Winter Projects - Book Purse & Hand Warmers

 Most of my people know that I am not a "craftsy" person and have a bit of a challenge with creative things.  I even went to a 3-day "creative sewing" retreat a couple of years ago to try to figure out how to be "creative" and nearly bolted after the first 8 hours (heading for the casino seemed like a better place for my creative energy).  But, I stuck it out, and am glad I did.

Today, I am proud of my latest creation - a purse made out of a book!  Now, I  must give credit to the SewNews DVD teaching series for the idea and instructions, but I will take credit for getting into my studio and actually making one!

My first trauma was having to cut pages out of a book.  I must have 300 books here, surely, I'd find something to use.  I dug through bags of old books in the attic.  Rummaged through books stacked in the spare room, under my bed, and in my studio.  I could not find one book that would work.

Actually, I couldn't bring myself to cut any one of them.  Those are MY books!  So, I went to a thrift store and bought 2 books for $1.00 each.  THOSE books were ok to cut apart! 

The finished project is shown a few different ways; above sitting on a table, hanging on the door so you can see the strap (not quite shoulder strap length, but you can tuck it under your armpit), and open to show the magnetic clasp and inside pocket.

I used a clay-like button with ribbons that I laced through the hole, and a bit of wired beads glued to the front for the embellishment.  It is pretty cool, if I do say so myself!

I did learn something new today - well many things, but this is the important one:  hot glue doesn't burn your skin right away.  It waits. It waits until the glue is melting into the sublayers of your skin before it starts to burn.   Note to self: don't touch hot glue.

  

The other "crafty" project I did a few weeks ago was to make fingerless mitts, or hand warmers, out of old sweater sleeves and the cuffs and buttons cut off a silk shirt. 

 

Looks like it IS possible to teach an old dog new tricks!  Or maybe, I just now have room in my head to see things in a new way.

 

One thing I have recently learned, is that creative people don't absolutely LOVE everything they make.  That is a difficult concept for me.  As soon as the project takes a turn, involves a color I don't like, or begins to look funky, I usually just quit and throw it out.

 

What I've discovered, is that many creative people don't even really like much of what they create, tending to have just a few favorites or special creations.  But they create anyway.

 

And, when others see their creations, they are amazed and almost every item finds someone who loves it.

 

So now, I've vowed to keep going.  Keep trying new things even if I don't LOVE the progress or final object.  Chances are, someone will like it and it will become theirs.

  

 

Gotta run.  Just got a brand new sewing machine!  A Singer One Plus!  So many new stitches - so little time!

 

TTFN!

 

Jackie

 



First Pair of Slacks

Here is a photo of the first pair of pants I've made for myself.  Using the McCalls Palmer/Pletsch pattern ( McCalls Perfect Fit Pants pattern) and a hand's on class from Janet Dapson (Janet Dapson Workshops), I made this pair of wool tweed slacks that fit like a dream.  The workshop was offered through the Detroit Chapter of the American Sewing Guild.  I would have never been aware of the workshop, without my sewing guild!  That group really ROCKS! 

 

To avoid lots of duplicate postings, here is a link to my sewing details on my Craftsy page:  http://www.craftsy.com/project/view/perfect-fitting-pants/70407.

 

Enough writing!  Back to sewing.  I hope you are inspired.  I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have, and would love to share YOUR sewing experiences.  Please post and show me your photos!

 

 

 

 

 

TTFN

 

Jackie

Finally! Ruffle T is finished!

Ruffle T

Finally, I somehow got the motivation to finish this glittery Tee Shirt top that I started months ago.  The entire shirt was cut and stitched in about 2 hours until I discovered that one of the sleeves had a reverse effect on the ruffles.  Arrrghhh! 

I only had 1.5 yards of this ruffle fabric which I bought over a year ago, and I really needed 2 yards for the top with long sleeves. I squeezed out the 2nd sleeve and was so proud of myself until I slipped the top on for fit and discovered the boo-boo!

The body ruffles are on the diaganol and the sleeves were set on the vertical, giving the sleeves a long, waterfall ruffle effect.  Well, one sleeve was fine, and the other looked reverse - just plain black with no gold sparkles.  The ruffles fell facing the back of the shirt and exposed the underside of the fabric which has no gold.

I was so upset that I put the top in a ball on a shelf.  Three times, I tried to bring it back to life, tried to fuss with the second sleeve and three times, I got discouraged and put it back.  I was just about to take the sleeves off and make it a sleeveless shell when I gave it one more try.

I pieced together two strips of remaining fabric and recut the sleeve.  Thankfully, the garment was only sewn by machine, and not yet serged.  Made taking the stitches out much easier! 

Emma Seabrooke's Clair T is a great pattern.  Easy to follow and a great fit for today's woman's shape (small shoulders, full bust).

I have decided I really like this pattern and for the first time ever, I put the tissue pattern onto freezer paper and made it sturdy.  It is now hanging in my studio (not refolded into the pattern envelope), waiting for my next knit fabric creation.

Next, my plan is to hem my beautiful slacks I made in June - all that is missing is the hem. . . .

Sewing, knitting and other hobbies with strings and needles

Welcome to my sewing/knitting/needlework page. 

This will be the place to look for tips, tutorials, rants and raves, recommendations and posts on everything string and needle related.

I know this subject has a different audience than those who read my original blog, so I had to move this page off of my original blog to this new one.  

Some of you know that my first blog was started to post random thoughts on how I feel and think about life in general, with a heavier emphasis on intuitive and metaphysical discussions. It is also a place where I can play with humorous topics and poke fun at this place we call "our lives".

That being my first blog ever, I made the mistake of adding a PAGE to that blog for my sewing/knitting thoughts and comments.  What I didn't know, is that the page acts differently than the home page of the blog, and doesn't work the way I need it to work, so I decided to separate the topics into two separate blogs.  Sorry for the confusion, but this way, those of you who have no interest in my random ramblings and ARE very interested in pointy sticks, needles and strings, will find this one blog easier to navigate than trying to find posts on page 2 of the other blog.

So, if you need a good laugh or want something outrageous to talk about with your friends at lunch, log onto my other blog "Objecst in the mirror are closer than they appear" at:Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear . Otherwise, if you enjoy sewing, and needle arts in general, I hope you will visit often, post frequently and become inspired to create more of what you love.

That's it.  Now, it is on to sewing, knitting and needlework related topics! 

TTFN
(Ta Ta For Now!)

Jackie
(who really is sew/so psychic!)