It’s the Cat’s Meow

I have taken a hiatus from sewing because life got in the way.  I went off to Little Rock to be with my nephew who just got a very successful kidney transplant.  I tell you, it was like a miracle unfolding before our very eyes and a young man now has a new lease on life.

But this week, I had to sew…actually I started this last weekend.  For some time now I have had a Simplicity pattern (now OOP)  for making a pet bed.  This is a round ball like cave…just the sort of thing that kitties crave.  As a matter of fact, both mine just love it.  Making the thing, on the other hand…was not such a fun project. 

The outer shell is an inexpensive, knit back faux fur.  The inner shell is a knit microfiber suede that is a lot more lime green than it appears in the photo.  It is cute.  You cut 2 layers of the inner shell…I cut 1 of green suede and 1 of muslin, and sew pockets to insert 3/4″ foam cut to shape.  That was not too bad until I tried to insert the curved pieces in the front sections….it is narrow at the fullest sides of the circle and even my tiny hands (size 4.5 ring) will not fit through…so it was shove and pull…one piece of foam is now 2 pieces, and I have NO fingernails.  You run a piece of 16 gauge wire in the channel of the front opening for support.  DH helped me manhandle the 18 gauge wire I found in the jewelry section of JoAnn’s and we got it done.

The best part…the lime microfiber is a wadder recycled….sometimes I skip the muslin and usually I am sorry….no muslin for the cat cave.  And it is adorable…at least the Kitties, DH and I think so….

On the cutting table now:  Hot Patterns 1002 and Simplicity 2697.  Hope to finish at least one of them tomorrow.

Technorati Tags: Simplicity,Hot Patterns,Sewing

The Sisterhood of Those Who Sew

This week Pam Erny of Off The Cuff nominated me for a Sewing Sister award.   Well, all I can say is what a privilege to be in the company of sewing sister’s like Pam!  Honestly, just about the only blogs I read are sewing related.  This has been such a busy week I am waaaay behind!  But, I am going to do my best to honor some of my fellow sewists who I enjoy reading.  Here are the guidelines of this award:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.

 

That being said, I would like to nominate:

Marty – who doesn’t life’s little challenges hold her back.  She volunteers at her church in a sewing ministry she founded.  She will alter or mend for anyone as a gift to God.   I admire her generosity.

Anne – over at Bunny Tails who is incredibly talented and incredibly generous with her free block of the month.

Kristy of Lower your Presser Foot fame who accomplished an amazing amount of sewing while pregnant and having her home renovated.  She is one determined gal.  I can hardly wait to see her creations for the little one.

I also like reading Pam’s (Pam Kitty Morning) blog just because it’s fun.

Liana at Sew Intriguing master of the Marfy patterns.

Myrna at Creative Conversation.  I love the way she fearlessly tries new things…and lots of new things, and share so much of her thought process.

 

That’s it…

Now there are many more blogs I read and enjoy, but I am trying not to renominate the same folks as Pam, and I am trying to think just who really shows gratitude or attitude.  So…there you have my official list!   If I make it any longer I will never make this post.  So…I’m wrapping it up and punching the publish button!

 

Oh….and if you didn’t click on the link to Pam’s blog again you really must!  I know she is famous for her custom men’s shirts, but I really enjoy her delightful creations for her nieces.  You must run over and take a peek.  I promise, it will brighten your day.

Loretta

Instructional Design and the 6 Year Old Sewist

My 6yo DGS loves to sew.  We have already zipped up a pillow for his bed and he wanted to make pajama pants. 

DGS likes to sew, and he likes to sew FAST!  He also likes doing something I tell him is hard.  He is great at figuring out how things work and so if he sees it  done a time or two and figures it out on his own he likes it much better than if you tell him directly how something is done.

To make the pants I traced around a Kwik Sew (2604 with the legs lengthened) pattern with a piece of chalk right on the back of the flannel.  The flannel stuck together nicely and so he could cut it out without the help of pins.  It worked great and when I let him use the ‘big scissors’ (aka my KAI shears – purchased from Bobbi Bullard) he cut an amazingly straight line.

I  then pinned the seams using my big old quilting pins.  I placed a big chunk of blue painter’s tape on the 5/8 mark on my sewing machine bed.  I told him that he could sew as fast as he wanted (of course I had the sew slow button pushed on my Pfaff 7570) as long as he kept his hands in front of the needle, he kept the fabric even with the blue tape, and he pulled out any pins before he sewed over them.  I told him this would be very hard.  And, if he ran over any pins and broke them he would have to throw the pins away and I would have to take over the sewing.  I stressed that sewing over pins was dangerous as we might get one in our eye, and besides…I was sure he would be as good at stopping as he was going fast, because after all, he was a very good sewing machine driver.  We only went over 1 pin in the whole construction process and when we did we stopped and talked about how glad we both were that it did not break and we didn’t hurt our eyes.

After the seams were sewn we went to the serger.  Yes…I let the boy serge around the waist.  I did the serging on the pant legs.  He was great at keeping the fabric right against the knife.  I did not let him cut any off.

Then, I pinned in the casing and the hems.  The casing sewing was easy because I put a pin laying down in the “hole” we were leaving and told him to stop before he got to it, he did.  He also figured out how to use both the back stitch and the stitch in place button successfully after seeing me do both one time.

for the hems we just folded up the serged edge 1/2 inch and put the pant leg on the free arm.  He successfully kept the edge of the presser foot pretty straight on the hem.  We didn’t have to fix any missed pieces although I am glad we were not using the black thread he wanted to use.  I told him black thread could only be used by experts and he would have to practice a bit first.  This was only after he refused to accept my explanation about matching thread.  After all, the pirate monkeys in the print did have black hats!

Skills I successfully described as advanced included using my duckbilled scissors and using a seam ripper.

Contrary to good sewing technique, we did not press any seams.  I trust that boy a lot more with the sewing machine than I do the iron.  I also ran the elastic through the casing because he had a hard time with that task.  Once finished, he put them on, modeled them for grandpa, and declared that he was smarter than any boy in his class because he could sew!  I of course, being a very proud grandma, agreed!

Technorati Tags: Kwik Sew Kai Scissors Teaching sewing to children

Out With the Old, In With the New!

2008 has been the year of physical challenges.  I am currently typing with my right arm in a lovely elbow length cast (purple) and I’m sitting in the wheelchair I have to use since I fell off my crutches waiting for the post surgery knee to be ready for full out walking.  (Thank goodness for voice recognition software.) I can not tell you how much I am ready for the new! 

Being sewing deprived at the moment I decided I would dream about what I hope to accomplish in 2009…sewing wise.

1. Sew more..I love the process.
2. I plan to start by making a new winter coat as soon as I am decast!
3. Learn to use the MacGen portion of Patternmaker.  Yes, I can run it, but I stumble and do and redo…I want to use it like second nature.
4. Finish some projects waiting in the wings when the knee went bad:
• A red leather purse from a skirt purchased at Goodwill.
• My living room redo which includes drapes, pillows for the sofa and since my dining room adjoins, drapes and recovering the chair seats.  I have had the current drapes and chairs for 16 years…time for a fresh look.
5. Whip up some cute tea towels using embroidery and sewn borders (I have a pattern).
6. Finish my cute Burda skirt that was rendered UFO by this fall resulting in a fractured wrist.
7. Make a spring and summer wardrobe before the season arrives so that I can actually wear it during the season.
8. Resume the interrupted sewing lessons for DGD.

That is an ambitious list from where I sit right now, but I’m battling the no sewing stint by reading my sewing friend’s blogs, studying some of the books in my library, and perusing a new knitting book since I can’t manage a knitting needle right now either.

So my sewing friends, here’s to 2009.  May it be filled with satisfying sewing days which result in well fitting, much loved garments and other great projects.  May you use the stash steadily and never run out, refine your fit, stay ahead of the seasons, and create gifts that are both works of art and heart!

Loretta

Life Has It’s Challenges

NO, I have not vanished from the blogosphere.  I had knee surgery several weeks ago.  While out on my crutches I slipped and broke my right wrist.  Since left hand one finger typing does not exactly lead to the free flow of ideas…or sewing for that matter…I haven’t been doing much of either. 

Prior to the wrist break I did manage to trace off this Burda skirt and actually cut it out and sew it up on my little oval dining table….cutting was harder than sewing with the huge strange shaped pieces.   But just shy of the hem…I went down!  DH moved all my sewing back upstairs where I definitely can not get in my wheelchair for Christmas as we needed the dining table for family. So…I spend my time sewing vicariously by reading blogs,  reading books, and perusing a stack of old magazines that my friend Val sent me all the way from Chicago.  Val has a knack for perfect gifts!

 

Speaking of perfect gifts, If you are an Ottobre Design, you will just love Teri’s new Ottobre on-line index she spoiled us with this Christmas.

 

Were’s the pic?…Well the skirt is black and the hand can not manage the camera at this time.  And the hem is full of pins which I dare not try on the way my luck is running right now!!

A Pretty Good Shoe for Walking on One Leg

Earlier in the week I had some work done on my knee.  I won’t go into the details but it was as we discovered during surgery long over due.  The result of this is 6 weeks of walking on crutches, bearing no weight on the ‘repaired’ leg.   This means I’m pretty much confined to the house since we have no way to enter or exit without doing stairs and right now that is a significant challenge.  As my arms strengthen, I am sure it will get easier.  Also, the other knee hurts (probably needs 2-3 of the procedures done on the right one) and I am dealing with an on-going case of plantar faciitis.  I have been wearing a nice pair of dansko clog sandals all summer but as fall turns brisk and beautiful I need a bit more on my feet…even inside much of the time.  I also needed something to support the foot and to be light enough in weight that I was not stressing the ‘good’ leg and foot any more than need be.  Dansko to the rescue again.  My secret weapon is the outlet section.  I have ordered more than one pair of shoes from the outlet and have yet to identify the “blemish” as one that made the shoes not worth the significant discount.  I ordered the New Generation Courtney in nubuck leather.  They are slightly sporty and since this type of shoe normally looks so clunky, sporty can be a good compromise.  The fit is a little larger than some of the shoes but that works for me…especially with these furry microfiber socks which can easily go under the blankets as I repeatedly ice the knee.  Not exactly a fashion statement, but mission accomplished and they will be wearable for casual wear later (Dansko’s seem to last forever) if I don’t wear out the left one before I ever put the right one on! 

So…even though I am not strolling down the street enjoying our lovely fall color or sprinting off to do an errand.  I am stocked with a pile of good books, a knitted sweater that needs finishing and perhaps I can coax someone to brave the sewing room and bring some project that can be done by hand down from upstairs.  And I am able to motivate to the windows to look out and enjoy the lovely fall day and look forward to 6 weeks from now…whoo hoo….I’m gonna dance down those steps and out of the house for lunch with a friend, a trip to the library, and who knows…maybe I will check out the quilt store over in Franklin I have never visited.  LOL!  Loretta

Writing on the Wall

Our church is moving.  We have purchased a former Media Play building and are in the process of remodeling it.  At the stage of drywall on one side of the wall we were invited to write prayers and scriptures onto the walls.  Yes, it will be inside, but we will know it is there.  My grandchildren thought this was fabulous fun!  Truthfully, I was pleased to add my favorite verses as well.  The occasion caused me to pause and realize how grateful I am.  In the last 6 years, it’s almost our anniversary, I have acquired a husband, 3 beautiful daughters (inside and out) and 5 wonderful grandchildren.  All my grandchildren are being brought up to know and worship the LORD.  Yes…I am blessed! 

Look how he is stretching up…I think writing high on the wall makes you feel older!

Elvis – alive and well in Nashville

DGS wanted to be Elvis for halloween.  He’s just 6 and came up with this idea all on his own.  We thought that was very original…especially since he knows very little about Elvis.  So…grandma to the rescue.  He was by the estimation of every one who counts the cutest little guy at the trunk or treat.

Now he was a bit disappointed when he learned that the miracle sewing grandma did not do wigs but I think his own hair dyed a fine dark shade was just perfect!  He had his own sort of dance, and Elvis would not have recognized it, but it was good enough to earn a half a pillowcase full of goodies that evening, many of which he ate while bouncing on the back seat of our car as we greeted the late comers to the event held in our church parking lot.  Aside from being a bit hyped up on sugar, as were most children who arrived early and stayed for the entire event, he went home a happy boy and grandma (that’s me) pulled off the heroine role of the evening.

Pattern used:  Simplicity 2880.  Fabrics…an old white bedsheet, some cheap sequin knit from Wally World, glitter paints and sequins.  It was easy to sew.  The hard part was the fact that it jumps size Ranges 2-4 is one size 6-8 is the next.  So what do you make a skinny size 5?  I went with the 2-4 and added a bit to each side and to the length.  I could have added a bit more length in the body.  It was wedgie prown.  But not so uncomfortable that he couldnt, run, jump, wiggle and dance in it for over 2 hours!

OK…I still don’t like piecing…but I do like quilting!

I have always had an aversion to the work that goes into piecing a quilt.  It has always seemed like the same fiddly thing over and over.  OK you quilters….don’t get offended….you probably hate setting in zippers.

But, I wanted to make something for fall for a friend.  I have always enjoyed handwork and found this pattern for an appliqued table center piece.  I decided to give it a try.  My applique is simple fusing with hand stitching to finish the edges of each piece.  I used “wonder under” to fuse the pieces into place and have to say it will not be a favorite for this technique.  It is all I could lay my hands on locally but it is just too stiff to stitch through nicely.  So…my goal is to find something ‘kinder’.  I do have some misty fuse…but could not figure out how to trace the patterns on so skipped that one.

I quilted the centerpiece using the pattern in the background fabric and went around each of the appliqued elements.  I did freemotion on the border.  I tried using monofilament but my Pfaff just insisted on creating a bird’s nest.  So I used an off-white thread.  I did struggle with the free motion.  The border stippling went pretty well but the stitching around the appliques found me just fighting the machine.  I feel I need a “slicker” surface to slide the fabric freely. 

My friend, who doesn’t sew, absolutely loved her gift and had not idea what the stitching would look like if I had been a pro…so…mission accomplished!

I’ll turn on a dime for a trip to the beach!

Maybe I just have sewing ADD….I certainly have the unfinished projects to support that diagnosis, but I choose to think I am just going where my excitement dwells today.  Last weekend I convinced DH that I needed a trip to the beach (which he does not enjoy) that is near fabulous golf courses which he does enjoy very much.  By Tuesday we had made reservations at a golf resort on the gulf in a community with a private beach.  So…since I will be spending 4 lovely days enjoying both the beach and the pools (this place has 3 thank you and one is right across from the little guest house we have rented.)

Yes, if you must ask, I do still have one leg in a cast part time.  But I am mostly a beach lounger and sand can be banished from an air cast with the help of a blow dryer and a vacuum cleaner.  So, I need swim suits…lots of suits.  LOL

Today I made the Jalie 2006 Tankini.  Normally, I sew Kwik Sew suits but I wanted to try this one since Jalie has such great patterns.  I was not disappointed.  Their patterns fit incredibly well.  I did make a few minor modifications in the interest of my age and my figure. 

Here’s the suit top  and here are the bottoms.   As much as I would love to show you what the suit looks like on, I would need a psych exam if I posted pictures of myself on the Internet in a swim suit.  Trust me, this is a much less distracting view. 

I cut the entire suit from my normal size.  I happen to be the same top and bottom.  I did modify the top by making it about 2 inches longer.  I don’t need the peek-a-boo look going on with my tummy.   I also curved the back leg of the panty down about 1/2″ extra at the outer edge of the curve.  I like plenty of ‘bun coverage’. 

I need a bra in my swim suits.  While this suit does have a nice shelf bra I am afraid that is not sufficient for this chest.  And besides, I need a bit of modesty in the event of a cool breeze.  So…I added molded swim cups straight from Anne at the Needle Nook.  Don’t ask me what size they are…I just call up Anne and tell her I need more.  She knows what size I need and kindly spares me the details.  They arrive in just a few days.  I installed the cups, and a firm 3/4″ elastic band below them which sews into the sideseams.  Also, in the interest of a smoother fit, I lined just the top portion of the back of the suit as well.  This is a standard stretch swim suit lining with lycra.  I just left the bottom edge of the back lining unfinished.  It seemed smoother that way. 

I  fully lined the bottoms.  Just makes for a firmer fit and less jiggles.  I anchor the lining in the crotch seam, sew the side seams independently and then add the elastic.  This leaves all seams in between the suit and the lining on the bottoms.

My only other addition was a little band of twill tape between the bra cups.  I find that at times when my suit gets wet the cups seem to want to migrate toward the underarm area.  I am hoping this bit of 3.8″ twill tape firmly anchored to the cups and lining only will prevent that tendency.  This theory has not yet been “water tested”.

This pattern has a cute skirt too.  I have plenty of leftover fabric since I am so short.  I plan to whip up the skirt too before I rethread the serger. 

Source of fabric:  Rose City Textiles – has been in stash 4 or 5 years.

Techniques used…3 thread overlock with woolly nylon in the lower looper on all seams.

   Elastic serged to edges and turned then sewn down with 3-step zig-zag.  Yes…my Evolve will do a cover stitch and normally I use it on suits.  But I quickly realized that there was a lot of bulk where those little straps connected to the top of the suit.  While the technique for installing the straps worked beautifully, I did not trust the coverstitch not to ball up and look unsightly in a very visible place.  So…I just used the 3-step and it turned out lovely.  This is what Jalie recommends anyway.  Interestingly, they do not show serger techniques in their instructions.  I used the stretch blind hem on the hem.  I like it, I could have used the coverstitch there, but why…this was so easy and I did not have to rethread the serger.

If you are not accustomed to sewing your swimsuits let me encourage you to consider making one.  They are so easy.  So quick.  So inexpensive.  And they actually cover you where you want to be covered!

UPDATE:  Tracing cute skirt pattern – 10 minutes, Sewing Cute skirt pattern: 15 minutes.  Tried it on, fits like a charm!

del.icio.us Tags: Sewing Techniques Swimsuits Jalie Patterns Installing a bra