I’ve been wanting to have my own serger for years now. But didn’t want to buy a brand new one since I don’t sew enough (to make it worth it).

Then I saw this used serger for $39 and was more than happy to buy it. It wasn’t perfect and missing the thread guide - as the thread guide holder was broken.

We improvised by using an old radio antenna because it can be pulled up and down. And for the thread guide holder, we used little open screws used for hanging pictures.

After cleaning up the lint and fixing the tension, it was ready for a test drive. Everything works fine and I am now a proud owner of a Singer UltraLock 14 U34!

This is the first summer tank top I made with my “new to me” serger.

I just drafted the pattern by hand and was surprised how nice the neck line turned out. The fabric is from Joanne’s Lisette brand, on sale for $5 per yard.

Sergers are great to have if you do lots of sewing and want the seams to sew up tight and last a long time.

And a good used serger is also good as it saves you money and also gets to be recycled by a new owner.

Note: Threading the serger can be tricky. Tweezers are a necessity!

More photos on my Singer’s threading chart and the mechanics,

This is another great photo from another website with names to serger parts.

I love linen clothing, especially during the summer months. Sadly it took me this long to finally make my first pair of linen pant.

The last time I made pants, they were corduroy fabric. I was trying to duplicate the pattern from another favorite pair of cords. But it didn’t turn out too well.

So this time around I got a real pattern. A pretty easy pattern by Simplicity, on sale at the craft store. Since I am not a good model, I will only share a photo of the top portion of the pant.

The material makes it light and comfortable, great for California’s September weather. Lucky for me, it was a perfect fit and I didn’t have to make any alterations.

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I taught myself how to sew a few years ago out of the need to create my own pretty tote bags. Then when I got a bit better at sewing, I started to make other things. It’s a good way to have an original item, especially when you get to choose your own fabrics.

But unfortunately, I still have more patterns still waiting to be sewn and summer is almost over!

I still love fabrics and am tempted to collect more when I’m near them. Last time I was at Jo-Anne’s Fabric, I actually kept myself from getting any new fabrics. Instead I got some Gutermann threads in these cute little vintage tins. It was on sale for $1.99 for 4 spools.

I like the country chic of the painting on the tin. The tree is full of pink blossoms.   When I took this photo, it was laid flat on ground. But now it’s floating… thanks to some editing software magic.

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I am looking forward to working with this pattern by Simplicity.  So far I have made a summer dress and shirts with patterns by Simplicity with very nice results.  They are easy to understand and sometimes can be done in a weekend, if not sooner.

Photo from Simplicity.  Misses & Miss Petite Dress, Jacket, Pants, Shorts and Tie Belt.  The pattern retails for $10, but I always get them on sale at the fabric shop for only $1. This year the price was increased to $2.

The pants require at least 2 1/2 yards of fabric.  And the jacket requires only 1 1/2.  Since I am loving linen at the moment, I am hoping to make both the jacket and pant with medium weight linen.

I am also loving bamboo fabrics too.  But I don’t know how it will hold up with the blouse pattern.  So I will stick with cotton.  In case I change my mind, there is an online fabric shop that has bamboo fabrics here.

Hope to post updates/reviews later. So stay tune!

Linen is the best fabric to wear in the summer.  It’s comfortable and very cooling.  The only down side would be that it wrinkles easily.  Then again, it does iron easily too.

I used to always hesitate purchasing linen clothing because I thought it would be itchy and rough.  My first linen item of clothing was a summer skirt.  It was medium weight and didn’t feel too cooling.  But then I found some light weight navy linen pants that were much more cooler to wear, especially on hot days.

Here is a photo of a simple flax flower and buds that provide us with so much.  From healthy flax seeds to oils and of course, the fabric of summer!

Linen is made from the flax stalks (bast fiber).  The luster of linen comes from the natural wax content.  Linen can be creamy white to light tan as this fiber can be easily dyed.  The color does not fade when washed.  It is best to hang (line) dry them.  Linen, like cotton, can also be boiled without damaging the fiber.

Libeco, a Belgian linen manufactured describes the flax as one of the most ecologically-correct plant.  The seeds provide oil for dyes, paint, cosmetics and floor coverings.  And the by-products of linen production are processed into a pulp used for banknotes or fiberboard.  But most of all, flax is most renowned as the raw material for use as linen fabric.

More info from Fabrics.net:

Highly absorbent and a good conductor of heat, this fabric is cool in garments. However, constant creasing in the same place in sharp folds will tend to break the linen threads. This wear can show up in collars, hems, and any area that is iron creased during the laundering. Linen has poor elasticity and does not spring back readily.

I have noticed one of my linen tops had a small tear at the crease of the fold.  But I was able to mend it with some threads.  But all my other linen items are doing well.

I like this linen pant from Banana Republic.  On sale for $58.  But I don’t like the big cinch front pockets.  I prefer flat pockets instead.  And to save money this summer, I am going to try making my own linen pants and tank tops.  Linen pants would require a medium weight linen.  And a tank top would be light weight or tissue linen in chocolate brown.

I think this will be a fun summer sewing (craft) project for me too.

Another nice summer fashion accessory, 100 % linen tote bag from Lotta Jansdotter.  Retails $68.

Image source:

Banana Republic

Lotta Jansdotter, also nice hand tote here.

FlaxPage, provide information for the grower, for the consumer, and for the researcher.

More info:

Libeco-Lagae, Belgium linen manufacturer.