Embroidery Club Monday

Today was so crazy, I got up early to clean out the RV. It was pouring rain out. The teenager and I cleaned out the RV and dropped it off at the dealership.  Yesterday I found all the keys and the titles to both of the vehicles we traded in on the new truck.  Because today is Embroidery Club day, I need to leave home by 11 am  for the 1:30 minute drive to Grand Rapids MN. I had a plan for what I wanted for the cleaning. But decided that we were just going to load up the boxes and bags and sort the stuff latter. We dropped off the RV at 1030. I was on the road by 1050.  Look what I left on the kitchen floor.

This is stuff from the RV kitchen and the bathroom.

Monthly my Babylock dealer has an Embroidery club meeting where she shows off new stuff and then we show off what we did in the last month.

I bought this very cool Glow in the Dark thread. 

I got home about 4:45 and checked my email, and I got a surprise.

Every Sunday I spend a good part of my afternoon in the Family History Center helping people work on their family genealogy.  This Sunday, the center cleared out early and I started to read on Rootsweb's message board about Croatia.   I decided to post a message asking for help. My great-grandparents came from what is now Croatia to America in 1910's.  My surprize was a two and a half page email response from an expert on Croatia Family History.  He gave me information about my family names that confirmed what I had been told that we were German.  He also gave me 4 links to more information.  One link he believe is a family tree of my maiden name. I had found this page before but dismissed it because the birthdate was wrong.  

I need to go throught the email and read each link and think about what the expert is trying to tell me.  I am so excited about my upcoming trip to Salt Lake City for a genealogy conference on Eastern Europe.

Scrub caps Finished

Love the halloween model!

Don't you love my model.  I wanted to show what the caps looked like other than in a big pile on the cutting table. No one in my house wants to be the model and right now the Hubby is working in the gargage on his lathe and the teenager is working.  I bought this old halloween candy dispenser a few years ago. When you stick your hand in his mount for candy he makes noise. 

Any way, it's now 6 pm and I sewed Scrub caps.  I pinned them last night watching TV and I finished 11 caps in 40 minutes.  They are off my "to do" list.  Whoo Hoo.

 I only had just plans for sewing all afternoon, but that's not what happened.  I am so glad I was better organized so I could whip through these caps and be finsihed.

 We got up early and got our Saturday chores (grocery shopping) done early. Right as the Hubby was going into the garage to work on his lathe and I was heading down stairs to sew, the phone rang. The dealership had sold our RV if we still wanted to trade it in. Plus, the financing group had a special discount this weekend. So we grabbed the Ford Explorer that was also going to be traded in and headed in for the sales manager to test drive. He needed to do that to set the trade-in value for the vehicle. 2 hours later we are the proud new owners of a Toyota 4Runner. I have a list of chores to do Monday morning, before I go to Embroidery club in Grand Rapids.

I collected up all the extra keys and the titles. Monday the teenager and I need to empty the RV. It's a good thing I bought some new storage tubs, because there is something in every cabinet and in every cubby.

15, 30, and 60 minute sewing

Today was kind of crazy, but I was determined not to waste even small bits of time.  So I broken the sewing steps into small time blocks. I decided to work on the half finished scrubs caps that were in the pile on my sewing table.
First thing I did was to cut my 1 1/2 inch fabric strips for the ties, 15 minutes.

Next block of time was to run the fabric through my bias tape machine.  I watched a bunch of different directions for how to use this machine. I read and re-read the directions.  This is my method.
Step 1.  Clip the end of the fabric strip into a point. Turn on machine wait for light to turn green.

Step 2. Feed the end of the fabric into the tip. I use a pin to nudge the fabric through the tip, until you have 3 inches sticking out the end.

Step 3.  Lift the heating lid off the heating element. Place the tip back into place.  replace heating lid and hold for count of 5.

Step 3. Lift heating lid again. be careful and pull fabric tip until the end is over the roller. Replace the heating lid and count to 5.

Step 4. Press the Run button, until finished. Press Run button to end. 20 minutes.

Step 5. Fold in ends and then fold the length in half and sew.

After the Schwan man left and I did some house chores, I had 60 minutes to sew ties

 I have a great clear presser foot that actually allows the fabric tie to run right between the side runners of the foot.  I use this foot more often than any other foot, because the side runners are 1/4 inch. If I put the needle in the center of the foot it is 1/2 inch. My favorite part is that I can see where I am and where I'm going. 

Finished pile of tie straps.

Then after running errands, I got to sew some more.60 minutes.

I added the straps to the cap. Yesterday I had 30 minutes to sew so I serged the edge of the front of the cap. Today, I turned the serged edge up and pinned a ties to each end of the hem. I finished 9 of the 20 scrub caps, before the Hubby called saying he was on the way home from work.  I pinned and sewed as I went along. I think if I had taken the time to pin all 20 caps, the actually sewing time would have been reduced to 30 minutes.

That left me with a pile of finished caps on the right and a pile of caps ready to have the hem pinned, while I watch TV tonight. Of course after I finish writing this post.

New Buddy

This morning I had to clean up my messy space to begin to do anything. You might think that I'm a teenager the way everything was thrown around and piled on every surface.  I basted my new nightgown's seams, so I could check fit. I was pretty happy with the fit. I could use a smidge extra across the bust, but it's do able. I also played with the tensions on both the sewing machine and the serger. This material is a silk and is wiggly and touchy.

It's hard to see, but I ran to Joann's for matching thread.  I'm going to have to change my buying method. Normally, I like to buy 2 spools of thread for a project, so I can wind bobbins while still sewing. Now I need 4 spools, so I can serge, or maybe six spools.

My new baby can use regular thread, not just cone thread. I just slide on these spool holders over the thread spindles and off I go. I have four sets of cone thread, 4 of each, black, grey, cream, and navy blue.  

 I had to take two breaks and go pick up the husband from the dealership.  He came out of a dentist appointment and the check engine light came on. It turned out to be nothing, but I picked him up and then ran him back over there to get the car when it was done.

I pinned the lace on the front of the bodice. The machines are set up for tomorrow,. Whoo Hoo.
I also used the serger to clean up the edges for some of my towel samples.  I needed to do something about the raw edges.  I was learning toward binding the edges, but serging, is perfect.  I also finished the cover of my pin board, it's just a pale blue, bed sheet, I fixed the hem, that was coming undone, and the serged two sides, My picture of the board turned out kind of crappy, because of the lighting and the pale color.

So you can see towel samples instead.

I also cut the rest of the towels, I have in the pile for samples. I will also serge those edges in the next few days. This way I have the pieces ready to stitch samples wihout running around looking for old towels.

The Hubby has been eyeing a Toyota 4 Runner, so when I dropped him off, he stopped and talked to the sales manager.  He would like to trade out unused RV in and his Explorer, the one I got fixed last week.   About 2 hours after the Hubby came home, I got a messge on my phone about the pictures the sales manager asked for, the dealership already has someone interested in the RV. So tomorrow morning I'm going to take pictures of our RV and email them to the dealership.  Looks like his going to get a new truck faster than I planned. Hopefully it will have stopped raining,

Evolution

I was so sick of fussing with my serger. I have sewing to do. Don't you Know?!  Thursday last week I fussed and got frustrated and walked away.
Friday I fussed some more and thought I had it fix, Nope. not fixed.  Grumble, grumble.
Saturday, Went and drooled over a new serger. Too much money
Sunday talked to Hubby about old serger.
Monday, Called my favorite dealer 1 1/2 hours away from my town. She had an Evolution for better price, display model, I'm good with that. She even threw in some extras.

Today. I drove over early and got a lesson, threaded the machine five ways to Sunday. Ran to lunch with a friend. then picked up my new buddy.

Yes I grabbed the photos from the web. I didn't want to show off my messy sewing room. This morning I decided I needed to have a bag of scraps to practice on. So I cut left and right and just tossed stuff every where to leave to get my new friend.

This Machine is two machines in one. It's a serger and a coverstitch machine. The best part is the air threading system. You run your looper threads through two steps and then tuck the end of your thread in the hole and swoosh, the looper is threaded.  If you watch the video on Babylock's site. Nancy Zieman is so excited about this threading system.  (I grabbed the YouTube.com link because it was easier to grab.)

The method if switching from sergeing 3-, 4-  to coverstitch is so easy, flip the lever and thread the coverstitch needles.  2 minutes I swear from sergeing to coverstitch.  You can also combine coverstitch and serging, or you can chainstitch (straight stitch) and serge.

I got home after being stuck behind a logging truck doing 55 in a 60 MPH zone. I unboxed it and threaded my new buddy.  I made such a mess, I need to take the time to clean before I can do more than just stitch more samples.  Tomorrow, I need more thread. I have that night gown project and the jean skirt.

Lost Morning to Chores

I lost my morning to this.

The plan was to have a girlfriend pick me up at the dealership and I would help her put her computer together. Then when my car was finished she would drop me off. Well that's not what happened. 

She didn't show up, but there was a funeral at our church. I didn't know the gentleman, but I do know the family.  I didn't plan on going to the funeral, I didn't know my friend decided to go.

So I sat for 4 hours while my vehicle got fixed.

A few weeks ago I had taken my Explorer into the Ford dealership because it was making a clunking noise when I turned hard.  They told me it was my shocks, so I had them replace both back shocks. $250 later. I drove home and it made the noise again the next morning.  Back to the Ford dealership. They decided it must be the ball bearings, so they repacked them or what every they did to them, it involved a machine shop due to rust or something to the tune of $600.  The next night my husband said that the noise was still happening. We had dropped off his vehicle at the Toyota dealership for a oil change. So when I went to pick it up, the service manager asked how my day was going and I told him that I was tired of vehicles being in the shop. He frowned and asked why? Knowing it wasn't his shop I was talking about.  I explained what happened at Ford and he asked if I had the Explorer with me. Yes, so he said lets go look. In the rain, he crawled under my truck and bounced the back a few times and said I know what it is. Joints like our knees hold the body to the chassis, and sometimes the vehicles equivalent of the cartilage get messed up. He was willing to order the part and schedule my truck in.  So my appointment was this morning.  After about 20 minutes, the mechanic came out from the garage and said it's not the joint, but a spring. The manager called the parts place and they ran a set over.  I had them replace both springs because they came as a set.
In the second picture, you can see where the spring is broken and there is rust build up, which means it's been broken for a while.  After the work was down, the mechanic and the manager told me that if the other dealership had my truck on the lift and the tires off, there was no way they could have missed the broken spring.

Because I have a boy scout meeting tonight, I didn't want to get into a project and have to stop to get cleaned up and change into my scout shirt.  I am the Advancement Chair for our boy scout troop. Tonight we have a Eagle Scout Board of Review. This is where the scout brings his completed application to become an Eagle scout before a Board of scout masters from the area, he answers questions and they review his complete package on his project, his merit badges, his volunteering and letters of recommendations.  Because I have been helping him write his eagle package and organize his book, I'm not a voting member.  I guide the scout, through the process, like telling him where to stand and what to expect. I make sure his uniform is sharp. I also bring all the paperwork for signatures by all the board members to send to the council for the official Boy Scouts of America for final approval. Tomorrow morning I will package up everything and send it in. Once we get his approval back from headquarters, I gather everything for the award ceremony. I also help  him and the scout master write invitations and the ceremony program. Plus I order all the actual award stuff, like pins, neckerchief scarf and patches.

Pattern Making for a Perfect Fit book review

I saw this great new Sewing Show on PBS, called Sew It All. Episode 107. Knockout Knockoffs by Steffani Lincecum. Steffani is the author of Patternmaking for a perfect fit.

She showed how to make patterns from your favorite skirt without taking it apart, using the rub off technique.  I enjoyed the stories in her book, about how she started and got to this point, plus illustrations and photos.

Step one is that you need a pin board.  I made mine from two foam boards, the kind kids use for school projects. I already had the boards. I sprayed one with craft spray and stuck the second board on top, I wanted the thickness for the push pins.

My foam boards are 20 x 30 x 3/16.  I have plans to cover the white foam boards with a cotton cover from an old bed sheet.

Step two. Collect all your materials.  You need:

push pins

a long ruler

a curved ruler.

Pencil and

Paper scissors

Paper. You can do like I did and use Swedish tracing paper or use brown paper wrapping paper or open grocery paper bags.  You could even use the old bed sheet.

Optional: Carol’s Pattern weights

Step Three lay the paper on the pin board.

Draw straight line down the front of the paper. This will assist in lining up the skirt.

Okay, my first pattern is of my favorite jean skirt. The skirt has six gores. When I measures the front panel is not the same size and the back panel. The two front side panels match and the two back side panels match.. The waist band is a simple rectangle I just measured. There are two side pockets sewn into the side seams. So I need to copy five pattern pieces.

Fold skirt in half and line up the fold with the line you just made. I turned my shirt inside out, but it’s not necessary. Smooth out the fabric making sure your seams line up

Step Four.  According to the book, you place a push pin into the seams.  I modified this part. I placed one pin at the waist band by the folded edge or along your line. This holds your skirt in place. Because of the length of my skirt, I placed another pin against, but not through the skirt about half way down the length. The plastic top of the push pin help the fabric in place. Then a third pin at the bottom of the skirt. Then you place pins along each seam. Once you’re done placing pins, you pull them out one at a time. I lifted the left waist band pin and fold the skirt out of the way and put the pin back into the same hole in the pin board. Do this to all the pins. Set aside the skirt.

Step Five.  Use the long ruler to draw a line between each push pin.  I pulled the pins up slightly and slid the ruler under the plastic top of the pin, so the ruler bumped against the pin part. Use a pencil to draw your lines.  After I finished drawing the lines, the pencil marks didn’t show up very well in the photos so I traced them with a sharpie pen and the pen bleed through to my board.

 

Step Six.  Mark your pattern and add seam allowances. Don’t forget to mark the fold.   Cut out and you are ready to go. I made notes directly on the Swedish tracing paper. I also traced a favorite nightgown, I added the notes about lace and length of the spaghetti straps. I also marked the waistband information on panel A of the skirt.

One of the things I didn’t mention was how I made the pocket pattern piece I slid a notepad under the pocket and just traced it, I made notes of where I need to add seam allowances and where I don’t need to.

Repeat as necessary for each pattern piece. Label all the pieces.  Steffani Lincecum recommended using a method of notches for placement to sew. I will use stickers marked piece A, B, B, C C, and D for my skirt panels.

Love this method, it made more sense than any of the other books about making patterns I have. I will use this technique a lot. 

Pro: Quick and easy to understand

I owned everything but the notch maker (not a big deal)

Con:  Easy to forget to add the seam allowance.

Once I made a few patterns I needed to slow down because of all the holes in my foam board.

This should be fixed once I make the fabric cover for my pin board. I can always flip the board around and at $5 a board I can have a new anytime.  Steffani used acoustical tiles for her pin board. I thought about using some cork tiles I already hard, but I wanted my board a bit thicker for the push pins.  I can always add the cork tiles later.

Homemade Pattern Weights

Homemade Pattern weights

I wanted to make a silk nightgown. I hate to pin silk. I looked at pattern weights and Joann’s had small ones (4 pack for $14.99) a bit much because I wanted 12 weights. 

Looking around the dollor store, I found some decorators sand, in the flower and vase section. 

I checked all over for small tight containers until I found theses mint containers. They were the perfect size.

I wanted an even dozen weights. I opened each container and dumped out the mints. I have to say I just threw away the mints, they are not to my taste (ie. They were awful).

I peeled the labels off, then using Goo Gone, removed the sticky residue.

Some of the stickers needed to be scrapped off, especially the bottom stickers. A small knife made short work of the stickers.

Once the stickers were off I washed the containers in soapy water to remove the excess orange oil.

After drying off the containers, it was time to fill them.

Using a small funnel, I added the sand.  I had to tip and shake the containers to get the most sand in the containers.

After dusting off any excess sand, I super glued the lid shut.  I ran the glue from the corner were the pop lid joined the container up and around the curved lip of the lid and back down to the joint again.

I let the containers dry overnight.

I have a small plastic container to store the weights in.

I bought 4 containers of sand: $4.00 used only 1 = $1

I bought 12 mints: $6.00

Super glue: 4 single packs at Target for $2.15 used one single tube.

Blue storage container   $1.00

Twelve pattern weights $ 10.15

targeting the plan

I'm sorry I haven't been  posting as often as I want.  I decided that I need a better plan. I use my iPhone to help keep me on track for house stuff. Much better than a To Do list on paper that I used to lose in the bottom of my purse.

On the calendar function I add an item and then delete them as I finish each item. For example:

Today
9 am  Dry Cleaners
10 am pick up Shoes for husband
11am Laundry from Hubby's Trip
1 pm Pictures in Photoshop
2 pm Blog about pattern weights.

Many of my favorite bloggers, Sew Many Ways, and Domestic Anarchy posted with themes for each day.  Maybe if I use that to help me plan my posts, versus sitting and staring at the screen without a plan.

So today I'm on target with the plan. Yes, sort of,  I wrote the blog post in Word and laidout the pictures to help me be better organized. Which is funny. I used to be so organized. I had what used to be called a Filofax, then a Steven Covey organizer. That was all before....  I must warn you I am a Virgo.

That means I like to rearrange and rearrange the plan regularly. Sometimes planning in my head for way too long, which is what happened to my blog. I was plotting and planning for way too long. Then I read someone else's apology for not posting regularly.  Decided not to procrastinate any more and to just jump in and go for it.  So today you dear readers will get 2 posts today. This one apologizing .... and then the Homemade Pattern weights.