Sunday, August 30, 2009

Buffalo Park

Not much sewing this weekend.  We have our Grandaughter Nora Ruth while her parents are in Atlanta.
They are in the process of purchasing a house and have gone to order things for the new house.  They have another baby due in December and they are trying to get a larger place ready.

We took Nora Ruth to the Buffalo Park in Tupelo Saturday.  It is about an hour away, a small park with several exotic animals.
  .
There was opportunity to feed a camel, giraffe, and goats.....but that was a little intimidating to her.  She was amused that Joe the Camel followed the trolley that we rode.
Much of the park allows you to get very up close and personal with the animals.  She was not sure that touching was a good thing.
She got to do a pony ride and was doing very good until the horse 'snorted' and the ride was over.
She being just 2,  preferred the horse that Geeds could swing her on and the other playground equipment that moved a little faster.


It was great to have a fun outing with Nora Ruth.  We really do not get to have her much because of our work hours.
I can get back to sewing when she has gone home.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Fall Sewing Began

Sewing this week has consisted of "Potty Pants" and a fall set for Julian(Grandson).
Angela(my daughter) asked for several more "Potty Pant shorts" to assist her in getting him trained before we have to move to long pants for the fall and winter. I recycled material from a shirt that Geeds(what the grandchildren call my husband) had cut an emblem off of to make 2 navy pair and I had a scrap of khaki. This gives Julian a total of 5 Potty Pants and he promised he was going to succeed.

I had lots of fun making the fall set for Julian.


I know he is going to be excited about the cars and Angela says that Ted(the dad) is going to be jealous, because he loves shirts of this style and the funky print material. This probably indicates his age. Comfort and uniqueness is more important than current style.
I was able to match the print perfectly to place a chest pocket with out it being noticeable. Julian likes shirt pockets. With his physical restrictions, pants pockets are not as manageable as shirt pockets to store his rocks and small toys.
The pants were fun, because it is something different. Not just making the same old pant. I added a different print to create the "pouchy" pocket. I often times have trouble coming up with cute ideas for little boys.
I have also been cutting out many more things to get sewing on. I accomplish more if I cut 'lots' then sit to sew. I try to have several items with the same color threads because it takes time to re-thread both machines every time you change materials. Especially my serger, it is not an auto thread.
Hope you all have had a fun week and I hope to get started on some Halloween things this weekend.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Starting Fall

I have been very busy at work. Deadlines to meet and our senior team member is retiring. Trying to spend as much time "picking his brain" as I can. We had his luncheon today and tomorrow will be his last day. We will be on our own.
Very little sewing and still not starting many fall items. I did finish the little set for Lola(granddaughter). It did turn out cute and Angela(Daughter,Mom) was excited.




Julian(grandson, Lola's twin) is in the 'potty training' stage. He has Cerebral Palsy and has braces on his legs. Angela said that it is very hard to get him ready to sit on the potty. He can not stand so sitting is his only option. She came up with the idea to open the side seam of his shorts so that they would be easier to get over the braces. So, I had fixed one pair with velcro several weeks ago and she found it to be helpful, so this time I tried one with gripper tape.


Then I started on the fall sale items for my Etsy store. This was also left over material from last fall that I found in the box. I did purchase the red dot. This is a size 6-7 and I was very pleased. I stacked the buttons to get the same affect as the dot. I will get it posted on the store maybe next week. I am going to run a final summer sale before I remove the summer items and start adding the fall.




I have cut out 4 more outfits for the grandchildren but want to get several more items for the store before I really begin sewing for them.
Must get on to next project.



Tuesday, August 4, 2009

I have been sewing on several items. I was cleaning out my summer fabrics and pulling out the left over fall. I found several scraps large enough to make something out of and this changed my focus........the below is for Lola.....have not decided how to finish the bottom of the pants.
I also had started some place mats doing free hand quilting on them early summer and they are not close to complete, so put a little time in on those.
The placemats may not get finished until Spring.....they will be just an occasional time out from clothing. I have divided each into 4 triangles and was doing opposites in the same stitch, I have not decided what to do on the other but I really don't think that doing the whole thing in this tight of stitch is what I want. Offer suggestions if you have thoughts.









I thought I was finished with summer sewing and found 1 more t-shirt that Becky(daughter in law) had brought for Nora Ruth(granddaughter), and I had to get it finished. I really had trouble deciding what was appropriate and my husband suggested that I carry on the previous beach theme....and so I did....Yea summer sewing is complete!



I seem to lose focus and jump from one project to another.....must do better.
I have a question for anyone with an answer. When you use the satin/grosgrain ribbons, what do you do to keep them from fraying? I have tried the liquid Fray Check but it darkens the ribbon and after a few washings it's power is gone. Please share secrets.








FMQ domestic machine

 I have been reading and watching  many YouTube videos on FMQ. One of the best hints I found for basting was......pin first, then between th...