Scaifea's Knitting/Sewing/Cross Stitch/Quilting Projects - 2013

Well, I didn't get nearly as many project finished last year as I'd have liked, but that was mostly because the majority of the year was spent on the king-sized, hand-quilted quilt project, and Whew! that's done now! So, another year another thread. Here's wishing all of you many happy projects this year, and I can't wait to see what everyone is working on for another year!

To start off, here's the *amazing* christmas gift I was given by my parents this year. I'm so excited about it!

First finished projects are some t-shirts for Charlie (and I've a few more in the works):

>1 scaifea: umm umm, that is a beautiful machine!

Cute shirts. I made a lot of overalls for the kids (and dresses for the girls) when they were small, but I don't remember ever making little shirts.

avaland: It is, isn't it? I'm very excited to get it home (I have to wait until my brother can haul it in his truck for me) and take it for a spin! Raglan shirts are easy peasy and very fast, and I have a stack of appliques to use up and a pile of knit, and these will work great for his preschool clothes.

Finished another shirt for Charlie, and here's a picture of him modeling the Woody shirt above:

Finished another shirt - one more to go and then I'll move on to other projects:

aw that's so cute it looks like he's resting his arms on the stripe! :-)

Thanks, Nora!

Okay, last of the Charlie t-shirts (for now) is finished:



Next up, I may make myself a t-shirt or two. We'll see what patterns I can dig up in my stash...

Wow, he's growing up! (and the shirts are cute too!)

avaland: Yes, he is. Too fast.

Cute cute t-shirts scaifea.
I am still following this group, and all (including avaland and meredith) your creations inspire me. I hardly touched my sewing last year as my husband was ill, not sure what this year will bring us but I hope to find some time to finish the bits and pieces I started in 2012, and make the panel quilt for my grand-daughter's cot. Under normal circumstances a panel cot quilt wouldn't be an issue but my time is very limited. In the meantime I am really enjoying hearing about all of your projects :o)

Thank you, Fiona! And good luck with your projects - I hope you find some Fiona Time soon to work on them.

What cute shirts!

Thanks, Meredith!

I wish we could convince more people to regularly post here. I find others' creative energy invigorating. And I like to hear others' thoughts about what they are doing, what direction they are going in...etc.

Agreed. I very much enjoy this group and would love to see it grow.

It would definitely be nice to have more activity. I'm not sure how we could encourage growth, though. I keep pestering people to join LibraryThing, but most aren't crafters, I'm afraid.

I'm going to try to get back to my crafts. If I do, I'll post.

Yay! I'd love to see what you're working on, Morphy!

I finished knitting a scarf for Charlie today:

Very colorful!

Do you think we need a new group (=fresh start) in order to encourage others to join or participate? Do you think most people have other groups or sites they get their 'encouragement' from (a guild or a site like Ravelry) and don't think of LT as a place for this kind of support?

I don't think we need a new group, but then again I'm content with this group as it is. I'm a member of Ravelry, but only to keep track of my projects and to browse patterns - I haven't found any groups that I particularly care for over there. Maybe we could try to encourage crafty people in other LT groups to join us here? I'm happy to post abut this group in my 75 Challenge thread...

Mentioning it to friends is always a plus. I think a lot of people find posting photos cumbersome at best, and perhaps that is a hindrance. We are all willing to tell people how to do it...

I too, like this group. I don't have the software I need to post photos but I enjoy looking at everyone else's achievements, and I find it very encouraging. One day I will sort the photo thing....

I don't know what other people use, but I upload my photos to flickr and then post them here from there. Maybe we should start a thread with explanations on how to do stuff like post photos? The folks over in the Green Dragon group have an excellent one that I refer to frequently, here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/35356http://www.librarything.com/topic/35356

Fiona: We'd love to see your projects, so please do ask if you'l like help figuring out the picture-posting. As avaland says, we'd be happy to help!

Here's a list of my current projects (some are in a state of not-having-been-touched-in-a-month-of-Sundays, but still):

-baby blanket for the shop (knitted, finished except for weaving in the loose ends)
-baby sweater for the shop (knitted, barely started and fairly well stalled - I'll get back to it soon, hopefully)
-throw blanket (knitted, about 75% finished)
-ridiculously large version of Waterhouse's Psyche (cross stitch, maybe 2% finished, very embarrassingly stalled. I'll get back to it eventually, though.)
-a fractal pattern bookmark for a friend (cross stitch, probably 30% finished, also embarrassingly stalled)
-purses for the shop (sewing; I've got a stack of about 20 purses cut out and ready to be sewn, on which I'm currently working)
-quilt made from old plaid flannel shirts (quilting; I'm in the process of (nearly finished) cutting up the shirts right now)

Psst. Hey Amber. Are you making any black purses for your shop? Because I totally want to buy one but I'm not much of a brown purse kind of girl.

Nora: I am! I have, in point of fact, fabric cut out for about 20 (!) purses and a few of those are black. I'll keep you posted, but I should have them finished soonish?

ETA: I've just realized that I've already mentioned the 20 purses, Nora. I assumed when I read your post that this was my 75 Challenge thread without looking. Silly.

Yay! I'll keep an eye out for them.

>22 avaland:: I like this thread the way it is because although most of us do follow other 'places' like Ravelry, it's nice to have this crafty corner to visit now and then in a predominantly book place.

Amber, as you know, I follow along with your regular LT threads so have seen and commented on these projects but I always enjoy seeing your growing-like-a-weed Charlie.

tiffin: And he *is* a weed! I measured him this morning (I measure him every month), and he's grown another 1/2 inch in the past month. Sigh.

Thanks Amber. I will certainly work on the photo thing when I have some time. Life is a little hectic at the moment :o)

Just wanted to come out of lurkerdom to say I really enjoy the group. I do cross stitch, only HAED at the moment, and I stitch SO slowly, that I feel I wouldn't have enough to share. But I realize that if everyone thought the same, I wouldn't have all these beautiful photos and projects to peruse!

Welcome, Jasmina! I encourage you to start a thread anyway so we can all oooh and aaah over your projects, whatever the rate at which you finish them!

I finished sewing a purse today. I was intending it to be for my shop, but I love it and I'm keeping it! I've got fabric to make more for the shop, though.

Really like that lining fabric!

Me too! I think I may have to go back and buy the rest of the bolt...

>26 scaifea: I use Photobucket. Am happy to coach someone through the process, if needed.

Love the little bag/purse. And yes, the lining fabric is cool!

Thanks!

Thanks for the offers of help with posting photos :o) snowed under at work and home at the moment, but will get there eventually!!

I've been working on stocking up my etsy shop with purses:

Ahh so cute!

I like the fabric choices. Classy with a little jazz.

Thanks, avaland! I have a big stack of fabrics all cut out and ready to go - I just need to find more time to sew them up. Sigh.

More bags finished - only a few more to go and then I can more on to other projects for awhile:

They look SO good!

Thanks, Meredith!

Love them - very nice!

Thanks, Fiona!

You're just getting better and better with your colour choices!

Busy gal! I like them!

Thanks, ladies!

More bags for the shop - only 3 more, then I can move on to other projects for awhile:

Oh, and I bought this at a garage sale this past weekend, for $1.00. YES!!

Wow, that's a great $1 purchase!!

I'm totally coveting the little black purses with the red lining.

Mabith: I know!! I'm totally excited about it!

Nora: I am too, and if I still led the kind of life that still necessitated fancy evenings out, I'd be keeping it. The lining fabric is awesome, and I still have quite a bit of it left.

Finally finished knitting this throw blanket:

Love the colors and pattern of the blanket!

Wow, beautiful blanket and an awesome pattern.

Now that's fun! I love the wonkiness of it.

I can't believe you got that for $1. Hope you have lots of room!

Love the whimsical blankie!

Thanks, all! I think I'll try making a smaller, baby blanket version of the blanket using baby-weight yarn...

avaland: Ha! I do have room - I'm a lucky gal who has the bigger part of a finished basement as my sewing/crafting space, so I've got room for my 6 (!) machines. And I'm saving up for one of them there fancy-pants 'puterized embroidery machines...

I have managed to get down to just two machines—the antique one that belonged to my mom and the one I learned to sew on, and my trusty Elna. It's funny, but I have no interest in the embroidery machines, and I think I have outgrown my longing for a longarm quilting machine (just as well, as we are likely moving to smaller digs).

I keep thinking that I'd like a longarm machine, but then I change my mind. *shrug*

The town that I live in is having it's annual town-wide garage sales this weekend; two of the ads for sales list sewing machines among their wares, so, we'll see what happens...

Whelp, I went to the garage sales this morning, and yep:



Only $5!

Number 7?

Yep!

I have been managing just a wee bit of sewing lately; here are the three blocks I've put together so far for my quilt made from old plaid flannel shirts:

Nice! I especially like the colors in the last block.

I have a few of those old plaid flannelette shirts kicking around and was thinking of doing just this with them. How cosy!

tiffin: If you do, I'd recommend slapping some interfacing on the back of the pieces first. I haven't done that with these blocks, and I'm okay with them being a little wonky (I want the quilt to look homey and not necessarily to-a-T-perfect), but it's a challenge working with the old, worn flannel and it kind of needs a bit of stabilizing, I think.

I particularly like the first block. It looks so warm to me.

So far, I have successfully resisted the impulse to quilt...I always spend so much money on any new hobby. Gotta have all the gadgets and gizmos! But I love living vicariously through my friends' quilts!

Amber, I don't think I'd interface it because I like homey, comfy, soft, and worn in plaid quilts. I want it to FEEL like an old shirt.

Debbi: That's the beauty of this kind of quilt - there's hardly any money in the fabric (I pick them up very cheap at garage sales and thrift shops). Although, yeah, I'm the same way about the gadgets, and those aren't so cheap for the quilting hobby, I'm afraid.

tiffin: Agreed. These blocks are comfy already! So soft. Just be prepared for slow-going on the sewing. It's still fun, though. I can't wait to see what you turn out with your shirts!

I see you are in the accumulation phase of your life :-) I am in the reduction phase, trying to figure out how I will cram a decades long accumulation habit into what likely be smaller space.

I have been known to salvage cloth from clothing and buy pieces at Goodwill just for the cloth. I'll keep you in mind if any flannel shirts leave my husband's closet.

Thanks, avaland! Yeah, I'm not even thinking about the eventual reduction process...

Beautiful work! I am doing lots of cross stitch and occasionally messing with trying to reteach myself knitting and crocheting, it has been ages and i remember just enough to make a muddle of things it seems...ah well

I wish I could wriggle in some time to get back into cross stitching - it's been ages and I love doing it, but this summer won't be the time...

The trouble with getting into one craft is that you end up wanting to do everything! I'm hoping I can work on some mini-crazy quilts this summer.

Amen, sister.
And I'm teaching an course this summer, which is sucking up all of my crafty/sewing time. Gah! Although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying teaching again.

There's just too much stuff to love and be interested in! When people tell me they're bored or all they do is work, watch TV, and bum around the internet it baffles me so much.

Oh, agreed. I don't know how anyone can be bored. Ever.

Hi all, it's been a while but I pop in and have a look at what you are all doing now and then.

I so get what you are saying, how could anyone be bored?????? My problem if I had some TIME would be which craft I would choose to do.
Everything is on hold at the moment; work is very busy, family all need me more than ever and my husband has just been told his cancer care is now palliative.

LT provides some sanity and a break from everything, I love seeing what you are all creating, it somehow makes me feel better :o)

Oh, Fiona, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. I do hope you can find some time - even if it's just a few minutes a day - to do something for yourself. I find that crafting and knitting and sewing can be a wonderful stress and emotional release. I hope you find a project that you can just pick up for 1-2 minutes at a time and maybe get some mini-therapy! I'll certainly be keeping you and yours in my thoughts.

Thanks Amber, funnily enough this morning I found a scarf I had been knitting centuries ago, and have decided to keep that with me, to pick it up occassionally and even just do a few rows at a time, it's very theraputic and I don't have to concentrate.
A couple of months ago I cut out a simple quilt for my granddaughter and I have promised myself as soon as my short term study is finished this week I will at least put a few pieces of that together. You're right it is such good stress relief. Haha even the mending I had to do last week was exciting!!

Fiona: Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say that mending is therapeutic - that takes one into the realm of Chores, and, well, I don't like those so much. Ha!

I've just finished cutting off Charlie's fall/winter pajamas for summer (every fall I make him a set of flannel pajama bottoms (and just buy Hanes white T-shirts to go with them) and then make them into shorts for summer), along with sewing up a couple of pairs of knit and cotton new ones, too.
Next up: making a decorative pillow for his bed out of the old pillowcase and leftover sheets from his toddler bed set (Mickey Mouse - I've used part of the sheets to make one of those pairs of pajama shorts), then an apron for him (he always 'helps' me with the cooking and baking and keeps asking for an chef's apron like mine), and then a little purse in Hello Kitty theme for my niece's birthday. Then I can get back to another quilt block!

What a good idea re the pyjama bottoms, I will have to remember that for my grandson. Glad to hear I'm not alone making bits and pieces from leftover things, I can't stand to see waste, and I get quite attached to some fabric.
I made a small (approx 1m x 1.5m) 4" square quilt a few years ago, all from leftover materials I had used to make items for the family over the years. My youngest granddaughter (7mths) currently has it as her play mat when she is here.

Fiona: Making pajamas is one of the few things that is still in actual fact much cheaper than buying them pre-made: I watch the fabric shop ads for flannel sales throughout the year and pick up a yard here and a yard there. And, of course, I didn't throw away the pant legs after I cut them off - I plan on making a toddler quilt out of them some day (maybe for Charlie's son, should he ever have one?).

lol oh that's brilliant, my daughters are always giving me a hard time about using "pants legs" or "sleeves" for things!! They will just love this one, can't wait to tell them, mind you they won't say no to pyjamas for their children! That is definitely on my list of ideas :o)

Great conversation. Nice to be among the multi-talented.

While working in the quilt museum's library this past weekend, I came across a book in the "yard sale" that made me think of you, so I thought I'd send it to you, since you are still in the accumulation phase of your life. You don't mind, do you? :-) (and I might throw a few more in the package, since I am in the reduction phase...)

Fiona: Ha!

avaland: No! Of course I don't mind! Many, many thanks! Do you need my address?

>92 scaifea: No, I found it by de-archiving my messages (usually I put all the LT addresses in my contact list, but yours was not there, so I had to do some digging). I just need to find a box....

Well, thank you, again - I'm so excited!

I've finished the pillow (I'll post a photo when I remember to do so) and I'm about halfway through the apron...

Here's the finished pillow and apron:





Next up: a Hello Kitty-themed purse for my niece, Bella.

I. want. those. slippers.
Nice apron too, Charlie.

tiffin: I suspect that it wouldn't be difficult to find them in adult sizes...

Here's the Hello Kitty purse for my niece's birthday this summer:



Next up: Another quilt block, and then I think I'll start in on a new project for the shop - little boy's hats made from re-purposed men's sport coats.

Cute bag and cute idea for the hats.

Thanks! I've ben picking up sport coats at garage sales and thrift shops for a little over a year now, so I need to get going on the projects!

The Hello Kitty bag is adorable.

Thanks, Morphy! I've picked up a bunch of little Hello Kitty stuff with which to fill it, too (sunglasses, hair ribbons,...).

That is SUCH a cute bag. And Hello Kitty is just the best.

I loved Hello Kitty when I was little, so I love that it's still around. I used to drool over the HK stationery display in the stores - the pencils and erasers and notepaper... Ah, heaven.

A few more projects finished; a couple of bags and a baby blanket for the shop, and then a bunch of pirate eye patches for Charlie's preschool. Next week is Pirate week at his preschool, and I just couldn't resist. It's difficult to tell from the photo, but it's just two pieces of felt with some stiff sew-in interfacing and the elastic sandwiched in between.

Argh stop making such cute purses! I want them all and I have enough purses!

Love the eye patches! Hope you get a picture of the class!

Oh, great idea! I'll see what I can do...

Beautiful stuff, and those sure are some lucky kids!

Yarrrrrrrrrrrr!

Meredith: Thanks!

tiffin: *snork!*

Here's the first of the children's hats, made from re-purposed men's sports coats and shirts:

I just love your work, you are so clever, it makes my sewing look pretty basic but I do feel very inspired! One day when I have time.......

Yes, you are clever. Such a great imagination!

Thank you, ladies! I'm always shocked when my sewing projects come out looking alright - I still feel like the little girl whom my mom taught to sew (and I think it was a bit of a struggle for her)...

My nephew would give his right arm for that hat. Beautifully made!

I feel the same when I'm doing non-counted embroidery - still eight years old being shown how to thread a needle and make a stitch, convinced it's going to look like a hot mess and surprised when it doesn't.

Meredith: I'm glad I'm not the only one! Ha!

Oh, I like! And I like the re-purposing of materials also. I used to do a lot with old jeans.

Lois: Thanks! I've got a stack of old jeans that I haven't decided what to do with just yet...

I finished a oversized (on purpose) raglan sweater for Charlie this evening, and even managed to persuade him to try it on for me (!):

Ooh lovely!

Very cute. And the jumper's nice too!

Thanks, ladies! I'm a little sad to think that, at the rate he grows, by mid-winter it won't be all that oversized anymore. Sigh.

Looks like it was a fun project. Yes, you have to run to keep up at that age.

Lois: This is the second of these I've made for him - the pattern includes measurements for infant through adult, which is really nice. I love raglan sweaters, and I'll likely make him one every year until he refuses to wear them...

I have one basic sweater pattern from ages ago that I have used multiple times. It's a basic crew neck and has all the sizes.

btw, the quilt museum where I volunteer recently had a huge donation of knitting magazines for their ongoing yard sale (magazines are 6 for $1!) in the yard sale. Is there anything in particular you might be looking for? Same goes for quilt mags. Anything I can chase down for you?

(PS: I have a box here for you, but I want to make sure I've done my final purge before I send it, so it's been sitting here).

Lois: Oh! I'd love to have some knitting magazines, but I'm not looking for anything in particular. I have very much liked Vogue Knitting the few times I've picked it up, so I guess if they have any of those... Many thanks!!

I'm in on Friday, but as part of the quilt documentation team, but I might take a peeky when I'm done there. ;-)

A whole month, almost, since I've posted - where does the time go?! Well, in this case I've spent it trying to tackle some of the fabric and other piles in my sewing room. With success! I've finally managed to cut up all of the sports coats, dress shirts and flannel shirts, and I've re-arranged my 6 sewing machines in the arrangement in which I want them (machine #7 is still at my parents' house - I haven't found a good way to have it transported across 3 states).
So, now, I've started on the annual Sewing of the Pajamas for Charlie - every fall I sew up a small pile of flannel pajama pants, with which he wears white t-shirts, and then I cut them off into pajama shorts in the spring. Much *much* cheaper than buying pajamas, especially when he grows an average of 1/4 inch a month! After that, I'll start in on the 3 (!) Halloween costumes he's requested this year: Bob the Builder, Jake (of Jake and the Neverland Pirates) and Handy Manny.

>130 scaifea: busy, busy! I have a basket in which I throw "scraps to be cut up" (ok, I admit that there is likely more than one basket) and I'm sure there are a few pieces of clothing in there still. I was in the Coldwater Creek outlet the other day and found myself fingering a button down shirt, but not for wearing...I coveted the plaid for my stash!

My son got into wearing long flannel nightshirts at one point (tween years, me thinks), and I made him a couple of those.

>131 avaland:: Ha! I find myself doing that in clothing shops, too!

>132 scaifea: We need to start cruising rummage sales....

Way ahead of you. That's where I get all of my flannel shirts and sports coats!

Nice! I'm finding Goodwill et al to be more than I might want to spend (depends on how much yardage I'll be getting, of course).

131 - My mom spent most of my childhood snapping up silk shirts at thrift stores there are so many stashed away still. Obviously I need to think of something to do with them.

I don't buy too much at the Goodwill for the same reasons (oh, I buy books and clothes to *wear*, but not to craft with). I frequent garage sales all summer and find some fantastic(ally cheap) stuff. Also, there's a thrift store here in town that is much less expensive than Goodwill, and I find a fair amount of stuff there.

>137 scaifea: I should investigate more thrift stores. Er, no, maybe not -- my habit is bad enough as it is. ....still, if I'm passing by one....

I hear you - I made myself pass on by my favorite thrift store this week, because I had just finished organizing and didn't want to bring home a fresh mountain of shirts and coats to cut up!

>139 scaifea: Hopefully, I'm going to mail that box for you today. I don't think there's anything too exciting in there, but it will be fun to look through. There wasn't any Vogue knitting in the magazines at the museum yard sale, btw.

Many thanks! I'm excited!!

Pajamas are finished, along with these matching pajama pants for Charlie's two main buddies, Paddington and Bananas:



Up next: the Halloween costumes!

so far I haven't succumbed to the plaid flannel shirt thing but I think a plaid flannel quilt is on the agenda for the not-too-distant future, so I guess I'll be joining you and Lois at the charity shops. I used to make the lads' pyjama bottoms as well, Amber. Also made them wild Hawaiian shorts with matching shirts until they were about 8, at which point they just wanted jeans and tees like everyone else. Looking forward to those Halloween costumes!

tiffin: I love the idea of the wild Hawaiian shirts, but I don't think Charlie would like them. Sigh.

Cute little matching pjs!

Okay, the first of the Halloween costumes is finished: Bob the Builder. All I had to make for this one was the shirt, so easy-peasy!

Very cute!

Nice!

Thanks, Ladies!

What I like about this is that if he's indoors, he won't be stifling but if he's outside, he'll be ok too. And he can wear the dungarees after! And use the tools.

tiffin: Yep. I've learned since we've moved to Northern climes that warmth is necessary for trick-or-treating - it's snowed before Halloween every year we've been here! So, depending on the weather, I'll either put a long-sleeved shirt or just a regular t-shirt underneath the button-up shirt.

Or thermal underwear! That was a great Halloween costume saving trick I used for my two.

Yep!

I definitely remember being heartbroken about certain Halloweens because my mom made me wear thermals or sweatshirts with my costume. Always best to design it so it can be easily warmed.

I have to remember not to open your thread if my niece or nephew are around. They're very much into Bob the Builder right now.

I don't remember ever trick-or-treating in anything but a parka! All we ever got was a mask. I guess that's why, until a few years ago, I loved to dress up for Halloween!

It's funny, but I never liked Halloween at all when I was a kid. Now, with Charlie, who gets so excited about it, it's one of my favorite times of the year.

Costume #3 (Jake from the Neverland Pirates) is underway (#2 is finished; I'll try to remember to post photos later (It's really just a t-shirt, so, *shrug*)). Here's the pirate shirt:



Now on to the pirate vest...

Here's the Bob the Builder costume, complete with model:

Oh he's cute in that! Even real work boots!

Love!

Thanks, ladies!

What a cutie!

Too cute!!

Thanks! I should have pictures of Handy Manny and Jake the Pirate soonish...

Oh, very cute!

Thanks, Lois!

Here's the Jake costume. Jake's a wee bit disgruntled. The result of his chest cold and a long day at school, methinks (pirates get tuckered, too, you know):

Great costume! I imagine pirates are disgruntled quite a lot.

Meredith: Yes, I suspect that they do at that. Ha!

Aren't they supposed to be disgruntled by nature? Cute costume!

Lois: Good point - and thanks!

He's just in character. I love that blue vest.

tiffin: Thanks! I'm pretty proud of the vest because I didn't really have a pattern and just winged it, which is really not my usual skill level (my scattered brain usually needs a pattern)!

One more book coming your way. It was the original book I saw at the museum's yard sale and thought of you. How I managed not to send it with the others, I don't know.

Oh, yay! Christmas just keeps on coming! Many thanks!