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Tag: stash

busy fabrics

Project Not So Good

August 6, 2017 /

Well, in the life of sewing and crafts there’s always a project that doesn’t turn out quite the way you would expect. That’s what happened with this potholder. Now potholders are pretty forgiving which is good. I always can use another potholder and this one is destined to live in my kitchen rather than be given away. I loved the fabric. It was cute with a vintage feel. And I love the text fabric as well. Putting them together in this block was not so good. The print was too busy for this block pattern and the text print was too busy to go with this fabric as well. Both prints are the same scale so there is not enough contrast. The colors were fine but ugh..

The positives however were that I can always use another potholder and I got to practice making a new to me block. I also got to practice finishing the potholder. I struggle with the hand sewing to close the side where I turned it so every time I practice it gets better. There will be better choices next time and I did use up some more fabric.

busy fabrics

Uh oh!

October 29, 2011 /

It happened.  Late at night of course while I was picking up and finishing the last of the evening projects.  You know how it is. You’re tired and in a hurry and suddenly.. oops!  I was cleaning off the top of the sewing table and pushed on a pile of stuff so I could organize my other piles when it happened.  I heard a loud plop and my magnetic pin cushion slid off the back of the sewing table and crashed on the floor.  The floor is tile and you can imagine what happened.  My lovely magnetic pin cushion lay in pieces and there were pins splattered all over the floor.  Not in a convenient place to pick things up either.  So I got down on my hands and knees, scooted under the machine and gathered up all my lovely pins and the remaining pieces of this pin cushion.  Although this is not my favorite color pin cushion it is a favorite because of the function. If you’ve never used a magnetic pin cushion put it on your next birthday/Christmas any occasion gift list.  Once you’ve used one you will not want to be without.  I do use several pin cushions including a wrist pincushion, a small pin cushion just for sewing needles, one for machine needles that’s marked with sizes and then my magnetic pin cushion.  This is so handy when you’re pinning taking pins out of things and you can just lay them down.  They all stay in one place.  When you pick them up they are easy to grab as well.  I’ve relocated the pins for a time and have the glue out to see if I can make repairs.  If not, then it will go on my Christmas list.  Next time I want a red one please. Or even a blue one or a purple one or I guess any one would do.

Fleece Socks

October 11, 2011 /

Many moons ago…or at least fifteen years I think, I was in a fleece sock making mode.  I made big socks, little socks, lightweight socks, heavy socks, patterned sock and plain socks.  Yes I had a great time.  They were fast and easy with my new serger.  When my family was no longer interested in fleece socks, I mean how many pair of fleece socks can a person wear, I gave socks to friends and finally had to give up the fleece sock adventure and move to something else.  Now I’ve had one of those friends ask for new fleece socks.  It’s getting to be fall and the feet are getting cold and the old socks have finally worn out.

This was such a fun project.  I went into the storage room where all the “vintage” fabrics and patterns are located and shopped.  I located fleece and my favorite sock pattern. This is a Rain Shed pattern.  The Rain Shed company is located in Corvallis Oregon so they really understand the local climate and needs.  This pattern is very high quality, it fits well and is fast to sew.  It also produces a professional end product which makes it very satisfying to sew.

The first pair is done.  Now the victim or I mean friend can come and test the fit and I’ll be inclined to sew a few more pair.

fleece socks

Coaster number 3

September 18, 2011 /

My first attempt at coasters was ok because they were cute.  Yes, they are also functional but still didn’t really meet my needs as far as dealing with the condensation on the glass with all the ice cubes. Especially if it had been sitting for a while.  Now I didn’t write about try number 2 bust basically what I did was use the apple squares and add a layer of microfiber dishtowel to the batting layer.  This was a better solution but still not adequate.  Here is try number three.  I started not really knowing how big I was going to make this but I had been using a hot pad that was ok so I decided that a bigger version would work.  My kitchen table is formica so getting the table wet wasn’t the problem so much as leaving water on the table so other items got wet.  When I sit at the table, particularly for lunch or a break, I like to read.  The condensation on the glass would get my book or magazine wet.  After I got a Kindle it was suddenly more than just an annoyance but now was deemed a necessity to control the water.  This time I started with a fan pattern.  I’ve been thinking about trying one of these to see how I liked it.  I also knew that I wanted to use some olive fabric that I had so I pulled some fabrics that would look good together and got started.  These are colors that are a bit out of my comfort zone but it turned out fine and I think it will work. I used a layer of insulbrite which has a layer of foil between the batting and also a layer of microfiber kitchen towel.  Because of the larger size and the different layers I’m thinking this should give me an all day solution to wet spots at the table.

It’s been several days…

July 2, 2011 /

Been a while since I’ve updated this blog.  I’ve been busy with things like a trip to Portland, getting ready for camp, Father’s Day and trips to the ER with a sick kid upgrading a computer and oh yes, a bit of work, laundry and other assorted items..  All interesting in different ways! None of this however has kept me from investing in a bit of fabric and doing a bit of sewing.

I have almost all of the rows together for my x’s and o’s quilt and am anxious to get back to that.  This probably isn’t going to be the week for that however.  Probably not until the end of month.  I have also started another project.  It’s called The Farmers Wife Quilt Sampler Quilt. I’ve been watching as folks all over  blog land have been joining this quilt along and I decided that maybe I should do this at my own pace.  It’s based on letters from 1920 farm wives and it contains 111 blocks they inspired.  Bloggers I have noticed have talked about doing 2 blocks a week and so far I’ve had fun.  I’ve just finished my first 4. Here again, there will probably be no more until close to the end of the month but I look forward to the process.  I’ve enjoyed it for several reasons.  I think it’s been a bit more like fashion sewing because there is a specific pattern and template pieces.  It has been interesting to try to keep the accuracy up as I trace and cut the pieces with the scissors but I’ve enjoyed the very small projects and sense of accomplishment when they are done.

We are still waiting for summer to arrive but at least today there was sun.  We were out for a drive and bought some fresh fruit so I think tomorrow there will be strawberry jam.  I just unearthed the jam jars from the storage room and now have to go and read the directions on the pectin box.  I’ll make freezer jam and will probably need to go and buy some sugar and lemon juice before I start.

More fun to follow.

 

 

Poulsbo

June 8, 2011 /

Yesterday I took the ferry across the water to meet a dear friend.  We met on our first day of college and our friendship has endured through all the years and all sorts of good times and hard times.  Nice to have a friend like that. We can always pick up where the last conversation ended even if it’s been months or sometimes it has been a year or two.  She lives about an hour and a half from me so although we share regular email we only get a real visit every few months.  Yesterday was the day!  She has a niece getting married next summer and that child has asked for a king sized quilt.  Now my DF is an accomplished seamstress but in recent years has found knitting to be more her calling.  It was with great pleasure that we met at Heirloom Quilts and Fabrics in Poulsbo.  With the a bit of time and some help from the sewing experts in the store we picked out some gorgeous batik fabric for the quilt.  She has a year to craft this lovely gift and is anxious to get it started.  She is going to piece the top and have it professionally quilted.  I’m excited to see the end result.

What would a trip to a quilt shop be however if I didn’t make a purchase as well.  I certainly need to support the local economy.  Actually, I was very restrained and only came home with three pieces of fabric.  I was a very good girl!  Now I’m anxious to get back to some sewing however.  I did manage to get a few blocks sewn yesterday but there will be no more time for several days.  For now I will just have to be content to stare at the new additions and dream the dream of projects yet to come.

Boy bibs

May 24, 2011 /

It’s been many years since my baby boy has needed a bib!  They are fun to make and here are a couple of boy versions.  I’m sure I’ll be making more soon.  Yesterday I bought a clearance bath towel at TJ Max that will make a great back for many bibs.  It’s fun to add the colors and designs to the back and inside of projects and this will be an easy and cost effective way to add some fun.  For now however, here are the boy bibs.   And oh yes, my baby boy did not will the Billboard competition but was included in footage on the Billboard Awards on Sunday evening. They did a wonderful job and are all winners in my book.  So fun to see him there.  Exciting moment for this momma!

Baby bibs

May 23, 2011 /

I haven’t had too much time to sew this last week because I was out of town.  The band did a fabulous job but did not win.  It was fun to see a few snippets of them on the Billboard Music awards last night however.  They did show a montage of the bands and their road trips so Hotels was there.  Very cool.

This week the sewing has been baby bibs.  I had lots of fun doing these. They were quick and easy.  I know there are lots of free patterns out and previously I just copied a pattern that I had here  but I actually used McCalls 6108. It was fast and easy and the proportions were perfect. I used some fun fabric and lined them with terry and the Mom was pleased.  Here are the little girl versions and I’ll post the little boy versions a bit later today.

Birthday

April 26, 2011 /

Daughter number 1 is now a year older.  It’s been fun to sew a few new things for her this year.  I don’t think I’ve ever made her an apron so she got her own apron.  She is a coffee lover so this is made with coffee cup fabric and coffee beans. Also some giant ric rac.  It makes me laugh to see how popular the use of ric rac has become.  When I first started to sew in the 60’s and 70’s it was popular and then it became unpopular because it made things look so”homemade.” Now it’s popular and makes things look “hand crafted”.  Hmm..

 

I also made this little purse with a zip pouch inside.  I made a strap to attach it to and also used a magnetic fastener. That was fun and easy to do but I will do it a bit differently next time.  She loved the fabric and size however so that was a success.

Last year I made a barrel bag from some embroidered denim.  She has used it almost every day and said she would like another.  I made this one from ultra suede and did a zip pouch and key fob.  It will be interesting to see how it holds but it is interesting fabric and she again seemed pleased. Happy Birthday Daughter!

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