Nov
A Call To Arms, Er, Needles
With DEATH THREADS (the second in my Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series) set to debut on May 4th, and Book #3 awaiting editorial comments from my amazing editor, I’ve turned my creative energy toward plotting book #4.
This plotting (or “percolating” as I’m fond of calling it) phase is when I sit down with a pad of paper and think about my characters–who they connect with, what they do, their history thus far, etc. As I ponder all of that, I begin to consider ways to turn their lives upside down. So far, the ideas are swirling thanks to a cast of characters that are simply fun to write.
I’m often in this phase for several weeks as I dream up ideas and wait to see which one sticks. Fortunately for me, the basic idea stuck pretty fast this time. Now I just need to work it through in my mind as I figure out the all-important who, how, and why. And then, when I’m done with that, I need to figure out how to cover my tracks and throw the reader off the scent.
This phase is, without a doubt, one of my favorite parts of writing. Then again, so is the day I sit down at my computer to start. Oh, and don’t forget the middle where things are coming together and characters are beginning to take over, dictating what my fingers should write. And then there’s the climax where it all happens…
See? I haven’t even started and I’m already getting excited.
This time, though, I’d like to try something new. Rather than compile sewing tips from various places for the back of the book, I figured I’d see if any of you have one (or a few) you’d like to contribute. I’ll send a signed bookmark to each and every person who contributes a sewing tip.
Ready?
Hit the comment button and give me your best tip. The email address you type in the requested field is not seen by anyone else. The only thing that shows up under your comment is the name you’d like to show! Easy, huh?
Have a great week!
~Elizabeth
**P.S. Allison Collins (who entered last week’s “Where Am I?” challenge via my good-girl-kills.com blog) was the winner of the $10 B & N gift card and signed cover flap of DEATH THREADS! Congratulations, Allison!
November 24th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Elizabeth/Laura, my best tip almost has nothing to do with sewing, but it can make a heckuva lot of difference to how comfortable one is while cutting out, a crucial step in almost every sewing project. Most of us don’t have enough room for a dedicated cutting table at counter height, which is optimal for good back health. Cutting at a dining-height table, especially for a big project, can ruin your day. I solved that problem by propping my table legs up on bed risers from Bed, Bath & Beyond. They raise the table just enough that I don’t have to stoop over; they have a wide, flat bottom for stability, and a ridge around the top so the table legs don’t wobble off; and best of all, it’s easy to remove them when you need the table for dining.
I also taught sewing for a long time, and using the bed risers allowed me to have more than one cutting table for my students.
Best of luck with the next book!
November 25th, 2009 at 7:01 am
This always happens to me when I see fabric that I like. when buying fabric for a project, always buy an extra half yard. Because if you run out or make mistakes when you go back to the store, they may not have the same lot where the colors will be identical.
November 29th, 2009 at 9:16 am
I think my best hint is to measure twice before cutting. I can’ tell you how many times I messed up a pattern because I “thought” I could get away with going against the grain of the fabric or flipping a pattern piece over. But I guess it’s mistakes like that where we learn why something won’t work.
I love Dru’s idea of buyng an extra 1/2 yard.
November 29th, 2009 at 9:22 am
These are good!!!! Leaving this post up just a little longer to see if we get some more!
December 4th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Make sure you keep the dust bunnies out of your machine…take a Q-Tip and clean under the machine. I’m pretty sure you should have it serviced and oiled once and a while too.
December 16th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
I rarely do a sewing project with out having my iron handy. Pinning a hem works but running the iron over it before sewing makes its so much easier to sew…
December 17th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Hi Elizabeth,
….. Like I said Merry Christmas and I hope you have a safe New Year 
I wanted to stop by to say Merry Christmas to you and yours…. I so can’t wait to read more books by you~! I did a small review of your book on my blog a while back dom’t know if you remember me or not…. But I wanted to tell you I have a friend that bought 4 copies of your book
December 17th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Karalyn (love the spelling of your name, it’s beautiful), the iron idea is great! Thank you!
Vanessa, 4 copies? Music to my ears. Thank you!!! Merry Christmas to you, too! There will be lots more books in this series…so stay tuned to this website for details on launch dates, etc. And starting Jan 4th I’ll be blogging on a DAILY (weekdays) basis so please come back!
January 6th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
I am submitting these tips for my sister. As much as I am a knitter, she is a sewer so I decided to ask the expert and so, Laura, this is what she has submitted.
Here’s one angle:
1. Invest in a high quality sewing machine, and treat it with maintenance, like you do your car. I’ve had my machine for over 30 years now. It is not electronic, but it does a variety of stitches; it has never bunched the fabric or skipped stitches.
2. If you do have trouble with your sewing machine, I always check 2 things first. Make sure you have a sharp, straight needle, and keep the bobbin area lint-free and oiled frequently enough.
Here’s another angle:
Teach yourself some basic hand-sewing stitches – blind stitch, buttonhole stitch, running stitch and a back-stitch.
There are times when you need some very neat finishing stitches. Some times hand-sewing is just better; for instance, I learned to hand-sew zippers.
Hand-sewing will also save you money; you can get a great bargain on a shirt or slacks, if you know how to do the hemming by hand; buy it on sale and make it fit you!