tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59725581822385823272024-03-14T10:17:30.865-05:00Sewer SlutsRachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-41693939200086853362012-07-03T13:40:00.001-05:002012-07-03T13:41:00.799-05:00Sluts! Sluts! Sluts! -- take that search engines!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So I just went and checked the stats for this blog to see what kind of traffic it still gets and this is what I found:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqiKoermztZCCWCAYe1PmoQcEMhuz_l3gW_Q-Yc_iFPoOmJ28LyLR-uW3nT7tpAfFdmUDUG6Linr3AsRdNZF-VcLoU0dEi0V3CA-bBFGlU2z6WQkLkZ24w4EnengHodmqTJaAacw-0E4W/s1600/sluts.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqiKoermztZCCWCAYe1PmoQcEMhuz_l3gW_Q-Yc_iFPoOmJ28LyLR-uW3nT7tpAfFdmUDUG6Linr3AsRdNZF-VcLoU0dEi0V3CA-bBFGlU2z6WQkLkZ24w4EnengHodmqTJaAacw-0E4W/s400/sluts.tiff" width="400" /></a></div>
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Those are the top keyword searches over the last month. I love the third from the bottom. "Diaper Sluts." What is that?? Ugh! Perverts, go home! Well, you probably are home surfing for these pervie things! How about: Perverts, stay away! </div>
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Ugh! And this is why I ventured out on my own. Serious sewists/crafters, I apologize for exposing you to perverts. Go visit my new blog, <a href="http://spiltmilkcrafts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Spilt Milk</a>, where the raciest things I have talked about thus far are <a href="http://spiltmilkcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/02/one-square.html" target="_blank">whore fairies</a>.</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-13657160185947848212012-02-05T08:19:00.000-06:002012-02-05T08:19:20.943-06:00Still sewing...Don't forget that I've moved...here are some recent posts over at my new blog, <a href="http://spiltmilkcrafts.blogspot.com/">Spilt Milk</a>. Update your readers!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spiltmilkcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-aprons.html" target="_blank">Two aprons!</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcRTGMDRe9o7qmCFMGDddvN4mXuv14awoqwh_0YYQUx9RA5OLnI-RpUvFkgrE3jeHhRnbtquZpaEl8Q9uRErovS7Wbi4XYzzaLNuOcVmsrRlu9ZLlKOIAf-66nvsv6IMGcyjZzH-G0tiO/s1600/P1030541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcRTGMDRe9o7qmCFMGDddvN4mXuv14awoqwh_0YYQUx9RA5OLnI-RpUvFkgrE3jeHhRnbtquZpaEl8Q9uRErovS7Wbi4XYzzaLNuOcVmsrRlu9ZLlKOIAf-66nvsv6IMGcyjZzH-G0tiO/s400/P1030541.JPG" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spiltmilkcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/01/hipster-bag.html" target="_blank">A hipster bag!</a> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spiltmilkcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/01/ruffles-have-pleats-not-gathers.html">A dust ruffle!</a> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spiltmilkcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/02/puppet-theatre.html">A puppet theatre!</a></td></tr>
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<br />Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-11625977526535565472012-01-14T20:27:00.000-06:002012-01-14T20:27:42.835-06:00I've moved...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello! I've branched out and started my own craft/sewing blog. Please visit me at <a href="http://spiltmilkcrafts.blogspot.com/">Spilt Milk Crafts</a>. It's still in the early stages and I don't even have a header yet, but I'm working on it. Anyway, here are some recent sewing-related posts:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgN_oxsTqOl75tXmtYMNyrYqtvViGsvvSfpNQPgXsRoDRRZPdIVGnL2-xDKfvOJSvV59JEUhFnu8MXZmE3VFznfySzdvLYRtecSma95p7DbNQAoUR7WUbrEkn40TqJP9yymOkA5fWbxuK/s1600/P1030525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgN_oxsTqOl75tXmtYMNyrYqtvViGsvvSfpNQPgXsRoDRRZPdIVGnL2-xDKfvOJSvV59JEUhFnu8MXZmE3VFznfySzdvLYRtecSma95p7DbNQAoUR7WUbrEkn40TqJP9yymOkA5fWbxuK/s400/P1030525.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spiltmilkcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/01/pieced-pillows.html">Pillows</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTSuKPUpPagiW9-6R3yQSgRMNL7SLQBLU5uClF3hvI6ct2L66Dg31roLhK12t1nVUWGGHgwGeXO0tB59Q1gyA2DN5dMIjb1X_ZBDPLbkDdsOQ0tbwjkg1PF4mklvHRYv7chfxZNo-8KKy/s1600/P1030505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTSuKPUpPagiW9-6R3yQSgRMNL7SLQBLU5uClF3hvI6ct2L66Dg31roLhK12t1nVUWGGHgwGeXO0tB59Q1gyA2DN5dMIjb1X_ZBDPLbkDdsOQ0tbwjkg1PF4mklvHRYv7chfxZNo-8KKy/s400/P1030505.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spiltmilkcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/01/topsy-turvy-dolls.html">Topsy Turvy Dolls</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyVjRFqxUb5LrBYPRq5QZh_ClpDu40n0mcMVfmo7bQ_O5w7p2JLFLD-Z_ZRs1pDTPhcFNRDkopkJyQg1hC8PJYUMhWlQbqmCVWI7aniIq6MQ7tHNIThdCQqY8EtgjWI7iYVfXG_3sxW66/s1600/P1030516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyVjRFqxUb5LrBYPRq5QZh_ClpDu40n0mcMVfmo7bQ_O5w7p2JLFLD-Z_ZRs1pDTPhcFNRDkopkJyQg1hC8PJYUMhWlQbqmCVWI7aniIq6MQ7tHNIThdCQqY8EtgjWI7iYVfXG_3sxW66/s400/P1030516.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spiltmilkcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/01/marker-roll-up.html">Marker Roll</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-22788147281877333612011-10-29T14:06:00.000-05:002011-10-29T16:22:46.296-05:00Baby Class<div style="text-align: justify;">
So earlier this month we stopped by <a href="http://www.craftyplanet.com/">Crafty Planet</a> in Northeast Minneapolis and my husband insisted that I take one of their classes, specifically "Baby 101: Diapers, Bibs, and Burp Cloths." I hesitated a bit, because I am already a <a href="http://sewersluts.blogspot.com/2009/08/bibbity-boppity-boo.html">bib-making maniac</a>, but he thought I should crawl out of my cave and be more social.</div>
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So that's where I found myself last night, despite the fact that I felt a bit sickly. There were a bunch of other first time expectant mothers in the class and one of them brought her mother. We used <a href="http://www.favoritethings.net/patterns/children/the_nappies">The Nappies</a> pattern for the diaper, the instructor gave us a bib pattern that she had created, and the burp cloth was made with a prefold diaper.</div>
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First things first: Shopping. I had grabbed some of my own materials on my way out of the house and since I rarely buy new fabric (mine all seems to be yard sold or thrifted), I took advantage of the class discount. In addition to the fun fabrics below, I picked up some light blue flannel to make future diapers. They also required us to use something called PUL, which is used as the waterproof lining of the diaper, so I bought that too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmZbTGmuB0kdK_eykCsTGxrK_qW-sMP0ua7ycjXyaCrm12PSi-2x0vYLrJE1XSoLHhV-795xOQp5WZDud4gDfv9tHbzzKwyVUsTJQjXb1hRK8MY6ldDuS9cNQRczoT8N_azH_0fh9AI4M/s1600/P1030346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmZbTGmuB0kdK_eykCsTGxrK_qW-sMP0ua7ycjXyaCrm12PSi-2x0vYLrJE1XSoLHhV-795xOQp5WZDud4gDfv9tHbzzKwyVUsTJQjXb1hRK8MY6ldDuS9cNQRczoT8N_azH_0fh9AI4M/s400/P1030346.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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So for my projects, I used a vintage-y yellow fabric found at a yard sale by my mother. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHmffLSv3qH3dkJ7PyjiXJuNbaECIN8hfRjrvHGXp6MGhlyOQS9WTl_g2hU1ai2b2JLTZ6bUp7HByUgcA_EodV5RIBAi8TXfAgan3WHibUuzma8LInDgHIOG0HELWrZ7LYVBXKiS7A-_9/s1600/P1030342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHmffLSv3qH3dkJ7PyjiXJuNbaECIN8hfRjrvHGXp6MGhlyOQS9WTl_g2hU1ai2b2JLTZ6bUp7HByUgcA_EodV5RIBAi8TXfAgan3WHibUuzma8LInDgHIOG0HELWrZ7LYVBXKiS7A-_9/s400/P1030342.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I used a yellow rosebud calico flannel for the lining and soaker pad of the diaper. The soaker pad attaches via velcro and it's lined with two layers of cotton batting. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEged7HEK3og080mJkYxMXtnLGUpnl6aOhcsS29wig8kKX-gOGOzsEnxuYe6x_YG1nto9ndDq0E7A9mulrF7O4rDRiSnAOpNJzSjNr3jq8dgJCHxFOWFypdthysfyi4HT0xoEngOyhGP7puF/s1600/P1030345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEged7HEK3og080mJkYxMXtnLGUpnl6aOhcsS29wig8kKX-gOGOzsEnxuYe6x_YG1nto9ndDq0E7A9mulrF7O4rDRiSnAOpNJzSjNr3jq8dgJCHxFOWFypdthysfyi4HT0xoEngOyhGP7puF/s400/P1030345.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9Lb5y2-29safgF6XzRGDI-g4hAvSiyUSolUplm9H6zkNgWZlfcGtLUsoTaMktRzQNvcZEPIqd5G_B88XgNqtKLaU-UG7WWvOMoxU_KNzQzjvQwFADarLEnWlQu3LkEFG5uukEmt2-l-J/s1600/P1030344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9Lb5y2-29safgF6XzRGDI-g4hAvSiyUSolUplm9H6zkNgWZlfcGtLUsoTaMktRzQNvcZEPIqd5G_B88XgNqtKLaU-UG7WWvOMoxU_KNzQzjvQwFADarLEnWlQu3LkEFG5uukEmt2-l-J/s400/P1030344.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I didn't want to do a bib with the flannel, so I brought one of my thrifted towels to the class. All reports that I've had in from bib recipients indicate that the towel-backed bibs are the best for cleaning up after the kid and for preventing seepage through the layers. I slipped in some ric-rac (or is it rick-rack?) before sewing the thing together. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nQhCNFTyASFwjMGxBQCIJIZ98o2b70uv_qs3-kg7PylfpfjnIgq5ayoBJzgeEVNQ3OI3bktCGS65gSI_3-uw7gJjuOdeYr8yZjHQUfOypmND7QCZynqa-DEcqp_IbDE09b2mJAdvvNze/s1600/P1030343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nQhCNFTyASFwjMGxBQCIJIZ98o2b70uv_qs3-kg7PylfpfjnIgq5ayoBJzgeEVNQ3OI3bktCGS65gSI_3-uw7gJjuOdeYr8yZjHQUfOypmND7QCZynqa-DEcqp_IbDE09b2mJAdvvNze/s400/P1030343.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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As for the burp cloth...we did not have enough time in class to do that, so I finished it at home this morning. I bought a pack of prefold diapers and then took some of the coordinating fabric and just folded the edges over and sewed it onto the middle section of the diaper. It feels a bit thick, but maybe that just means gross drool and vomit will not penetrate. </div>
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So there you have it. The class was good, instructor was super nice, and I'll probably go back for another class to continue on this fancy road to socialization (or just to get out of the house after the baby comes). There's another fabric store a little closer to home called <a href="http://www.treadleyardgoods.com/">Treadle Yard Goods</a> and they offer fun classes too. I'm looking forward to someday taking one of their classes on how to recover an umbrella or how to make a roman shade.</div>
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<br /></div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-26846579422862472272011-09-17T17:03:00.000-05:002011-09-17T17:08:32.882-05:00Ho Hum...Hems<div style="text-align: justify;">
We've been living in our new place for about six months and have only put up one set of curtains. Instead, we have been living with all of our bits hanging out for the neighborhood to view. A few months ago we went to Ikea and picked up five packages of <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00160201">Alvine Rund</a>, a lovely sheer-ish curtain for our sunroom. Five packages, you ask? Yes, our sunroom has ten windows...hence the name <i>sun</i>room. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXm2LnkC7fMVgYiMmE6sdJctpYNWYod4_Eu1Lqgr1jOUEtLt7VrsHOERXfGWAsrmPWKpsT633xZrEb8mbfRqO0c29rgbJO0SrL12ONW0vY3yDq22fSNdDQIL0N5hWpn0sQwWHacWKx9D4T/s1600/P1030190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXm2LnkC7fMVgYiMmE6sdJctpYNWYod4_Eu1Lqgr1jOUEtLt7VrsHOERXfGWAsrmPWKpsT633xZrEb8mbfRqO0c29rgbJO0SrL12ONW0vY3yDq22fSNdDQIL0N5hWpn0sQwWHacWKx9D4T/s320/P1030190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One dilemma to the sunroom...one bank of windows was something like over 150" long, so I had trouble finding the right kind of curtain rod. I went with another Ikea product, some <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60075295">extend-o wire</a> thing and clips to attach the curtains. After purchasing all of the correct bits and pieces it would be another three months before anything went up.</div>
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Another dilemma...a long-ass radiator below another bank of windows. That meant that I had to hem all of the curtain panels from 98" to 66". Oh, what fun. I first went all professional, weighted the one end of the curtain panel down (with heavy dog toys, but there's no photographic evidence, so maybe that actually didn't happen), marked everything, and then used all my handy-dandy tools to cut nice straight lines, but that took <i>forever. </i>On the third panel, I said screw it and went with a true Sewer Slut-inspired method:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWULlZpNdqRfffl2yTMmwPaOARkm4JwR1-M88r-wGODbWdJE_uxUNDT0W6p-eOWun2lOqNUfgD11ET9sygqqewuuC6yjpNEP7tYci1DLTyggwxAcqRsjRmtvMMVril3JXOKpJ1qiSB8J-W/s1600/P1030192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWULlZpNdqRfffl2yTMmwPaOARkm4JwR1-M88r-wGODbWdJE_uxUNDT0W6p-eOWun2lOqNUfgD11ET9sygqqewuuC6yjpNEP7tYci1DLTyggwxAcqRsjRmtvMMVril3JXOKpJ1qiSB8J-W/s320/P1030192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Clipping the top of the panel to a stripey rug. Measuring out 69" (enough for a little hem) and deciding that the stripe at about 70" was close enough. And then cutting along the stripe for the entire width of the curtain:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-4xxcRqeCombdvuddbjCbpS3IBzEjIYVwIwOf5YwPUJ4eziNDF-cx3SDRFFDuvI7pKTr989zakCdw-cjcdhxvSvkSjfOJs-bKK5tcxiKMOqmiT9MJ30tD44x1xGrgwRYw_olf7HbdkwX/s1600/P1030193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-4xxcRqeCombdvuddbjCbpS3IBzEjIYVwIwOf5YwPUJ4eziNDF-cx3SDRFFDuvI7pKTr989zakCdw-cjcdhxvSvkSjfOJs-bKK5tcxiKMOqmiT9MJ30tD44x1xGrgwRYw_olf7HbdkwX/s320/P1030193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Phew. I ended up only using seven of the ten curtain panels, which means I have three more panels to stick on some of the other bare windows in the house. No rods though, which means I have to go measure (blah) and then go shopping (double blah). I also have a pile of Alvine Rund remnants, so maybe I can figure out something to do with them.</div>
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Anyway, here are the end results for the sunroom...starting with a view through the doors:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRg7Ly4RwsX9t4dYFwTOlBVPAupli98MDQeG4jebRk2HEYjFQZCIATj0q03eAL2uwPfoJJoUjLqQbuxsRhcTdweq8kvGldqD_VOvc23typQubqeDVvDpjjEL-Gub_8cJOFOqtr9TH8ibn/s1600/P1030208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRg7Ly4RwsX9t4dYFwTOlBVPAupli98MDQeG4jebRk2HEYjFQZCIATj0q03eAL2uwPfoJJoUjLqQbuxsRhcTdweq8kvGldqD_VOvc23typQubqeDVvDpjjEL-Gub_8cJOFOqtr9TH8ibn/s400/P1030208.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNAR2xRTBp246MgQQLU-1CoORMHDdgPVo1H9GEhm-1JMbQzK19MxGVHrPbMwyQ1_kyZN8rAiTuVc6JszDfjNm6g7j0HZ6OkJGfTe-DyXH3O5Ydj6OjMSC4qlqw1qFnZm-ru6WdUC6wmod/s1600/P1030199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNAR2xRTBp246MgQQLU-1CoORMHDdgPVo1H9GEhm-1JMbQzK19MxGVHrPbMwyQ1_kyZN8rAiTuVc6JszDfjNm6g7j0HZ6OkJGfTe-DyXH3O5Ydj6OjMSC4qlqw1qFnZm-ru6WdUC6wmod/s400/P1030199.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HmfzghA3JPEVMUFZl9P409qs38wenpRbF_9677jldOyO-20EsPy2LLvdqxDtbmQaIXBmykDX1K07X2S-Ws9UqwwWFVDiwRNnfmueiYyMSt2OUfkuCIRmEZ71hUHHgC-u-YfR_sDfZbc-/s1600/P1030198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HmfzghA3JPEVMUFZl9P409qs38wenpRbF_9677jldOyO-20EsPy2LLvdqxDtbmQaIXBmykDX1K07X2S-Ws9UqwwWFVDiwRNnfmueiYyMSt2OUfkuCIRmEZ71hUHHgC-u-YfR_sDfZbc-/s400/P1030198.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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And check out that vintage yellow pillow. My mom picked it up at a yard sale and I fell in love with it when she gave it to me. Here are two little close ups:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECVE6g3EACtvxxFe-WPnjjv3zJJG4x3N8lDnAhnKHJim8ZZRF5DSIyrkcM6mQ-P05YhCHWFo4_kbQn2baE-jSQU8B5VgLlYF4D0HxVsssw_EbyV1JZRLwk1ahGQN0leq8YTZd9IsH6YFG/s1600/P1030201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECVE6g3EACtvxxFe-WPnjjv3zJJG4x3N8lDnAhnKHJim8ZZRF5DSIyrkcM6mQ-P05YhCHWFo4_kbQn2baE-jSQU8B5VgLlYF4D0HxVsssw_EbyV1JZRLwk1ahGQN0leq8YTZd9IsH6YFG/s200/P1030201.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1MCWBazG9LHCLq8ydhSTlKXvkOOK7-RjyvVmn4omRQhxJCtM3KZPeSqYLKBg59xAZOOEsBdYpxjRatIS2bZPs-SKdtDK_oAixcNLDDf5q-oPHx8XxMb6vgGY40ct0PTVFwUkA12IG1k0/s1600/P1030205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1MCWBazG9LHCLq8ydhSTlKXvkOOK7-RjyvVmn4omRQhxJCtM3KZPeSqYLKBg59xAZOOEsBdYpxjRatIS2bZPs-SKdtDK_oAixcNLDDf5q-oPHx8XxMb6vgGY40ct0PTVFwUkA12IG1k0/s200/P1030205.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
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Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-42769875341602408722011-09-09T20:07:00.000-05:002011-09-09T20:26:14.051-05:00Eleflunk? I hope not!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaxvbihA-Q6Vc_dnHaWuDW55KdhSzvaJveN0f9HxCo0FlYZLUr0h9g3EVAc06Ui2yvM229BkQHDGHIoEntJR6bwIU-CEFA89sQ8gPybxANp9JCo9B0XGjPsl3c6oAuM-cvzyfrueDJ8hH/s1600/3687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaxvbihA-Q6Vc_dnHaWuDW55KdhSzvaJveN0f9HxCo0FlYZLUr0h9g3EVAc06Ui2yvM229BkQHDGHIoEntJR6bwIU-CEFA89sQ8gPybxANp9JCo9B0XGjPsl3c6oAuM-cvzyfrueDJ8hH/s1600/3687.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My young neighbor is entering pre-school next week and to celebrate the occasion, I made her a new backpack to schlep all of her school supplies to and from home. I bought this KwikSew pattern (<a href="http://www.kwiksew.com/catalog/cat_detail.cfm?pid=3687">#3687</a>) about two years ago with the idea of making them for my best friend's kids. I never got around to making anything from this pattern and by the time I showed it to my friend, she very kindly told me that her kids were a little too old for it already. Oh well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With my new neighbor in mind, I decided to actually do a little sewing for the first time in months. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyerYQ6n3hA&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLC53F9C7145824EA8">Her colors are pink and pink</a> and I really wanted to find a way to use them with the owl pattern. After staring at all of the fabrics on hand, I just could not see any of them as an owl. When my eye wandered over to a black and purple Asian fabric, I immediately thought of the elephant pattern. The only problem with the elephant pattern, and the main reason why I was leaning toward the owl or the chicken, is that it is really hard to determine that it actually is an elephant. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I went for it anyway and paired the black fabric (a remnant from Jo-Ann's) with some purple and black polka dots (yard sale fabric courtesy of my mom) and here is the result:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy94mmDVZjEJAGTR6i86g-OxQnFRmhN0XA1e3At0E-qskhCztuz5yUgBslNZbzeKM-dzL7xlndZ9zU0ywWFOz4MF3ZKjorrkZt5coGL8sftetKpwCdBEI31fDLAovynqjylpFX6WPWENg/s1600/P1030163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy94mmDVZjEJAGTR6i86g-OxQnFRmhN0XA1e3At0E-qskhCztuz5yUgBslNZbzeKM-dzL7xlndZ9zU0ywWFOz4MF3ZKjorrkZt5coGL8sftetKpwCdBEI31fDLAovynqjylpFX6WPWENg/s400/P1030163.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Not bad, right? You can kind of tell it's an elephant with the trunk, floppy ear, and stringy tail. Those little sticky-outy-things on the bottom are the straps tied through loops. The inside is lined in the polka dot fabric. And it has a little handle:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Fo_6DrnbJlI1HtBUON5Wer4rWV_s5zSm0TdsAZJtzfWxOetSqdx270lZNk1x6VXiZ9kr_DSBQcWfNTUv7fqLnDnYnIWQwGKheVhtdvQVZ0ZR9vEK685y2ZIyPWOf_afeRjITkfOQbg9D/s1600/P1030169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Fo_6DrnbJlI1HtBUON5Wer4rWV_s5zSm0TdsAZJtzfWxOetSqdx270lZNk1x6VXiZ9kr_DSBQcWfNTUv7fqLnDnYnIWQwGKheVhtdvQVZ0ZR9vEK685y2ZIyPWOf_afeRjITkfOQbg9D/s400/P1030169.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As for the pattern itself, it was pretty easy to sew. The hardest part was turning the loops for the straps and the buttons, but KwikSew had a quick trick for turning narrow casings using a bobby pin...works much better than a safety pin. They did try to get to me turn one casing with a needle, but I gave up on that after a prick or two and reverted to the bobby pin method. And in my usual fashion, I topstitched everything! They didn't tell me to, but the trunk, ears, and top flap each had a layer of fleece between the fabric layers and it just did not seem <i>clean</i> enough without the topstitching. As for the buttons, one is used to secure the flap and the other is used as an elephant eyeball. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtCD5nVVrkV7tZQigdH9r03X-BdIkQyPlyOWv1giNmbWxap3Pc9lJ0SYJRvshd5FaOO-dknAAMBa-e0OnvU43xyIcW6qdF2bmYbign4J0dnJ7hDzR7xrxL5yWQMMelpeTjMHbezwkQrlq/s1600/P1030166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtCD5nVVrkV7tZQigdH9r03X-BdIkQyPlyOWv1giNmbWxap3Pc9lJ0SYJRvshd5FaOO-dknAAMBa-e0OnvU43xyIcW6qdF2bmYbign4J0dnJ7hDzR7xrxL5yWQMMelpeTjMHbezwkQrlq/s400/P1030166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As for her reaction? Well, it was hard to tell. I think she liked it...she kept putting it on her head and then she went into the kitchen and stuffed a bag of breadsticks in it. She was also very curious as to why the elephant only had one eye and one ear, which I thought was pretty cute.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
As a side note: I am pleased to report that KwikSew seems to be based out of Minneapolis, MN, so that means I am supporting a local business now that I live in the Twin Cities. </div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-56202049996473810482010-12-21T15:34:00.000-06:002010-12-21T17:43:09.273-06:00Stuff This<div style="text-align: justify;">Years and years and years ago my mother made us felt Christmas stockings from kits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKac-M236aXZfIGt5x2C5Flkb_yYe8AqpHlOxwOZDu8NI5zXbK60W4Zet6S7NjEWAJgKLEY5FX87wGx_BPDJ6nZjTyYCSR3Y9SCm7vDFEog3dYoWGuAFht_7rdwrkM2G7P2ina4FAvIp2/s1600/IMG_6419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKac-M236aXZfIGt5x2C5Flkb_yYe8AqpHlOxwOZDu8NI5zXbK60W4Zet6S7NjEWAJgKLEY5FX87wGx_BPDJ6nZjTyYCSR3Y9SCm7vDFEog3dYoWGuAFht_7rdwrkM2G7P2ina4FAvIp2/s320/IMG_6419.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKkcNVlLo4OYnnm5qGk6J6-7t-tfL9rjafJTovwYMHrCW3HmiTnYtcBKCA9T0R7wc_14baU-sFcArDoAAxvFTMBz36ZZV2EBcCAirxQp1K6rjTX8ojdTqWPGF7yn23Z55cHd8ISZEEasn/s1600/IMG_6416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKkcNVlLo4OYnnm5qGk6J6-7t-tfL9rjafJTovwYMHrCW3HmiTnYtcBKCA9T0R7wc_14baU-sFcArDoAAxvFTMBz36ZZV2EBcCAirxQp1K6rjTX8ojdTqWPGF7yn23Z55cHd8ISZEEasn/s320/IMG_6416.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They've definitely seen better days, but they are such wonderful little heirloom pieces. You can find the old kits on <a href="http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=vintage+christmas+stocking+kits&_sacat=See-All-Categories">eBay</a>, but the prices seem really excessive....$20.00 to $60.00 or so for one of these kits. I haven't seen mine for sale, but my sister's stocking was made by Sultana and was called "Mini-Toys". There was one for sale on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/32981018/vintage-christmas-stocking-kit">Etsy</a>, but it's since been sold. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Given the major price gouging on these little felt applique kits, you can imagine my surprise when I came across a kit at a yard sale a while back for $4.00. It was a vintage kit by Bucilla (#82065) called "On Santa's Knee" and I decided to make it for my newborn nephew. I started it earlier this year, but found it to be too time consuming and tedious. I didn't have the patience for it, so I set it aside for a number of months.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then in October my mother showed up for the wedding with her usual haul of yard sale finds. Among her goods, she had found two additional felt applique kits. One was a vintage kit from Sultana (#1249) called "Jack-in-the-Box" and the other was a kit from 2001 by Dimensions (#8092). So after the wedding, I dragged out the Bucilla kit and started to stitch away. I had just over two months to get these three stockings prepared for the kids in my sister's family.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The kits are pretty neat. They come with everything pre-printed on sheets of colored felt that you cut out. You start with piece 1, attach piece 2, then piece 3 etc. The kits come with detailed instructions, coordinating embroidery thread, crewel thread, sequins, and needles, but they don't come with stuffing. The hardest part was attaching each little sequin and bead. It took forever!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y-4QX2bo0kaflw865QdCO6MTO7V2AqqTcChwBC3IhNRP2HMAP9CllJy-HwbtR6PVovlCrueMgGntaaGQQQ5qXcmNsKm_j-ct4ueq4PqqU2HrWxN8OD4-7eMFXTWVGmqewD506FeTmKuB/s1600/P1020460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y-4QX2bo0kaflw865QdCO6MTO7V2AqqTcChwBC3IhNRP2HMAP9CllJy-HwbtR6PVovlCrueMgGntaaGQQQ5qXcmNsKm_j-ct4ueq4PqqU2HrWxN8OD4-7eMFXTWVGmqewD506FeTmKuB/s320/P1020460.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>You can see the pre-printed outlines in this mid-assembly photo. And P.S. that is Santa's bag, not a golden toilet, which is what my husband kept calling it. <br />
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I dragged the Jack-in-the-Box kit down to Southern California for the Thanksgiving weekend and spent about six hours straight working on it on the drive back home. I started the third stocking during the first week of December and finally finished it late last week. I have seriously been working on these stockings for about eight weeks non-stop in the evenings while watching television and movies. And so, here they are:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkm_n9pN3OVC6slrRUjlhJ4g5NFpnPnJi52ARfp9TA88xNIKUInldvIwNLX2NfNBb2u_-OwVZbTBnI-AF1opBARiFnCHW97T-TgV-c1slPlCQNft-g5N7vjMz6NmVTb4DoBYIlFtESevc/s1600/P1020595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkm_n9pN3OVC6slrRUjlhJ4g5NFpnPnJi52ARfp9TA88xNIKUInldvIwNLX2NfNBb2u_-OwVZbTBnI-AF1opBARiFnCHW97T-TgV-c1slPlCQNft-g5N7vjMz6NmVTb4DoBYIlFtESevc/s400/P1020595.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Only the Sultana stocking came with a bell, so I added bells to all the others. I mean, seriously, you really need a bell on Christmas stockings. How else will you know if pudgy little kid arms are illegally rooting around in them?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59_KQpWTV2rZP4z04eri2fRIJWqmDxEX9QlBdUBdt7wxln2WLuzHs1eR3VURpA-A0KPmMa8zFwSO5v8e9EJFoMPkw18OiqcUoTL9nBSVH_3dghdQHzQqZLAtqfZQ_8DMOcpCpIvT1j5rs/s1600/P1020599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59_KQpWTV2rZP4z04eri2fRIJWqmDxEX9QlBdUBdt7wxln2WLuzHs1eR3VURpA-A0KPmMa8zFwSO5v8e9EJFoMPkw18OiqcUoTL9nBSVH_3dghdQHzQqZLAtqfZQ_8DMOcpCpIvT1j5rs/s320/P1020599.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I modified just a few things on this Santa stocking from Bucilla. The little stuffed bear is supposed to be attached with velcro, but curious kids will definitely find cause to remove him and then lose him, so I stitched the little bugger on. I was supposed to use a gold cording for the name, but Mr. Parker is a String Burglar and kept making off with it and I couldn't figure out how to balance out the letters in cursive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVyZlEvSM5mmwK7NEXtAJTpHwqyFSStkpGo_SoigWHQ5DL9ewqUgZ5_cDjgw4v4_1z_J8Jgx5y1pPS_2uElOA872wIPh6rbqapNcsAuIgaosHuR6lL98Qx-CxSbGkaCOFA5avhTPje3JW/s1600/P1020597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVyZlEvSM5mmwK7NEXtAJTpHwqyFSStkpGo_SoigWHQ5DL9ewqUgZ5_cDjgw4v4_1z_J8Jgx5y1pPS_2uElOA872wIPh6rbqapNcsAuIgaosHuR6lL98Qx-CxSbGkaCOFA5avhTPje3JW/s320/P1020597.JPG" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This Sultana kit was slightly easier than the Bucilla, either because there were fewer pieces or I had become a pro. I modified just a few things on this one too. I stuffed the head and body of Jack, because my stitching was a bit wonky and the stuffing helped hide that. In true 1970's fashion, they wanted me to attach red sequins to the pink ornaments, but the colors did not look that good in the photo, so I opted for white on the one and light blue sequins on the other. I love how the ornaments swing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaEkcGiowEwPHoIGltSl85OGcaQvLaPGRW5Esi18D-wnuno84DwmtpopiKZBJuKT4-ZdoEe1Kktgu2KxslcJjJXTGPcIipDyfARoyLJb0dBWx27CKO4w8hIf3b4FpM3xqEKO0rcmvrOgm/s1600/P1020598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaEkcGiowEwPHoIGltSl85OGcaQvLaPGRW5Esi18D-wnuno84DwmtpopiKZBJuKT4-ZdoEe1Kktgu2KxslcJjJXTGPcIipDyfARoyLJb0dBWx27CKO4w8hIf3b4FpM3xqEKO0rcmvrOgm/s320/P1020598.JPG" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">You can tell that this one is the modern one, just from the color scheme. All that vibrant blue! None of the vintage kits really have that color. This one also has a few modifications. I inadvertently attached white sequins along the top when it had called for blue. I used black sequins for the mouth and eyes...the recommended black stitching did not look much like coal. The cursive stitched name that the directions recommended looked stupid, so I gave it my own letters instead. This kit wanted me to stuff almost every single applique piece...ridiculous! I just did the ones that I thought needed some dimension. It came with purple sequins, but never said to use them, so I outlined one arm. I also scratched the pom-poms that were supposed to appear on the hats. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My sister's husband is the only one who doesn't have a stocking, so I guess I know what I'm doing next year.</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-88256139245796857462010-12-03T01:34:00.000-06:002010-12-03T20:25:22.219-06:00Book Haul<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://thebarbarianlibrarian.wordpress.com/">The Barbarian Librarian</a> clued me in to a holiday <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/happyhaulidays/">promotion by Chronicle Books</a>. All I had to do was come up with a wish list of books from Chronicle totaling up to $500.00, blog about it, and then I'd be entered to win the list and a lucky blog commenter could win it too. I made it to $497.84...whew!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sewing Books</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhonMEKucjlXqpl6E4dGADPRmVGy7oO-1eKdvcI3m1dPqXKH8jKN1r2mqDJ-X3ZSOAPTYxgNXf5FoPTGoV65FHiZjiPNVGyot0fiw3UxCI6eQHhsQKrEjEX1pbNzST5_bhn910djbEs-7/s1600/sewing+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhonMEKucjlXqpl6E4dGADPRmVGy7oO-1eKdvcI3m1dPqXKH8jKN1r2mqDJ-X3ZSOAPTYxgNXf5FoPTGoV65FHiZjiPNVGyot0fiw3UxCI6eQHhsQKrEjEX1pbNzST5_bhn910djbEs-7/s320/sewing+collage.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ol><li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8204/">Applique Your Way by Katye Taylor</a> - I love applique!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8573/">The Sock Monkey & Friends Kit by Samantha Fisher and Cary Lane</a> - With a niece and nephews on the way and years of present-making ahead of me, I'd say this one is a winner!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,9189/">1, 2, 3 Sew by Ellen Luckett Baker</a> - Projects in groups of three.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,9170/">Girl's World by Jennifer Paganelli </a>- I mentioned that niece, right?</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8684/">Whip Up Mini Quilts by Kathleen Ricketson</a> - Someday I will make a quilt, so should start with a mini one.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,6360/">Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter</a> - Fun!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7882/">Simple Sewing for Baby by Lotta Jansdotter</a> - One niece comes out tomorrow, one nephew comes out on the 7th...better get sewing!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7602/">French General: Home Sewn by Kaari Meng</a> - The author "scours the French countryside and Parisian fleamarkets for vintage treasures." Um, SOLD!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7129/">The Pillow Book by Shannon Okey</a> - This was going to be the name of my erotic bookstore, but maybe I'll just make pillows instead of pursuing that dream.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,5930/">In Stitches by Amy Butler</a> - Amy Butler; still not convinced that I like her stuff.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7112/">Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts: Fuzzy Felted Friends</a> - I love Japanese crafts!</li>
</ol><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopzud6VvGkMw7nHvoyosvY8IfTLRaeKR5QVPgUbA2e8wjT6hH0LunF3jDte69z3a_y87DJyQwRouK_SRRIb7X1WJx_uCmrgXGJYjCB1BoEq7ibF903mjMmPnDeFFMdOb9HgcyrG_Pyk_8/s1600/knitting+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopzud6VvGkMw7nHvoyosvY8IfTLRaeKR5QVPgUbA2e8wjT6hH0LunF3jDte69z3a_y87DJyQwRouK_SRRIb7X1WJx_uCmrgXGJYjCB1BoEq7ibF903mjMmPnDeFFMdOb9HgcyrG_Pyk_8/s320/knitting+collage.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Embroidery</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ol><li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8175/">Embroidered Effects by Jenny Hart</a> - I love Sublime Stitching.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7113/">Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts: Wooly Embroidery</a> - My embroidery class used this book as an example of good techniques and projects.</li>
</ol>Knitting & Crochet<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ol><li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,6943/">Field Guide to Knitting by Jackie Pawlowski</a> - Someday I will learn to knit.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7650/">The Sock Knitting Kit by Alyce Benevides and Jacqueline Milles</a> - And then I will knit socks.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7323/">Creepy Cute Crochet by Christen Haden</a> - And when I learn to crochet, I'm making monsters.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,6715/">Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts: Lacy Crochet! </a>- I love this Kyuuto! series.</li>
</ol>In the Kitchen<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I like to make aprons, so here are some food-related books</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi736lG4NBntqnOuAKajET30K-lzyhBwoN4VGLCzipQHxwdj8Vu1TpQgf9A42qVdbdnXAAzw9vKEWNHvoTALTZ67W5tKs20M7ThOKdShQMIzM4xhkg6XsgzHkaKpj9FiEI5SXlMkPd8tJhc/s1600/cookbook+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi736lG4NBntqnOuAKajET30K-lzyhBwoN4VGLCzipQHxwdj8Vu1TpQgf9A42qVdbdnXAAzw9vKEWNHvoTALTZ67W5tKs20M7ThOKdShQMIzM4xhkg6XsgzHkaKpj9FiEI5SXlMkPd8tJhc/s320/cookbook+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ol><li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8831/">Cake Pops by Bakerella </a>- I don't know if I'd do anything more than gaze longingly at each picture.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8633/">Yum-Yum Bento Box by Crystal Watanabe and Maki Ogawa</a> - No patience for the execution of ornate bento boxes, but I love staring at the photos.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8702/">Farmers' Market Desserts by Jennie Schacht </a>- Yummy!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7526/">Fresh from the Farmers' Market by Janet Fletcher</a> - I suppose I just can't eat dessert all the time.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,6391/">Let's Cook Japanese Food by Amy Kaneko</a> - I love Japanese home cooking.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,6003/">Crepes by Lou Seibert Pappas</a> - With nutella, I hope.</li>
</ol><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MC2MRj3ilcsSquLOxqUj3-rtjNRSU4wB4gFTxduHgBVCPi-tqaDOsWKXiUdPBqYSHXd9X8YEdnExfZWYNibmNY77v4rB-Znqc_RBaYpkdWmCQPgb_S_zaFBW-ef2fJbpax13gHf6WvnZ/s1600/Vintage+Craft+Workshop.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MC2MRj3ilcsSquLOxqUj3-rtjNRSU4wB4gFTxduHgBVCPi-tqaDOsWKXiUdPBqYSHXd9X8YEdnExfZWYNibmNY77v4rB-Znqc_RBaYpkdWmCQPgb_S_zaFBW-ef2fJbpax13gHf6WvnZ/s200/Vintage+Craft+Workshop.jpeg" width="143" /></a>And just because I love vintage, crafts, and vintage crafts, I am including <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,9198/">Vintage Craft Workshop by Cathy Callahan</a>, which will be available in February 2011.</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-56845222095632178142010-10-24T14:03:00.000-05:002010-10-25T11:56:02.770-05:00Elizabeth Bennett: Zombie Hunter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRDuF7XoToGnXOGtuGkc9bORL0LUE79xhqocfOq7v7rXAijlaJg8sX0yZWGTgAyoPd-K8HqkpfF9zrxqNLwNAeHRiPCdJfU7JW1KB6BddFeTb2zRxm7i7D1KkRO1loKbXThkdS8-YRg2v/s1600/P1020452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRDuF7XoToGnXOGtuGkc9bORL0LUE79xhqocfOq7v7rXAijlaJg8sX0yZWGTgAyoPd-K8HqkpfF9zrxqNLwNAeHRiPCdJfU7JW1KB6BddFeTb2zRxm7i7D1KkRO1loKbXThkdS8-YRg2v/s320/P1020452.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Zombie or vampire? These were my options for last night's themed event of "Zombie vs. Vampires". Last year, I went as a nasty zombified prom queen, complete with rotted flesh made with liquid latex, which smells incredibly similar to Parker's cat box. Not wishing to douse myself in urine for the second year in a row and also realizing that I have no recollection of ever wanting to dress as a vampire in my 34 years of life, I decided to try something a bit different.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I already had pattern <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-2088-costumes.aspx">4055</a> from Simplicity's historical collection. This pattern covers the 1795 to 1825 period and the small print reads "Sense & Sensibility Patterns." Perfect for an interpretation of that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Zombies-Classic-Ultraviolent/dp/1594743347">Pride and Prejudice and Zombies</a> book that came out last year. Admittedly, while I have not read this mash-up of Jane Austen's classic, I have read the original and feel more inclined as a zombie hunter than as a gross and hideous undead creature.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So I whipped up this dress over the course of a week, putting the final touches on it just hours before the event. The overall fit of the pattern was pretty good, though I had to sew the bust with a smaller seam allowance to accommodate my heaving bosom. I chose a heavy light green fabric for the dress (six yards of it were picked up at a yard sale last year!) and the overlay was from the remnants pile at Beverly's. Here are some close-ups of the details:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4ERh8xysU31WZUbxAp3OyN6Ssa32N5Pc8wY53yRdWeqnTeyLC_Nh58hFFmMRqmYHQfDNcdVbUY8h9DiWDGehwh3lT32f_HjK3E93ur-aaGahYbluNLlN-qDoOWGsDNyd6B1AOzKfkSjK/s1600/P1020455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4ERh8xysU31WZUbxAp3OyN6Ssa32N5Pc8wY53yRdWeqnTeyLC_Nh58hFFmMRqmYHQfDNcdVbUY8h9DiWDGehwh3lT32f_HjK3E93ur-aaGahYbluNLlN-qDoOWGsDNyd6B1AOzKfkSjK/s400/P1020455.JPG" width="264" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The buttons on the back are just plastic from my stash and the white is a bit too harsh, but I didn't see the point in buying anything I didn't have to for a costume. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3p6r9Xk_B8M3cNRyKbqpML5cCJahfwkg_mnCo_ur3oZfyiHunhmTy_TkvUxLBKdXruyItCsQ-0TvBKZr-GoSlgU7DhyEXIQa3xVHrzwAD61ofXhgj6MzdVhy67CsMPaZ_Fb11_YqhY8G/s1600/P1020456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3p6r9Xk_B8M3cNRyKbqpML5cCJahfwkg_mnCo_ur3oZfyiHunhmTy_TkvUxLBKdXruyItCsQ-0TvBKZr-GoSlgU7DhyEXIQa3xVHrzwAD61ofXhgj6MzdVhy67CsMPaZ_Fb11_YqhY8G/s400/P1020456.JPG" width="264" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I tried out the scallop stitch on my sewing machine for the hem of the overlay. The pattern suggested a narrow hem, but I wanted to use a darker green scallop to give the dress a little bit more decoration and to match the braid at the neckline. Speaking of which...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3CqoQ0R0HPhK8THkGS3vAsbxKz0hycpbvM6G-WIjHqgeHD7SrfpQsAXyxIPIIZUx9UFIs_UHMSm5fUY4x-sUZ1wFecCkq5VTHTKdNAhKnxPY64Iyd3_YbjjbpVyGI5FBV54O3C5AoIxt/s1600/P1020453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3CqoQ0R0HPhK8THkGS3vAsbxKz0hycpbvM6G-WIjHqgeHD7SrfpQsAXyxIPIIZUx9UFIs_UHMSm5fUY4x-sUZ1wFecCkq5VTHTKdNAhKnxPY64Iyd3_YbjjbpVyGI5FBV54O3C5AoIxt/s400/P1020453.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I sort of love how the sleeve just slightly slips from the shoulder. It totally reminds me of all of the Regency Romance novels that I love to read. I mean, can't you just imagine Mr. Darcy getting a bit too friendly with Miss Bennett, pulling the sleeve from her shoulder to place a very improper and daring kiss? Um, yes please!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2p189FnKx3UQ7CQaK83lbBHVZoIv6_n_P7a-O0bGQQce0sStI9DYfYDwHnPdnw6yWnI76UTQqLVQhXOXRPJhVuMt0E2Ta1tVQgXBs02mx8GvBmmOA0VzbZfW-stTaZ1O5gtOXvcRfiwEE/s1600/P1020450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2p189FnKx3UQ7CQaK83lbBHVZoIv6_n_P7a-O0bGQQce0sStI9DYfYDwHnPdnw6yWnI76UTQqLVQhXOXRPJhVuMt0E2Ta1tVQgXBs02mx8GvBmmOA0VzbZfW-stTaZ1O5gtOXvcRfiwEE/s400/P1020450.JPG" width="264" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And here I am about to chop the head off of the zombie Walt Whitman. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-12420604162084346752010-10-12T10:24:00.000-05:002010-10-13T17:50:46.364-05:00Wedding Baggage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TuPeC-Ju7P0bBNC8Vm7tPPUW-OtrMu4fN1eN9nsZexkF1YB6ZOhZUWK6EOaR-mgs1YzGvkPQFgRNzvswhbQtSYYd49en-TzNJzb31iOXc02PqMUBq2kPtPmrS1zYQBPQvKLLswtXYaId/s1600/P1020088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TuPeC-Ju7P0bBNC8Vm7tPPUW-OtrMu4fN1eN9nsZexkF1YB6ZOhZUWK6EOaR-mgs1YzGvkPQFgRNzvswhbQtSYYd49en-TzNJzb31iOXc02PqMUBq2kPtPmrS1zYQBPQvKLLswtXYaId/s200/P1020088.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was getting down to the wire and I had not sewn anything for my wedding. I mean, what kind of Sewer Slut would I be if I didn't handcraft some fabulous fabric item for my very own wedding? My dress was vintage and, though I did not create it myself, I did <a href="http://sewersluts.blogspot.com/2010/08/in-early-may-after-months-of-scouring.html">reinforce the beading</a>, but that doesn't really count as making something new and unique for the wedding. I kept trying to think of little things to make with needle and thread for the ceremony...did people need little fabric flags to wave or what about fabric flags lining the path to the ceremony?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Weeks ago I decided that I would need a garment bag for my dress. I already had the pattern, <a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b4156-products-1151.php?page_id=397&search_control=display&list=search">Butterick B4156</a>, which seems to now be out of print. I also chose the fabric...a <a href="http://sewersluts.blogspot.com/2010/01/6-yards.html">gorgeous vintage print</a> from my new sister-in-law. So I set both the pattern and the fabric aside, but did not touch them for weeks. I spent my time crafting paper flowers for the centerpieces and just ignored my sewing machine for the month before the wedding. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So Friday morning at 5:30, I woke up and made the garment bag. With three panels of fabric, a zipper, and loads of bias tape, I figured that it would take about two hours and that was all the time I would have to myself until after the wedding. And I was right...it was about two hours on the nose. I got a bit exuberant about ripping out basting stitches, so that I now have a small bit of bias tape to repair, but otherwise the bag is fabulous!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEtsSoYshus59s3sByNpwuLuOJ7nbZJkCT_nxXbxYSsdq_k4dGiUaPZ3e245MLnQAH1zZqhdxTeQtAEz56q6sB189wW-_qXq-6sfkXNPUBAa3rtf9XQIUMvtEV8rITYfEObpCXQWzZpAf/s1600/P1020261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEtsSoYshus59s3sByNpwuLuOJ7nbZJkCT_nxXbxYSsdq_k4dGiUaPZ3e245MLnQAH1zZqhdxTeQtAEz56q6sB189wW-_qXq-6sfkXNPUBAa3rtf9XQIUMvtEV8rITYfEObpCXQWzZpAf/s400/P1020261.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1okLqPv_v2WqCFTi88qj4WLPNzL3SldKozRlrNDVG9Ca4DckLzIxwnygPvjbFSPNyQSpFWQxY4BGsgVO7QA0fc-G2vUoZ-ODM_wNys18WyFxuauS58Y24N-89ObBVO3tCAn_42ZoT8RtI/s1600/P1010936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1okLqPv_v2WqCFTi88qj4WLPNzL3SldKozRlrNDVG9Ca4DckLzIxwnygPvjbFSPNyQSpFWQxY4BGsgVO7QA0fc-G2vUoZ-ODM_wNys18WyFxuauS58Y24N-89ObBVO3tCAn_42ZoT8RtI/s400/P1010936.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And here we are...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6YVGSO4duff7wplpp1d6VY4d6en0OBcZtLPDzdA_3bgcuRIH4gI9HkgNBuGuquF8PanV9YpmyqdYj387GNbp_BrdhUTu_niyyjVASVYR83N4S-XNdIF810Yxg3haPzK1V1Vbbp9sx0qE/s1600/P1020058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6YVGSO4duff7wplpp1d6VY4d6en0OBcZtLPDzdA_3bgcuRIH4gI9HkgNBuGuquF8PanV9YpmyqdYj387GNbp_BrdhUTu_niyyjVASVYR83N4S-XNdIF810Yxg3haPzK1V1Vbbp9sx0qE/s400/P1020058.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-37522035432467315682010-09-18T16:27:00.000-05:002010-09-18T16:27:49.049-05:00Sewing Stuff from Japan<div style="text-align: justify;">I thought that I would come home with suitcases packed with yards (or meters!) of Japanese fabrics, notions and books, but I came home with very little evidence of my trip to Japan. I don't know why. I thought I had done the right research, but I either missed the crafting stores as a result of sensory overload or I was just too tired at the end of the day (which is when we usually had time for shopping) to really focus on looking for them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I did a little research before going and printed out a map of Nippori's Sen-i-Gai (Fabric Town) in Tokyo from this <a href="http://floatingworld.typepad.com/floating_world_views/2007/05/fabric_shopping.html">site</a>. I dragged Brian there after a day trip to Nikko. We arrived around 4:15 in the afternoon, which was not the best time to go shopping in this district, because most places seemed determined to close at 5:00. It seemed to be a wholesale district and I didn't see any cute stores, though we did happen upon a notions branch of <a href="http://www.nippori-tomato.com/tomato/2notion.html">Tomato</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tomato was packed with young squealing girls who spent time salivating over adorable buttons and ribbons. This girl squealed at this display of zippers:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR32NSuiYTScLTmmrWB_zY5XjsNoUVkh0Rcj2TNg_saStGvZd0xc-NWrNZdBDAvA3HNAbUiZx1tfGWhPHobiZA-FAp8H5iC-dM7IVuXW-S_sRKQ3X1g1dsTDIP54EitvYiuZErgqbTsJyy/s1600/P1010559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR32NSuiYTScLTmmrWB_zY5XjsNoUVkh0Rcj2TNg_saStGvZd0xc-NWrNZdBDAvA3HNAbUiZx1tfGWhPHobiZA-FAp8H5iC-dM7IVuXW-S_sRKQ3X1g1dsTDIP54EitvYiuZErgqbTsJyy/s400/P1010559.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lacey zippers! How fun are they? I should have grabbed a bunch in every color, but I only picked up one each in pink, red, and black. I'm not quite sure how to attach them, but I'll figure it out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I didn't really find any other craft stores or fabric stores (though there was a nice section at <a href="http://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/">Tokyu Hands</a>), but I did happen upon these at a sock shop and I think I should only be allowed to wear them when sewing:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_he3JsxQqkBXCOvcojPp-uWJ-8NwiflqTaIVNNkvm9XFY2e1M-vxkUw7j5BCPvqYuNLxpyMUb_5gR3fCU5YJ0Mik8BRbTZkXc1MSYfQPKeVec7sch44LgTNRWGJ54S0SRyjwjclYZ2Rm/s1600/P1010477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_he3JsxQqkBXCOvcojPp-uWJ-8NwiflqTaIVNNkvm9XFY2e1M-vxkUw7j5BCPvqYuNLxpyMUb_5gR3fCU5YJ0Mik8BRbTZkXc1MSYfQPKeVec7sch44LgTNRWGJ54S0SRyjwjclYZ2Rm/s400/P1010477.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As for books, I spent a good hour perusing the sewing/craft section at Kinokuniya, but walked away without a thing. I finally found a good embroidery book at Narita Airport. I haven't translated the author's name yet, but the book is called "12 Stitches Idea" and it's pretty fabulous.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPi1Ug8DyL4uqZReeYzar6lfoe-HMX4OcidwVKP8N8TAupNLHxaUIh293_BJ5RzZUruCsNikVMsLtaFf8pJBzW06leYQkHbi8rYxKsg5112uDLheoB_GPdv26nkOWz7jWoR0em6XI3RUZ/s1600/P1010682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPi1Ug8DyL4uqZReeYzar6lfoe-HMX4OcidwVKP8N8TAupNLHxaUIh293_BJ5RzZUruCsNikVMsLtaFf8pJBzW06leYQkHbi8rYxKsg5112uDLheoB_GPdv26nkOWz7jWoR0em6XI3RUZ/s400/P1010682.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I really fell in love with this shirt. So adorable. They also suggest doing this on a piece of ribbon for your own homemade measuring tape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9JpV9h0bIRqNSaoC564gIgK2VgsM1-zIsz4UHl0IwLPgkqMMnAi8iqqvpu2Si70vAO2G6KXNKJyHj-x549sauEbvjVbqaUm31QiAyWqPvUp_6uamxDVmfWwU30315zYoOVM-Gehui_sx/s1600/P1010685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9JpV9h0bIRqNSaoC564gIgK2VgsM1-zIsz4UHl0IwLPgkqMMnAi8iqqvpu2Si70vAO2G6KXNKJyHj-x549sauEbvjVbqaUm31QiAyWqPvUp_6uamxDVmfWwU30315zYoOVM-Gehui_sx/s400/P1010685.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9JpV9h0bIRqNSaoC564gIgK2VgsM1-zIsz4UHl0IwLPgkqMMnAi8iqqvpu2Si70vAO2G6KXNKJyHj-x549sauEbvjVbqaUm31QiAyWqPvUp_6uamxDVmfWwU30315zYoOVM-Gehui_sx/s1600/P1010685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I also really liked these coasters:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yXbAkMVKFhxV290kt_8SbUi71EfwIJHKctOtL8CFbbL1qttlsECtM1XKLc8OJhaqL8EXBSXEqOxp8dfzt_m0iXbIQCuiHPrbFsDo2uMx06L8B-EqS0dX_VTu_g1nS7BNR7dgmlaAECYj/s1600/P1010688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yXbAkMVKFhxV290kt_8SbUi71EfwIJHKctOtL8CFbbL1qttlsECtM1XKLc8OJhaqL8EXBSXEqOxp8dfzt_m0iXbIQCuiHPrbFsDo2uMx06L8B-EqS0dX_VTu_g1nS7BNR7dgmlaAECYj/s400/P1010688.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Maybe I'll have better luck next time. Brian has agreed to at least one more trip to Japan and only if we go see Kyoto. He also kept asking how far away <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Miyajima">Miyajima</a> was from Tokyo, so I think we'll have to do a Kyoto-Hiroshima-Miyajima excursion someday.</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-67107843393582802432010-09-06T03:03:00.000-05:002010-09-06T11:31:08.488-05:00Reversible Japan<div style="text-align: justify;">Prior to going on my ten day trip to Japan, I made a reversible skirt from Betz White's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584797584?ie=UTF8&tag=betwhifelwooa-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1584797584">Sewing Green</a> with the idea that two-skirts-in-one equalled less packing. While that was true, it was also devastatingly hot and humid in Japan and this double layered skirt was maybe not the smartest thing to pack. In addition, the humidity caused some major thigh chafage on that first day and I had to go out and buy some leggings to wear under all my skirts for the rest of the trip. I was basically walking around with about two to three layers of fabric on my bottom half for the entire time in Japan. Yikes!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, I think Betz White makes her skirt with a vintage tablecloth in the book. I chose to use a <a href="http://sewersluts.blogspot.com/2009/09/raw-sewage-fabric.html">piece of fabric</a> that a friend gave me last summer. I had just enough of the fabric to cut out the required seven panels for the skirt. Here is the first side of the skirt at Osore-zan, or Mount Dread, the third most sacred spot in Japan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKiLnHbFwWhb95tCtFlCimzUEH5QUC8TcN8ZPb0oTf1YLVVB8q8tMUF5rc_GE1qp9TiFdtfQzvD4hyusogANUXX1gYYixrlYYVdgk-9TCA23xkS_254QMzawNC58HbXdIROIHrlecMqyT/s1600/P1010129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKiLnHbFwWhb95tCtFlCimzUEH5QUC8TcN8ZPb0oTf1YLVVB8q8tMUF5rc_GE1qp9TiFdtfQzvD4hyusogANUXX1gYYixrlYYVdgk-9TCA23xkS_254QMzawNC58HbXdIROIHrlecMqyT/s400/P1010129.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVPWT3qA9cdx5ah2dB1NxRzXWxFO9YDZyvoH3Zl-oQf_nqjhH77JqxEtPA7FsNtyX_HHad8-6wJW05W1PWQoo18lXjy6xdEaTrdE0JbBWIaQP-j4QysDXQxQNzqHNf7W6PhPqg5lq_p9c/s1600/P1010192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVPWT3qA9cdx5ah2dB1NxRzXWxFO9YDZyvoH3Zl-oQf_nqjhH77JqxEtPA7FsNtyX_HHad8-6wJW05W1PWQoo18lXjy6xdEaTrdE0JbBWIaQP-j4QysDXQxQNzqHNf7W6PhPqg5lq_p9c/s400/P1010192.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-tuipl0IyGUdQUmHq-h0upl8FlurkGD3hPX9Oa5cQC9nDj5YwSm7AiCSrGQOxo1CdMCJvfr4zZZb8A-w0IZYVw0lquBSR7-AMQobRT0lOEN6AUbPdLwM5ERzrYqz9bMLqGZVWJ66nn4C/s1600/P1010196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-tuipl0IyGUdQUmHq-h0upl8FlurkGD3hPX9Oa5cQC9nDj5YwSm7AiCSrGQOxo1CdMCJvfr4zZZb8A-w0IZYVw0lquBSR7-AMQobRT0lOEN6AUbPdLwM5ERzrYqz9bMLqGZVWJ66nn4C/s400/P1010196.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And for the reverse, I chose a piece of muslin that I had in my sewing cabinet. I was afraid that a white cotton would be too thin and the other side would show through too much. I also embellished the plain side with some Steam-a-Seam flowers from the print fabric. I didn't have enough to go all around the hem, so I just did the first panel or so in the front. Here is the reverse at two different hilside shrines in Kamakura:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YRGISqdWoVWwrfep_8HzPYuKWfSqO_rXu4rpSbHiAzwpDLPvytMAibZO0d8-yKXCp70TnlJOHaTqv1JIVFHZi_EOTD29DdD4zlguUjfUuP14gxIgik3wMK98D6gqOhXfyoZ0p-p5krTE/s1600/P1010609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YRGISqdWoVWwrfep_8HzPYuKWfSqO_rXu4rpSbHiAzwpDLPvytMAibZO0d8-yKXCp70TnlJOHaTqv1JIVFHZi_EOTD29DdD4zlguUjfUuP14gxIgik3wMK98D6gqOhXfyoZ0p-p5krTE/s400/P1010609.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8lB1Obn0Fl5Kw4AfUqR_4iVwK4CCNQfUNZJ-WUaocgvJ5pvI5osq-X6FeJ3Sr5Digj-YFPWr525vQQBPuzbJX48gbm07klYKG9Y760ZA4r39Ts4Ow0zNwJez8RKbLkUmHAsv3GGuj3HI/s1600/P1010618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8lB1Obn0Fl5Kw4AfUqR_4iVwK4CCNQfUNZJ-WUaocgvJ5pvI5osq-X6FeJ3Sr5Digj-YFPWr525vQQBPuzbJX48gbm07klYKG9Y760ZA4r39Ts4Ow0zNwJez8RKbLkUmHAsv3GGuj3HI/s400/P1010618.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7xqH2IhBGX6wm1_rtfRcV3tYhlWyjTcD-hHZHdEjNPnUYYL4S8ulCWYrnmhkO6at0rMfrB9xlYvPofa4W_yCVyHG11PtDwLK9ToPKf_9YJzpgNpfu6dzehZacHZ3wtRggUZzXJg-RMx6/s1600/P1010620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7xqH2IhBGX6wm1_rtfRcV3tYhlWyjTcD-hHZHdEjNPnUYYL4S8ulCWYrnmhkO6at0rMfrB9xlYvPofa4W_yCVyHG11PtDwLK9ToPKf_9YJzpgNpfu6dzehZacHZ3wtRggUZzXJg-RMx6/s400/P1010620.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As for the pattern, it was pretty good, with the exception of the length of ribbon needed for the waistband. I needed an extra yard to feel comfortable tying the skirt at the waist. I'm not a huge fan of reversible skirts (mostly because they never stay shut and the waistband always feels weird), but I like this skirt. I'm glad I finally got to use that fabulous floral fabric! Thanks again, Sookie!</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-24150294040962372832010-08-22T15:39:00.000-05:002010-08-22T15:39:58.330-05:00Whipped up Wallet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C-aY8jerI65tAXt5n57COocunF-yKtZBYIkO9LNb0pzPNq8AnUxQlFpmKjhxnl8dULVfy2Uj4Cdtx4QEXeu1on1sLmj454aHB_B7ZAOQ_EwrPydPrmWYc75zphI4yBexWJuVm7x2Ohwc/s1600/P1010109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C-aY8jerI65tAXt5n57COocunF-yKtZBYIkO9LNb0pzPNq8AnUxQlFpmKjhxnl8dULVfy2Uj4Cdtx4QEXeu1on1sLmj454aHB_B7ZAOQ_EwrPydPrmWYc75zphI4yBexWJuVm7x2Ohwc/s400/P1010109.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">In just a few days I'll be traveling to Japan. It's been about nine or ten years since I was last there, so I'm pretty excited to return for a full ten days of temple hopping, people watching, and mountain climbing. To commemorate my trip, I decided to whip up a wallet that actually fits my passport. You also walk around with a lot of coins in Japan, so this has a nice sized change pocket, which will come in handy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I chose the "A Girl's Best Friend" wallet from <a href="http://jennalou.com/">Jenna Lou Designs</a>. I picked this up in Minneapolis last year, but never got around to making it. And I had just enough of this fabulous vintage remnant to make the wallet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnCeKjQirKfAgQbUBlmifO9xBWvxYfXKmXSUlWJ9UqmgZvwvn39UBOmthje_Pw-oplOUrFL3LH4fbQOwMPk9ln3bLkvaVygtldHLfr6eNauXy-UbcougNev35RVWE427PFfWR07U-rJ1l/s1600/P1010110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnCeKjQirKfAgQbUBlmifO9xBWvxYfXKmXSUlWJ9UqmgZvwvn39UBOmthje_Pw-oplOUrFL3LH4fbQOwMPk9ln3bLkvaVygtldHLfr6eNauXy-UbcougNev35RVWE427PFfWR07U-rJ1l/s400/P1010110.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was pretty easy to construct. According to her website, there was a misprint in the instructions, but I didn't have any trouble fitting the whole thing together. I wish that I'd used fusible interfacing, but I couldn't find any in my sewing cabinet and was too lazy to go buy some. I probably should have used a snap instead of velcro, but the velcro will work just fine.</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-85643687348530901932010-08-20T22:23:00.000-05:002010-08-20T22:24:49.535-05:00Oh Buttons!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>A few weekends ago I stopped by the Sunday Antique Street Faire and picked up some buttons from one of the vendors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbdvJA3445T5Jvlqmf4_icNtmGA2Vpu1mqoKiDFGioK0nbi_AEavpDz2-byLIh3IW_6rW8sN0fvME4UOguR8tgZ83IOSNc91xnQckE2Bl9z4rniGppTHePllHBhn4kh8cM9ezhr_BtWPc/s1600/P1010057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbdvJA3445T5Jvlqmf4_icNtmGA2Vpu1mqoKiDFGioK0nbi_AEavpDz2-byLIh3IW_6rW8sN0fvME4UOguR8tgZ83IOSNc91xnQckE2Bl9z4rniGppTHePllHBhn4kh8cM9ezhr_BtWPc/s400/P1010057.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean Pearl by Schwanda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FT7ju0taWthn6PSj3s-d1mcM4YhrZZ5ttrEQPLJnHfBSLkS0ZXh809EVN64bfB888itz22f-kk_5gJfKeBepYX50HyjvdD38VDvgBngLK2TjTZjNcIIPU4AKr6I1XojGlEzLHTHO0Ue6/s1600/P1010060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FT7ju0taWthn6PSj3s-d1mcM4YhrZZ5ttrEQPLJnHfBSLkS0ZXh809EVN64bfB888itz22f-kk_5gJfKeBepYX50HyjvdD38VDvgBngLK2TjTZjNcIIPU4AKr6I1XojGlEzLHTHO0Ue6/s400/P1010060.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also by Schwanda...Made in Germany.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCJe9M69KH-reM6jnqTDp609nlxf0YAhSZHgjxKx2aKygjK2I7hfgJ3yEVC0mdNpYx-cVdLfMefpiZ2Kl1X6vD_UwmKjDd52oXAoNKTEoAaYB6QR6uAXypebcmRLA-6mK5av9MmWn9USV/s1600/P1010063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCJe9M69KH-reM6jnqTDp609nlxf0YAhSZHgjxKx2aKygjK2I7hfgJ3yEVC0mdNpYx-cVdLfMefpiZ2Kl1X6vD_UwmKjDd52oXAoNKTEoAaYB6QR6uAXypebcmRLA-6mK5av9MmWn9USV/s400/P1010063.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Schwanda buttons...Made in Western Germany.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIWwp12-AAVlTHjkVB67_WV0Uxa1ODOq4lHDYD6SOHW9mwRhImWXDrlj4mAwcyks-JPfRGnFnn-dFDLuwe7OPxMd2FNde75wACtdQaN6NlaOIC4hJEVm9X5Ky1ycwYY2bPP79B8VuYcBE/s1600/P1010062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIWwp12-AAVlTHjkVB67_WV0Uxa1ODOq4lHDYD6SOHW9mwRhImWXDrlj4mAwcyks-JPfRGnFnn-dFDLuwe7OPxMd2FNde75wACtdQaN6NlaOIC4hJEVm9X5Ky1ycwYY2bPP79B8VuYcBE/s400/P1010062.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some shiny blue ones.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And then there are the buttons I already have in my stash. These all came from my mom's collection, which she generously donated to mine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDElTDbY9HweQLsjpPr6r4285J7o_b87kJ1YAGwwg1zVFYyHlxCauseHHcbzT_UBU1UvV6yNKlE0AQqBY0FQQA6QO2LiNn7DrTTJw4ahL6Qmc1eRzoJR8jhN3nuDJrDBud9Ke9PIaI1s61/s1600/P1010058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDElTDbY9HweQLsjpPr6r4285J7o_b87kJ1YAGwwg1zVFYyHlxCauseHHcbzT_UBU1UvV6yNKlE0AQqBY0FQQA6QO2LiNn7DrTTJw4ahL6Qmc1eRzoJR8jhN3nuDJrDBud9Ke9PIaI1s61/s400/P1010058.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Chic hand painted glass buttons. The card says that they were made in "Germany-U.S. Zone"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaKXHKpEeg4mhLNf22a2tWMHB_Txf1ZcFvruGXvpRfq7RtnuPDFkPLuGHoNIc6JOIh3mYv_TOYfdQ2t3JXxIgdVC3CouauMvxC6cQZp28lPIwC0QNstFSApv2TSTTYTIBYKWs4MAvmg1f/s1600/P1010059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaKXHKpEeg4mhLNf22a2tWMHB_Txf1ZcFvruGXvpRfq7RtnuPDFkPLuGHoNIc6JOIh3mYv_TOYfdQ2t3JXxIgdVC3CouauMvxC6cQZp28lPIwC0QNstFSApv2TSTTYTIBYKWs4MAvmg1f/s400/P1010059.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also hand painted, glass Le Chic buttons and these were made in Western Germany.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbPZ6SBCNg7U7RvoMNWibqjL0_3gyYThLu1ziQ6OKmMNX086eeq9JPHn945nm37AVRzEfK6DNYMoJcAHcDwxrHlZdPchYCnkgnqb2HHvj7k0hqJaUqNkZUXe8VVIc9xSLDPsO_ACJI6aU/s1600/P1010061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbPZ6SBCNg7U7RvoMNWibqjL0_3gyYThLu1ziQ6OKmMNX086eeq9JPHn945nm37AVRzEfK6DNYMoJcAHcDwxrHlZdPchYCnkgnqb2HHvj7k0hqJaUqNkZUXe8VVIc9xSLDPsO_ACJI6aU/s400/P1010061.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Mode buttons. Australia is written on the back of the card.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnl6iZmQ_c7XzEp-oCKuPRsEco5N28ZertHtBvEC0vkuvHRXLTuUXn75BVZIppyXp9V-RCGdW9Xwr_B9waGJ3tQ6M8KxaHHBu5wBIj-1wAZGRjHNdfraAbY0D7N9B0PbTlBY2sG9jXbUA/s1600/P1010064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnl6iZmQ_c7XzEp-oCKuPRsEco5N28ZertHtBvEC0vkuvHRXLTuUXn75BVZIppyXp9V-RCGdW9Xwr_B9waGJ3tQ6M8KxaHHBu5wBIj-1wAZGRjHNdfraAbY0D7N9B0PbTlBY2sG9jXbUA/s400/P1010064.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think I need to make a dirndl just to embellish it with these little handpainted buttons.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-26851040357076859752010-08-07T11:33:00.000-05:002010-08-20T22:58:27.589-05:00I Shutter to Think...<div style="text-align: justify;">I am a chronic procrastinator. I know things need to get done and I'll sit there and look at them for days, months and sometimes years, before I actually get around to doing what needs to be done. Case in point: my bathroom shutters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5xOI6nGGqpCbzeq4yR8oOUsNh9Hm89uE8z-tdvg3zNblIe3dMiPF_5Wb1y9zoJykpF-zVcjx-kGZqmn_H47yTe3y9Fp3jXc5To8zyP47_hFh407ypjlst1fNoUV7qJiBhKKJWbCR0uEk/s1600/P1000990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5xOI6nGGqpCbzeq4yR8oOUsNh9Hm89uE8z-tdvg3zNblIe3dMiPF_5Wb1y9zoJykpF-zVcjx-kGZqmn_H47yTe3y9Fp3jXc5To8zyP47_hFh407ypjlst1fNoUV7qJiBhKKJWbCR0uEk/s400/P1000990.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They didn't have this large gaping hole when we moved into this place in January of 2009, but there was the tiniest of holes in the shutter curtain all the way to the left. And then one day there was this larger hole and then a bigger hole in the next shutter over. Hmmmmm...any idea what could cause this?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4V2piFAoZ_wQac3rvNdyWssfXjHGzJs7Aa50xg4X2u4NslvEJ8bnnC5UWU83396bD7-y3v3VGekTa-9dbu_j526RpYvo3WVkHlaUxt_rk9Sx_Heg8ppBZALI8OLBV4LypxLRAEH_hS6Pd/s1600/P1000991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4V2piFAoZ_wQac3rvNdyWssfXjHGzJs7Aa50xg4X2u4NslvEJ8bnnC5UWU83396bD7-y3v3VGekTa-9dbu_j526RpYvo3WVkHlaUxt_rk9Sx_Heg8ppBZALI8OLBV4LypxLRAEH_hS6Pd/s400/P1000991.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There's the culprit. Mr. Parker, in his constant quest to escape from the best life a cat could ever have, had clawed his way through the hole. Okay, so these curtains were pretty rotten to begin with and it did not take much to tear them. In addition, the bathroom has no ventilation, so there were speckles of mold and one of the previous occupants had not removed the fabric at the last shutter painting party, so there were also paint outlines on the edges. They needed to be replaced.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But instead of fixing the problem, I would just dash into the shower and hope that no Peeping Toms were lurking outside to view my bits and pieces. These curtains were still in tatters months after a friend came by and remarked that she was surprised that I had not fixed them given my inclinations toward craftiness. But last night I ended the cycle and made some replacements. I don't know why I waited so long, because the whole process took less than two hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7m8UrlEGzvYJHVw4_w5mkkgQwKtyJqDAfErONeuBOVkgSaUfAG79iK9Vr1g3C7TPtlvA46BKT9LDnwqcbrC080oY26CW7P_Z88hIKN_SSUct_vpuoCo5yj9C8d2AuyWQVIColsmW8MY4U/s1600/P1000994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7m8UrlEGzvYJHVw4_w5mkkgQwKtyJqDAfErONeuBOVkgSaUfAG79iK9Vr1g3C7TPtlvA46BKT9LDnwqcbrC080oY26CW7P_Z88hIKN_SSUct_vpuoCo5yj9C8d2AuyWQVIColsmW8MY4U/s400/P1000994.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I love them! I used Swiss Dot Fabric from a yard sale (my usual place to buy fabric!). And the next morning I woke up to this gorgeous glow in the bathroom. It made me happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBjRs1run0LOS6h1Nvs-s7bSPlx-IWAVajw0_as1SEvERSnpAm886R5PxS_GpaPqstavWc30XKOr2P-yFO4nU-miwDOuFDyWpM7392z2gfthLaDOBAr1Pp4olqefBy1FFDhn_masG9Doy/s1600/P1000995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBjRs1run0LOS6h1Nvs-s7bSPlx-IWAVajw0_as1SEvERSnpAm886R5PxS_GpaPqstavWc30XKOr2P-yFO4nU-miwDOuFDyWpM7392z2gfthLaDOBAr1Pp4olqefBy1FFDhn_masG9Doy/s400/P1000995.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-16363042059100040222010-08-06T01:06:00.000-05:002010-08-06T11:29:08.507-05:00Pajama Party<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm tired of wearing workout pants to bed at night (though they are comfy and convenient if one decides to just roll out of bed and go running). I decided to make some pajamas. I went through my fabric stash and evaluated them on their softness and girly floral patterns.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWF_ls906TtqpusFAcajWErVi8_izkAq3M_938-1xDgmdEV6TbiXYwRwtvyTCh-uI4faLItFI1FW7ctZDqi0_5cBkSS8jMbRQAh_kRg827nOEzmHuetjMxXxYO2-ajgCFfmx1VbqQNksY/s1600/P1000947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWF_ls906TtqpusFAcajWErVi8_izkAq3M_938-1xDgmdEV6TbiXYwRwtvyTCh-uI4faLItFI1FW7ctZDqi0_5cBkSS8jMbRQAh_kRg827nOEzmHuetjMxXxYO2-ajgCFfmx1VbqQNksY/s400/P1000947.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So I made these pajama bottoms from the Betz White <i>Sewing Green</i> "Lounge Pants" pattern. Size L, of course, for a nice cozy fit through the hips and thighs. The pattern is for a 29" inseam, which I do not have. The pattern also suggests some cuffs in a contrasting hue, but for some reason my seams did not align, so I gave up on them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSG2rRCqOtx7K-TrKVhmN-tMSAuQ79f6jAQpteYqmAfSI5rYG7gLtN4XlsyBBu_k0ESmJsw74fPw5TEvOJOFQjBgl7gvOop6s_VyMEq6QMz7BR7JI5F-C0UdlmGfjR0sdw8LDr5tvVGjAP/s1600/P1000955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSG2rRCqOtx7K-TrKVhmN-tMSAuQ79f6jAQpteYqmAfSI5rYG7gLtN4XlsyBBu_k0ESmJsw74fPw5TEvOJOFQjBgl7gvOop6s_VyMEq6QMz7BR7JI5F-C0UdlmGfjR0sdw8LDr5tvVGjAP/s400/P1000955.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They're pretty comfy so far. I'm wearing them to bed tonight and if I like the way they feel, I have a few more soft fabrics lined up for some additional pairs. Mr. Kitty has already given them his seal of approval...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZfpXWjZyDoUkLcrXlkCmyAlXp62yB8fO-AFVL9xWsLOxy2EI1ATaXGg4bty5rgLRTGwdBhFA7_Jk3aLBLDsqcMf72sXA6XR03KeWKX3DyvCe6YocaLtdXBMZx6ktvDbrfdg985GN_rOj/s1600/P1000953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZfpXWjZyDoUkLcrXlkCmyAlXp62yB8fO-AFVL9xWsLOxy2EI1ATaXGg4bty5rgLRTGwdBhFA7_Jk3aLBLDsqcMf72sXA6XR03KeWKX3DyvCe6YocaLtdXBMZx6ktvDbrfdg985GN_rOj/s400/P1000953.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I also decided to try making a nightie. I had <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m5248-products-4741.php?page_id=907">McCall's M5248</a> on hand, so I made a medium, the largest size my pattern offered. My bottom half is not a medium, so I added a bit to the pattern to adjust to my personal measurements. The bodice portion of the nightie turned out way too big, though I am sized correctly for a medium in that department. I fixed that problem, but I still don't like the way it fits. And besides, I don't like nighties anyway. Halfway through the night the whole thing gets bunched up around my waist. Useless!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyY-OUheQNPC4RdKM_7FAmw9OGzfG5P7N8XOA-9nIVNbiZlRKlmG96n0JeLGVa-OXHDVnk15dcuOZ_byav9X-2NPMySwb7Fr5nZrtn2lGY-q6v7z-g-1u6a1kPxg_wSQwdrlf_4oUSCuu4/s1600/P1000989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyY-OUheQNPC4RdKM_7FAmw9OGzfG5P7N8XOA-9nIVNbiZlRKlmG96n0JeLGVa-OXHDVnk15dcuOZ_byav9X-2NPMySwb7Fr5nZrtn2lGY-q6v7z-g-1u6a1kPxg_wSQwdrlf_4oUSCuu4/s400/P1000989.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, now that I am all outfitted with some new pajamas, who wants to come by for a sleepover? We can play the Mystery Date Game and see which stud or bozo is behind that Mystery Door...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLqCIINRi4kkyubEx81WsYN3jYCSjQ1U6iIeEvGzsZVMUSbElzBh8Kv_DpoRoI0S8izC0-mDeUv6-E_23HHteaI6tQfKA9eE_7p2j82UQdB59gYpXyGvqIeUiFdc4txt-Y0-QBvgjwI2q/s1600/P1000943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLqCIINRi4kkyubEx81WsYN3jYCSjQ1U6iIeEvGzsZVMUSbElzBh8Kv_DpoRoI0S8izC0-mDeUv6-E_23HHteaI6tQfKA9eE_7p2j82UQdB59gYpXyGvqIeUiFdc4txt-Y0-QBvgjwI2q/s400/P1000943.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYq0qyYRh_6lmR77s4AtF-_l_Qy4ych-SdCm96fZ3idEFBPzxsZADhyphenhyphen3WpfO60HvDwU2n2PkbtfswV5o2vFbcVeFTrLAB313PvihIwfS-nJTww4yNYDr3xrunjEWnvdDzlJ6_2sMJqqL1/s1600/P1000944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYq0qyYRh_6lmR77s4AtF-_l_Qy4ych-SdCm96fZ3idEFBPzxsZADhyphenhyphen3WpfO60HvDwU2n2PkbtfswV5o2vFbcVeFTrLAB313PvihIwfS-nJTww4yNYDr3xrunjEWnvdDzlJ6_2sMJqqL1/s400/P1000944.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuv1nM15P6i2sSm6Vg_JZX5Rv6261NkJhInWY0Ku1ldC3XvwNBAB7YtmoiAMoIWLBmL3zrlkzqSkfFLjtLoogqedq2e8YJyYUHoyZLQMf58NdNyFMg6znP3vGZF4lKErWe7C1wwIzHnQ3y/s1600/P1000945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuv1nM15P6i2sSm6Vg_JZX5Rv6261NkJhInWY0Ku1ldC3XvwNBAB7YtmoiAMoIWLBmL3zrlkzqSkfFLjtLoogqedq2e8YJyYUHoyZLQMf58NdNyFMg6znP3vGZF4lKErWe7C1wwIzHnQ3y/s400/P1000945.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-68655016751358868542010-08-04T15:37:00.000-05:002010-08-04T15:43:02.672-05:00Wedding Dress Beading<div style="text-align: justify;">In early May, after months of scouring vintage stores, I found my wedding dress tucked away on a rack of fancy dresses at a store in Santa Cruz called <a href="http://www.allshookupclothing.com/">All Shook Up</a>. It's a lovely champagne-colored dress, with a dropped waistline, square neckline, pleated skirt, and tons and tons of beading. And I couldn't beat the price...a whopping $52.44, after taxes. There are still some things that need some slight modifications. There are some weird shoulder straps that can be taken off and it needs to be cleaned, but before I do any of those things I need to reinforce the little rhinestones. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rhinestones? What am I saying....they are called Rose Montees, which are basically rhinestones set in metal prongs that you need to sew onto the fabric (and it took a good hour of searching the internet to figure that out). The dress has seed beads, pearls, and these little rose montees all along the waistband, the neckline, and throughout the bodice. The seed beads and pearls seem to have remained intact after these 40-50 years, but the rhinestones are either loose or missing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKcKFDRemU_7vNoN9vt0cUv9ifrqdTk_cuvstQBgG84D9f4rul60vUafHK4_LgoeDPaUaQ0vPZIhS-1IVqGsqoS-ZrSeeGtiTCtIKPcjUWrDN9Lf-N9WWkwc-oy07_qgAxVJfOiGTAFS2/s1600/P1000931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKcKFDRemU_7vNoN9vt0cUv9ifrqdTk_cuvstQBgG84D9f4rul60vUafHK4_LgoeDPaUaQ0vPZIhS-1IVqGsqoS-ZrSeeGtiTCtIKPcjUWrDN9Lf-N9WWkwc-oy07_qgAxVJfOiGTAFS2/s320/P1000931.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFcB9DzQjXJoixm9A9RtXQgZXV_rmlycTTxh6l1kPu9Cqe5obFK3wXA2UttCq6EgxvK4gNBsswiIJCoKeCfucG8GHJUB6VDAVcULmg_XTCVUt3K1Kq423jzPpVLo0tYWC7NgYJGeIWVWV/s1600/P1000933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFcB9DzQjXJoixm9A9RtXQgZXV_rmlycTTxh6l1kPu9Cqe5obFK3wXA2UttCq6EgxvK4gNBsswiIJCoKeCfucG8GHJUB6VDAVcULmg_XTCVUt3K1Kq423jzPpVLo0tYWC7NgYJGeIWVWV/s320/P1000933.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I found some for sale on Etsy and ordered them only to discover that they were just a tad too big. I thought I had my millimeter measurements correct when I ordered, but apparently not. So I tried again and the sparklies in the next batch were just a tad too small. Ugh. I've given up trying to find the perfect size. I'll just sew them on and hopefully it won't make much of a difference, though the ones still on the dress are a bit tarnished. The new ones claim to be vintage, but they are not as tarnished and seem to still have some life in them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So how does one go about sewing a rose montee onto a dress? All of my hand sewing needles were too thick. I found some English beading needles at <a href="http://www.judyssewingcenter.com/">the place</a> where I had my machine refurbished. These needles are so delicate and the eyes are teeny tiny.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMyzXQ2Gp0LNhCwgUY0-vNEvutyf7Gnn7V-kGV5kAZkxAzkG2ggguD39S_uevfOMptrA-bMAnNf-LsEv5cesVtae5Rg2IyrlHGE1CW4lkXZ_Lo9p-hFUHNdnujWGqdSp_MWcqvuOYPGBr/s1600/P1000942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMyzXQ2Gp0LNhCwgUY0-vNEvutyf7Gnn7V-kGV5kAZkxAzkG2ggguD39S_uevfOMptrA-bMAnNf-LsEv5cesVtae5Rg2IyrlHGE1CW4lkXZ_Lo9p-hFUHNdnujWGqdSp_MWcqvuOYPGBr/s320/P1000942.JPG" /></a></div>So what sort of thread do you suppose fits this sort of needle? The lady at the store suggested a fine, strong silk thread, but she didn't have the right color. I found a fine polyester spool of thread and a transparent spool of thread at <a href="http://www.hartsfabric.com/">Hart's</a>. I tried threading the needle with the polyester thread, but I felt like I had the DT's and just could not get it through the eye. So I then tried the transparent thread -- a very, very fine monofilament. After only two or three tries the needle was threaded. Yay!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFF4bbq7mZTxjrDBJ7xY9GVT3Z-fBu8HwTb9BzwtD8JNu7ivQTyzsoaG7Q0mReO472IvPfXfn8gtv0sBT_6a4psbQTqV6X0C5aDJRhYFWNvm3HcmslmPqrBmbTB5gHYOfFmo-VqlAckWG/s1600/P1000941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFF4bbq7mZTxjrDBJ7xY9GVT3Z-fBu8HwTb9BzwtD8JNu7ivQTyzsoaG7Q0mReO472IvPfXfn8gtv0sBT_6a4psbQTqV6X0C5aDJRhYFWNvm3HcmslmPqrBmbTB5gHYOfFmo-VqlAckWG/s320/P1000941.JPG" /></a></div>I've reinforced about four of the rose montees so far and this thread seems to be working. If only I can keep this plastic stuff from getting all twisted and caught up in itself. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span id="goog_1962026571"></span><span id="goog_1962026572"></span></div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-87131249667914174222010-06-30T18:26:00.000-05:002010-07-07T09:17:15.971-05:0030,000 Stitch Tune-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6aqeOYX9Prk_Sm0ZW1EbUGjIpwBvU_0TUFqYubhdd7EXsyzyi74HH-3iyEF8O0ydGLDg6ntGmHvofxKHlyPQvB2yMhiKh5DvPt0YxCKEoO0MX5kTT-9JwLWH1GYeazEBBr-PVBAHJI1G/s1600/P1000793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6aqeOYX9Prk_Sm0ZW1EbUGjIpwBvU_0TUFqYubhdd7EXsyzyi74HH-3iyEF8O0ydGLDg6ntGmHvofxKHlyPQvB2yMhiKh5DvPt0YxCKEoO0MX5kTT-9JwLWH1GYeazEBBr-PVBAHJI1G/s320/P1000793.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm taking my sewing machine to the fixer-upper's place tonight for a tune-up. It's been about three years since I bought it and I have a feeling it needs someone mechanically inclined to look at its bits and pieces so that I can get to work on some hardcore needle-on-fabric action. It's been months since I've had time to sew, what with the working and the traveling and everything else. Now that it is summer I think I need a new summer dress, some lightweight pajama pants, and I bought a sun hat pattern last year so that I could have something cute to wear when I'm out gardening. And I certainly can't start gardening until I have my cute summer hat...so do you see the jam I've gotten myself into? They said it takes about a week for them to work their magic. I can wait a week. Maybe I'll go get the case a new sticker to commemorate the tune-up...<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763;">UPDATE: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763;"> </span>The machine was back in under a week, even with the holiday weekend! Yay! There was nothing wrong with it. They recommended a tune-up once every two to three years. Right on track!</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-75286312629945664082010-03-21T13:42:00.000-05:002010-03-21T14:09:57.138-05:00Wrapped Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuasyXwViksRUZmJeif6gVt_d9eE3TydBLEBl8PEk3wkdMAhRPQSXLZWcFYbUXOPkcIj-0ECM6njaiWqskdyb8BKD_HlkDbY1gGKK35McdL02bENy650E9patk64-SC3mAKvhBZXhoI1R/s1600-h/003kcqgr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuasyXwViksRUZmJeif6gVt_d9eE3TydBLEBl8PEk3wkdMAhRPQSXLZWcFYbUXOPkcIj-0ECM6njaiWqskdyb8BKD_HlkDbY1gGKK35McdL02bENy650E9patk64-SC3mAKvhBZXhoI1R/s200/003kcqgr.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I do more reading about sewing than I do actual sewing lately, so I thought I'd post a previous project that I made a few years ago. It's a wrap dress by Mccall's M5314, which I can't seem to find on their website and leads me to believe that it is now out of print. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I chose View C, the long-sleeved version of the dress. I chose a vintage print that my mom had sent me in a box of yard sale fabric. For the longest time I could not think of what to do with the fabric -- it was so bold and orange and red and FLORAL. At first it seemed that the fabric was reminiscent of some hideous vintage curtains, but when I settled on this wrap dress, I knew that I had chosen wisely. I'm very pleased with the look of the dress.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bCPG24xaVrBSzkf_YE0PSjw0HiWzi-lhIau9BLsgtC505tc1VruoAGb6Ry3W9nmVjEJodgYgcyVj_3gO2sPrr6o9xEg1kHL8AZ2KITuY8XcbFeXytuKnO7PhRzsnRb_IG8MrpqSaNCLP/s1600-h/2008-09-15+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bCPG24xaVrBSzkf_YE0PSjw0HiWzi-lhIau9BLsgtC505tc1VruoAGb6Ry3W9nmVjEJodgYgcyVj_3gO2sPrr6o9xEg1kHL8AZ2KITuY8XcbFeXytuKnO7PhRzsnRb_IG8MrpqSaNCLP/s640/2008-09-15+024.JPG" width="273" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I realize that there are still some threads hanging from the bottom of the dress. I made sure to cut them off before wearing this dress at a wedding in Texas in 2008. I also wore a camisole under it, because as you can see, it is a bit, well, um, revealing!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was a pretty good pattern. I think it may have been my first attempt at longer sleeves, so I gave them a better seam allowance to accommodate my sausage arms. You may also recognize this fabric in its <a href="http://sewersluts.blogspot.com/2009/07/sundress-undress.html">green cousin</a>.</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-1655687519545857902010-01-24T02:05:00.000-06:002010-08-07T11:34:05.545-05:00Pillow Fight!<div style="text-align: justify;">I had a marathon pillow-making session tonight. It was all a part of my New Year's Resolution to get old projects out of the way before I start any new projects. I have had plain white pillows on my couches for months just waiting for pillowcases. I don't know why I have been putting off this project, because they are just straight seams and some zippers, but procrastinate I did. Now that they are finished, I can finally return Sewer Slut Susan N.'s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fun-Fabulous-Pillows-Sew-Complete/dp/1579908020/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264319538&sr=8-1">Fun and Fabulous Pillows to Sew</a>, which did not offer much in the form of inspiration, but the technical details were helpful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OHrH3liXAC9UgmUQgBZo2hiYDUSCT4Bl4_LfutA1Wu7YkOqE7CaTjMsTzMs7T39iEXXDV0Kbl2USfxWdpPC1JVLMnWggYnRa5lJi0wRj2sOIOg7srg5cqPocS_GDP5B3WOaLeztZeNDo/s1600-h/IMG_6627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OHrH3liXAC9UgmUQgBZo2hiYDUSCT4Bl4_LfutA1Wu7YkOqE7CaTjMsTzMs7T39iEXXDV0Kbl2USfxWdpPC1JVLMnWggYnRa5lJi0wRj2sOIOg7srg5cqPocS_GDP5B3WOaLeztZeNDo/s400/IMG_6627.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I started with the butterfly pillow. I found this velvet at a yard sale (where else??) two summers ago. It looked like it had been taken off of a footstool or something, but there was enough unmolested fabric to make an 18" pillow. I used a faux cream suede for the backing. I used the same backing for the next pillow, which was paired with a piece of bark cloth (also a yard sale find). I had enough of this fabric to make one more 18" pillow, but I messed up in my cutting, so I have to find a smaller pillowform.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIj2FdeosQEGVGQ3bkHk6-d3uz6hZ6w0uyWG9FNMMPunr4PWub0RBtg3ZsxsAdGW9t3mwAZpu0Nm-os3I__RGTr-8XX2ejKmCCQqbKADJnHc7bGuHikgFv6_QRzkbOUuP1QFGfEkxbX8J/s1600-h/IMG_6631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIj2FdeosQEGVGQ3bkHk6-d3uz6hZ6w0uyWG9FNMMPunr4PWub0RBtg3ZsxsAdGW9t3mwAZpu0Nm-os3I__RGTr-8XX2ejKmCCQqbKADJnHc7bGuHikgFv6_QRzkbOUuP1QFGfEkxbX8J/s400/IMG_6631.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last June I <a href="http://sewersluts.blogspot.com/2009/06/raw-sewage-pillows.html">posted</a> about some matching velvet pieces I found at a local yard sale and at a vintage store in Minneapolis. I decided to pair them with a really nice piece of green upholstery fabric from the remnant pile at <a href="http://www.hartsfabric.com/">Harts Fabric</a> in Santa Cruz.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu3JwJ3a_PVFj5xG4M7DbF9KbeZdqC_8AeNpqbBiS0GMx0N6_Qtp_2vMW6Xt3zPZUPQaFKZlkNru5siErYkFcl3DVf55ARiVC-glBmcLKKMhN80BC0oZx3HfybdyuUQ6RIJDNwNG90K6u/s1600-h/IMG_6632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu3JwJ3a_PVFj5xG4M7DbF9KbeZdqC_8AeNpqbBiS0GMx0N6_Qtp_2vMW6Xt3zPZUPQaFKZlkNru5siErYkFcl3DVf55ARiVC-glBmcLKKMhN80BC0oZx3HfybdyuUQ6RIJDNwNG90K6u/s320/IMG_6632.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I still have two 18" pillowforms left, so there's still work to be done, but I think that is enough for one night.</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-1522359255212290902010-01-18T18:29:00.000-06:002010-01-18T20:53:00.891-06:00Resolution: Finish Projects!<div style="text-align: justify;">I've had these two unfinished shirts sitting in my sewing basket for a long time. One was started in the Summer of 2008 and I got hung up on the buttons, because my button-holer decided to keep jamming every time I attempted to use it. The other shirt was started in the early Summer of 2009 and got shoved in the sewing basket, because the dog ate my thread. I decided that I would finally get around to working on all of these unfinished projects, so I tackled these two shirts last night.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJlOpX0vG50oEHCkqFurs-6P5n2yT58NzwlhfHShyphenhyphen6OqSXomMOvuHzrqdMfwxyVCMB3BLMgYB4wte4pdrDGwuOflemUnLiRRyg3Lc_Sfwd8ymYB26Qsxn8Icr3JuVuISI4_601e6Z_5zY/s1600-h/IMG_6573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJlOpX0vG50oEHCkqFurs-6P5n2yT58NzwlhfHShyphenhyphen6OqSXomMOvuHzrqdMfwxyVCMB3BLMgYB4wte4pdrDGwuOflemUnLiRRyg3Lc_Sfwd8ymYB26Qsxn8Icr3JuVuISI4_601e6Z_5zY/s400/IMG_6573.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I used <a href="http://kwiksew.com/catalog/cat_detail.cfm?pid=3436">Kwik Sew 3436</a>, View A, for this shirt. I had made View B previously, but wanted to make something with the long puffy sleeves. It is a really quick and easy pattern and I love the fabric that I used with this shirt. I don't remember where I came by the fabric, but it is definitely a yard sale find! The buttons were purchased from a little store in Felton, CA that is now out of business. I was not keen on them at first, but fellow Sewer Slut, Susan N., and our former sewing teacher convinced me that these would work and they were right! Here's a close-up of the buttons and the print:<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUPx1icsxtyXdiBPaPkquksEKQlSkYKG5h75tM72zUCzrydv9RPdCCq_DCPSJCl4U0Y3OUCPuo2Wk0IzOOHDjj6VZ6nFNa_0-QjqaBVujNSW_FzHHHkv4c1k_yfFkxQb5mLtKAlwiZ9g7/s1600-h/IMG_6558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUPx1icsxtyXdiBPaPkquksEKQlSkYKG5h75tM72zUCzrydv9RPdCCq_DCPSJCl4U0Y3OUCPuo2Wk0IzOOHDjj6VZ6nFNa_0-QjqaBVujNSW_FzHHHkv4c1k_yfFkxQb5mLtKAlwiZ9g7/s400/IMG_6558.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL13I-Slzdk2CwxPjigSaWewAHzRirGFv1_rVgNgkLC8a0l_ErS9i3Wvp5F-x-KxqicVrBd3pWS3u7PhYQ52Bx21bp9Sd2jdjjd5HmNOr7McOSQzTQQ680H3mBD1yHhzV7S3LxrEdDskdS/s1600-h/IMG_6556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL13I-Slzdk2CwxPjigSaWewAHzRirGFv1_rVgNgkLC8a0l_ErS9i3Wvp5F-x-KxqicVrBd3pWS3u7PhYQ52Bx21bp9Sd2jdjjd5HmNOr7McOSQzTQQ680H3mBD1yHhzV7S3LxrEdDskdS/s200/IMG_6556.jpg" /></a>Next up is a vintage Simplicity pattern, #7983 circa 1977. I found this pattern at a yard sale last year and decided to pair it with some red bandana fabric. I chose to do View 3 (the pink and yellow examples on the pattern). I opted out of the ribbon trim out of sheer laziness -- I did not want to go to the store to pick out the appropriately sized ribbon. I considered using <a href="http://sewersluts.blogspot.com/2009/07/mysterious-lace-baffles-woman-pets.html">mystery lace</a>, but decided that was too much trouble as well. It was a pretty easy pattern. I'm not sure that I would make it again, because it is not the most flattering on me and the sleeves are a bit drafty.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhpFNFZ6-hyxikmbKSyOcCtu_nZsFsoyLAkhHGLx6c-SitMPrFISbSxmRkeOLwqkY-9z7oAXK070ZAvlBJo_uJuTfQ65T2mpYeELoNkTIuReiBSwJ4Rx5ttfneA1i5PWLhkm4wxACiW2V/s1600-h/IMG_6596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhpFNFZ6-hyxikmbKSyOcCtu_nZsFsoyLAkhHGLx6c-SitMPrFISbSxmRkeOLwqkY-9z7oAXK070ZAvlBJo_uJuTfQ65T2mpYeELoNkTIuReiBSwJ4Rx5ttfneA1i5PWLhkm4wxACiW2V/s400/IMG_6596.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-22790806854551576512010-01-18T00:39:00.000-06:002010-01-18T00:42:13.094-06:00Little Helper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1jq73DJh90Pf_1_S4M5jCjApSBbfVwzOs6wjG14EALGNARdty8iCFTzWbOYDHv4O3EybPZr_Ur3aYyirTfr6H7_CxVB6Lu72UYlfMKzOP9-27ve2jnLsVHSkOWOe_bOoVVKCuYCqMpeM/s1600-h/IMG00162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1jq73DJh90Pf_1_S4M5jCjApSBbfVwzOs6wjG14EALGNARdty8iCFTzWbOYDHv4O3EybPZr_Ur3aYyirTfr6H7_CxVB6Lu72UYlfMKzOP9-27ve2jnLsVHSkOWOe_bOoVVKCuYCqMpeM/s400/IMG00162.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mr. Parker decided to help me organize my sewing basket<br />
this evening.<br />
</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-47942249196790068172010-01-09T14:49:00.000-06:002010-01-09T14:50:44.003-06:006 Yards!<div style="text-align: justify;">I received a little package yesterday from my future sister-in-law (Thanks, Laura!) with six yards of this fabulous vintage fabric! What should I make with this? I'm thinking a bag or a coat...<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9veOAJV9DQYVNrYXq5CKrvrivpNg8NgFh8ku-tLu8EZipWbro2A3cqnsof6t8OYLZPp5omAiYqyG1ef1GJKXRh0WeVpv4jp87jeuhMeqp8Wg9-jsq7ZIONYmpC3kUUuUzGUcNVSUh4Zbr/s1600-h/IMG_6539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9veOAJV9DQYVNrYXq5CKrvrivpNg8NgFh8ku-tLu8EZipWbro2A3cqnsof6t8OYLZPp5omAiYqyG1ef1GJKXRh0WeVpv4jp87jeuhMeqp8Wg9-jsq7ZIONYmpC3kUUuUzGUcNVSUh4Zbr/s400/IMG_6539.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-2703425433651255302009-12-25T20:27:00.000-06:002009-12-27T14:49:40.332-06:00Your Mission...<div style="text-align: justify;">I have decided to make the world a better place and I have started with a one-woman war against Christmas fabric. It's not like I plan to napalm fabric stores selling holly-laden bolts, but I do plan to rescue Christmas fabric from the sewing machines of others who intend to turn it into a tree skirt or a table runner or some country-time-lemonade Christmas quilt. Yikes! <br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Instead, I am going to take Christmas fabric and use it to make gift bags! Hah! The idea all started last year when my mother gave me a yard and a half of holly/poinsettia fabric. Ugh! I politely thanked her, but inwardly cringed at the thought of contributing to a world already filled with too many holiday quilts. After letting the yardage sit in the back of my fabric stash for a few months, I started to think about holiday gift bags. Instead of wasting paper, I could create a pretty, reusable Christmas gift bag.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They were great! I made about five bags using <a href="http://www.craftandfabriclinks.com/drawstring_bags/free_drawstring_bag_pattern.html">this</a> pattern. What a relief! I was no longer burdened with Christmas fabric. Little did I know that I would soon be given another half-yard of blue Christmas tree fabric. Would this cycle never end? Then, over the summer I happened upon an estate sale up the road from me. The little old lady had been a sewer and they were selling off her fabric! I found a few packages of Christmas fabric and immediately realized that I had a mission to complete: I had to make more gift bags! <br />
<br />
I gave away my last roll of wrapping paper and used handmade drawstring bags to package presents this year. For gift tags, I cut up old Christmas cards and punched holes in them.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So, Sewer Sluts, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to join me in this effort. Rescue fabric from a pathetic fate as a table runner and make some gift bags! <br />
</div></div></div>Rachel Eloisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00206111166372883994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972558182238582327.post-16668850390747148632009-12-12T11:32:00.000-06:002009-12-12T11:32:54.103-06:00Artsy-Fartsy Kitchen<div style="text-align: justify;">This piece of embroidery is heading out into the mail today. My friend's birthday was yesterday, so hopefully she'll forgive me for being a day or two late. I used another Sublime Stitching kit called <a href="http://sublimestitching.com/krazykitchen.html">Krazy Kitchen</a>. For the lettering, I looked on my computer and used a font called Musicals that I had previously downloaded from this <a href="http://www.fontdiner.com/main.html">site</a>. I then printed out the text, placed a piece of Dritz's wax-free tracing paper between the printout and the fabric, and traced the letters using a ball point pen. They did not come out very clearly, so I then went over the tracing with a pencil. I hope she likes it!!<br />
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