The Leftovers Must Go Somewhere, II

I made an insane amount of bias tape for this project. I get carried away when it comes to bias tape. And it had to go somewhere, right? It's too cute not to do something with it.

Then I read this blog, African Kelli, and cringed because I knew she was somewhat speaking to me and so many others who are faithful fans but have just not sewn from the book we all bought months ago. (This is an excellent sew along, but I have been way too busy to really sew with them this year.)

So, with the freedom they "assigned" to this month's challenge I flipped through my crisp new book that has literally collected fuzz-dust. With an eye toward fulfilling my Christmas shopping/gift list I settled on pp. 83, The Sewing Tools Trio. I'm telling you right now I would have none of the trio business, because I am WAY too busy for that. But the sewing machine cover was a very good choice for me. More specifically my mother-in-law because I happened to use her machine on a recent trip and know for a fact that her current cover is disintegrating. She has the same machine that I have so I felt confident that if I made the thing to fit my machine it would fit hers and I jumped right in. I also hope she doesn't read this blog or she will know what she is getting for Christmas.

Anyway, I jumped right in to changing the pattern. I like the cover featured, but I like to have a handle hole. I also knew I needed an extra pocket for the monster instruction manual that comes with this basic machine (seriously someone needs to tell Bernina that the manual is a bit thorough.)

If you would like to sew the cover as I have sewed it: follow along for my updated pattern -- which includes the general idea of that designed by Sarah Hunter. Snaps to Sarah Hunter -- whoever she may be -- but this new and wholly different pattern is specific to fit the Bernina 1008.


Materials
To begin with let me just say that I just cut, I don't measure and I'm not exactly sure how much I started with.

- 1 yard of 44/45" fabric (I used quilted and I think a heavy-duty fabric is necessary.)
- Some matching thread, but don't panic if it doesn't match, I never do
- A shitload of bias tape

Instructions
I feel I should disclose that I am not a pattern writer, but I used to write instructions for software. This could be dry. Also I used a 1/2" seam allowance on all seams.

1. Measure and mark the following pattern pieces on the wrong side of your fabric (the fabric you intend for the body of the cover). Two pieces 15x13" (front and back panel), two pieces 16x8"(side pieces), two pieces 4x9" (top handle pieces).

2. Cut those and set aside.

3. Measure and mark the following pattern pieces on the wrong side of your pocket fabric (if you don't want contrasting pockets you don't need to.) One piece 13x13" (lateral slide pocket), one piece 10x15" (drop in pocket).

4. Cut those and set aside.

5. Get out that bias tape you're about to have some fun! Sew bias tape per generally accepted instructions (good luck with that) to one side of each of your pockets, the 13" side of the lateral pocket and the 10" side of the drop in pocket. Also sew bias tape along one of the 8" sides of the long side pieces. Lastly sew bias tape along one 9" side of each of the top handle pieces. Confused? Yeah, me too.

6. Pin pockets in place on panels lining up wrong sides of pockets with right sides of panels. Loosely stitch around edges.

7. Center the top handle pieces to the front and back panels with right sides together. Pin and then sew the top handle pieces to the center-top of both the front and back panels.

8. With right sides together, take care to line up and pin the side pieces to the bottom corners of the front panel on each side. Stitch from bottom to top along side and up around the corner so that the bias taped ends of the side panels meet and then overlap slightly on top of the top handle pieces.

9. Pin back panel to sides with right sides together and follow the same instructions of step 8.

10. With cover inside out, or not, try to pin the edges of the side panels on top of the short edges of the top handle pieces. Then sew what will appear to be a top stitch along the side of the bias tape that isn't already stitched down. This is a colossal pain in the ass and you'll feel like you're looking down a deep hole at your project while trying to sew it at the same time. Not a good time for a glass of wine.

11. With cover inside out, attach the bias tape to the bottom edge. Once you're ready to make the final stitch line of the bias tape it will be time to turn the cover right side out.

12. Iron. Now, if anyone could tell me how to get wrinkles out of pre-quilted fabric, that would be great.


copyright notice: I appreciate that these pattern instructions might suck ass, but they are not to be reproduced without my consent, nor sold without me getting a cut.

Book Review: Applique Your Way

I'm glad I gave Kayte Terry another chance. She is the writer, stylist, and all-around embellishment guru who came up with Applique Your Way. But she also was the writer of Complete Embellishing Techniques and Projects. Remember that disaster?

Applique Your Way is very sweet and still fashion forward. Well, fashion forward for the "I like to carry a purse in the shape of an animal" crowd.

Now, for the projects, they are a bit garish for me. But I am a fan of the Rose Petal Tee and will place that on the to-do list post-haste.

Reader beware, she does dress pets in this book. So if that unnerves you, pass on this book.

Book Review: Handmade Home, Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures

Are you effin' kidding me!?!?! That's all I can think of this book.

Sorry Amanda Blake Soule, I'm sure you're a really great gal, interesting author, even. But we don't speak the same craft speak. May I call attention to pp 73 and the "women's cloth" project. No. Thank. You.

If there is one thing that I am grateful for, it is being born after 1929, when the modern tampon was first produced. I acknowledge we are a disposable society, addicted to our environmental sins. But really?

Let's see, aside from that memorable entry, the other projects are lackluster and a little half baked. I found them to be a recycled collection of popular projects widely published online and offered for free. Does the world really need another pillowcase dress?

Book Review: Complete Embellishing Techniques and Projects

In my world there is a line. On one side are fun crafts that allow you to have quality items in your closet and in your home. On the other side are crafts that scare me and should be reserved for that time in our lives when we need to keep our hands busy. Namely, the nursing home.

I check out the Complete Embellishing Techniques and Projects book (by Creative Homeowner) from the library. And was scared, immediately. It was a manual in what not to do with your talent. Seriously, walk into a room with any of these embellishments and folk will walk the other way.

It's a laugh, but don't bother. Unless, of course, you need ideas for the next Ugly Sweater Party you attend.

Book Review: Design-It-Yourself

My confidence in making patterns has been growing and growing. So I decided to see just how good I was. Turns out, I might not be. Unless you're a crib, a bed, a window, or shaped like one of the aforementioned.

If you're curious about where you fall on the pattern-making scale, check out Cal Patch's Design-It-Yourself Clothes. Supposedly it is "patternmaking simplified". This book is one to buy and one to place on a nice shelf within reach of your dressform. I'm not even kidding.

The clothes featured are a bit sackish and not even my style. But the resources and tutorials on how to do such mysterious things as folding darts and adjusting yokes. Worth buying. Worth keeping. Take the plunge. Even if you have no plans to design your own line, this will help you adjust the patterns you buy at your local fabric store.

Book Review: Sew Liberated

I know you've seen Meg McElwee's book on shelves. It's the fun and much talked about, SEW liberated. As it self proclaims it has 20 projects that are meant to be stylish and not church-bazaar-ish. I finally had a chance to read through and scour the pictures. It's made for some thoughtful planning on my end and some project list building that will keep me busy well into next fall.

I would describe this book as a resource for the beginning sewing enthusiast who is looking for cool things to make while practicing all-important skills. On a whole the projects are fun and McElwee's whimsical sense of style is evident in her fabric choices and pattern flourishes.

The Teacup Corset Apron pattern is darling -- even if it smacks of Simplicity 2932. And while I'm a big fan of the looks of the Blossom Blouse, it is a straight up a rip off of Simplicity 3835. Repeat sentiments of the Petit Artiste Smock. I'm just saying...

Most original project is the camera bag. Namely because I can't imagine doing that for myself. But, now that I think about it, it's a great idea. (Nothing says, "steal me" like my gigantic Canon gear bag.)

Finally, if you want to make things easier on yourself... and you're thinking of making a little chef's hat, please buy Simplicity 3650. Lest you think this is a Simplicity ad, it's not. I'm just thinking that when a Simplicity pattern is on sale for 99-cents, you should pick it up, and just check this book out from the library for use as good fabric choice ideas.

Fan of the Fan Bag

My favorite bag so far...

This took all of an afternoon. I don't think the instructions in Simple Gifts to Stitch were really complete on this one. The pleat instructions were a bit hard to follow and I ended up just following what I thought I should do. I did use denim thread which I think is a nice touch.

The pattern did not call for a lining. I had to have a lining. So, I tried to make one up. It worked out, it's a little narrow in the very depths of the purse, but all in all it's great. This purse could use a snap closure or something like that. I'm definitely going to make it, again.
I'm on a stash diet, so of course this came from the stacks. It's Laurie Smith, again. (Are you getting sick of her fabrics, yet?) I'm thinking about trying this with a felted sweater. But, not sure... as I've never worked with felted anything. Might also be nice in oilcloth. Would be amazing in velvet -- though if I did it in velvet I would not do any topstitching on the pleats.
If you're in the finny and donk sew along and you're stumped on the pleats, you might want to think of them as french seams. That's what I did, and it got me through the missing spots in the directions.

Working Ahead: Ticking Tote

I know working ahead is probably not allowed, but I just had to do this tote. This is a pattern from the Simple Gifts to Stitch book -- part of the finny and donk sewing adventure. The fabrics are left over canvas made to look like ticking and a little valentine print. I departed from the pattern in a few ways:

1) made a lining with pocket
2) added bias tape to the edges of the outside pockets
3) used twill tape for handle

Ended up giving this one as a thank you to Cooper's teacher who watched the kids while I was sick. Remarkably easy pattern.

Button-Down Scarf

So here's the deal. I've been sick and so I can't do a lot. But in my sitting around waiting for the antibiotics to work phase I've been doing a small amount of sewing. Mostly embroidery, but I did manage to finish this scarf. The scarf was a project outlined by the fine organizers of the Finny and Donk Sewing Adventure (a blog I've been lurking for months). If you want to know about it, just visit their site.
My scarf's concept was to have a flirty, wild look (velvet with wings) and a more "buttoned-down" button down scarf. So, tried to make it look like a wool pin-stripe suit. It is wool, but the stripe was created with the quilting.



It's rather comfortable and all the materials were on hand. I strayed from the pattern in a two ways, a) the dimensions and shape of the scarf; b) I added batting inside the scarf to make it extra warm and poofy.
When Coop saw it, he immediately asked for one. May have to find some kid appropriate fleece to make him one, too. All in all, fun project and will probably throw this in the gift stash for later gifting. Pattern found in the Simple Gifts to Stitch book.

PS--It is impossible to take a nice picture of oneself wearing a scarf. It looks all double-chin-ish. Or maybe I have a double chin. O.M.G.

Book Review: Romantic Home Sewing, Cottage-Style Projects to Stitch for the Home, by Christina Strutt

Beautiful book. But it is the exact opposite of my style. I like the projects, but just can't see myself taking on any of them. The patterns are simple to follow and the projects are geared for a beginner. I actually have a friend who would love this book. Her entire home has that country-cottage flair. There is a gardener's apron pattern that could be adapted to any style that makes this book worth checking out. If you have a passion for linen, florals, floofy, and vintage french-y whimsy, you'll love this book.

Love Bird, Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts

This is intended to be a Christmas ornamnet, but I opted to fill it with lavender and lentils and make it a sweet smelling closet ornament. Takes very, very, very little fabric and will be my new go-to craft to use up scraps. It's in the Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts book. It was described as needing about 45 minutes to complete. Actually takes only about 30 minutes (and that's if you put up with the nightmare business of getting lavendar into a tiny bird). I can see that this could be a very nice gift for Christmas and if I start now I might actually be able to make a lot of them before December 2008. Seriously, very good for scrap busting.

PS -- Will probably tackle just about every project in this book. Not because I love them all, but because I love most and the rest look fun. Good gifting in there.

Book Review: Simple Sewing, Lotta Jansdotter

I love this book. Can't help myself. Her patterns are a little wonky, and her descriptions are fairly scant. But, every makes sense and works. The projects could probably be managed by an intermediate seamstress without a pattern... but I like having a pattern. If I could get my hands on some of her fabric, even better.
I've already finished 3 of her projects and already am planning a few more.

Book Review: Martha Stewart’s indispensable handbook for creating a comfortable and beautiful home and caring for everything in it, Martha Stewart

I checked out “Martha’s indispensable handbook for creating a comfortable and beautiful home and caring for everything in it.” It is 744 pages long. Do you think she wrote it in prison? I nearly fell out of the chair I was sitting in when I came across a grid of data for mattress dimensions and “cot” is listed. Good for you Martha. Now, I’m returning this book because the only thing it’s good for in my household is a footstool. By: Martha Stewart.

Book Review: Bend-the-Rules Sewing, the essential guide to a whole new way to sew, Amy Karol

For the seasoned seamstress, you'll look through this book and literally say to yourself, "Is this book written for kids?" Even I -- with my limited experience -- felt I could find patterns that did it better, or figure out how to do the same project without a pattern. Perhaps this is because I come from a family of both very fine seamstresses who follow the pattern to a T and some who, well... bend the rules. I have a nice balance of appreciating both, I think. This bent a few too many rules for me. But it is the first book in which I got a clear description of how to make my own bias tape. And I will. I'm also considering 3 other projects from this book. But only if I can't find better patterns for them (a zippered pouch, a wallet, and a pleated handbag). By: Amy Karol.

Book Review: Amy Butler's In Stitches, Amy Butler

This book is getting rave reviews all over the blog sites. But, I found it to be a bit pedestrian for an intermediate seamstress. Her fabrics are to die for, but her patterns are overly explained. This said, I'll probably try to do at least 5 projects from her book. The rest are re-tard-ed. Case in point, fur lined Kitty Tunnel on pp 27. Puh-leez!

Book Review: Sewing 101, Creative Publishing

This one was fine. The materials and such are a bit dated in it (published in 2002). I will be doing one of the projects... when I get time. And I do think it's a good book for beginniners to check out ... shows simple techniques like sewing a seam, hand stitches, hems, etc. All things most of us learned in 4H (if we were so fortunate as to have a mother who let us take 4H from Sister Cousins). By: Creative Publishing.

Book Review: Simple Gifts to Stitch, Jocelyn Worrall

OK, this one was kinda cute. But for my liking, not polished enough. The projects looked a little too home-made. The baby projects, especially the baby bubble hat on pp 97 was darling, but my babies are just TOO big to be sewing newbie hats. I may, however, return to this book at a later date so that I can make the magic rain poncho featured on pp 105. It was cute and it was a true custom look as you take advantage of iron-on vinyl. Maybe if my brother and Claudia have a baby, and maybe if they still live in the pac-west I'll consider this as a gift. But otherwise, too dry around here to put a poncho to good use. By: Jocelyn Worrall.

Book Review: 101 Ways to use your first sewing machine, Elizabeth Dubicki

101 Ways to use your first sewing machine
The home decor projects were a bit too 90s and the clothing projects were not hard enough. By: Elizabeth Dubicki.

Book Review: Simple Sewing with a French Twist, Celine Dupuy

Oh boy, I loved the pictures. But when I really looked through the book and realized how the patterns were presented I promptly took it back to the library. Let's just say the French sometimes get a reputation for being lazy... this book and its patterns would be no exception. I'm in no way saying that the French are actually lazy. But this book sucks. It is by: Celine Dupuy.

Book Review: SEW U, Wendy Mullin and Eviana Hartman

This was a nice tutorial, but it was really about taking existing clothes and making them punky. I'm not really that kind of person and I don't really care about that stuff. So, I passed on it. But you may enjoy it. It had sound descriptions and instructions and a nice list of sewing notions every fashion diva should own. This book is by: Wendy Mullin (Author), Eviana Hartman (Author), Beci Orpin (Contributor).