Nesting and Gift Giving

Fall is here. The weather is occasionally nippy and the days are shortening. My garden has a 'done' look. At times like this my mind goes all nesty (spell check wants to change that to nasty) on me.

I started obsessively going through my yarn stash and the knitting needles are out. I have a scarf and a neck warmer done and I'm full tilt into a cute little shrug. All that amazing yarn I've picked up at various sales is meeting its destiny. Yah! The pompom scarf is an inch thick. The pompoms knit and lay on both sides. Plush!

Now, all these things are for Christmas presents. I make up a drawer full of things and then let the chosen pick what they like - or not, doesn't matter to me. This takes all the pressure off me regarding matching the perfect present to the recipient. I like to make things. Why take away the pleasure of that with the perceived pressure from the recipient? I also never worry about any of them getting a preview via this blog. None of them read my blog, ungrateful wretches.

And if one of them does, that lucky person may make the appropriate sucking up noises if they see something they like. One year I did that. I sent them all a picture of what was up for grabs and the best suck up emails got first choice. It was an interesting year! Giving should be fun. Make it so!

 

I've also completed a baby quilt for the nephew's latest bun in the oven. It gave me a chance to try out the prairie pointer tool and pinwheels and echo quilting. This quilting is starting to be more of a big deal. I am no longer content with stitch in the ditch. If fact, I don't even like the way it looks anymore. I can never stay in the ditch (it's the car driver in me) and I don't like those resultant wobbly lines.

I've never made prairie points before and was a bit doubtful that a (rather expensive) metal triangle was worth the money and fuss. So I tried making points without it first. You just don't get crisp, even points without it, and you do burn a lot of fingers. It really is much faster, accurate and totally worth the money, if you need to make more than a few points. From the baby's point of view, she/he now has something to play with and munch on in a pinch. I'm so thoughtful!

For those who don't know what a prairie point is, those triangle things are separate stand alone insertions, like little flaps. I will do a page on this quilt elsewhere in the blog soon. Please note - the triangles are all supposed to be heading in the clockwise direction. Oops. I knew that.

Me in Grey Pinstripes

I just finished this dress. I used a lovely grey pinstriped wool knit I got in Montreal this summer. The fabric has hardly aged a bit!

Again, I tried to follow the directions. Now, I've made Tilton dresses before. I was looking forward to it, and I'm very pleased with the way the dress turned out. It fits well (No thanks to the pattern there. I used a previously fitted T-shirt pattern from Jalie to set things up).

Knits curl. This dress has no hemlines or finished edges at all, and these edges need more thought and attention than the pattern suggests, methinks, as it suggests almost nothing. I found the least curly direction of stretch and cut straight across that to be the bottom edge of every tier. Only wear time will tell if that works.

The pattern has the bottom tier going the opposite way to all the rest. This is said in the instructions to be a way to stabilize the bottom edge. I didn't like the stripes taking off in a vertical direction. Every version I have seen in other blogs look a bit weird when they did that. It takes away a bit of balance, and I need to balance my top and bottom edges. I don't want a really skinny part down around my knees. I like how mine turned out.

I had been warned that this style ends up draping your body with many layers (thanks C!), and this can be a bit like an oven. Indeed you have a layer underneath from top to bottom and then layers sewn, overlapping to that base layer. Up to 3 layers. Hot! I also had that wool to think about next to my skin. I used a black satin tricot with the satin side facing in. It gives me a slip type lining. There's no need to use the same knit for that under layer. I'm surprised they don't suggest a tricot or stretch lining. You do need to be aware of stretch and matching inner and outer fabrics, but if both are fairly stable and you run some tests, you should be able to manage.

I also stitched the bottom hems together (tricot and knit) so the hem doesn't slip down. They are cut to be identical lengths, and you know that will never stay put. I used a tiny zigzag 1 cm from the bottom, and it's invisible. I did the same thing to the sleeves to give that edge some weight. As the sleeves were not lined, I used a 3 cm strip of tricot inside the bottom edge.

I was worried the sleeve armhole seam would be scratchy. I dug out a roll of stretchy tricot (Seams Great) that's meant to wrap seams as a finish. I've used it for easing in sleeves, but found it flimsy and fiddly to work with. Well, as it was meant to bind a seam I tried it. It actually goes on very well if you don't pull on it. You just lay half of it under the edge to be covered, and the other side rolls to the front on it's own. I zigzagged it in place and the seam is lovely and soft.

I don't like wide standard neck finishes. This called for a sewn on binding. The wool is a bit beefy, and I tested it out as the pattern calls for standard stitch, flip, stitch in the ditch. It looked like a tootsie roll. I stitched the neck binding right sides to the front, trimmed the seam allowance right down and flipped it to make a tiny, tight edge. Then I stitched in the ditch and slit the edge to release tension. I used the blind hem stitch so it stitches in the ditch and then makes a little wrap stitch around the collar edge. Very nice. You always have tension when you stitch in the ditch.  Why don't directions mention this?

 How do you like my new tags? They are woven and beautiful! They were under a buck each, and I think it's high time I had some. I may get a cheaper and different version for my more relaxed items. It's good to have more the 1 line. Karl has several, after all!

Here I am in my dress. Aren't I just the cat's meow?

Purse Palooza

I have always loved purses, and Sew Sweetness is having a Purse Palooza this month. Check it out. They review 2 patterns each day, and have tons of give aways! I just need to make purses this month. They're getting me all inspired. I have dug out scrumptious wools and leathers, and lots of inspiration pictures. Now, I just need to get some of these quilts bundled up.

I was off to the Apple store today for phone lessons (not sure I like that new operating system yet). I met 6 other wonderful women, all with newer phones than mine. In fact I believe the oldest person there had the newest phone, and then it trickled down to me. It's amazing what we all use our phones for, and how practical our needs were. Other people messing with your phone seemed to be a common problem. Those with children seemed most put upon. So glad I didn't go that route.

Then I window shopped. I took my birthday watch to the Fossil store to see it's relatives, none of which had price tags. People! Really! So pretentious. I felt like a Facebook page there. The sales clerks 'liked' my glasses, my jacket and everything I touched. Purses seem to be very classic and unadorned this year. A delightful change. I just want to touch them all. Banana Republic had wonderful classic and wearable designs. It's well worth a look if you want to wear something that feels so nice, or if you are looking for sewing inspirations. Sew Lady Sew was there, sporting offspring and grand offspring. She was aglow with maternal pride. She should be. Until I noticed the sprout I had that daughter pegged for the non maternal type. She was beautifully put together and most composed. Most young mothers I see look like - well, young mothers. Actually, it was hard not to notice the sprout, as she was whizzed into viewing position by the proud grandmama. I don't know which one was cuter.

DH is sporting a new Tardis mug for his birthday. Although it says on the box it is official merchandise, I have trouble believing the Doctor approved anything that isn't dishwasher safe. We also went to see the new Rush movie. It's excellent. Although it is a car movie the 2 characters were the heart of the movie. Ron Howard does a lovely movie I think.

I love reading blogs and follow people or products I like. It gives you so much to think about and I learn things I'd never know about otherwise. If there is a contest to enter, I like to roll the dice. Well, I won! Clover Needlecraft (they also make my beloved yoyo makers) had an 'Upgrade your Stuff' contest and I scored a lovely pair of scissors in a leather sheath. They are the type that cut perfectly right down to the end. I tried them on buttonholes and they were lovely. I keep them in the sheath for protection for those sharp little points. Everyone deserves the best tools and should treat them well. Isn't that a lesson we all wish we had learned so much earlier? I wouldn't have wasted so much time and money trying to 'make do' with what I had instead of honouring the craft and getting what I needed. My husband's garage has good tools. I should too.

So I love my contest scissors, but they also threw in a Nancy Zieman pattern template for tablet totes and proper stiffener for building one. It's thin, light and tough. Looks like it will work very well. I'll be into that before Christmas. Everyone seems to have tablets now. I started another trend! Ipad owes it all to me!

Update

Love to smell clothes fresh off the line! DH would prefer his unmentionables to be dryer soft. I shall make it so. I do think my towels look whiter. My clothespin holder is too small and is available upon request. I need to build a new one.

This week I sewed with a body part not previously used by most sewers. Minimizer bra now being considered. As I make my own, I have to think this one over. The Great P thinks I should teach a class in different ways to get that seam done. Just think of the supply list!

I joined Mayflower Quilt Guild this week. There were 86 people at the first meeting and easily over 100 quilts for display THIS MONTH! What have I done? It was a well organized and talented group. I knew some people from different parts of my life so I felt quite at home. Now I understand I need to find a 'bee'. A bee is a social group that meets to work together. Most bees have a quota and I may need to start my own. Then again, maybe I'll coast for a bit. These people are productive!

I'm working on a dress. Again, I am reading the directions as I didn't draft this myself. DH is helping with the fitting. He has decided I need a sway back adjustment. He doesn't know that. He just pinned one out and said "Much better!". I have avoided that previously. It just seemed to be an adjustment for the overly picky. However, It did really look much nicer. He also requested sharper pins please.

DH is home now on medical leave. It's an adjustment for the better for me. Weekends no longer mean what they used to as he doesn't have a schedule. But he is inspecting my lunches and slipping in vegetables where no vegetable has gone before. He had a hot supper on the table when I got home from the shop! Mind you, there were (again) vegetables. It's nice to have him home and he is looking after himself properly. Good boy!

The Sensational Snip and Sip slapped me round tonight. I had a water bottle and placed it on the cutting table, rather than the designated SSS drink corral. Next thing I know I have a flood on the floor. That thing gave me a most dirty and 'I told you so' look. Nasty.

Shop Girl Again

Now here is the most - well I'm not sure I have the words. The Great P and I spotted this in an order book somewhere and got 1 in. We have these crazed moments.  Alcohol may have been involved. She took it home first and wasn't sold. I took it next and I love it! It's actually very sturdy and holds my huge mugs solidly. Note the slot for the handle! Instead of tossing scraps over my shoulder (like I do when driving my truck) many of them actually make it to the scrap bag.  Nothing has fallen into the mug, and that was a concern. Or maybe I didn't notice? I haven't spilled tea on fabric or machine since I got it. It's called the Sensational Snip and Sip and cost about $27. Now do you see why my job is more of a 'break even' activity? If you want one, call us and we'll order you one in. It's an exclusive item for the very discerning sewer, methinks.

Hung Out To Dry

I got a clothesline! It's my first in about 30 years. There was an unfortunate incident back then with a load of wash and 50 million spiders, and it no longer seemed worth it. Until now. I want to smell sun in my clothes.

I picked up this slender model at Lee Valley, so you know it should work well. So far I am very pleased. It goes up and down with one hand and spins with 1 finger. And it looks tres chic! The picture of it collapsed didn't cloud properly. It looks like a metal pole. All the lines fold up neatly inside. Its installation was my reward for helping with the Ledwidge lookoff  Rally.

There are things I need to learn about having a clothesline. My sisters have a long list of things they think I need to learn, but the stuff they consider important does not mean as much to me. I don't care about how many clothespins are needed on each garment. Do you overlap and share pins, or not? Shirts  hang from the armpits or the hem? Don't know, not all that caring either. They should be thankful I hang out their clothes in the first place. Ungrateful!

But I now know you need to wash in the morning or things may not be dry by supper, when they should come in. I may need to wash twice a week, as 2 loads seems to be the right amount of wash vs dry time vs length of day. And leaving sheets on the line at night doesn't deter the deer in the nearby vegetable garden. I've set up a motion sensor water squirter (Lee Valley again!) to deal with the deer, and it may be working. I'll get back to you on that.

Also I have learned that my new clothespin holder is the most adorable thing ever, but it's too small and I need to make another.  Not a problem. I bought a set of baby sized plastic hangers, so I may run up a few more. Anyone need a small sized holder?

Blueberry

I have been really avoiding garment sewing and I don't know why. I hadn't even made the sewing guild challenge garment, and it is a summer dress! So I got to it. I borrowed a book on fitting and took a stab at a full bust adjustment. The tissue fitting had indicated I needed to go out and down with things. OK. I did try. Really. But it just didn't work. It would have been a lot more time and what seemed to me a hit and miss procedure.

I went to plan B. I drafted a front sloper with the same princess seaming using Pattern Master Boutique.  I laid it over the original pattern and traced a new front from the waist up. I frankentaped it together and cut it out.

Hmmm.... Should have checked the shoulder seam match first. The original pattern called for an extended shoulder forming a cap sleeve. Therefore I had a case of cap sleeve meets sleeveless dress. I rather liked the idea of a cap sleeve. So I drafted a yoke that bridged the front and back and filled in that missing fabric in front.

The yoke was a plain blue linen and I decided I should embroider it a bit, as I have this great embroidery machine and haven't done anything with embroidery yet. Some frustration later I called the Great P at the shop to tell her the machine wasn't working, the service hadn't been done, and all kinds of other things that had nothing to do with why I couldn't embroider.

I had the wrong embroidery foot selected. The Great P is so patient with me! Isn't it funny how driver error is the last thing we think of?

So I embroidered some lovely flowers and put the yokes in place. Down the stairs to DH, my best sartorial critic. He loved the dress, but didn't like the yokes. He thought they would have been better in a faux leather perhaps. I swear that man writes for Vogue. I had originally considered that, but thought it too edgy. We examined the possibilities and went with a sleeveless dress. It just meant cutting the back to reflect the front.

I love Blueberry. The pattern is actually a large knitted sweater pattern. She's a comfortable dress and seems to suit me. I am going to try more frankentaping. (Thanks to Sew Lady Sew for the franken idea).  I like patterns as they give me a design with a lot of the design parameters worked out. My software gets me a fit I can wear. I also need to finish fitting my dress form. That will complete my fitting arsenal methinks.

 Now here are the edge finishes I used. The left finish tended to stretch the edge a bit. The one on the right did not. You need to pay attention to your machine. It does try to help you out with clues.  (I'm so thrilled I recognized these on my own, after only sewing half the edges!) When I selected the stitch on the left, my machine suggested a foot that was not IDT friendly and no IDT. The stitch goes forwards and backwards, and a walking foot doesn't. The stitch on the right did work with IDT. IDT keeps the edges from stretching. The bits of paper caught in the stitches are from the pattern tracing paper I used to stabilize the fabric. Then I trimmed the edges close with my beloved duck billed scissors. Quack!