Category: sewing

sewing

Trying not to lose my scissors

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My sewing space is in our bedroom. There’s a table with my two machines which doubles as my cutting table (hooray for Ikea and height adjustable tables!), and there’s the ironing board on the other side of the room. While this leaves me some open space for pin basting quilts or playing with colors and fabrics while planning a project, it means I bounce back and forth between the machines and the ironing board a lot. I have one pair of fabric scissors. They are forever not where I am. There are lots of solutions to the problem: buy more …

sewing

Making the Pledge

 

I really fell off the stashbusting wagon by the end of last year. I don’t recall that I made any formal pledge to not buy more fabric; maybe that’s why I didn’t make it. I’d like to blame something other than myself and either my lack of self-control or my ability to talk myself into anything fabric-related, but I’d only be doing it to make myself feel better. It wasn’t the discount’s fault. It was only doing what it was supposed to do (get people to buy fabric)… I’m the responsible one who can not eat the chocolate and not …

sewing

Not Stashbusting

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I’ve been very bad. Stashbusting takes two forms: First, sew up what you have. Second, don’t buy more fabric. Not only have I not participated in or paid attention to the Stashbusting Sew Along since June, I haven’t sewn much since then either. Nothing much has happened with this pile of fabric. I’ve got a skirt cut out and the darts pinned… and that’s as far as I’ve gotten. So, no points for me. Also, I’ve added all this to the fabric pile: On the left, that’s a blue chambray for me for a shirtdress, two shirts for Ian and …

Caitlyn, quilts, sewing

One Crazy Pillow

 

When Caitlyn was younger and invited to birthday parties, shopping for a gift was pretty straightforward. I’d set a budget, we’d talk a little about a theme and then go to the book store. She didn’t always choose a book for her friends but Barnes & Noble does have a ever changing collection of activity books and small toys; it was a system that kept things fairly simple and contained. No popping indecisively in and out of stores, minimal distraction from other items that maybe weren’t right for the birthday person but just perfect for Caitlyn. Not to say that …

sewing, Wardrobe Improvement Project

Too Many Variables Can Spoil the Soup

 

Back in June, Stash featured some lovely large scale dahlia fabric. I thought the fabric might make a fun version of Amy Butler’s Liverpool. I like to think I was mostly right. I made the tunic length (the pattern can work up as a shirt, a tunic, a short dress or a long dress), lengthening it 3/4 inch to put the waist at the right spot for me. I didn’t make any other adjustments. The pattern is well written, with detailed descriptions of each step. I’m a bit of a novice when it comes to shaping garments even though I’m …

quilts, sewing

A little Christmas in July

 

Over at Stash, we’re attempting to sell down leftovers from last December with a Christmas in July event. (Unfortunately, Stash’s online store has been closed down for logistical reasons – if you’re interested in any of the fabric, email me and I’ll figure something out.) Everyone was supposed to make a little something to showcase the fabrics. I made drawstring bags, because, well, that’s what I do. The fabric is Dear Mr. Claus by Cosmo Cricket for Moda. It’s got a retro feel to it, with this apple-cheeked whistling Santa and the tiny snowflakes. It’s a sizable collection, with a …