Socktoberfest!

I participated in my first Mystery Knitalong at Through the Loops, and finished these Socktoberfest socks not a moment too soon!   

On a (needle) roll

I've acquired quite a few knitting needles lately, and aside from keeping track of what sizes I've got, I want to mitigate heartbreak by trying to curb my habit of...well, loosing things. 

I've seen knitting needle rolls all over the internet, and while I can already tell it's not going to solve my problems, it's at least a step in the right direction.  All my needles are in the same place, and they're fairly well contained. 

I think some elastic (or maybe putting a little more thought into measuring the pocket sizes?) would keep everything a little snugger and more secure, and maybe I'll try it out in Needle Roll v2.0.

This one here is a plain linen, and the inside print is a fat quarter of unknown origin.  Maybe I need a better fabric tracking system, too?

My mantel's first bunting

In my new place I have a fireplace.  I don't really know what the heck to do with it, and I'm pretty certain I'll never have the nerve to actually light a fire, but with a fireplace comes a mantel. 

Since I'm still a few months away from hanging stockings, the only thing I really know that is required of a mantel, I dressed it up with some bunting.  I saw a tutorial on Saltwater Kids this morning, and found myself at Jo-Ann this afternoon picking up floss, denim and ticking.  I found the denim in the remnant bin, which was a pretty good find, and was able to make the entire bunting with only a quarter yard of ticking. 

Then I snapped one picture. Then my camera died.

I made the flags a bit bigger than the tutorial called for, but that was about the only variation.  That and she is obviously way better at embroidering flags than me.  The whole project only took about an hour, and most of it can be done in front of the TV.  And, really, can there be a better barometer for how cool a project is?

I think this is best served as a July 4th decoration, but with tomorrow being Memorial Day, which is pretty damn American, I'd say I'm well within my rights to leave it up tonight.  You'd better believe I'll drag it back out for the 4th, though.

Giveaway winner and a tutorial to come

It's 11:34, so it IS still May 20, and I'm skidding in to end this thing right at the deadline. 

I had to watch Grey's Anatomy.  And I'm still not sure if it was worth it.  Whatever.

The winner of the totes and scraps is Breanna, who, when I looked at her profile, introduced me to freezer cooking.  At first glance it looks like cooking once a month or so and freezing everything so that it can be thawed, dressed up or sauced, and then eaten.  This is interesting to me because I, on average, am only super motivated about once per month, so the idea that I can get all my work done on that day and then lazy around the rest of the month is pretty rad.  Thanks, Breanna!  I'll email you tomorrow for your mailing address.

AND!

I asked for details about what everyone's favorite crafty posts were, and about ninety-billion percent of you said tutorials.  Bag tutorials, to be even more precise.  I was really only asking to be nosy, but because now I feel pressured, I'm going to put together a bag tutorial.  Maybe in a week or so, because I don't want it to suck and I'll need time to think about it.

Thanks, really, all 259 (!!!) of you that stopped in to comment. 

Oh, and for Miss Crafty, that commented that I should chat about my favorite notions?  Seam ripper.  The end.  Goodnight.

Giveaway Day

Well, hello!

I'm stopping in to brush the dust off this blog to participate in the Sew, Mama, Sew! giveaway day.  Since last posting I've moved, finished unpacking, hooked up the wireless and have even managed to sew a few things.  And, I can't think of a better day than Giveaway Day to start this thing back up.  

I've got a tote bag full of fabric scraps and some other sewing related accoutrements looking for a new home.  The fabric is mostly quilting weight and has some sizeable scraps, from 2 inch strips to quarter yards, buttons, thread, an infamous tomato pincushion and some trims. 

We'll play this by the rules of Giveaway Day.  The giveaway will stay open until May 20, international readers are welcome to play along, and I'll use everyone's best friend, the random number generator, to pick the winner. 

Since I'm still a bit rusty and might need some help getting back into the swing of blogging, leave a comment with your favorite types of crafty posts to read, tutorials you'd like to see, project suggestions, blah blah.

One comment per person, and pretty please make sure that I've got a way to contact you if you win!

Today it was 80 degrees. I knitted a scarf.

ETA: Wha? I scheduled this to post last weekend.  It was not 80 degrees yesterday, but the universe decided to kick my in the behind today, and I am sad, and I can't be bothered to change it. 

My mom bought this yarn at Jo-Ann a month or so back.  For being a cheap inexpensive acrylic, this yarn has a beautiful color (way more so than you can tell in my crappy photos), it's super bulky and super soft. 

I only had one skein, and after trying a cable pattern that I found on Ravelry that seemed so simple but was either flawed or flew right past my comprehension (guess which one I'm betting on?), I let it sit around because I wasn't sure what to do.  Since I was taking a long car trip last week, and wanted to finish the scarf in time to toss it in an Easter basket (don't worry, I see the jerkiness of gifting someone something they technically bought, there's more stuff in the basket) I had to come up with something. 

So, in lieu of following an actual pattern, I used one stitch the whole way through. 

Pattern: Seed stitch
Size: About 3 feet
Needles: 13
Will you turn it over so we can see the weaving in of the ends?: Not a chance

Sometimes we should embrace the fray

I'm heading up north this weekend for a friends mini-reunion, and one of the girls will be running in a charity fun run.  This is a charity that's pretty near and dear to her, and helped her with some problems in the past, so I wanted to get a Congratulations card.  Congrats on finishing the foot race, and for getting across the finish line and tackling her problem head on.

I'm leaving early tomorrow morning, and remembered at...oh, about 9:00 tonight that I wanted to come bearing swag.  I 'made' a 'card' by folding a piece of pretty cardstock and writing a note inside, and jumped at the chance to sit at the sewing machine to fashion up a little bagvelope.  That's right.  Bag + envelope.

There are no frills associated with the bagvelope.  Not even one.  No lining, just french seams on one side and the bottom.  No pressing or folding of the patch on the front.  I even pulled some strings to encourage a bit of fraying.  Somewhere around here I've got a sharpie and I'll write her name on the front.  Even the top is cut parallel to the selvedge so there was no casing, no pressing, no measuring, no anything at all.  Solid linen, scrap silk and the thread that was already in my machine.

Best five minutes of my day.

Why, yes, I DO love patchwork!

Hello.  Me again.  Long time no see.  The short story is home (not so sweet) home is still where the sewing machine is, and still not where I've spent a lot of time.  Plus, I've actually been busy with other things.  Who knew?

I was able to fit in two sewing projects last week, but I will only show you one.  The other was an experiement that I made up as I went along.  Which went about as well as you'd expect.

I got Rashida's book, I Love Patchwork, for Christmas and have dog eared (sike! I can't ever bring myself to dog ear books, but they're marked in my head) a whole ton of things that I want to make.  I've been holding on to a charm pack of Rouenneries, so I grabbed the scissors before I could change my mind and hoard them even longer, and made this.

I know, it's just a kitchen towel, but I still love it.  It was a really easy project, which made it quick AND fun (except for that one time when I burned my finger trying to press that curve under 1'4").  I think the Rouenneries looks great with linen, and I'm glad I used it.  I'm also glad that I needed such small pieces that I've still got a whole bunch of charm squares left over.  I'm thinking of the table runner in the book to match the towel, yes?

Different stitches

I know I said I hadn't been able to make anything lately, but that's not entirely true.  I haven't been able to sew much of anything, but I've been knitting a bit.  A few things that are just to horrendous to show the universe, a few things that I've actually taken out in public. 

The beauty of knitting is that it's portable, which means when stuff gets sticky, I can take it with me.  Right now I'm trying my hand at the ninebark cowl sweater from the cover knitscene.

Don't go and assume since I've completed a few scarves and hats aI think I'm ready to take on some significant colorwork, I'm going to do the body in a grey tweed and the cowl in a single contrast color.

Raveled.

My one and only (sort of) quilt

I've totally slacked on not only updating, but on actually making things.  I really hate it, not even not being able to post, but being able to hang out and relax by the sewing machine.  Problem is, not that the Internet much cares about the details, my sewing machine is at home, and home...home sucks right now. 

I've made a few quick projects here and there, but still on my camera card are pictures of this (wannabe) quilt that I put together for my favorite baby's first birthday.  Every single piece came out of the remnant bin at Jo-Ann, and probably didn't cost $10 to make.  I did it that was because I'd never tried to quilt before, and if I either failed or gave up I didn't want to be mad that I forked over all kinds of cash. 

The backing is a super soft minkee-type white fabric (remnant bin...I didn't purposely make a solid white backed quilt for a baby), and the rest are mysteries.  The quilting is solid lines stitched (as close to) in the ditch (as I could get it).  The binding is machine stitched. 

You cannot see photos of the back of the quilt because I'd rather not remember it.  Total puckersville.  Thankfully, the minkee was pretty scrunchy, and by the time I washed and dried it it was decently camouflaged.   

I haven't tried to quilt since, and I'm afraid to try anything bigger.  I finished this one in about three days and by the time I was done it was cozy and heavy and soft and crinkly and I know that once I get up my courage and am back in a peaceful place, I'll give it another try. 

February 18-21: Patchwork drawstring bag

Since I'm going out of town this weekend I was going to cut major corners on this project and just show pictures of other bags I've got laying around, but the casing instructions on this bag were different than any I've made before, so I decided to give it a try. 

The original is over at Pink Penguin.  The casing pieces are folded in half and then attached to the bag after the outer bag pieces are already sewn together.  It's a pretty easy way to do a casing on a patchwork bag, but I think I like for the drawstring to cinch an inch or do down on the bag instead of right at the top.  I really like this one, though, so I might come around.

I cut 3 inch squares instead of 2.5 and only made three rows instead of four.  I also cut all of the squares without a ruler (!!!) while I was watching television.  Sure, my seams are wonky, and the patches don't line up perfect, but it made cutting go a lot faster, and from cut to complete this bag only took about a half hour. 

This would be a perfect size bag for toting make-up and other girly things on my trip this weekend, but the liquid restrictions are back in full force, so it's quart a sized ZipLoc for me. 

February 11-14: (Heartfelt?) quilt card

Oh, HAI!

The thing about this card is that it was actually finished on time (the site it's originally from, http://www.diynamite.com/, appears to be dead).  My camera battery was dead, so I put in on the charger and came back upstairs to do something (cook? gather laundry? sit on the couch?) for a few minutes while it got a lil' juice.  And then three days passed.  Whatev.

This ended up being a mini-card, because the only cardstock I had were smaller squares and just didn't look right long and skinny.  Plus, this way the double fold hides the threads and I didn't have to cut and glue another piece to the front. 

Since I forgot I even made the card, I missed the 'heartfelt' mark, and obviously no one got it for Valentine's Day.  Luckily, I don't know a lot of picky people so no one will mind getting a heart card on their birthday.

February 8-10: Tea towel apron

I've had My Spare Time in my Google Reader for awhile, and even though I've noticed this tutorial before, I've never tried it.

I've also had this tea towel in my linen closet (since 2006, apparently) but it doesn't get much use because the colors don't fit my kitchen and there is a big stain on the front.  (No, I'm not sure why I kept an unmatching and stained towel, either, but I'm glad I did.)

The hardest part of making this apron was trying to iron the wrinkles out of a 100% linen tea towel that's been wadded up in a closet for I-don't-even-know-how long.  As you can see, I wasn't totally successful, but I wanted to just get sewing already!

I love the end result of this tutorial.  The design of the towel worked perfectly and gave me a great border on the bottom of the apron, and the stain is caught under the rick rack and the fold, so I won't even be embarassed to show this one off.  The only modification I made was that I didn't sew three equal pockets, but made one large and two smaller pockets instead.

I also tried to take my first camera in the mirror shot of myself wearing the apron.  But...no.

February 4-7: Simple pillowcase

This one is a simple pillowcase from Rachael Rabbit.

I made this one for Christmas, so I'll be copping out here and just showing that one.  I'm still not feeling great, I'm tired and I'm in kind of a mood. 

February 1-3: Matryoshka doll pocket pillow

Until the last minute I thought this matryoshka doll pillow by Lauren Brandy was this weekends project.  Luckily, she sews up really fast, so I'm still on schedule!  I think the trickiest part was typing matryoshka right.  (For the record, I typed it matryoski twice in a row.  At least I'm consistent.)

Plus, she's absolutely adorable.  (As is the rest of Lauren's googy-goody handmade blog.  I was totally wowed while I was getting the link above.  She zoomed right into my reader.)  I know there is another tooth pillow later in the calendar, and I know some twins who are at prime tooth-loosing age, so this girl and her fellow pillow fella will be on their way over there pretty soon.

January 28-31: Tin can cover

To make this project, the tin can cover from elsie marley, I first had to track down a 28 oz tin can.  Since I don't often have them laying around, and don't trust most foods that come in cans anyway, I had to dig pretty deep into the storage rack of various creamed soups and emergency vegetables to find a huge, dusty can of sauerkraut.  I hesitated to dump it out and use it (even though I can't think of one time that I've dared make anything that called for sauerkraut  out of can) because I didn't want to waste it.  Then I noticed it expired in March of 2008.  Not that you'd know, but I moved to my current house in January of 2009.

Does that mean this girl actually packed and moved a can of expired sauerkraut, you ask?  Yes, I did.

Nasty spoiled food related anecdotes aside, I messed this project up pretty good, and it still came out pretty good.  I'm going to blame it on my still feeling pretty sick, but you can free to take that as an excuse, because it sort of is.

I wanted to try thread sketching, but for the life of me I couldn't come up with anything to sketch.  I want to use this can as a pen/pencil/spare change/wadded up gum wrapper holder on my desk, but I was afraid that a sketched pencil would just look like a wonky rectangle.  So, I dug deep and come up with.....the letter A.  In a pale, nearly impossible to see, pink.  Wild, I know.  There wasn't much to it, but it did help me realize that thread sketching might not be as scary as I'd thought, and I want to do it again.  And soon.

The fabric doesn't wrap around the top of the can as called for, because I read and read and read and my medicine riddled brain just could not comprehend the directions.  I debated trekking upstairs to pull up the original tutorial to see if the pictures would help, but realized that I didn't have any glue anyway, so that point was pretty moot.  I sewed the edges shut and that's it.

I want to take it to work with me tomorrow, but my sniffer is still outta whack and I'm afraid it still smells like sauerkraut.

January 25-27: Simple needle case

Oh, look.  A Wednesday project.  On a Friday.  How very, well, me...of me.

I've totally got an excuse good reason for being a bit late.  See, I have a stuffy nose.  And sore throat.  And itchy ears.  Also, I'm sick.  In all honesty, though, if I'd have taken the time to read what this project was, I would totally have made it while I was lazing around on my sickbed.  It didn't even take a full 15 minutes, cutting and pressing time included.  Given that the only felt I had on hand was green, it sure was lucky that I had a perfect size scrap leftover from this bag.

I made two small adjustments to this tutorial from Wink Designs.  The first was that I left out the trim that it supposed to encase the raw edge of the patterned fabric.  I think sometimes we are all a bit to 'fraid of a little fray.  I stitched about a 1/4" in away from the edge, pulled the few loose threads and the rest will fray up nicely until they get trapped by the stitched line.  I think it will look charming.  The second adjustment was to fold up the bottom half of the case (I didn't decide to do this until the last minute) to create a pocket.  This way I can store a few needles and pins on the felt patch, but keep other accoutrements in the pocket.  It wasn't in the original plan, but it suits me a bit better.

Tutorial: Drawstring bag

A drawstring bag is really simple to put together, there are a whole slew of ways to construct them, and there are a million uses for such a bag.  This version is reversible, lined so that there are no raw edges visible, and the casing is reinforced to that there isn't fraying when the cords are cinched or pulled open.

Tutorial:
Assumptions (unless noted): Seams are 1/4", sewing is done with right sides together, backstitch each time you sew

Supplies: two pieces of fabric large enough to make your bag body, cording (I chose macrame, but ribbon, leather lace, twill tape, etc will work nicely), safety pin, thread, rotary cutter and/or scissors

To figure out the size of your fabric: Take a loose measurement of the item you want your bag to hold.  I wanted a ball of yarn, needles and my half finished hat that measured about 8"x8" when I put in on my cutting mat.  I added two inches to each side of the measurements to allow for cinching or bigger projects, so my bag sides will be 12"x12"

Cut:
1 piece bag outer (width equals your project width, length is project length time 2) I cut mine 12"x24"
1 piece bag inner the same size as the outer
2 pieces cording the width of your bag times 3 (mine was 12*3=36")

Step 1: Fold bag pieces in half lengthwise.  Measure 1.25" from the top and mark.  Measure 1" from that and mark again.  Do this on both sides of the bag outer and bag inner.  This will be your casing.

Step 2: Sew from the top of the bag down to your first mark.  Pick up the needle and sew again from the second mark to the bottom of your bag.  Again, do this on both sides of the bag outer and inner.

Step 3: Press seams open making note of holes that were left for casings. 

Step 4: Stitch a box around the hole, catching both seams.  This is the step that will reinforce the casing so that the ends don't poke out. (White thread used to be visible in photo, use coordinating thread)

Step 4 1/2: From the outside, it will look like this.  And, yes, do this for both holes in the lining and bag outer.
Step 5: Turn bag inner right side in, and leave bag outer right side out.  Place bag inner inside of bag outer so that the right sides are facing.  Make sure that the holes for the casing line up.

Step 6: Stitch along the upper raw edges of the bag.  Leave a two inch opening for turning. 

Step 7: Turn bag right side out so that the bag outer and bag inner make a long rectangle. 

Step 8 (Sorry! No photo): Shove bag inner into bag outer, then press the opening shut and stitch either with your machine (like I did) or blind stitch it closed with a handsewing needle and thread. 

Top of casing

Bottom of casing

Step 9: Again make sure that the holes for the casing are lined up, and stitch all the way around the bag right at the top of the casing holes.  Stitch all the way around the bag again at the bottom of the casing holes.  Your drawstring casing is now complete. 

Step 10: Insert one edge of a drawstring cord into one of the casing holes.  Thread it all the way around until it pokes back out of the casing hole right next to the one you started with.  Tie both ends in a knot.  Repeat this step but insert the cord into the OPPOSITE side of the bag that you put the first cord in.  Tie another knot in this cord.

Step 11: Pull each side of the cord, and your bag should cinch together.  Fill bag, pull closed and tote around.  If you get tired of your bag, you can pull it right side out and by just flipping the cord around, you'll look like you've got a whole new sack!

THE END!

January 21-24: Pet bed (turned car caddy)

The project for January 21-24 is a pet bed from Lori Marie I debated not even doing this project, because it was a fabric hogger and I have no pets.  I spent two days trying to figure out what I could make that would drastically shrink this down and still be at least a little bit useful.  Also I wanted to lay on the couch and eat guacamole.

I didn't want to fail and quit making the projects only a month into the year, so I was going to wuss out and just make a pincushion, but once I saw the picture on the back of the calendar page, with a big hole in the middle of the pet bed, pincushion was out of the question.  For Christmas my mom got my aunt a neat contraption that sits on a car dashboard and hold a GPS unit while you drive, and it looked a little (tiny) bit like this, so in a moment of brilliance (snort!) I came up with an idea, cut into the fabric and gave it a whirl. 

Obviously a lot of modifications were made.  Truthfully, this project barely resembled the tutorial once I started sewing.  It's a lot smaller, and it's actually a little bigger than it really needs to be.  I cut to accommodate a seam allowance that I didn't end up sewing, so I ended up with an extra inch on the bottom panel.  I sewed the tube wrong sides together first and then turned it right side out and stuffed it with rice instead of fiberfill, which gives it a little more weight and I hope will help it stay in place.  Since I didn't have any nonskid fabric, I cut a drawer liner that's pretty...grippy? and stitched the bottom with french seams because I don't really like CANNOT TAKE raw edges, and it became pretty clear that no matter how I put this together, I was going to have them. 

Since this was an experiment in sizing, stuffing and construction the end result isn't ideal, but I really, really like this idea.  The GPS holders that you see in stores are so...boring, and I am so excited to see one with a bit more moxie.  Once I take take this one out for a ride (pun intended) and see how the size and design can be improved I will most definitely be making more of these.  If you have any ideas, I love to hear them. 

January 18-20: Lunch bag with wristlet

The project for January 18-20 is a lunch sack with a wristlet strap from IS*LY.

I made a lot of changes to this tutorial, and I will tell you why.  Because I am NUTS, and, again, I will tell you why.

When I first saw this lunch bag, I was really excited to make it.  I have a job, I eat food, I always get a occasionally get a lunch break -- perfect bag to tote back and forth to the office.  I had a bright idea to maybe use some vinyl-ish fabric that I have in my stash to make this not only a little sturdier, but to also make it a bit more spill-leak-water-sauce proof.  Then, OH THEN!, I spotted some oilcloth that I had left over from some travel bags that I had made and had never found a perfect use for again.  So, I decided so make this bag with the oilcloth.  Good idea, right?

Ha.  HahahaSOB.  (Earmuff small children and the elderly now!) THIS? was a b-i-t-c-h to sew.  Stitches were skipping, the fabric was shifting, birdsnests were forming and turning (oh! the turning!) was like a workout for my arms.  I looked over the IS*LY blog while I was getting the full links, and everything over there is just great, so I know that the fault totally lies with me and my stupid fabric choice.

Without all of the gory, swear word riddled details, the modifications I made were:
1. No lining.  Oilcloth doesn't fray, the wrong side is still water and spill proof, so there wasn't a need (thank goodness).
2. No inner pockets, because there was no lining.
3. Only one outer pocket because I started getting swear-y after sewing on the first one, and decided I could live without the second.
4. The enclosure flap was just one piece, so none of that sew together, turn right side out, topstitch business (thank goodness again).
5. No corner pleats because I had cried uncle at that point.  If I had to feed that oilcloth under my presserfoot one more time I was likely to burst into tears and besides I like that the top opens really wide and makes the inside extra roomy, OK?!?!

That said, the sack doesn't look so bad.  And for all the sweating and cringing that the oilcloth caused, I did enjoy not popping over to the ironing board to press seams every five seconds.  It's possible that when the pain of putting this together dulls a bit I'll go back and try the fabric/lined version. 

PS -- I was checking out my stats the other day and noticed that a ton of visitors were referred by googling for drawstring bag tutorials.  Since I hate to think of how all those people were disappointed to find that I don't have that tutorial, I'm going to try to put on together in the next week or so. 

January 14-17: (Not so) Mini oven mitt

I'm behind in the calendar projects again.  In my defense, I had until Sunday to finish this tutorial, and since I had today off, I thought that today was Sunday.  It is not.

The January 14-17 feature was a mini oven mitt from My Longest Year.  BUT! since I had a need for a big person sized oven mitt I modified the pattern to make a full sized mitt.  Instead of putting an unbatted (word?  not sure) band at the wrist I just added three inches to the template and cut the lining, outer fabric and Insul-Brite (since I was making a real mitt, I wanted to use a heat resistant batting) all the same size.

This is another project that I managed to make using just a fat quarter.  I used the same fabric for the mitt, lining and binding.  Instead of sewing a loop to hang the mitt from I used some jumbo rick rack.  I also, since I was already behind in time, didn't quilt the mitt.

My current oven mitt is a stained, ripped and scratchy masterpiece with sailboats and "Welcome to the Caribbean" printed on it.  This is most definitely an improvement.

Paisleys, pinks and greens galore

I furiously sewed my last few projects to get up to speed with the projects in the calendar, but I was able to take some time in the past couple of days to sew some bags that I just adore. 

I love each of these bags, but I've decided to update the shop a bit and put them all out there.  Sure, it's not that I couldn't come up with reasons to fill each of these bags, but I do get the urge to share from time to time. 

January 11-13: Owl egg cozy

I was all set to cry about how this egg thing was the third project in a row that I didn't have much use for, but by the time I was done this little fella was so damn cute that it doesn't even matter that I'm still not really sure what an egg cozy is.

This project was the the owl egg cozy from LucyKate Crafts.

I've discerned that it is a sleeve to keep boiled eggs hot?  I'm used to eating boiled eggs cold (cut up in little pieces and covered in mayonaise, too, please...) so perhaps this is why I don't understand.  Right now he's magnetized to the fridge, and he looks pretty much at home, so I'd say that's where he's staying.

I followed this tutorial exactly as it was written, so not many changes to report.  Except for where I sewed his left wing on backward.  I thought, for at least a few seconds, about trekking back into the basement to get another scrap of material to make a new one and sew it on properly, but Big Bang Theory was on, there was pudding waiting to be eaten and...I didn't want to.  I think it looks like he's doing the walk-like-an-Egyptian dance, so I'm leaving it as it. 

PS.  This catches me up on the calendar projects.  Woot!  I'm excited for the next two projects, they're useful and cute.  Can't wait.