Embroidery / Mending

I decided to finally stop just reading and thinking about embroidery and actually start practicing some embroidery.

Instead of generating a sampler that would need to be hung, I decided to practice on something at hand and in use. My older tea towels have developed some mysterious holes in them (moths, buckshot?) so I decided to start with buttonholing those. I really like the amoebae effect. And it was fun!

Here is what I have been reading for months in preparation:
The Stitches of Creative Embroidery, by Jacqueline Enthoven
Handbook of Stitches by Grete Petersen and Elsie Svennås.

Sewing Techniques

Tutorials galore at Colette Patterns

Bias Tape

Printable (!!) Bias Tape Makers by The Scientific Seamstress - 1/2" wide single fold bias tape version and 1" wide single-fold bias tape version.

Fastest method I have seen yet at Prudent Baby.

Tutorial at Don't Look Now!

Tutorial at Posie Gets Cosy

And if you cannot find your bias tape maker, here is Creative Little Daisy's tutorial.

T-Shirt Hack

Becky's T-shirt widening tutorial at Craftzine - not that I would ever need to make a T-Shirt bigger.

Big Boy: Tunic

Because I have so much free time ... Made by Rae's awesome Charlie Tunic. I made the 2T, which fit for all of about five minutes. A size 3T is underway.

Rae used this tencel/linen blend from The Material Girls for the body and this fantastic print from Cosmo Cricket for the trim.


09/23/11 UPDATE: We caught Rae's eye! Yay!

05/31/11 UPDATE: Rae's released the pattern!
03/15/11 UPDATE: She's working on a pattern! ¡¡YAY!!

Sewing: Periodic Table

The Scientific Seamtress's free printable of this very clever poster.

Apparel: Caftans

Weekend Designer sews a caftan (great images too).

WD's pearls of wisdom:

Measure from the nape of your neck down to the desired length: purchase twice this amount of 45″ [114cm] wide fashion fabric and four and a half times this amount of 2″ [50mm] wide flat braid trim .

Quilt: Hoo-Ha (a.k.a. Cathedral Windows) Pouch

Patchwork Notes has a tutorial to make a very pretty small pouch that features Cathedral Windows.
Read the intro to get the joke.

NB: A great deal of hand sewing is involved!

Pin Cushion(s)

Magnetic Pincushions
When Big Boy is older, these might present some pretty options.
Tutorial by Skip to my Lou.

Biscornu
These are just lovely enough and diverse enough to get their own, ever -expanding post.

Pin Pods at Papaver Vert.


Posey by Kris Knits



Anna Marie Horner at Craftzine


Anna Marie Horner at Better Homes & Gardens

Star Quilt Pin Cushion at Abyquilt


Martha Stewart's Strawberries Pin Cushions


Classic Round Pin Cushion at Whip Up


Better Homes & Gardens Patchwork Pin Cushion


Martha Stewart Magnetic Dish


Bird Brain Designs


Pointer Finger Pin Cushion at Don't Look Now!

Sewing: Sajou

Anything from Maison Sajou - some available locally at Bell'Occhio (uh-oh)

Sewing: Smocking

The Art of Smocking at Tipnut - clear directions and diagrams.

Marie Grace Designs foregoes pleating with a pleater and shows how to pleat by hand using a trick from sashiko - this is a great photo tutorial!

Some great photos of smocking by hand at Marie Grace Designs

Sewing: Mending

We have a well-loved, much-used quilt we bought a few years ago form West Elm. One side is velvet, the other is a thin satin-y material. The satin side has been tearing away at the quilted seams and is really starting to lose its structural integrity. I need to find a way to mend it. Here is what I have thought of or found so far:

Use it as a sampler and work my way through The Stitches of Creative Embroidery, by Jacqueline Enthoven.

Susan Beale, at Craft, mends a bed sheet.

Becky Stern's Quilt Mending Tutorial at Craft

Diane Gilleland's reverse appliqué technique, also at Craft, is very pretty and might be needed if the tears have grown too big

Decor: DIY Poufs

Image by Amy Butler.
Amy Butler's Honey Bun Poufs.

Amy Butler's Gum Drop Pillows.

Amy Butler's Round Floor Pillow (with Pom Pom Trim!) - Software review at True Up

Living With Punk's version of a Land of Nod floor cushion.

Sewing: Corners

Photo-tutorial by Rag Pets

Big Boy: Cape

Mauby's No-Choke Cape.

But I would like to make Sarah B.'s version. Its proportions are a little more luxe since she used a quarter circle.

Play Mat/Bag

My first friend, Trevor, had a fabulous drawstring bag for his sizable collection of Lego. It opened flat, which meant that you could easily pile and bag the Lego when you were done.
You can buy versions of it online but it probably would not be too difficult to make.

GoGo & Co.'s GoGo Sac.

Sewing Supplies

Inspired by a 2009 Craftzine Xmas List.

Tout et n'importe quoi à partir de Sajou.
DMC Colour Card
The Stitches of Creative Embroidery, by Jacqueline Enthoven
Any Elsie Svennås books.
Sajou's Ciseaux Petits Monstres at Purl Soho - they may not pass TSA; best save them for road trips.
FOr no reason except that they are so pretty, these Mettler variegated threads.
Also very covetable, I mean useful would be these Sajou Fil Dentelle Au Chinois or Sajou Retors du Nord Boxed Set.

Felt Sources

$2.25 per 9" x 12" sheet at Heather Bailey.
$7.98 for 18" squares at Magic Cabin.
Ten 12x18 inch sheets for $18.00 at Benzie Bazaar on Etsy.
Ten Pieces 9 x 12 Wool Blend Felt at Bobbie Soxie, also on Etsy.

Interfacing

Understanding interfacing at The Purl Bee

Bush Hat

Tutorial to make the pattern and hat by Indietutes
Or buy the pattern from her Etsy shop.