#30DayDetox

So, this week on the Today show, they've started doing something called the #30DayDetox. (http://www.today.com/health/todays-jill-martin-why-im-giving-my-smartphone-1D79918755?cid=eml_tdb_20140714) Since Jill Martin is giving up her Smartphone, you can see this isn't necessarily a diet - one of the food variety, anyway. So I've decided to participate. No unnecessary purchases. No new toys, no fabric, no nothin'. The boys will need new school supplies, but before I go out and purchase a bunch of stuff, I'm going to see what we already have. They will need some new school clothes, but for the most part, nothing much is needed in that department at the mo'. In fact, I may only need to get them some new trainers and call it good. My kids are only clothes horses because I am, and I keep buying them stuff.
I'm also going to stop eating ice cream. I just had my last ice cream sandwich for the next 30 days. I weighed myself this morning and I haven't weighed this much since I was pregnant. At least then I could blame it on the baby! I've been on three walks in the last two days. I've got to shed at least 10 pounds by my October birthday or sooner, but that's the goal: 10 by mid-October. More than doable, and if I'm lucky, it'll be even more than that.
I thought about not going on facebook for 30 days, but let's be realistic. Besides, that's how I keep in contact with a lot of the people in my life, so that's out. Also, since I started school, I simply haven't had as much time to be on there, anyway. Between classes and studying, I've probably cut my fb time in half.
So, I have the two things from which I'm going to "detox". But I feel like I should maybe have one more. Three's a charm and all that. But I really don't have a whole lot of vices outside of shopping and ice cream... I really love ice cream. I rarely drink soda or booze and it'll be a cold day in the underground hinterlands before you'll pry the coffee cup from my clutches. Oh! I know! I'll stop getting a pretzel bun at lunch. The store doesn't always have them, anyway. That's one less bundle of carbs from my diet.
We all have some habits we could do without for 30 days. Maybe by then we won't miss them so much. Because I could totally have another ice cream sandwich right now...

Oh, Good Gravy!

Mending I'm alright with, I am terrible at making do.
By now it should be fairly obvious that my family doesn't hurt for money. We're not rich by any stretch of the imagination and my husband works an extremely demanding job in order to provide us with what we do have... which is plenty. However, I really wanted to try to stop my extra spending on crap we simply don't need and I'm going to be honest with you: I'm not doing very well.
Oh, sure, I went to Fantastic Sam's and got cheap hair cuts for myself and the boys and I have always colored my own hair (which is back to auburn). I'm not thrilled with my cut. It's just not the same as when I go to Tasha and spend $50. It's not. I don't know why, but there's just something not quite right.
So there's that.
My boys had a birthday party to go to the other day and what did I do? I got the kid a present, then got one for each of my kids. FOR NO REASON! Don't get me wrong, my kids do stuff around the house for me when asked and are generally good, kind kids who follow the rules, but they didn't do anything extraordinary to earn these toys. I will say, however, that they have played with them quite a bit. At least they aren't laying in a heap of dust. Yet.
Tennis shoes. I needed new tennis shoes. I went to Famous Footwear so I could get some name brand shoes on sale instead of Target cheapies, which make my (already busted) knee really hurt. Besides, my old tennies were about a year old and I wear them nearly every day.
I went online and purchase some fleece fabric today because I got an email coupon for Hancock Fabrics and my boys want me to make them extra blankets for the camper. I got enough to make one for myself, too. I made one for my husband, why shouldn't the rest of us have extra blankets for the camper? Even though my husband and I share his. Well, okay, mine can stay at home. I picked out the fabric to go in our living room.
Isn't this pathetic? I can come up with what is to me, perfectly logical reasons to spend money. It's probably an illness. First World problems.
As I look at this now and realize that I need to stop. I honestly don't NEED anything now. I have the new shoes. I got my hair cut, however badly. My kids have a couple of new toys that they are playing with, at least. I have good music to listen to in my car, I have books to read, I have classes to attend.
This will have to be a better wake up call than my just saying I'm going to do something. I'm really more aware that I was when I left the house this morning to run errands. Besides, if I stop getting all the extra stuff, I can go back to Tasha and have my hair done RIGHT.

Ouchie!

Several years ago, I injured my left knee while in rehearsal for a show. My costume included platform boots (think Herman Munster) and when I went to do a turn, my body went, but my foot didn't. Ouchie! I was still able to go on, so I didn't go to the doctor or anything.
Yeah, I probably should have.
In the past, oh, two years or so, my knee has been reminding me that I should have done that. Now that I'm practicing shiatsu on a nearly daily basis, it's REALLY complaining. So, I finally made an appointment to see the doctor about it. I have a feeling that I may kneed surgery. (See what I did there?) I'm hoping I can put that off for a while so I can finish school, but the pain has been so bad, I don't know if that's going to be possible. Also, my knee cracks (and by "cracks" I mean THUDS) repeatedly throughout my shiatsu sessions. It's kind of embarrassing. It doesn't hurt too much while it's happening, but afterwards, holy cow!
So, there's that.
On the other hand, I'm passing my classes (even Traditional Chinese Medicine, which I don't get at all) with flying colors. I was a little worried about my shiatsu practical, which doesn't happen until next week, but we did practice runs in class yesterday and I did much better than I thought I would. I do have a few things I need to remember, but over all, I feel ready.
Artistically, I've been working on another quilt top. Very basic, simple blocks, but I started with a set of fat quarters I picked up at JoAnn's. The colors are very Autumnal; burgundy, olive, gold, purple. I ran out of the fat quarters and went to Hancock's to find something that would coordinate. Don't you know I forgot to take a swatch! I decided to go with my gut and came home with four fabrics (including a solid burgundy and purple to break up all the busy-ness) that totally coordinated! I added those to the mix and decided that I still needed a bit more for the complete quilt top so I went back to JoAnn's to see if I could find any more of the original fat quarter set. I found two tucked in the back of a shelf and grabbed them both. I also found two fabrics that will work just in case I run out of the ones I have. I've taken a break from sewing while I've been studying for the mid-term exams, but I'm ready to get back to the sewing table. I'll post pix soon.
Oh, yeah! I made enough money on www.Spoonflower.com to purchase some samples of designs that have been laying in wait to be released. They are especially colorful and I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out. One of the best, newer options on Spoonflower is that you can order swatches on any type of fabric they have instead of just the plain quilter's cotton. I'm so happy they have that option now. Some of my designs simply look better on some of the other fabrics. I really like their performance knit. The colors come out so vibrant! (You know how I LOVE my colors to be vibrant!)
By the way, Optitz Outlet, mentioned in my last entry, has a website, www.opitzoutlet.com, and they're on facebook.

Dress in the colors of the sun... Special edition

The last time I went to my talk therapist I was wearing a coral t-shirt and fuchsia cardigan with my jeans. Yes, yes I was. This is a fairly normal thing for me to do though some people would snub me for it. My therapist has come to expect me to wear vivid colors, since that's what I do, but that day, I reminded her of a cult leader from Antelope, Oregon in the 1980s. He has a very long Indian name, not unlike Rajesh Koothrapali, only not that. My therapist remembered it after I don't know how many years, but I frankly can't be bothered to remember it. IF you're interested, Google Antelope, OR and you'll find the guy.
Anyway, he had a ton of women (like cult leaders do) and they were instructed to "dress in the colors of the sun." Often this was red, orange, and popular cult color saffron, but included pinks, corals, and purples, too.
Now, I don't hold any truck with cults and their misogynistic leaders, but dressing in the colors of the sun doesn't sound like a bad idea to me. This week our weather forecast is nothing but cold and rain, thunder and fog. Sounds to me like the perfect week to dress in the colors of the sun! So I got my laundry done, making sure to have plenty of sunny options for the next several days. I have layers (since temps will be below normal aaallll week), t-shirts, sweaters, cardigans, sweatshirts; pinks, purples, coral and orange; solids, stripes, patterns and textures. I even have some sky blues thrown in for variety.
The color I shan't be wearing in any variation will be black. No muted shades, no muddy browns, no drab colors of any kind. Well, I may have to wear black jeans, but nothing dark on top. At all. Anything near my face will be bright, sunny and spring-like. I don't have a lot of pastels, but I'll layer them in there. I'll mix colors in unexpected ways and clash like a field of riotous wild flowers.
Something about being bold in color makes me bold in action and attitude. Everyone has something that does it for them. For some people it's a single, signature item or color. For others it's a variety of a type of item. I have a friend who collects very unusual and colorful eyeglasses that go with anything he wears. That's his thing.
Do you have a thing? Do you know if you have a thing? I think it's entirely possibly to have a thing and not really be aware of it. The people you are around will know what it is. They're going to notice, "Hey, when Ralph wears his navy blue suit, he exudes confidence, not so much in the grey one." "Penelope is really take-charge when she wears that emerald green blouse that matches her eyes." For some its a pattern, for others, a scent.
It's weird, isn't it, how we attach power to these things. People and their respective institutions have spent major coin, probably millions of dollars to study the effects of colors, aromas, patterns, and textures on people, but it's so subjective. You have as many reactions to stimuli as there are people. For me, bright colors have boldness and power in them. I love prints and brocades. I'm fascinated by tapestries and the textiles of a wide variety of cultures, though I have to say Indian paisleys are a favorite and Indonesian batiks. I have a few Kurti that I love to wear and they're all (surprise) brightly colored. With the exception of one green one, they are all colors of the sun. I also just made a cotton top best described as a short caftan that is a diamond print in orange, purple, red, black and marigold. The fabric screamed at me from across the store. I swear I only went in to buy thread.
I think it's tempting to look out the window at the rain and pull on some dark, dreary shroud to blend with the clouds. I'm guilty of it. But I've been veiled for a long time and not living my truth. I'm not saying that everyone needs to look like they stepped off the train with the rest of the circus, as I'm sure people must think I sometimes do, but everyone should find their thing. Go find yours.

Spring cleaning - Mid-week Edition

Aaahhh... It's finally feeling like Spring in the Minneapolis 'burbs. I'm on a cleaning jag. This never happens, so I have to write about it. It's a pretty big deal.
Today, since it's finally going to be warm and not rainy, I'm going to rake the yard, if for no other reason than to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather. I may only get the front yard done, but you know, that's something.
I'm also looking forward to going through my kids' clothes. I know they've grown out of a lot of stuff. My problem is that my younger son is fairly small framed compared to my older son. I don't know if I should hang on to clothes for him or donate them. It'll be at least 3 years before he'll be able to wear them. Do I really want to hang on to that stuff? Boys clothes are very much lacking in the thrift stores. Perhaps boys are simply harder on their stuff or they just don't get as many clothes as little girls do. I'm not sure. There's a very large part of me that wants to donate them.
Yesterday, I not only worked on Rachel's quilt, but I finished (or almost finished) three other projects that have been sitting around and cut fabric for a table runner and place mats. Yeah, the creative version of cleaning is slow going. I know that and I'm just going to make peace with it.
I even did some data entry on my pattern spread sheet. I had started out looking for a tunic pattern for some really fun fabric I found the other day. You know me. I can't go to the fabric store and only buy thread. Sadly, all the tunic patterns I have are not what I want to use for this fabric. I guess I'll have to make my own pattern. What I really want is something sort of peasant-y. Hmmm... you know what? I was searching tunics, not peasant. Duh. Well, to be fair, I really did start out wanting to make a tunic.
It wasn't until I got online to look at pattern inspiration that the peasant thing really popped up. I haven't had a peasant-style top or dress in ages. Since I was in the Society for Creative Anachronism and being a serving wench for feasts. This print is nowhere near "period" though. I have decided however, that my own personal authentic style has very little to do with things that are specifically "right".
How is your Spring cleaning progressing? Is it? Have you even started? Have you even thought about it? It's not something I've really thought about in the past. No need to beat yourself up if you haven't. But perhaps it's time...

There they go...

In my last "Thrifty Thrusday" post I mentioned that I'd be getting rid of a few things soon. Done and done!
Over the past two weeks I've managed to take about a dozen grocery bags of clothes and some other miscellaneous stuff to the thrift store. However, there were a few things I just couldn't bear to part with in such an impersonal way. Clothes that mean something to me, but I no longer wear for various reasons. I had a lot of vintage things and really nice evening gowns I probably won't be wearing any time in the near future. I had more coats than any one person should have including some lovely vintage pieces. I had some men's suit jackets and a tuxedo that belonged to my step-dad, who passed away in 2008. They don't fit my husband, and he doesn't need to wear a suit very often, anyway.
I thought about some of the theatres I've worked with over the past several years and decided that Morris Park Players in Minneapolis needed some stock for their costume closet. The other night, Sue, one of the board members and frequent costume coordinator came by and picked up 14 bags of really amazing stuff. I'm hoping to go see a show and find my clothes being used in a new life, perhaps I'll even get to wear some of it again when I go back to performing after I get my massage certification.
I also finished the quilted wall hanging for my friend's son's band fundraiser. Her sister came to pick it up the same night the theatre clothes left. I suddenly have a great deal of room - in my living room, in my closets, in my brain, and in my life.
I'm not going to say that I don't also feel a bit empty. I put a lot of work into some of the things I gave up. I figured that between the actual value of some of the clothes - some I never even wore, some I altered in some way, some I made myself - and the time involved in basically curating, caring for and building them, that's a donation of somewhere between $2000 - 3000. I'm going to write up some sort of paper which states that and then the theatre can sign off on it and I estimated the value of the quilt to be around $250. I'll use it for my taxes next year.
Of course, that's not the real reason I did all the culling. You get to a certain point in your life when you just want to pare down and simplify. I'm there. I'm not ready to give up my fabric stash yet, I still want to make stuff, but I'm making room for it. I'm also having a hard time parting with my books. But, the more room and less clutter there is in my life, the more I can do. Maybe I can actually read those books. What a concept.
Now, to finish Rachel's quilt. I've assured her that I am working on it, true enough, but my decision to hand stitch the binding down on the back side was a bit much for my fibro to handle. I have to take a lot of breaks. As for my ADHD, I sometimes just have to set the quilt aside and not think about it for a while. Luckily, my friend is more than understanding and is patiently awaiting her hand-made treasure.
Sometimes you're not ready for a cull. I get that. I wasn't ready to cull for years. When I decided it was time, holy crud-monkeys was I ready! Now to see if I can lose that 20 pounds I gained over the past year.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

A couple of weeks ago my husband decided it was time to freshen up our abode with new paint, trim around the doors and kitchen counter. He did the tiling of the counter and the trimming and I painted. I began to reflect on Spring, new beginnings, fresh starts and do-overs. (Hey, we finally had temperatures over 40* F, can ya blame me?)
The paint I chose wasn't too different from what we already had. I didn't want a total overhaul of everything. However, the living room paint is a bit brighter and the kitchen is a bit pinker. To be honest, though, if I didn't tell you I had painted, you probably wouldn't notice the difference. I was a bit worried at first, but it grew on me pretty quickly when I found a marble tile that coordinated with it so well that I really couldn't complain.
I did feel, however, that my living room would need new curtains. I have a table cloth that's about 10 years old that was my inspiration for the curtains. It's an Indian floral paisley print in yellows, greens and oranges on a white background. (Our new paint is orange - Fire Ant, specifically - and the trim is white) I knew I'd never find the same table cloth and I was thinking of adding even more or different colors, so I figured I'd start where I had found the previous cloth, World Market. I looked though every curtain they had. I found a few I liked but they weren't quite right and I just didn't want to settle for something that didn't speak to me on a very primal level. I wanted color, pattern, boldness, vibrance. I wanted something that would leap out of the dark recesses of winter and hurtle into Spring with abandon!
As I began to shuffle out of the store I passed the bath department and there they were - my perfect curtains! Technically an unlined shower curtain, I found color - every color! Pattern - paisley! Boldness and vibrance in abundance! So I bought two shower curtains and hung them from the bamboo rod over our front window. They were also a good $10 less each than any of the window curtains I kinda sorta liked and I only needed two of them instead of four. Oh, yeah. They were on sale and I had a coupon, too.
You never know where you're going to find just the right thing, do ya? I look at my new curtains and I'm filled with joy. The colors and pattern are better than I could've hoped.
So now I look to myself. I was officially accepted into the East West program at CenterPoint Massage and Shiatsu Therapy school. I have a whole new chapter in my life to look forward to living out. I'm going to sally forth with promise and hope, never being afraid to look for what I seek in places selcouth.

Friday's Field Trip

March's Friday Field Trip was to JoAnn's Fabric and Crafts in Edina's YorkTown Mall. I was the only one to show up, but that's cool because part of the reason I'm doing the field trips is to force myself to get out of the house more often.

Here's my lesson sheet if you want to copy it. Fair warning, when I copy and pasted it into my blog, the formatting got all ferkachte. Meh. Echt.

JoAnn Fabric and Craft Field Trip

February 22, 2014

Sewnday Morning Musings – Toots Hodgdon

• v How do I find a pattern? - Finding patterns is pretty easy. It's a bit like going to the library and using the old Dewey Decimal System. Only not that organized. By that I mean, in the DDS books are given a number based on subject or author, patterns are given a number, but I'll be dipped if I can figure out a system. 
•   First, know what you're looking for. You can waste many an afternoon in the pattern books, so it's best to have a plan of attack before you head out. All of the patterns books are arranged pretty much the same.
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•     Beyond that, here are some other things to consider when pattern shopping:
•   §  Ability - all patterns will tell you their level of difficulty, usually broken down into Easy, Intermediate, Advanced and the occasional Professional. Only you know your level of expertise, so choose wisely.
•   §  Sizes - be sure you have accurate measurements of the person for whom you are sewing. I cannot stress this enough. Some patterns will include multiple sizes in one envelope. This rocks, you just have to make sure you have the right size range. It doesn't rock if your person is between sizes of two different envelopes. Go with the larger size. 'Tis always easier to take in than let out. Always. Don't forget that these pattern sizes are not going to correlate to your ready-to-wear sizes. Think of prom or bridal sizes. They're made to measure. Ready-to-wear sizes will fit a small range of measurements. Be prepared for your pattern size to be at least 2 numbers larger than what you get at Target or wherever. Beware of vintage patterns. The sizes are different. Always go by the measurements.



The flap is where you'll often find a measurement guide, also in metric for the rest of the world.

  §  How to read the envelope -

From top:

Fabric suggestions - yep, the companies have designed these things with specific fabrics in mind. Not that you couldn't try it with something different, but in the design of the garment, weight, drape and stretch have been considered. It's best not to deviate too far from these suggestions.

This next area shows how much fabric you need to buy for your project depending on the style (view) you're making and your size. I typically round up to the nearest half yard. You know, just in case.
Lining - Make sure you get some lining if your pattern calls for it. I personally prefer a light cotton or silk lining for just about everything. Synthetics (even the so-called cling-free kind) generate more static than natural fibers. There are some polyester linings that are called cling free - these won't cling to other fabrics but may stick to you. Hang free linings won't stick to you, but may stick to other fabrics.
Contrast fabrics - don't forget to get your contrasting fabric or overlays if your pattern requires.
Notions - Don't know why they're called notions other than it's a pretty good notion to have them to complete your project. These are things like zippers, elastics, buttons, of course thread. Be sure to use the recommended sizes and types for zippers and buttons. A longer zipper may be used, but it's not always easy to work with.

From top:

 It’s how much?! - Yeah, patterns can be spendy. I personally belong to the BMV.com (Butterick/McCall's/Vogue) club and purchase most of my patterns when they're having a sale. Fabric stores will often have sale on patterns, too. Never pay full price for a pattern unless you have an emergency prom dress to make or something like that. I've also found patterns at thrift stores for less than a dollar. Sometimes you get stuck with only a portion of the pattern, but often they've never even been used. 

Ability level

The DDS code - this is how you will find your pattern in the drawers.

Project descriptions by view.

Size combinations of what is in the envelope. Make sure you've got the right one.

•   §  What if I need more than one size? - If you need to make more than one size of the same thing, the easiest thing to do (rather than getting separate patterns - $$$) is to purchase some inexpensive muslin or gridded interfacing. Trace the patterns onto that for each one you need. Believe me, it's more cost effective than buying a bunch of patterns and cutting each size separately.
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•    How to read Fabric Bolt Labels

•   §  Size - most fabrics come in one of two widths, 45" and 60" for fashion fabric. Nearly all home decorator fabric is 60". Though you may or may not actually get that full width. The narrower fabrics may be anywhere from 40" to 45" and the wider fabrics can actually be anywhere from 54" to 60" wide for example, the above bolt label shows 057 IN (57") for the width. If you have your doubts, measure the width before you purchase. Few things are as sad as finding a fabulous fabric, getting the amount required and discovering you could really use an additional 1/8 or even 1/4 of your fabric. Also, if it's a print, measure the print area. The print may not run selvedge to selvedge (edge to edge). I've seen prints which leave up to a total of 5 inches unprinted. That's rare, but it can happen.
•   §  Content - Your bolt end label will tell you what the fiber content is for the fabric.  Well, it should. I've seen bolt labels which read, for example: 70% polyester, 30% unknown. That's always fun. The unknown fiber will probably be another kind of synthetic if the main fiber is and most likely will be another natural fiber if the main one is. Not always the case, to be sure, but often. You can always do a burn test to figure out what fibers you've got, if you're so inclined. The above is 100% polyester. 
•   §  Cleaning method - This is important! No, really! Think about how you care for the clothes you've already got. Are you very particular about how they're washed? Does it bother you to have to go to the dry cleaner? The bolt label will tell you how your fabric should be cared for. If it does not, but you see an alpha-numeric code (such as "D2") on the label, you can ask your person at the cutting table to look up the code for you. They should have a reference book somewhere back there that will crack the code and tell you how to wash your fabric. Don't let them tell you they don't have such a thing. They do. Oh, yes. They do.
•    §  Handy clues - Bolts of fabric are wound with anywhere from 10 to 15 yards per bolt. Sometimes someone will have handwritten on the end "9.5" or "9 1/2" which means the original bolt had that amount wound on it. This is often the end piece and the quality may not be consistent. Check for printing alignment. The above bolt was wound with 8 yards and it's listed on the left side. Being that it's printed and not handwritten, you shouldn't have to worry about the print.
•     Occasionally you may find a brightly colored blank sticker on the end. This means that there are more than one piece wrapped on the bolt. This may mean there's a seam going across it somewhere or that there are separate pieces on the bolt. Sometimes employees will consolidate bolts and will write on the end that there's more than one piece.
•   You can guesstimate how much fabric is left on the bolt board (not a tube, mind, the flat cardboards) by counting the number of layers on the fold are on one side of the board. Every two layers is approximately one yard. This can come in handy when there doesn't look like enough on the bolt.
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•    Which thread is the right thread for my project?
•   §  Seam/construction thread - Cotton or poly/cotton all-purpose. Use the 100% cotton for 100% natural fibers and the blend for synthetics and blends. This will prevent any weird shrinkage issues. 
•   §  Quilting thread
• ¨     Hand  - a bit heavier, since you won't have the double thread over and under your quilt layers.
• ¨     Machine - typically very much like 100% cotton all-purpose (I've used all-purpose for quilting in a pinch) 
•   §  Machine Embroidery thread - usually rayon. You do not want to use this for construction sewing. It's not made for that and your seams will not be sturdy. It's made to be pretty.
•   §  Serger thread - Comes on cones. You can find it in either 100% cotton or in a blend to suit your needs. Most of the time you're serging knit fabrics and a lot of those are blends anymore.
•   §  Specialty threads - Button thread - stronger and thicker than regular thread and should be used for buttons that get heavy duty use, like on a winter coat.
•     Denim thread - is made for heavier fabrics, ie denim, duck or canvas. It doesn't come in as many colors as your all-purpose variety.
•     Upholstery thread - this stuff is very heavy and made for  - you guessed it - upholstering furniture. You can also use it for buttons on cushions which get a lot of wear and tear.
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•         Tools, tools, tools!
•    §  I need a wha’? - There are so many tools out these days to help make the sewing process easier and faster. I'll probably end up doing a piece just on tools alone. You don't need them all.
•   §  Machines
• ¨     Sewing - know what you plan on sewing. Don't get more machine than you need.
• ¨     Serging - I love my serger, I really do. It's awesome for working with knits. I just wish they'd find a way to make them easier to thread and clean. 
• ¨     Specialty - these can be anything from embroidery machines to long arm quilters.
•   §  Cut the stuff
• ¨     Blades and self-healing mats - I don't know how quilters did it before Olfa and the other blade brands came out with rotary blades and self-healing mats. Well, I do actually, and it sucked. No lie. I don't envy anyone who made quilts before these miracles came out.
• ¨     Pinker - this is the one with the ziggy-zaggy blades. They're excellent for cutting fabrics that fray easily.
• ¨     Shears - your basic cutters. I like spring-loaded ones.
• ¨     Small scissors - I have a couple pairs of small scissors, including kid's blunt point for plane rides and one for tiny detail cutting.
•    §  Needles - You can get universal needles for both hand sewing and machine sewing. Having a set of each is great for any sewing you might need to do, at least for a start.
•    §  Feet - For your sewing machine. The piece that comes down and helps to hold your fabric as it's fed through the machine is called a foot. Beyond your basic foot that came with your machine, you should have a zipper foot and a blind hem foot is a nice thing to have. Often the zipper foot comes with your machine. A button hole foot can be helpful, too. It helps you to make buttons holes in uniform sizes.
•    §  Marking tools - I have a blue pencil and a white pencil that can be washed out. I've found that's all I need. I used to have sheets of colored wax paper and the little pizza cutter-like tracing tool, but I've found that having the two pencils is just as effective and takes up less room. Tailor's chalk is handy for, well, tailoring and making larger marks.
•    §  Measuring tools - I have about a hundred cloth measuring tapes. Not really, but it seems like it. I have on upstairs, one by my ironing board, one in my travel kit, one by my machine... I have a few templates for cutting shapes for quilts, too, but you can go really crazy with those things. You can get a template for every shape you can imagine. Just go to the quilting department of your local sewing shop and you'll see what I mean. I've found that I really only need a couple of rulers and I do like my hexagons and easy Dresden templates.
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•     What are remnants  and fat quarters, and what can I make with them? 
•   Remnants are pieces of fabric one yard or less. Usually they are offered at a discount.
•   Fat Quarters are pieces that equal a quarter yard but are 20" x 18" instead of 9" x 40". They are almost always 100% cotton and are typically found in the quilter's department.  
•   §  Gifts - rems and FQs are just the right size for making small gifts, bags, pillows, potholders, water and wine bottle covers, soft body dolls. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.



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•   §  Repairs - they are also great to have on hand for repairs. Rather than paying the price for a hunk off the bolt, check the remnant bin for a suitable fabric to patch a garment. I also prefer this to pre-made iron-on patches. By the way, the smallest amount that sellers can cut for purchase is 1/8 yard or 4.5 inches. Depending on the fabric, you may find a rem for less than you would pay for that 1/8 yard.

I hope this helps you get ready for your next trip to the fabric store.

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March's Friday Field Trip

Okay, since the weather was really crummy last month, this month's field trip will be to where we were supposed to have gone in February - JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts in Edina. Please refer to the February Field Trip page for links and more information. Because I hate repeating myself. Plus, I'm totally lazy today.

I actually have some little worksheets for everyone to follow along with what I plan on talking about while we're there, so it'd be really awesome if someone showed up. It's not required, of course, but it'd be fun. 5 or 6 "students" is probably enough.

Unless we have one of our Minnesota March Winter Storms, I plan on keeping this on the schedule. Which is Friday, March 21st, 10:00 am. Come on, flowerpots! You know you wanna...

Thrifty Thursday (Finally!)

I hate to post this, because, sadly, one of my favorite places to get fabric is going out of business. It was in the same neighborhood as my credit union, so it was a handy location (a little too handy, really). They always had good deals, unusual fabrics and probably the best collection of batiks this side of S.R. Harris (which will be one of our future field trips, BTW). Yes, Mill End Textiles is slowly liquidating their stock and boy, howdy! The deals are amazing!

If one of your neighborhood fabric meccas is going out of business, run, walk, drag your butt out in the cold blast of winter or hot steam of summer to get there! In the last three months while Mill End has been liquidating, I've hit the store about 5 times. I've purchased approximately $500.00 worth of fabric for about $175. I got thread at cost, cord and decorator trim for pennies and, in possibly the greatest tool coup ever, an Olfa compass rotary cutter for under $6. I went to a Jo Ann's immediately after to price the same cutter - $32.99!

What?! Yeah.

Of course, you run the risk of not getting enough of something and going back for more only to discover it's gone. That did happen to me. I eventually found the print I wanted in a different color combination that was just as cool as the one I had originally purchased, so I got that in enough for a dress. Yes, yes I did. Naturally I got stuff I don't NEED (like the thing-y to make fabric roses) but it was something I would only buy on ridiculous sale. Besides that, I'm hoping to use it in a segment for the blog, so it was worth it. I've been going through my fabrics at a rapid pace and felt the need to reward myself for a job well done. Granted, I'm only filling up the space I just emptied, but haven't we all done that at some point? (Please say yes. Please.)

Your assignment: Look around town, in the Sunday paper, on the net for places in your area closing up shop. Even if you've never been there before, check them out. You never know what treasures you'll find! Also, don't forget Field Trip Friday tomorrow at the Edina Jo Ann's at 10 am. If you plan on joining me, shoot me an email - totallytoots10@gmail.com!

Mission Accomplished: Part 1!

A couple of posts ago I mentioned that I was going to go through all of my UFOs and try to get them done. Well, I finished one today! Huzzah! I made a pair of pajama pants. Several years ago I worked at a local Hancock Fabrics and I bought some really cute Hallowe'en flannel with little witch kitties on it. I had it sitting with its pattern and grosgrain ribbon for the drawstring for, Oh, let's go with 4 years. No. Really. FOUR YEARS.
I realized as I was laying out the pattern that I probably needed a half yard more for full-length pants, and since I didn't want flannel shorts, I decided to make them cropped pants. Clam-digger style. I'm wearing them to bed tonight. Yes, yes, I am. I know it's January. I'm still gonna wear them.

Cute Witchy-Poo Kitties with cats-eye glasses and, though it's hard to tell here, skull tags on their collars.

I'm so excited to wear these, you have know idea. It's like I've finally gotten a pony for Christmas.

I also made a skirt out of a pretty woven plaid I picked up last summer. I lined it with fabric left over from a costume I made when I lived in New York City in the 90s - fuchsia satin! I don't have a pic of the skirt yet, because I still have to put in the zip, but I'm going to take that to Sewtropolis and see if someone there can give me a hand with it. Plus I used thread from a different project that happened to go with it, and I ran out. Of course I did. But I saved the spool so I can take it along for matching.
I had enough scraps of the plaid to have a little fun. I've wanted to make little stuffed animals for a while, especially orangutans (I'm a huge orang fan). So I took a sheet of card stock (left over from a calendar packaging instert) and traced out a pattern. I also have a bunch of cotton circles cut out from when I made a Dresden Plate quilt a couple of Summers ago. I used one of those for the face and used fabric pens to color the face on. That way there aren't any buttons to come off.

I'm not entirely happy with it, but I don't hate it, either. I know how/where I'm going to change up the pattern but I figured, as long as I had some extra supplies, it wasn't going to cost anything to try.

I have this sort of fantasy where I'm making a bunch of these (or similar) for the baby orangutans in the nursery at Orangutan Outreach. I know they give stuffed animals to the babies and I hope they would like them, especially since they're typically orphaned and alone. I think it would be wonderful if there was a baby orang who wanted to hang on to one of my stuffies. Nothing would please me more! I'm currently looking for someone who might be able to help me with this dream project, so let me know if you're interested. 

So there are three, count 'em, three of my UFOs completed! I have no idea what project I'll tackle next, so stay tuned...

Assignment: Have you been going through *your* UFOs? No? I'm beating you? You aren't going to let li'l ol' me get my projects done first, are you?

Tequila Diamonds

I'm often asked, "Where did you come up with the name Tequila Diamonds?" It's my brand on Spoonflower.com and etsy.com and I'll admit, it's kind of a strange name. Here's the story:

In 2008 I was reading my horoscope (like you do) and they mentioned how scientists in Mexico had been able to create a diamond dust out of tequila. Not actual stones, mind, but a dust that can be used on tools for delicate surgeries. The scope then suggested that I take something and make something else out of it that was totally unexpected.
At the time I had been tossing around the idea of having a business upcycling thrift store items - taking something and making it new and useful again. Tequila Diamonds was "born".

However, I don't just do thrift store make overs. I make all kinds of stuff from old and new materials, but the idea is still there. My goal is to make things that are useful, beautiful and/or create as little waste as possible. When I make a quilt, for example, I try to use up as much of my fabric as I can. I rarely cut size-specific pieces for straight-seam blocks (ie. log cabin), I stitch all my strips together and whatever is left I set aside for the next project in which it might coordinate. This means I also do a fair amount of scrap work. Scrap work is actually my favorite. There are no rules, just sew and trim. They somehow look even better than the ones I plan out.

Another thing I try to do as much as I can is buy American made supplies. This isn't terribly easy, but I do what I can. Not only is it providing jobs for people here, it's also using the least amount of fuel to get the products to me.

I try to recycle as much as I can. Threads and scraps that are too small to sew become fire starters (balls of lint doused in wax to start campfires in the Summer). If I use glitter, I scoop up as much as I can and put it back in the jar. Unless I'm in a mood and decide I need a little pixie dust, in which case I toss it in the air and let it rain on me.

I buy an awful lot of my supplies at thrift stores. Fabric, yarn, thread, tools... all can be found at thrift stores. I bought a gallon baggie of zippers for a dollar. That's probably $50 worth of zippers. Thread can be dicey there, because cotton and silk can become brittle when they get old, but for basting, they're great. You're going to remove those stitches anyway. Then into the fireball jar!

Anyway, that's the story of my business and how it got its name. I'm working on inventory for my etsy shop (it's currently empty) and this Spring I'll be taking pictures of my Summer and Fall items. My Spoonflower shop is always open for business (www.spoonflower.com/tequila_diamonds). I know some people will look at the prices and think "Holy crow, that's expensive!" But they only print when something is ordered, and they only print the amount ordered. It's pretty slick. The fabric designers there range from total beginners to professional designers. I land somewhere on the high side of the middle.

My fabric designs are fairly unusual. Here again I try to take something ordinary (a medical slide, for example) and create an extraordinary design out of it. It's full of surprises. I have a few "normal" designs on there, but to be honest, they aren't the ones that sell. If you're looking for unique and unexpected, that's my style. I have a few new collections coming out this Spring and will, of course, post their release here.

Now I release you, my flowerpots! Go find your ECHT!

In progress... Mid-Week Edition

I always seem to have a lot of projects "in progress". Sewists (and probably other artists) like to call these UFOs, or UnFinished Objects. I suppose there are certain finishing touches I find tedious. Sometimes I don't finish things because I don't like how they're turning out (see my post, "What is "Perfect" Anyway?"). However, I'm beginning to think that it's linked somehow to some sort of fear of completion. That if I complete a piece of art or a garment or whatever, I'll lose the part of me that created it. I rarely wear what I make because I haven't put the buttons on, perhaps the sleeves aren't in, or I can't find the right trim. Maybe my overactive imagination is already on to the next thing. Whatever it is, I aim to find out and my goal is to complete every project I begin (or have begun) this year. I will be blogging about it, just so's you're prepared for that.

I mean, for crying out loud! I have more fabric than I know what to do with. A large portion of it is "attached" to a project. Some of them have all the components needed to make said project (zippers, buttons, thread, pattern) I just haven't bothered to take the time to do them. Why not? I'm not going to put too fine a point on it, but let's go with depression.

Depression is one of those things I have to deal with on a daily basis, particularly in the Minnesota Winters. Not for nothing, it blows. I've dealt with it, for better or worse, for around 20 years. Just after the New Year, I sucked it up and went to my doctor for other options. He upped my dosage of Prozac and added Abilify. I'm going to a talk therapist for the first time in years to see if that'll do any good. I've also started taking an additional 2000mg Vitamin D. I saw a report on the news that up in this area there's no way to get enough D in the winter. If you're feeling blah during the dark months, maybe try some D.

I'm not going to suggest medication to anyone, that's between you and your own doctor, but I have to say that, since I switched up my meds, I'm getting things done for a change. I even sold my first piece (Rachel's "Happy Accidents" quilt). That's what I've wanted to do with my artwork for a long time. But as I near completion of this project, my heart races, my palms sweat, I become overwhelmed with the idea of just pressing the top and back on my little ironing board. I have to finish "Happy Accidents"! She's paying me for it!

Probably another reason I'm scared to finish it is this problem many artists have. I'm sure it has an official medical term, but lacking that (and, frankly, not feeling like googling it at the mo') I'm going to call it "Fraud Syndrome". I know many artists of various ilk who suffer from this, and we do suffer. We are in agony that, if someone takes any more than a passing glance at our work, we'll be outed as snake oil salesmen, that we aren't really very good at we do, after all.

Once again, I refer you to "What is "Perfect" Anyway?" I had been posting photos of my project on facebook as I made progress. My friends were all amazed by my artwork. The future owner claimed it was "Perfect". Shozzbot. As I was pressing it this morning, all I could see were the imperfections, the seams that didn't quite line up, the loose threads that would need trimming, the cat hair... Hadn't I just run it through the dryer to get the cat hair off?

Another thing that's making me panic is that I've decided to go to a sewing support group in Minneapolis. Sewtropolis has a quilter there and I've made up my mind to have her do the actual quilting of the...quilt. I read her preparation requirements for having her do the work and I panicked again. It's not going to be good enough for her to do it! NOOO!!! While it'll probably be just fine, I'm worried that it's not good enough for her to do the work. My conversion disorder has decided to make an appearance and I've had to walk away from my studio for the time being. However, as I was folding the top and backing in preparation to go to Sewtropolis, I thought, "Maybe they can help me prep this? Maybe they have a nice, big ironing board I can use? Maybe the quilting lady can help me with the prep?" After all, isn't this what I wanted to do: sell my art?

My dad sold his art and it was a nice sideline for his day job. I used to go with him and my mom to set up his booth at the art fairs and craft shows around my home town. I was fascinated by the variety of pieces at the shows, and I usually got to pick out something I liked from one of the other booths. My corn-husk doll still hangs on the wall at my mom's house and I still have a couple of rag dolls from back then. Come to think of it, I seem to remember seeing a few of his UnFinished Objects at my mom's house when last I visited. For the most part, though, he finished his work. But I digress...

I really loved going to the art fairs. I'd observe as my dad worked the crowd, ever the elegant, unassuming jokester, and inevitably he'd make a sale. I used to watch as he'd record the sale in a special leather-bound notebook. He would even record where the paintings were going; sometimes they stayed in town, sometimes they went as far as Alaska. On one occasion, when my father was dying of a brain tumor, a painting came back. It's a beautiful oil painting of our neighbor's iris garden. It was the last thing he had painted. They brought it back when he was in hospice because, as they said, it had brought them so much joy, they felt he should be able to see it as he was preparing to die. My mom still has it, almost 20 years later.

Dad also kept meticulous notes on the title, size, colors and other features of the paintings, just in case someone wanted one they had seen but someone else bought it first. He could recreate things a bit better than I can.

One of my dad's paintings.

Maybe that's why I'm afraid to finish a project: I might have to make another one! (Clutches pearls) I could never! Could I? Do I even want to? I really don't know. As with "Happy Accidents", most of my projects are on a whim, not following a pattern. I'll use a technique that I've read about and give it a shot, or use a fabric that isn't suggested for a pattern or garment type. I like to think outside of that proverbial box. This would be easier if my own brain wasn't already a Pandora's Box of ideas all jumping around at the same time, vying for my attention.

I do have an etsy shop, there's nothing in it at the moment, but I have one. I have some finished crocheted items (it's easy to be done when you run out of yarn). I've been worried about taking pictures of this stuff. I can't afford models and a photographer; everything I've made is either a garment or accessory and I'm not a great photographer myself. So I had to do some more sucking up and ask around to a few of my friends. I haven't got it scheduled yet, but I have a photographer and probably a couple of models this Spring to have photos ready and chosen for Summer and Fall. You can bet your sweet patootie I'll be blogging about that, too.

Well, I have some fabric in the dryer that's about ready, some of which will make that backing for a quilt top I made yesterday. I call this one, "Le Jazz Noir".

Sadly, when I went back to the store, all of the skyline fabric was gone. I was taking a chance getting it at a going out of business sale, anyway. I did pick up some more of the burgundy floral though, and it turns out that, between what I already had and what I picked up today, I'll have enough to make the backing for this one. Another "Happy Accident"...

No assignment this week, my little flowerpots. Just keep going through your stash and UFOs and plowing forth!