The short pin to the far left is Granny's.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Sewing with Granny
Mom gave me a new pin cushion and warned me to be extra careful with the pins. They belonged to my Granny and God knows how old they are. I'm so excited to be sewing with something my Granny used!! It's like painting with Rembrandt's brush ;)
The short pin to the far left is Granny's.
The short pin to the far left is Granny's.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Spring update
A home-made year is easier when you're not starting weight watchers. That being said, sorry the first update is so slow in coming!
Here is my first spring skirt. Enjoy...
Here is my first spring skirt. Enjoy...
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Helper Kitties
It's been a while since I've updated. I've spent the last month fighting off a sinus infection. The cobbler had his elves. Cinderella had her mice. Mrs. Crafty Pants has helper kitties! Enjoy :)
**No kitties were harmed in the creation of this project. In fact, the kitties enjoyed it and have made a few suggestions about future projects. >^..^< MEOW!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Toasty Toes and Size Shock
George just changed our operating system from Windows to Linux. No more pictures will be posted until I learn how to upload photos on here. Man, I feel like a dinosaur! I don't know how to use my laptop :P
Just finished my first pair of socks! Nothing keeps your toes toasty like a pair of purple and blue striped wool socks.
My next project is a sheath dress. Mom did my measurements and I'm a size 18 on this pattern. My reaction was, "Wow...W.O.W...wow." I'm a 12 in the stores, but find it interesting that my pattern size is always larger than my store size. (This is where our protagonist decides that she must not worry about silly numbers...math was always her least favorite subject!)
Well, that's my update. Cheers! Happy crafting :)
Just finished my first pair of socks! Nothing keeps your toes toasty like a pair of purple and blue striped wool socks.
My next project is a sheath dress. Mom did my measurements and I'm a size 18 on this pattern. My reaction was, "Wow...W.O.W...wow." I'm a 12 in the stores, but find it interesting that my pattern size is always larger than my store size. (This is where our protagonist decides that she must not worry about silly numbers...math was always her least favorite subject!)
Well, that's my update. Cheers! Happy crafting :)
Monday, September 19, 2011
Hecho en China
If you know me, you've probably heard my rants about how nothing is made in the USA anymore. I grew up at the tail end of the Made in the USA movement. When I was a little girl, you couldn't go very far into Walmart without seeing stickers and signs of things that were proudly made here. Now, just 20 years later, everything is made somewhere else.
I think the biggest shock for me was finding out that high-end goods are also made in China. Payless isn't the only place that sells goods from China. Vera Bradley, Coach, Dansko, and Clarks do too. These companies must make a huge profit on cheap labor. They capitalize on our lust for brand names. We are a nation of consumers. We want lots of items and we want them cheap. Does this make anyone else sick?
I think the biggest shock for me was finding out that high-end goods are also made in China. Payless isn't the only place that sells goods from China. Vera Bradley, Coach, Dansko, and Clarks do too. These companies must make a huge profit on cheap labor. They capitalize on our lust for brand names. We are a nation of consumers. We want lots of items and we want them cheap. Does this make anyone else sick?
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Success is spelled with the letter Z.
I finally did my first zipper by myself! This is a huge relief! I've been struggling with zippers for two months. It turns out it was the machine, not me. Mom gave me one of her old machines, and, voila! The zipper went in like butter.
It looks a bit puckered, but I assure you it's not. I wrinkled the muslin by trying on my skirt. I just get so gosh-darn excited when I make something. I can't help it!
This is a prototype of an A-line skirt pattern I will be using. I wanted to make it out of muslin before cutting my good fabric. This pattern hangs from my natural waist; I'm not sure how I feel about that.
It looks a bit puckered, but I assure you it's not. I wrinkled the muslin by trying on my skirt. I just get so gosh-darn excited when I make something. I can't help it!
This is a prototype of an A-line skirt pattern I will be using. I wanted to make it out of muslin before cutting my good fabric. This pattern hangs from my natural waist; I'm not sure how I feel about that.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Dedication
Most people start telling a story from the beginning. My story works best starting at the middle, then winding my way around. I've always been a little different like that.
When I was in 3rd grade, Santa brought me three gifts that turned me into the woman I am today. I got a football, affirming my right to be a tomboy. I also got a Bible, no explanation needed. Finally, I got my first sewing machine. A basic red and white model by Brother.
Sewing has always been in the family. I've fallen asleep to the whir of Mom's Singer long before I could walk. I always knew I would learn to sew. I started out making pillows, then skirts, and pajama pants. Life got in the way, and my progress came to a screeching halt. My little machine went into the garage, collecting dust and grime on the outer cover.
Fast-forward several years. Sitting in my apartment, all alone, pining for my deployed husband, I picked up my sewing machine and got back to work. The hum of my machine and the hiss of the iron made me feel reborn. Although my first few projects were quickly filed away in the trash bin, it was time well spent. Working with my hands kept my mind busy and my anxiety at bay.
In an effort to spend more time doing what I enjoy, I plan to make my new clothes in the year 2012. There will be few exceptions: underwear and items that require a serger will have to be bought. A lot of people think I'm barking mad. Let them think whatever they want to think. I'll be over the moon in my craft room.
There have been a lot of crafty women in my life. You'll learn about them over the next few months. I would be remiss if I didn't mention my Granny in my first post. She taught my mother, who in turn taught me everything I know. Granny, this project is dedicated to you.
When I was in 3rd grade, Santa brought me three gifts that turned me into the woman I am today. I got a football, affirming my right to be a tomboy. I also got a Bible, no explanation needed. Finally, I got my first sewing machine. A basic red and white model by Brother.
Sewing has always been in the family. I've fallen asleep to the whir of Mom's Singer long before I could walk. I always knew I would learn to sew. I started out making pillows, then skirts, and pajama pants. Life got in the way, and my progress came to a screeching halt. My little machine went into the garage, collecting dust and grime on the outer cover.
Fast-forward several years. Sitting in my apartment, all alone, pining for my deployed husband, I picked up my sewing machine and got back to work. The hum of my machine and the hiss of the iron made me feel reborn. Although my first few projects were quickly filed away in the trash bin, it was time well spent. Working with my hands kept my mind busy and my anxiety at bay.
In an effort to spend more time doing what I enjoy, I plan to make my new clothes in the year 2012. There will be few exceptions: underwear and items that require a serger will have to be bought. A lot of people think I'm barking mad. Let them think whatever they want to think. I'll be over the moon in my craft room.
There have been a lot of crafty women in my life. You'll learn about them over the next few months. I would be remiss if I didn't mention my Granny in my first post. She taught my mother, who in turn taught me everything I know. Granny, this project is dedicated to you.
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