Still sewing after all these years....

Plan. Right now, I am all caught up on yarnish projects. I am not caught up on sewing ones, but one would think that with the amount of sewing machines I have, that ONE OF THEM  would be working properly. Treadle... the head is in a box in the garage. Singer... is in the treadle's case. It is missing the post for the thread. I don't know what else is going on with it. Riccar.... is in the Singer's case, has been having tension issues for a long time and ought to just go out. It is 50 years old. It has had extremely hard use. Maybe I can steal the thread post from it. Or maybe from the treadle? Should I set up the treadle properly ? It is so great for tapestry and denim. I learned to sew on it. Sigh. 

The Brother is actually L's machine, it was having tension problems. I sent the new Singer with her and she moved it to Idaho. It runs, but I hate that it has only one speed, fast. Really hard for sewing doll clothes. The Janome. My favorite by far, but the bobbin case is wearing out,  and I've ordered one but it won't get here for awhile. My little mending machine won't run either. I've made doll clothes on it, but I sure can't figure out what's going on.... So SIX machines, and NONE are in prefect running order. 

GRRRRR.

So, the plan. Investigate the old Singer, see if I can find a thread post on some other machine, preferably the Riccar. Take the Riccar out of the case, see what I can salvage, such as the thread, needle, accessories and such. Put it in the OUT pile. Take the Singer out of the Treadle case and put it back in its own cabinet. Find the treadle head and reassemble. Work for a bit on the mending machine, see if I can get it running. Otherwise, put it OUT with the Riccar. I bought the little thing so I could do mending at my mom's. I don't need it any more, so I have to decide if I care enough to get it running.

Timeline goals... Tonight, look at the mender one more time. If I can't get it running TONIGHT then toss it. Look at the Riccar, see if the post will fit the Singer. If not, see if one can be ordered. If not, let it go. It is also elderly and has had hard use. It was my mom's main machine for many years. 

Sentimental thoughts.... The Treadle was my Grandma Mills' machine. Talk about well used workhorse machine!! It was what I learned to sew on. I even sewed my finger when I was seven. It has made and re-made clothes for my aunts and uncles, my brother, my mom, my dad, me. My mom was an excellent seamstress. It works well for heavy duty fabrics, and made slipcovers for many couches and chairs. Purses. Replacing zippers in jeans. It has a beautiful case, so maybe it is worth restoring. 

The Old Singer. I found it at a yard sale in 1974. It had never been used! It was an early Singer, with a gorgeous cabinet with drawers. I would have kept it, but I had just purchased the Riccar. So I gave it to my mom, and it continued what the treadle had started. 

The Riccar. Before I got married, I had a long time boyfriend and his mom helped me get the Riccar. When I got married (not to her son!) she paid it off as a wedding present. I would have loved to have her as a mother in law, but just didn't think that was a good enough reason to marry her son. That machine sewed my clothes, my kids' clothes, blankets and quilts, mending, shirts for my husband. It was a wonderful machine until it just wore out. Until now, I couldn't bear to let it go. Now I'm ready.

The Janome. I love this machine. I will keep it. The bobbin case is just plain worn out, being a plastic piece. I am hoping that I can just put in the new piece and all will be well. It sounds good, but the bobbin case is just loose, and I think a piece chipped off.

The Mender. Seemed like a good idea at the time, and worked well for ten or so years, probably longer than it was designed to work for. Its bobbin case is also worn, but since it only cost me $20 in the first place, not sure it is worth spending more than that for a part. Not sentimental about it, just haven't dealt with it. It came with a bunch of bobbins, they will fit the Janome. 

The Brother. I need to check with L first, but I think that could just go. It runs, but it is not variable speed, it's fast or nothing, and impossible for doll clothes sewing, which is what I do. Since I gave her my "new" Singer, maybe she will let it go. Will see. 

K already went to bed tonight, as he is recovering from surgery. I took a nap today, due to a 2 am ER visit in the night with him. I am looking forward to recovery and no more emergencies. However, it's only 7 pm so I stole the thread post from the Riccar, to see if it will fit the Singer. That's tonight's goal, to see if I can make the Old Singer run at least until I get the part for the Janome. 

The eventual goal is to only keep the treadle, the old Singer if I can get it running, and the Janome. Riccar can go, mender can go, if I can't get it going, it's useless. I might fix it and see if a grandchild wants to learn how to sew. 

Yarn. I try to let some go, but... at least I have no more hanging projects. I gave up on the socks.  I am so excited to have finished up the UFOs. (Un Finished Objects)

So just a ramble. I don't really think folks read this any more, but it helps to write this stuff down and it helps me prioritize what to do next. Otherwise it just stays "fix sewing machines" and I don't know where to start.

Ginny by Vogue

This is what poor Ginny looked like when I got her. She was offered "for parts" but I just couldn't give up on her. She was a MESS.... she looked like she had been displayed for a very long time, she was covered with that sticky kind of dust like on the top of the refrigerator. 

Her wig was falling apart. So I made a new wig base and sewed her hair on the new base. I've never done this before so it was kind of iffy. I ordered a brown curly wig for her Just in Case. 

So finally today I fixed her hair and she's wearing a dress made by Cindy Rice. I got it when Cindy had an odds and ends sale awhile ago. I guess the next dress needs to be a Ginny one, since there are two dolls and this one dress. Other than the Brownie uniform my mom made, but both Ginnys said they wanted something fancier. So right now they are sharing. 

yeah. imagination. Will I be one of those old ladies who carry around a baby doll in the nursing home??

Her head is still slightly tipped when her legs are straight. I don't know how to fix that, so she's tipping her head inquisitively until I know how do to that. She's just for display, after all she's sixty years old or so. 

NOTE>>>> I found a tutorial for how to fix her innards but it involves taking a razor blade and slicing her head and body in half... I think she will remain inquisitive, maybe someone in the future would be brave enough to do that, but not me. 

Felt Applique Sewing Case

I made this a long time ago. I don't think I was blogging here at the moment, I was working for a quilt store, and we started selling felt, so I made this among other things for display. I didn't use felt from the store (!) but it was on display there for awhile along with a little scottie dog and a kitten in a mitten, which I gave away. They were fun to make. 

My mom and grandma each had a little felt roll similar to this. I think it was originally designed to be a mending kit. For me, it's a little case for when I'm embroidering or doing applique. It has needles, a needle threader, tiny scissors for snipping thread, and a tiny seam ripper that's good for boo boos. 

I googled "felt needle case" and there are so many wonderful ideas out there! It would be fun to make for someone who embroiders. I don't remember if I used a pattern, I think I did for the applique but don't know. I did this at least 10 years ago....

The felt I used is acrylic craft felt. I've made a lot of things out of felt and I still have a drawer full.  I always have big plans but they don't always happen. Long ago I decided that the planning is also valuable, and if I don't do EVERYTHING it's okay. Right now I'm trying to finish the ones I started, and I am well on my way.

 

Sweet wedding!

Whew... she got married, the dress fit, she looked beautiful. When I agreed to alter it, I didn't know I was going to end up in the hospital, and then have to recover from surgery. But it was finished in plenty of time.

Hallelujah! I am breathing a sigh of relief actually, because it is nerve racking to work on knitted sheer stuff... but it was a great challenge for me, and I'm glad it all worked out. It looks like it fits well, keeps everything together, and a perfect length for walking in the grass.  And what an honor to be able to do this for this sweet girl I knew when she was very small.

Babies and babies.

This doesn't really look like anything, but it's a nursing cover. Liv and I made three of them today, two for Chandra. and one for her. I also made three baby blankets, two for unborn Jasper and one for JP. Once I figured out the secrets, the blankets were pretty easy, although NOT a 10 minute project like the video said. I do want to make a few more. I have to hurry up with one project for Wyatt, because at the rate I am going it will be summer before it's done. I wanted to be done sooner but oh well.

It felt good to sew. The last blanket was made while sitting on the floor with the sewing machine-- I don't recommend that. But sometimes you just do what you gotta do.  

Well then! Onward!

FINALLY I am not spending all my time Not Sitting. It has been hard not sewing much and either Standing or Lying Down. I've been exercising, walking and otherwise trying to recover. I am still in pain, but at least it isn't excruciating any more. I got some x rays done to see what these old bones are doing, and he said I have scoliosis! I wonder if that's new?

Anyway. I finished a quilt top, and will be teaching a class using the pattern. It is a simple quilt, but hopeful that SOMEONE will want to make it! Actually, the day it was displayed a woman bought over $100 worth of fabric to make two of them. So the quilt paid for itself already.

It is called Take Five and you're supposed to be able to make it in five hours. Me? I was fighting a sewing machine for control of the 1/4 inch seams. It was winning too much so I ended up ripping. I think if you were sewing on a great machine, turned off your phone, and focused, you could do it. Probably in less time than 5 hours! This is the quilt to make when you really don't want to think about it beyond fabric choice.

Here is a picture of my quilt top. I love the colors. It is bright but kind of dreamy too.

Molly

Molly is an American Girl doll that I found at Salvation army for about $5.00. My daughter always wanted an American Girl, but I could never justify $100-$150 for a doll. Too late now for her... but I bought Molly anyway, because... well, because. That was several years ago, and I made her some tights, and that's all.
I was talking with a co worker and mentioned making doll clothes, and she wanted me to make some American Girl clothes for her. So I did. Pajamas, and a blanket, and a pillow.

Wish the colors showed up more, but this is just a phone shot. The fabric was a little scrap, it's apples that look appliqued. I just embroidered it a little more and it actually looks appliqued.

The pink (also the backing) is a piece of old curtain, and the binding was also a scrap. Found the batting in a bag in my mother in law's closet. It always makes me feel good to make something out of nothing. And the binding isn't perfect, and the border pulled a little when I sewed it, and it isn't perfectly rectangular. OH WELL.

The jammies are from an abandoned nightgown project that was also in the closet with the batting, and I wondered why it was abandoned. As I sewed with the fabric I knew why! It can't be pressed, it is a wrinkled-on-purpose fabric, and loosely woven, and slippery. But I persevered, and although it was a little frustrating somehow that makes the victory of completion sweeter.

Molly is enjoying them, even though she knows they are not hers, she is proudly modeling them, and even took a little nap. Doesn't she look comfy?

Sewing Block...

WELL... I did finish a quilt top, and modify Lucy's pants. I found an outfit designed for the Beanie Baby Kids at a thrift store, and modified THAT so it can be taken off and put on easily. I think that line of toys would have been very successful except for the taking-on-and-off clothes issue.

I don't really understand why I am so reluctant to sew. There is no danger of the cat eating thread, she doesn't live in the same house as my sewing machine. I'm just doing it for self/family, so it isn't Perfection rearing its ugly head. Big Sigh. Lord, help me figure this out so I can Get On With It.

Most of my crafty time in the last six months has been spent organizing. I took over my mother in law's bedroom (since she has been moved to an Alzheimer's facility-- read about THAT adventure on my other blog.

I found an old shoe rack at a thrift store, and found containers at the Dollar Tree to fit on it. I started sorting my scraps into the containers and oh it is going to be so easy to grab them for my paper piecing projects. I love paper/foundation piecing!! The best site for patterns is Paper Panache. Her patterns are clear and detailed. Easy to Challenging.

Of course, when I saw her Nativity wall hanging I just HAD to do it. I had High Expectations of finishing for Christmas but here it is, November, and it isn't done. :(  BUT I will Carry On and hope for the best. I know that my expectations for myself are setting me up for failure, but I refuse to take that on, and will be happy with whatever I accomplish. I can see that the Doing will be a prayerful tribute as I work through the days. I am looking forward to the process.

Another thing in my plans is to set up her garage for furniture refinishing. I have some chairs that desperately need to be done. I love the look of bare wood, but might have to paint these two. We will see. I have six of them all together, and four of them have been refinished.. My parents originally had all six, and my mom antiqued them this mossy green color with dark glaze. Not my favorite color but they looked good with the table. Eventually my mom gave me two, and my brother two. She stripped her two and re upholstered the seat and back and they looked great, so I did MY two. My brother put his out in his garage for ten years or so. I asked about them, he said NO. But when he moved to Washington, he left them behind. :) They originally came from the shoe department of the Montgomery Wards store in Stockton, California. They are really sturdy. The wood used isn't consistent, they were painted. So some of them have arms that don't even match! But I love them because my six foot seven son can sit in them without worrying about them breaking, and they are just cozy and comfy to sit in.

So although I really miss my old place, I am carving out some crafty space, and have Big Plans for a spring garden. One day at a time.

Still a little girl

dolls and such...
Well I have always loved dolls. Not so much for playing with them, but I did some of that, but of making clothes and furniture for them. I guess I am still a little girl.


My mom used to knit sweaters for my dolls. This is the first one I did. Now that I've done this, I want to do more. :) I got some gold sparkly crochet thread and next time I go to my mom's I'll do it... because we end up sitting around talking, and I can't stand not to have my hands busy.

I got some Only Hearts Club dolls. Three of them.... Olivia Hope, Karina Grace, and Lily Rose. Olivia and Karina because of their names, my daughter Olivia Grace. Lily Rose because she is strawberry brown with freckles. I wanted to get them more shoes, and found them here. Intricate little shoes. It will be fun to make them each a little wardrobe. You can get little sleeping bags and such for them, but I have some fleece scraps which will do nicely.

I found out that their bodies are similar in size to the Blythe dolls, which I don't like because of their oversize heads, but I may be able to make some more clothes for them, I downloaded some free patterns,  Will see if they work.

Now we will see if the Idea Girl will finish what she started.

I sure go off in other directions easily. Here's what I did.... I just did the blue one, fitting it on the doll as I went. So I wrote down what I did, and then did the gold one, and changed it a bit for the green one. Trying to decide if people would like the pattern enough to buy it? Don't even know how to go about it...



And then there are the fabric clothes I have made. The recipient loved them :)

 July 11th

Saw this pretty soft yarn and thought about making a doll jacket with it. The first thing I did was make a shrug. Easy. ch 30, sc in back loops for six rows. Sew together at the ends for sleeves. It's hard to get on her, because of her fingers. I just put my fingers in the sleeves while easing it on her. Looks good. Not for the littlest Barbie lovers though.

Found a scrap of blue flowered that I will make a dress from. As soon as I get the living room clean.... <3 p="">

Barbie's new dress

Barbie has a new dress...

Quick and easy. I can see this is going to be extremely versatile, long skirt, slim skirt, straps, cap sleeves... this one is for a little sweetie's birthday party tomorrow. Doll Not Included. I got her a couple commercial outfits, because I just didn't know how much sewing I would get to do. And glad I did-- this one is all I had time for! This blog has some other ideas I am going to try as well.

Sewing has been frustrating with the loss of my machine cord. It is going to cost at least $80 to replace. So I bought a teensy Dritz machine for $19.95 at Walmart. So far have patched two pairs of pants and made this dress. It isn't heavy duty of course but I think it will be fine for little stuff. It is battery operated...
 I like the way the dress turned out, and have some other fabric scraps to use. This is from a fat quarter, it uses just 5 inches of the fat quarter so I could make a few from the fat quarter. 

So a satisfying time making her dress! I got a few other pieces to make others, so I guess MY Barbie collection will be well dressed, unless I give more away...

There's a great tutorial for this dress here:

http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2010/08/barbie-dress-tutorial.html 

I did it a bit differently because I wanted the top lined. Turned out great! See what else I've been up to with dolls here...

creativity...

trying to make a purse. I know it will be cute. But I am getting hung up on making it... Sometimes I think that using a pattern and someone else's idea is best because then it doesn't involve making decisions, you just go with whatever "they" say.
This is a really simple pattern that I designed years ago, when I was making tapestry purses. It was flat, with a rope handle. Silky rope. Lovely. And fringe on the edge.
So I am trying to adapt it to a little girl's quilted purse. I think I am overthinking. Put a gusset? Sew it flat? What kind of handle? How will I fasten on the handle? Should I use D rings so it will be adjustable or just guess?

Sigh. Too many decisions. But I HAVE TO GET IT DONE because the 9 year old's party is TOMORROW and I can't procrastinate any longer.

milestone!!

It may not seem like much of a milestone... take two pieces of fleece, put together right sides together, sew around, leaving a hole for turning, turn it right side out, sew opening together by hand, topstitch all around... but it was the first time I allowed myself to sew since the Cat Incident. Sad but true. But the Fear has been Conquered... and ALL THE THREAD was picked up, and poor kitty spent the time in the back hallway since I can't trust her not to eat thread.
It's not a keepsake blanket. It is designed to be used... carried around by the corner and dragged in the dirt. Washed a lot. Eventually tossed in the garbage.
It's designed to be LOVED!!!!

goalies

(goalie) goalkeeper: the soccer or hockey player assigned to protect the goal.

I seem to have goalies too. Things that keep me from reaching my goals. Such as... silly excuses. I haven't been able to find my sewing machine cord. So I brought over my mother in law's machine so I could work.

Nada. Nothing done.   ???????  what's up with that??

What are the goalies here.... computer, definitely. I end up on facebook, playing games, or blogging, LOL, but not sewing. Even good stuff, like cleaning. Baking. Cooking. Getting the Kitchen Cleaned. All good, all necessary. But WHAT ABOUT SEWING?

Thinking I am going to have to be tricky to outsmart all the goalies. It can even be persimmon bread.... it's calling me. Why do I have such resistance to sewing? I'm afraid of leaving just one little thread that the cat would eat and then it would be disaster again. But there is such a thing as a door.... to put the cat on the other side of. Also, I have a vacuum cleaner, that would clean up any residue. Still, I hesitate. But how is Gwen going to get her purse by her birthday if it doesn't get done??

Oh, kitty....... Just like a lot of things in life (cars, for instance, which have spent lots of $$$ in the shop lately) there is a love-hate thing going on with the cat. It is so lovely (sadly, so rare) to sit with a warm kitty in my lap. This one will turn on you if you don't pet her Properly and it isn't always clear what that is.

Back to the sewing. Since I am writing this down, I expect myself to at least get SOME of it done within the next hour. At the very least, get it all ready and cut out and gathered. so........ timer set. GO!!!

And watch out, you goalies..

creating....

I keep hoping to create every day... lately haven't. BUT have been working on my space, so more creating can take place. Do cheater cookies count, LOL??

I was at a thrift store the other day, and a few things caught my eye. I love old clothes for making doll clothes, and I also used to make purses to sell, and ran across an interesting technique, made from old jeans. Found some really interesting jeans... as well as a couple blouses for making doll dresses. So my challenge to me is to get with it... I am going to take my sewing machine over to my mother in law's so I can sew while caring for her... I think that will really help, because over there we end up just chatting and I feel like I am not really doing much for her either, but someone needs to be there... so we will see on Tuesday... as long as my mom and dad stay out of the hospital. That's where I was last week. :)

So here's the pile... and hope in a couple weeks to have some finished projects to show off. I don't know if you can see the shiny sparkly stuff, and the jeans are embroidered with butterflies and beads... and yes there's a silk necktie there, and a strange pair of socks. Hmmm.... what to do.... I am full of ideas, we will see what really happens....