a little sewing and a new blog to read
2007 @ 9:59 am
Hey out there… remember those awesome reversible project bags that some Spiders were knocking out earlier this year? No? Check out Jess’ tutorial. I finally made one for myself 
Jess and I had a little sewing bee over here last night and wound up with two great project bags! Here’s mine:
and the inside:
and the too-cool-for-school bottom:
Thank you Jess for providing hands-on help (although it was really easy once you understand the construction) and a perfectly matched drawstring!
And now, I’ve got a new blog for you guys: KIMMYMADE! Watch this girl–she’s coming out with seriously cute softies and will be opening an etsy shop soon. Her latest project is hands-down the sassiest thing I’ve ever seen made out of recycled sweaters.
I leave you with this–our kaleidescope. Taken from three feet away.
long overdue project
2007 @ 8:57 pm
Miss MJ has a new little something to wear. For the next two days at least. This top was started when she was about 6 months old and it took me until last week to finish it. I ran into a little snag with the instructions and it fell to the wayside. Well, at least she can wear it this week
Pattern: Simplicity 4203 View D
Fabric: Alexander Henry Raindrop Stripe
Obviously, this was a bit challenging for me. I got stuck at the ruffle. Having never done one before, it took me three tries. Then it took me another little while to interpret the instructions for attaching the bodice to the skirt. In all honesty, I still don’t understand–my sister gave me verbal, step-by-step instructions through the rest of the project (putting in the elastic).
Visualizing how the pieces of a pattern fit together is not intuitive just yet. i can tell I am getting better though and look forward to learning from my next project. I’m hoping that will be a corduroy jumper… I’ve got my eye on old school 70’s pattern on Ebay
machine needles demystified
2007 @ 6:14 am
As new-to-sewing I have found the numbering of needles confusing. Much a the way a newbie knitter figures out that the sticks are dually numbered (thank you American exceptionalism), I want to understand the two numbers on my machine needle packages. I suspect the same social theory is to blame for my confusion. There are plenty of sites out there that will tell you which needle is recommended for which fabric (. But what’s the rationale behind the numbers? I spent considerable time chasing 2 popular needle companies: Singer and Organ and then found this!
If you think I’m wasting my time here–check this out. The first three packages listed below tell us they are “yellow band” ballpoint, yet clearly only one is banded yellow. The other two are blue and purple respectively. All of the needles are style 2045, but I’ve only heard of style 20/20 when shopping in stores. I guess regular point needles have a blue background to its package and chromium needles have a yellow background, but no description on the package. Oh wait, some chromiums have a red background. Oops, and so do some ballpoints. I think the blue might represent “variety pack”?
My point is, if there is rhyme or reason to this, it’s not apparent. You must read your package very carefully and choose the needle that is right for your project. Ignore all the colors and flashing lights! Stich ‘Em Up has a good reference chart.
Although I did some research on this topic, our thanks must go to About.com. Thank you Debbie Colgrove for recognizing this gap in sewing knowledge available on the web! Her chart clarified my main confusion, but there are plenty of other numbers, colors and letters to add confusion when shopping for needles.
The Organ Co. goes a step further than Singer and on its User Support page explains the letters (OMG, letters?!) that are sometimes found with the numbers on their packages.
Many of our household-use sewing machine needles bear the designation “HA.” The “H” stands for “Household-use” and the “A” the order in which our household-use sewing machine needles have been developed. The designation “x1″ identifies the sewing machine needle as the first generation of the “HA” family. The designation “HAx1″ therefore means that this needle embodies the earliest developments of household-use sewing machine needles that have to date been put to practical use.
I ask you–who but Organ really cares about the generational of the needle? Visit them for more details, but letters also denote recommended fabric type (knit, organza, leather) at the Organ Co. The site provides a handy chart for which needle, thread and fabric work best in concert (see User Support page). Organ also appears to make a needle that is even finer than an 8/60. Only birds can hear it sew 
I hope this helps someone–it certainly helped me!
Confounded machines.
2007 @ 3:38 pm
Confounded machines. I always fall back to the sticks. I’ll spend an entire day (usually around all the fabric at Brooklyn Gen) desperate to sew, come home and settle in only to look at the machine, which is set up all the time, mind you, and decide I’m too tired. At, like, 8:30. Ah, I’ve been disappointed in myself many a night when I kick back with the sticks rather than setting out to sew. Silly, I know. I finally managed to sit down at the machine two nights ago only to be locked in a three day obsessive merry-go-round with my bobbin hold, case and actual bobbin. And maybe the needle, I don’t know that much about the thing. After losing six hours of precious time (I could have been re-reading HP6) Ahm takin’ her in. I can straight stitch, but nothing else.
Zig Zag only works on one side (red thread):
I blame a renegade pin.
Other notable incidents in the last 72 hrs:
Broken Needle:
Oiling.
Even Father-in-Law reinforcements. He used to own a factory full of sewing machines.
On to more helpful information–less bitching, more fixing!
one year young…
2007 @ 7:13 pm
My biggest craft project of the year turned one yesterday. The year has flown by, but by the same token, it feels like it’s been forever and a day. I made this hokey bib to go along with the gorgeous dress my mom made for MJ’s big day (and Easter too). Purple suits her!
In other crafty news, I’ve started teaching classes at Brooklyn General. I don’t even know if I’ve blogged about that before! I really love it–each class is so unique and I learn something every time. We are starting two new classes this week–Beginner Knitting and Beyond Scarves. Like any of you readers need that! Beyond Scarves has been my favorite thus far. Each person brings a project that they want help with, or that’s stymied them for a time. The benefit here is that everyone in the class learns something they want to learn and also sees other techniques demonstrated. Our last session covered seams, cables, picking up stitches, circular knitting, and more.
I’ll also be taking a class at Brooklyn General in a couple of weeks. There is the WOOL, HAND DYED embroidery thread at the shop that I just must use. I never thought twice about handstitched embroidery until I saw the stuff. We have a new teacher, Cal Patch, who will be giving a two hour Embroidery Workshop on the 29th. Can’t wait. Drop me a line if you’d like to join in the fun.
I’ve been doing some sewing and some knitting–same old boring seed stitch scarf. I made MJ another pair of pants and have almost completed a very adorable top. Here’s some progress shots on that…
Gathers are fun, but I’m ripping this one out. I redid it and have to rip AGAIN. I thought sewing wouldn’t involve as much frogging as knitting. hmph.
This is the fabric, Raindrop Stripe by Alexander Henry, that I am using for the sweet little top. I love love love it.
As mentioned, I also completed another pair of pants for MJ. Almost entirely without incident, I might add.
Well, that sums it up. i been busy
pants off, dance off!
2007 @ 2:29 pm
Hot off the machine–a pair of pants for MJ! These are done in muslin following an unfortunate mishap with some nice cotton. Note to self–match one front to one back and then do it again. I was very happy to make these in muslin, to tell you the truth! I wanted to try out some new techniques based on tips taken from the gals that hang around Brooklyn General. First off, here they are in all their baby capri glory:
Now for the fun stuff. I used green thread and some decorative stitching to make the muslin less boring.
My ulterior motive for this vine? Tack down the seam allowance. I tacked it towards the back (as per advice given) since the bum is bigger!
And on the inside, since i am the anal retentive seamstress (apparently), I had a go at tucking in my seam allowance at the front and back crotch seam.
Things are a little sketchy with the hem. I forgot to follow the instructions and things got a little sloppy! I think I’ll just sew some nice little dooda on the cuff to distract the eye.
Next up, put pants on baby! And make more with “real” fabric.
another sewing project
2007 @ 7:57 am
Yes, i am still knitting, but it’s just a boring seed stitch scarf for the husband. If you really want to see it, I’ll post it sometime this week.
I whipped up this little (okay, it’s large) pillow one night last week. It’s also an Alexander Henry print. What is it with me and this dude lately? It’s a flange pillow using instructions from my Singer Complete Guide to Sewing. I got the pillow form at Ikea for a cool $7.50! All goose down.
Excuse Mr. Sassy… he is unconscious on the couch quite often and i just wanted to take the picture already.
I discovered during this project that I need a zipper font. I’ve got a wonky seam since I sewed the pillow form right into the thing. I just couldn’t get close enough to connect the line! I also learned how to blind hem stitch for this pillow, which is a neat little trick! Even so, I remember my mom having something called “invisible thread”. I’m gonna go out and get some of that stuff.
evening burp cloth. not exactly black tie.
2007 @ 10:51 am
(I apologize for the less than stellar pics)
Life’s been pretty hectic these days. I’ve picked up some odd job work (ever sent 700 faxes in a day?), had a friend visit (never. drinking. again. ever.) and have been teaching
beginning knitting over at Brooklyn General. As you can imagine, it’s pretty tough to work in there and not constantly be thinking about projects. Constantly. My co-worker (and mommy to MJ’s best baby bud) and I have a new mantra, “I could make that… but I won’t”. And not for lack of wanting to–only for lack of time!
One such project was a burp cloth–conceived the moment I saw the fabric, an Alexander Henry print.
Finding the baby was secondary and as it happens, one popped into our lives on Valentines Day. Wee Rory Mac. I learned A LOT about my Singer (Futura CE-200 for those interested) during this project. The best thing though? It only took me two hours from start to finish–including a browse through possible animal motifs to include. That’s a significant improvement over the monogrammed Christmas stockings. I can feel the learning curve flattening–what a relief! I’m going to give an overview of how I did the burp cloth, including some embroidery hooping detail. These are written from a beginner’s perspective so excuse the obvious notes.
Step 1: Wash cotton and the burp cloth so shrinkage will be less of an issue for the recipient. Press both pieces.
Step 2: Embroider name on burp cloth (details below). Choose the nicest side, obviously.
Step 3: Cut fabric to equal dimension as burp cloth. I my case, 12×18. Pin with right sides facing, make sure that the pattern of the nap of the fabric is in the same direction as your lettering.
Step 4: Sew with a 5/8″ seam allowance. I suppose you could cut this closer to the edge, but I decided to play it real safe since my burp cloth was not exactly setting at right angles. I am famous for starting my seam right at the edge, forgetting completely about the seam allowance. Start your sewing 5/8″ into your piece! Leave a three inch space to pull the material right side out when you are done.
Step 5: Trim your corners and any other bulky edges. and flip right side out. Press like a mofo.
Step 6: You could be done here, but the piece will feel more like a pillow case than a single piece of material. I chose one of the myriad decorative stitches available on my machine to sew two columns up the length of my cloth, but a nice zig zag will do the trick! I sewed two inches in from the finished edge on either side. And don’t think for a minute I didn’t draw a line to follow with tailor’s chalk.
Step 6: Blind stitch the opening closed and press again, just to be sure
Okeedokee–if you’ve found this blog because you have an embroidery machine and are looking for guidance of any kind, this section is for you. First off, joining the FuturaEmbriodery Yahoo Group. It will save you tons of trouble and also answer the perennial question–how the FUCK do I hoop a onesie?
Embriodery details: To get the name on the cloth, I used a new-to-me hooping method, whereby you do not hoop at all. Sweet. I marked my center with a red tailor pencil and tried to get it as close as possible to the hoop marks. It’s a little off. Eventually I’ll take the time to learn one of the several centering techniques described on the listserve. For now, this is good enough! The letter is just what came with my Futura software. This may be why it only took me an hour to do the embroidery. I did nothing to tax the computer’s tiny brain.
Project Notes for those embarking on this project (or for myself in the future):
1. different burp cloth material. I chose to use the Gerber birdseye prefold diapers since they proved to be the best for Maia. They fold small and didn’t get bunchy once washed as the premium ones tend too. They are cheap though and it’s pretty obvious. Fine for everyday use, but not for something you want to be special! Plus, the embroidery would look nicer on a tighter weave.
2. Get a handle on starting and finishing machine’s decorative stitches. The endzones are hairy–literally.
3. possibly only back a panel of the burp cloth rather than the entire thing. A crisper edge would be nice. But, maybe it’s just me.
4. Find a matte cotton or wool blend machine embroidery thread. I just like this look better than the shiny polyester!
So it’s not exactly innovation, but it’s a nice little project! I’ll definitely be making more!
belated stockings
2007 @ 11:10 am
I know I’m not the only one out there that is completing a Christmas project in January. Oh wait, it’s February. I have only one more step to Christmas stocking completion… sew on those dingle balls! Unfortunately, my machine is not svelte enough to accommodate my cuff so it must be done by hand. Hopefully I’ll feel the urgency before December 25th.
(Mr. Sassy’s is not pictured, but does exist!)
I’m really pleased with how they came out! My mom and I followed this guide, but wound up needing to make some changes based on the placement of my monograms. The fundamental difference is that my cuff is sewn to the top, but is not turned down. It would have been a lovely effect, but it just wasn’t working out for my stocking. I would have had to make very long green parts to fix that error and once the embroidery was done, there was no turning back. If you are wondering, the font is French Script. I used this same font for MJ’s birth announcement. HyperFont software was the first add-on that I purchased for my machine!
I’m making headway on the Kerchief hat, but it probably won’t fit Maia for a couple of years. I’ll consider myself ahead of the game for once. Luckily, one of my co-workers, who MJ adores, whipped up a hat and mittens for her! If you haven’t yet used Alchemy Synchronicity for anything, I highly recommend it. It’s a wool silk that can’t be beat! Of course, it’s available here. One skein makes a baby hat and mittens!
I’ll leave you with a few choice shots. First, my new project boxes (sewing) from Ikea. They are cardboard, but look like leather if you squint…
My newly organized sewing supply drawer…
Brooklyn General fabrics from which I must choose ONE for new couch throw pillows…
and finally, a peaceful MJ at the shop one day. She rarely falls asleep there and when she does, it’s fabulous. This time she was so exhausted, she passed out mid-meal.
MJ’s Christmas stocking
2006 @ 10:59 am
Stay tuned for what is sure to be a hardscrabble attempt at MJ’s first Christmas stocking.
Also, baby mitten pattern is up with a photo for those of you interested!
