Oct
25
2009
Today, I delved into the world of quilting. Two log cabin squares in aquas and reds, made to be “wonky” (a true challenge for me).
I’ve done one log cabin square before, but it was the epitome of precision: each band was 1″ wide, exactly, all the way around, without fail. I didn’t expect it to come out that way, but I’m someone who tends to the exact. For this I was aiming to make it more “free-form,” and though it required careful planning, I think I managed it! The true surprise was how much they look alike—the first was done and not within sight while I sewed the second, and yet I have wide bands in the same fabrics and the placement of the fabrics is really quite similar. Oh well, so much for “random”!
Sep
04
2008
Wow, you guys! The response to the Tapestry Cowl has been phenomenal. Thank you so much! I’ve got new, totally different, designs in the works, which I hope you’ll like just as much.
Many of you commented on the kick-ass color combo in the official Tapestry Cowl—a not-quite “choqua” pairing of a reddish-brown and a bold light blue. All credit to the color combo goes to Megan, the Knitting Philistine, who watched me stress over a wall of Koigu, looking for the appropriate high-contrast yarns. The girl? She has a sense for color. Which makes it all the more exciting that she’s started making colorful, spectacular fabricy things to sell!
I’m totally smitten with what she’s creating. Click on any of the pillows to buy them now (before it gets snatched out from under you!) Then bookmark her store and keep an eye out for some cleverly made totes, too.
Apr
05
2008
Don’t get too excited—this does not represent a dive into quilting. More a dip of the proverbial toe. And while the water feels just fine, I’m not sure I’m ready for a swim just yet. Perhaps a bit more time to digest lunch is required.
A friend is organizing a surprise group quilt as a gift for another friend’s upcoming 30th birthday. No rules, no color suggestions—just the request for an 8.5 x 8.5 inch square. Based on the emails that have gone around, it seems both crafty and non-crafty folks were asked to participate, which means that there’s no expectation of a professionally pieced quilt.
So what better time to play with the medium than now, right? Gory details after the jump.
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Feb
11
2008
Two weeks ago Rachel and I ventured into Mood for the very first time, and I left a rattled, anxious mess. Last week, however, I went back–that’s right, exposure therapy is the only way to go. I went with a friend who sews but still considers herself a novice, despite having made several awesome skirts and dresses, which was great because we could explore together and each guide the other a bit (it was her first time to Mood).
We ultimately didn’t buy anything there, as decision-making was hard. She knew a place on 39th Street that sells patterns–difficult to find in the garment district–so we headed over there. (I’m sorry, but I don’t remember the name of the place; if I figure it out I’ll update this post.) And I bought a dress pattern. Then we went to another store, and I bought fabric. I even went to one final store, by myself, and got a dead-on matching zipper!
Happily, you guys gave me some great suggestions for further reading for when I feel ready to dive into cutting. I’ve added many of the sites to my blogroll already and am slowly becoming desensitized to my irrational fear of sewing.
Books
Sites
Enjoy!
Jan
31
2008
When Rachel and I walked into Mood Fabrics yesterday, I think we both stumbled slightly at the mere sight. It was an overwhelming experience, to say the least.
Piles and piles of bolts of fabric, organized by type, with no guidemap. Rachel posited that this is what it feels like when a new knitter walks into a yarn shop for the first time. It’s true, I can walk into Purl and identify the brands from afar–when my friend Julie picked up a yarn I impressed her by glancing over and saying, “Oh yes, Cascade 220 would be great for you to learn with.” (I caught a glimpse of the edge of the label–I’m not that good.)
The idea that I might someday enter a fabric shop and be able to touch a fabric and say “oh, this is a linen/cotton blend” or be able to say, “I want to make a dress, and this fabric is going to have the perfect drape and weight” is completely unfathomable to me. But I want it to be the case, and soon! I want to make a bag from Bend-the-Rules Sewing (the pleated beauty handbag), and I would love to make some dresses, and all sorts of sewing dreams. I just need that guidemap. Advice? What sewing blogs should I be reading? What resources do you turn to for sewing advice?
Nov
05
2005
I actually just hemmed two pairs of pants. Let’s all take a moment, please. It’s a momentous occasion.
Sewing and I are not best friends. Jaax and I took a class a few years ago, learned how to make some things, but my sewing machine and I were never in love. I tried to make some dresses, but the whole cutting thing was too intimidating. Unlike knitting, you kind of have to get it exactly right or the pieces won’t line up.
So, I mostly just hem pants these days. But in my head, this is a huge production, a pain in the butt, and more effort than I want to expend. Hence something I avoid. Still, I’m 5′4″ (maybe 5′5″), and pants these days are cut for women 6 feet tall, so I’m left having to hem. I had three pairs to do, but have quit after two pairs because the last pair has a lining, and that really should count as two pairs in one, and well, four hemmings in one morning? All before 10 am? Nope, can’t do it, sorry.
But now that I’ve done the priority two, I can finally, finally wear the new jeans I got, ones that fit. And a pair of Anthropologie pants I got on sale for $30. (Incidentally, I had been shopping with a 6-foot-tall friend at the time, and she bought the exact same pair. It was so funny to each come out of the dressing room with these pants on–I’m dragging at least 5 inches, but they fit her perfectly.)
A friend (a shorter-than-me friend, incidentally) and I are talking about driving out to “the country” today to get some squash and apples and such. I think the new jeans will make their debut.
