SEW-Mask making 2020- see December post

 Finally got to Hyannis, I was searching for precut 100% cotton material. Found some in Joann's and some purple polar fleece. Got 2 spools of thread and that was it. Wash the material and finally found time and the light was right and the bobbin winder in the machine stopped working. I HAND WOUND what I thought was enough to complete a mask. wrong oh well.

Here are some pix. Ended up finding a bobbin winder online from Joann and ordered it and they send an email saying they will hold it three day. How generous of them It is a 50 mile round trip and I get the use of the truck Saturdays and Sundays. Pick up closes before I would be able to get down there even if I cleaned the truck some night after the work day and went. So spoke with "chat" and she said they would email me. And if I check on line before I leave to make sure it is there . Well I am going down there anyhow to pick up an Instant Pot at Macy's and if the bobbin winder is not there I will let them know how I feel.

so tired. but really cute patterns.

so then the constructing as much as I could do. I did the pleats like they say and find them uncomfortable so the next one I will make like I have the other two I wear all the time.

more later as it progresses!

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oops November 17 2020 post covers this somewhat LOL

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looks like I should take pix of the masks I have made- oh well. I saw a youtube video on how to make a form fitting mask- you have to cut out a pattern.

SEW- Wool sweaters into a blanket

 August 27 2020

Started this today. Weather cooled. So I decided to take the 3 sweaters I have had hanging off the backs of chairs as draft prevention and cut them up. The 3 sweaters are washed and shrunk worn out and can no longer be worn. So I plan on cutting each into 5 inch squares. Laying out a design and machine sewing them together. We will see. First one was so linty I had to go outside and then my hand gave out from cutting and I attracted wasps! Photos later

5 inch square on top there

I have to remind myself that this project does not get done overnight. Take my time.ha ha.

Squares cut up completed for the "fancy" sweater oh my was that linty- had to do it out on the deck.smaller squares will be used as accents on plain squares.

Finished cutting up the red sweater December 30 2020

January 1 2021 

finally finished cutting out the squares from the three sweaters.

July 22 2021

Weather cooled and I finally got around to clearing off harvest table and arranging the sweater pieces into a pattern. I have some leftover. Next is to sew them together using the machine.

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September 23 2021

Adventures in Small appliance repairs today. LOOOONG

Working on this project with sewing machine I kind of thought I was "pushing it" with the thickness of the wool pieces. Some were flat some were nubby. That should be a clue. Stitching merrily along all of a sudden the slide plate that covers the bobbin tray loosens and will not stay down. Get that graphite grease everywhere. ugh I google every imaginable description with no results. Then just youtube search "slide plate" and up comes a video of a guy repairing and demonstration a vintage machine etc. I listen to him then realize I need to use a screw driver to  lift a clip under there and then the sides will catch in a rim. Okay.

Back to stitching merrily along and a loud "clank" noise. uh oh did the needle break? no. I take it apart and try to move things manually and it seems to hit metal occasionally. I groan and figure the timing is off. Seriously I do not want to get that involved but I will check youtube and see if it is an easy fix. Then it appears to work again and 3 seconds later the CLANK again and the needle breaks. I needed a break anyhow to fix supper. So while that was cooking I was checking out a new machine at JoAnn's a heavy duty one. I will be doing more fat wool work and I work on denim and hate the denim presser foot I have. So.... 

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thinking of getting new machine Singer heavy duty 4411. with a walking foot I hope I remember that detail

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well machine did malfunction got new machine and it won't sew in that so far so. but had sewn together some and then found they were in the wrong order- had to rip stitches, This is what the new layout looks like

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Had to re pin. I am now halfway through sewing together the 5th row with 5 more rows to go! Seems like forever but I can only do one row a day. If that

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started out sewing with yarn and that was too tough to pull through- switched to sewing with old bobbin thread on old bobbins!

re-threading the needle at least 6 times each row is a bummer!

LOL

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November 1 2021

Still needs some details but the squares are sewn together

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close up of hand stitching of the squares. I changed stitches according to how easy it was to handle.

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SEW- Repairing two quilts

My two quilts- one bought at Haskells in the 70s the other a Martha Stewart thing bought on sale in Macys less than 10 years ago. Both were getting a bit ragged. So when I washed them and would not be surprised with a washer full of "fluff" I sewed up the 4 seams on each.
egads no easy task maneuvering  thick heavy items. Used up 6 old bobbins and had to re-thread the needle numerous times. But also since the material was thin and old it would catch in the machine and clog up the works and I would have to cut it out. and wow what a head and neck aches when done.
but this is what the thread clogs looked like LOL fun & games.

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SEW-MENDING SWEATERS

I wear clothes until they absolutely wear out and are just hanging threads. Before that items have usually had sleeves cut off because they can no longer be darned or patched. I have a few cardigans that are over 10 years old and still keep me warm but good grief the buttons come undone. So I decided to sew up the front leaving a "V" opening for my head.
This is from November 2019

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YARN- Yarn haul 2019 from other blog

Yarn Haul from other blog

hope this works

SEW-Dress alterations 2020

Weather warming up and I do not want new clothes just want what I have to fit right.
So I had 9 dresses
Purple dress long lovely and soft was too tight and too long. Determined I could cut off the top and make a skirt out of it. That did not turn out as planned but I can play with it further.

Olive mossy green same style as the above but fits nicely just too long. I cut off the decorative bottom hem- about 8 inches and re-hemmed. That is fine. Upon closer inspection that fits because it is a Large- the other was a  medium.

Orange Oriental style long dress fits fine
Black Oriental style dress fits fine.
phew 2 I do not have to play with.

Black and white mirrored dress I have had since the 80s. Love it- but too tight at bodice and waist. Not much I can do with it but keeping it for sentimental reasons.

bought two cheap dresses last year one at Marshall's. The string ties that hold it up are too long and awkward- that will take some thought. It is stripes light cotton and buttons up the front. and has pockets a keeper!

The other was really cheap less than 10 bucks at KMart and  has pockets but is ugly as fuck with yet again string ties holding it up. It had hideous fringe at the bottom hem. That cut off easily enough.

Last two are pink "beach cover ups" bought at Sundance store in Chatham in the 90s "Fresh Produce" . The tags at the back neck are always sticking up and showing. may be a marketing ploy and I leave them alone for the sole reason of: when you cut out a tag it leaves even more annoying threads behind. Those two needed shortening. by 5 inches. DONE.

Funny thing I knew this would be a lengthy process involving a lot of eye stress and neck  stress. I wanted to take before & after pix. Well the pix  were taken inside so not great quality. And looks like I forgot to take before and after of everything.
I will include some here:
oh one other precious tidbit- me in the over-sized v neck T shirt that has never fit properly but is so comfy! Checking myself on posture too LOL

Fringe dress

Stripe dress

Black Oriental dress

Black & White mirrored dress

Olive mossy dress shortened.

Orange Oriental

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