A Trifold and A Tutorial

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Yesterday I had a little "Sewing Tutorial" up at 

CHICKANIDDY CRAFTS

and a sweet project using the Date Night Collection.  

This is a very basic sewing lesson, so if you have a sewing machine, but have been 

afraid of trying it on paper projects, have no fear! I need to make a disclaimer that 

I am NOT a sewing expert and I seldom stitch anything other than paper;  

all of these tips are by my own trial and error.

Let's take a peek at the completed project and then we'll get started on the sewing :)

 I picked up this tri-fold chipboard display at a scrapbook store,

 but you could surely construct your own.

First, we'll need to choose our style of stitching. 

 For this project, I selected a basic zig-zag stitch, which is number 04 on my

 Brother CE-5000 PRW machine.  The default setting is shown below:

I want to enlarge the length (top number) as well as the width (bottom number)

of the stitch, so I will increase each as shown below.  You will also notice that 

my machine also tells me which 'foot' to use for that particular stitch, which is "J".

I also use the standard needle that came with the machine, which is a 16;

  a size 14 also works well, especially for mediums such as vellum.  Another 

aspect to look at is the tension.  Your model should come with a manual explaining

 which tension setting to use for a particular fabric/material.  The default setting for

 most machines is "4" and this is what I keep mine on the majority of the time.

Now, to begin stitching.  I am sewing together the base paper that has 

been layered with a smaller mat paper.  Dab a little glue to hold the pieces together

 while sewing.  Next, place the paper under the presser foot.  Release the 

lever that lowers the presser foot, which will secure the paper in place. 

 Line up the middle of the foot with the area that you're wanting to stitch.  

I almost always stitch down the middle where two papers are layered together, as below:

Lower the threaded needle into the paper and begin sewing. 

 Slow down as you come to the first corner.  When zig-zag stitching, you will 

want your stitch to end on the left-hand before you turn and begin sewing again:

Lift the presser foot and turn the paper; release the presser foot back in place. 

 Make notice of where the center of the foot is lining up; make adjustments if necessary.

 Below, I had to bring my needle up after making the adjustment so

 that it would begin stitching on the right-hand side.  

Once you have finished stitching, cut the thread, but leave about

 a 3" tail so that they can be tied.  

Pull the front two threads from the front to the back.  

Tie off the four strings together and snip off the excess.

You may also use the 'back-stitch- mechanism on your machine to secure the last stitch.  

I personally like the clean look that tying off the threads gives to my finished project.  

Also, there are no worries about the threads puffing up and coming loose. 

If all works according to plan, your stitched edges 

(when using the zig-zag stitch) should look as follows:

Now for more of the completed project! 

I traced the chipboard design onto the patterned papers and cut out.  

All of the machine stitching and hand-stitching was done prior to adhering the paper

 to the chipboard.  For the panel above, I hand-cut the clouds and one of the houses

 from the Downtown Paper.  From one of the other houses, I cut out four of the windows

 and layered them on with foam adhesive.  

Yellow Enamel Hearts were then added to the centers of those windows.

One of the side panels came with four squares cut from it. 

I backed the chipboard with the Side B Wallflower Paper and then adhered the

 scrabble tile stickers to the center of each square with foam adhesive. 

The opposite side of the tri-fold held one large rectangle cut out.  

Again, I backed the chipboard with Side B of the Wallflower Paper.

  I hand-cut the cluster of flowers from the journal card found on the  

Cutest Couple Paper and attached to the side.

In finishing, I edged each of the chipboard pieces in two rounds of 

Buttercream baker's twine.  I like to use a ball point glue pen for adhering the

 twine in this fashion...works wonderfully!  Next, I punched holes with a

crop-a-dile and knotted some ribbon through to hold the pieces together.

I hope that you will give some paper stitching a try! 

 It does take some practice to become familiar with your machine:  

how much pressure to apply to the foot pedal, getting the tension correct

 and learning how to properly thread the needle!  

As I said before, I'm not an expert seamstress or anything of the like,

 but I do enjoy sewing on paper.  If you have any questions, 

I will answer them to the very best of my ability :)

See more Chickaniddy Crafts' products and projects --here--

Ciao!