Creative Life Sampler

What do you do when a loved one brings you their all time favorite article of clothing and begs you to do something to salvage it? You do your best to mend it of course, . . . and maybe give it even more character. This not so gently used Patagonia pullover was covered with thread bare spots and rips that showed signs of years of love. The whole body of the garment had to be examined for holes.  I pulled the navy color from the top accent binding to mend along the bottom ribbing seam and cuff seams using embroidery floss. Circles were drawn around each spot with a heat erasable fabric pen and a blanket stich was sewn in ever smaller consecutive circles to create these dots in a lighter blue.      I won't take credit for this idea; mending examples are all over Instagram and other social media. To be honest, it all seemed like a lot of effort for not much return. I had no interest in the trend until I ran across these two books: Creative Mending by Hikaru Naguchi and...

Our Christmas tree skirt is layered. The top layer is an early marriage quilt project that fit our first artificial tree so many years ago. We thought it was the greatest investment we could make for our home at the time and I was so pleased to create something festive to finish off the look.   As artificial trees go, it was very modest and after 20 years or so it showed a lot of loving wear. It owed us nothing when we replaced it for a tree with a larger circumference. But the family wouldn't hear of replacing the tree skirt, - it was "tradition,"- even though it looked so meager under the new tree. The solution was to layer it. I got a round table cloth that complemented the quilted skirt and reached the edges of the tree's branches, instead of making something from scratch.                                              This is a really simple project. You don't actua...

Black & white print of laundry symbols made a cute laundry bag (top left) If there's any question on what the rest of the year holds, you have only to look to retailers for a hint. The schedule is all laid out in fabric and craft stores. Symbols and colors of Halloween stand side-by-side with the rich autumn palette and motifs of leaves and harvest. And on the next shelf? The familiar red and green combination of Christmas keeps company with the blue tones of Hanukkah and snow themes of winter. We are approaching the whirl wind that is the last quarter of the year. The crafters among us are planning their gift giving projects, . . . in fact, they've probably already started them!  If you're looking for a quick, simple project/gift idea, how about travel bags? A small laundry bag and some shoe bags are a colorful, useful addition to any happy wanderer's travel gear.   Then again, now that people are heading back to the office and the commuting routine, maybe you know...

Baby Shower Idea Our quilt guild members are sewing flannel burp cloths for the neonatal care unit at our local hospital. This is a quick, easy project and a great way to use up some scraps. These burp cloths measure 7 x 18 inches, a nice size to throw over the shoulder to protect clothing from anything that might come up while holding baby.  Rounded corners are safest. They can be drawn by lining up a small circular object with the horizontal and vertical edges at the corners, (I used the bottom of a child's pencil sharpener.) Two 7.5 x 18.5 inch lengths of fabric are sewn with right sides together using 1/4 inch seam allowance. Be sure to leave a couple of inches open on one of the sides. The rounded corners are clipped above the stitching, to maintain the curve, before turning it right side out and pressing. Match up the two sides at the opening and stitch it closed. Continue around the edge to give them a nice finish.   New moms are always searching around for someth...

 Reusable Gift Bags  Two different options for the drawstring on a holiday gift bag The challenge was to pack up a skateboard that was on the wish list of someone special. It's a heavy object, and an awkward shape. A paper gift bag would not work and I didn't trust an extra large holiday plastic bag. I knew this package would change hands several times before it reached the recipient. Hmmm, . . . What did I have in my fabric stash?  As it turns out, lots of holiday fabric! So I made a festive fabric gift bag. And I couldn't stop! Especially when I found a box of scraps and small pieced strips from old projects. That pile transformed itself into these... This is a great way to get rid of all those left overs that you can't bring yourself to toss out. It's called foundation piecing and is the technique used in crazy quilts.  It starts with a length of fabric which will be the "foundation" to build on. I used a light weight cotton muslin, so the interior of t...

The Potholder/Mug Rug/Trivet Once again my quilt guild has introduced me to something new, (well, new to me.)  Our challenge was to create potholders that would be gathered for an International Quilt Museum fundraiser. We each randomly drew crayons from a container to determine what colors we would use. I happened to get red and blue, and went for the obvious red, white and blue theme. Who doesn't enjoy holiday themed accents, right? The technique for this star was taken from Kaye Wood's Hexagon Star Project in Best of Fons & Porter: TableTop Quilts. And the guild provided squares of Pellon Insul-Fleece, a product that will "reflect heat or cold back to its source." Paired with one or two layers of batting to absorb moisture, this makes for a substantial and effective potholder, . . . or trivet, . . . or "mug rug".     Left: one of several products available  Right: layers- backing, batting, Insul-Fleece, batting, front Insul-Fleece can be found in the i...

Matching Aprons It's been a busy week and I'm just now getting the chance to share a project! I needed to get these cute aprons finished for a wedding shower this weekend.  This is one of my favorite gift giving ideas. We've known this bride all her life, so I wanted to give her something that she wouldn't get from anybody else. The best way to ensure that is to create it yourself.  She likes the "modern farm house" vibe, so I chose a farm animal print and matching checked fabric. I planned to switch out the pockets with the opposite fabric but found that the darker fabric could be seen through the check fabric so I lined everything with a white. This also gives the apron more layers to protect cloths from really messy stains.  Can't you just see the couple working side by side in the kitchen to prepare a meal? What a great "togetherness activity." I'm wondering: which apron will the bride wear and which will the groom wear?  Thanks to my rec...

Several people have asked about the status of my sewing machine, so this week's post is a final diary entry in my little story.  Dear, Dear Diary, I'm so pleased to have my sewing machine back! Sigh, . . . life is good.  I had resolved to face another weekend without it. Then the guy called around noon last Friday to let me know it was ready. Too bad h e couldn't see my happy dance  over the phone .  I tried to stay cool and collected as he read out all the things he had to fix or adjust; but I was just so excited. It was a long repair list though. Turns out it does matter who repairs your equipment. The last person that looked at my machine replaced an important part with a comparable piece that was not for my machine. NOT GOOD. There were a couple of things that weren't functioning at the right calibration, so they were adjusted. That weird clicking sound is gone and the light bulb was replaced. We're back in business and it's sewing like a dream.  Another ben...

FRIDAY Dear Diary, My sewing machine is in the shop and I don't know what to do with myself!!! We've been struggling with each other a lot lately. I'll be honest, frustration was growing by the minute, but I pushed through until I couldn't ignore it any longer. We had to take a break from each other, there was no other alternative.  Still, this is really difficult.  SATURDAY Diary, I suppose it's for the best that my machine get some attention.  I tried to be a good owner, cleaning out the lint occasionally. I even Goggled how to fix tension problems. I seem to have made matters worse.     So many spools of thread, so many miles of stitches.  We've been through a lot in the last year and a half. A light bulb went out months ago and we've practically been sewing in the dark ever since.  It doesn't owe me anything, and it will be so much better when everything is functioning as it should. At least the guy said he can get it to me by Monday. That's j...

Creating Your Version of the "Ugly Christmas Sweater" (1 of 2)   Original quick sketch for this project. An obvious consequence of adhering to stay at home orders is we're all together,... all the time. Right now, many people aren't commuting to work. They plow through assignments without distraction from co-workers, and don't have to dry clean work cloths or feel compelled to run other minor, non-essential errands. It turns out there's a lot more time in the day to be creative.  And holidays inspire one to create.  If you hadn't noticed, the 80's vintage "Ugly Christmas Sweaters" have become very popular again as people update and add their own twist to this garment in fun, amazing ways. Recently, in anticipation of a Zoom meeting with this theme, one of our kids was inspired to make one. She sketched out an idea and we got to work together to make this vision a reality.       After gathering supplies and tools: sturdy fabric scissors, an i...

Simple project, Big Impact The call went out from our guild recently that local hospitals need face masks for their health care providers. Who better to enlist than people who sew and have a ready supply of cotton fabrics? For me, sewing is a creative outlet and has given me years of person satisfaction. But this is one of those times when I am grateful to have a skill that I can use to make a contribution for the greater good. These masks have a colorful cotton outer layer and two layers of white cotton lining. They are not the ideal solution to the current shortages, but are meant to extend the life of the masks that will be worn under them. Participating in this effort is an offering of support for the selfless, loving service of our local health care providers during this challenging time. For more information check out this link: https://www.instructables.com/id/AB-Mask-for-a-Nurse-by-a-Nurse/

Tour of Quilters' Homes Continued (2 of 2) There is something cozy and gratifying about a home filled with quilts. Aside from seeing so many quilts in different settings, there were several unexpected advantages to the tour of quilters' homes. A crazy quilt displayed on Nadine's front porch   At large quilt shows the crowds can get pretty dense and you don't always get to see quilts up close. Of course, the "look, but don't touch" rule always applies, but this was an opportunity to view quilts in an intimate setting, with smaller groups. Good-natured volunteers helped visitors navigate through the homes and answer questions. The home owners/quilters were also available to greet guests and share their work. I have seldom happened on the creator of a piece at the same time as I'm viewing it at a quilt show. It was a treat to chat with several of them about their work,- right where they create it.   Nadine's Sewing Room, with an id...

A Gift Idea from the Sewing Room As we head in to the holiday season, many are turning their thoughts to gift giving. It's not too late to be creative for someone in your life! The example above was made for a friend going off to UCLA, so I chose the school's colors. To personalize it even more, I cut the paw print from the second color, and used iron on fusing to put it in place. Then I used a zigzag stitch around the outside to machine appliqué the paw on just the yellow length of fabric. This is a very popular way to make a cozy lap blanket. Stack two lengths of polar fleece and square them up so they are the same dimensions. While they are together, make a fringe around the outside edge by cutting toward the center about 5 inches in, and at least 1 inch apart. (Bear in mind: the wider the strips the bigger the knot will be, which means you may want the strips longer, to make sure you still have dangling ends. Of course, the longer the fringe, the less solid c...

Sewing Skills Utilized- Shower Gift A wedding shower last weekend! What a great opportunity to be creative!!!  😊 When we were getting married, a couple gave us a set of aprons: mine was sewn by the wife, my future husband's apron was sewn by the husband. This idea has become one of my favorite gifts for wedding showers. For this set of aprons, I found two coordinated fabrics, a solid and a plaid. It's a simple pattern, but I dressed it up with a machine appliquéd heart across the top left side, then switched up the pockets for an accent. Fun for the newly wed couple... those who cook together, eat together,- happy togetherness, right?

Encouraging Creativity A couple of weeks ago, I found myself leafing through the pattern books with my daughter at the local fabric store. A woman joined us. She and I struck up a casual conversation as my daughter quietly indulged my desire to chat. It turned out she was “getting back into sewing” and was looking for patterns because she had just purchased a new sewing machine. “Oh! You ought to try quilting!” I eagerly offered, … No, she had tried that. She was going to stick with sewing for her grand kids. I appreciated her decisiveness, even if it meant I needed to take quilting off the table as a topic of mutual interest. (Besides, she may revisit the idea of quilting in the future. Once she gets comfortable with her machine and reacquainted with her sewing skills, she may start looking for new ways to utilize them.) I quickly reverted to sewing and patterns. The conversation ended with an encouraging “I hope you enjoy your new machine. Happy sewing!”     ...

A Closer Look    (3 of 3) An expert could examine the fabric patterns and its condition in order to date the center of this quilt accurately. I believe the original quilter had sewn on a machine, so it can't date too far back...  A lot of these four square blocks contain a plaid, and I would guess that they are all cottons. But my teen-aged self didn't really seem take that into account when I chose scraps to construct new blocks. Apparently, I just used what was on hand in the scrap box. (I don't think I even considered fiber content.)  I may not be able to say when the quilt was started, but, because I recognize fabrics from my clothing projects, I have a pretty good idea of when this was finished.  I remember having to problem solve when the pink ran out- it was impossible to match exactly. So, I switched to white solid blocks for two rows. The remaining original squares were interspersed with the new four square blocks. It is a...

Sewing Skills Utilized I took some time off from quilting recently to do some garment sewing. Many stores were visited before we came to the conclusion that we weren't going to find a skirt in the right color with the right length... so we made a trip to the fabric store. Simplicity makes a line of vintage patterns that covers decades of fashion and we found this simple skirt which was just right for professional attire.  On those shopping expeditions, we were seeing lots of jumpsuits on the racks, but in some less than flattering fabrics and/or styles. So my other daughter found a sweet floral pattern with a flattering navy blue background and a McCall's pattern which we tailored to fit.  A jumpsuit from another time What I'm most tickled about is the fact that this has come full circle. When my kids were little I sewed quite a bit of their clothes but they eventually found their voices and asked for store bought clothes. I was relegated to Ha...