Finishing Up Old Projects…Entry 2

Halloween gave me a great opportunity to finally make a costume pattern I’ve had for a very long time.  Just like that backpack from 1991 this Costume Pattern dates from around this time.

Remember the tie dyed aprons I did a few entries back?  The couple I did these for tied the proverbial knot this past weekend and it was a hoot!  Everyone was in costume and it was a total blast.

The bride and groom were tie-dyed forest fairies.  Hysterical but very sweet.  Complete with tie-dyed wings, shoes, and coordinated trimmings.

I was a costume sewing fein these last two weeks.  I went to the store about 7 times and spent two full Saturday’s and a few late nights at the machine.  It was really a lot of fun though.  Jim loves his hat.

Let’s see.

Fleece, Feather, Elastic, Pink Satin, Gold Braid, Hot Pink Satin, Pink Netting, Buckram, Interfacings, Cape Green fabric, Tunic Brown Fabric…..legging material (vinyl) for fake overboots…this was a hoot!

I went to Vogue, JoAnn’s (ugh), Hancock, and Hobby Lobby.  Hobby Lobby turned out was the best.  I’ll have to remember this for next time, it was completely unexpected.

I was really aiming to make this exactly like the picture above…with the materials I could find.  Please don’t look too closely!  Whoo Hoo!  I love costumes!

Finishing up old projects…entry 1

Finishing up old projects.

It seems I have about 20 or so projects that are in bins, bags and boxes throughout my house.  I know I’ve tossed a few others over the years but why is it so many just hang around…unfinished?

I must have a slight case of hoarding disease.  (Speaking of which…have you seen the show ‘hoarders’?…fascinating…Mondays…8pm…watch it…).

Well.  I’ve lined up a couple of unfinished projects and I don’t care if it kills me.  I’m going to finish these up.

This first one was a companion piece to an anorak I made back in or around 1991.  Yes….1991.  This is Simplicity pattern #9585 copyright 1990.  The anorak was made, worn..and worn out years and years ago but at the bottom of a box was the cute little back-pack all cut out but never made up.

Until now.  Just two more steps to do and it will be finished.  God, that feels good.    I found some really bright green (fluorescent green?) webbing at the store over the weekend and thought it would go perfect for the straps and handle.

Most likely this will end up going to someone as a gift…some youngster out there…who knows.  The colors are just kid lov’in bright that is for sure.

One down…19 or so more to go!

So how many projects do you have lying around unfinished…can you top me?

My stash bustin scrap Amy Butler Pattern weekend

I spent this past weekend pulling out fabric scraps and sorting through old projects.  When we were in Fairbanks this past spring I picked up the Amy Butler pattern for the Weekender Travel Bag.  A sample of the bag was in the shop and I couldn’t resist the impulse to purchase the pattern and figure on someday I’d make one.

Then I read the instructions.   Well, I’m rather fearless, so I don’t really let a little thing like Timtex or ‘Heavy Duty’ Dritz brand template plastic scare me.  I don’t even know what Timtex (with a TM) is even…so sorry if I’m going to disappoint you all.

It wasn’t until I was hand stitching closed my lining that I decided to type in Amy Butler Weekender Bag into Google when Whooooaah Nellie!  There is so much written about this very bag!  And some really fantastic looking examples.

see here, here and here….good stuff!

I even went over to Pattern Review to see what they were saying over there and sure enough a lot of people were talking about this Timtex (with the TM…of course) and how hard the bag was to make.

You know.  I even went to the store for some heavy interfacing and saw something really heavy and dreadful and to myself said “no way I’m using that stuff!”.  It wasn’t called Timtex (with the TM…just in case we don’t know it’s trademarked) so went with something on a large long roll used for shades.  I guess I wasn’t thinking about it or just couldn’t remember the sample from May.  Now after reading all this hub a lub yeah, I guess the bag was pretty stiff.  Mine works just fine though without it.

Oh well.  I thought it went together pretty easy.  It just took a little time, like anything else.  I used some leftover upholstery/drapery fabric, an old jacket zipper and two pieces of plastic canvas (finally got rid of it!) for the false bottom and only spent about $5 on the interfacing and cording.

Turns out it only made a small dent in the extra drapery fabric!  I’ll probably have to make 4 or 5 more just to use it up!

“Hi Cathy…I hear you sew…”

“Hi Cathy…I hear you sew…” came the voice over the telephone.

Yeeeesssss I cautiously answer. These revelations by the extended relationships I share are always laced with a hidden agenda.

“Well I want to make some cornhole bags for the tournament at (insert local town festival) and I was wondering if you knew anyone that sewed…and/or if you knew who all the sewers were for the (insert garment made for another insert able festival)” ya da ya da ya da. More lead in.

“Can’t we just buy them?” came my answer. Knowing full well anything made by hand these days if it can be purchased ready made was always the better choice.

But alas. I found myself behind my little Bernina Sport these last two nights sewing up 200 bean bags.

I’m tired.

I’ll need to be there for the tournament to hear the players give their reviews. Our team of cutters, sewers, and fillers could not all agree on the proper bag weight. It sounded more like a scene from the ‘Princess and the Pea’ then anything else.

I don’t even know what to think about these events that I get roped into. I guess I’m just glad they don’t happen that often. But please people. Take it from me. Spend the $150 and use your time on something else….

ugh.

I’m going to bed.

I’m alive

I’m alive.  Has it really been 4 months since I posted an entry?

Wow.  Well, I haven’t been busy in the sewing room since Christmas and my last project was a really warm fleece mens shirt for a friend of mine.  We looked for days to find the right fleece and eventually found it at one of my least favorite places…but my friend was endeared to this fabric that I couldn’t shake her.  It was chosen and away I went to produce this XXL size shirt.

I didn’t take pictures but I’ve seen it on and it was charming.  I’m sure someday I’ll get a good photo, after all, I’m no doubt going to be seeing this shirt for the next 10-15 years until it wears out!

So what else have I been up to if it hasn’t been sewing?  Oh you just want to know don’t you…and I know some of you want to know where that 3rd installment of my Katherine Hepburn pants is don’t you!  Yes, yes..it’s coming.  Lordy…if I can just get that post done life would be wonderful.  I think my problem there was that I posted before I was actually finished and so now the expectations are perfection so it absolutely has to be perfect and until is is I’m just not going to get on this web.  Sigh.  Shortly…shortly.

I’ve gone back to hand quilting my circa 1997 quilt as I couldn’t figure out how to work my hybrid long-arm quilter.  I’m sure that’s another story and I’ll no doubt do a post later on how that machine is supposed to work.  Yes…it’s a quilt I started in 1997.  I’m actually at the quilting stage so don’t get on my case folks…it actually is going to get done.

As for my foot.  My plantar faciitis has not been getting better.  Pretty much at the end of the day I have to put my foot up and just sit and rest.   I am so ansy to get out and move around but as soon as I do my foot tells me to hold on and go back and sit down!  It is really the most frustrating thing.  I’m told it could take a year to heal and others have told me that it is going to be with me for life!  Yikes!

My husband thinks I’m suffering from a bout of depression and I just need to go to the gym.  Hmmm…there’s an idea.  For Valentines Day he bought tickets to a local community production of EVITA  It was really, really well done and I loved the show.  Kudos to Music on Stage…you all did a fantastic job.

In the volunteer arena I’ve been asked to photograph an awards ceremony this Spring. Yippee…this will be a good time to get away for a weekend and let me get a few more photos for my portfolio.  Oh…in case I haven’t mentioned that I’ve been a photographer wannabe for about 5 years and you can see my work pretty much just typing in my name in a search engine.  At least I think so…may need to check that.  If you really want to know I can send you a link to my website.

So on to the sewing!  I’ll post again in a day or two.  I want to take a picture of my quilt for you all to see.

The Singer Truck!

I was out after a few Columbus Day Sale bargains this past Sunday and when I arrived at Hancock Fabrics there was a Singer truck parked outside.  I’d never seen a Singer Sewing Machine truck in my entire life!  I talked a little bit to the driver and he was sure happy to see my excitement about his truck.  I mean…c’mon, it’s right up there with the Budweiser Clydesdales.  Well….maybe that’s a stretch, but seriously!  This is good!

Pfaff Industrie Maschinen AG Bankruptcy NOT part of SVP Worldwid Group of Companies

Whew!  I saw a Bankruptcy news wire today regarding the Pfaff Industrie Maschinen AG and thought the Pfaff brand was toast!  Here’s a press release about the Pfaff Sewing Machine brand.  These are two different companies.  The home sewing machine lines are doing great!  Thank goodness!

PFAFF® Sewing Machine Brand Continues to Strengthen Its 146 Year Sewing Heritage

HAMILTON, Bermuda–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today SVP Worldwide, owner of PFAFF®—the world’s leading brand of premier sewing and embroidery machines, announced the bankruptcy, filed by Pfaff Industrie Maschinen AG headquartered in Germany, has no connection to SVP Worldwide or PFAFF. The Pfaff Industrie Maschinen AG company is an independent licensee of VSM Group AB industrial products and is not a part of the SVP Worldwide group of companies.

“We confirm to PFAFF dealers and loyal sewers around the world that the PFAFF sewing machine brand they love and use is continuing business as usual in designing, manufacturing and distributing the world’s premier sewing machines and is having exceptional success,” said Don Fletcher, CEO of SVP Worldwide. “PFAFF’s 146 year sewing heritage of development and design of high quality sewing and embroidery machines carries on today and is the reason they remain the number one choice for the world’s advanced sewing enthusiasts.”

SVP Worldwide and the PFAFF sewing machine brand are the global market leaders in creating perfect high quality results in all aspects of sewing. Just last month PFAFF made history with its largest portfolio unveiling of sewing and embroidery machines. The new CREATIVE™ 2.0, CREATIVE™ 4.0 sewing and embroidery machines, the EXPRESSION™ 2.0, EXPRESSION™ 3.0, QUILT EXPRESSION™ 4.0 sewing machines and the HOBBYLOCK™ 2.0 overlock and serger extend the latest innovations and technology to sewers in straightforward yet highly advanced machines.

About PFAFF

The pinnacle of German design and engineering, PFAFF sewing machines are the world’s premier precision machines that sewers aspire to own. The PFAFF brand has a 146 year sewing heritage that creates a climate for continued development and design of high quality sewing and embroidery machines. As the perfector of the sewing craft, PFAFF machines are the catalyst for passionate sewers giving high quality results in all aspects of sewing. Known for technical refinements and precision, PFAFF sewing and embroidery machines inspire sewers to perfect their art.

About SVP Worldwide®

SVP Worldwide, a global company headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda and doing business through its affiliated companies in over 190 countries, specializes in the design, manufacture and sale of high quality household sewing machines and related products under the SINGER, HUSQVARNA VIKING, and PFAFF brand names. For more information about the Company and the company’s brands view the following websites: www.svpworldwide.com, www.singer.com, www.husqvarnaviking.com, www.pfaff.com, www.sewingideas.com, www.myembroideries.com.

Hey! Where’s part 3?

I want to thank you for reading some of my posts, especially the Katherine Hepburn pants series.  I guess I really didn’t have any idea if anyone out there was actually reading these posts so for me, well, I’m at my own leisure to work on stuff and get it up when I get the inspiration bug.  I want to respond to a question I had about where this post is and when will it be updated.

As for the third installment of the Katherine Hepburn pants I’ll have that posted soon.  I’m still working on the post.  I actually made them up in a mid-weight linen and have been debating about the waistband.  I really like them.

As for some drama that’s been keeping me away from the sewing room this summer, we’ve had our share.  In June I decided to play softball again, after a year off, on a co-ed team with friends and ended up pulling a tendon in my foot.  Apparently this is a common injury and it takes months to recover.  I couldn’t walk for about 2 weeks, and still, I have a hard time.  After a few hours on the feet I have to sit down and put my feet up.  It’s really put a damper on a lot of things!!!

The other thing has been dealing with my husband’s father’s illness.  This year has been a busy travel year for both my husband and myself as we’ve traveled the four and a half hour journey every other weekend since January to visit and do what we can to make his Dad comfortable in the final days of his life.  My husband’s father lost his battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy this past Monday.  He was such a great person and he will be very much missed.

This disease is the same that afflicted Dudley Moore.  It’s rare and often misdiagnosed, is incurable and is very sad to watch the progressive deterioration.  I hope none of you will ever experience it.’

I’m sure as with anything in life we’ll get back to ourselves soon and sewing will be one of those things that will put meaning and purpose back into life again!  Thanks for caring everyone!

Cathy

Coldplay Sews?

Coldplay Sews?

This article came across the wires today from Contactmusic.com.  Coldplay is a favorite band to many, unfortunately I find them a little melancholy and really only like one of their songs (Fix You).  But whoa!  I think this is pretty cool.  Here’s the writ-up!

Rockers COLDPLAY have revealed the unusual hobby they have taken up to help them unwind on tour – sewing.
Frontman Chris Martin claims the Yellow hitmakers have bonded while stitching their stage costumes, and insists their secret pastime has made them a more tight-knit group.
Martin says, “Making clothes together in our studio makes us feel complete. We probably sound like a group of grannies in a knitting circle but it’s the truth and it gives us some control over our visual identity.
“We see if they have a sewing kit in the amenities draw in case we feel inspired.
“When you are a big band and everyone is taking shots at you, the more things you can do together the better.
“And if you’re wearing uniforms made by your own hands it helps.”

My 800 Pound Project Gorilla Goes Home!

Have you ever agreed to sew with or for someone else a project that you just couldn’t get done for one reason or another and therefore it ultimately became the cliched 800 pound gorilla in your sewing room? Did it taunt you, nag you, relentlessly give you guilt trips because it just never got done?

I have had one of these. After many many months I began calling it the Gorilla in the sewing room.  It was terrible and maddening! But at long last I have completed this project and my sewing room is gorilla free! I actually paused my ‘Sew For A Year Challenge’ in order to get this off the proverbial desk.

It all started in late summer 2005 when a friend of mine asked me if I could help her make some cushions for her newly purchased wicker chairs. I readily agreed and thought the two of us working together could make a few cushions in a couple of weekends, no problem. This was going to be a joint effort and together we’d conquer the cushion world!

Good intentions.

It all started great but one thing led to another and before we knew it our life’s other commitments took hold and we never did get around to finishing them, until now.  Wahoo!

Eventually, I’ll post the how-to tutorial on how we made them.  They really weren’t that difficult, the decisions and getting the foam is what ended up taking so long.  The photo above is one of the cushions on one of my chairs.  I’ll post a photo of all three pieces when I bring them to their new owners this week.  Cheers!