Misc.

Library finds...very surprised to see that the Alabama Stitch Book's patterns at the back are still intact. And how cool is it that Julie Jackson of Subversive Cross Stitch did the embroidery design on Heather Armstrong's memoir??

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

Gillian of I Heart Handmade is having a very cute giveaway (ends July 3)! She is in Dublin but will ship internationally. She has a very cute blog...I miss being in Ireland.

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

I attempted some tissue paper tie dye with not much success. I think my tissue paper may have been too good. I'll try it again with some dollar store tissue and see if it works. I also think you need to use dark/saturated colors to get any dye out of the tissue.

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

Remember friendship bracelets? (Link found via House on Hill Road)

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

I picked out some fabrics and started tracing the pattern for Peanut the Wee Elephant today from the Last Minute Quilted & Patchwork Gifts book. (I am so far behind in my projects! That book has been out for almost two years now.) But that is one project on my To Do list so I'm happy to have it started.

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

Currently reading these blogs: Liesl Made, Make Something, Yummy Goods

Dank

That is what the weather has been like here for what feels like weeks. Maybe it has been that long. It's been raining or about to rain constantly. The house smells funny from all the humidity. It's been too wet to leave the house much (I really don't like going out in the rain). You would think that I would have gotten more sewing done but, see, I started reading those Twilight books and...well...that along with taking care of the baby meant no extra time for other things.

I have completed two projects and both of them are on my To Do list! I'm very excited to cross stuff off already.

The photos are poor from the lack of sun to help my tired camera along. And I also embarrassingly didn't realize that I had left the manual focus turned on. So I've been taking pictures thinking that the camera was focusing on it's own and then swearing at my camera when I saw the blurry images full-size on my computer screen. My camera thinks I'm crazy.

I made the baby boy some modified "Kimono Style PJ Pants" from Amy Butler's Little Stitches book. Rather than adding the extra wide trim at the bottom, I just used some homemade bias tape. I was looking to make shorts but these are more short pants. Next go-around I will make them a bit shorter but in a bigger size. He's is going to grow out of these very quickly.


And the second project is a play mat, also for the baby. This is the only photo that was in focus (!) so I will try to take them again once the sun makes another appearance.


I used this tutorial on the "katie did journal" blog. Have you seen this blog? Katie makes some beautiful clothes for her two little girls...gorgeous stuff. She has a little boy now as well so I will be looking out for ideas on sewing for boys. (Why is it so much harder? Are dresses really all that much more exciting then pants?)

The play mat is just two solids -- blue and dark tan -- plus batting quilted together in a free form zig-zag pattern. I added some patchwork to the binding just cuz. The mat is about 30x35 inches. And I call it a mat because that is what it's job will be but it could also make a very nice baby blanket. Thanks Katie for the nifty idea!

Newsboy Cap

Help! Where can I find a pattern for a newsboy cap? Preferably free? I know, tall order.
It has to be just like this one with the "slouched forward" top. And I'd like to find pattern sizes for both babies/child and adults.

Thanks for any help!

Sewing Machine Meme

Sew, Mama, Sew is sponsoring Sewing Machine Month. There are prizes to be won!

And they've posted a meme so everyone can join in the fun...

What brand and model do you have?
Singer Stylist, Zig-Zag Model 476 (You know it's a fancy machine when the feature they call out is the zig-zag stitch.)

How long have you had it?
I have had it for about 15 years. But it was my mom's before that. The machine is over 40 years old.

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
I really have no idea. I did a search on ebay and got one result where it was being sold for $50.

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
All of the above! Seriously, I sew patchwork and I quilt on it, make clothes and curtains, even some softies.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
It really depends but not more then 6-10 hours a week, I would say. There are weeks I sew a lot and weeks I don't sew at all.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
Oh, I should name her! I like my machine because it is very solid and consistent. I wish I could do more with it though. It's a very basic model.

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
Zig-zag stitch! It sews. That's about it.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
No, the stuff that drives me nuts is totally user error.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
I didn't realize how often you were supposed to change the needle. So for the first 5+ years of owning the machine I never changed the needle never mind getting it tuned up. It ran fine. Although all I was really sewing back then were curtains for my apartment.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
I would recommend you get a newer machine with more features. If you get one free, then by all means use it though.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
I was looking at new machines about a year ago but all the ones in my price range weren't much better then the one I have. They may have had more stitches and other features but they were mostly plastic. I would love to get something that was as solid but also had some bells and whistles.

Do you have a dream machine?
One that would sew, quilt, embroider, and vacuum.

Little toes

The first project since the baby was born was to make him some cute little booties. I used the pattern from Amy Butler's Little Stitches book. I liked that they completely covered the foot and held together with velcro so they wouldn't slip off. But they ended up being a little too tight around the ankle and the velcro peeks out under the flap. So I'm thinking of making another pair where I alter the pattern to accomidate a fatter baby leg and use a smaller bit of velcro. I really hate to redo a project.

To do

With a baby I now know that you can't expect to get anything done during the day unless you are completely organized. I get 15-45 minutes at a time to do anything and I don't want to spend that time thinking about what I should be doing. (Another tip: multitasking! I'm actually typing this one-handed while feeding him.)

This list will be updated with new projects and, hopefully, completed projects will be marked off. I'm going to create a button so I can easily update it once it gets buried in posts.

Here it is in no particular order:

• make shorts for baby boy in cute, non-knit fabric. Will use kimono bottoms pattern from Amy Butler's Little Stitches book. Already tested the pattern to be sure it fits!
  

• make more Built by Wendy tops - I love these! They're a step up from a t-shirt but just as comfortable. I'd also like to try some other BBW patterns that I have.
  

• make a checkbook cover, small purse and wallet
  

• make the kimono robe from In Stitches

• finish Sean's quilt

• make a quilt design board (something I can put up and take down easily)
  

• finish pink and green nine-patch quilt (possibly adding sashing)

• finish Dear Jane quilt (decide when to stop making blocks and start piecing them together. Or do I finish the entire thing?)

• hexagon quilt
  

• make play mat/small quilt for baby boy's room...probably the zig zag Purl Bee pattern. Used this tutorial instead.
  

• remake baby shoes...make them fit this time.

• make the elephant from Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts book

Twittering

I have been using Twitter much more lately. My thoughts are a bit more scattered these days and Twitter's character-limiting posts are perfect for low-stress updates. I always feel like blog posts should have substance...not long but weighty. I've also been using it to note all of the blog giveaways I run across.

So if you're up for more frequent ramblings from me, follow me on Twitter. (Updates are also posted in the upper left hand corner of this blog.)

And we have a winner!

Congratulations to pinecone 304. I sent you an email. Please reply with your name and address so I can send you the banner.

Thank you everyone who entered or just visited my blog! I had a great time visiting so many new blogs from the giveaway list over at Sew, Mama, Sew. Many of them I know I'll keep going back to.

Didn't win anything over the giveaway weekend? Well, The Fabric Shopper is having an awesome giveaway right now for THIRTY fat quarters of Denyse Schmidt fabric! Go! Now!