A Burlap Crate Cover

My daughter thought it would be great to have a cover for her dog Bella's crate. The purpose is to limit distractions, give Bella a chance to calm down, to protect her from cold and heat (when outside). Note: the crate is never used for long periods of time. She also thinks of it as her own space, her little retreat, because positive things usually happen for her when she is inside (she gets treats).

So my daughter asked if I could make a cover for the crate. We went to a fabric store and she liked burlap because it breathes, can let air through yet provide some insulating qualities, and because the fabric is inexpensive. I had never sewn with burlap before so this was a learning experience for me.

The cover design is as simple as it can be. It covers the top and three sides. I cut out pieces for each of the sides, larger by two inches than the actual size of the parts, and sewed them together.

Two things about burlap: it is loosely woven and therefore shrinks, and it ravels easily. Did you know that "ravel" and "unravel" mean the same thing?

Washing burlap: My first goal was to prevent later shrinkage if the cover has to be washed. Normally this is no deal. You just wash it and then cut it out. But I wasn't sure what would happen to burlap if I washed it. I looked online and found conflicting advice. I finally went with advice that mirrored my own guess: washed with cold water, dried on a gentle setting. This worked. The fabric shrank but was still clearly burlap.

I realized then how uneven the weaving is and wondered how best to cut it straight. Of course there was some raveling that happened in the washing process, too. Good to make sure you have a bit more fabric than you think you need.

Cutting burlap: I managed to cut it fairly straight, essentially ignoring weaving lines, with scissors. If I sew with burlap again I think I'll use a rotary cutter for straighter lines, however.

I marked the pieces with a nonpermanent marking pen and began to sew. Of course it was quickly apparent that the seams would ravel and I needed to do something about that. So I used an overcast stitch on all seams, which quickly used up more thread than I had expected, of course. An alternative would have been to use bias tape.

Seam width: I planned on 1/2" seams because that's what I normally use (when not using a paper pattern). I soon realized that the rapid raveling is good reason to plan for generous seams. I'd suggest 5/8" or larger.

Finally, I finished the raw edges with double-fold bias tape and that was that. A very simple cover, no fancy touches. Some options we considered: velcro removable front piece, air vent on top. Didn't seem to be necessary in this case. The cover seems to be doing the job and I learned enough about burlap to use it again, so it was a success all around.

Embroidering Christmas Stockings

I decided to make two things for my loved ones for Christmas: new stockings and little portable sewing kits.

I found an easy pattern for stockings - not that you really need a pattern, but for me it was helpful. I made six of them and it seemed to take forever, even though I am betting each one took a total of less than an hour! Just a matter of procrastination. And I got tired of cutting. I had to cut six stocking-size pieces (four fabric, two craft fleece) for each stocking, plus the two little trim pieces and the cuff pieces (two of fabric, two of fleece).

When I got to putting the names on the stockings I initially wanted to use iron-on letters. The first one came out well (see the "Paul" stocking, above" but the second, not so well. So I thought of alternatives. My friend Maryann suggested simple embroidery, which is something I have not done since I was a child. But I thought, maybe it would actually be faster and easier than some of the other ideas I had. I went to the store and bought embroidery floss and I looked a bit online about how much to use. Three strands seemed to be typical, so I tried that.

Embroidery can be a real pain. I had a lot of trouble threading the needle. I did my best when I followed recommendations I had also seen online, to cut the thread cleanly, then hold it between thumb and forefinger, very close to the end. "Saw" the needle onto the thread. Although this was better it was still a pain, though. I mentioned it to Maryann, also saying I did not do so well with the first two stockings, one of which is shown below:

The stitches are too loose, almost floating above the fabric. Not a great look. I wasn't about to rip it out and it does have that homemade funkiness to it, so okay. But I wanted to do better. I looked online for more tips. Discovered a better way to do a line, and applied it on the next stocking:

Cleaner, more compact. This is what I wanted for the remainder. Somehow, though, I didn't achieve it. Thread knotted up and got twisted frequently and the strands were just hard to manage. So the next one was acceptable but not as good as the Mary one. I mentioned this to Maryann. She suggested using heavy-duty thread. Now why did I not think of that?? Well, I'm new at this. I am not used to thinking beyond standard yet.

I tried it for the last one, the "Elaine" stocking. Threading was easier but I still had difficulty with twisted thread and knotting. When I was done I mentioned this to Maryann and said maybe I should try a single strand next time instead of double and she said yes, that is what she does. She also lets the thread untwist occasionally by holding the needle up and letting it dangle, untwisting. I will do all that next time! My stockings are far from perfect but I did learn a lot from them.

Strangest fabric store ever

A few weeks ago I decided to check out a unique fabric store in Solvang, named Shelbi Ranch. I learned about it from other members of my sewing class. What they said is that the fabric is cheap and that you need to bring your own scissors because you cut your own.

At the last minute I called friend Maryann to see if she would be interested in joining me. She was. Maryann has been sewing forever but had not heard of this place. We were both very interested. What else I learned from the class members is that the store is only open three days a week - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The pictures begin to tell what it is like. It is three or four large rooms, each with tons of fabric and one with notions like zippers, buttons, and other odds and ends.

All fabric is one dollar a yard. Zippers are five cents each, buttons one cent each. To pay for the fabric one brings it to the cash register, which is in a cafe in the same building, up a little ramp and across a hall. The woman at the register asks how many yards of each, jots it down, totals it up.

The woman was happy to tell us a bit about the place. It's a nonprofit. The proceeds go to the Shriners to help with children's issues. The workers are volunteers, which is why there aren't many of them.

In addition to the fabric there is a floor full of clothing, much evening wear and western wear along with things like sweats and t-shirts and other casual clothes. All very inexpensive and much apparently has been on the rack for a while (I bought some sweats and the elastic was gone; still worth five bucks).

And the cafe. One places an order and waits for it to be brought out from who knows what kitchen. One-dollar drinks and hot dogs and other cheap items. Not only can one eat cheap but one can get the food in odd dishes:

A woman at the table next to ours was brought these interesting dishes. The "burger" dish had condiments; the hotdog had the mustard and ketchup.

I bought about 15 yards of fabric of several kinds, many zippers, a few buttons. I didn't get any lace trims because I couldn't think how to use them. Later I thought about it more, about how I might approach this strange and wonderful place the next time I visit.

Still sewing

The class ended about ten days ago. In the last few weeks in class I made a snuggie for myself (plus I got partway through a second one), a pullover fleece jacket for a dog, a little pin carrier (quickie) and more. Outside of class I made another vest for my grandson's friend Matt, finished two more snuggies, made a couple of bandannas. Here are some of the highlights:

A "super pooch" cape my grandson Joey and I made together. Another view:

That stylized "S" monogram was designed by Joey. Together we appliqued it to the cape, and we both shared in making seams and gathering the neck.

Snuggie I made for myself:



I decided to add cuffs to this one. The cuffs are pre-made from the sewing store. The teacher helped me in figuring out the installation.

I used my farmers' market bag actually at the farmers' market, then at a native plants sale (where I bought that T-shirt:



Bandannas for two of my granddoggies:









The pullover fleece jacket for Floyd, which turns out to fit Bella better, but is too tight:

The sewing classroom during a break:

The adult ed classes will resume in January. This time there will be a home decorating class in the afternoon, Tuesday, so I am again signing up for two.

A cell phone case

Today it rained. I didn't feel any need to rush. I didn't even know what I would work on in class until I had been there a little while. I brought along material and patterns for three different things and finally decided to make a cellphone case.

It took me a while to cut out the little pieces, in part because there were lots of them and in part because some were cut from the base fabric, some from "contrast 1" fabric, some from "contrast 2" fabric, some from fusible fleece, and finally some from paperbacked webbing. Sheesh. Yet it's a small project and it doesn't take much fabric altogether.

My first challenge came with the fusible fleece. The instructions to fuse it were not included with the fabric so I wasn't sure how to fuse it. I asked Linda, she said use a press cloth (she tore me a piece), don't worry about getting it wet (many of the instructions for similar products say to wet the press cloth). She tested it by using the point of the iron on a part of it and seeing if it fused, which it did. It was a little tricky figuring out which side fuses and which side does not but I managed to guess right.

Then I had trouble with sewing. My machine kept clogging up and not actually sewing. I have never seen it act this way before and I was about to call Linda again but instead I looked at the troubleshooting pages in my manual. One possibility was that the upper threading was wrong. I figured maybe that was it so I did it over and indeed that was it.

Once these issues were ironed out I just started sewing and fusing and lo! I got the baby done by the end of the day. There is more fusing, I think, than actual sewing.

And here it is, with my small camera in it:

front.

back.

A cool thing about this is that it matches the bag I made. Coordination! Another cool thing is that it is made with leftover fabric. Yes, I had to fork out for the fleece and webbing but otherwise it's practically free...

Marking fabric

I have wanted to ask Linda, in class, about marking fabrics. I feel weirdly embarrassed about it, which is silly because she answers any sewing questions.

Marking is one of the things I do not do well. Mostly I lift up the fabric and eyeball the mark and do crosses with washable ink pens (the type designed for marking fabric). It isn't too accurate and sometimes it is quite important to get it right.

Yesterday I went on another hunt for info on the web and came up with a neat little pdf, two pages. It is from a place called Sewing and Craft Alliance and the marking file can be downloaded and distributed. I may bring it in to class next Tuesday and ask Linda about it. If she likes it she can make copies for the beginner class (and some intermediates who are like me).

Right now I need to sew buttons and buttonholes on the second vest. Five of them. So I have decided that I will use pins to mark several points along the line and then connect the dots. From there I will measure the buttonhole locations down the line. For the buttons I should just stick a in through the buttonholes to mark the center. Or perhaps I will find a better way by then.

The shopping bag

The bag I started Tuesday and finished the next day.

As I said in my previous post, I learned from this bag. The difference in weight of the two fabrics means the bigger pocket sags more than it should. The bag is also rather large and I am not sure grocery store clerks would be good at using it. However, I had a good idea for it last night. It will make an excellent farmers' market bag. The bigger pockets can be used for green bags and maybe lists and for my wallet. Possible also for some veggies or fruits that shouldn't get squashed in the big part. The small pockets can hold change. I think that will make transactions easier at the stands.

What you can't see in this pic is that the bag is lined with the alternate material. It looks really nice inside and that extra layer means it's strong enough to haul heavy veggies.

Tuesday Marathon: what I did

Today I brought stuff for a couple of projects. I wasn't sure how far I would get with one so hedged my bets.

First, I showed my two pieces of knit fabric to Linda, asking her if they were suitable for the pattern I had for a knit top. They both are. So eventually I'll make that top out of one or both of them.

Second, I decided to go ahead with a reusable bag. I brought along a pair of jeans I had gotten at the Goodwill Outlet plus several other pieces of fabric to consider for the lining. I quickly realized I had not brought enough denim. I have more, just didn't bring it. But I wanted to get on with it so I decided to use a fabric I planned for the lining for part of the outer bag as well.

I got pretty far. It took the morning to get it all cut out, in part because I ended up piecing a few parts so the pattern would fit, and in part because I simply took my time. I like taking my time there and just getting done what I can without a rush. As I got into the bag many other class members stopped by to see it. This is something that is done here - everyone wants to know what the others are doing. It's fascinating and sometimes we actually learn something. I talked to another member about a quilt she is making, and learned about making beautiful pillowcases from discarded old table cloths. I really love that one and am interested in making some of those myself.

The afternoon class is the baby class and some of us are getting more interested. We mainly joined to give us more time to work on whatever projects we had, but some of those baby things are so damned cute! So next week one of the others will bring a bunch of felt because she has a bunch and a lot of us will make little felt booties for newborns. How fun is that??? I do not know who will get the booties but I am sure we'll figure something out.

Lunch time is migrating to potluck time. Every week different people have been offering different things and this time we even more-or-less scheduled a whole meal for next week. Linda is bringing minestrone and the rest of us are bringing sides. I am thinking of sending Linda an email asking if by any chance the soup will be vegan. If not, I will bring an alternative for that part. I am thinking of making some bread thing to bring. This is a great way to try out recipes!

Piecing fabric

One of the projects I am considering is the making of reusable shopping bags from pieces of different fabric. I did not know what the rules of "piecing" are and I am not in class right now so I did some looking on the web. I finally found these instructions, which are clear and complete. The others I found left a lot out, probably assumed I already knew part of it.

My sewing machine manual also has a section on piecing, mainly letting me know which presser foot to use and how to use it for both left and right seams. It also has a special stitch for these seams - I am not sure what the difference is, perhaps the stitch width. Of course one does not have to have this option. Any sewing machine with a straight stitch will do.

Armed with this knowledge, I will bring in the old clothes and leftover fabric I'd like to use in the bag tomorrow. I should be able to get one bag done by the end of the marathon.

The first vest

In my sewing marathon last Tuesday I started and almost finished this vest. I added buttonholes and buttons at home yesterday. I am still not so good at getting the buttons and holes exactly where I want them. I think this is a matter of marking as much as anything else, of doing a good job marking.

The vest was intended for my grandson, who wants to be a "mafia guy" for Halloween. Unfortunately, as I progressed in making it I realized it was not long enough for his long torso. The chest size was right and the waist okay but when I looked at it I was sure it was not long enough. So I called my daughter and she measured her son from shoulder to waist and that confirmed it.

I am now in the process of modifying the pattern to fit him. The bitch of it is that I could not find a pattern closer to his size. The pattern I got - and just about all of the others I found - is multi-sized for both men and boys. You'd think that would cover it but it doesn't. The boys' sizes are S, M, L, and the L is not large enough. But the small men's size is way too large. So I have decided to adjust just the length - and a tiny bit of the waist - and see how that goes.

I may have a problem with having enough fabric but I don't think so. I found two clothing items at the Goodwill Outlet last week, both of them pin-striped, one a pair of slacks and the other a suit jacket, and I think one way or another I will have enough. I only need enough of this fabric for the front, after all, just those two pieces. If I need to buy more black satin for the lining and back then so be it.

What tips did I garner from class Tuesday?

One in particular: you can make a dress form from duct tape and a large T-shirt. And some kind of stand, like a Christmas tree stand. This subject came up at lunch and it reminded me of the sculptures you can make with clear packing tape. I suppose packing tape would work for the dress form too, but duct tape is probably better for pinning. By the way, there are several videos on YouTube on how to make one of these.

Also: sharpening scissors: go to a knife shop, where they will sharpen them right there and do a good job. If you take your shears to a sewing store they will send them out.

The bag!

I finished the bag today, the one I started Tuesday in class. I was a little frustrated at the end of that class because I was having such a hard time understanding the directions. They are dense. More than one step is shown with just one illustration and sometimes I couldn't figure out what step one was. Finally, though, I worked my way through each one, using as much common sense as anything else.

The bag laying flat (with something in it). It can be worn this way.

Or it can be worn folded, like above.

And inside, lining!

I learned two things in particular in making this bag:

* It is important for this type project to be especially careful about cutting and sewing seams accurately. The parts need to match up and be straight.

* Burda patterns are seriously condensed. I chose a pattern that was labeled "easy" but I was reminded that this designation means easy for an experienced tailor. It isn't that it was really terribly difficult for me but it was a real challenge just interpreting the directions and getting things straight. As it happens, I didn't get everything straight. I could never sell that at a crafts fair.

It is a success to me if I learn from it, and I really did. I also believe I will use this bag. It's a good size for a wallet, cell phone, and camera, so that will be especially handy when I don't have pockets.

Well, I'm committed...or I should be.

This is my sewing machine with some of the stuff I had in my sewing class today, in various stages of assembly. This is after class, back home, on the floor.

I decided to sign up for the intermediate sewing class this fall so I could keep the momentum going. Having a specific time and place to sew, separate from home, seemed like a good idea. The class started last week, Tuesday, but I had to miss that class because I have been traveling and just returned yesterday afternoon. I did not have a specific project to work on today. So later yesterday I went to a fabric store and finally chose a folding clutch purse that looks pretty nice, and I bought the notions and fabric for it. So I was ready.

While I was cutting out the pieces (I have never had so many in one pattern!) I talked with others and learned that many of the others in that class would also be going to the one in the afternoon. But there was a chance the afternoon class would not reach the minimum attendance and would be canceled. The adult ed management recently imposed a minimum of fifteen students per class, which is really asking rather a lot. The afternoon class, also two hours, is a "sewing for baby" class. I had not signed up for it because I can't think of any babies I can sew for right now.

But I learned that I could just continue working on my regular projects if I like. Two more hours of help, large cutting tables, and more...I thought about it and signed up. So now I am committed to Tuesdays, from ten to three every week, for the next several weeks. I need to remember to bring lunch next week, but fortunately this week one of the other class members brought naan and hummus and a bruschetta mix. And Linda, the teacher, brought marinated tomatoes, tomatoes she grew. So I was fine.

Today I learned a few more tidbits:

* How to sew a rolled edge, similar to a serger, with a zigzag stitch

* That I could buy a suitcase-like case designed for sewing machines and notions - that will allow me to drag my machine behind me like a suitcase - and for a bargain price.

* That Burda patterns tend to use a shortcut language - it is hard to grasp all of what is to be done, in some cases.

* That those tomato-like pincushions can be more than pin cushions. First, the strawberry attached to the tomato has some kind of sand in it that will sharpen needles or pins when you put them in there. The package mentions this but it's easy to miss, so I was glad Linda mentioned it. Second, you can use the divisions of the tomato to separate different sizes of sewing machine needles. Like so:

See? Universal needles, size 9

Further, I learned that this class gets coffee or tea. I learned a few things about quilting, mainly because I was curious. I don't plan on doing any quilting any time soon. There is one other person in the morning class who seems similar to me in experience. The rest are way out there in advance land, and are all generous with their knowledge, I am happy to say.

So...Tuesday is sewing day.

A laptop sleeve

I browsed though the T-shirt book again (see this post about Generation T) a few days ago and decided to make a laptop sleeve. From two T-shirts. I hunted through my T-shirts and chose two I thought would be good for it and proceeded to cut.

One thing about this book: just about everything in it is sewn by hand. It isn't necessary to sew by hand (and in fact the book even offers additional tricky ways to connect pieces that involve no sewing at all) and initially I intended to sew this sleeve by machine. But there is a difference in how it looks when the stitches are visible and so ultimately I decided to go ahead and sew it by hand myself. I rather like how it looks, even though I can already see how I could have done better:

The front:

The back:

:

In case you're wondering, what it says on the front is "Pismo Beach: delightfully tacky since 1946". Too true, too true! And also my birth year. Made for me.

You can see that the edges are ragged, something I could have avoided if I had cut more carefully, used a rotary cutter, used a cardboard pattern, for example. I could also have sewn it so that the seams were inside but this look has a certain charm.

Making it fit

Of late, I have been doing quickie projects out of T-shirts and other cast-offs. I made three more cat rice-catnip pillows from used pillow cases, to go to a shelter, and another reusable shopping bag from a T-shirt. I had been eyeing one of my cat beds. A visiting doggie had eaten the soft pillow that lined the bed so I decided to make another one from a T-shirt.

My thinking on the size: T-shirts stretch so if I make it approximately the size of the space it should stretch and flatten out and fill the space reasonably well. I wasn't counting on how the stuffing material would affect this outcome, however.

I recently picked up a partial bag of "polyfil" - aka "premium polyester fiberfill" at a thrift store outlet. Cost me 25 cents. So I figured this would do the job and I might throw in some T-shirt scraps as well.

In the past - deep, dark past - I had used kapok for stuffing stuff. This polyfil is a whole new thing. It's bouncy, it's washable, it keeps a shape. And it doesn't flatten down.

Thus this fit. Or lack of fit. That baby isn't flattening out to fit the shape.


However, the proof is in the pudding. The cat likes it. That's all I really wanted. But in the future I will make allowances for the amount of "loft" or whatever it's called, so my pillows fit the space better.

Fun with T-shirts

Following directions in my Generation T book, I made this reusable bag from a T-shirt. I hand-sewed it just because I wanted to, and it looks cool.



Here it is, filled. With...dare I say it?? ...bargain fabrics. I fear I am becoming hopelessly addicted. And yet I think it's good. It's a good kind of addiction.

Watch me grow

Bags o' Fabric

Sewing equipment

The above two pix show the whole of my sewing equipment and materials, except for a smallish pile of patterns. I have yet to figure out a classy way to store these things that is out of the way yet easily usable. But when I do come up with a way I need to allow for expansion. I need room for more fabric, probably in clear boxes, perhaps for larger cutting boards, even, eventually, another sewing machine? I think it will be a while before I am looking for that, fortunately, but I am thinking about the serious sew-people I know (I don't like the term "seamstresses", which implies they are all women). Well, what is everything up there?

* A folding table. Six feet long, about 2-1/2 feet wide.
* Sewing machine
* Portable notions carrier (the purple thing) that has two plastic trays with thread and notions in them, plus pockets for scissors and other miscellaneous stuff
* Plastic boxes of fabric and additional notions
* Green cutting mat and clear straight-edge cutting edge
* Two soft bags of fabric

The investment is growing. So also is my enjoyment. I doubt I will save money in this enterprise but I'll be able to make what I want.

The fleece finish

Once I had the pattern pieces cut out I charged forward, anxious to get the fleece jacket done. And I did it. In spurts throughout the day and into the night last Friday I got it done. I made some mistakes and I hope I learned from them.

* The zipper placement isn't perfect. The instructions called for basting both front and back, through the zipper, which should have made it possible to get it right. The difficulty was that I had not ironed the fleece first, but rather finger-pressed it. This because what I have read about fleece scared me away from ironing it. It melts easily and pressing is not recommended. But if one must press it it can be done using a presser cloth or steaming from above. I could have done it for this and I should have.

* Similarly the bottom hem is not even. It would have been if I had used a damp press cloth and pressed it first.

* The pocket isn't square. There just isn't a good reason for this...I can't make a good even seam? I think it too may be a victim of my non-pressing.

It looks good overall, though, and it feels toasty warm and it's big enough for me to settle into comfortably. I am pleased with this step on the road to sewing expertise.

On my own again: first "real" project

I came home from my last class with a bunch of patterns and a load of enthusiasm for sewing. I decided to go ahead and make something on my own. I chose a fleece top with collar and zipper and front pocket. It is marked "easy" but it's a step up from what I have done so far with this machine.

Already I am learning some things. I worried about sewing fleece because I didn't know anything about it. I wondered if I should overcast all seam edges. I wondered if I needed a special needle or presser foot. What I have learned so far:

About fleece:
* Fleece doesn't ravel. I guess I should have figured that out just from looking at it. But hey! So I do not need to overcast edges. I can if I want, though, for a nice appearance and to reduce a bit of the bulk.
* I can use a universal needle.
* It's best to reduce the pressure of the presser foot for thick fabrics like fleece. My machine has a dial I can turn to reduce or increase pressure. For thin fabrics it's best to up the pressure. I have learned from webpages that if you do not have a machine that allows changes in pressure it is no big deal, however.
* There is a right side and a wrong side. Honestly, I did not know that and did not do what I should have when I laid out the patterns to determine which side was which. I am flying blind here, but next time I'll know to check.
* Fleece is susceptible to heat. Pressing is not recommended. If needed, one can use a damp press cloth or steam from above.

So far I have the pieces cut out and have sewn several seams. It is going well so far.

Sixth - last - class

Last night was the last beginner's sewing class. Because I finished my pajama pants at home I brought in something else to work on. My friend Paul had obtained four pairs of slacks that were too short and he asked if I could let down the hems (including some cuffs). I said sure! I wasn't sure if I'd run into something unexpected so I brought them to class.

Others worked on different projects. Linda passed out cute little measuring tapes as last-class gifts. She also brought out patterns we could buy and some we could just take if we wanted. The free ones were elderly - "vintage", as she called them. I took a couple of those and bought 11 of the others at $1 each. I also bought a lovely pair of sewing shears - see below.

After diddling around with patterns and so on I set to work on the slacks. Most of my time was spent taking out stitching and ironing the new hem up. I decided to use the blind hem stitch, which is pretty much the same as the one I had on my last sewing machine, years ago. Except that on this machine I got to use a special presser foot that made it easier to do the hem well. Even with this help I missed bits of each hem and had to go over them again. No biggie, though. By the end of the class I had finished two pairs of slacks and they both looked good. I felt good. I think that being in a separate place gave me more of an inclination to do this work, to take the time, too, as opposed to sitting at home, susceptible to interruption and distraction.

One of the young girls was making more mistakes and had to rip out a lot of what she'd done. Somebody asked why she kept doing this and she said she did not know. I said, to the class in general, that in junior high I had done just terribly. I hadn't even finished the apron, and my seams were horrifying. Another woman in the class said her junior high sewing experience was so traumatic she went through years of therapy because of it and she is just now, with Linda's help, coming out of it (of course there was a hint of exaggeration here). The girls' mother said this is why she wanted her children in this class, so they wouldn't have to go through that. And Linda told the story of some young girls in another class of hers where the moms were the problem. It was a kick, having that conversation.

Today I finished off the other two pairs of slacks. This is good experience. On one pair I needed to do a new overcast stitch on the raw edge, which was also good experience.

All of these positive experiences have given me confidence. I went through the patterns and chose one I decided to make. It's a fleece pullover with zipper and pocket and collar. More than I have been doing up to this point. But I read through the instructions and I feel I can do it. So I went out to get material and notions and I am ready to start.

Fifth class: pajama pants

In today's class I cut out and started sewing and almost finished the pajama pants. This pattern can indeed be made in two hours, more or less.

I knew going in that the pattern was not quite large enough for super-sized me. So when I was inserting the elastic in the waistband I realized the material was stretched to the size of the elastic - that is, not much gathering going on there. I also discovered that I twisted the elastic in the process of inserting it. But the class was almost over when I saw this, so I took it home and am fixing it here. I figure I may as well hem the legs and call it good right here at home! Which will free up next week for mending tips and stuff like that.

I also picked up two more patterns, which I ordered the first week. One is a set of vests. The other includes a couple of blouses and a pair of slacks. I am excited about making these, after I finish this class.

Some of the people in this class are like me - been away for a while but have a basic grasp of sewing. Others are really lost, including the woman in front of me. She can make no sense of pattern directions, can't work out how putting together fabric works. I sympathize. It does take a little time to work through this pattern recognition thing.

What I have gained, I think, more than anything else, is a real interest and excitement about sewing. I can do this.

***This just in: the finished product***



A couple of notes: the pants don't fit perfectly. My waist and hips are larger than the pattern allows for. I could have enlarged the pattern - I actually know how - but I decided to let it be smaller with the intent that I will shrink into it. That's not entirely a pipedream because I actually am losing weight.

Fourth class

Pocket detail

The apron

I had purchased and washed the flannel I am using for my pajama pants (our next project) and intended to bring that material with me to the class, in case I finished the apron early. I forgot the fabric. And I did finish early. But it's just as well. I was able to cut out the pattern pieces and that was enough when it came down to it.

About three of us chose not to line our aprons. I had initially wanted to line mine but then decided I didn't like the fabric I had chosen for a lining, and that I could use extra practice hemming anyway. The hemming option takes longer, actually, than lining, because there is about double the amount of sewing. It was good, though, to use this finishing technique because it's a good one to know.

The finishing method:

• Sew a line at the seam allowance width. For example, in this case we sewed a line one inch from the edge of the fabric.
  
• Fold the fabric so that the edge of raw fabric meets the sewn line, and press.
  
• Then fold again on the sewn line and press. So it's a double-fold.
  
• Sew close to the inner edge - in this case, about 3/8" in.

I am pleased with my apron but wish I had chosen to line it. The material is a lightweight cotton and extra weight would have been good. We live and learn.

In this class I learned how to turn a tie that is open at both ends, using a safety pin. I had used a safety pin years ago but forgot how I had done it.

There are young girls in this class. The young 'uns are allowed into adult ed classes if an adult is with them, and their mother is with them. The mom is an expert at the sewing machine but said she can't teach her children. I can understand how that might be. The girls are maybe 13-15 years old. Last week one of them was piecing together different fabrics and was going to cut out the pattern from that. I liked the idea and I think it will be cute. But she was a little rushed or maybe unthinking in her execution. She didn't make sure edges were nice and straight and she sewed the wrong side to the right at one point. Her mother, who was in the other room at the time, said "This is why I can't leave her in a room by herself". I was reminded of myself in junior high. I remember making an apron then that I don't think I even finished, and I know I rushed it. It was years before I came to a comfortable position with a sewing machine, but even now I do tend to rush, particularly if the project is a quickie. I need to remind myself to take my time every time.

Third class

I rushed out of the house this afternoon to get to the class. I was feeling so tired that I didn't even want to go, and then I couldn't find my keys so I ended up a little bit late. People do come late to the class so it isn't a big deal. And once I was there I was awake again, fortunately.

Today we cut out our apron pieces from our material. There was a wide range of material and some people are lining their aprons while others are not. I am one who, at the last minute, decided not to line, so I ended up a little ahead of the others. Maybe I'm the only one not lining my apron.

After cutting it out we prepared and sewed on the pockets. Linda, our teacher, prefers a certain way to finish the top of the pockets, different from the pattern description, so she was busy running around, showing each of us how to do it. She doesn't stand at the front too often. Her method is to walk around and find people who need help and direction. In a way it is disconcerting because there are some principles of sewing that she is not specifically telling us and I wonder how everyone will learn them. But I think I do know, actually. She really teaches each of us individually.

By the end of the class I had sewn the pocket on my apron and had created the ties (but had not sewn them on). I will undoubtedly finish the apron next week, so I need to get the material for the project after that. I may get a chance to cut it out.

Linda was able to help a few people with problems with their machines. She fixed a tension problem and a thread problem and I don't know what else. Someone called her the "Click and Clack of sewing machines". She was quick to point out that she can only do these tricks with mechanical machines. The computerized versions (like mine) she cannot fix.

I did one goof today. I wound a bobbin wrong and ended up with a mess of thread. I now think I have the bobbin thing down. Should be good from now on. I need to get more bobbins for the future.

We really take our time here. I rather like it.

Second class

I went to the second class today. I debated whether I should bring material for the apron tonight - it wasn't on the schedule - I ended up washing the material but it wasn't dry by the time I left so I left it behind.

All we did was get familiar with our machines. And that meant we threaded the machine, filled a bobbin, and sewed several stitches on a piece of fabric. I tried out several stitches I had not tried before. They got me thinking about how I might dress up a simple project.

After the stitching, our teacher, Linda, had us cut out our pattern pieces for our first project, an apron. By themselves. In my sewing past I would cut them out roughly, pin them to the fabric, then cut both together. Well, okay, I went along with the program given I had nothing else to do.

One woman cut her pattern out really really carefully. As if it were the end in itself. I wondered if she understood the purpose of the pattern and how it all works. Maybe not.

Sewing class: week one

The beginning sewing class began last night. It's a two hour Adult-Ed class, held at a former junior high school here in town. It appears to be in a classroom formerly used for home ec classes. There is a kitchen attached.

There are ten students! Wow! Two of them are high-school age and the school requires an adult to accompany them, which was no problem. A mother came along. The room has two rows of tables, each with two chairs behind it, but with ten students we can each have a table. Small table, but table. There are electrical plugs all over, designed for the class, there are four ironing boards, and in the kitchen we can lay out and cut fabric and have tea or coffee. I'm lovin' it already.

The teacher, Linda, told us a little about herself and asked each of us if we'd sewn before. A few students have never sewn. Most of us have a passing acquaintance, can get around a machine. Linda has a room on the upper level of her barn that is 800 square feet - devoted to sewing. She has seven machines ready to go at any time and a number of other machines are on shelves just because she likes how they look. She spent $1000 on a restored Singer Featherweight - that was painted a bright blue. She says sewing can be an expensive hobby and she's addicted.

She told us we'd be going over various basic stitches next week. We did no sewing today. She said she can teach us how to do stitches even when the machine is not supposed to offer them, and she can work with any machine no matter how old. She seems just perfect.

One woman asked her for advice in buying a new machine. She said stay away from the $80 bargains but if you pay $200 - $300 you've got a good machine. I paid more but I wanted more.

After we do the different stitches we will get a pattern for an apron. The week after next we start the apron. It can be lined, and I figure I'll line mine. The apron is supposed to take two weeks. The next project will be pajama bottoms, which will take another two weeks. The last week will be whatever we want to make, and she will teach us stuff about mending also.

Some cool stuff: the school gets discounts on notions and equipment. So if we want to buy something we can tell her and she will get it for us. She can get dress forms, which I would love. I wonder how much they are.

And some things we learned:

* Pattern sizes are different from ready-to-wear sizes. A size ten in the store will be a 14 - 16 in a pattern. This is because the pattern sizes have not changed since the 40s but ready-to-wear sizes have. So it's really important to look at the measurements on the pattern. She offered to do quick measures of us at the end and I took her up on that so I'm ready.

* Fabric is also smaller than it used to be and what it calls for in patterns. The pattern will say 45" fabric but you can't even get that any more. You have to get 42 - 44" wide fabric.

* There are some good sources for fabric online: Joann's is one, and Hancock Fabrics. Also ebay! She said she gets fabric from ebay a lot, and it's usually a really good deal. She encourages thrift shop buyers to find clothing and take it apart or just buy it for unusual buttons. And she says don't buy the stuff at Wal-Mart that's $1 a yard. It's like gauze.

* The school also gets a selection of patterns it can order. They each cost only one dollar. So she said we can choose what we want from the patterns posted on the wall and she will get them for us. I ordered four patterns. The patterns for the apron and pajama pants come with the class so that's a total of six.

The class is held in one of the rooms at the very end of the former junior high school. You have to go down two flights of concrete stairs to get to it. Fortunately, you can take your car down to a drop-off place and drop the machine off first, then park and walk down. We were all joking about the stairs on our way down, not knowing that there was that option. Called it the Sewing and Weightlifting Class.

This is going to be fun! I suspect I'm going to want to join the intermediate class when I'm done with this one.

For the doggie and the cup of coffee

I just finished two little projects, neither of which came out particularly well. I had second thoughts along the way and decided I needed to finish them even if they would never go anywhere after that.

The first was a doggie "vest" made from a T-shirt. I intended it for my daughter's dog Floyd. I had measurements for him and originally was going to make him a little jacket from a book of dog clothes patterns. I ran into some irritating things about that pattern so I figured I'd start with something easier. I turned to another book:


I got these two books recently from Better World Books, relying on ratings and price. Of the two, Generation T: Beyond Fashion is the clear winner. Although I doubt I have use for most of the projects in it, the sheer creativity and tips on putting pieces together are worth a lot. You could make most of them without sewing at all, in fact. Most of the fashions are clearly for young women, and hip young women at that. I am not young nor am I hip and I have never been hip. Still, I really like this book and this is where I found the directions for making a doggie vest.

What I produced was this:



And because I didn't measure things very well, I chose not to offer it to Floyd. Besides, it just isn't that good-looking. I did try it on my cat Stretch:


Here's the thing. It isn't a great piece of work but I learned some things along the way. The experience was worth it.

The other thing I made came from a website called the object project. It's a corduroy coffee cup sleeve with a picture on it. I didn't trace the shape of the sleeve as accurately as I could so it isn't perfect. Still, it looks pretty good and I think I actually will give it to somebody. It satisfies my recycling need, too.


Tomorrow I start a beginning sewing class at Adult Ed school. It's six weeks long. I have a lot of hope for this class.