The latest sewing project involved learning to do flatlocking with the serger. Flatlocking uses a decorative thread, ribbon, or yarn on the upper looper, a loose tension on the needle thread, and the lower looper. You lay your fabric with the wrong sides together and with the fabric folded or with two fabrics, serge just along the edge with knives disengaged or with a very narrow edge. You can piece different fabrics together as in the picture. Or you can make a decorative accent on the top surface of a piece. When you finish your "row," you tug open the fold and viola', you have a decorative line of stitches along the right side edges and "bars" or a "ladder" on the back sides.Using this technique, I pieced together a bodice out of fat quarters. Then I attache
d a skirt out of larger pieces. creating a very cool jumper for Jada. This is a jumper called "Alittel Jumper" by Nancy Mirman with Design and Planning Concepts patterns. They have a similar item for adults too. (http://www.designandplanningconcepts.com/pattern.asp?id=257&categ=all&pnum=19 )It looks pretty crazy on the pattern and lying flat there in the picture. But it looks amazing on Jada. I have to say that this was probably the most complicated thing I've tried to make of late. I've never done anything like it. The pattern directions assumed that I had a little more experience than I actually do have. So I had to work out some things to get them right. And then, I had to fit the jumper on Jada a couple times and adjust things before it was truly done. But it was all worth it, because it really does look amazing. Even Theresa, who doesn't really like mixes of colors and styles, likes it. Ha!
