Sewing With Nancy

My guest for this next series creates multifunctional baskets, bags, and coasters for the modern home. She learned to sew at a young age, started a business during high school, and continues to create all the projects for her business while studying environmental sciences at the University of Cincinnati. Please welcome Lindsey Zinno, who is going to inspire us with reinvented rope-sewing projects. Glad to have you at Sewing With Nancy, Lindsey. It's great to be here, Nancy. When I was 16, my aunt taught me how to use fabric-wrapped clothesline to create baskets, but I used what she taught me to have my own modern take on it. The coasters show my simple yet functional style, using uncovered cotton rope. It's the first project we'll show you how to make today. "Rope Sewing Reinvented." That's what's next on Sewing With Nancy.

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Sewing With Nancy, TV's longest-airing sewing and quilting program with Nancy Zieman,

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For the love of sewing. Madeira, specializing in embroidery, quilting, and special effect threads, because creativity is never black and white. Koala Studios, fine sewing furniture custom-built in America. Clover, making a difference in sewing, quilting, crafting, and needle arts for over 90 years. Fuller Brush Vacuums, dedicated to keeping homes clean. Amazing Designs and Klass Needles. Lindsey and I decided to call this program "Rope Sewing Reinvented" because, many years ago, I had a program on Sewing With Nancy where I made this basket, among many-- and you can kind of tell from the color combinations the vintage of it-- where the clothesline rope was wrapped with fabric, 1" strips of fabric, and that's, Lindsey, how you learned, correct? Yes, that's how my aunt taught me. But then there's the more contemporary, modern way, where you're using clothesline rope that is not covered, and the color thread is used, and it looks-- gives a contemporary look, stylish, modern, and with greater style. And we're gonna start with these coasters. And what you need is clothesline rope; thread, a lot of it; top and bobbin; the important thing is 100-size needles, the topstitching needles; and you'll need large pins or clips, to help hold and mark the clothesline. And 5' of rope makes one coaster, and Lindsey's gonna start by telling about setting up the sewing machine for the basic two stitches. Thank you, Nancy. So, using a coaster, we're using the zigzag stitch, and if you haven't used a zigzag stitch very much, you'll get comfortable with it soon. You're going to adjust the width and length of the zigzag stitch to start you off. You're gonna use 5 millimeters or less. You want to do as big as your sewing machine can handle, roughly. And then you're gonna decrease the length to about 1 millimeter or less to make the first satin stitch of the X. We're gonna start off coiling the rope, to begin... making about 1" coil circle. Then we're gonna bring the coil over, to the middle, and start sewing on the edge of the rope to make that first line of the zigzag. Stiletto works well to hold things in place. Mm-hmm, yeah. Now you have the first line of your X. Then you're gonna bring it back into the middle and sew the other way. The important thing that you'll learn during this series is that Lindsey has developed interesting ways to secure the base of her projects. This is the simplest. It gives you the technique. But you'll see that this base-sewing is very important. I'm just gonna trim my threads to clean it up real quick. Mm-hmm. And now we're gonna increase the zigzag length to about 1.4, 1.5-- whatever your sewing machine can do. And then go back one row, in the groove between the two pieces of rope. And we're gonna start beginning this construction of the coaster. So, throughout the program, we're going to call this "the zigzag stitch," where the width is at 5 millimeters. Now, your machine just may go to 4, and that's fine too. Just make sure that you straddle the two coils-- the two rope coils-- so that a zig goes in one, a zag in the other. And then the stitch length-- you'll find the perfect spot for you. 1.5 may work out just fine. And you just go round and around, until almost all 5' have been attached into that coil. So, Lindsey, about how long does it take you to make one coaster? About three minutes. -

chuckles

Baby Lock

I think you've made a few hundred in your life. I think I've made a few hundred, maybe 1,000 by now.

laughs

Baby Lock

They're just very functional and very absorbent, rather than a ceramic coaster that I see often. Sure, mm-hmm. - And they don't break. And you can really just throw them in a drawer when you're not using them and don't have to worry about them. And notice that the rope is coming off from the right side. It's clockwise, going around the circle. It's fascinating just to watch that machine stitch away. And then as we get-- as Lindsey gets near the end, she's gonna share with you how to do the finishing technique, which is pretty simple. We're almost to the end. I can see the end coming, but... -

chuckles

Baby Lock

4 more inches. Okay, so, you want to sew right to about 1" or 1/2" to the end and slow down and stop. You don't need to cut your thread. You're just gonna decrease the stitch length back to that satin stitch setting that you used initially. And we're gonna begin to use-- to finish off the end of the rope. So, coming to the end of your rope gives new meaning right here.

laughs

Baby Lock

I would watch your fingers. Either use a stylus or the edge of a scissors, and slowly continue after the end of the rope to really lock that stitch in. And go back and forth a few times. And then cut your rope. Cut your thread. Ta-da. Just trim your threads real quick, and your coaster is finished. Very nice. -

chuckling

Baby Lock

So, now you have the basics of working with sewing with rope, 5' of rope, a zigzag stitch at 1.5 length and 5-point or 4-point width, a little satin stitching at a shorter length. And then you'll be able to apply these same principles through all the projects for this series. The next step to rope sewing is making vessels. This mini-dish can be used for keys, jewelry, garlic, potpourri, or even to tidy up your desk. Lindsey uses a mini-dish for lavender buds and for sewing bobbins. Once you know the basics-- working with rope and stitching with it-- you can easily go from a coaster to this mini-bowl. We have some changing of threads, adding of some little attractive little dots, or confetti, and a different way of finishing. And you can see the shaping that Lindsey does, and she'll give you some guidelines. I just want to do a quick review. You're going to start with clothesline rope. And this time, it's 15'. - Yes.

And we have clips at two designated spots

from the beginning starting point at 5' and then at 8'. You'll need those two markings to-- one, to start the angle, the other to change the thread. And, as before, you're going to work with a 1" coil, stitch a satin stitch to create an X, and then re-stitch inside that first coil, around and around with a satin stitch. And, Lindsey, I'm gonna have you take it over, because you've reached, on your coaster type, to the first marking at 5'. Yes, so, actually, once you can make a coaster, you're really gonna be able to make a mini-dish. So, you go to the 5', just like you did the coaster. So, here is my first marking, at 5'. You're going to remove that clip, and then you're going to start-- instead of finishing with a satin stitch, you're actually going to tilt, to starting to make the walls of the mini-dish. I still have my stitch length at 1.4 and 1.5 at the width. And I'm gonna continue sewing. You want to make sure that the walls are gonna be built, and you want to make sure that you're cupping the base of the once-coaster, now-mini-dish. -

laughs

And we have clips at two designated spots

You're gonna keep sewing this burgundy color, or whatever color you choose, until you reach the 8'. And that's where we're going to switch the colors, to make a trim. You said an interesting thing. It all kind of depends upon where the height of your machine-- of the light area comes down-- will get the pitch or the tilt of your bowl. And the further towards 90 degrees you tilt, the more straight your walls will become. And the lower-- more towards 45-- it will be more triangular. Sure. We're getting really close to that 8' mark. There we go. - There we go. Gonna slow down and cut it. So, now we have a little bit. You can see, here, the difference. And now we're gonna switch the colors. So, while Lindsey's taking some time to change the thread colors, you'll find that, as we go along in this program, we're going to be creating bigger projects. And when you begin, you may want to wind two or three bobbins at once, because you run out a lot. And make sure that those size-100 topstitching needles are there for you, because if you find that maybe you get a skipped stitch or two, it's time to change a needle, because there's a lot of stitches happening at one time. So, with a little bit of magic, we'll soon be threaded. And Lindsey's gonna start by attaching the threads and making a little dot, or confetti. And that gives it style, but also security. Yes, so we're gonna go back to that satin stitch length. I'm gonna use 0.9 millimeter. And then we're gonna keep tilting and go a little bit on top of that burgundy and really lock that initial-- that first ending stitch of the burgundy color. Back and forth just a couple times-- doesn't have to be perfect. And then you're gonna increase that length back to your normal zigzag stitch for the rest of the mini-dish. And you want to make sure that-- you want the groove of the middle of the foot to maintain and stay in between the two meets-- the two adjoining pieces of rope. Sure. Mm-hmm. So, as we've mentioned before, a zig in one coil, a zag in the other. Exactly. And if you do get off track, you can just go back through with those little dots to really reinforce that area you might have messed up at. Your first one won't always be perfect. But they're very durable. - Yes.

both laugh

And we have clips at two designated spots

Okay, so we're about to finish. And we're not gonna make that raw edge, like we did in the coaster, but rather, I lift up my foot and fold the rope over, kind of tuck it. Drop that back down. Either use a stylus or scissors, and then return back to that satin stitch that you were using and sew over it. And then go back. And as Lindsey is finishing that up, you can see that then she trimmed inside the extra rope, so it's clean and neat. And the mini-dish is complete. Once you've mastered the art of shaping a rope vessel, learn to experiment with the design. Lindsey's oval tray is purposeful, while having modern, artistic style. The angle of stitching determines the vessel's shape, and the rope handles increase the functionality of the tray. Here, you can see we have some confetti, some dots, and the great shape, plus the functionality of the handles. We're gonna use the clothesline rope again, this time 60' of it,

with three markings

4", 26', and 45'. When you have the 4" marking, just fold it at that 4", clip it, and then Lindsey's gonna show you how to make the shape. Okay, so we're gonna start out with that satin-stitch length again. I'm using 0.9 millimeters. And we're gonna start sewing about an inch below that fold. Lock that into place, and then return back to your normal zigzag and go straight. It's hard to start stitching right at that loop. Yes, that's why. And you want to make sure it's completely straight. I also locked in that end, and then I'm gonna finish sewing the rest of the loop. Go back to your normal satin stitch. And then maybe use a stylus or scissors to really pinch that loop into place. And then go in reverse a few times. And then cut your thread. Now I'm just gonna cut that. Now you're gonna do that fold, a little-- really similar to the circle coiling, but in an oval shape. Start on that straightaway. Lock it into place. Go back to your initial zigzag, and go straight. Slowly start to turn it around that first fold. And then just continue your coiling that you practiced in the first two projects. I think you got it. You know how to do this. And you're going to do this stitching until you hit the 26' mark, and that's where our next sample is. You can see here that I already have the 26'-- roughly-- sewed, to make the entire base. Mm-hmm. - Remove your clip, and then we're gonna start making those walls, similar to the way that we did when we did that first mini-dish. Go back to that satin stitch and lock that thread into place. You can add those little accents anytime you'd like. Yeah, I use them all the time. I really like to balance them out. Return to your zigzag stitch, and tilt that wall. Try to press it against that machine. Make sure that... the groove of the foot is maintained in between the new rope and the first rope. Mm-hmm. That makes sure the zigzag really mends those two pieces together and builds those walls. Now, if you're splicing two ropes together, if you didn't have 60' of rope, you'd just add some more satin stitching, to secure that. Yes. And I like to pin it into place. It's a little hard to hold on to all those layers. Sure. But make sure you don't sew over your pin.

both laugh

with three markings

Of course. You'll be changing needles sooner than later. Yeah.

laughs

with three markings

That strong needle makes a difference. You're gonna be stitching almost to the 45' measurement, and I think it's time for Lindsey to change to the next sample, because you're just gonna go round and around, really holding that at that same angle, being consistent, and that is a great shape. Yes, yeah. Here is all the walls. You can see that's where we started. That 26 mark. - Mm-hmm. And now, you want to make sure you stop roughly where you want to place your first handle. And so I like to place my handles 3" apart. You fold and find that middle line. And I secure that with a pin. - Sure. And then I measure 1 1/2" one way and 1 1/2" the other way and then secure the first one with a satin stitch. Your handles can be as long as you want them, but I usually do around 7" to 8". This one is 7". I'm gonna show you how to attach that next part of the handle, using the satin stitch. And you want to make sure that you don't sew over that pin. Decrease that length back to your satin stitch. Go back and forth a few times. And then go back to your normal zigzag stitch and go to the next one. And if you can create one handle, you can create two, because that's what's going to happen. You're gonna do the same creating. Exactly. Now, usually, we're working with fabric, Lindsey, and we're having the fabric flat. And notice how she has to shape and work with that... that oval tray, to keep things the same shape and size. So I finally reached that next pin, where we're gonna start the second set of straps. And I decreased that stitch length to the satin stitch, and I'm just gonna do that quick little dot, or confetti. Cut it. And then measure out 7" again. Those tape measures are elusive sometimes. -

laughing

with three markings

So, I have my 7" measured out. Pinch and attach. And then you're gonna redo that same technique that we did in the first one and then finish it off. While Lindsey is working on the handle and doing the stitching, I'm just going to show you what happens next. On the finished tray, you can see that to reinforce the handle, she stitched a second row around the first so that the handle had more substance and then found a place, as she was nearing her first handle, to finish it, turn it under, just in the same manner as we did the mini-bowl. You may have extra yardage or footage of rope left over. Just clip it off and enjoy this lovely bowl that is made from clothesline rope, a lot of thread, and some creativity. The color teal is the designated color when creating awareness for ovarian cancer.

My Nancy's Corner guest sponsors an annual event

the Teal Mini Swap. It's a program to raise funds for research and give quilters an opportunity to share projects. Please welcome Beth Helfter, who joins us today via Skype from Massachusetts. Welcome to Sewing With Nancy, Beth. Good morning, Nancy. Thank you for having me. When we read about your program, it was fascinating because it's an online program where quilters share but yet you raise funds, and tell our viewers about this program. Well, I started this program several years ago-- I believe it was 2010-- because I felt like ovarian cancer sometimes doesn't get the promotion that-- and awareness that it should. And my own mother died of ovarian cancer, so I thought this would be a nice way to raise some awareness and have a little fun with quilters during September, which is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. So if I wanted to participate in the Teal Mini Swap, explain how I'd go about that. Well, first of all, to find out information about it, I now have a Facebook page, which you do have to ask to join, but it's just called Teal Mini Swap. So if you search for that, you'd find it. And that's open all year round, but it gets really active starting at the end of July, which is when registration's open. And then it's pretty active through the middle of October, which is when most of the swap pieces have finally arrived to their partners. So they either make a mini-quilt or a rug mug. And explain the fabric that's used and how the exchange happens-- the swap occurs. Absolutely. So, people sign up, and it's through a Constant Contact link. Mm-hmm. So, I post that all over my social media and on my newsletters. And then what happens is, everybody is given a little piece of swap fabric, and I have a couple of the ones that we've used in the past. Sure. Mm-hmm. This one was one of the first ones that we used, with little, cute, teal teacups. Uh-huh. - This was last year's. A little more modern. And they have to use that somewhere in their mini or mug rug. And they're set up with a partner, who I assign to them, based on information that they give in their registration. I try to match people with their styles and stuff. Sure. And the partner could be anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. So I'd make a quilt, a mini quilt, 18" or smaller. I'd send-- you'd tell me who to send it to; they'd send me theirs; we'd swap, and then... Exactly, exactly. And there's a little-- there's a fundraiser part of this too. There is. When you sign up and register, not only do you give me all your information so I can get you a great partner, but you also pay $15. And $10 of that goes right to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund because it's an easy number for me to multiply by. -

laughs

My Nancy's Corner guest sponsors an annual event

And then the $5 that's left over is really just for my administration costs, which, unfortunately, you know, no matter what you do, there's gonna be some of those, and I-- Well, sure, you-- - Yeah, I just don't want to lose money on the whole situation. But the impressive part about this, Beth, is that you have raised-- started small, and then it's really grown, so, explain-- It really has. - Yeah. Yes, the very first year, it was one of those ideas that just kind of came to me on a whim, and I threw it out there that day. And I only had 32 people, but it was a really nice start. Sure. - So, that was $320 that went to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. And last year, which was the sixth year, I believe, we raised $4,010, 'cause we had 401 people. So that was pretty awesome. And this-- - And I'm hoping-- get bigger this year. - Yeah. And this year-- and you're on track, you were telling me earlier, to raise at least $5,000, correct? Oh, for sure. Yes. It hasn't doubled every year, necessarily. Mm-hmm. - Some years it has, but not every year, but, yeah, I would be very surprised if we didn't do $5,000 this year, for sure. So if you quilt and you like the color teal-- but most importantly, that you want to do awareness and research for this deadly disease-- this is a great way to participate. I'm impressed of what you've done. Oh, it's so much fun. And the Facebook page, like I said, it's just become th is huge community of survivors and people who just really want to help and support, and it's amazing. We even-- we had a woman, this year, who just announced two weeks ago that after a, like, ten-year fight, she is clear of cancer, which was amazing. Oh! That 's refreshing. Isn't that good news to hear? It so is! Yes, it is. Well, thank you for joining us on Sewing With Nancy, and I hope that we increase your numbers for the Mini Teal Swap. Thank you, Beth. Thank you so much. Mm-hmm. And thank you for joining us on this episode of "Rope Sewing Reinvented." And I hope you'll tune in next time for our second program, where Lindsey Zinno will be back to share more. You can also go to NancyZieman.com, be part of our social media, and also watch any or many of the Sewing With Nancy programs online, at your convenience. Thanks for joining me. Bye for now.

announcer

Fi nd the projects featured during th is two-part series, plus bonus items cr eated with cotton, rope, and thread, in the new book Rope Sewing Reinvented by Lindsey Zinno an d Nancy. Order the fully il lustrated book with program DVD for $19.99, pl us shipping and handling. To order, ca ll 800-336-8373, or visit our website, at SewingWithNancy.com/3113. Order item number BD3113. Cr edit card orders only. Visit Nancy's website at NancyZieman.com to see additional episodes, Nancy's blog, and more. Sewing With Nancy, TV's longest-airing sewing and quilting program with Nancy Zieman,

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Baby Lock, Madeira threads, Koala Studios, Clover, Fuller Brush Vacuums, Amazing Designs and Klass Needles. Closed captioning funding provided by Riley Blake Designs. Sewing With Nancy is a co-production of Nancy Zieman Productions and Wisconsin Public Television.