M a d e l i n e T o s h

the pincushion saga

Sooo,

I was thinking far to hard and lusting after yet another purl bee project that looks ever so easy to pull off (for normal people that is) when I came across this tutorial for a "very easy" pincushion.

So I proceeded to try and f-it up as much as possible by not following the directions and winging bits of it here and there. Logical for a Gemini.

I found my un-ironed fabric, threw a small but clean dinner plate on top of it and cut around the plate with my scissors to make a nice jagged edge.

Next, I turned under the fabric and began stitching with my weak cotton thread (totally not recommended by purl bee). I made nice short stitches in an attempt to duplicate a running stitch instead of longer and wider ones all the way around.

I sat on the couch thinking goodness how nice it is to hand-sew something, make it myself ya know etc, etc..... blah, blah blah.

So I yank the yarn when finished, pull the thread taught and decide to stuff the inside with what else wool (purl bee highly recommends cotton here)

I stuff, pull, stuff and pull and then snap (visualize weak thread breaking here) and poof - the above becomes this:

%#^%

So, I decide to try again, using new, stronger thead, and cotton, like purl bee said from the get go. And wouldn't ya know it worked. Why all be!!

Next, I decided to add the little wool topper. I cut what wool I had before-hand, so of course it doesn't fit the opening now, why would it?

Out of wool, I decide to ad lib. I cross 2 pieces one over the other to make a hideous x on top of my pumpkin instead of a nice round leaf-like circle. Very nice and pirate like. It clashes extremely well with the gold and chocolate cotton fabric that I have cherished for months now.

It could work, it could look good, or eclectic, or half-assed. Or it could just kinda look.

Ah well. It looks pretty from underneath.

a fresh pillowcase... a much more simple life.

Yesterday I sewed up a fresh pair of pillowcases for our bed. Our bedroom sorely needs some color! Finishing the pair that morning, I added some decorative diamond topstitching on the seams. So dainty, I love it.

I have been consumed with cleaning house this week. A late summer dusting and a feeble effort on my part to downsize and simplify. I think I disposed of over 100 odd things that are never used and would find better users/playmates elsewhere.

It feels refreshing to start with a somewhat cleaner slate for Autumn.

I framed a couple of prints I have had for awhile now and hung them in the proper places on the walls.

Come On In (green) by artist Ashely Goldberg, her etsy shop is here.

And for the wee one life has been consumed with creating button strings for his room, no since in them lying unused in a glass jar.

And reading Grandfather Twilight in his cloth nappies. I highly recommend this book.

So i got a machine already!

Sew I have been using my mother's old 1962 Fashionmate Singer for so long, she actually hinted I might want to get my own. Hint, Hint.

Umm, yea, so I did. After a bit of research, I nabbed this baby from Target and I have to say that I absolutely love it. Simple design, very functional and everything you need at your fingertips.

My favorite feature by far is the free-arm. This had transformed sewing little circular sleeve cuffs from a huge chore into an enjoyable experience.

So my first diddy:

Pattern: McCall's 5325, Tunic B

Fabric: Navy blue cotton interlock knit

Mods: I added a few buttons, flounced the hem line for a bubble effect and left a raw edge for the neckline which whipped stitched by hand with a slate blue cotton thread for texture.

I promise better pics later. A bit off the subject, but then again I am a Gemini. Does anyone have an recommendations for a new Camera? I like my Olympus but want a better flash with a diffuser and better macro settings. I have been ogling some Nikon's. What do you guys love/hate?

OK, back on task.

Did I mention that this top is crazy soft and so comfortable I may become a lady of leisure, whatever that may be.

I am not shirking my knitting/spinning habit, I think I just added a new little hobby too my repitoire.

Seems I am not the only one. That is the only knitter that is interested in giving sewing a go! Look at this sewalong for knitters.

Any names for the Sewing Machine? It is in desperate need of a stately moniker.

Needles and Thread Oh My!!

OK, so this sewing thing is getting a little addicting. I have never been a big fan of sewing. I guess I had to cut out too many really bad patterns out of polyester for my grandmother with pinking shears. That said, I bought an olfa cutter for shreading fabrics awhile back in order to spin them. I got a cheap 2 for 1 type deal where you get the cutter and a board for ya know 19.99.

So... I bought a few patterns.... hey they where half off.

I cut out my first pattern on a table sized olfa board I snagged last week along with some other ingenious little sewing gadgets (clover's rotary refillable chalk thingy). Between the rotary cutter, cutting board and the like, this sewing thing is a hell of a lot more enjoyable than it used to be.

Not to mention the fact that patterns have taken a great leap forward, The Built by Wendy patts being at least on the curve instead of floundering 10 years behind it.

There are some pretty inspirational sites out there detailing some really creative and simple, yet beautiful construction.

Since I am a granola mom, I am also really interested in using the new fibers/fabrics like Bamboo, Modal, Tencel etc...

I stumbled upon the Wardrobe Refashion site last night and just loved the idea of it. You commit to not buying new clothes for 2, 4 or 6 months, instead making or refashioning your existing or vintage clothing finds.

I think I will sign up for the 4 month commitment. Anyone else want to jump in with me? Come on ya know ya wanna be a joiner!

Oh yeah, and here is my first refashioning effort. More techie info at the new site!