Month: June 2009

weekend creating #2

Last night I felt like quite the renegade. A wild woman sewing without rules or patterns.

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Ok, so there are rules. Here are the top rules I’ve found when working with sewing projects:

  • IRON, IRON, IRON. I know it’s hot, it’s annoying, it’s time consuming… but when I iron my pieces things come together MUCH better.
  • slow and steady. Don’t rush, don’t try to rush. NO MATTER WHAT. Takes a lot more time to rip seams than to think it through the first time.
  • think about the finished product. If you want to have beading, little details, decorative bits, etc… you may need to do those EARLY on – not at the end. This total opposite to my scrapbook work (where details go last) gets me.

The bottom line – a lot of paper skills convert to sewing. BUT! Sewing is it’s whole own hobby with rules, techniques, and learning. I’ve got a lot of learning to go.

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Speaking of paper translating to fabric, I finally used the 1/2 yard of pretty fabric (it’s cosmo cricket – got it at equilter.com) I never have known what to do with. I made myself an apron! Just a very simple knee-length with 1 pocket – but fun and great for my sewing skills.

Happy crafting!

weekend creating #1

Sometimes I get an idea in my head and I MUST ACT. Mostly these are creative things, here’s an example.

I wanted to make a BIG shape with core’dinations cardstock (which has contrasting color inside)  then stitch then tear. Lightly sketch the shape, then stitch along the edges, then tear outside that so the contrasting core color shows through.

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Result? LOVE IT! This is a star, but I also visualize smaller stars, hearts, circles, scallop circles, and… I don’t know. But MORE! (paper bits & ribbon are cosmo cricket, pen & letters american crafts, buttons unknown)

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That’s my superstar layout for today, now off for more weekend creating. I’ll be sharing again soon!

purse

So I want to make myself a purse. Plus one each for my girls, and Becca’s friend who also loves purses. Ok, and a few more for ME. Problem? Never made one. I started out by making a pretty simple one for Miss Rebecca.

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First off, the Heather Bailey fabric? LOVE IT! I chose two fabrics that coordinate. I made the strap a good ‘becca’ length. My #1 piece of advice: iron everything… a lot. It made a HUGE difference in my bag straight-ness, stitching, etc. Ironing does help even if it’s a pain and not my favorite activity. finished size of this bag is about 8 x 11

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Now let’s talk about mistakes. I sewed the lining + outside together too early. Should have made two separate ‘bags’ then sewn together just once. BUT- that’s ok. It’s all about learning, figuring out the creative process, and having FUN. I’ve got big ideas for my next purse – I’ll be sure to share here.

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Have a great weekend!

PS- yes, I am still without my laptop so I’m on a borrowed PC to post this. Hopefully laptop will be back in service next week!!!

it’s like this.

my laptop keyboard needs replacing. T,R,E,I,O, and all other keys on that row are not typing right… so I will only have connection via husband’s computer… so I won’t be on much until that is fixed. That’s why I’ve been missing the last few days – and while I’ll continue to be absent mostly.

I will pick the winner to the prize last week SOON. ( but it’s still open – last chance!)

In the meantime – my Recipes class is re-running at BPS – check it out here: http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/recipes.php