How to REALLY QUICK unpick...

I've taught sewing to a lot of people - beginners through to advanced level. One thing I've noticed is that the same amount of unpicking is done at any level... but only beginners feel bad about having to do it.

The more experienced one is with a sewing machine, the more accepting one is of the need to sometimes unpick and re-do. Practise making perfect (and it's not because we practise for the fun of it!)... experienced sewers are FASTER at unpicking.

Here is one trick I've discovered that a lot of people DON'T know....

1. Get a good seam ripper - fine-point and super-sharp. I think I may have mentioned that I'm in love with my Clover Seam Rippers...

2. Unpick any backtacking/backstitching or multiple rows of stitching with care - don't rip through them as shown below. Cut through a few of the individual stitches and pull the threads out.

3. On a straight seam - ONLY IF YOU HAVE A GOOD SEAM RIPPER - you can gently slice through the stitches as shown below. The longer spike on the seam ripper goes to the top and the little ball on the underside. You shouldn't need to use any force to cut the stitches.

BEWARE cheap or blunt seam rippers! If you don't immediately slice through the stitches then DON'T FORCE IT!!! You can slip and slice through your fabric!

So.... what do you do with all the little bits of thread left in the fabric? Pick them out with your fingers...?

4. No... get a lint roller to do the work for you! (Sticky tape will also work, but is slower). I'm a big fan of the $1.95 lint roller from Ikea, or you can buy similar things in most sewing shops and even supermarkets.

Roll it on the right side of fabric...

5. ...and on the wrong side of fabric.

6. Then pull out any stray bits of thread left behind. There won't be many.

Super-duper quick, and relatively painless ...but don't use any old unpicker or there'll be tears!

On My Desk.... Wednesday

This is a very well-traveled and much-loved pincushion (that I use as a NEEDLE cushion). Originally handmade and bought in Lithuania (where - quite coincidentally - we had an order from today) and gifted to me by my friend Orla when I lived in Ireland. She and her husband Seamus are very dear to me, and this pincushion reminds me of them every time I use it.

Still making hats.... The one on my desk here is a winter version in heavy cotton moleskin fabric. I've put a straight grain binding on it to pull the brim up into a sharp curve. (Did you know you can run straight grain strips through the bias tape maker just the same as bias tape? Wish I'd known that one about fifteen years ago...makes binding hats a LOT easier!!!).

My Clover Seam Ripper is never too far away. I actually have THREE.... strategically placed around the studio so I never have to get up from a work position (Oops, my secret is out. I'm not JUST a sewing geek - I'm a LAZY sewing geek...!!).

This book has been doing the rounds between Leah's and my desks. It's a good 'un. Full of handy tips (with a title like that, who'd have guessed it?). It's like the book version of this list - with diagrams. NOTE: I bought my copy secondhand on Amazon, but everytime I try to open up the page there to get the link for you, my computer crashes....!!?.

And Oh, Happy Day... Blue, blue sky and TWO parcels from Z&S Fabrics... what more could a winter-weary sewing chick want? Cheered me up, no end. I'm in love with the Flutterby range by Tula Pink for Moda. Really unique prints in great colours.

More desks at over at Kirsty's....

It's the little things....

We've had a delivery of long-awaited supplies - including the CLOVER Seam Ripper!!! Since Lara put me onto it last year ("You wouldn't think one seam ripper would be any different from another.... but this one is REALLY GOOD") I've been using it and waxing lyrical about it in any class I've taught. So has anyone who has used mine or bought one on my recommendation.

And so it goes.... like that old ad (am I showing my age?) for Remington shavers ("I was so impressed I bought the company")... I'm now selling them. Unfortunately I couldn't afford to buy the whole Clover company.

And AT LAST - the new Heart shaped zipper pulls have arrived!!!! We'd sold out and were waiting for what seems like ages for new stock to arrive. I get excited about things like that.

Oh - and in case anyone missed it - don't forget my pattern giveaway....