tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58950757264878395352024-03-13T03:37:29.381-07:00The Napkin LadyI'm going green with my sewing machine - making cloth napkins, using recycled fabrics, refurbishing used clothing, mending, and occasionally some not-so-green sewing (designing garments is fun!)Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-67158705157383940912010-12-29T05:00:00.000-08:002010-12-29T05:00:06.389-08:00Book Highlight - 99 Ways to Cut, Sew & Deck Out Your Denim<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=maktheworabet-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=030735170X" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: left;">"How many pairs of old jeans do you have in your closet?<br /><br />Everyone from the sewing novice to the fashion guru can appreciate the 99 ingenious projects that will reincarnate your denim has-beens into fashion must-haves. The techniques are simple, the supplies are easy-to-find, and every project takes ninety minutes or less, from start to finish."<br /></div></blockquote>Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-81061811346471329942010-11-22T05:00:00.000-08:002010-11-22T05:00:14.161-08:00Book Highlight - Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=maktheworabet-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0307460886" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic;"><blockquote>"Handbags are the ultimate accessory. Fortunately, you don't need a cookie-cutter designer bag to make a fashion statement. In today's greener, more fiscally responsible world, it makes a lot more sense–and is a lot more fun—to make your own. Whether your closet is already an amalgam of hand-made clothing and remastered mash-ups or you're diving into DIY for the very first time, bags are one of the easiest accessories to make over and require little more than a needle, thread, and everyday items you can find in the closet, garage, attic, or flea market.<br /><br />That's why the authors of 99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim & Tie Your T-Shirt into Something Special show you how to make boutique-ready bags on the cheap. The Blakeney sisters twist and weave, turn inside-out, and reappropriate just about anything and everything to fashion radical accessories with mad style and a message.<br /><br />In Refashioned Bags, you'll learn how to create carryalls, clutches, laptop bags, totes, and more. And all of them will get a unique look, whether from the use of an old wool sweater, an ex-boyfriend's neckties, extra shower curtains, dad's hand-me-down suit jacket, a quilt, an umbrella, or even a bath mat."</blockquote></div>Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-88388938797948016372010-11-15T05:00:00.000-08:002010-11-15T05:00:06.127-08:00Book Highlight - Sweater Surgery: How to Make New Things with Old Sweaters<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=maktheworabet-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=1592534201" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /></div><br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">"Why repurpose your sweaters? Because you can't buy sweater fabric by the yard. Sweaters get damaged or go out of style but we still love the prints, colors, and textures. You don't have time to knit it from scratch. It's ecologically correct. And most of all--it's fun!<br /><br />Sweater Surgery shows you how to upcycle all your slightly worn, slightly damaged, or plain old out-of-style sweaters into fabulous new items for your wardrobe and your home. Readers learn how to choose, cut, restitch, felt, and embellish old sweater fabric, transforming it into beautiful handbags, mittens, scarves, hats, hoodies, skirts, jewelry, soft toys, pillows, and more!"</blockquote>Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-65693942883303591122010-11-08T05:00:00.000-08:002010-11-08T05:00:11.798-08:00Book Highlight - The Sweater Chop Shop: Sewing One-of-a-kind Creations from Recycled Sweaters<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=maktheworabet-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=1603421556" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">"Recycle, Re-create, Re-enjoy<br /><br />You don't even need a sewing machine to upcycle old sweaters into new wearables, blankets, pillows, and dolls that are fresh, playful, and utterly captivating.<br /><br />It's easy as felting the wool, cutting the pieces for your new project, and stitching everything together using simple hand-sewing skills.<br /><br />Noted designer Crispina ffrench shares her techniques and passion as she introduces you to the beautiful possiblities in old sweaters."</blockquote></div>Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-24107325230518909822010-11-05T06:46:00.000-07:002010-11-05T06:47:51.914-07:00A way cool upcycled wedding dress.Imagine creating a one-of-a-kind wedding dress of entirely second-hand fabrics. Read all about it at the <a href="http://offbeatbride.com/2010/11/upcycled-wedding-dress">Offbeat Bride</a>.Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-84687496050596033462010-11-01T05:00:00.000-07:002010-11-01T05:00:03.972-07:00Book Highlight - Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=maktheworabet-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=1590305957" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: left;">"For many of us, our home is the center of our life. It is the place where our families meet and mingle, where we share our meals and share our dreams. So much more than just a space to live, our homes offer us a place of comfort, nourishment, and love for us and for our children.<br /><br />In Handmade Home, Amanda Blake Soule, author of The Creative Family and the blog SouleMama.com, offers simple sewing and craft projects for the home that reflect the needs, activities, and personalities of today’s families. As Amanda writes in the introduction, “As a crafter, I’m always looking for the next thing I want to make. As a mama, I’m always looking for the next thing we need—to do, to have, to use—as a family. The coming together of these parts is where the heart of Handmade Home lies.”<br /><br />Filled with thirty-three projects made by reusing and repurposing materials, all of the items here offer a practical use in the home. From picnic blankets made out of repurposed bed sheets to curtains made out of vintage handkerchiefs, these projects express the sense of making something new out of something old as a way to live a more financially pared-down and simple life; lessen our impact on the earth; connect to the past and preserve a more traditional way of life; and place value on the work of the hands. Also included are projects that children can help with, allowing them to make their own special contribution to the family home. "<br /></div></blockquote>Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-14499147802989170882010-10-31T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-31T05:00:00.588-07:00Halloween 2010 Geisha CostumeHere's Kivi's 2010 Halloween costume. Not pictured are the matching trick or treat bag made from remnants, and the other flower ornament in her hair (it's on her other temple).<br /><br />This year, aside from picking what she was going to be, I chose most of the individual details of her costume. She's currently very big on the color teal/turquoise, so when I saw the fabric, I knew it would be perfect. I told her about it, and she OK'd the choice from my description, so I acquired it the next time I was at JoAnne's with a 50% off coupon. She picked (and paid for) the parasol on her own, and chose which style of flip-flops she wanted (pretty slim pickings this time of year!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5111410052_a47aaa64f7_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 422px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5111410052_a47aaa64f7_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />She's wearing Teva flip flops (instead of the elaborate - and tall - wooden sandals that Geisha wear) and the tabi socks are converted from regular socks.<br /><br />Here are the individual stories about the different parts of her costume:<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://napkinlady.blogspot.com/2010/10/kivis-2010-halloween-costume.html">Kimono Pattern</a></li><li><a href="http://napkinlady.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween-2010-sneak-peak.html">Finished Kimono</a></li><li><a href="http://napkinlady.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-make-tabi-split-toed-socks-from.html">Tabi Socks</a></li><li><a href="http://napkinlady.blogspot.com/2010/10/repairing-parasol-aka-halloween-prop.html">Repairing the parasol</a></li><li><a href="http://napkinlady.blogspot.com/2010/10/fabric-remant-use-matching-trick-or.html">Trick or Treat Bag</a></li><li><a href="http://napkinlady.blogspot.com/2010/10/kanzashi-anyone.html">Kanzashi Hair ornaments</a><br /></li></ul>Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-11153098926176028812010-10-30T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-30T05:00:02.038-07:00Memory Lane: Halloween 2009Over the summer, we saw the new <span style="font-style: italic;">Star Trek</span> movie, and Kivi turned into a Trekkie over night. That's my girl!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XGl_y6JMgho/TKaIiBeddeI/AAAAAAAAAEY/pa_FMFiCLrg/s1600/2009+Costume+Starfleet+Science+officer.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XGl_y6JMgho/TKaIiBeddeI/AAAAAAAAAEY/pa_FMFiCLrg/s320/2009+Costume+Starfleet+Science+officer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523252111109617122" border="0" /></a><br />This is the third time I've used that Simplicity pattern (purple queen, and spider witch previously). This time though, I made some major modifications. <span style="font-style: italic;">You know, I think I'm getting the hang of this sewing thing!</span><br /><br />First off, I used the sleeves from the boy's knight costume instead of the long flowy sleeves. Next, I bound the neckline in black to simulate a female Starfleet uniform. And finally - I cut it off a little above the knee. The uniform is supposed to be short enough that it barely covers the butt, but Kivi was only 7 1/2 years old. Plenty of time for the sexpot look when she's older. Oh, and did I mention that this is the first time I've worked with a knit? I'm glad the stretched out lettuce edge on the lower hem looks deliberate (and good). Ok... I'm starting to want a serger.<br /><br />She already had the boots and the black leggings. I bought the black turtle neck. The Starfleet insignia was mine from when I was a kid. I just mounted it on black foam and turned it into a pin.<br /><br />Kivi wanted to be a Vulcan, but I wouldn't let her dye her hair (sound familiar?). So she's a red-headed half-human Vulcan. The eyebrows turned out great. I used powder and glue stick to cover her real eyebrows, and a brown eyebrow pencil to create the slanted ones.<br /><br />Creating the holster belt for the communicator and phaser was tough - sewing is an exercise in spacial relations, and that doesn't really come naturally to me.<br /><br />AND... This is the first year my sewing machine didn't quit on me right after starting the Halloween costume project. Yeah!!Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-16886764981783955192010-10-29T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-29T05:00:04.355-07:00Memory Lane: Halloween 2008Kivi really kind of designed her Spider Witch costume herself. She knew she wanted to be a witch, and that she wanted to be scary. So then, she found the fabrics and said "we should buy this see-through fabric and put it on top of this shiny fabric." Huh. Can I do that? "Ok, hon, that sounds like fun." (DOH! Not only am I working with a see-through fabric again, but now I'm working with a slithery slippery metallic fabric??? I'm insane).<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XGl_y6JMgho/TKaFm20aNsI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/ySps-UJJ5bo/s1600/2008+Costume+Spider+Queen.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XGl_y6JMgho/TKaFm20aNsI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/ySps-UJJ5bo/s320/2008+Costume+Spider+Queen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523248895613351618" border="0" /></a><br />It was hard to figure out the modifications to the pattern (the same pattern as her purple queen costume from 2 years before) to make a 2-layer costume. I don't mean to brag, but DAMN, Kivi and I make a great team. I think this costume is lovely. And the neighborhood girls have been playing dressup with it ever since. I bought the hat and jewelry at Party City or some place like that.<br /><br />Oh, and did I mention that my sewing machine went on the blink AGAIN??? It HATED that hot-pink fabric. This time when I took it in to be fixed, I came home with a new sewing machine.Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-44097549040176354752010-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-28T05:00:00.840-07:00Memory Lane: Halloween 2007This time Kivi wanted to be Medusa. I think we had just watched the 1980s era movie <span style="font-style: italic;">Clash of the Titans</span> or something. We looked at artist renditions of Medusa, and she decided to be a beautiful version.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XGl_y6JMgho/TKaEBaal7eI/AAAAAAAAAEI/GbeOG-lgrFY/s1600/2007+costume+Medusa.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XGl_y6JMgho/TKaEBaal7eI/AAAAAAAAAEI/GbeOG-lgrFY/s320/2007+costume+Medusa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523247152822087138" border="0" /></a><br />The costume turned out GREAT. The snake hat was an utter pain in the ass. My fingers got so sore poking holes through the plastic snakes so that I could sew them on, that I ended up drilling tiny holes through them with my Dremel. Never again. (Hmmm... is a pattern emerging here?)<br /><br />This was also the first (and so far only) time that I've made a vintage pattern. This one was from the 1960s, and I got it from someone on eBay. Pattern conventions haven't really changed that much, at least not in the last 40 years. They are still written for people who know what they are doing. At least I knew slightly more this time around.<br /><br />I got the fabric on clearance for about $2/yard. It's this slithery stretchy costume fabric, and my sewing machine HATED HATED HATED it. I was getting pretty tired of dealing with that temperamental beast. Another trip to the repairman, who made a minor adjustment, and it started working again.Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-29531190268419648912010-10-27T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-27T05:00:04.511-07:00Memory Lane: Halloween 2006This year, Kivi asked to be a queen. We picked a pattern this time: Simplicity 5520. I made the view on the lower right.<br /><br /><a href="http://images.patternreview.com/sewing/patterns/simplicity/5520/5520.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 374px;" src="http://images.patternreview.com/sewing/patterns/simplicity/5520/5520.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This was the first time I'd ever actually followed a pattern on my own (the wrap skirt I made in 7th grade Home Ec doesn't count).<br /><br />Have you ever actually LOOKED at a pattern envelope and instructions??? They are totally written for someone who actually knows how to sew. It was really, really hard, and I had to read each instruction like 200 times, and wrestle with my mother's 30+ year old Singer Athena 2000 which fritzed out on me (again!). Got it fixed and kept plugging away, and after lots and lots of calls to my mother, I wound up with this:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XGl_y6JMgho/TKaCGgV05WI/AAAAAAAAAEA/r5rOY5vqMx4/s1600/2006+Costume+Queen.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XGl_y6JMgho/TKaCGgV05WI/AAAAAAAAAEA/r5rOY5vqMx4/s320/2006+Costume+Queen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523245041288799586" border="0" /></a><br />Not too bad for a beginner! And that see-through sleeve fabric was a PITA to work with. Never again. I did manage to add a set of inner sleeves to keep Kivi warm. I made tubes and sewed them in. Wrong shape, but you can't see the flaws, as they are hidden under the real sleeves. They worked, so can't complain. Got the garland at the RenFest that year.Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-5977495656201140162010-10-26T05:00:00.001-07:002010-10-26T05:00:01.530-07:00Memory Lane: Halloween 2005This is the very first Halloween costume that I made for Kivi. Not only did I make it, but I designed it myself! I made a poncho out of white fabric by taking a rectangle, and cutting a hole for Kivi's head. Then I sewed on some ties to hold it closer to her neck. I then made a hood, and sewed TONS of strips of fabric and gauze all over it.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XGl_y6JMgho/TKZ_jbol6iI/AAAAAAAAAD4/_yKFnRnw4cM/s1600/2005+costume+ghost.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XGl_y6JMgho/TKZ_jbol6iI/AAAAAAAAAD4/_yKFnRnw4cM/s320/2005+costume+ghost.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523242239706655266" border="0" /></a><br />The darned thing was uncomfortable, and probably dangerous for my then-four-year-old. She couldn't see very well with the hood, and we ended up trick-or-treating with the hood off most of the time.<br /><br />This was the first year that my sewing machine got temperamental on me, and I had to borrow a machine from a friend to finish Kivi's costume.Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-5918814677679972262010-10-25T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-25T05:00:08.337-07:00Book Highlight - Sewing Green<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=maktheworabet-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=1584797584" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">"By its nature, do-it-yourself sewing is environmentally friendly. In Sewing Green, Betz White takes stitching to an even higher level of sustainability, presenting 25 projects made from "repurposed" thrift-store and back-of-the-closet finds and organic fabrics.<br /><br />White’s whimsical yet practical designs include an apron constructed from men’s dress shirts (and a wallet from the shirts’ cuffs!), a soft blanket pieced from secondhand cashmere sweaters, and even a tote bag refashioned from used Tyvek envelopes. Along the way, White dispenses tips on everything from how to deconstruct old garments for reuse in new creations to how to wrap gifts with resusable fabric scraps instead of paper.<br /><br />Inspiring profiles about well-known leaders in the eco-stitching movement are sprinkled throughout, and a complete resources section helps crafters make eco-smart choices. With Sewing Green, today’s sewers will be fashioning handmade heirlooms and sustaining traditions for generations to come."</blockquote></div>Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-13762534343345796362010-10-24T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-24T09:30:29.905-07:00Kanzashi, anyone?So, how DOES one make a kanzashi?<br /><br />You know, a kanzashi. You mean you don't know what a kanzashi is? Huh. Imagine that. You must be from the West.<br /><br />It's one of those dangly hair ornaments that Japanese brides and geisha wear in their hair, usually above one temple, so that the dangly bits gracefully brush their jawline.<br /><br />They are really quite lovely, actually. Here's an example of a real one:<br /><br /><a href="http://moonwaltz.sakura.ne.jp/kz/k61.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 330px;" src="http://moonwaltz.sakura.ne.jp/kz/k61.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Here's what it looks like in action (She's a bride wearing a Japanese wedding kimono):<br /><br /><a href="http://moonwaltz.sakura.ne.jp/customer/2010/mgsg-01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 451px;" src="http://moonwaltz.sakura.ne.jp/customer/2010/mgsg-01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />You know, I think these outfits have a lot more flair, and are much more interesting than most western wedding dresses, and I LOVE the colors. But I digress. These came from this site: <a href="http://www1.odn.ne.jp/maya/english/enknshop.htm">Maya Japanese Traditional Arts and Crafts.</a> If you want to see more, there are lots to gaze at.<br /><br />Now, I can't afford to buy one of the kanzashi on this site. Supporting traditional crafts like this sounds pretty cool. But the prices are pretty expensive, ($120 to $185 for the ones I looked at), and I'm not going to spend that for a Halloween costume for a kid.<br /><br />So, I made my own with some old hair clips, barrettes, silk flowers, glass leaf beads, and hot melt glue. Total cost for new materials: about $2 for the flowers. The rest I had on hand.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1407/5111141320_330128bb54_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 230px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1407/5111141320_330128bb54_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>And here's the (rather ugly) back, showing the liberal use of glue.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5110532079_afea568a52_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 159px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5110532079_afea568a52_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-80267711871800196242010-10-23T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-23T05:00:06.899-07:00How to make Tabi (split-toed) socks from regular socksKivi needed a pair of tabi socks to wear with her flip-flops for her Geisha costume on Halloween. Good thing I found this:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_5041897_make-splittoe-socks-regular-socks.html">eHow Tutorial: Coverting socks to tabi socks</a><br /><br />Here's how mine turned out. I'm not thrilled with the gold stripes across the toes, but for the costume, I'm not going to worry too much about it.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1128/5103135359_3b57091d15_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1128/5103135359_3b57091d15_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-35548479848917905382010-10-22T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-22T05:00:10.279-07:00Fabric remant use: Matching trick-or-treat bag<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1096/5101062762_1f131a54e1_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 414px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1096/5101062762_1f131a54e1_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Using leftover fabric from Kivi's costume, I made her a matching trick-or-treat bag. It's a little narrower and shorter than a paper grocery bag, and much shallower front-to-back. It's fully reversible, and it took maybe an hour. <br /><br />Fun stuff. My daughter's first comment was "I can use it as a pillow bag while I'm waiting for Halloween!"Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-8637298264662405442010-10-21T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-24T18:24:39.175-07:00Repairing a parasol (AKA Halloween prop)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs457.ash2/73022_10150102050123238_621603237_7554832_1681131_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 355px; height: 265px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs457.ash2/73022_10150102050123238_621603237_7554832_1681131_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Kivi bought a parasol with her own money at the Minnesota State Fair this year, and not long after she brought it home, she and a friend were playing with it ... and alas something happened.<br /><br />An accident and the cheap umbrella was missing some lacing that held it together, and one spar was split. I repaired the spar with clear tape (you can see it at about the 2:00 position), and then threaded a small tapestry needle and tied some rayon thread (the thinner thread in the upper right) and re-laced it. I also replaced the green thread circling the crown (it's kind of tan in the picture) with tan upholstery thread.<br /><br />So now, it's ready for Halloween and her Geisha costume.Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-16098030823883302692010-10-20T15:42:00.000-07:002010-10-20T15:50:58.193-07:00Book Highlight - Sew Eco<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=maktheworabet-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=1408102846" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic;">"Sustainable sewing projects don't have to be scratchy hemp skirts and brown patchwork aprons - you could be making beautiful one-off pieces for yourself and your home from unique and unusual eco-friendly recycled or vintage fabrics. A whole new generation of savvy craftsters have been dusting off old sewing machines and revving them up, but they don't want to make just any old thing. This book will guide readers through a series of stylish sewing projects with a focus on sourcing and using sustainable fabrics. The projects teach different aspects of sewing, starting with making cushions from recycled shirts, old jumpers, vintage buttons and other materials, working through making simple skirts and bags, to using leather applique, working with vintage lace and peace silk, using organic fabrics for scarves and shawls and even 'upcycling' an old suede skirt or hat into something beautiful and unique. "<br /></div></div>Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-86274915742934891382010-10-19T10:10:00.000-07:002010-10-19T10:12:43.055-07:00Cool reusable shopping bags - using a plastic shopping bag as a patternTake a look at this: Someone made a reusable grocery bag by using a plastic shopping bag as their pattern.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=177482.0">http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=177482.0</a>Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-58056746288651793192010-10-18T06:33:00.001-07:002010-10-18T07:51:54.926-07:00Cheap (sort of) fleece sweatpants<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5091099972_6ecd7aa6a8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 453px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5091099972_6ecd7aa6a8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />In general, you can't save money by sewing. Nearly everything is cheaper to buy ready-made than to make it, especially if you shop at big box stores like Target.<br /><br />Every once in awhile, I stumble across a sale, however, that makes it possible to make something at a better price than if you buy it.<br /><br />A couple of years ago, I scored some cheap white polar fleece at a warehouse liquidation sale (they were moving locations) for only $1/yard (compare that to the regular price at JoAnne's, which ranges from $9-$12/yard). It's been sitting in my closet, waiting for a project.<br /><br />Well, just such a project came up a couple of weeks ago.<br /><br />I had just made a pair of white fleece pants for my daughter to wear under her Halloween costume. My 16-year-old stepson took one look at them and said "I want a pair." Given that it was the first time my stepson had actually asked for something, I jumped on the chance.<br /><br />The pattern was a $1 (on sale) Simplicity pattern (<a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/patterns/sewingpatterns.pl?patternid=6211">5362 </a>for those who are interested) that I had bought on spec at some point. I went out and bought zippers for the pockets and elastic for the waist. The thread used was so inexpensive that it was almost free (serger thread is comparatively inexpensive comes in very big quantities, and it doesn't take much for a simple project like this). I don't remember the price of the elastic that I used in the ankles, as I bought it several years ago, so I'll have to guess on that. It's nearly impossible for me to quantify the paper used to trace the pattern as we got it for free, so I'm not going to count it.<br /><br />So the breakdown goes like this:<br /><br />$1.00 for pattern<br />$2.50 for 2.5 yards of fabric<br />$2.60 for zippers<br />$2.60 for 2 packages of elastic<br />$0.25 for thread<br /><u>$0.50 for 2/3 yard of elastic</u><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">$9.45 Materials Total</span><br /><br />Activewear pants for men at Target start at about $10, but most run around $14-20 depending. Now that said, I spent probably 10 hours on the pants. That includes tracing the pattern which is somewhat time consuming (and wouldn't have to be repeated if I make them again for him). It also counts the 2+ hours I spent figuring out the !@#$% coverstitch capabilities on my serger (there was NOTHING in the manual explaining how you start and stop, which is VERY different than when you are simply serging, and messes things up if you try and use it like a serger).<br /><br />Considering that I won't ever have to worry about learning the coverstitching again, let's knock off 2 hours from the total. That brings us down to 8 hours. Let's also spread the pattern tracing times over perhaps 3 pairs of those pants, so that brings us down to 7 hours. I also think I'll be MUCH faster the next time I make them, as there are other things I understand how to do now, so I think we can bring the time down to perhaps 5 hours. If I pay myself $20/hour, then it means that the true cost of the sweats are $109.45. Even if I only pay myself $10/hour, they'd cost $59.45.<br /><br />Another consideration is that I couldn't make another pair that cheaply, as I usually buy comparable quality (aka not particularly high quality) inexpensive fleece from JoAnne's for about $5/yard on sale. But if you wanted real, high quality fleece like the kind you'd get on clothing from L.L. Bean, you could expect to spend closer to $20/yard at the consumer level (few of us are prepared to buy in wholesale quantities). What this means is that the materials cost would range from $19 - $57.<br /><br />Huh.... so much for being cheap sweat pants. Makes you wonder about how Target and Walmart can offer such things so cheaply. Big sewing factories can certainly turn out pants far more cheaply and quickly than I can due to streamlined processes, and outsourcing to foreign countries where labor costs are far cheaper and less regulated also lowers costs substantially.<br /><br />But, you should consider what your clothing is really worth, and where it comes from. I'm absolutely not telling you to quit buying your clothing from discount department stores (I'm not gonna stop, so it would be hypocritical for me to tell you to do so). But, knowing the true value of your clothing is something to keep in mind. Some person, somewhere, made it so that you wouldn't have to.<br /><br />My recommendation? If you can afford to do so, try to buy your clothing locally. If that's not really feasible, then at least try to buy clothing made in your own country, where you can more easily find out if the labor and industrial waste practices are ethical, AND less fuel will be spent getting the clothing to you. And finally, buy higher quality clothing, but less of it, and then make it last.<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5091099972_6ecd7aa6a8.jpg"><br /></a>Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-90753123029332665232010-10-15T20:04:00.000-07:002010-10-15T20:11:35.190-07:00Recreating a Victorian bat costumeEvadress is a woman who specializes in re-creating vintage patterns. She finds a picture, then creates multi-sized patterns so that you can make them too.<br /><br />The coolest one though is a <a href="http://evadress.blogspot.com/2010/07/bat-crinoline-progress.html">bat costume from 1887</a>. It's breathtaking. I don't even know how to do many of the techniques that were used. But, it's very, very cool. There are a few more pics <a href="http://evadress.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html">here</a>.Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-6970144839599443532010-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-12T05:00:12.872-07:00Philly Zoo Dress RehabSo what do you do when a favorite dress gets a little too short?<br /><br /><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs133.snc1/5694_150781758237_621603237_3490777_7714692_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 379px; height: 505px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs133.snc1/5694_150781758237_621603237_3490777_7714692_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs133.snc1/5694_150781758237_621603237_3490777_7714692_n.jpg"><br /></a>I bought this dress for my daughter at the Philadelphia Zoo when she was 2 years old. There was no size listed on the tag, but it literally came down to her ankles. I liked it so much that I bought it for her anyway, but put it away until she was 4, and then she wore it all the time.<br /><br />Until she was 7, when it had gotten so short, it barely covered her butt. Still fit around her OK, though. (Ankles to butt... how did that happen? It was like Kivi <span style="font-style: italic;">grew </span>or something)<br /><br />There was also a hole in the front, a few inches above the hem. Kivi still liked the dress and wanted to keep wearing it, despite the crazily short length.<br /><br />So, I attacked the hem with a seam ripper, and let it down. Periwinkle is an amazingly difficult color to match, but Kivi and I found a batik that worked OK. I made a ruffle and attached it to the bottom of the dress:<br /><br /><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs133.snc1/5694_150781748237_621603237_3490776_3986259_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 516px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs133.snc1/5694_150781748237_621603237_3490776_3986259_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I covered the hole with a matching patch, which gave it a nice deliberate look. Here's a closeup of the new work:<br /><br /><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs153.snc1/5694_150781763237_621603237_3490778_76889_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 535px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs153.snc1/5694_150781763237_621603237_3490778_76889_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I actually like it that the old stitching, dye colors, and fold lines are still visible. They add texture and interest, and tell a story.Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-44434645671035681262010-10-11T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-11T12:38:07.512-07:00Halloween 2010 Sneak PeakShhh... want to see Kivi's Halloween costume just a bit early?<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5062560717_35bcaa79b0_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 228px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5062560717_35bcaa79b0_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Brocade on the outside, lined with a butterfly flannel print. It's quite warm.<br /><br />Here's a closeup of the obi. Sewing that cord on was a pain in the ass.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5062561995_9c7e58cdf2_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 269px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5062561995_9c7e58cdf2_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-84181084316279694002010-10-10T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-10T05:00:01.758-07:00Greenest use of a sewing machine - kinda, well, boringI think that mending clothing and other textiles has got to be the greenest use of my sewing machine. It's extends the life of clothing that we already have, thereby preventing the need to buy new or even used clothing. <br /><br />But... I just wish mending were more fun. It's really kind of boring.<br /><br />I vastly prefer to make new things, be it napkins, clothing, or matching couch pillows. Sometimes when a mending job is challenging, where I have to think through just how to repair the item - that makes it a little more interesting.<br /><br />Ah well, before I sound too doomy and gloomy - I have to brag that by repairing my husband's jeans, that I've saved the household literally hundreds of dollars at this point, and in fact, the savings has been great enough that it virtually paid for my sewing machine. So, there are indeed rewards, just not interesting ones. ;-)Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895075726487839535.post-8083805815897565082010-10-09T05:00:00.001-07:002010-10-09T06:41:06.476-07:00Holey fitted sheets, Batman! (...part 2)Ok, so I've got a sheet (8 years old or so) that has a big shredded spot. . . . So I mended it.<br /><br />Here's the hole:<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5063008677_2d89198319_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 287px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5063008677_2d89198319_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I read up on different methods of fixing sheets, and here's what I did:<br /><br />I ended up cutting 12" square patches (one for each side of the fabric, because the area needing repair is totally shredded) out of an old cotton sheet that has even more holes in it, that I've saved for just this sort of thing. I then cut an 11.5" square piece of fusible web (think of it as big sheets of double-stick tape for fabric, except that it's permanent, and bonds with the fabric). I bonded one side to one of my patches, then folded over 1/4" of fabric and bonded that to the back side of the fusible web. I now had an iron-on-patch.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5063015303_cb775ecbf8_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 285px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5063015303_cb775ecbf8_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hint: cut diagonal triangles off each corner so that when you fold it over, it forms a mitered corner. This reduces bulk at the corners.<br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5063022551_4c2006391f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 265px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5063022551_4c2006391f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5063635664_c5a90081c5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 239px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5063635664_c5a90081c5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I then cut the corners off the second patch and folded the edges of that in by 1/4" and then pressed the heck out of it. I then positioned the iron-on patch with the fusible side up on my ironing board. I then placed hole, top side down, centered on top of the patch. I then placed the second patch over the hole, trying to get the edges as even as possible with the other patch. I then used a wash-out fabric glue stick to hold the edges down, so it wouldn't shift while I was stitching it.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5063642440_46faa2f835_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 268px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5063642440_46faa2f835_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Then I ironed the heck out of it, fusing the web to the fabrics.<br /><br />Next step - take it to the sewing machine. I stitched from the top side, as close to the edge of the patch as possible (trying to minimize the amount of "edge" that can catch on toenails or the like). I flipped it over, and found that I'd missed the edge of the lower patch alone one side, so I stitched a second row of stitching a couple of millimeters inside the first row of stitching.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5063645508_8f677e909e_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 367px; height: 275px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5063645508_8f677e909e_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Voila: I end up with this. One thing I would do differently next time is round the corners - less likely to catch the corners on stuff, and I think it would be smoother.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5063649834_1cc504dfda_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 353px; height: 264px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5063649834_1cc504dfda_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The sheet has been in nearly constant use for 8 years. It's a really high-quality cotton, and king-sized sheets are expensive. But... the fabric is pretty threadbare in places. I think I've probably only gained a few months of use, or perhaps a year or so. But, better than buying a new one, at least for now.<br /><br />Edit: I slept on the patch last night, and while it's a little stiff, it matters not at all down near my feet and lower legs as that is. If I <span style="font-style: italic;">try </span>to find it with my feet, I can, but otherwise it's completely fine.Cathy Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03165957292642794171noreply@blogger.com1