Serger problems.. URGH!

[choke.livejournal.com]

I am new to the world of serging, but not at all to the world of sewing.

In February, my mom got me a 1034D Brother serger for my birthday. I found out I was pregnant around the same time, and therefore didn't have much time to mess around with figuring it out.

Anyways, for the past month I have been trying to use it, and I can't get it to work. In other words, I am at a loss as to how to properly thread it. I downloaded the manual online, and even received the instructional video on disc. Both of those were very unhelpful in telling me how to thread it.

I am having problems with the lower looper thread. Every time I go to serge, the lower looper thread breaks (or is cut by the blade, or something!).

In the manual, the diagram/schematic for the threading of the lower looper shows about 9 steps, but the numbered list of steps only goes up to 5 or 6. In the video, they don't videotape close enough to the machine to show exactly what the woman is doing, and she doesn't explain it much.

Any help would be VERY appreciated. Please keep in mind that I am new to the world of serging, so beginner-friendly tips are a must!

Thanks in advance!

needle felting

[raverqueenage.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone!

I'm still looking through the memories, but thought I would post anyway, hope thats ok...

I would love to learn how to needle felt little animals, but I'm not sure where to find good visual tutorials. I am very inspired by aussiefelts's little creations. But I wouldn't know the first thing to get started and am very eager to learn! I eventually want to make little "mini me's" of my cats and my past on ferret, Dottie. Also, where do I find the wool fibers? OR whatever other fibers I can use for that matter. :\

If you know of any websites with videos or really good pictures...or even books I can get from Barnes & Noble that would be fabulous! Thanks sooo much.

dumb question....

[epothecary.livejournal.com]

what is the best way to roll a cylinder out of clay without being uneven in areas.

i've tried my hands, palms, fingers. doing it between my hands, or with both hands and a flat surface. all my cylinders turn out with thin or fat spots when i try to make them longer. should i just buy an extruder? is there a secret or obvious answer i'm missing?

2 journal pages

[bestill.livejournal.com]

This is a journal page that I started as a demo during a visual journal class I was teaching. I did most of it in class, did a little in the airport while waiting to board, and finished up yesterday.

( Here's one I did yesterday. )

mother's day...

[kodakrome.livejournal.com]

it's a running joke all the time with my boyfriend and my mom. he laughs because she loves animal print. but it really fits her so well! she's not tacky about it though.. she pretty much uses it for accents and accessories. funny though. anyway, he thought it would be a good idea to paint animal print on a flower pot for her.



( so that's exactly what i did! take a look! )

(no subject)

[wild-huntress.livejournal.com]

Is it possible to obtain fake feathers somewhere? I'd love to do some crafts and home decor projects with peacock feathers, because they're so beautiful, but I don't want to use real animal products. It seems like the kind of thing they should make (you know, they have fake fur fabric, fake leather type fabrics, fake flowers, etc; they should be able to make fake feathers too) but I haven't been able to find any.

(I swear, one of these days I'll actually post pictures of some crafts that I've made.)

Snowbunny Hat

[http://users.livejournal.com/_ashlinn_/]

Even though winter is finally over I couldn't help but finishing my last of the winter projects, I'm hoping it will help beat the blues next winter!

I really wanted the Russian Winter hat from SnB nation but I couldn't for the life of me understand the pattern and I didn't want to buy the book, so with the combined power of creativity and open source knitting, I came up with this:

Paton's Allure in Crystal + Knitty's Coif (which was way easier, I'm a novice knitter)...

( THIS )

Cake Sites

[shewillshowyou.livejournal.com]

I've got some extra time on my hands this summer and i was thinking of learning how to decorate cakes, i've seen tons of stuff at craft places and it always looks so pretty. Any suggestions on web sites or books that have good step by step instructions even if its just like the basics. I looked around but i can't find an actual class in my area.

New Look pattern 6468

[collared-kitty.livejournal.com]

( I'm no model... :P )

Introducing Bounty!

[aussiefelts.livejournal.com]

It's been a couple of weeks since i've posted here so I thought i'd drop by with my latest bundle of cute for you! This is Bounty. He's been needle felted with Merino wool and he stands at 7cm or just over 2.5" tall.