Prim Talk Radio Show March 13, 2009

On today’s show Dianne Theroux is back to tell you how to make curtains. And I will continue the series on rug hooking for the beginner. This month Barbie turns 50 so I thought I would share some Barbie trivia with you.
Barbara Millicent Roberts hit the scene in March 1959 in the pre-dawn of the feminist movement, her lifestyle choices rivaled only by those of her wardrobe. Today we welcome Mattel’s ultimate “it” girl.
1959: Barbie debut as a teenage model, work she continues today through her Barbie Top Model Line.
1961: Ken Carson meets Barbie in a tv commercial set; the two begin dating.
1965: Astronaut Barbie debuts a year after NASA scuttles training for women.
1973: Nurse Barbie goes to medical school, graduates as Surgeon Barbie.
1975: Gold Medal Barbie sweeps the Olympic Games skating, skiing and gymnastics.
1980: Barbie goes multiracial with the debut of Black Barbie, Hispanic Barbie and the international collection
1989: Barbie joins the army. By 1992 she serves in four military branches, sporting pentagon approved uniforms.
1992: Teen Talk Barbie whines “Math class is tough” prompting an apology from Mattel.
1992: Barbie first runs for president.
1997: Barbie discovers that Share-a-smile Becky’s got pink wheelchair doesn’t fit in the Dream House elevator.
2004: Barbie and Ken break up after 43 years together, then reunite in 2006.
2009: At 50 Barbie is the world’s highest earning doll, with 1.2 billion in annual revenues.
We would like to thank one of our sponsor’s Tori from stencilmein.com where you can find a large selection of unique stencils from simpler times gone by. From vast selections of colonial and vintage stencils. Stencil me in is dedicated to providing a wide selection of unique and original designs that are simply filled with old world charm. Check out Tori’s site at www.stencilmein.com
Here is Dianne’s first segment. She will be telling you how to make curtains.
Thank You Dianne Check out Dianne’s website is www.primdecortips.com She has a lot of prim décor tips.

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Series on Rug Hooking
Preparing your backing
For a better hooking experience, prepare your backing or foundation. This will help in drawing a straight pattern.
Cut a piece of backing fabric a minimum of 4” wider on each side than the pattern. So say your project is 20”x 30” then you will need a piece of backing fabric at least 28” x 38”. This helps to make your pattern fit easily onto your frame or hoop.

Serge all outer edges to prevent fraying. To save time you can use masking tape to cover the edges also.

Drawing the Pattern
Most patterns will need to be enlarged. You can take them to a facility that will enlarge them the required percentage you need. You can also draw them yourself on large graph paper. Following the enlargement ration such as 1 square = ½” printed on the pattern.
Make sure the outer edge of your pattern is aligned with the straight of the grain of the backing you use. An easy way to get those lines straight is to use a wide-point pencil and drag it through the openings using firm pressure on the pencil.
Measure 4” from the outer edge of your backing piece. Place the pencil in one of the holes with your right hand and pull the backing away from you with your left hand. The pencil should stay in the grove and you should have an outside border line that is on the straight of the grain.

Continue this until all four outside border lines are drawn on the straight of the grain. When you have your outside border lines established, you will need to sew a couple of stay-stitching rows approximately ¾” and 1” outside of the border line.
A simple way to transfer the pattern onto your squared-up backing is to use Red Dot tracer. Red Dot is a lightweight non woven fabric similar to interfacing and it has red dots spaced 1” apart in a grid.
Place a piece of red dot over the pattern you have enlarged. Make sure it lines up squarely on the pattern and trace the pattern onto the red dot.
Place the red dot on top of your backing piece, making sure it is straight. Draw on your tracing lines with a heavy duty permanent black marker. This method will produce a light tracing of the pattern onto your backing. If it is too light retrace to make the line bolder.
Next week I will tell you how to hook and some of the potential challenges that may arise.


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