I Just Look at the Pictures

I like talking about sewing, reading about new techniques, seeing other people's projects, and following sewing blogs.

When I watch a movie I look at the costumes as much as what the movie is about.  Old movies are marvelous with their costuming.  They are so over the top with their detail.

While watching an old movie yesterday I noticed my buddy Doris Day was wearing a plaid, pleated apron.  It was with this in mind that I designed my newest apron.

The top is made from a woman's shirt and the bottom from a man's.

Now it's back to alterating but I do have another manpron in the works.

Maybe I can be (don't laugh) organized!

I always said that if I ever get organized I'd be dangerous.  I've spent many hours sorting, rearranging, and making sure everything has a place.  Then, voila, a project starts and all that good intention goes out the window.

Once the creative juices start flowing it's hard to stop.  One idea blossoms into another which leads to another and before I know it my ideas are all over my workspace.

A couple of weeks ago after pushing one of my scissors into the wastebasket while concentrating on a project I threw my hands in the air and said, "there's got to be a better way!"  After all, this wasn't the first time and probably wouldn't be the last.  Not only that, I've lost lots of time looking for scissors, seam rippers, and other notions.  They did have their places in drawers for when I wasn't sewing but that's not a solution I was happy with.

I needed to keep my sewing table free and yet have everything close at hand.  My first thought was pegboard nailed to the wall.  A 4x8 piece of pegboard was way to big; plus the 1x2s that needed to be nailed to the back--wait!  That's more project that I had bargained for.

My next stop was to Google pegboard and I found just what I needed.   It arrived several days later and even I could install it.  After all I had so much experience putting shelving up in my closet.  At least enough so I wasn't scared to press the button on the electric drill.

It's been so nice to reach right over and grab what I need.  I've forgotten a few times and started searching for an item only to realize it's right where it belongs.

I've also started following other sewing blogs.  This idea I'd wish I'd found years ago.  I have my bobbins pinned to my bulletin board on the other side of my machine.

But, alas, I still have a long way to go.

Any ideas for my storage room?  I'd suggest a bomb but it looks like one already went off in there.  Just another product of getting an idea and buying out the thrift stores to make it a reality.  I thought about shelving but that wouldn't solve the problem of whatever I need is on the bottom of the stack.  Probably should go through it AGAIN to see if I remember what I was thinking and if I can't--take it back to the thrift store.

Right now it's out of sight and I have lots of projects with deadlines.

Ta Da!

I started giving sewing lessons and today my student completed the wraparound skirt she's been working on.  She did a wonderful job and I look forward to working on the blouse pattern she picked out for our next project together.

As a bonus, I sent home the directions for a pin cushion for her to try on her own.  Look at the great job!  So fancy with all that decorative stitching.

What You Got Here is a Slipcover Virgin

I've re-covered lots of cushions and pillows, etc. but when I was challenged to do my first slipcover job  I knew I needed to get over to the library for some books to tell me how to measure and create.

I didn't take a lot of pictures but here's my attempt at making a muslin pattern; or, in this case, a sheet from Goodwill.  Things went pretty well until I got to the back part of the cushion.  There were numerous attempts to get the pleats right and the seams where they should be coupled with some hand wringing and head banging.  I was about to give up after what seemed like forever when I came up with a way that worked.  Or, to put it another way--the only way I could think of.

Add in the expectant mother who needed to have the chair covered for her new little boy who will be arriving on Thursday and the pressure was on.  I planned to burn the midnight oil last night to get it done, or else, but when 9 o'clock rolled around mistakes were started to pop up and I thought I'd better cut my losses and start early in the morning.  Good thing, it took most of today.

Gratefully, she was ecstatic over the chair and I have a new skill to add to my repetroire.  Here's the finished chair.