Category Archives: Sewing

Thread

Posted on by July 23, 2017 2

Isacord – 40w poly. 423 colors

Let me take you back in history: a long, long time ago when I lived in Germany I bought a Pffaf sewing machine and brought it back with me the first time I lived in the DC area circa 1984. Carmen and her husband picked us up at the airport (me, Shana, a ton of luggage which included the sewing machine) and dropped us off at our new but empty house in Kensington. There was a small embroidery attachment and I had great dreams about “doing stuff.”

Over the years I added machines which included increased machine embroidery capability but never quite got the hang of it. I did accumulate a bit of thread (Sulky, Isacord, Maderia, plus a couple of other brands) which meant that I never quite had the colors or combinations that I needed and continued to add thread one spool at a time.

This past Dec I had to change sewing machine manufactures. Pfaff is no longer made in Germany but China and all the attachments weren’t going to fit anymore. I bought a Viking (which is European made) and went for the relatively high end. It can do all sorts of things including embroider. I had a variety of stabilizers, I had the software. What I didn’t have was a thread set. When I did this for Alex

On the back of a jacket

I had to pull from five different thread lines to come up with the colors. It is not that it wasn’t appreciated –

the kids, the dog, the jacket

But I really wanted to avoid the hunt and color substitution agony that was involved.

Poly is not quite as shiny as rayon, but it is very washable and color fast which is why I bought what I did. I sorted through and found I already had about 20 colors. Even so, buying the set saved a chunk over individual spools, especially since the storage boxes were included.

FYI – Casilla managed to lose a winning game in the 9th by giving up two runs to Tampa Bay

It isn’t so much that

Posted on by July 1, 2017  

the As keep trying to lose. It is more a matter of fouling up a good thing. For example, an error by the shortstop in the first inning turned a routine out into a two base grab. Said runner later scored. And then there were the 2-3 innings including one with bases loaded that the As at bat managed to strike out, pop out or land themselves in a a double play instead of scoring a go ahead run.

Go figure – I can’t.

Meanwhile I am still playing with machine embroidery, working on a cross stitch and just finished Graphic Audio’s Mike Oberon – Hallow Point.

muffin hats

Posted on by February 27, 2017 6

I had found a couple of hat patterns, Kwik-Sew & McCalls. I think I might have mentioned that. Light weight polar fleece does really well as soft, warm and flexible. However, there were a few challenges. Most of the patterns called for multiple extra seams, double layers of fabric or a lot of fussy finishing details. Me? I am about quick and functional. And not wasting fabric, I really should mention that as well.  Using a knit fabric with give is quite a bit different than sewing with a woven fabric. The idea of making anything that might need ironing is just not compatible with being on board a ship.

After working my way through the patterns, I have wound up with the Scarf from Kwik-Sew (which of course I went looking for on their site and couldn’t find. Go figure – JoAnn’s had it) and M6521 from McCalls (along with M4116) gave me a good range of choices. Light weight sweatshirt fabric is lovely as is micro-fleece.  I’ve pretty much stayed away from patterns in order to have a wider range of use. But I couldn’t resist my owls, and a bit of what might, with a good imagination be considered a leopard variation. Since I survived several days of jungle cat decedents I felt I was entitled.

a pile o’scarves

and then the original pattern is the bottom blue one. Pleats. If you can imagine. Fold, pin, baste, sew, slit, add band.  Ok. but it is just as easy to measure, gather an edge, modify the back for a short tie area and be done in less than 15 minutes…

the muffin gal’s

So I guess this means scarves, hats and muffins for breakfast on ship.

 

Sewing with Cats

Posted on by February 18, 2017 1

You might have heard of the commentator and humorous writer David Sedaris. George thinks he is hysterically funny. I have tried reading him – the last attempt was Diabetes with Owls.   I guess I appreciated it just about as much as sewing with cats.

Let me demonstrate –

It has been years since I faced the pleasure of trying to cut out anything with helpers. The last time that it really was a challenge might have been – oh – about 22 or so years ago and the helper was a toddler, not a cat. Since then, I haven’t had to worry about pin or scissors safety. What I hadn’t counted on was the temptation of crinkling tissue paper of the pattern. I think I had a lucky escape when only the pattern was torn on the last piece I needed to cut out.

Back in Dec, I wound up making a lot of polar fleece pullovers for members of the family. I think it came to about 14 or 15 when all was said and done. Several made their way to NYC, the rest stayed local to the Bay Area. I think the only one who didn’t get one was George. Since I didn’t have any fabric that said “Cal” I didn’t think he was interested.

Piles of fabric turned into tops …

and otherwise as the Eldest is on her way to Germany, we are staying at her house for the duration. Which might just explain why I am arguing about pattern pieces, fabric and pins with two Benegal cats. It is not like either Ghost or Onyx are malicious. They are just cats.

Now I have to wonder what they are going to happen when I pull out the knitting and join George watching “Driving Miss Daisy.”

Resolutions

Posted on by January 3, 2017 20

What did I say? Nothing major on the table this year. No “must read so many books or finish x many hats or ……” I’m not even committing myself to having the garage organized by the end of the year.

When I told Cat the following:

My only real resolution this year is to enjoy each day. And to accomplish a little bit, whether it is cross-stitch, knitting, reading or just running errands for someone else. Not boxes emptied, not countries visited or miles flown.

She replied with

That’s not a resolution – that is plain good ordinary common sense….something most people lack.

Now, I am not going to claim practicality, or common sense most days. But given an opportunity to re-home items? I’m all over it.

So there I was at Stone Mountain and Daughter going through the apron patterns (I have daughters who like aprons) and the sale patterns when I over head a conversation across the table from me. It had to do with whether or not a particular fabric looked “galaxy enough” to make a corset cover. I looked up and asked what to me was the obvious question. “Cosplay? Convention? Costuming, Just because?” Turns out the answer was Star Trek Conventions. Full on corsets, as in traditional or adapted to modern?  Mostly modern.

Humm – would she like a corset kit? I had purchased one several years ago then decided I wanted nothing to do with back lacing (traditional Renaissance) corsets. It needed a home.

End result is that the young woman plus her mom and mom’s friend stopped by the house after making their rounds in Berkeley. By this time, I had unearthed the four original Star Trek Uniform patterns I had on hand plus a number of books on fashion, costume and pattern design. All of them went off to Oakley in the hands of people that will appreciate them. I don’t have to feel guilty about attempting to sell them at a used book store or messing around with eBay.

Now, if the Northern California Handweaver’s Guild comes through for me with takers on some of the weaving equipment…..

Life is good.

Only seven more rows, but it feels like I am making progress…..

2 Jan 2017 – only about 2k left to go on the stitches.

Normal? Over rated I’m sure

Posted on by December 22, 2016 13

Today I have no clue as to what is going on in the world outside my little slice here in the East Bay. Christian is alive, well and probably exhausted with days more till Augsburg has gotten through its bomb removal. My friend and colleague Janet from my first tour in Germany (1981-84) spent three years stationed in Augsburg. Knows exactly the area involved. Berlin is still recovering from the truck into the Christmas Market this past weekend. I am sure that there is plenty more out there equally unhappy, unpleasant.

Oh, yes, someone or other driving an 18 wheeler managed to block a goodly portion of one of the local freeways. Seems to happen all too frequently, especially during rush hours.

I spent my normal day with my Eldest (car drop off for service) followed by a nice breakfast at Saul’s Deli. We ran a couple of errands. I managed to get two more Yukon Pullovers cut out and serged. All that is left is thread trimming and adding loop and button. I have a pile of remnants to turn into napkins and placements. I also have this lovely huge bale of batting which is going to be used in bags, placemats and table toppers.

Friends came over for dinner; Dani fixed some veggies, salad and made a great brownie cheesecake.

In other words – a totally and completely normal day. I’m running a bit tired but otherwise doing well. Thanks for all the well wishes. Not sure what my new normal is going to be.

Great Copy

Posted on by December 23, 2016  

So here I am, back from Europe instead of on the Navigator of the Seas. I have time on my hands and a real need to keep busy. Digging through my pattern stash, I find Great Copy #830 – The New York Style Pullover.

Great Copy #830

Humm – comes in XS to XXL. Ok that about covers the world. And only six pieces (including the pocket). Its all fleece. No lining, no interfacing, nothing fancy. And off I go to JoAnns to find that there is a great sale on Polar Fleece of all kinds.

On the spot I decide that just about everyone needs one. Well, the ones with a sense of humor anyway. I find hedgehogs for me, a blue for Shana, the obvious for Maus and Dani picks something quiet for herself. Since this is oversized, I can essentially whip off four the same. Less than $18.00 later (oh, I just love discount coupons and sales I had enough fabric for five tops) and headed back out the door and home to have fun!