Showing posts with label My Sewing Nook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Sewing Nook. Show all posts
Hemming & Hawing
Monday, August 27, 2012
Hemming and hawing means to speak hesitantly or inarticulately, with numerous pauses and interjections. Although I rarely hem and haw -- I most certainly HEM!
Baby, Baby, Baby ~ My Favorite Baby Gift to Make & Take!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Fair warning here. We are getting close to the time when our new little family member will be making his appearance -- I've done really well at sitting on my hands BUT you might want to know that baby posts are a coming :)
Have you ever noticed that babies kind of arrive in clusters? Some sweet friends from church just had baby girl #3 a couple weeks ago. Daughter was 1 of 3 pregnant at work - one baby born recently and another to be born about 6 weeks after daughter's. One of daughter's besties is having a baby due the week before her (a baby girl named Lydia -- our baby boy's first girlfriend, lol) and a niece is also expecting in the same time frame (another baby boy). Nothing like having babies around.
I tend to make and take the same gift to every shower or every first visit to a new baby. I recently finished the one I am sending to niece's baby and I thought I'd share it with you.
I use 2 1-1/4 yard lengths of flannel. Matching is fine but not matching is better. Right-sides together, stitch the 2 pieces together, leaving an opening of about 6-inches for turning. Trim corners to 1/4-inch of stitching. Turn right-sides out and top-stitch around perimeter of blanket, closing the opening you previously left for turning. Now you are ready to crochet your edging on.
Forevah I have used the same pattern book for my edgings BUT you can find tons of patterns available on the internet. I used #29 for this particular blanket.
I am very happy with the end result of this one. This baby will live in a very cold part of the country so that double thickness will be super warm. If for a summer baby, I have also used just a single-thickness and simply hemmed the raw edges before attaching my thread and crocheting.
Now that is complete and ready to tuck into the mail this next week, I have another one to start....
sshhhh...don't tell - this one is for grandbaby!
Posting to Susan's Metamorphosis Monday at BNOTP!
Sew What?!
Monday, September 12, 2011
photo credit: Cath KidstonWell, September is crusing along -- what have you been sewing?
I thought I'd share some projects that my bloggy friends have posted on their blogs. All of these are simple tutorials for WONDERFUL projects. Hope you are inspired!
Yvonne's Making Napkins with Mitered Corners
Yvonne's Apron Strings - Making a Simple Apron
Ellen's Lunch Bag
Ellen's Pintuck Pillows
Crystal's Reversable Half Apron
Liz's Reversable Baby Sling
Shannon's Baby Swaddler
Amamda's Pleated Tablerunner
Tara's Flannel Baby Blankets
Please post a comment with any sewing projects you've blogged about. Happy Stitching!!
Sewing -- In the JAR!!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Last week I shared that September is National Sewing Month. That got me to thinking -- whether you are a seasoned seamstress or not, we all need to be prepared to do SOME sewing -- you know, replacing a button, fixing a hem, stitching up a busting seam. Nothing that requires a lot of talent BUT you have to have the supplies to do these jobs. I have a young woman at work who asks me to help her with these little chores. Last week I stitched on a wayward sequined star on her daughter's jeans. I don't mind helping but she doesn't do it herself because she isn't prepared to do so. My grown daughter is in the same boat (she just brings what she needs fixed to Mom's).
While browsing the internet I came accross the perfect solution to this......
Isn't this sweet? This one is sold by ANTHROPOLOGIE and I have to admit that I about choked on my coffee when I saw that it sells for $48.00 (GULP).
Anyone could make one -- including me. My plan was to make several to hand out as gifts for my co-worker, my daughters, and to have a few on hand.
So I made a list of what was in the Anthropologie Jar --
thread (just 2 spools), thimble, safety pins, needle threader, straight pins, measuring tape, needles and scissors. Then I thought, what else would be handy....an assortment of buttons, more of an assortment of threads and a seam ripper.
Off I went to the BIG BOX store to price and purchase all the items to stuff the jars with. YIKES -- these were going to be a bit spendy to stuff with style. Then I spyed a ready made kit by Dritz with all the components I had on my list -- selling for under $5.00. Perfect!! It also came in a variety of great colors - hot pink, purple, lime green.
What else was I going to need --
1 Large Canning Jar (with two-piece lid and ring) - I have a pantry full of these
1 small piece of fabric (1" larger than the circumference of lid) - from my scrap bag
small handful of batting - I have a bag of this in my sewing supplies but if you don't have some already, you could use a few cotton balls instead
Hot Glue Gun
Plug in glue gun to warm up. Lay fabric face down on work surface. Place a small amount of batting in the center. Place lid, top down on the batting and pull around. Slide the ring portion of the lid over the batting/fabric, and pull fabric taut. Trim any excess fabric. Glue the fabric to the underside of the lid, making sure to maintain a bulge on top. I embleshed the lid ring with some rickrack scraps but you could use ribbon, twine like the Anthropologie jar or no embleshing at all. Since I have a large supply of canning jars and used scraps, my total cost was the approximately $5.00 for the Dritz sewing kits to stuff the jars with. A handy and economical gift!
Joining Honey @ 2805 for ---
While browsing the internet I came accross the perfect solution to this......
Isn't this sweet? This one is sold by ANTHROPOLOGIE and I have to admit that I about choked on my coffee when I saw that it sells for $48.00 (GULP).
Anyone could make one -- including me. My plan was to make several to hand out as gifts for my co-worker, my daughters, and to have a few on hand.
So I made a list of what was in the Anthropologie Jar --
thread (just 2 spools), thimble, safety pins, needle threader, straight pins, measuring tape, needles and scissors. Then I thought, what else would be handy....an assortment of buttons, more of an assortment of threads and a seam ripper.
Off I went to the BIG BOX store to price and purchase all the items to stuff the jars with. YIKES -- these were going to be a bit spendy to stuff with style. Then I spyed a ready made kit by Dritz with all the components I had on my list -- selling for under $5.00. Perfect!! It also came in a variety of great colors - hot pink, purple, lime green.
What else was I going to need --
1 Large Canning Jar (with two-piece lid and ring) - I have a pantry full of these
1 small piece of fabric (1" larger than the circumference of lid) - from my scrap bag
small handful of batting - I have a bag of this in my sewing supplies but if you don't have some already, you could use a few cotton balls instead
Hot Glue Gun
Plug in glue gun to warm up. Lay fabric face down on work surface. Place a small amount of batting in the center. Place lid, top down on the batting and pull around. Slide the ring portion of the lid over the batting/fabric, and pull fabric taut. Trim any excess fabric. Glue the fabric to the underside of the lid, making sure to maintain a bulge on top. I embleshed the lid ring with some rickrack scraps but you could use ribbon, twine like the Anthropologie jar or no embleshing at all. Since I have a large supply of canning jars and used scraps, my total cost was the approximately $5.00 for the Dritz sewing kits to stuff the jars with. A handy and economical gift!
Joining Honey @ 2805 for ---
Did you know?
Thursday, September 1, 2011
September is National Sewing Month!! Do you sew? My start was a rocky one. First I have to say that my Mom wasn't a seamstress but she did go thru a stage where she attempted to make some garments for my sisters and I. Somewhere there is photographic evidence of her attempts -- my 2 sisters and I in MATCHING outfits -- I am the oldest -- pure TORTURE when you are on the verge of being a teenager, lol. Then I was in Miss Swisher's 7th grade Cooking/Sewing class at Woodrow Wilson Jr. High. I aced the cooking semester but hated the sewing semester. We made a gym bag and an apron -- I remember it like it was yesterday (instead of 1972, lol).
My apron was red gingham and I had to take a seam ripper to it (had issues with pleats and gathers) so many times that I am surprised I didn't have holes worn in it. I survived Miss Swisher's class and even got a decent grade. Somehow, I ended up in a more advanced sewing class in 8th grade -- very bad experience that involved a brown plaid jumper and sneaking it home in the above-mentioned gym bag so my Mom could help me set the zipper. I bid good-riddance to sewing after that....I thought forever. I figured sewing just wasn't for me.
Years later, I was a young homemaker on a very slim budget and I wanted new curtains for my little cottage-style home. I decided I'd give sewing another try. I found making curtains and pillows and such a lot of fun and I could do it for a fraction of the cost of ready or custom made. I even made some simple garments for my children. Then I discovered QUILTS!! I was hooked. My skills improved with each new project and it is now something I love to do. I still mostly stick to quilts and home decorating although I now make aprons again -- lots of aprons!
Since this is the official month to promote sewing, I thought I'd do a series of posts on just that -- sewing!! I wish that I had ignited a love of sewing in my daughters but alas, they seem to have no interest -- but I have to remind myself that I didn't have an interest at their ages either -- maybe there is still hope. Through the month of September, I will be posting some simple tutorials and sewing inspired posts and introduce you to a special friend :)
Redwork
Monday, October 25, 2010
I learned how to embroider as a little girl. It is something I have always enjoyed. I have a set of pillow cases that I made for my grandma when I was 9 or 10 and I retrieved them after she passed on. Kind of crude but I've learned with practice.
I moved from simple embroidery to cross stitching and then back to simple embroidery...most specifically REDWORK. It is my very favorite. I want to share A Redwork Embroidery Primer for anyone who is interested in knowing more about Redwork.
Last year I was shopping my favorite thrifty store and found a zippered freezer bag FULL of skeens of red embroidery floss. I knew I could put them to good use and they were priced at only $2.00. So I purchased them, brought them home and stuffed them in a crafting drawer and moved on.
I had a few small projects I was working on but what I had in my embroidery basket was enough that I didn't need to seek out my thrifty purchase until recently. What a surprise I had in store for me. Not only was this beautiful, vibrant, red floss, it was from American Thread Co. (the Star Thread folks) and the skeens are marked 5¢ each. Oh, my...how long ago was embroidery floss only 5¢ a skeen!
I am currently working on a little red sunbonnet sue for a apron pocket panel for a swap I am participating in. Shhhh...don't tell my swap partner!
Posting to:
Sue's REDnesday
Suzanne's Vintage Thingie Thursday
Debra's Vintage Inspired Friday
Laurie's Favorite Things
I moved from simple embroidery to cross stitching and then back to simple embroidery...most specifically REDWORK. It is my very favorite. I want to share A Redwork Embroidery Primer for anyone who is interested in knowing more about Redwork.
Last year I was shopping my favorite thrifty store and found a zippered freezer bag FULL of skeens of red embroidery floss. I knew I could put them to good use and they were priced at only $2.00. So I purchased them, brought them home and stuffed them in a crafting drawer and moved on.
I had a few small projects I was working on but what I had in my embroidery basket was enough that I didn't need to seek out my thrifty purchase until recently. What a surprise I had in store for me. Not only was this beautiful, vibrant, red floss, it was from American Thread Co. (the Star Thread folks) and the skeens are marked 5¢ each. Oh, my...how long ago was embroidery floss only 5¢ a skeen!
I am currently working on a little red sunbonnet sue for a apron pocket panel for a swap I am participating in. Shhhh...don't tell my swap partner!
Posting to:
Sue's REDnesday
Suzanne's Vintage Thingie Thursday
Debra's Vintage Inspired Friday
Laurie's Favorite Things
Book Review - The Kitchen Linens Book
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
I am sharing for the first time at Vintage Thingies Thursday. I found this a couple weeks ago and promised I'd be back to post.
The Kitchen Linens Book
Using, Sharing, and Cherishing the Fabric of Our Daily Lives by EllynAnne Geisel
I posted earlier this week on my love of vintage linens……especially kitchen linens. I have found a kindred spirit in EllynAnne Geisel. I reviewed The Apron Book a few months back and loved it…as much as I loved the first book, if I could only own one (thankfully, I own both, lol), I’d choose The Kitchen Linens Book.
I have many memories tied to the kitchen. My Mom and my grandmothers were all great cooks. Early in my childhood, I was drawn into their magical world. I couldn’t wait to take part in the magic they created. I would tie on an apron, drag a chair over to the counter and beg to peel carrots or measure ingredients. Thank the Lord for a patient mother who eagerly accepted my help (I tried hard to be that same Mom for my kids). Attached to those great memories are the fun and whimsical kitchen linens and dishes (we’ll talk dishes another day) from the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. As I’ve said previously, I just loved that the dishtowels had a task assigned to each day of the week. Of course, as a child, I didn’t know that stemmed from an old English Rhyme…I just knew I loved the orderliness of it all.
Wash on Monday,
Iron on Tuesday,
Bake on Wednesday,
Brew on Thursday,
Churn on Friday,
Mend on Saturday,
Go to meeting on Sunday.
Now that I’ve created a home for my family, I collect vintage linens for enjoyment but also embroider *vintage look* towels for use. Years back I ran into a treasure trove….a box full of vintage patterns at a farm sale. Old Aunt Martha and Vogart patterns……Scotty Dogs, Roosters, Baskets of Fruits, Dutch Girls, Animated Kitchen Gadgets, etc., I’ve made them all…at least once. Some have been given as gifts, others sold and most have been the towels of my own kitchen. One of the things about The Kitchen Linens Book that got my attention is that it includes a Butterick Transfer Pattern for “Vintage Kitchen Towel Motif”. I was very excited about that pattern. I carefully cut out the motif I wanted to embroider onto a towel to feature with this review and was very disappointed that it did not transfer well. Below is the towel, but it is obvious to me that the pattern really wasn’t intended for use....much less repeat use like those old ones were.
Disappointing. That said, I still love the book and will enjoy thumbing through it many times and reading of others with sweet memories like my own. If you are not so into vintage kitchen linens, look for this book at your public library and just see if it evokes memories for you. Maybe you’ll be a convert!
I thought I’d share some great information from the book (page 11).
How to Apply a Transfer
1. Set dry iron to “Linen” setting (350 degrees). Allow iron to reach proper temperature or transfer may not work.
2. Place protective cloth over ironing board to keep excess ink from staining ironing board cover.
3. Place fabric on iron board, right side up, over the protective cloth.
4. Place transfer face down on fabric.
5. Place a clean sheet of paper directly over the transfer so that the entire inked surface is covered.
6. Press firmly and evenly in slow, circular motion for 30 seconds, no longer. BE CAREFUL TO HOLD TRANSFER IN ONE PLACE TO AVOID SMEARING.
7. Allow to cool for at least one minute before removing paper.
Are you looking for hot-iron transfers of vintage designs, check out some of these online sources:
www.sewingpalette.com
www.colonialpatterns.com
http://www.yesterdayscharm.com (my favorite)
www.patternbee.com
http://mytransfers.blogspot.com
The Kitchen Linens Book
Using, Sharing, and Cherishing the Fabric of Our Daily Lives by EllynAnne Geisel
I posted earlier this week on my love of vintage linens……especially kitchen linens. I have found a kindred spirit in EllynAnne Geisel. I reviewed The Apron Book a few months back and loved it…as much as I loved the first book, if I could only own one (thankfully, I own both, lol), I’d choose The Kitchen Linens Book.
I have many memories tied to the kitchen. My Mom and my grandmothers were all great cooks. Early in my childhood, I was drawn into their magical world. I couldn’t wait to take part in the magic they created. I would tie on an apron, drag a chair over to the counter and beg to peel carrots or measure ingredients. Thank the Lord for a patient mother who eagerly accepted my help (I tried hard to be that same Mom for my kids). Attached to those great memories are the fun and whimsical kitchen linens and dishes (we’ll talk dishes another day) from the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. As I’ve said previously, I just loved that the dishtowels had a task assigned to each day of the week. Of course, as a child, I didn’t know that stemmed from an old English Rhyme…I just knew I loved the orderliness of it all.
Wash on Monday,
Iron on Tuesday,
Bake on Wednesday,
Brew on Thursday,
Churn on Friday,
Mend on Saturday,
Go to meeting on Sunday.
Now that I’ve created a home for my family, I collect vintage linens for enjoyment but also embroider *vintage look* towels for use. Years back I ran into a treasure trove….a box full of vintage patterns at a farm sale. Old Aunt Martha and Vogart patterns……Scotty Dogs, Roosters, Baskets of Fruits, Dutch Girls, Animated Kitchen Gadgets, etc., I’ve made them all…at least once. Some have been given as gifts, others sold and most have been the towels of my own kitchen. One of the things about The Kitchen Linens Book that got my attention is that it includes a Butterick Transfer Pattern for “Vintage Kitchen Towel Motif”. I was very excited about that pattern. I carefully cut out the motif I wanted to embroider onto a towel to feature with this review and was very disappointed that it did not transfer well. Below is the towel, but it is obvious to me that the pattern really wasn’t intended for use....much less repeat use like those old ones were.
Disappointing. That said, I still love the book and will enjoy thumbing through it many times and reading of others with sweet memories like my own. If you are not so into vintage kitchen linens, look for this book at your public library and just see if it evokes memories for you. Maybe you’ll be a convert!
I thought I’d share some great information from the book (page 11).
How to Apply a Transfer
1. Set dry iron to “Linen” setting (350 degrees). Allow iron to reach proper temperature or transfer may not work.
2. Place protective cloth over ironing board to keep excess ink from staining ironing board cover.
3. Place fabric on iron board, right side up, over the protective cloth.
4. Place transfer face down on fabric.
5. Place a clean sheet of paper directly over the transfer so that the entire inked surface is covered.
6. Press firmly and evenly in slow, circular motion for 30 seconds, no longer. BE CAREFUL TO HOLD TRANSFER IN ONE PLACE TO AVOID SMEARING.
7. Allow to cool for at least one minute before removing paper.
Are you looking for hot-iron transfers of vintage designs, check out some of these online sources:
www.sewingpalette.com
www.colonialpatterns.com
http://www.yesterdayscharm.com (my favorite)
www.patternbee.com
http://mytransfers.blogspot.com
Whatcha Working on Wednesday
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
As I posted yesterday, I am participating in the Freezer/Pantry Challenge at Yvonne’s StoneGable, I am also joining in today at Leslie’s My Country Home’s Whatcha Working On Wednesday. I mention both of these because I am coming to the realization that I need some accountability in some of the projects I have undertook. I could offer some excuses, BUT that is exactly what they are….EXCUSES.
That out of the way, I am a quilter. I love to quilt. I’ve made 2 quilts this year. Not a lot, but a fair number. I usually machine piece and hand quilt. I love hand work. I’ve made many totally hand done quilts…hand pieced and hand quilted. I just love the quietness of handwork. Also, hand piecing is very tote friendly. I can take it along to piano lessons, sports practice and my lunch hour at work. Last December I started a small hand pieced quilt. Not a big job. A total of 16 blocks that measure 10” each. Oh, and I just love the fabrics. Some have been in my stash for years and I was so excited to finally find the right project for them. Shamefaced I have to say that I have completed 9 of the 16 blocks and have done the piecework to assemble the remaining 7 blocks. I want to finish this project. I’m entering my busiest time at work and I know that my time will be limited, BUT I determine that I will have this quilt finished and my deadline…APRIL 15, 2010. I hope to post my progress over the next few weeks and want to be held accountable. And I vow to not start another quilt until this one is done!
So this is my fabrics...
I love this fabric and am not sure how long it's been in my stash.
The rest of the fabrics come from Lynette Jensen's Thimbleberries fabrics. The 2 purples are from the Subtle Solids Collection and the bold gold (don't remember what Thimbleberries collection it is from) will serve as sashing and the backing. I just love the little white flowers in that one. Reminds me of Lily-of-the-valley....one of my favorite flowers.
And my pattern...
Is the Double Cross from Marcia's Quilters Cache. I love free patterns.
And my progress...
So, what are you working on? Do you have any UFO (Unfinished Objects)? Tell me about them (I'll feel much better, lol) and join with me in getting them finished up so we can move on to new projects in the New Year!
That out of the way, I am a quilter. I love to quilt. I’ve made 2 quilts this year. Not a lot, but a fair number. I usually machine piece and hand quilt. I love hand work. I’ve made many totally hand done quilts…hand pieced and hand quilted. I just love the quietness of handwork. Also, hand piecing is very tote friendly. I can take it along to piano lessons, sports practice and my lunch hour at work. Last December I started a small hand pieced quilt. Not a big job. A total of 16 blocks that measure 10” each. Oh, and I just love the fabrics. Some have been in my stash for years and I was so excited to finally find the right project for them. Shamefaced I have to say that I have completed 9 of the 16 blocks and have done the piecework to assemble the remaining 7 blocks. I want to finish this project. I’m entering my busiest time at work and I know that my time will be limited, BUT I determine that I will have this quilt finished and my deadline…APRIL 15, 2010. I hope to post my progress over the next few weeks and want to be held accountable. And I vow to not start another quilt until this one is done!
So this is my fabrics...
I love this fabric and am not sure how long it's been in my stash.
The rest of the fabrics come from Lynette Jensen's Thimbleberries fabrics. The 2 purples are from the Subtle Solids Collection and the bold gold (don't remember what Thimbleberries collection it is from) will serve as sashing and the backing. I just love the little white flowers in that one. Reminds me of Lily-of-the-valley....one of my favorite flowers.
And my pattern...
Is the Double Cross from Marcia's Quilters Cache. I love free patterns.
And my progress...
So, what are you working on? Do you have any UFO (Unfinished Objects)? Tell me about them (I'll feel much better, lol) and join with me in getting them finished up so we can move on to new projects in the New Year!
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