,,it',s ,,fun ,,to ,,sew with a sewing machine ,,cooperative ,,extension ,,service ,,oregon ,,state ,,university1 ,,corvallis ,,phase #a #d-;,h ,,club ,,series ,l-#he ,it's ,fun to ,sew--,with the ,sewing ,machine ,,hildegarde ,,struefert ,extension ,clothing ,specialist ,oregon ,state ,university1 ,corvallis ,,phase #a ,where to find page ,your guide for the project #a ,plan your project #a ,become acquainted with your sewing tools #b ,measuring tools #b ,cutting tools #c ,sewing tools #c ,organize a box or a basket for your tools and supplies #e ,learn to use mother's sewing machine #f ,parts of the sewing machine #g ,how to use the sewing machine #i ,enjoy good sewing habits #ab ,start to sew #ac ,a shears case #ac ,barbeque placemats or traveling kit #ah ,complete your record book #bc ,show others what you have learned #bc ,displays #bc ,demonstrations #bc ,are you ready for the next project #bc ,read this book from cover to cover before you start your project4 ,your guide for the project ,what you will learn #a4 ,the names and use of common sewing tools4 #b4 ,to organize a sewing box4 #c4 ,to develop good sewing habits4 #d4 ,to combine pretty colors4 #e4 ,to use the sewing machine4 ,what articles you will make ,as a club member1 you will be required to complete two articles4 ,first you will make one practice article3 ,a case for your sewing shears4 ,then you will make one main project article3 ,a barbecue placemat or a traveling kit4 ,start your record book ,attend all your meetings so that you will be able to complete your project as soon as possible4 ,when your home agent gives you a #d-;,h record book and record sheets1 she wants you to record the work you do on your project4 ,give her this information in writing4 ,tell her how much you enjoyed making the articles and how much you and your family enjoyed using them4 ,learn to give a demonstration ,show others what 8tricks0 you have learned by giving a demonstration at one of your club meetings1 or ask your mother to invite your family friends to your home4 ,it will be fun to use the placemats or show them your other projects4 ,they will be interested in how they were made4 ,tell them what you did and what you learned about using your mother's sewing machine and the sewing tools4 ,plan your project ,your projects will be more interesting if you plan them with your mother and leader1 because they can help you to understand and enjoy your new adventures in sewing4 ,take your mother with you to your first meeting to introduce her to your leader and your friends4 ,this will also give her an opportunity to see the kind of projects you will be working on during this year4 ,you will need your mother's cooperation and advice in selecting both equipment and fabrics for the projects4 ,she may be able to loan you some of her sewing tools too4 ,sharing with your mother as you work will help you learn to know each other better4 ,before shopping for your supplies1 read your bulletin to see what supplies are needed4 ,plan ahead so you can do all your shopping for your articles at one time4 ,it is not necessary for the colors of the fabrics used in these projects to match or even blend1 because they are not going to be used together4 ,but--since the articles may be exhibited together1 they will look nicer if the colors look pretty when placed next to each other4 ,become acquainted with your sewing tools ,measuring tools ,illustration3 ,measuring gauges ,measuring gauge 7#f inches7 ,ruler 7#ab inches7 ,yardstick 7#cf inches or #a yard7 ,measuring ,tape 7#fj inches7 ,measuring tools are each marked with many short lines to help you measure fractions of an inch or inches4 ,illustration3 ,you will want to use the measuring gauge or the ruler for measuring short distances4 ,illustration3 ruler inch inch inch #a inch ,if you want to measure anything longer than #ab inches1 you will need to use either the measuring tape or the yardstick4 ,illustration3 ,a measuring tape will help you measure inches or feet4 #ab inches--#a foot #bd inches--#b feet #cf inches--#c feet #dh inches--#d feet #fj inches--#e feet ,illustration3 ,the yardstick will measure inches1 feet1 or yards for you4 #a yard #ab inches #bd inches #cf inches #a foot #b feet #c feet ,illustration3 ,material is sold by the yard or fraction of yard4 ,cutting tools ,illustration3 ,pair of ,shears ,illustration3 ,pair of ,scissors ,if your mother has several types of cutting tools in her sewing box1 you have already learned that shears and scissors will cut both fabric and thread1 but one is easier to use for cutting thread than the other4 ,little scissors like the small pair illustrated are meant to clip thread or cut narrow things like ribbon1 elastic1 etc4 ,scissors have very sharp and narrow points to make it possible to clip into tiny corners4 ,scissors have two handles the same size4 ,illustration3 holding scissors ,when you cut with scissors1 put your thumb through one handle and a finger through the other4 ,a pair of small scissors about #d inches in length is easy to handle4 ,illustration3 holding shears ,shears are larger than scissors1 and they are used for cutting a pattern out of material4 ,shears have one large handle and one small one4 ,when you cut with shears1 place your thumb through the small handle and two or three fingers through the larger handle4 ,a pair of #g-;inch shears is a good size for you4 ,sewing tools ,illustration3 ,needles and ,pins and ,pincushion and ,thimble ,needles ,illustration3 packet of needles ,when you buy needles1 search for slender ones with long eyes4 ,if they are slender1 they will slip in and out of the material without much effort4 ,the long eye will be easier for you to thread4 ,also notice the length of the needles4 ,will they be easy for you to handle8 ,pins ,pins are used to hold the pattern and material together while you cut out a pattern1 or to help you hold the pieces of material together when you are getting ready to sew4 ,illustration3 ,fabric1 ,pattern ,if you borrow some pins from your mother1 you will be a smart little girl if you notice whether they slip into your material easily4 ,avoid using pins that are too large or have a blunt point4 ,they are likely to snag or tear the material4 ,if you buy new pins1 ask the saleslady for brass pins4 ,these are strong pins1 but fine in size4 ,pincushion ,to help you develop the habit of putting pins and needles into a pincushion1 always remember to wear your pincushion when you sew4 ,if you drop pins or needles they are hard to find because they are small and will easily slip into a hiding place1 where they may hurt someone later4 ,illustration3 wrist pincushion ,the wrist pincushion is the most convenient4 ,if you are right-handed1 wear the pincushion near your wrist on your left arm4 ,if you are left-handed1 wear the pincushion near your wrist on your right arm4 ,illustration3 ,,never hold ,,pins in your mouth6 ,thimble ,people who sew usually wear thimbles for several reasons4 ,they help to push the needle through the material1 and they protect the finger from being pricked by the needle4 ,to push the needle through the material with the end of the thimble1 hold the needle between the thumb and the first finger so that the eye end of the needle is resting against the end of the thimble4 ,illustration3 ,buy the size that fits your middle finger snugly4 ,illustration3 ,,trick ,,for ,,neatness ,when you begin to use the sewing machine1 you will be snipping many threads4 ,keep the area around your sewing table neat by using a paper bag for a wastebasket for scraps of material1 paper1 and thread4 ,fasten it to the edge of the table where you can reach it easily when you are sitting at the machine4 ,illustration3 ,wastebasket on table ,organize a box or basket for tools and supplies ,all of your sewing tools are like a happy family--each has a job to do to help you sew4 ,you will therefore1 find it helpful to know where your tools are and to keep them in place when you are not using them1 instead of leaving your thimble on the arm of a chair1 the shears hidden under a newspaper1 or a bobbin in your pocket4 ,a box is easy to organize into an equipment box and convenient to store in your dresser drawer1 on your closet shelf1 or in a bigger box which will hold your projects4 ,you should look for two kinds of boxes--one large box and many small ones4 ,the large box should be sturdy1 clean1 and long enough to hold your longest tool4 ,the pincushion may become the tallest tool when it is covered with pins and needles4 ,the small boxes may vary in size4 ,tiny boxes like those used for earrings are good for small items like the thimble1 bobbins1 etc4 ,bigger boxes are needed for the pincushion1 thread1 and other items4 ,when you have all of your boxes collected you will be ready to start your project4 ,separate the box tops from the boxes4 ,then arrange the smaller boxes so they fit into the larger box4 ,be sure to save enough space for the #ab-;inch ruler or the length of your shears4 ,then have mother help you staple or paste the sides of the open boxes together and fasten them into the large box4 ,illustration3 ,staples ,to make this box even more useful1 you could label each little partition with the names of the tools or supplies you plan to store in each1 as shown in the picture of a well organized box on page #f4 ,if you would rather have a container which could be easily carried from room to room1 you might like to buy a fishing tackle box like your brother uses for his supplies4 ,choosing one with dividers in it will help you to organize your sewing tools very nicely4 ,some girls use little doll suitcases1 or a small cosmetic case like grown-ups use when traveling4 ,either of these are very nice1 because they are usually pretty in color1 and will open up wide so you can see all your sewing tools at one time4 ,they also have a latch to fasten the cover and a handle which makes them easy to carry4 ,illustration3 ,an example of an organized box4 ,the number of small boxes and their arrangement will vary4 ,masking ,tape or ,scotch ,tape ,thread ,pin ,cushion ,measuring ,tape ,seam ,gauge 7,sewing machine attachment7 ,pins ,dressmaker ,chalk ,bobbins ,needles ,thimble ,paper ,bag #ab inch ,ruler ,case ,holding ,shears and ,scissors1 ,measuring ,gauge ,learn to use mother's sewing machine ,what could be more exciting than to learn to use a machine which has 8magic power40 ,of course1 ,i know when you are older you are going to learn to drive the family car 7which you've heard dad say has all sorts of magic power74 ,but did you know that mother's sewing machine has 8magic power10 too8 ,the nicest thing is that you do not have to wait until you are grown up to use it4 ,even though you are only #i or #aj years old1 you are ready to learn the secrets of the sewing machine right now4 ,you will no longer be standing by watching mother or sister sew4 ,instead1 after you have learned some of the secrets of sewing with a machine1 you can make many exciting things for yourself1 your family1 and your friends4 ,so come--let's get acquainted with this wonderful machine6 ,now look at your sewing machine and find the parts which look similar to the pictures below4 ,every machine has these parts1 though some designs may look just a little different4 ,your leader will show you how each part works4 ,illustration3 ,sewing machine ,thread ,guides ,take-up ,lever ,bobbin ,winder ,balance ,wheel ,presser ,foot ,lever ,stitch ,regulator ,presser ,foot ,needle ,parts of the sewing machine ,illustration3 ,,needle has a long groove in it to guide the thread4 ,illustration3 ,,balance ,,wheel moves the needle in and out of your material4 ,illustration3 ,,presser ,,foot ,,lever is the handle which moves the presser foot up and down4 ,illustration3 ,,thread ,,guides hold the thread in place as it is being unwound from the spool during stitching4 ,illustration3 ,,take-,,up ,,lever pulls the thread from the spool as it moves up and down with the needle4 ,illustration3 ,,presser ,,foot holds the material so the needle can sew through it4 ,illustration3 ,,bobbin ,,winder winds the thread from the spool onto the bobbin 7spool which holds thread in lower machine74 ,illustration3 ,,stitch ,,regulator makes stitches small or large4 ,also adjusts the machine to move your material forward or backward4 ,illustration3 ,,cloth ,,guide ,,attachment helps to stitch straight seams4 ,types of control levers ,illustration3 ,,foot ,,control ,illustration3 ,,knee ,,lever ,illustration3 ,,treadle ,how to use the sewing machine ,is your chair the right height8 ,can you see the needle easily as it moves up and down8 ,are you able to reach behind the needle8 ,can you rest your arms on the table8 ,do your feet touch the floor8 ,illustration3 ,using a sewing machine ,if you cannot see the needle or rest your arms on the table1 you will need a taller chair or something to sit on to raise you up a bit4 ,if your feet do not touch the floor 7after you are sitting in the position to see the needle7 and your machine has a foot control you will have to find a sturdy box4 ,it should be large enough to rest both of your feet1 as well as the foot control from the machine4 ,how to start and stop the machine ,with your machine unthreaded and the presser foot raised1 it is ready for you to start4 ,place your right hand on the balance wheel4 7,it will help you to start the machine in motion47 ,keep your left hand a distance from the needle to avoid this-- ,illustration3 ,,warning ,how to speed up and slow down ,place your foot or knee on the control or treadle4 ,see how slowly you can make the needle go up and down4 ,if the machine runs too fast for you1 you can press your right hand against the balance wheel to slow it down4 ,practice until your foot or knee can control the speed evenly from fast to slow1 without using your right hand on the balance wheel4 ,how to stitch correctly ,slip a piece of material under the presser foot4 7,your leader will have a piece for you47 ,lower the needle into the material by rolling your right hand on the balance wheel until the needle goes down as far as possible4 ,then lower the presser foot onto the material4 ,let the machine run without your hands touching the material4 ,you will notice that it will slip and slide in many directions4 ,to guide the material1 hold your left hand on it with your fingers curved as if you were holding a ball in your hand4 ,if you hold it gently1 you can guide the material as it slips under your fingers without interrupting its movement as it is being sewn4 ,try it6 ,illustration3 ,guiding the material ,your right hand will also help you to guide the material4 ,as soon as the machine is in motion1 take your right hand off the balance wheel4 ,you will soon discover that you will have to practice the trick of sewing straight4 ,illustration3 ,do not run off the ,,edge of material4 ,slow down your speed when you near the end of your material so that you can stop when you reach the edge4 ,roll the balance wheel to raise the needle--then lift the presser foot to remove the material4 ,how to use the stitch regulator ,if your sewing machine has a lever which makes it sew backward1 try to use it now4 ,move the stitch regulator up as far as it will go4 ,as you start the machine you will see it moving backward4 ,in order to stitch forward again1 push the lever back down as far as it will go4 ,as you will learn in your projects1 you will always have to sew very slowly and carefully when you sew backward in order to do it nicely4 ,illustration3 stitch regulator ,another reason the stitch regulator is on your machine is to make the stitches larger or smaller for you1 whichever is best for the material with which you are working4 ,illustration3 #h ,,stitches ,some machines have numbers next to the lever to tell you the number of stitches per inch4 ,if your machine does not have such numbers1 you will be able to tell the number of stitches per inch by putting a line of stitching into a piece of material1 and counting the number of stitches sewn in a one-inch space4 ,how to practice stitching ,mark some straight and curved lines on your piece of material4 7,paper may also be used but it dulls the needle2 material is best47 ,roll the balance wheel to lower the needle at the end of one of the lines4 ,lower the presser foot and start the machine4 ,slowly stitch the entire line 7without thread71 guiding your material so the needle follows the line as much as possible4 ,practice stitching along a marked line without thread1 going backward and forward with both small and large stitches4 ,illustration3 ,practice stitching ,when you can control the speed of the machine and stitch straight1 you have learned some important secrets of mother's sewing4 ,soon you will be ready to start on your first project4 ,how to thread the machine ,would you like to be able to thread the machine as easily as your leader threads it8 ,ask her to do it very slowly for you so you can learn it from her4 ,watch closely as she hooks the thread onto every finger of each thread guide until she finally reaches the needle4 ,she will also show you where the bobbin hides 7remember this is the flat spool in the lower part of the machine7 and how you will get its thread to the top of the machine4 ,after you have threaded the machine be sure to have your leader check it before you try to sew4 ,if you want the machine to 8work like magic0 you will have to have it threaded correctly4 ,stitching with a threaded machine ,you have probably learned how to follow a marked line very well by this time4 ,it is also important to see that you will be able to do as well when you actually stitch with thread4 ,enjoy good sewing habits ,hint number #a ,the first important hint to know is--8,join the ,clean ,clan ,club0 whenever you sew6 ,illustration3 ,cleanliness ,hands freshly washed and nails clean1 too will help keep your projects looking like new4 ,clean clothes--8a must0 while handling cloth1 for fear some dust and grime may rub off4 ,last of all--your table must gleam to protect nice materials from soil unseen4 ,so--,clean ,hands1 ,clean ,clothes1 ,clean ,table1 too1 is an important trick for you4 ,hint number #b 8,the ,clean ,clan ,clubs0 can boastful be of unsoiled projects1 delightful to see4 ,but here's another hint for you-- to keep you from wrinkling your fabrics so new4 ,your lap's too small and too far away to hold your project by night or by day4 ,but--your table clean would love to hold the bulk of that fabric1 while you pin that fold4 ,illustration3 ,sewing at a table ,so1--trick number #b1 in this sewing trade is--work on a table to get your projects made4 ,hint number #c ,here's one last1 special hint for you-- and something easy we would like you to do4 ,look at yourself--as you start to sew4 ,how do you sit8 ,and how are your feet below8 ,think of your posture--it's no chore-- to keep your back straight1 with both feet on the floor4 ,you won't get tired so quickly then and you'll enjoy stitching again and again4 ,start to sew ,if you have learned to run the sewing machine smoothly1 and to thread it correctly1 you are ready to start making something useful4 ,a shears case ,the first article you will make is a shears case4 ,it can be used to store your shears in your sewing box4 ,this will help remind you that these are special shears and should be used only for cutting fabric4 ,cutting paper will make them dull4 ,illustration3 ,the first article you will make is a 8,shears ,case0 ,a shears case will protect the sharp points from being damaged by hitting other tools in the box4 ,it will also protect your fingers when you reach for your shears or for your other sewing tools4 ,what you will learn ,to recognize the feel and appearance of felt or nonwoven interfacing4 ,to choose and buy pretty material and thread4 ,to read ruler measurements4 ,to make a pattern according to measurements4 ,to pin a pattern to the material4 ,to handle the shears when cutting material4 ,to use tailor's chalk or a tailor's pencil for marking around the pattern4 ,to use the stitch regulator for backstitching and adjusting the size of stitches4 ,to use the toe of the presser foot as a marked line for stitching straight4 ,to make a hem and stitch it4 ,what you will do first ,to make a shears case you will need to buy felt or nonwoven interfacing 7suit-weight71 thread1 and tailor's chalk or pencil4 ,if your shears are #h inches or less in length1 the felt swatches 7#i inches wide and #ab inches long7 sold in many stores are a good buy4 ,if your shears are over #h inches long see page #ad for directions4 ,ask your leader or your mother to help you decide how much fabric you will need4 ,if it is easy for you to stitch straight1 try a color of thread which is different from your material to add color to your case4 ,if you are still having difficulty stitching on a straight line1 it would be better to use thread which matches your material because mistakes will be less easy to see4 ,you can use either regular or heavy duty thread4 ,tools and supplies you will need to make the case are as follows4 ,pencil #ab-;inch ruler ,paper shears ,fabric ,paper ,thread ,bobbin ,tailor's chalk or tailor's pencil ,shears ,how to make the shears case ,make a paper pattern ,measure the length of your shears on a piece of paper4 ,mark this length with lines ,,ab and ,,cd4 ,then draw a vertical line between these two lines by placing a ruler on the lines as shown4 ,illustration3 measuring the shears ,measure the width of the shears by placing them on the vertical line so that the intersection of the handles and the points of the shears rest on the line4 ,illustration3 making a pattern ,measure across the widest part of the handles4 7,ask your leader to help you read the ruler47 ,label points ,e and ,g4 ,also measure the width inch from the point of the shears4 ,label these two points as ,f and ,h4 ,make a pattern for the pocket by drawing lines with your ruler1 from point ,e to ,f and ,g to ,h4 ,extend these lines to the full length of the shears4 ,mark the fabric2 follow the illustration ,use your ruler to measure and mark your fabric4 ,it is most important that you are careful to measure accurately and mark very straight lines4 ,use tailor's chalk or tailor's pencil for marking4 ,then ask your leader to check your material and your markings4 ,they must be perfectly marked to prevent trouble when you sew the case together later4 ,illustration3 ,shears' ,length #a inch ,cut the fabric ,since cutting material1 especially heavy material like felt or nonwoven interfacing1 is different than cutting paper1 practice on some scraps of material before you cut the fabric for the case4 ,you will have the best cut edge if you open the shears wide and take long even strokes in cutting4 ,do not close the points of the shears until you reach the end of the pattern or the material4 ,cut the piece of fabric along the marked lines4 ,illustration3 ,,always ,,hold ,,and ,,cut ,,material ,,on ,,the ,,table ,mark the hem on section ,a ,a hem 7material folded back on itself7 is needed on the top edge of ,section ,a to make the top strong enough so it will not tear when the shears are slipped into the pocket4 ,illustration3 ,section ,a1 inch ,measure inch from the top edge of section ,a4 ,mark with pins4 ,then fold the edge down so the pins lie on the outside of the fold4 ,press a fold along the pins4 ,ask your leader to show you how to press with a steam iron or a pressing cloth4 ,illustration3 ,press ,,quickly3 ,material ,,scorches ,easily6 ,you have learned to stitch straight by following a line4 ,when you stitch this hem your presser foot not the needle will follow a line4 ,place your material under the presser foot with the cut edge touching the inside edge of the toe of the presser foot4 ,your leader will show you how this is done4 ,illustration3 ,sewing hem ,fold ,use #h ,stitches per inch ,outside edge of toe runs along cut edge ,you may want to practice before stitching the hem into this part of your shears case4 ,look back to page #aj if you have forgotten how to start and end a line of stitching4 ,illustration3 ,cut the flap as illustrated ,shape the flap of section ,b ,in order to neatly fold the top of section ,b over the shears1 and also to make the shears case more interesting1 cut the flap as shown above4 ,measure inch from the sides of fabric piece ,b--points a and b4 ,then measure #b inches from the top of section ,b--points c and d4 ,using a ruler1 draw a straight line between points a and c and points b and d4 ,cut along a-c and b-d with long1 even strokes4 ,mark the pocket on section ,a ,fold section ,a in half4 ,carefully put pins into the fold to mark the center4 ,fold the pocket pattern1 which you cut earlier1 in half4 ,place the center crease of the pocket pattern on the pins marking the center of section ,a4 ,the top edge of the pattern should be even with hemline 7folded edge7 of section ,a4 ,open the pocket pattern and pin it in place4 ,measure the distance between the paper pattern and the outer edge of section ,a at the top and bottom of the pattern4 ,trace around the pattern with tailor's chalk or your tailor's pencil4 ,keep the chalk line very sharp1 because you will be using it as a guide for stitching the pocket4 ,illustration3 ,pattern ,get the pocket ready to stitch ,to make the pocket1 you will be stitching section ,a and section ,b together4 ,since two thicknesses of fabric are more bulky than a single thickness1 it will be necessary to learn how to pin them together so they will not slip when you are stitching them4 ,place section ,a over section ,b with cut edges of lower corners and side edges matching4 ,the hem should be folded to the inside and chalk markings to the outside4 ,pin the two pieces together with the points of the pins directed to the side edges of the case4 ,illustration3 ,,keep ,,fabric ,,smooth ,,in ,,pinning ,machine stitch the pocket ,adjust the stitch regulator to #h stitches per inch4 ,lower the needle on the stitched hemline of section ,a4 ,lower the presser foot after the threads have been drawn between the toes to the back of the machine4 ,backstitch until the needle pierces folded edge1 or knot the thread according to directions on page #ba4 ,then adjust the stitch regulator to forward motion4 ,stitch following the line you have marked1 stitching on it as much as possible4 ,apply little pressure onto the knee lever or foot pedal so the machine will not move too fast4 ,when you reach the point of the pocket1 lower the needle into the point of material1 raise the presser foot1 turn the material around1 lower the presser foot again1 and stitch to the next point4 ,the presser foot needs to be raised and lowered in this manner each time you want to turn a corner4 ,illustration3 ,presser foot ,stitch to the fold of the hem4 ,when you reach the fold1 backstitch to the stitching line of the hem4 ,with your small scissors clip the threads close to the stitching line4 ,sew sections ,a and ,b together ,the side seams of the case must still be stitched together4 ,this is done on the outside of the case4 ,illustration3 ,case with side seams ,place your shears case under the presser foot so that the cut edges are even with the outside of the narrow toe4 ,start stitching in the hem of section ,a4 ,illustration3 ,watch your presser foot when you sew6 ,when you reach each corner remember to turn your wheel by hand so the needle goes into the material at the exact turning point4 ,turn corner as you learned on page #af4 ,do not try to use the electricity when reaching or turning corners until you know how to use the machine as easily and as accurately as your mother or leader4 ,after you have stitched around the entire case1 sew over the first stitches you made in the hem4 ,clip the threads short4 7,are you remembering to put the clipped threads into the paper bag fastened to your machine87 ,change the top of section ,b into a flap ,in order to keep the upper part of section ,b in a folded position so it will keep the shears in the pocket1 you need to add one more row of stitching4 ,slip the shears into the pocket of the case4 ,then turn section ,b down over the shears to find the best place to fold the flap4 ,mark the fold with a pin4 ,remove the shears and fold the flap on the empty case4 ,measure the distance from the fold to the cut edge in several places1 to be sure it is folded evenly4 ,then press the fold lightly and pin into position4 ,illustration3 ,case with pinned flap ,machine stitch inch from the fold of the flap1 backstitching up to the stitching line1 and then moving forward4 ,clip your threads closely1 remove pins1 and you have completed your first project6 ,how to make your case colorful ,now that you have learned to measure and to use your sewing machine accurately1 you will find a great deal of enjoyment in combining thread of a color contrasting with your material4 ,stitching then becomes a decoration4 ,if you are really able to stitch straight1 stitch each pocket twice--each row inch apart1 or the width of the presser foot toe4 ,illustration3 ,colored ,thread ,you have a pattern and have learned how simple it is to make this handy case4 ,why not make a few more for gifts8 ,you could please your mother1 or some of your friends1 if you made a case for their shears1 too4 ,barbecue placemats or traveling kit ,this project will give you more practice in using the parts of the sewing machine you have learned to use in making your shears case4 ,you may choose to make either placemats or a traveling kit or both4 ,the materials and supplies used for each are the same1 and most of the stitching is the same4 ,but the number and size of pockets1 as well as the use of the article are different4 ,your bulletin shows you how to make the pockets for each article4 ,barbecue placemats ,when rolled and tied barbecue placemats are easy carryalls for napkins and silverware for a barbecue meal4 ,when open1 they are placemats4 ,illustration3 ,barbecue placemats ,traveling kit ,a traveling kit will hold some of the articles you need in order to be well groomed when you visit your friends--your toothbrush1 toothpaste1 comb1 hairbrush1 hand lotion1 kleenex1 etc4 ,or it can be used to hold some of the supplies you need to keep your clothes well groomed when you are traveling1 such as a clothes brush1 shoe polish1 and shoe brush4 ,illustration3 ,traveling kit ,what you will learn ,to choose and match pretty colors4 ,to do some hand basting4 ,to stitch a seam4 ,to top-stitch 7stitching one piece of material on top of another74 ,to stitch straight by following a line in the design of the material4 ,what you will do first ,you will need to go shopping with your mother to buy the towels1 washcloths1 shoestrings1 and thread4 ,illustration3 ,will this color look nice with ,mother's dishes8 ,two plain-colored1 terry cloth finger towels4 ,illustration3 ,does one color ,,match your towel8 ,one striped or checked washcloth 7the design will be your guide in stitching74 ,illustration3 ,does their color ,,match a color in ,the ,,wash ,,cloth8 ,one pair of plain colored shoestrings--#bg inches long4 ,two spools of thread2 #a to match stripes and shoestrings and #a to match the towels4 ,you will also need these tools from your sewing box3 ,large shears ,pins and pincushion ,thimble ,paper bag #ba-;inch ruler ,needle ,scissors ,take another good peek at what your placemat will look like when you are finished 7page #ah74 ,in order to clearly show how you will stitch the washcloth to the towel1 a plain washcloth is used in the illustrations instead of a checked or striped one like you will be using in your project4 ,start with the washcloth ,fold the washcloth in half with the stripes running up and down4 ,then pin the open edges together with #c or #d pins4 ,illustration3 ,,fold and ,,cut ,use shears to cut through the fold of the washcloth to cut it in half4 7,your leader will show you how to handle the shears so that you can take long1 even cutting strokes47 ,illustration3 ,,pin1 ,,fold1 ,,cut ,,edge1 ,,pin ,fold each half washcloth again to find the center4 ,mark the center with a pin at the cut edge and on the hem edge4 ,get the towels ready ,find the center of the towels by folding each in half--crosswise and right side out4 7,if you do not recognize the right side of the towel1 ask your leader to help you47 ,illustration3 ,are you working on the ,,right ,,side of the towel8 ,mark the center of each towel with pins1 as you did the washcloth4 ,but since the towel is bigger than the washcloth1 you will need at least three pins on the fold to mark the center line4 ,also insert a row of pins on the right side of the towel1 inch from the lower hem of the towel4 ,sew the washcloth and towel together ,find the place for the washcloth on the towel by matching the center of the washcloth with the center of the towel4 ,then bring the cut edge of the washcloth up to the row of pins4 ,pin the washcloth in place as shown in the illustration4 ,sew a hand-basting stitch along the hem of the towel to hold the washcloth in place when stitching it with the sewing machine4 ,since many of you have never sewn by hand1 your leader will give you a special demonstration on how to thread the needle and baste4 ,try to keep the stitches about inch in length4 ,illustration3 ,are the ,,margins even8 ,stitch the washcloth to the towel from the wrong side of the towel4 ,you will be making a inch seam1 or you might stitch just to the inside of the hem4 ,your leader will show you where your stitching line looks best4 ,adjust the stitch regulator to sew backward4 ,if your sewing machine cannot be adjusted to go in reverse1 raise your presser foot slightly above the fabric at the edge of the washcloth and take #d or #e stitches4 ,the fabric will not move but the thread will become knotted and fastened4 ,illustration3 ,backstitch to edge of ,washcloth2 #ab ,,stitches per inch ,lower the needle into the towel at a point inch from the side hem of the washcloth4 ,keep both threads to the back of the presser foot4 ,then lower the presser foot4 ,start to use the machine by turning the fly wheel by hand until the needle reaches the edge of the washcloth4 ,adjust the stitch regulator so the machine will sew forward again--#ab stitches per inch4 ,stitch 7using electricity7 until you reach the other side of the washcloth4 ,readjust the regulator for backstitching1 and hand turn the flywheel as you did on the other side of the seam1 or if you do not have this regulator1 again raise the presser foot very slightly and turn the flywheel #d or #e stitches to knot the thread4 ,sew pockets into the washcloth ,fold the washcloth up onto the towel1 hiding the seam which you just finished4 ,pin the washcloth in place1 as shown in the illustration4 ,illustration3 ,,are ,,your ,,margins ,,even8 ,stitch the side edges into place4 ,if the hem on the washcloth is heavy1 ask your leader to show you how to stitch just inside the hem to avoid bulk4 ,if the hem is not heavy1 stitch close to the edge by having the edge of the washcloth follow along the inside edge of the presser foot4 ,illustration3 ,backstitch ,pockets for the placemat or traveling kit are made by stitching the washcloth to the towel as shown in the illustration below4 ,illustration3 ,towel2 ,pockets in ,washcloth ,to make the placemat1 place a napkin1 knife1 fork1 and spoon on the washcloth to give you an idea about the size of the pockets needed4 ,to make the traveling kit1 choose the articles you would like to take and place them on the placemat4 ,choose the stripes or checks nearest to the size pocket needed for each article2 they will be your guide for stitching4 ,pin the washcloth to the towel along these stripes to make the pockets which you will stitch later4 ,slip the articles you want them to hold into the pockets to be sure you have left enough room for them4 ,if everything slips into position easily1 you are ready to sew4 ,if not1 the pockets can be made bigger by moving the pins to another stripe4 ,when you have decided which stripe you will use for each pocket1 begin by backstitching at the lower seam and stitch up to the top of the washcloth4 ,backstitch again4 ,one--two--three rows of stitching--and your pockets are finished6 ,attach the tie to the towel ,if the shoestring is very different in color from the towel1 change the spool of thread to the color which matches the shoestring4 ,fold the shoestring in half4 ,pin the midpoint of the string to the towel at the point marked in the picture4 ,illustration3 ,wrong ,side of towel ,fasten the string with very small stitches1 by sewing back and forth across the width4 ,then clip threads close to the stitching line4 ,illustration3 ,towel ,finish your project ,if you made a placemat insert a napkin1 knife1 fork1 and spoon into the pockets4 ,or if you made a traveling kit1 put your toilet articles or brushes in the pockets4 ,fold the upper edge down to cover the items4 ,then roll up the towel from the right to the left4 ,wrap the shoestring around it and tie it into a pretty bow4 ,your simple towel1 washcloth1 and shoestring have changed into barbecue placemats 444 or a useful traveling kit6 ,illustration3 ,rolled towel ,complete your record book ,your record book is important4 ,examine it carefully4 ,as a first year member1 you have just started to build a #d-;,h record4 ,each year your record book adds a new chapter to your #d-;,h club story4 ,are you proud of your record book8 ,show others what you have learned ,displays ,invite your friends and neighbors to see what you have made4 ,be sure your articles are clean and well-pressed and that they look as nice as you can make them4 ,demonstrations ,a demonstration means 8to show someone else how to do something40 ,choose one special thing you have learned and use it for your demonstration4 ,here are a few suggestions3 ,how to use the shears to cut smooth1 even edges ,how to use pins1 a pincushion1 and a thimble ,how to make a divided sewing box ,how to start1 stop1 and control the speed of the sewing machine ,how to guide material through the machine ,how to use the stitch regulator ,how to stitch straight 7following a line or the presser foot7 ,how to develop good sewing habits ,how to measure with a seam gauge or ruler ,how to press with a steam iron ,how to make a hem ,how to turn a corner during stitching ,how to match colors in materials and thread ,how to hand baste ,how to top-stitch ,are you ready for the next project8 44444444 ,have you learned the parts of the sewing machine and how to use them8 44444444 ,have you been careful of your personal grooming8 44444444 ,have you studied and improved your posture8 44444444 ,have you made two or more articles using the sewing machine8 44444444 ,have you kept your record book up to date8 ,,the #d-;,h ,,club ,,pledge ,i pledge 444 my ,,head to clearer thinking my ,,heart to greater loyalty my ,,hands to larger service my ,,health to better living for my club1 my community1 and my country4 ,,the #d-;,h ,,club ,,motto to make the best better ,cooperative ,extension work in ,agriculture and ,home ,economics1 ,f4 ,e4 ,price1 director1 ,oregon ,state ,university and the ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture cooperating4 ,printed and distributed in furtherance of ,acts of ,congress of ,may #h and ,june #cj1 #aiad4 #bj,m--,september #aifa4 ,transcriber's ,notes --,silently corrected a few typos4 --,retained publication information from the printed edition3 this e,book is public-domain in the country of publication4 --,in the text versions only1 text in italics is delimited by underscores4