envelopes.

I was trying to pack my Hollyburn pattern back into the envelope when I realised that the instructions sheet would make a great folding template for the pattern. After all the instructions sheet fits comfortably in the envelope. 

To make sorting through folded pattern pieces easier I try to make sure the pattern piece number is on the front when it is folded. So I usually start by flipping the pattern so the right side of the pattern is facing down. I place the pattern instructions over the pattern piece number.

I prefer to fold the long sides down first to create a long piece. So now the pattern piece will be a width that will fit in the envelope.

Before I move on to folding down the pattern to fit the length of the envelope. I free the instructions sheet from the pattern piece. Then I use it as measure for how long the pattern piece should be. I place the instructions sheet over the pattern number and fold the pattern around it. Then I slip the sheet out the side of the folded pattern.

I end up with a pattern piece folded up to a nice size to fit in it's envelope and because the number is on the front I can easily sort through them when they come out of the envelope.

Until next time, I hope you're having a few lightbulb moments of your own,
Vanessa xo

::Quilting:: Super quick Half Square Triangles!

I found this awesome tutorial for making 8 half square triangles at once! Awesome! I just had to share it with you.

[source]

I haven't made an half square triangle quilts yet, but this know-how might just push me to do it!

Until next time, I hope you're finding quicker ways to do things,
Vanessa xo

::Sewing:: Great Sewing Tip!

Using fashion fabric selvedge as stabiliser.
I stumbled upon this great tip via a Craftsy Promotion video.

I had to post it as a reminder to myself. I would never think to do this.

Until next time, I hope you finding gems of information too
Vanessa xo

::Knitting:: Awesome knitting tip!

Hey all,

I've got a hankering for some knitting. This is a little strange seeing as we're in the middle of summer here in sunny Queensland. Anyway, I stumbled across this knitting gem and I had to share it immediately. This is a great tip especially for people who are starting out and may make a few mistakes. It's a really simple concept, but I would never have thought to do it myself.

Take a look at Staci's website for more great knitting resources - verypink.com

Until next time, get your knit on!
Vanessa xo


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