Category Archive: Sewing

2016
03/23

Category:
quilts
Sewing

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Microwave bowl cozy

Our first microwave bowl holder is holding up well, but can only service one person at a time.    So it was time to make another holder.

IMG_4279Using the free pattern by “aquiltedpassion“, I cut two 10” squares from my cotton fabric (or for reversible, use 2 different pieces) and 2 pieces of cotton batting  a bit smaller.   This must be the Warm and Natural batting made for microwave use.   JoAnn’s carries it as do other stores.  Also use cotton thread as you do NOT want a microwave fire.

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Then sew the 4 darts in each piece and trim to 1/4″

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Trim corners and snip at the darts to help turn  Place the two bowls right side together and sew leaving a 3″ opening to turn.

IMG_4287Next topstitch around which also closes the opening through which you turned this.

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And you have a fast and easy cozy for you bowl, which you can put into the microwave to hold your bowl while heating and then take to the table to eat the food.   They also make wonderful gifts.  They sell for 7.95 up on Ebay or Etsy.

Here is a video if that makes it easier for you to follow.

 

2016
03/21

Category:
Sewing

COMMENTS:
4 Comments »

10 minute table runner

 

IMG_4269This is a very easy table runner which is the width of your fabric when done.  Thank you, Sally, for the suggestion.

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Take 12″ of your focus fabric and 18″ of the bottom fabric, width of fabric.   Place right sides together and sew each of the long edges.   No, they won’t match, because you want the bottom one to fold over to the top.

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After sewing, you have a tube to turn right side out.  (I pressed the seams to the center before turning).  Then press so the borders are the same width.

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Fold the end together toward the bottom side.    Can you see my line of stitching (near the top of photo) where I sewed the end closed.   Repeat on other end.

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When opened, it looks like this.   I pressed the seam you see before turning it to the inside.

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Then because I had the sheep buttons, I sewed them on, but it is totally optional.

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One can use this idea for any occasion.   I’m thinking flowers for spring, flags for July, etc.   This one is for our table for Shabbat and I made another matching one as a gift for a friend.   Most of the time  spent was choosing fabric and cutting it.

Enjoy and send a photo of what you have made.

2016
03/18

Category:
farming
Life
Sewing

COMMENTS:
6 Comments »

Alpacas and a pillow

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Once again, it is Friday and I am oh, so glad.   3 alpacas arrived today.   Here is a photo of the girls.   The male was not wanting a photo shoot.  The exciting thing is that in a couple months, I should be able to show you a new cria photo.

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And LOOK!   I turned this into a pillow, so I am ready for next year.  – not late, just very early.

2016
03/09

Category:
quilts
Sewing

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Under the sea

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My sewing studio has learned to reproduce.    I have no idea from where this kit came.   It appears that somewhere in my distant past, I must have purchased it, but when and why, I have no idea.   It turned up in a box of projects I want to make someday.    When it will get finished is a question, but it has been started and so will be a project in the making this week.   I’m not ready to call it a ufo.

IMG_4132It starts with having to overlap two fabrics a bit and then cut a wavy line where they meet.   Take the two fabrics and now put right sides together.   Some of mine were a bit to wavy and more difficult to match the edges and stitch.   There are 5 more fish to add to the scene.

I’m still debating on whether yesterday’s project is finished or not.   I’m thinking of taking the border off and making it 3″, which would make the pillow top 17″ and then would fit a 16″ pillow form.   No decision yet, but these ideas hit me in the middle of the night when I’m sleeping.

2016
03/08

Category:
Sewing

COMMENTS:
4 Comments »

St Paddy’s pillow/small table topper

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This is really pretty simple and I could have made 3 of these blocks and put them together for a table runner.

 I sewed 4– 4″ squares together to see how large I wanted to cut the center then  used my Go cutter medium heart block (3 sizes) for the clover and the smaller heart block for the corners.   I then 2 squares on each side of the clover and  4″ squares for the top row and repeated for the bottom.   I needed it a bit larger so thus the 1″ green border.   It measures 15″ square finished

I made it to use as a pillow, but then didn’t have the right size pillow form.  I need to make one to fit..   Meanwhile, I’ll just use it as a small table topper.   It seems that St Patrick’s Day is so close to Easter this year, it’s a toss up what to display.   I’ll have this out for a couple of weeks while I start putting out spring items.  Or maybe it is time to start making new spring things.  A happy spring table runner sounds like a great idea.    Let’s see how much time I can find.

2016
02/15

Category:
Life
Sewing

COMMENTS:
3 Comments »

Elephant babies

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Mary came over today and we  went through some boxes of fake fur.   I hung much of it up to not only get rid of more boxes, but to have it out where we could see and use it.    These baby elephants are from a Carol’s Zoo pattern which I cut out a few years ago.   The mother elephant had already been made and gifted, so these wee ones are on their own.  We enjoyed making them (with embroidered eyes) and now will decide where they should go.   Or maybe we’ll wait until we have made a few more animals.  There was quite a bit of fur in those boxes.

2016
02/02

Category:
Knitting
Sewing
spinning

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Up to the heels and more

IMG_3949These socks are progressing nicely.   They will have a  contrast heel and toe.   I’m also happy it is an easy pattern, so I don’t have to think too hard.    The pattern I’m using is an internet find, called “Lace Socks” by Jacqueline W.  I am using an 8 ply wool made by PANDA.   The contrast for the heel and toe is by them as well, but 50% wool and 50% acrylic, so hopefully will wear well.

Today was a great day with some spinning, some sewing, some knitting and added to that, I took the machine to have it serviced and went to the Dr.   I feel like I accomplished much.   I’d love every day to be like this, but then I might not appreciate it as much.   Oh, and did I say the sun has been shinning today.

 

2016
01/31

Category:
Life
Sewing

COMMENTS:
3 Comments »

A birthday party! and a bag

 

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We had a terrific “open house” birthday party yesterday for DH.  I think there were about 20 of us and he was given a number of cards which are now in his special place to  be read periodically.  He loves his kids and his cards.  So it was a great time.  We had a token cake because most of us enjoy pie more.

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I worked on the bag again for a bit today.   In fact, it is now completed!.   These are the front and back blocks that I chose to put on it – just keeping it simple, but I do love that owl.   The bag finished at 18 wide by 15 high by 7″ deep.   Here it is completed and very roomy with two large pockets on one side  and 3 on the other side.   They are about 9″ deep.  So now a 2005 project  is finished.   Yeah!!!!

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If you would like this pattern – I am done with it.   Just let me know your name and address and the first request gets it.

2016
01/20

Category:
quilts
Sewing
Shopping

COMMENTS:
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What a fun day!

 

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Mary and I had such fun today!.   First we went looking for a rug for the family room and an immersion blender.    I needed something because my VitaMix was taking too long to come back from the company.  (Of course it arrive this evening).

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Since we didn’t find a rug at that store, we moved on to Costco and found this indoor/outdoor rug which should take some abuse if needed.  It really warms the room a lot.  DH and son really like it.

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Then we came back here to the studio and just played with these darling owls, giving them some personality.  They are stuck to the fabric and now, I need to get them permanently stitched down.   I will also scatter leaves over the brown so it looks like they are in a tree.  It was so nice to just enjoy putting them together.

 

 

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2016 Goals revisited

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Quilting ufos to be completed and what needs to be done  The goal is to finish one per month

  1. Circus    due 1/15               appliques cut n sewn,  assembling, quilting
  2. tumbling blocks – blue     quilting
  3. baby block – black             quilting
  4. turtles                                  quilting
  5. heirloom                             quilting
  6. fishing    due 8/1               appliques cut and sewn  assembling,s quilting
  7. storm at sea                       quilting
  8. tell it to the stars              borders.    quilting
  9. mittens                               1 block, borders, quilting
  10. BH king size quilt             skirting, quilting
  11. sunbonnets                        quilting
  12. sunbonnets 2                     assembling, quilting

New quilts I want to make:

  1. http://twosistersandaquilt.com/  These are snowman Block of month
  2. http://www.seamstobesew.com/polls-fixed-and-new-previews-of-sue-and-sam/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+seamstobesew%2FUceh+%28Seams+To+Be+Sew+News%29    another sunbonnet quilt Block of the month
  3. 2 “warm wishes” quilts for charity   on line pattern
  4. shop hop tote that I acquired the kit for in 2005
  5. child’s teddy bear with piping  pattern
  6. “Frost’s alter ego”” pattern
  7. “Gift wrap”  pattern
  8. “rob Peter to pay Paul’   GO cutter
  9. “drunkards path”  GO cutter
  10. an owl quilt   GO cutter
  11. choose a book and make a quilt from it
  12. “twinkle little tree” pattern

That should handle the quilting,     I have spoken for the Cormo sheep, not sure yet how many, 6-10

For sewing the plan is 2 doll dresses per month, plus we need placemats for 10 months and I like a set of 4. My goal is to make them one month ahead of need.  So I will start these in February   I  plan to make a couple “Bendy Bags” and “run around  bags” as well as a bolts worth (about 130) of purple baby hats for the hospital.  Then there is a request for the microwave bowl holder for gifts.

I am doing the yahoo groups knit along wash cloth which is monthly.   They offer 2, but I’ll be happy to get one done each month.   I also have enough yarn to do at least 10 pair of socks.  If I can squeak them in here, I’d like to do a couple crocheted baby blankets as well.

So these are my 2016 craft goals.    What are yours?   I’d love to hear them.