My Happy Sewing Place

 I've been organizing my craft/sewing room. I've talked about that in previous posts, and I've gotten a lot done. Organizing and labeling and finding long forgotten projects. Some of those found projects have gone the way of whatever, and I've tossed them in favor of projects that I know what the heck I was trying to achieve. If I go back to one of those projects, it will be because I'm ready to start it fresh. 

It will come to no surprise to anyone that organizing can be a messy process. You have to sort and make piles (at least I do) and find places to put those piles, and then find places to put those piles away. With a label on them this time. So, there was not much sewing getting done in there while there were piles, and boxes, and containers of various sizes, sitting around waiting for their places.

I have had creative outlets, like sewing with my cousin, or at Cruces Creatives. If have been crocheting stacking ring toys, and have one in process ( an Easter sheep, in fact). But there came a point where I really needed to spend some time at my sewing machines. I mean, through the organization process, I looked through all the projects that have been patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for my attention.

I got enough stuff put away to clear off my sewing table. It's an old library table that I love. It came from my mom, who also used it for a sewing table, alternating as a desk when she was typing something.

This is my happy sewing place

And I got to sewing. I did some alterations for Ron. I started a kid shirt for donation at some point and place. But wait! I plugged in my iron and the "on" light lit, but it didn't get hot. Bummer! I moved on a bit, but I really do like ironing as I sew. I have learned through trial and error that it makes a big difference. Sigh. So I put that project to the side. Then, I fretted about the iron, and getting a new one, and where, and when and a bunch of other frets. I even have projects that would not need the iron, but still, it just was an anxiety producing issue.

Now here's the place where I was going to go into all the anxieties that I'm worried about currently. There are some. I've rehearsed in my mind what I would say about them. But now, while I'm typing, I feel like I won't. There are anxieties. I feel them. I worry. Like almost everyone. Let me just say that the iron thing was the last straw. It was, however, a straw that I could do something about. Yes, I have a new iron. And I'm not even going to post a picture of it here. It is a very nice iron, as far as I can tell having used it a little now. I hope it will last as long as the other one did (20+ years or so?).

My friend, Lillian, helped me shop for it, and we brought it home and then worked on a jacket for her. One that we had cut out a while back. It is a fleecy, soft fabric, and an iron will do that fabric no good. No good at all. But HAVING the iron helped with the sewing mentality. So we worked on it a bit.

Then, I pulled out the shirt that I started the day the iron failed. 

Cute glitter splash fabric

Cute glitter splash kid's button down

All that is left to do on this shirt, is to attach the sleeves, and do the button holes and buttons. I'll get to look through my button stash cube to find the perfect ones!

Sometimes, I Get Stopped

 Today, I went and sewed with my cousin, Roxanne. We have done this for years, off and on. We've both enjoyed visiting and spending time together while we made things. We've sewn LOTS of things together, but the finish we did today was very important to me.

Back in 2021, around the beginning of the end of the pandemic quarantine, I started sewing Christmas presents for my mother-in-law, and my sister-in-law. I had been experimenting making quilt blocks, and I figured I was ready for the next step. Not a full sized quilt, or anything, but festive table runners.

This is part of the table runner I made for Linda

This is part of Carrie's

I'm not going to dwell too much on Linda's in this post. There may well be a post about it from about then, or maybe more like 2023 (if I posted much that year) which is when I think I finished it and gifted it to her. This is the saga of Carrie's table runner.

First, let's start with those snow globes. I love them. I enjoyed making the snow globes very much. So many of the fabrics just made me happy, like those snowmen. They just kill me every time I see them! (Notice they make an appearance in Linda's as well.) We won't dwell on the imperfections of the quilt building. I know the corners don't all match up. I know things are kinda wonky here and there. Those are things that improve with practice, and I am very much a novice quilt builder. I am also more interested in finishing than finishing perfectly. Not that I want to have an imperfect product, but a complete project is important. 

I was able to finish Linda's table runner, even though it wasn't in time for Christmas 2021, but once I got Carrie's top put together, I got stuck. It got put in a tub, and there it sat sadly, and I was frustrated with it. 

How to finish this???

So, once Roxanne and I had been working on a couple of projects, I brought up the subject of this table runner, and how I was stuck on it. One of my problems (but not the only one) was having a machine that I thought would do the quilting. Mine is a workhorse, but while it does well on light weight to medium weight fabrics, it protests if the fabric or the layers are too thick. Roxanne had recently acquired a heavy duty machine, and I thought that would help us. She agreed that we should look at it and see if we could figure it out.

Oh my gosh, it really helped to talk it through with someone! We figured out what to do with the back of the table runner. I put together some blocks out of some of the left over fabrics, and we spread them out across the back, which was mostly made of an ornament design fabric.

Part of the back of Carrie's table runner

Then we had to decide how we were going to bind this piece. We finally decided to put the back and the front together, sew around it, and leave a hole big enough to turn the thing right side out, and then sew the hole closed as we went around the edge one more time. Now, I know there are experiences quilters that would frown on the, or perhaps just look askance. But you know what? It worked for us, and that was one more thing done. we were really getting close to being finished.

I'm sure I could have paid a professional quilt  quilter to finish this table runner, but that really wasn't the point of this learning experience for us. We also happen to be working on creating quilts for each of us and when we are done with them, THOSE will go to someone with a long arm quilting machine to quilt. But not this. We discussed how much quilting this table runner needed, and what we thought the available machines, and the available talent/knowhow could achieve, then we pinned the table runner in preparation.

Sadly, the machine ended up in the shop, and our Christmas fabric box project took over for a bit, but after the holidays, the table runner came back out, and quilting got started. We don't try to hurry things, because that's when mistakes happen, so it took a couple of sessions to quilt it all (it is a LOoong table runner, like my sister-in-law asked for). Today, it got finished! I feel very appreciative of Roxanne's willingness to help me work through my stuck-ness, and to contribute to the building of this quilted table runner, and I feel like together, we accomplished something. It makes me happy.

A finished project may not be a perfect piece of art, but I really would rather have it finished than sitting around waiting for perfection.

Carrie's Christmas Table Runner, Completed!

The Post In Which I Discuss My Craft Room

 Yes, I am lucky enough to have a craft room. A lot of the time, it is haphazardly piled with stuff, projects in the works, and the detritus from previous projects. Recently, I have had the urge to purge, which I try not to ignore. I have a well learned propensity to hoarding, and a strong desire to never be featured on an episode of  Hoarders. My craft room is a space for me to create, when it isn't stacked to the rafters. My sewing machines (at least two of them) are almost always ready to tackle fabric. As a craft room, not a sewing room, there is so much more to it than that, though. Really, my craft room is a room of ideas, possibilities, and inspiration. 

I find that there are two main types of creators/crafters. One type deals with their project at hand. They plan that project, get supplies for that project, work on their project, and when the project is done, there is nothing left over. Not that they necessarily use everything, but they dispose of it when they are done. Give leftover fabric to a friend who uses scraps for quilts (or other projects), donates the pattern or instruction books, Whatever. They're on to their next project, and don't have room for that other stuff.

The other type, like me, collect the ingredients like patterns (not just sewing patterns my friends), fabrics, yarn, beads, paper,  and tools for various creative endeavors of interest. Then, when the creative itch starts to kick in, or inspiration otherwise moves us, we look in our collections, and pull out what we need, and get to work. I often have several projects happening more or less at the same time. For instance, lately I have been very amused by crocheting stacking ring toys. I'm on the fourth one so far, a sheep (In cotton thread this time, instead of acrylic - trying it out!). I have some bunny clothes in the system, so to speak, that are on pause while I'm organizing (reorganizing, more accurately) my craft room. Ron has asked me to do some alterations for him. And, there are other projects sitting around waiting for me to pick them up again. Those tubs of fabric, the hundreds of patterns, dozens of quilt books, and crochet patterns, and cross stitch magazines (not to mention all those little things of floss) are just waiting for me to grab and get creating. I like collecting these things, but when I want to create, I want to be able to pick the things from my stores to get started. It's that thing about two different hobbies: collecting craft supplies, and using craft supplies.

Holding stuff that is waiting for a place

So right now, I'm organizing. Going through boxes of crafting and sewing supplies that I have been given, or have inherited. Going through tubs, large and small and labeling them, and getting rid of the things that I don't think will serve me any more. I have several places and people to donate them to, so I don't feel bad about sending them onward. I also have learned that being able to purge those things takes a weight off my shoulders. Gives me breathing space. Helps me to find what I'm looking for, and consider what it is I want in my collection of crafting tools and supplies. Honestly, touching these things also makes me want to use them! Gives me inspiration to make more, and different things. Sends me further along my learning and making journey. It also gives me space - literally and mentally - to do that creating.

Labeled bins

...and more bins

Now, I want to look through some of the pattern books and magazines and find a pattern that I want to try out! Now, I want to start a new cross stitch project! Today I was looking at a Christmas Quilt that I thought I would do as a block of the month type project. Now, I think my cousin Roxanne and I may work on it for her Christmas wall hanging and/or table runner. Will we finish it this year? Who knows. We are working on several other projects at the moment, and enjoying our time creating together. I feel like that is an extension of my craft room.

I was busy filing loose patterns today

Not everyone has - or wants - the luxury of a craft room. I'm sure that there are people who would question my spending habits. Personally, I feel like it is a good use of my recreational funding, but I know that others make other choices. I'm glad we don't have to all make the same choices, and I can be happy with mine. My happy place. The fine line between collecting and hoarding. The "let's see what we can make now" space.

My previous sorting project(s) with some continued sorting to do

I just have to remind myself that the organization helps me keep track of my materials. Easier to find means easier to use. And there is something about getting stuff put away in an orderly fashion, isn't there?

The Process of Creating

Part of what I would like to explore, recording my crafting experiences is following projects from start to finish. Where do the ideas come from? How do I decide what I'm going to make and how I'm going to make it? What am I going to learn through this experience? Exploring process.

Often, one project will feed of another, like all the little birds I made. This time, I'm really enjoying making some crocheted ring stacking toys. If you are interested in making some, or just looking at the patterns this maker created, look at ICANCROCHET.com . I do have one that I finished today. It is the second snowman I made. I liked it so much I wanted one to keep.

This smirking snowman

So, I made this snowman from acrylic yarn, pretty common for me. It is affordable and easy to find. As I looked at the pattern of the sheep, I noticed that the pattern suggested using cotton yard. First of all, I bet you want to see what I'm thinking about.

Doesn't this look like fun?

So I decided that I'm going to try that cotton yarn. I have some left over from making the birds that I mentioned before. I looked through my stash. (I love having a stash, by the way - If I can find the elements for my project in my stash, I count it as a win for me!) Anyway, the pattern calls for a selection of tans/browns. I was surprised it wasn't white, but then I thought the browns would create more interest, so, I looked to see what I have. 

My sheepy palette

If this one works, and I like it enough to make another one, I'll probably try my hand at a selection of grays. So tomorrow, (because I need fresh eyes, and fresh brain, and sunlight) I'll pick out some of these, and a crochet hook  (I may - or may not - want a smaller one than I was using with the acrylic yarn) and try my hand at a sheepy ring or two. It is smaller yarn than I was using, but the pattern suggests using smaller yarn if you want a smaller stacking ring toy, so that is another interesting thing to find out.

Learning Curve

As a teacher, part of my experience was to embrace being a life-long learner. I look on crafting and sewing as part of my life-long learning journey. How does one measure steps on this journey? Here's one way. 

An empty spool of serger thread.

It's kind of a "miles traveled" measure. This was once a spool of thread for the my serger, and I've emptied it, making stuff.

Now my serger was literally a gift to me, and when I got it, I was really intimidated by it. So it sat for a couple years before I worked up my nerve to use that machine, but I finally did, and now I mostly enjoy using the serger. I LOVE how the edges are finished, and don't get dangly threads on them. It also sews FAST! I does have its drawbacks. It doesn't do curves well, especially tight curves. If you aren't careful, and sew layers that you aren't supposed to, you can wreck your project. You can unpick the seam, but there is a blade that will cut the fabric, too. 

Sewing wtih the serger has definitely been a learning experience. And I still have so much more to learn on this versatile machine.

Here is my latest project:

Dinosaur flannel pants!

Yes, two pairs

Remakes

 WAY back in my Social Distancing # 44 post, I wrote about a quilt that my mom made, and my brother and I were trying to save it. We but some new batting and a new back on the quilt top, and I happily posted about our progress. I've linked it for you up there if you're interested.

Once we got that quilt tied, i folded it up, waiting for the right moment to pull it out and sew the back to the front around the sides, and finish it up. So it waited. And it waited. Sometimes, I hit a stopping point in a project. A place where I'm not sure about how long something will take. How much work it will be. Sometimes, I'm not sure what to do next, or I'm not sure whether my tools will be able to tackle the job successfully. That quilt was heavy because we put two layers of batting in it. We did that to recreate the loft that the old quilt had, but the batting was a different sort than my mom had used. The quilt was heavy, and where I live, it doesn't get THAT cold. Well, especially in a house that has heating, like ours does. I wasn't sure how I would fare sitting under that quilt to sew up the edges. So it sat, and it waited. 

But we had some snowy, cold days, and I'm reorganizing my craft room, and looking to get some things out, to make room for new projects, so I pulled that quilt out and unfolded it, and gathered a needle and some thread. I put a movie on the TV to watch, and started stitching. I worked on it for almost 3 hours, and got two sides stitched up. As before, I felt like my mom and my grannie would have had thoughts about my technique. They would have had advice for me about it, and I could have probably used some. But yay, two sides done!

The next evening, I put on a couple of episodes of Columbo, and got to work again. And about 3 hours later, that sucker was done! I celebrated by taking some pictures and sending them to my brother. Only four years after we tied it. My fingers are only a little sore from all that needle time.

The finished (again) quilt

Carl took his quilt home today. I have the matching one still in the craft room... waiting for its turn, and once I get started on it, I don't think it will have to wait as long for its finish. I've learned stuff.

Another view

When Carl came over, though he brought me a different remake project. His wife injured herself, and while she's healing, she can't wear all her pull-over tops. She needs some button downs. And she is not an easy to find size, so Carl wondered if I would turn a couple of tunics into button downs for her so she has something to wear while she figures out what she wants to wear, and orders it, and gets it.

Tunic 2 BEFORE

Silly me, I didn't take a BEFORE picture of the tunic I worked on, but they are the same basic pattern. I found a piece of flannel for each that I had in my stash. For the first tunic,  I cut a piece to face both sides, and cut the center front of the tunic from hem to neck opening. Once I got the facings on, and the hem repaired, I sewed button holes, and then buttons on it.

 

the facings are done

the button down version

The new neckline

This one is ready for try on. I would like to know if anything should be changed for the next one. You know, Tunic 2 up above.

Happy New Year, 2025

 Yeah, that's right only one post for 2024. Ugh. Best laid plans and all.

I've been working on a TON of projects, but haven't written about them At All. Trying again to do better this year. Again. Documenting my crafting journey seems to be a consistent new year's resolution for me, with varying degrees of success.

Carl gave me this book for Christmas:

Add your projects!

SO the plan is, add projects into this book, or at least take advantage of its organization, to help me keep track of blogging about them in here. I have So Many Projects in process! I think this will help! 

Right now, there are three main places that I do sewing/crafting.

     My craft room. Yay! I have one, full of projects and supplies. I love going in there to sew, and it counts as using my craft room if I'm planning or working on a take-along project. Whether I'm taking it into the living room to work on while I watch TV, or to whatever place I may need to spend some time at, IT COUNTS! This week, I have been doing some organizing and cleaning in my craft room. It needs it. It almost always needs it to some degree. I work on projects and leave the supplies out handy, but eventually they must be dealt with. People give me crafty supplies and stuff (Yay, people!) and I have to incorporate it into the room (I very nearly put "mess" there, but really, I must incorporate new stuff into the organization.) Things need to be organized and on occasion, reorganized. For instance the patterns are all over the place. I have an organization system, but at the moment there is chaos. I also need a new storage item, either shelves that I can put containers on, or drawers. The drawers I have are plastic, and are drooping badly. They may have reached their useful lifespan for me. I'm looking and thinking about what they will be replaced with.

     Cruces Creatives. The local makerspace. I love it there! I'm so happy to be a member, and have access to their supplies and tools! While I am a frequent user of their Textile Space, I have also taken classes in resins, and did some playing with the Art Supplies Area. I worried about Cruces Creatives through the pandemic, and after, but it seems to not only have recovered, but thrived and grown! One of my main ways to be involved is Charitable Crafting. This group is made up of volunteers that find a need and try to fill it. We have made kids clothes and donated them to the kid's clothing room that was run by Gospel Rescue Mission. We've made SO MANY tote bags for various groups who could use them (this is also kind of an ongoing project, so if you don't know what to do, make a bag. Someone will need it). Lately we worked on a community quilt building project, making a twin sized quilt to be donated to a project which works on housing people who are in need. We completed one quilt, and are getting ready to start another! One thing that I have learned from my time at Cruces Creatives is that I really enjoy social crafting. Whether you are working together to create something, or just occupying the space while working on your own projects, it is nice to talk and share ideas, projects, feedback, and knowledge.

     Sewing With Roxanne. Rosanne and I have sewn together off and on for years. Sometimes almost every week, sometimes not. In 2023, Roxanne suffered a spinal cord injury, and her mobility was impaired. It has been a journey for her to go through various therapies, and to learn what her life will be like now. One of the things we have been doing is sewing together again. It is a physical therapy for her and a mental and emotional therapy for both of us. We have worked on quilt top building, a project we started on years ago, and are really making progress on now! We have the blocks made and are working on constructing the quilt tops with them for each of us. Her mom wanted in on the action, too, so we are working on blocks for her as well. We made fabric boxes for Christmas to give to friends and family. She's also helping me with a table runner that I was making for Ron's sister, that I got stuck on. It is almost done now!

Some of my projects are focused on one of these places, and others kind of leak over into multiple. Either way, there is learning, creativity, problem solving, sharing and satisfaction involved. Here is where I begin for the new year of 2025.