Chevron Socks

Now that the summer of sewing is over, it's time to pick up the knitting again ;-) I left off with my SSS (second sock syndrome) socks. It's pretty much a heel thing with me. This is my first and probably last attempt at the forethought heel as talked about in the book "Sensational Knitted Socks" by Charlene Schurch. The heel is in green and in this picture is ready to be Kitchener stitched. Then the red temporary chain is ready to be let out and those live stitches picked up and knitted for the foot of the sock.

Here's one sock done on a sock blocker I've been playing with, instructions found here

Summer of Sewing Officially Over

Well, It's been awhile. . . I know. I started X-ray school and now have very little time -- for anything! I'm still working my 20 hours a week.

So I did manage to finish one project recently (actually it was more gluing rather that sewing!) It's a bulletin board.

Going green-ish

Well, not exactly. I mean I'm not an environmentalist per se. But my plastic bag collection was getting out of control and I haven't been impressed with how plastic knits up. So, several fabrics popped up in the remnant stash at Fabric Depot and with this handy blog, voila! shopping bags are addicting. The nice thing about using a plastic bag as a pattern is that the bags fit on the metal frame at the grocery store!

Plan on at least 5/8 of a yard for the fabric and the same for the lining. I only had 1/2 yard of the chickens so that's why the bag style is different.

Lining the Humbug bag

Ok, here are some purse accessories to go with Naomi's purse. From left to right: A pyramid or "humbug" bag, cellphone case, makeup bag, and klenex tissue cover.

I wanted to line everything with pre-quilted fabric, including the Humbug bag. (I call it this because there is a pattern called that. Google it, you'll probably find a pattern for sale). Also Nancy Zieman's book "Sewing Express" has a similar one called a toteable (in 3 sizes).



Now you would think this would work, for putting in a lining. but it was wrong, wrong, wrong. I had to rip out 3 times before I finally figured it out.








Here's the layout for the top seam. The prequilted fabric is on the inside and the cherry fabric will be on the outside with the opening for turning near the zipper.

Make sure your tag or ribbon is between the outside layers (in my case, the cherry fabric).

Here's the layout for the bottom seam. Bring the outside fabric around on top and layer it with the openings on top of the zipper portion. (Yes, you're doing this mobius twisty thing).


It works! All I have to do is hand sew the seams on the zipper. As you can see, mine is really tight, but I think I can stretch it while sewing.

Here it is complete with the quilted fabric on the inside. A ribbon can be threaded through the zipper pull to make it easier to grab.

Black n white

Noms and I went shopping and she would slip her wallet into my purse and then sneek it out when paying. How can one not have a purse??? So I made her this today out of scraps from a dress. Used a vintage pattern that I had kept all these years: Simplicity 7018.

Goodnight Moon

Here's a picture Noah took. He borrowed his dad's telescope and my camera. He was outside a lot this month, but said the meteor shower last week was disappointing.

The eclipse was interesting, but we couldn't get any good pics of it. It lasted a long time and patience is not a virtue at 4 in the morning. By the time Noah packed away the equipment and went to bed, the eclipse was ending, there was more moonlight on the edge and probably would have worked on camera. Would Noah set up the equipment again?? (Heck no, techno!)

Sewing Fur

As a rule, I don't like sewing fur, I dont' like cutting fur, it's just too fussy, too messy...

and noisy??? Oh, it's you!

Shabby Chic

I have always wanted to do a low-contrast quilt, and indeed, there were times while piecing, that I wondered if the work was going to be seen. I want the quilt bigger, so will eventually add borders. Perhaps a good place to add the "A word" (applique).

I need to give credit to the free design from Kaufman fabrics: http://www.robertkaufman.com/quilting/quilts_patterns/summer_bloom/

Sammy, the Siamese Wannabe Wondercat

Here is my helper, Sammy. He is inspecting a new pattern.

Usually, though he prefers to supervise through mind control techniques.

Felted cellphone case

Details:
This case takes about ½ skein of worsted weight 100% wool yarn. Cascade 220 is what I have here. It is nice to work with and felts evenly. Mine took 2 washings in a zippered pillowcase with a pair or 2 of jeans for agitation. Use hot water. I have a toploader so I couldn’t check the process, but it took 2 to 4 cycles depending on the yarn.

For the cellphone case, I used the double pointed needles. Mine are size 9. Cast on about 12 single strand stitches and knit every row for 5 rows. Pick up stitches on sides and original cast on row. Divide evenly over the rest of your needles. I guess it would be 3 on each side and 12 plus the 12 you had, so 30 stitches?. Knit until 33% taller than your cellphone. Cast off. Pick up stitch near the center. Make 3 stitch I-cord loops. One about 5” long and the other about 10-12 inches long.
This is before felting. Probably the size big enough to hold a cigarette pack. . .

After felting, Turn off cellphone, wrap thoroughly with plastic. Shape case to your phone. It’s a bit like working with clay! Carefully remove phone and hang to dry. This takes about a day.

I have also done 10 stitches with 2 strands of yarn treated as one.
http://www.knittinghelp.com/ has wonderful videos on how to do the stitches, pick up stitches, I-cord, even how to wind a center pull ball by hand. Not to be missed is the video on how to do a felted join – it’s like magic!

1st pr of socks

Eh... too big me thinks.