Cajun Corner – Vol.
4, No. 15 – April 20, 2012
Bon
Jour! Welcome to Cajun
Stitchery’s weekly email and welcome to our family.
ΘΘΘΘΘ
Don’t
forget to visit our blog at www.cajunstitchery.blogspot.com,
and www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com
often. We are also on Twitter and
Facebook.
Visit
our on-line catalogs at:
We began this week going to my friend’s funeral
on Monday. It was a double funeral since
he and his daughter passed away within three days of each other. Our hearts and prayers are with this
family. I must say that was one of the
most beautiful services that I’ve ever seen.
It began with a rosary and the service was sung. I saw many old friends from when I worked at
the Levin firm. It was good to see
everyone. It was just sad the
circumstances that brought us together.
To top off the week, George and I were in a wreck
last night. I’m still dealing with the
insurance company. Today we’ve decided
to cancel all appointments and just be kind to ourselves and hang out around
the house.
One of the reasons that I love embroidery is
because the machine takes charge and stitches incredibly accurate designs. I also love to sew but for all of the years
that I have sewn, I still cannot sew a straight line. This brings us to this week’s topic of
buttonholes. Don’t you just love that segue
way?
Any sewing machine can do a straight stitch and
create seams. Most sewing machines can
do zigzag stitches to secure the edge of a seam, but what about zippers and
buttonholes? Any stitch on a sewing
machine is a combination of straight stitches and/or zigzag stitches. That sounds simple enough.
Historically buttonholes first appeared in Europe in the 13th century. They are simply a hole in fabric to insert a
button. A hand sewn buttonhole is
created by making a slit in the fabric and encasing the edges in small, tight
stitches. A sewing machine buttonhole
usually has two parallel rows of zig-zag stitches with bar tacks on either
end. The hole is cut after the stitches
have been sewn. A keyhole buttonhole is
a normal buttonhole with a tiny circle at one end, rather than the bar tack on
that end. The circle is intended for the
shank of the button, so the fabric isn’t distorted. Then there is the bound buttonhole, which is
a slit in the fabric encased with fabric or trim. Men’s buttonholes are on the left and women’s
buttonholes are on the right.
A button and buttonhole are pieces of a closure,
just like hooks and eyes are pieces of a closure, snaps are closures, frogs are
closures, and several others.
My first buttonholes were nothing less than
ugly. It was difficult for me to get the
satin stitches (tight, cumulative zig-zag stitches) even and smooth. We already know that I’m impatient. Hence, buttonholes were always frustrating
for me. I have gotten better with
buttonholes and sewing machines have become easier to make buttonholes, but
nothing does buttonholes as nice as an embroidery machine. Depending on how big of a hoop you are using
and how many buttonholes you need, etc., you can digitize the buttonholes in a
line with precise measurements, secure your fabric to the hoop and let the
machine work its wonders. But that isn’t
all an embroidery machine can do with buttonholes. Because it is, after all, an embroidery
machine, you can actually turn your buttonholes into embroidery designs. Or, rather, the other way around, you can
turn your embroidery designs into buttonholes.
This opens up a world of possibilities. It is possible to take your logo, for
instance, and insert the buttonhole stitching.
Maybe you wouldn’t see a need for that, but what about your logo as a
patch with a buttonhole. You could wear
it as a name tag when you go to conventions or seminars. Just hook it onto your shirt button. This would be unusual and an eye
catcher. We have several designs for
beautiful, embroidered buttonholes in stock, as well.
Shirts are not the only items that have
buttons. Since buttons and buttonholes
are merely closures, this would work for any closure, replacing the closure
with buttons and buttonholes. In fact,
one of the online embroidery design websites shows how to make a purse,
surround the top edge of the purse with pretty buttons and make difference
covers for the purse to match each of your outfits by embroidering buttonholes
at the top to match the corresponding buttons on the purse. You never have to change the contents of your
purse, just the outer casing. How nice
is that?
What about making an embroidered pocket with a
buttonhole? The possibilities are
endless.
If you are not a subscriber and
would like to receive Cajun Corner weekly, please email cajunstitchery@yahoo.com and let me
know to put you on our email list.
Have
you ever asked someone what they want for their birthday or Christmas or
whatever the occasion, and the reply was, “Nothing”? This would make the perfect gift. I found this at http://www.craftbits.com/project/a-jar-of-nothing-gift
For
this project all you need is an empty jar.
You
can print this saying out onto some adhesive label paper suitable for your
printer or print it onto normal plain paper. Use some clear craft glue to
adhere it to the jar.
If
you want to go all out you can add some ribbon to the jar and even box it up
for a great gag gift.
--The
Saying---
Did you say nothing?
When you were asked what you wanted for
Birthday, Anniversary, Graduation or Christmas.
Don't you remember saying NOTHING
Well this time someone heard you, searched
high and low and found this perfect gift for you.
When you were asked what you wanted for
Birthday, Anniversary, Graduation or Christmas.
Don't you remember saying NOTHING
Well this time someone heard you, searched
high and low and found this perfect gift for you.
The 'Mint-Chocolate' Herb Plant has a
chocolate and peppermint fragrance that will remind you of an after-dinner
dessert! Its attractive spike-toothed leaves are bronze-green and blooms are
long, feathery, and lavender-hued. The perennial Chocolate Mint herb needs full
sun and does well in most well-drained soils. It reaches a height of up to 18
inches and is a somewhat invasive spreader if not controlled. Bees and
butterflies flock to mint flowers. Fresh or dried, this mint is delightful
added to teas, coffees, chocolate desserts, and baked goods. It's a beautiful
edible garnish!
=================================================================
C’est tout, mes amis
Cajun Stitchery
(850) 261-2462
P.S. You are always
welcome to stop by and look at all of the catalogs and pass some time with me,
cher.
