Iz needed a new hat, so I found a bag of brown/red yarn at Value Village, threw in some eyelash yarn and knit her up this quick little hat. I used the . Let me tell you, it is my favorite pom pom maker OF ALL TIME. So quick, so easy, doesn’t fall apart, it’s a dream. I’ve made pom poms, just to have them.
I don’t know about you, but I have become a fan of , BIG TIME. You can shop on their if the Japanese site is tough (but so worth clicking around).
Birds. Yep, on the brain, like everyone else. You’ve seen them all I’m sure. I’m working on my own little pattern, a few variations. Thinking about a possible class at when it opens in Seattle. These are so quick and take just minutes to cut out, sew and stuff. Next step – off to to find the fabrics for my little flock.
I found these at too.
I’m going to be using them for the ornaments for the .
I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week. Why is there so much Christmas stuff in the stores already! I know why, I just wish those retailers wouldn’t do it. It makes me so crazy, I’m not buying anything this Christmas, I’m making it all from found stuff. So there.
Our wardrobes are always a work in progress – no? Our bodies changing, fashions changing, our styles evolving. We’ve been working on our jeans over the past few weeks.
I know – jeans are s-c-a-r-y, but NO! Sure, it’s a lot of sewing, and you need to know what to do to adjust the fit, but so worth it. I can’t wait to show you the finished fit. (I am already planning my many other pairs…)
Tissue Fit : Getting our patterns ready to try own before we cut the muslin.
Working on our muslins : Adding 1″ seam allowance so we can fit once we’ve basted them together. (tip -use denim to make your muslin, regular cotton muslin isn’t as sturdy as denim. Use denim, it will help with the fit)
Sewing : sewing sewing sewing the muslin. Jeans take a lot of sewing time…
Fit : Trying on the muslin – and going for a closer fit than this… and it’s not stretch.
Deciding that we should add a fly front to these jeans.
Mine are almost done. Black stretch corduroy. I have to tell you that the method used in the pattern I’m using is the EASIEST fly front I’ve ever done. A BREEZE. I’m not quite done, there’s still another step for the fly, but it was quick and easy and looks so great – I had to take a pic to show you. . Worth it for the fly instructions alone.
Well sort of I guess. I’m in a mad rush to finish a few pieces of clothing for my trip to NYC. I’m making jeans, which I love and while it’s a lot of sewing, they are not too complicated. I’ve really got my groove on, sewing the muslin in a snap, trying it on, not getting dressed so I can just hurry and finish and try them on again.
(Now, I know some of you do it too, right? I’m not alone when I sew in my skivvies…right? Hello?)
Anyway, I’ve got all my final fabric pieces cut, I serge finished them, applied all the interfacing and twill tape (so the waist doesn’t stretch). The machine is all set, I’ve got my jeans needles, my twin needles, my thread, I’ve wound a bunch of bobbins so I don’t have to stop and wind every few minutes. I start on the pockets and I insert the twin needle for topstitching, and what do you know, my removable spool holder is NO WHERE TO BE SEEN!!!! As is with a bunch of other little goodies from my machine kit. My trustly little assistant must have been digging around, because they were all there a month ago when I used them on a denim skirt. ARGGGH. No doubt they are in a special place. When I ask her where all of mommy’s tools are, I get a blank stare. Clearly I’m using the wrong words and she’s got her own words for them.
I’ve learned not to get too worked up. Part of learning (mommy and Iz), is to adapt to (not necessarily accept) things not going the way we want to.
Anyway, pockets are all stitched. I’m teaching a hat class tonight, so once I’m home, I’ll rig up another spool holder and other fun devices so I can make a bit more progress.
Yes, these are magical. These LuckyStitchers made these really amazing and wonderful and so-well-made messenger bags for I had so much fun, I think they really had fun too. The bags are each so special and spectacular. Great fabrics, fun appliqués and pockets, one even with a zipper! I really enjoy teaching people to sew. For me, it’s like a sew along, but I get to share what I’ve learned, and it’s even more wonderful to see the amazement on faces when they turn something right side out and realized that they made a bag! MAGIC! (not really, just patience, practice and direction…). There were some other photos, but this is my favorite. These three kindly humored me as I asked them to give me a “LuckyStitches” pose. The bags look better this way – don’t you think?
I made this little cape today for oldest, she’s going to be for Halloween. How cool is that?
The doll quilts started this past weekend at , here’s one getting “stripped” up! Jen has an amazing amount of fat quarters. I think this one might make it to crib size…stay tuned.
Here’s mine, all pieced together. I used scraps from my first quilt.
After reading on , I decided I must try this coat. Looks like it is pretty versatile, good for spring, good for fall and winter. I’m thinking a in a hot color (umm, like GARNET!) with a contrast lining. And, because I live in New England, I want to use .
Then for , I thought I’d try the from . I’ve read many a blog on stitchers working with Jalie patterns, and I’m pretty excited to try it. I have a favorite t-shirt, I love the neck drop and length, so I’ll be adjusting the pattern to match that T. I do love that the pattern is all sizes, so I’ll be tracing my pattern to pattern paper, so I can use the pattern again for my daughter (when she’s a bit older). Plus it’s a nice heavy paper, much less delicate than the normal tissue paper. I’ve got a few lightweight jerseys to try for this pattern, but I really want to find a cozy wool jersey. Can anybody share a good place on-line for light weight wool jersey? . .
T-shirt Class info at :
Skill Level – Advanced Beginner (must know how to sew)
$125
Saturday Oct 13, 20 2PM-5PM
Working from a commercial pattern, we’ll fit and stitch up your best fitting t-shirt yet! All of this while learning / practicing how to sew a knit! FUN! Seriously, you’ll be surprised at how simple it is to work with knits. For fun – since it’s winter, pick a wool jersey to make your t-shirt, nice an cozy!)
Supplies Needed: Your Sewing Machine, Your Sewing Kit, a commercial pattern, fabric and notions as noted on your pattern envelope. Pattern Paper will be available during class.
Iz needs a blanket, as next week she will be napping at school once a week. I thought it would be fun if we picked out fabric and made a quilt, so we took a trip to . I love walking into the shop. Tons of color, tons of patterns and the people are always so nice. And – where to start? First things first, Iz was escorted to the bucket-o-toys. I knew she wouldn’t be into picking fabric, at least not for very long. I pulled out my little inspiration – a cloth swim diaper (sorry – no picture), aqua with pink and red and yellow flowers – and away we went. I love working with creative people who know their store and their product. There was really no browsing (ok – because I knew there was a time limit if Iz and I were out shopping together…), and this is what I came home with. 1/2 yard of each. It’s enough to make TWO 45ish by 54ish quilts. I was so excited, I came home and threw them in the wash right away (why is it that some people don’t wash before they sew? is it easier to handle? I am so worried about shrinkage, plus the sizing in the fabric is no good for my allergies – or my body for that matter – yuck…anyway….). As soon as it came out of the wash, up they went to get ironed dry.
I love my handy dandy rotary cutter and self healing mat. They are so wonderful. I could not imagine cutting 150 or so 7″ squares with scissors. Cutting is not my favorite thing (although Iz loves using her ladybug scissors – and is quite good at it too!). I think that if I couldn’t have cut these out quickly with my rotary cutter, the fabric you see above, would have turned into skirts (not a bad thing!). Surprisingly, Iz sat quietly on the floor of my studio while I cut these out. I couldn’t believe that this was happening. Maybe because she knows all of this is for her (well half – the other is for a future cousin)? Thinking back to it, she was so content. Is this a step towards more independence for both of us?
I was so excited, I didn’t take a photo of all the cut squares. They sure did look nice though.
I wanted a really random layout. One quilt needs to be done by next Monday (Iz will need it Tuesday morning), so I have been really excited to get started and finish! (my wonderful creative husband), wanted to help out. We’ve been trying to spend our evenings working together and not in front of the television, but rather reading books, working on our projects, helping each other. It’s much nicer than turning into a vegetable at night. He suggested mixing up the swatches before laying out the quilts. It’s what he does when he does his . So, away we went. It made it really easy to lay out each quilt. 7 squares by 8 rows. Once we finished I only rearranged 1 or 2 (can’t help it, too much training…). Then, how to mark them? I didn’t have a place big enough to keep them out in their order, no flannel sheet or sticky board to keep them in order. So I tagged each row. 1a, 1b, 1c and so on. Pinned in the upper left corner. EASY! So easy to take each pile and sew a row. Then sew the rows together. This is what one of them looks like:
I love how the back looks. Maybe an idea for another type of quilt? Have to research that…
Anyway – each top took me about an hour to piece together. Not bad. I was a little worried that they would take me longer, and I only have a week to finish. Iz really likes them. “Is that mine mama? Can I make a quilt too?” There is something wonderfully satisfying about making things for your children.
I love the size of the quilt and I don’t think I’m going to add a border. I think I’ll bind it (I’m leaning towards a green binding of some sort) and I think the back of the quilt will be some sort of orange. Although, I am a bit worried about the dirt factor – maybe something darker? I’m off to Valley Fabrics again tomorrow to find the backing, get the batting and find the fabric for the binding. I’m planning on machine quilting this, and can anybody tell me – Do I need a special foot for my sewing machine? or can I use the standard one? I was also thinking about rounding the corners, instead of leaving them square. I am planning on a bias binding. Any advice?
ps – This is my first quilt. I have dreamed of making quilts since I think about the 4th grade. A friends mother tried to get me started, but instead of cutting squares, she had me cut tons of triangles. She lost me there. Then, in high school, I had a self portrait project (I wish I could find it). I painted a lifesize me on fabric, then cut it up into squares and mixed it with other squares of fabric. Kind of a quilt, but I didn’t consider it a quilt then.
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