Be Creative When Using Fabric Trims To Enhance the Look

Garments and apparels can be transformed to look fashionable when you use fabric trims creatively and provide a new dimension. Apart from creating stylish and elegant dresses, you can also use these trims to enhance the décor of your home. The advantage of using fabric trims is that a simple dress can be transformed to an exciting outfit that looks great when it is worn. There are several types of trims that can be selected as there is a wide choice available that can be used to come up with beautiful creations.

You should select the lace or trim that complement the material and fabric colour. You could ask your friend to help you with the design by selecting the best trim that will enhance the dress to give it a new look. The best way to look for the perfect fabric trim is to scour the internet as it is possible to find a variety of shapes, colours and designs. Different materials are available in linen, wool and silk which can be used to advantage.

Anyone working in a garment industry will be familiar with these trims and the difference they make when added to fabric. They can be used on swimwear, nursing scrubs, dancewear, pillows, tablecloths and slipcovers, car seats, rug hooking, boat covers, draperies and upholstery. They add unmatched value when used with different fabrics and you should try to use them wisely to enhance the look of these finished products.

You may transform an old dress by sewing trims or enhance the value of the dress by pasting fabric on them to create a stunning look. There is no limit to being creative when using these laces and fabric trims. You can save money if you are on a tight budget by purchasing a plain dress and transforming it to a smart outfit with the addition of fabric trims or laces.

A wide selection of fabric trims are available in styles which include ribbons, laces, braids and cord trims. Many of them come with sequins, rhinestones and beads which enhance the look when accessories are included. A popular item is ribbon trims that are embroidered, printed or available in jacquard. Golden and grey threads are available for creating stunning designs. Mix and match these trims and laces to come up with beautiful and stunning creations.

You can also use other textile accessories apart from braids and laces to enhance the look of the outfits and make them look more expensive. A fabric may look attractive when you add a brush fringe and these are available in various colors and widths. The other alternative is a bullion fringes which can be used on many types of textiles.

Fabric cording is another accessory that can be used for textiles, and it comes in various shades and colors. Many attractive cords are available with gold and silver twisted varieties. Spend time browsing through the wide selection if you want great results and ensure that you enhance the look of your home using these decorative items or your outfits to achieve that smart look.

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Singer Treadle Sewing Machines: Singer 66 Review

Many people are collecting vintage sewing machines dating back to the 1800s. In the past Singer was the most famous brand in the world and even today the company's name is synonymous with the sewing machine. When the company introduced home sewing machines to the public, Singer 66 became an instant hit. This machine is operated by a large rubber belt extending from the balance wheel to the large foot pedal at the bottom. Singer treadle machines never faded away completely.

Singer 66 was the best sewing machine that the world had seen in 1908. Those who have used this machine describe it as a beautiful and elegant piece of furniture as well as a highly functional one. This heavy duty machine is a simple and easy to use, featuring a drop-in bobbin, adjustable presser foot pressure, and adjustable stitch length and width. When in proper condition, Singer 66 can sew delicate fabrics to denim. It will also handle any of your household sewing with ease.

Singer treadle sewing machines are still used by many quilters and sewers. If you get a Singer 66 machine, chances are everything will be easy to find in terms of accessories and replacement parts. Components are available both aftermarket and from collectors. Even if the machine doesn't look like new, it can sew beautifully when cleaned, tuned, and oiled. The reason why Singer 66 is so easy to run is because of the way it is designed. This model is basically a full sized version of Singer 99.

This non-electric, treadle operated vintage sewing machine is ideal for beginners. It is easy to maintain and has sturdy metal construction. The machines sold in the United Kingdom featured a different design known as the lotus design. The basic gold Singer trademark decals replaced this design between 1910 and 1920. Sewers refer to the original decals distributed in the United States as "red eye" because of the two red ovals, like eyes, on the arm.

Working on the Singer 66 is a unique experience. The stitches are beautiful and sturdy. The machine doesn't have a built-in lamp, but there is plenty of space to add one to the workspace. Most sewers agree that no other machine will ever be able to math the intricate beauty of the stitches created on these machines. Singer 66 is built to last, stays put, and will sew gorgeous stitches for generations on a large variety of fabrics.

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Sewing Safety Tips: Staying Safe in the Sewing Room

Sewing is a fun and relaxing way to express your creativity. It's also an activity that involves a lot of sharp, pointy objects that can be dangerous if not handled with care.

Here are some tips that will help you avoid the most common sewing dangers.

Keep Sharp Objects Away from Your Mouth

You've probably seen the image in countless movies and TV shows. A busy fashion designer is working feverishly in her studio, eyes bright with creative fire. She has pencils sticking out of her hair, measuring tape hanging from her neck, and a half dozen straight pins sticking out of her mouth.

This is something you should never do. Yes, your mouth can seem like a convenient "holding area" when your hands are busy. But imagine tripping with those pins or needles in your mouth. It isn't a pretty picture, is it?

Pins and needles go in pin cushions. For the sake of convenience, buy a pin cushion that you can wear on your wrist.

Scissor Safety

The best fabric scissors and sewing shears are razor sharp. But the sharper something is, the more dangerous it can be. So here are some scissor safety tips.

It's much too easy to get into the habit of dropping scissors into your lap when you're not through with them. But, do this often enough, and it's just a matter of time before you stab yourself in the thigh. Instead, when you're not using your scissors, drop them into a container with the blades down. This way you don't have to worry about getting distracted and grabbing the scissors at the wrong end.

If you absolutely have to set your scissors down on a flat surface, make sure the blades are closed, and the scissors aren't in a position where they could easily get knocked onto the floor. And, when you go to pick up the scissors, pay attention to what you're doing.

Finally, handing scissors to someone else blades first can lead to mishaps, especially if one of you isn't really paying attention. Instead, hand the scissors over handle first.

Your Mood Makes a Difference

Many people use sewing as a stress reliever. If they are upset, angry, or sad, they might turn to their sewing machine to make themselves feel better.

The problem with this is that if you are preoccupied and upset, you might not pay the strictest attention to what you're doing. And, in the sewing room, any kind of distraction can lead to a mishap. But that's not the only "danger." Being upset, preoccupied or sleepy while trying to sew can lead to crooked cuts, messy stitches, and a finished project that either needs to be tossed out or redone.

This doesn't mean you absolutely can't work on a sewing project if you're upset, preoccupied or tired. However, stick with doing things that don't require much focus, at least until you feel more attentive and awake.

Young Children and Sewing Supplies

If you're like many, you probably have the kids in the sewing room with you while you work, so you can keep an eye on them. If a young child is going to be crawling or toddling around your sewing room, make sure there's nothing potentially dangerous within their reach. You should also check the floor for pins, needles, buttons, and so on. You'll be amazed what kinds can end up on the floor without you even noticing.

If you don't have a dedicated sewing room, don't leave sewing supplies lying around the house, even for a minute. Keep your sewing kit in a place where the kids can't get to it. And, even then, it's a good idea to use a sewing box young children would have a hard time getting into.

A Few More Sewing Tips

While the above tips are some of the biggies, there are a few more sewing safety tips you should keep in mind.

A seam ripper definitely comes in handy. It helps to make the job of removing seams go much faster. However, handle seam rippers with care. Never rip a seam towards your body. Always rip in the opposite direction. And make sure your hands don't get in the way. If you drop a pin or needle, pick it up immediately. How many times have you dropped a pin and told yourself you'd pick it up later? How many times have you forgotten all about dropping that pin, especially if it rolled under something? No, it's better to get into the habit of picking up anything you drop, especially if it's sharp or pointy, right away. Don't store things like pins, needles, scissors, seam rippers or rotary cutters loose. When you're in a hurry, it can be tempting to just toss these items into a drawer or sewing box. But, when you reach in to grab something, you could end up getting stabbed, nicked or cut. It's best to place these items securely in some kind of holder or container. Keeping a Diary - Tips for Productive Journaling for Children   Not Another Arts and Crafts Show?   Bring In Some Vibrant Style to Your Home With Fun Throw Pillow Ideas   10 Best Knitting Tips   

A History of Polymer Clay - From the Thirties to the Present Day

Polymer clay is a material that is used by many arts and crafts hobbyists. They generally use it to create their own pieces of handmade jewellery. As a material, this particular form of clay was first introduced to the public in the 1930s. However, it has only really become readily available to people over the past forty years or so. Since it has not been as widely used as many other forms of art clay and other jewellery making materials, the opportunities to do something unique when using it are much higher. Still, many professional and novice jewellery makers enjoy having the freedom to experiment with it; you'll often find it incorporated into their work - i.e. pendants and earrings for example.

Although, as previously mentioned, it hasn't been widely used for all that long - especially when compared to other popular jewellery making materials - polymer clay has been around since the 1930s and was first created in Germany. It was created by a doll maker who was experiencing difficulties in finding supplies to make her dolls. In a bid to find an effective material to produce her dolls, the woman used plastic-based clay - known as Fifi Mosaik. Easy to decorate, this clay was used by the woman to create the heads of the dolls.

Later, during the 1960s, the plastic clay mold formula was sold to a manufacturer known as Eberhard Faber. He took the formula of what had then become known as Fimo polymer clay and adjusted it. In the modern era Fimo polymer clay is widely sold in many different toy stores, as well as arts and craft stores, all over Europe; this has led many to mistakenly believe that it's a product design for children. However, it is more aimed at adults looking to undertake a craft project.

In the United States polymer clay was first introduced to customers and craft lovers in the 1970s. The Shaups, a family who had ties to Germany, received a pack of this clay as a Christmas gift. They then, understandably, began to produce their own pieces of jewellery, which friends and neighbours soon began to take note of. Having seen many good reactions, the family decided to start importing Fimo polymer clay into the US in 1975. Many other American firms began to follow suit and the product became a solid seller in the country. At the same time it was also becoming extremely popular in the UK.

Even though the Fimo brand of polymer clay was not brought over to the US until the 1970s, many were experimenting with this unique form of clay as early as the 1950s. An illustrator by the name of Gordon Swenarton used the clay that he had gotten from his father to make wonderful creations, whilst the American company Zenith created their own form of polymer clay by accident. They created a thermal transfer compound that didn't work; polyform clay was produced as a result.

Since it was first invented in the 1930s polymer clay has gone on to provide many people with a huge amount of joy.

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Liberty Seated Dollar: A Rare Collection

An ordinary coin is worth more than $150 provided that it is in good condition. The value of these coins increases each year. For a coin collector, the rare series of Liberty seated dollar coins is the most special he could find. The coins date back as far as 1850 on which the Lady Liberty is seen seated on a rock as opposed to how she is seen today, in a standing position. Finding these coins would not only mean thrill and excitement but you can be sure each is worth more than those ordinary coins at an auction. It has to be in a good condition though to be able to get more value from it. This special series are no longer circulating and so far only a few of the series are known to be existing today.

A collector knows exactly what to look for to verify the authenticity of the coins. There are people who would try to play some tricks but this is not possible. There are mintmarks as well which would increase the value of each coin. Example of these mint marks are the "cc" markings and the initial of the state where it was produced. The design came from Gobrecht and the coins were produced in small quantities between the periods of 1836-1873. What made them more special is that the coins were produced and circulated during the time when there were no silver coins circulating in the country. The design was never again found in the succeeding silver coins. The reverse side design though with the flying eagle was used later for small cents.

In collecting or buying coins especially rare ones like the Liberty seated dollar, the feel and the appearance must be checked as well as the grade. The important things to note in order to make sure of the authenticity of the coin are the weight, appearance, edges and the mints. The weight is very important to determine whether the coin presented to you is real or not. The wear of the coin will not affect the weight. A collector knows the how much his coins weigh. If a coin presented is over or under the expected value then you are holding a fake one. Be sure to know your coins well. Having the rare coins is having history in your own hands. It is a treasure that is a must kept forever.

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Finding the Right Craft That Suits You!

Many of us are enjoying crafts for many reasons. However finding the right craft can sometimes be challenging. What is enjoyable to one person may seem boring to another. Today there are so many crafts to choose from, how do you choose?

For the most part if you find you admire anything made from wood, you may find it exciting to "create" something from wood. For myself I enjoy making jewelry, and scrap-booking.

If you are good in art then perhaps that is where your talent is. I know many people have tried new things to find out they have a gift that they never knew they had!

Children enjoy crafts as much, if not more than adults. Children become so proud when they get to make their own creation. It is a great way to bring a family closer. Little ones even get excited about shopping, imagine when you include them in a craft and they can even help pick out the materials you need! It truly is fun for the whole family.

For some of us crafting can bring us out of a rut. I personally know a lady who had the "blues" she started to make jewelry and her husband could not believe the change in her. It was not long after she had her own business going!

I admire the elderly, it was my job for 21 years. No one knows crafts better than our seniors. For most that was all they had back in their "generation". I had a Grandmother who was a wonderful seamstress, she made all her children's clothes. For most of them it was to save money, as for other's it was pure enjoyment!

I know that many of our seniors who are still able to do crafts, still enjoy it. I could not believe this one lady I took care of had the beginning's of "dementia" (memory loss) she actually had taught me how to crochet. It just goes to prove some things we never forget. It would be great for family members if they see their loved ones in a nursing home or senior facility to bring a craft for them to do, it really helps pass the time for them. Let us not forget they were hard working people at one time and for them sometimes a craft can help them to feel that they are still productive. You may even become their favourite "person".

If you have never tried crafts, give it a shot, you may even amaze your self. Crafts can bring enjoyment, even help to create new memories.

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3 Tips on How to Make Your House Smell Good

I'm going to give you 3 tips on how to make your house smell good all the time. We all want our homes to smell good for many reasons. Maybe you have company coming over, or maybe you're a clean freak. Whatever the reason may be, it feels good to have a good smelling house.

There's many ways to make your house smell good and I'm going to tell you the best ways to make it happen!

1. Keep Your House clean

This is the first thing many people do when they want to make their homes smell good. Most smells come from the trash can, pets, cigarette smoke, not enough air circulation, etc..

Clean your house with light scented or natural cleaning solvents. Mop your floors daily and dust your furniture and appliances with a clean damp towel. You can use lemon scented furniture polish for wood and tables. You can use a simple all purpose cleaner for your appliances.

Shampoo your carpets to get rid of pet and cigarette odors.

2. Use Oil Warmers

Sometimes cleaning doesn't always do the job if the smell in your home has been around for days, weeks, or even months. Use Oil Warmers to make your house smell amazing all day long. Oil warmers are very decorative and leave your home smell beautiful. Just 10-15 minutes of using an oil warmer each day will leave your home smelling fresh and clean all day long!

Oil warmers come in many different styles and sizes. All you have to do is put the scented oil into the oil warmer and light a tealight candle under it and you are on your way to a great smelling house! You can get inexpensive Oil Warmers at many online stores. Although many stores may have a big selection to fit your taste in style.

3. Use Scented Candles

Scented candles vary in quality. When you use scented candles to make your house smell good, make sure to get good quality scented candles. There are so many places to get good quality scented candles.

Do not place your scented candles near windows because the aroma will go right out the window. Use your scented candles on coffee tables, dining room tables, or any other flat surface where there is high traffic in your home.

You can use different scents for different rooms. Light scents in the bathroom, and stronger scents throughout the rest of the house works perfectly!

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Paper Quilling For Beginners

There are a lot of shapes that one can create out of strips of paper. In paper quilling, using a quilling tool, paper strips are rolled, coiled, fringed, crimped, pinched, and then glued that is put together to create a design, figure or a completely amazing artwork!

Starter Kits

The great thing with paper quilling is doesn't cost much to start the craft or you can simply improvise! Although there are many cute and quality starter kits that are being sold online or out there in paper craft stores, all you need to begin a project is strips of colored papers or paper sheets (these you can cut on your own although it takes a long time at first), quick drying glue (in a fine tipped container or use a toothpick), and a quilling tool (you can purchase or just use an old long needle and attach it a wooden dowel pin.

Basic Techniques

Rolls

• Tight coil/circle: Roll the paper strip and glue the loose end to the side of the roll. Make sure that it does not unfurl even a little.

• Loose coil/circle: Roll the paper strip and allow the coil to loosen up to desired size after removing the quilling tool. Then glue the loose end.

• Teardrop: Make a loose circle. Pinch one side of the circle to a point, literally making a teardrop shape.

• Marquise/Eye: Make a loose circle, and then pinch it on opposite sides. End product is a shaped like an eye.

• Square: Make a marquise. Then turn it ninety degrees and pinch it again on two opposite

sides, exactly making a square.

• Triangle: Make a teardrop. In one hand, hold the teardrop between your index finger and thumb. With the other hand, press the rounded end inward to form three points.

• Rectangle: Make a marquise. Then turn it slightly and pinch two more points on opposite sides. There should be two short sides and two long sides forming a rectangle.

Scrolls

The strips of paper are folded and the ends are formed into rolls to create the desired shape. Unlike the rolls, scrolls' ends are not glued. It helps create a light "feel and look" in the design.

Basic scroll shapes are scroll, heart, v scroll, c scroll, and s scroll.

Spirals

• Spirals are formed by slowly pulling the paper off while firmly holding the other end that is still attached to the quilling tool. Spirals are usually used for bird beaks, bird feet, springs, and zig-zags.

Very Useful Tips

• Cut your own strips so that you can easily plan and customize your own design.

• To help hold the strip when rolling it, you can lightly moisten the tip of the paper strip.

• A quick drying glue is best suited to close off the end of the paper strip after you've rolled up the paper.

• To substitute for the circle template board, use a corkboard and cloth pins to hold or shape your rolls.

• Tearing the ends, before gluing is better that cutting. This way it doesn't leave a hard edge.

The secret to being a successful and expert quiller is to master these basic techniques.

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A Guide To Making And Printing Transfers And Stickers Using Your Inkjet Or Laser Printer

Making stickers is a relatively easy and fun craft to get involved with. The types of projects vary widely so this article will cover the various types of sticker and transfer paper that you will need depending on what you wish to create.

Simple projects around the home might be to create bedroom door stickers or stickers for kitchen jars, pots and containers.

Simple sticker making projects around the home

For these projects you'll need a little imagination, your PC and some Matt or Glossy White Sticker Paper A4. Quality does vary so if you are going to be printing pictures or fine text onto your stickers, I'd recommend that you spend around £1 per A4 sheet. Spending less may mean that your print clarity is not as clear as you would like.

Your sticker paper should have a bright white side to print onto with a dull paper backing which peels away to reveal the adhesive. Print your design onto the bright white side.

One recent sticker making project that I did was to create several strawberry jam stickers for some clear glass jars that I had. For this project I started at Google and clicked the images button at the top of the Google home page. From here I typed the word strawberry jam.

If you do the same now, you will see lots of pictures of jam as you would imagine. What I look for are the pictures or illustrations on white backgrounds. In many cases you will see ready made sticker pictures too with both image and text ready for you to save for your own project.

When you see an image that you like, right click and "save as" whatever you wish. Then open up your word processor and click the "insert" button usually found in the top menu bar and "insert picture". Then find and select the picture that you just saved.

At this point you can check the size of the image. It needs to be big enough for you to use. If it's small, do not attempt to drag it bigger as this will distort the picture. It is OK however to drag the image smaller to the exact size that you need for your sticker. If you are using Microsoft word just hover over the corner of the image, left click and drag the image to the size you wish to use.

Once you are happy with the size you may wish to customise the design with some text. Do this by going back to insert and hitting the "text box" option. This will allow for you to add some text and drag the text into the centre and below your image.

As I had 6 jars, I used the "copy and paste" function which allows you to quickly duplicate what you have created instead of going up to the insert picture several times. To use the copy and paste function, hover over your image and right click your mouse. Then click "copy". Then move to the open space next to your design, right click again and click "paste" you will see that you design drops into your document.

Once you have filled your A4 size page with your designs, you are ready to print out.

Ensure that your sticker paper has been inserted into your printer so that the print lands on the white face and print out.

With your filled sticker sheet now printed upon, simply cut your designs out of the sheet, peel away the paper backing and apply to your projects surface smoothing out any air pockets.

Specialist transparent sticker film - Clear adhesive film

If you need your stickers to have a clear background as well as being translucent you will need to use some clear adhesive film which is manufactured for both inkjet and laser printers. This material is a sheet of plastic with a plastic backing that peels away to reveal a clear sticky side which also dries clear. Again, good quality clear adhesive paper will retain excellent print clarity for both text and images.

Clear adhesive paper is sometimes used to make transfers for plastic models as a quick alternative to water slide papers as the process is as quick and simple as the regular sticker making projects as described earlier.

It can also be used to create a decorative effect on glasses. For example, if you wished to customise the glass water jugs for instance at the tables of a wedding. For these projects there is no need to "mirror image". Simply print, cut, peel and apply.

Creating your own stickers for plastic miniature models

With the creation of new waterslide papers, it is now possible to create your own transfers at a fraction of the cost of buying them ready made.

Waterslide papers are a clear coated film with a paper backing and come in clear and white for both inkjet and laser printers. The white versions of waterslide paper provide a white background and are used when applying pictures and designs to dark surfaces.

When using inkjet waterslide papers, clear acrylic spray is required to seal your print onto the film. Varnish is not required however when using the laser versions of the paper.

The paper is valuable so it's best to fill it with the images that you require before printing onto the shiny coated side of the paper. Again, Google images are a good place to start when looking for suitable transfers or sometimes the transfer shops themselves have good images that can be saved and used on your own models.

Once you have printed onto the decal paper (for inkjet printers), take your sheet and wait for 30 minutes before applying your first coat of clear varnish. This is to allow the printer ink to dry. Give the whole sheet several even sprays with the clear spray holding around 30cm away. Do this quickly three times, separated by ten minute intervals.

Now that your sheet is printed, sealed and completely dry, you are now able to cut each transfer out, close to the edges. Once cut the first decal can then be placed into a bowl of water for around 30 seconds. The backing paper will start to slide off the coated film. However, keep the backing paper on until the transfer is out of the water and near the surface which you aim to apply it to. Now, slide the backing off and the decal onto the surface. You will be able to move the transfer around but do this gently and the decal is in a fragile state at this stage. Once applied, feather away any remaining water from under the transfer and wait. The transfer will soon harden and look superb.

Laser printer sticker paper

Some recent papers available for laser printers include the clear adhesive film and also gold and silver sticker paper. These can be used to print black or colours text or images onto a gold or silver background, then cut, peel and apply. I have seen some interesting scrapbooking projects and wedding invites using gold adhesive paper for laser printers.

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Ways To Stack The Stitching Deck And Stand Out From Your Competition

Successfully running an embroidery shop takes time, dedication and talent. However, skill alone won't help a company rise to the top of its industry. Success also requires effectively and consistently beating out the competitive masses and seizing the lion's share of potential business opportunities.

Tips To Help Your Embroidery Firm Stand Out From The Opposition

If you're currently looking for proven ways to stack the stitching deck to help your embroidery firm stand out from the competition; read on. Employing the following practices can ensure that you are optimizing opportunities for your business brand and reputation. Consider:

Inventory: Whether your clientele consists of mostly individuals or businesses, chances are the first thing they will be looking at is your internal inventory options. Offer your clients an extensive range of garment options in as many color palettes as possible. While having a vast selection can prove a major differentiator, it's important to only work with inventory that you have the knowledge and experience to manage. Whenever possible, select fabrics that you've already determined will work with your shop's existing framing and hooping techniques to minimize ramp up time on stock.

Trends: As previously mentioned, having an extensive inventory is critical. However, it has to be the "right kind" (to be read as "stylish") of inventory. No one wants to wear a polyester cap that reeks of the 80's. Keeping your inventory fresh and cutting edge will help showcase your firm as a current, trendy shop that clients can turn to for the latest looks.

Staff: Getting customers interested in your merchandise is only the first step to securing the sale. At some point your internal staff will have to take the purchase order ball across the finish line, and that generally requires various levels of customer interaction. It's important to have your internal representative trained and poised to reinforce your company image as the in the know experts that you are. Everyone knows the adage about never over promising and under delivering. That's why it's essential to invest in your staff - provide them with the training and information they need to confidently engage with customers and thoroughly understand what is (and most importantly, is not) possible when it comes to customizing garments.

Partnerships: Whenever possible, partner with a wholesale garment distributor that also offers embroidery services as part of their portfolio of offerings. Yes, teaming up with another embroider may initially feel counterintuitive. However, partnering with an affiliate stitcher will mean that the product you order from them generally offers a design that is ideal for customization embroidery. Additionally, a reputable distributor who also embroiders will also have the experience and skill needed to help manage any overflow projects that your company may encounter. Plus, having an established relationship with a qualified wholesale distributor means that they may also be able to direct business your way when it comes to projects local to your shop that don't make sense for them to handle internally.

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Sewing Machines: How to Use a Sewing Machine

Using a sewing machine is easier than it seems. With all their hooks, bobbins, knobs and accessories, it can be hard to know where to start. Once you learn how to do a straight stitch, you can try more complex techniques and start new projects. Sewing machines can save you hours of hard work, especially if you are used to sewing by hand. Those who are looking to save money can use sewing machines for making their own clothes at home.

Start by choosing a basic sewing machine for beginners. If you already have one, it is important to make sure it has been recently serviced. Get a machine with all-metal parts and avoid cheap machines with plastic components. Plastic pieces are the ones that will break first. It is better to invest a few extra dollars in a quality sewing machine than spending hundreds of dollars on replacement parts later. A good sewing machine will last for years.

Most sewers will never use more stitches than those included with the basic 12-stitch model. When you're first starting out, consider a basic model. If you are on a budget, find a repair shop specializing in sewing machines and ask the people who work there to recommend you a good source for acquiring a used machine that gets the job done.

Once you bought a machine, try to understand how it works. Read the instructions that came with your machine and familiarize yourself with its accessories and parts. Raise the needle to its highest position. Raise the presser foot. This piece presses the fabric down. Arrange the machine so that the body of the machine is on the right and the needle end is on your left. If your machine has a needle, make sure it is securely inserted.

Sewing machines use two thread sources stored on a bobbin. In order to use your machine, you have to wind and insert the bobbin. Check if the machine has threading directions. Follow the instructions in the manual to thread your sewing machine. Choose two scraps of fabric and place them on top of each other. The distance between the needle and fabric edges should be equal to the required seam allowance. Practice on a simple, woven material first. Cut up a pillowcase or an old sheet if you don't have any scrap material sitting around. Don't use a heavy fabric the first time you sew.

Move the needle to the top of its travel by using the hand wheel. Choose a straight stitch and a medium stitch length. Place the fabric under the needle while lowering the presser foot to hold your fabric in place. Raise the needle to the highest position to end stitching. Cut bottom and top threads to release the fabric.

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How to Make Beeswax Tea Light Candles

Beeswax tea light candles are popular and used for most occasions from formal weddings to home parties. They are also perfectly lit to enhance the ambiance in your home especially the dining area and your rooms. In truth, you can buy beeswax tea lights from local shops or online stores. Allowing for the ease of making as well as cost saving, some consumers are willing to learn and attempt to make their own ones. Making candles is not only fun but you can also control the quality of the candles by using pure beeswax. The information below is to guide you on what to use and follow throughout the process of a successful beeswax tea light candle making.

Candle making tools and supplies

Pyrex measuring cup, scissors, clothespins, plastic/metal tea light cups, cotton wick and beeswax

Instructions

Place the desired amount of beeswax into a Pyrex measuring cup. Put the measuring cup into a pot and then fill the pot with water about halfway full the cup. Now you can start heating the pot on high heat until the water inside the pot boils. Let the beeswax liquefies thoroughly. After shut off the fire source, carefully remove the measuring cup from the pot by using a hot pad or oven mitt as the measuring cup is very hot after heating. Prepare the tea light cups close to each other on a level surface and add an individual cotton wick into them. After that, secure every wick with a clothespin to hold the wick in place. Now, you can pour the melted beeswax into each cup until the edge of the cup is reached without overspill. After filling all the prepared tea light cups, leave them for approximately 1-2 hours or until the beeswax becomes solid. Lastly, take out the clothespins and cut each wick to about 1 cm before use.

Tips and warnings

-Ensure children are away from your workplace especially while you are handling the hot melted beeswax to avoid any unwanted injury or accident.

-Pouring the melted beeswax into the tea light cups through a funnel provides an easier and cleaner way in this step.

-Place a box lid underneath the cups just in case any overflow accidentally happens while pouring the melted beeswax. This approach can save you from cleaning your workplace later.

-Do not remove the tea light cups from the candles, so that the candles can melt completely when lit.

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Make Trees and Shrubbery

Make trees and shrubbery in colors of green, orange, yellow, red, or a mix of colors as they occur in nature. There are different methods which are used to make your own trees from your local vegetation unless you wish to purchase commercial products.

If you are anything like me, crafting original works is more fun and in many ways makes for better construction, variety, and more importantly made to the desired specifications. Model railroaders want their landscaping to look as realistic as possible. Making trees and shrubbery from nature's availability found in your back yard is as real as it gets.

I have access to reindeer moss which is lichen. Lichen is a type of fungus and algae which is found in nature. I live near a woody area and have access to this type of plant life. When it rains it turns green and during dry weather it has a grayish or very light green color. When wet it gets spongy in texture. In its dry state it will retain its shape.

Crafters use this type of moss for wreaths, flower arrangements, and topiaries. Model trail enthusiasts utilize it for realistic trees and shrubbery landscaping. Lichen can be purchased in different colors to represent all seasons of the year.

As a model train craftsman; make your own trees and shrubbery.

How to prepare lichen

Clean by removing any pine needles, dirt, twigs, etc. Trim away unwanted debris or discoloration. Place moss in a pot with one part glycerin to 3 parts water, boil, let cool for about an hour. Add cool color dye to the solution. The amount of soaking time will determine the lightness or darkness of the color. Remove lichen from the dye bath and spread out on paper to dry. Lichen will store in a plastic bag for future use.

Not care to make your trees or other shrubbery? Make your purchases at your local hobby or craft stores or online. If you prefer be your own craftsman, make trees from nature's abundance which is free and readily available from the local outdoors. Put your crafting skills to work. In truth, you will be quite impressed with your results.

Make trees from dried plants

Walk around your yard and select any dry plant growth which you feel will make excellent trees. Keep in mind the scale which you are working with. Select dried plants which may be the perfect size or will trim easily to fit the landscaping.

Much information is available in books, craft magazines, flower magazines, and online which help you to identify the plants and instructions on care and drying methods.

These small branches, sprigs, weeds, and cultured plants can be sprayed with stain or paints to enhance their appearance. Spraying or painting may be all that is needed to complete the desired finish. Others may be the skeleton of the tree and will need leaves applied to their naked branches.

The leaves are made from ground foam which is a product which may be purchased from any hobby, craft, and online stores, or make your own.

How to make ground foam

Use any soft foam gathered from discarded pillows, cushions, or purchase cheap foam sponges. Cut into very small pieces and place in blender to shred into tiny pieces. Colorize with craft paints or fabric dyes. Let foam dry very thoroughly before using. Separate the different colors into individual containers. Select tree, spray with glue, and then gently roll the tree in the ground foam mix. Gently shake to remove excess ground foam. Spray with black or brown paint for reality accents Make a small batch, a little goes a long way.

This method will allow the tree to look like a real tree as you will see the branches and tree trunk as they appear in nature. Place your tree into the selected foundations which you have prepared.

Landscape foundations

Prepare landscape drawings as a blueprint for the landscaping design. Place Styrofoam, foam squares, paper Mache or other materials which you wish to use for the trees, shrubbery, weeds and grasses. Place your trees into position. Much shrubbery will cover bare spots or paint foundations before planting trees. White glue is favored for applying smaller shrubbery, ground cover, and grasses.

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What Is Radio Frequency Welding?

To those unfamiliar with the manufacturing world, radio frequency welding (RFW) may seem like a space age method to attach two objects, but the process is actually quite simple. In fact, radio frequency welding is known as a mature technology due to its ease of use for both professional and novice workers. The capabilities of this process range from creating a variety of protective covers to a massive industrial curtain wall and it all starts with two pieces of material placed on a table press. The most common materials used in radio frequency welding are polyurethane and PVC.

Once pressure is applied to both surfaces, high frequency waves pass through the two materials which is where the weld takes place. The waves cause specific molecules to get hot and the mixture of heat and pressure ultimately result in a tight and smooth weld. Companies prefer this type of welding for its speed, strength, and consistency. Other polymers such as PET, EVA, some ABS plastics, and nylon can be welded using radio frequency welding as well.

The Process Is Used By Many Industries

Several industries utilize this process including medical, military, recreational, and automotive organizations. For example, a hazmat unit in need of protective covers and suits rely on this technology for its overall tear resistance and strong seams. When working with hazardous materials there is no margin for error and RFW provides a secure layer between the worker's skin and the dangerous chemicals or gases. Similar to hazmat needs, laboratories also use protective covers in the form of containment panels to enclose certain particles, liquids, and gases.

While you may not encounter protective covers in your everyday life, chances are you have seen an industrial curtain wall recently. Industrial curtain walls are used in gymnasiums to separate basketball courts, automotive garages to create individual work bays, and in warehouses to divide one massive space into smaller units. And like protective covers, industrial curtain walls work well to contain overspray, odors, and even temperatures.

It's Growing In Popularity

One popular item constructed with the use of radio frequency welding are life rafts. By envisioning the importance of an airtight seal for these lifesaving boats you can get a clear picture just how tight these seals must be. All top RFW manufacturers offer design and engineering assistance to create custom products and some can even produce prototypes for their clients. Flexibility, strength, and an invisible seam has made RFW a popular form of welding since the 1940's and its popularity will continue to grow.

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Collecting Royal Dux Figurines

Royal Dux figurines are very attractive and highly collectable. Some might view them as being a little 'old fashioned' but because of their quality and variety they still have a strong and dedicated following.

The Royal Dux factory was founded in 1853. But in 1860 it was acquired by Eduard Eichler, an expert model drawer, who decided to change its name to E. Eichler Thonwaren-Fabrik.

In the beginning, the company primarily focused on the manufacture of faience and majolica items for which it was awarded the Silver Medal at the 1878 Paris Exhibition. Then as the end of the 1800's approached, Royal Dux started to manufacture an extensive range of porcelain figures in what became known as the Art Nouveau style.

This became a successful venture for the Bohemian factory and the company expanded, establishing a head office in Berlin.

Many of the original Art Nouveau figurines were designed by the talented, Alois Hampel who produced some truly stunning figures and figure groups. Soon the Royal Dux Company began to export them throughout Europe and the United States.

With the increasing interest in all things Art Nouveau and Art Deco, these Royal Dux figurines are now much sought after and high prices are often paid by the avid collector. Pieces are regularly sold at national auctions with the more rare and valuable items often featuring at the sales of the major, international auction houses.

Interestingly, before the Nazi occupation in 1938, Royal Dux is said to have produced over 11,000 different moulds and had an established export market to many countries worldwide.

Unfortunately, much of the archive information about the company and its history has been lost or "misplaced." Old company catalogs and sales information are now very scarce and the majority of the original moulds have been destroyed.

The demise of the Communist regime in the 1990's has been a mixed blessing for the Royal Dux factory.

Some initial, general chaos and strident management changes is said to have caused a lack of accountability and allegedly a degree of fraudulent misappropriation of stock and other assets.

However, with the company now in private ownership, Royal Dux is successfully building its own sales and marketing strategies and re-establishing its previous, and well deserved, high reputation.

Some of the rare, surviving moulds, dating from before the Second World War, have now been reintroduced for production.

Modern glazing techniques have also been incorporated into the manufacturing process and the Royal Dux Company has shown a determination to establish itself within the buoyant collectors market as a producer of high quality ceramics.

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