Category: 2018

Sew-in Purse Frame

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What do you do with one?

 The Sew-in Purse Frames (the 3-inch square-ish style) came with the “I Have a Notion” store. But what to do with them was the problem.

photo of the coin purse frames
The shape of the frames

There were no patterns or instructions for making something like a ‘coin purse’ on the shelves or in the books. I Have A Notion has 2 frames,  this “No Brand One” and the Ellen Medlock version (both appear to be very similar except for packaging). Back in the spring an Internet search did very little to assist with the problem as far a “free” pattern went. So an idea to create our own pattern became the plan.

No Pattern on the Internet… that seemed suitable for a quick Project

A Plan!

As you can probably guess, a little of the Creative Time consisted of pattern making. Actually a couple of patterns are in the works or planning stages, but this one is complete!

The original design, created earlier in the year, did not have a pleasing shape. So a change was contemplated.

First design of Coin Purse

So a redo and Eureka! Much happier with the look. The Pattern is very simple and only requires 4 seams and a little edge finishing at the machine. A bit hand stitching and Viola! A little purse! 

2 coin purses from different fabrics
Of course after finding a look we like… we had to play.

After making 2 from the new pattern, a bit more fiddling of the pattern and 2 more were made and some decoration added.

Beaded Coin Purses
These 2 have been decorated… with some beads

I wonder how many is too many?

Wouldn’t it make a perfect Holiday or Birthday gift for ‘Secret Santa or Sister, Sewing Bee, Office or Club Gift Exchange. Personalize it using fabrics that reflect the recipients loves or hobbies. Perfect for a stocking stuffer, stuffed with some personal care items? 

How long do they take?

They go together in about an hour… maybe a little more for the first one. After that they whip up; and coming up with all the different combinations of fabric and design opportunities to personalize makes it so much fun!
The PDF pattern is FREE when you purchase this Sew-in Coin Purse Frame or this Ellen Medlock Sew-in Coin Purse Frame from IHaveANotion.com. The Pattern will be sent via email.

View of inside of Coin Purse and notions
look stuffed with NOTIONS!

With several Holiday Gatherings coming up, I plan to make some from ‘novelty sewing notion’ fabrics and one or two from Motorcycle fabrics for the gift exchanges!!!

More Later- Beth

When all else fails….

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talk about Goldie!

dog laying on her back
Goldie on her back

Goldie has adapted very well to being the one and only. She Loves it. This is not an unusual position for her. She does this out of the blue and just stays like that… Linzi didn’t do this. Bandit didn’t do this (ever). The only dog I have had that did was Axel… all the time. He would also play with toys on his back, trying to either hold or position a toy in his mouth with is forelegs. Goldie does this too. 

She has become a delight… now that she is healthy and seems to be learning faster. In addition, she has become the WATCH dog…. raising the alarm… when she thinks there is trouble!!! Boy can she get loud and deep.

Its great that she is doing well after a year of health issues and antibiotics. We tried to put her back on a commercial dog food, but that was a NO GO, so she is still on prescription food, although I may ask the vet if we might be able to change to one that is not the last resort formula.

We’ll be back again soon with a project. Of course technology has reared its ugly head in several areas AGAIN!

More Later- Beth

Titanium Sewing Machine Needles

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The Titanium Sewing Machine Needle is the best needle you can use in your sewing machine. It doesn’t matter what machine you use, if your needle is old and dull your stitches will suffer.

Why a Titanium Needle?

A regular needle, chrome or nickel plating over steel, is rated to last 5-8 sewing hours. A Titanium needle may last 20 to 40 sewing hours. Of course the type and thickness of fabrics will vary the amount of sewing hours.

a package of Organ Brand Needles
A package of Organ Needles

What makes the Titanium Sewing Machine Needle So Great?

A Titanium Needle has a very very thin coating of Titanium Nitride applied during manufacturing that makes a gold color. By nature Titanium is heat resistant and almost non-stick. The applied Titanium helps the needle point hold its shape and dimensions for a much longer time.

A photo of the gold Titanium Needle
Gold Color of the Titanium Needle (Embroidery 80/12 shown)

Which Needle should I use?

The Titanium Top Stitch needle is a great daily sewing machine needle for piecing and general sewing. It is also capable of Free-Motion Thread Work and Free-Motion Quilting. The Top Stitch needle has a slightly deeper groove for the thread to ride in while moving through the fabric. They eye is also larger reducing the friction when the thread passes through the eye of the needle. Did you know the thread may pass through the needles eye more than 33 times before becoming a stitch? It all depends of course on the stitch length.

A Titanium Embroidery Needle is another great needle especially if you like to use some of the thicker or more finicky threads. The Titanium Embroidery needle has a large groove and a much larger and rounder eye than the Titanium Top Stitch needle to help reduce the friction on the thread even more. 

How do I choose the Needle size?

When a  choosing a Titanium Sewing Machine Needle match the needle to the thread, not the needle to the fabric. The needle size tells you how big the shaft is, the bigger the number the bigger the needle. A fine thread 60 weight you would use a smaller needle like a 75/11 ; a thicker thread like a 40 weight a larger needle such as a 90/14.

needle in a sewing machine
The gold Titanium Needle. makes threading a little easier with a larger eye

I Have a Notion carries the Titanium Top Stitch Needles in the 80/12, 90/14 and 100/16 sizes as well as the Titanium Embroidery Needles in the 80/12 and 90/14 sizes.

I Have A Notion is reviving the “Needle Exchange” Program!!!

How does the “Needle Exchange Program” work?

Do you want to try a Titanium Needle?  Send the current needle in your  sewing machine to I Have a Notion, (the mailing address is on the Policy Page, left hand column). Pin the needle to a short note which includes what you know or remember about the needle (type and size). Also please share a bit about you and a little about your sewing style, the projects, thread and fabrics you usually sew with; and include self addressed stamped envelope to I Have a Notion.

What is your favorite needle and tell us why you like it…

Until Later-Beth