Time flies

Oh my gosh, I can't believe February is almost over. I just wish winter was almost over, too! I have been busily sewing and knitting. I am grateful for my stash of fabric and yarn. We are on a tight budget here and I am avoiding new purchases--a challenge given I work in a fabric store. I unpacked a box the other day and found three unfinished projects! I finished up two of them--a polar fleece vest that only needed binding and jammie bottoms for Kate that were cut out. I have half a blouse to work on--though the thing fits bust and hips, the sleeves are really tight. It's odd, because the sleeves didn't appear to be that slim on the pattern package. I have extra fabric, so I'm going to redraft the armhole and sleeve, using a favorite blouse as a guide, and reset the sleeve. If it turns out ok, I'll use that as my master blouse pattern. I hope to get some photos soon.

I am also getting ready for the second meeting with the women's group. I finished up the baby quilt and have made several small quilts in different techniques to show them. Those little quilts will go to Petsmart for the shelter kitties.

Shower Curtains Redux

I obviously own too many shower curtains. There is a logical explanation for this. When we first moved into this house, we used shower curtains for window curtains. Some of that has changed, so I have several shower curtains in my stash. My favorite are two brown flannel shower curtains. One has just become a shirt for me. I am proud of myself in that I fitted the pattern to an existing well-fitting shirt and I only used things from my stash. The other curtain will become cushions for a rocking chair. More on that to come...

Honey, I shrunk the...

No, I didn't shrink the kids. I shrunk the shower curtain. In its defense, the label clearly said "Dry Clean Only". But I just couldn't handle dry cleaning a 100% cotton shower curtain. So I washed it and shrunk it about 12%! I managed to iron some of the shrinkage out and then inserted two strips of pieced squares to lengthen it. I think it turned out quite nice--the blue squares brighten things up.

Recycling

I know a lot of people are using the term "refashioning" to describe things they make out of stash or thrifted materials, but I prefer the term "recycling" for non-clothing items. For this chair cushion project, I used an old curtain, zippers from my stash, and a foam cushion insert from the store I work at.
After some measuring, cutting, zipper installation, and seaming, I have a comfy cushion to use on my sewing chair.
As you can see, the cushion is "cat approved" by Loki, our grey tabby.

Welcome

This blog will focus on my interests in sewing and knitting. I have been doing both for over 40 years and continue to derive great pleasure from both activities. I knit or sew everyday if possible. If I can't do either, I feel that something is missing from my day. If I go several days without knitting or sewing, I start to go into withdrawal! I made the mistake once of going on vacation without a project in tow and found myself twiddling my thumbs and reaching for my non-existent knitting. I never went away from home again without something to work on in my bag.

I am fortunate to work at a wonderful fabric store in Albany, NY. We sell all sorts of fabrics, including upholstery and home dec fabrics, quilting fabric, wools and suitings, velvets and velveteens, and satins and silks. We carry Patons and Bernat yarns in many weights and fibers. I find myself wanting so many fabrics and yarns for all the projects in my head. Everyday at work, I discover some bolt of fabric or skein of yarn that calls my name and begs to be purchased. I have to steel myself to resist, getting vicarious pleasure from our customers' purchases.

If all works well here in Blogland, I hope to have some pictures of projects, finished and otherwise, to post.