330/366: Progress

Love this machine.

So do the boys. They have me making trading cards in mitten shapes with their "favorite" stitch. With over 70 stitches, this could mess with my schedule!

This is the half way point of the first Blanquilt, still in pieces.

Sewing, laundry and watching the first snowfall...lovely.

Do SomeTHING: Day 12

There is nothing better than a comfy, down filled-flannel covered comforter.  Sam has graduated from the Power Rangers comforter that was a hand-me-down from a friend.

We had a white down comforter that was okay, it just didn't look finished, and it was WHITE.  Sam is an 8 yr old boy with a white comforter?  I think not.

We went to (I forced him to) Joann's to pick out a fabric for a duvet cover.  You know what he picked? 

Yellow.

Plain yellow.  I coaxed him into a blotchy yellow flannel just for a little something something.  I only bought the amount that was left on the bolt, so was a little short for the bottom.  And since I am a fabric hoarder, I had this to piece together and cover the bottom. 

Maybe someday he'll switch it up and go green.

I will say that it felt good to be back at the machine, doing something other than taking in the waist of a gaggle of pants for this 8 year old boy.

Do SomeTHING is a month long of creativity, project finishing, exploration, and imagination.  What was your THING for today?  Leave your link in the comments for us all to see.

Thing A Day: 17

I know this doesn't look like much, but I spent my lunch hour yesterday ripping up fabric.

If you haven't ripped fabric, you should.  It is the most fulfilling sound.  And the straightest line of separation you can get.

This is a lovely set of cuddle flannels that I picked up last month when there was a big sale at Joann's.  All in preparation for lots of sewing.

Car Fabric

I may not have the daughter I thought I wanted to shop with and dress up and do girly things, but I have my O. This is one boy that appreciates fabric.

We went to JoAnn's and once we found this bolt, O had it on his lap and cried when the lady at the cutting table needed to make the one very fast cut. He loves JoAnn's. I think mostly because they have been doing major construction and the parking lot usually houses a couple excavators or dump trucks or diggers. Good times.

I bought this several months ago and just didn't know what to make it into it, and it became "car fabric". We would lay it on the carpet, and he would sit on it, getting mad every time it would bunch up when he twisted or stretched.

Knowing then that it was destined for a blanket, I finally did it. Using fusible batting, I stitched it together. Must say that I am not all that jazzed about the fusible batting, makes the blanket too stiff. Maybe washing will help.

So, as I was sewing in the basement (proper digs!) on my discount store table that shakes when I engage the presser foot, little O places his cheek at the side of the table and allows the vibrations to rattle that little, plump cheek. That boy surely makes me laugh.

Car fabric.

Sewing 101

No more Tupperware parties.
No 'scrapping' parties.
No candle parties.
It is time for sewing parties
and crafting parties.

Last weekend, Gretchen and I decided to try out a pattern I found for a buck. We used "repurposed" fabric. Repurposed is a term out in the crafting world that means just what it sounds like. The original purpose and use of this material was Little O's bumper pad for his crib. I really overbought on that one! (I love it.)

So, I showed Gretchen how to understand a pattern and what some of the symbols mean and we started cutting (and cutting and cutting). Then, Gretchen started pinning.
And pinning.
And pinning.
Very lovely pinning, but a pin need not be lovely, just...well, pinned.

After a terrible tragedy and a big bowl of ice cream, we had ourselves an apron. Gretchen gave it to a dear friend as part of a bridal shower gift and it was quite the hit. Nothing like a handmade gift.

I have my coupons clipped and schedule open for our search of fabric for our 'real' aprons. The ones we keep for ourselves.

After working some issues out on duration of time, I am hoping to offer "Apron Making Parties" or "Embroidery Parties". Any thoughts? Would anyone be interested?

Let's stop buying and start making!

Another Bag?

I love bags.

Many women love shoes. Shoes are nice, but I really only wear sneakers, flip flops and simple black shoes. That is all I need. But bags, I can never have enough bags. And bags are cheaper than shoes and a lot easier to make. Back when Tom and I were 'a courtin', I made him some suede high leg moccasins. It was a fun project, but not a very practical shoe.

The pleather diaper bag I made last month was made with a pattern. The pattern shape for the base of the bag is the simplest idea, yet works great, even if you don't really like to measure, or follow directions (like me). I have a real problem with following recipes, crochet patterns, sewing patterns, really any type of direction - except for electronics, you shouldn't mess with that stuff. I don't know why I alter, omit or edit. Maybe to be just a little different and feel like I have a bit of control.

The first year Sam was in Pre-K, I saw all the other kids give teacher gifts. On Valentines Day! In fact, every holiday, it seemed that other kids (moms) were sending in something for the teacher. So, we found some simple glass votive holder with pretty embossing at Michael's and decided that would be better appreciated than the silk rose or the wooden heart wall hanging. I forgot to buy little bags to put them in, so thought about the pile of felt I had.

The basic bag pattern for this is two slices of felt, folded in half (4X8 ish). On both bottom corners, I cut out squares, approximately the size of one blue four button Lego. Sewing the bottom and sides, leaving the cut out Lego space unsewn. Then open up the Lego space and match the two seams in the middle, this will form an angular shape to the bottom of the bag. Do this on the other Lego space and your bag shape is formed. Since I used felt, and wanted the sewn edges to show, I just trimmed the hems to be consistant with each other. I slipped a piece of ribbon in between the two layers of felt and stitched.

It didn't take too long, unless you ask Tom.

Giving Handmade Gifts

Sometimes it is to save a little money.

Sometimes it is because I don't have a project going.

Sometimes it is because I have a skein or two of yarn.

Most times, it is because I think the recipient would appreciate it.

Sometimes, they wish I would have gotten the Diaper Champ off the registry.

But this time, it is because he just loves it.


This is Myles - forgive us for the picture, it was taken moments ago by Myles' mom, Gretchen, via cell phone. Gretchen asked me to make a new bed for this awesome dog. This took 48 minutes to make, plus a little extra for the cool dog bone pillow that I really didn't think would be used as an actual pillow.

Sweet dreams, Myles! I'll make you anything.

Interested in a crocheted dog sweater and matching booties?

The Fall of Procrasti Nation

I Finished.

A full day and a half prior to the giving of this gift.

Could this possibly be the start of a new "Me"? This may seem odd, but there is a thrill to leaving project completions to the bitter end.

.

Photographing bags, specifically shiny black ones, isn't the easiest subject.

What I have learned:

1. Interfacing doesn't really like pleather.

2. Vinyl doesn't like to be machine sewn. And hand sewing isn't all that fun.

3. Zippers are hard.

4. Go basic. Figure out the basics, then step back and start the creative juices.

5. Zippers stink.

Aside from a couple sidelined steps, I think it came out pretty good. There is also a changing pad! I hope to get the expression captured on film once the flap is lifted and the lining is revealed.

Congratulations to Marie, Tanya, Deana, Julie and new Mom of two, Gena. We love babies!