sewold

Feast for the eyes! I'd love to just look at these quilts - whether I make any or not is not the point!

My teachers have been "Trial and Error" and I could use some better help. I've been sewing for years but could always improve my skills. Pick me! Pick me! I promise to share the lessons with my daughter (who has already outdone me in sewing skills).

I have lots of scrap/leftover fabrics (don't we all?) I try to incorporate them in a lot of sewing but this would give me some new ideas. It's a great way to "dress up" a bag and make it something unique.

Is there such a thing as too many sewing books? Not on my bookshelf! I promise to share it with my sewing daughter.

I've been sewing since I was about 13 (77 now). Mostly self taught (and sometimes need a better teacher). I sew in self defense - hard to fit. Taught 4-H sewing several times but let someone else teach my daughter to avoid conflict! She sews much more creatively than I do. Both her daughters can sew and sometimes prefer it to purchased clothing, either for style or cost. I'd be glad to share this book with any of them if I should be so lucky.

Crafts for Geeks? What could be better? Count me in.

Forgot to add, in using old denim, leave the bottom edge unfinished. Sew layers together about 1/2 inch from edge with raw edge exposed. Fraying adds to character of the hat.

I like to piece quilts and seldom buy new fabrics except to fill in a color I may need. Even using a lot of little pieces of fabrics leaves more pieces! One way to use an orphan piece (one you can't remember buying, or can't imagine using now) is to make "tags" for suitcases. When our family traveled together a few years ago (14 of us) we used an odd fabric and made neckerchiefs/head scarves for everyone. It was almost mandatory that we wear them while traveling. Made it easy to spot each other in crowds. Spare scraps were torn into strips and tied on each suitcase. Even the youngest could grab suitcases off the belt at the airport.

How about recycling an old wool coat. I WANT this book!

Forgot to ask. When can I expect to receive my book? (How's that for positive thinking?)

Most of my felting has been by accident!! But I like the looks of the bag on the cover. I'd be more likely to felt a thrift store find. Spending time knitting just to felt it doesn't seem like a good use of my time. Last projects were socks and they wouldn't furnish much fabric after felting! Hope I'm one of the lucky ones but sorry to see the rest lose!

Outworn clothes have always been recycled - to the next child! Of course, sometimes they were cut up, reworked and used that way. I have recycled many pieces into pajamas, with a patchwork effect: one piece for each sleeve, one (or two) for front, one for back, etc. One of my best recycles is using bib overalls for duffle bags. The bib and straps are used as is, the rest comes from whatever is usable. Another favorite recycling project is making pillows or stuffed animals from favorite old clothing. Many times I have made these for families who have lost a family member. The stuffed projects make a good remembrance gift. I also use polyester scraps as stuffing for them - another way of recycling. Old quilts that are beyond repairing make attractive stuffed animals and really small pieces can be used for Christmas ornaments.

Keeping swatches in a file/book is a good idea but doing it retroactively is a daunting task. I really liked our old house with lots of room where my sewing room could be left cluttered with bits of fabrics for working projects. Also had lots of room for shelving where fabric was in the open to be seen. Now have to store it out of sight in closet, totes and drawers. "Out of sight, (almost) out of mind." Posting about swatches gave me the idea that taking digital photos of stacks or laying yardages out to be photographed might be an alternative. One of my best buys is a cutting counter bought from a fabric store. It has a hard surface top and shelves underneath. Slot down the middle for cutting is handy and a yardstick tacked to the side is useful, too. It barely fits in the "new" house but I was determined to keep it!

I haven't made this one yet but I like the shape. I've made other anti-sun hats and use old jeans denim a lot for projects like this. Cutting from different pairs or different parts of a pair gives you a lot of variation in color but it all blends well. I use old denim a lot (I've kept a stash) for hats and purses. Incorporating details like pockets makes it fun, too.

Let me walk, I don't want my friends to see me like this.

does this make me look fat?