Jan 24, 2010 Sewing
Behind my sewing machine is a little ironing board that’s super convenient for small ironing tasks. For longer than I care to admit, it has looked like this:
Finally, I decided that I needed to do something about it. It turns out that with less than 1/2 yard of fabric, I could easily make it pleasant to look at.
Originally the iron had a thin piece of foam over the particle board form. I replaced the foam with two layers of Warm n’ Natural batting, stapling it to the board. I hate it when the batting shifts as I iron.
Then I made the cover using the existing cover as a pattern.
I can’t begin to tell you how happy it makes me to look at this cheerful ironing board. I think I need to add more bits of bright pink in my studio.
When it’s time to replace this cover, I think I’m going to scrap this board and make my own portable ironing board. Recovering this board helped me realize that this board was nothing more than plain particle board cut into a nice shape. While it’s shaped for ironing clothes, it really doesn’t suit my primary needs. I’d rather have a full rectangle. If I should decide to iron clothes (big if), I can always get out my full-sized iron board.
Jan 21, 2010 Quilting
Since I first learned about the Modern Quilt Guild, I want to join a similar group right here in Salt Lake. Well apparently, nobody else has formed a group. So I went ahead and started a group myself. I can’t believe I’ve done this. Normally, I more of a follower than a leader. I’m hopeful that this can be a lot of fun.
Now I’m looking for people other than myself to be a member of this group. If you like to make modern quilts and you live in Salt Lake, you can can sign up through a ning group. I know I don’t have a ton of blog followers, so feel free to pass long the information to all your modern quilting friends.
Jan 20, 2010 Sewing
This post has been on my to-do list for well over a month. Ross and I are lucky enough to have very generous neighbors that gift us delicious treats for Christmas. I wanted to return the favor without actually having to bake anything. Baking isn’t my thing. It’s stressful and messy. I can do without both.
So I decided to make festive hot pads. Oh, Franson’s tutorial on Sew, Mama, Sew! inspired my production method. Over this last year, I’ve cut up a fair amount of scraps. Pile #1 is 2.5″ squares.
I happend to have a nice Christmas and a coordinating plaid print.
I laid them out on a piece of interfacing. I prefer Pellon 911F for this project. Instead of drawing lines on my interfacing, as suggested by Elizabeth, I used the grid from my cutting mat as a guideline.
From here I sewed all my seams as directed in the tutorial. For the back I used a nice red flannel that I had on hand. Unfortunately, I totally forgot to snap a photo of the finished project. I was anxious to get them handed out. However, I did make a few additional hot pads out of scraps.
I’m fairly pleased with the end results. The finished size is around 8″ square. I think for my tiny hand, they’re a bit big to use has hot pads. I’m going to make some that measure close to 6″ square to see if they feel better in my hand. Regardless, the 8″ square size makes a great trivet.
Also I should mention for batting I used one layer of thermal interfacing and one layer of Warm n’ Natural batting. The thermal interfacing is made by Pellon. I don’t know the number off hand. Joann’s carries it. At first it’s a little crunchy, but after a few trips in the washer and dryer it softens right up. For my needle, I used a 90/14 Microtex/Sharp to quilt them. I love the look from the larger needle. From now on, I’m using larger needles for quilting and top stitching, totally work the effort.
Jan 5, 2010 Family Moments
OK, I know it January 5. I probably should be thinking about the new year. Yet I can’t help myself from remembering the lazy days of my Christmas vacation. From December 24 – January 3, my life was free from the corporate job. Of course it always takes a few days to really unwind. Then I’m in a relaxed state where I’m impressed with myself if I take a shower and leave the house. Good thing, this time is finite. I’d turn into a hermit in no time.
While I was relaxing and enjoying my time away from work, I did entertain myself with some of my favorite activities.
Family: My siblings that live out of town made the grand journey to Salt Lake City. I especially appreciate my sister’s effort. Flying from Detroit to SLC in December is no small. Every year the trip turns into a grand adventure. The kids now expect some mishap and wait to see how Delta will make it all right. While the family was here, I spend my time playing, shopping, and eating with them. And I can’t forget the piñata. It’s our token nod to our paternal heritage. As I write, it sounds rather mundane. Really, it’s the best. I miss them. (sigh)
Movies: Family tradition dictates that we see a on movie on Christmas afternoon. Really, we don’t have the energy to do much else. This year’s flick was Avatar. Technically, it was a beautiful movie with a very predictable script. But what did I expect from James Cameron? Then in my lazy moments I managed to see a few more movies on DVD: Julie and Julia, Up, Northanger Abby, Star Trek, and District Nine. I’m sure I missed a few. I have the habit of letting movies run on my computer while I sew. Now I remember some more: A Good Shepherd and Coraline. How could I forget Coraline?
Sewing: Yes I sewed. How could I not? I don’t have my pictures ready to share. But in a few days, I’ll show a new ironing board cover (Yes, I know. Exciting.), hot pads, and a quilt in the works. I even scored some fabric on clearance for $2.50/yard, which rarely works out for me.
Reading: I finished my book club book, The Help, early. Instead of starting a new book, I decided to finish a book I started two years ago, Les Miserables. Yes you got that right. I started the book two years ago when Ross gave me a copy for Christmas. I’ve been stuck on page 700 for over six months. Now, I’m on page 1050 or close to. With a bit of effort I’ll be done in a couple of weeks. The plot started to move again. So I’m hopeful.
Playing: For Christmas I got an iPhone. This is the gift that keeps on giving as it entertains me whenever and where ever I’m bored. Plus, I keep on discovering new apps and new features on the phone. I have to say the ability to easily mute a call it makes the phone worth it. Actually there are a lot of features that make it worth it. So far my favorite apps are Tap Farm, Facebook, Flickr, and Solitaire. Now I just need to find a good calorie counter app, a to-do app, and a grocery list app. They’re all there. I just have to pick one. Oh, the paradox of choice.
I did have a few really productive moments. It took two days, but my kitchen was beautiful. I should have taken a picture, because it will be a while before I see it like that again. Also I got a haircut, which was way over due.
Now, I’ll remembering all my projects that were pushed aside for the Christmas bustle. Must get to work!
Dec 10, 2009 Knitting
Several weeks ago, I debated what to do when I laid around on Thanksgiving afternoon. After going back and forth, I decided to crochet a hat and a matching scarf. Of course before, I could get started I had to make a new case for my new crochet hooks, but that’s a different story.
After two false starts on the crown of this hat, I final figured out that I didn’t know what I was doing. Lucky for me, the internet set me straight. That hat pattern is The Professional by Emily Nelson. The pattern calls for three rows of shells for the beanie look and five rows to cover your ears. In my first attempt I made five rows, but the hat didn’t quite cover my ears. I ripped it back a bit and added a sixth row and shells. Now it covers my ears. Check out the obligatory self-shot photos.
Oh, you’ll notice the point look on the crown. Try as I might, I couldn’t get rid of it. So I look like an acorn. I bet if I used a dark brown on the crown and tan for the rest of the hat, I really could pull off the acorn look.
The scarf is in progress. In a week or so, I’ll share it.
