tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-305347032024-03-14T01:33:15.554-05:00JustSewOliviaI'm drowning in stinkin' boys...they're drowning in fabric.Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-10306429053098606982015-11-24T14:22:00.003-06:002016-01-02T10:32:38.229-06:00The Boys' #MugRug Sewing Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fbUFnpge54o/Vof4qGNKVRI/AAAAAAAAEjo/3KJfI-9loFQ/s1600/Christmas2015mugrug.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fbUFnpge54o/Vof4qGNKVRI/AAAAAAAAEjo/3KJfI-9loFQ/s640/Christmas2015mugrug.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out this gorgeous little ditty my kiddo made! I'm so proud of my Big Boy and the creations we're making together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With all my work travel -- I've been gone in fits and spurts for most of the last two years -- we haven't done much sewing in a very long time. Still, he hasn't lost a bit of his skill, and with the maturity that comes with being 8 years old, he cranked out this pretty Christmas tree a few days ago. My only contribution: The quilting and binding. Period. He did the cutting, piecing and pressing for this beauty, and he designed the quilting motifs. For the next one, though, I'll let him go to town on the quilting, too. My only regret is that I didn't get a picture of him holding it. (This one was made primarily from leftover scraps of Cherrywood Fabrics from my entry in their August 2014 Wicked Challenge. If you haven't checked that out, whoa. Just whoa. You gotta.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two years ago, we made our first #mugrug together, and it's become a holiday tradition for him to make them for his teachers and a few special adults in his life each Christmas. Here's the star effort from last year (2014) -- he loves doing raw edge applique.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F3L5wGQW5wI/Vof5V-ZDlNI/AAAAAAAAEj0/Zu6iuARlP3M/s1600/Christmas%2BMugRug.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F3L5wGQW5wI/Vof5V-ZDlNI/AAAAAAAAEj0/Zu6iuARlP3M/s640/Christmas%2BMugRug.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here he and his brother show off their first effort from Christmas 2013 (before binding):</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5ffBTFSDNw/Vof5ahKBcLI/AAAAAAAAEkA/I6tTV_7qixE/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_15.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5ffBTFSDNw/Vof5ahKBcLI/AAAAAAAAEkA/I6tTV_7qixE/s640/Mug%2BRugs_15.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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</span> <span style="font-size: large;">We gifted them rolled up with a simple ribbon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nh4uV7u20zU/Vof5f4zm08I/AAAAAAAAEkM/C7u3NpWcFAg/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_20.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nh4uV7u20zU/Vof5f4zm08I/AAAAAAAAEkM/C7u3NpWcFAg/s640/Mug%2BRugs_20.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I knew your basic scrap, quilt-as-you-go technique was something my little guys could handle, and would be a good way to introduce them to sewing and quilting. When starting kids sewing, it's important to pick a project where precision cutting and sewing aren't required to create a nice final product. Here's how we tackled it in 2013: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ilGp4wG8U_o/Vof5lt-_oQI/AAAAAAAAEkY/jif56E-NZaM/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_05.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ilGp4wG8U_o/Vof5lt-_oQI/AAAAAAAAEkY/jif56E-NZaM/s640/Mug%2BRugs_05.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the time, Bitty was only 4 years old, so even the cutting was a bit of a struggle. He got discouraged pretty quick.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8TzjPclc_lg/Vof5perzHEI/AAAAAAAAEkk/2JOc2y-bJLE/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_04.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8TzjPclc_lg/Vof5perzHEI/AAAAAAAAEkk/2JOc2y-bJLE/s400/Mug%2BRugs_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No matter, though. Some colors and a huge post-it pad brightened his spirits... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8WkZ-TfIXg/VlSqh5YflLI/AAAAAAAAEfE/B_W2MQpfM90/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MQxlZoJwF3Y/Vof5yTbXp9I/AAAAAAAAEkw/MsJbJL7arII/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MQxlZoJwF3Y/Vof5yTbXp9I/AAAAAAAAEkw/MsJbJL7arII/s400/Mug%2BRugs_01.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">...and got him back in the holiday mood!</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbY7SuNDAEA/Vof53CQnncI/AAAAAAAAEk8/y-vQwGCQsiU/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_07.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbY7SuNDAEA/Vof53CQnncI/AAAAAAAAEk8/y-vQwGCQsiU/s400/Mug%2BRugs_07.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Big Boy, at 6 years old, was serious about his first real quilting project. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3I1lnezo7I/Vof5-vNONXI/AAAAAAAAElI/3UBS7vZJDYE/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_02.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3I1lnezo7I/Vof5-vNONXI/AAAAAAAAElI/3UBS7vZJDYE/s640/Mug%2BRugs_02.jpg" width="424" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wow, he looks SO young in these pictures! He's grown SO much. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e6VeKNGDFAM/Vof6Ep5uQiI/AAAAAAAAElU/txFkZrlDVHY/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_03.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e6VeKNGDFAM/Vof6Ep5uQiI/AAAAAAAAElU/txFkZrlDVHY/s640/Mug%2BRugs_03.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He did a great job cutting batting and backing to the size he wanted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwcEA5QrjjI/Vof6IuJZtLI/AAAAAAAAElg/FUSELDdLbyM/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_06.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwcEA5QrjjI/Vof6IuJZtLI/AAAAAAAAElg/FUSELDdLbyM/s640/Mug%2BRugs_06.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The strips they cut were pretty ragged, but I didn't want them trying to use rotary cutters or even adult scissors. For what it's worth, even though the kids' safety scissors they used made really short cuts, they did go through the fabric and batting with relative ease.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yQwEh82W91s/Vof6MQDrBGI/AAAAAAAAEls/FzK57e-oBTI/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_08.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yQwEh82W91s/Vof6MQDrBGI/AAAAAAAAEls/FzK57e-oBTI/s640/Mug%2BRugs_08.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He did a great job of mixing the colors and values! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCsax-Huegc/Vof6QIjQ-WI/AAAAAAAAEl4/dnVmTkwVj94/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_10.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCsax-Huegc/Vof6QIjQ-WI/AAAAAAAAEl4/dnVmTkwVj94/s640/Mug%2BRugs_10.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Such concentration!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gF5iuYs8lnc/Vof6S-Ei9UI/AAAAAAAAEmE/4_rPrZD-vNM/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_09.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gF5iuYs8lnc/Vof6S-Ei9UI/AAAAAAAAEmE/4_rPrZD-vNM/s640/Mug%2BRugs_09.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We started by stitching the batting down to the backing around the outside edge. Then we anchored a strip to one edge through all the layers. After that, we added on by laying a new strip right sides together with the anchor strip and sewing through all layers on the loose edge of the anchor strip. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohvfBAmAJQI/Vof6V-88U8I/AAAAAAAAEmQ/w6UvstSh8oY/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_12.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohvfBAmAJQI/Vof6V-88U8I/AAAAAAAAEmQ/w6UvstSh8oY/s640/Mug%2BRugs_12.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He learned to press it open, then to lay the next strip down and keep plugging along across the project. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hycjYbxPu1g/Vof6dbHyIHI/AAAAAAAAEmc/DqwasYeAryM/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_11.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hycjYbxPu1g/Vof6dbHyIHI/AAAAAAAAEmc/DqwasYeAryM/s640/Mug%2BRugs_11.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the course of a couple of days, we assembled four of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qCdnxpZ3RK4/VlSqj9emHgI/AAAAAAAAEgA/d10PaYy6Npo/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VnNxcRWlH6k/Vof6g8QyzkI/AAAAAAAAEmo/O2eWnXOFKpE/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_13.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VnNxcRWlH6k/Vof6g8QyzkI/AAAAAAAAEmo/O2eWnXOFKpE/s640/Mug%2BRugs_13.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's our beautiful mess after the piecing was complete. No need to worry about perfectly cut strips... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FqlLm9OnWSw/VlSqt1h9z9I/AAAAAAAAEg8/kwcNeEPMBFA/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Zm3Sz2ypS8/Vof6pYofqBI/AAAAAAAAEm0/EV5ndOMOfjk/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_16.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Zm3Sz2ypS8/Vof6pYofqBI/AAAAAAAAEm0/EV5ndOMOfjk/s640/Mug%2BRugs_16.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">...or perfect sewing lines! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lm3_w9aaZQM/VlSqt481teI/AAAAAAAAEhA/lgpHRWYqgq8/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BnG0gmGBQnA/Vof6vfZlX0I/AAAAAAAAEnA/8r_vTuTu6qg/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_17.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BnG0gmGBQnA/Vof6vfZlX0I/AAAAAAAAEnA/8r_vTuTu6qg/s640/Mug%2BRugs_17.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bitty decided to team back up with his big brother for some clean-up trimming. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVC_8gG9Q0I/Vof61xiOAKI/AAAAAAAAEnM/ixb0yt63UK4/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_14.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVC_8gG9Q0I/Vof61xiOAKI/AAAAAAAAEnM/ixb0yt63UK4/s640/Mug%2BRugs_14.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They did such a great job making them. All. By. Themselves. (As any parent knows: That's important!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PGm0IsXCe0w/Vof7Oqvt4SI/AAAAAAAAEnY/qQqMbOrfDXk/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_18.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PGm0IsXCe0w/Vof7Oqvt4SI/AAAAAAAAEnY/qQqMbOrfDXk/s640/Mug%2BRugs_18.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was nothing left for me to do except bind them. By the way, these are great projects for flatlocking small scraps of batting. Waste not, want not. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_Y8bo1hEh8/Vof7bGKumiI/AAAAAAAAEnk/4UlU4UdQses/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_19.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_Y8bo1hEh8/Vof7bGKumiI/AAAAAAAAEnk/4UlU4UdQses/s640/Mug%2BRugs_19.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, a picture of the finished product with one of our favorite Christmas decorations... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xda7ezMuUPo/Vof7eckrJ5I/AAAAAAAAEnw/KU7Cxuwp17o/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_21.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xda7ezMuUPo/Vof7eckrJ5I/AAAAAAAAEnw/KU7Cxuwp17o/s640/Mug%2BRugs_21.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My sweet mother saw this Christmas display and just knew SuperHusband had to have it. I love it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJWtSU_NSrM/Vof7k9_2aEI/AAAAAAAAEn8/KxcDNV74UHM/s1600/Mug%2BRugs_22.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJWtSU_NSrM/Vof7k9_2aEI/AAAAAAAAEn8/KxcDNV74UHM/s640/Mug%2BRugs_22.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once we finish this year's lot of mugrugs, I'll share some more pictures! Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day and a Merry Christmas. Thanks for stopping in!</span>Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-23932118045759492662015-11-23T15:39:00.001-06:002016-01-02T11:09:51.902-06:00Easy Scrap Wreath a.k.a. The Boys' First Video Tutorial!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uJHKq2cZ10k/Vof-iS7vqqI/AAAAAAAAEoI/KvETcbxZoVM/s1600/Scrap%2BWreath%2B4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-center: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uJHKq2cZ10k/Vof-iS7vqqI/AAAAAAAAEoI/KvETcbxZoVM/s640/Scrap%2BWreath%2B4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out my cool new wreath on the front door! Doesn't it just proudly proclaim, "A quilter lives here!" I can't remember where I first saw this idea -- somewhere on Pinterest, I think -- but I loved it. A few months ago, I came across a metal ring while going through my mom's sewing things, and realized that it was perfect for this project. It's a simple afternoon craft, and very kid-friendly. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: large;">The hardest part was taking the time to cut the scraps. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: large;">I cut them 1" x 5.5". I cut waaaaaaaaay too many, so I'll probably go on the hunt for another hoop soon.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: large;">Once you cut the strips, it's as simple as tying a single knot around your ring.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Meet my little hams -- they wanted to do a demo for you:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is my normal front door decoration...it was made for my mom and dad by my Uncle B. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large;">For a few weeks, though, I'm excited to show off this beauty!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large;">Happy sewing!</span></div>
Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-23239113247611357192015-01-27T09:18:00.004-06:002016-01-02T10:06:43.667-06:00Tutorial Part 3: Upcycled Finds into Wild Kratts Costumes for Less Than $35<br />
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Holy Tamoley! So, yesterday, a lovely lady name Marney commented on <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/11/tutorial-upcycled-finds-into-wild.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> of this tutorial, asking for a link to <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/11/tutorial-part-2-upcycled-finds-into.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a>. I replied with the link and then started editing the first two parts to make sure they both had backlinks to one another when - BAM - I suddenly realized, <i>"I never did write part 3 about the gloves!!"</i><br />
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You guys, seriously, I'm crazy sometimes, and the blog has been WAAAAAAY on the backburner for the last couple of years. If you've seen my last few posts, you've probably gathered that I spent most of last year working out of town on reserve duty, and in the meantime, I'm still wading through my parents' estate, almost two years later. (That, blessedly, is soon to come to an end.)<br />
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But I'm back now, so, please accept my apologies, and with love, here's the final installment to the Wild Kratts costume!<br />
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Blessings!<br />
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So, this is the easy stuff. Start with a couple of pairs of black gloves...those dime store one-size-fits-all stretchy ones work great for this. I used one pair of those, plus one pair of old fleece gloves I still had in the box from our Colorado days.<br />
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<u><b>Step 1</b></u>: From your green and blue fabrics, cut 5 little circles for the finger tips and one larger circle for the palm. The size totally depends on your gloves. I winged it, but my finger tips were about 5/8" in diameter and my palm circles were a shade smaller than 2" in diameter...about 1 3/4".<br />
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Use the same fabric glue you used in <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/11/tutorial-part-2-upcycled-finds-into.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a> -- (I used Mod Podge Fabric) -- to glue them to your gloves.<br />
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At this point, you could go the easy route by skipping to Step 3 and being done. Your kids will be just as happy, and if I had it to do over, that's what I would do. <br />
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<u><b>Step 2</b></u>: Not knowing any better, though, I took it one step further, and made the gloves come up the arms a bit like the Kratts, and made a strip of binding from the colored fabric for the edges. That was easy with my old fleece gloves...they were already longer.<br />
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It was a little tougher when it came to the dime-store gloves, so I cut two cuffs from leftover fleece from <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/11/tutorial-upcycled-finds-into-wild.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a>, and put the green colored binding on the edge.<br />
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From there, it was simple. Fold right sides together, stitch a seam, turn them right side out and voila!<br />
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No need to finish the top, because the fleece won't fray or ravel. I didn't attach them to the gloves -- they fit nice and snug, so once we put them over the gloves, they stayed in place.<br />
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<u><b>Step 3</b></u>: From there, I used Tulip Glow in the Dark Dimensional Fabric Paint -- no, I'm not getting paid by any of these companies...just telling you what I used -- to outline the colored circles. <br />
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That's really the money step. If your kids are into Wild Kratts, you know certain parts of the outfit glow. I didn't ring every single piece that glows on the Kratts, but you could. The gloves were enough to delight my kids, who holed themselves up in the closet, admiring the soft glow of their fingertips, for the better part of a day. :)<br />
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Ta-Da!! You're done! (And I finally got back to finishing this up!)<br />
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This has been one of my most popular tutorial series. Thanks for hanging with me, and please share photos of your finished costumes!<br />
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<a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/11/tutorial-upcycled-finds-into-wild.html" target="_blank">See Part 1 of this tutorial series here.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/11/tutorial-part-2-upcycled-finds-into.html" target="_blank">See Part 2 of this tutorial series here.</a><br />
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Into making kids' costumes? Consider trying this <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/?ext=ShareASale&utm_source=Affiliates-Share%2520A%2520Sale&utm_medium=Banner&utm_campaign=Affiliate&SSAID=1062720" target="_blank">Craftsy</a> class:<br />
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=417370&u=1062720&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=">Costume Box Class</a></div>
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I have NOT taken this class, (though I've been intrigued by it for a long time!) If you decide to try it out, please let me know what you think!<br />
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<i>As always, the modest revenue that comes from pattern sales and blog ads helps me support my family, as well as my sewing and quilting addiction, which then lets me share those tips I learn and tutorials I write with you. If you find that you want to purchase a class or item I recommend here, please consider using the links I've embedded. And by all means, if you try a class or product I recommended, or have your own recommendation to share, allow the rest of us to benefit from your experiences by sharing them in the comments!</i>Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-42267137949337359602014-12-08T10:50:00.002-06:002022-09-27T10:43:54.008-05:00Christmas Pajamas!<span style="font-size: large;">Meet the newest project to roll out of my sewing studio. Drum roll, please...it's Christmas jammies! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkhKsW_xkGg/VIXZIj2yroI/AAAAAAAAEbE/OIKTbF-aGOU/s1600/Xmas%2BPJs%2BBoys.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkhKsW_xkGg/VIXZIj2yroI/AAAAAAAAEbE/OIKTbF-aGOU/s1600/Xmas%2BPJs%2BBoys.jpg" width="337" /></a></div>
And really, what could be better than manta rays and bloody-mouthed sharks? The shark fabric's out of print now, I think, but I tracked it down on eBay. (Thank you, once again, Alexander Henry, for another amazing fabric. We're big fans of your designs around here.)<br />
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So, I know, I've been gone forever! Total radio silence. Well, for the record, I really HAVE been gone. I've been on orders for months and just finally got home in November. So, the sewing, quilting and blogging fell a bit by the wayside. However, since I got home, I've been catching up on sewing projects...and adding more to the list, of course. In short, I've been sewing with an obsession that would make my friend Tina proud.<br />
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I'll fill you in on more of the projects over the coming days, because, I'd like to do something of a holiday sewing series.<br />
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From the time I was a little girl, my family always opened presents on Christmas morning, but to ease us into the fun, we were allowed to open a single "December 24th" gift. Inside that box, without fail, was a new pair of pajamas. I always loved curling up on Christmas Eve in soft new jammies, waiting for Santa. It's a tradition we've carried into our own little family.<br />
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The hard part is always finding good PJs. Clothes for kids always seem to be made so cheaply these days, and we consider ourselves fortunate if we can find anything that isn't covered in licensed characters. <br />
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So, this year, I decided to make the jammies.*HUGE GRIN*<br />
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Here's Big Boy's set...<br />
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...and Bitty's. <br />
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I drafted my own patterns for everything and used my own assembly methods. I've made lots of PJ pants before, but this time I tried a new approach for the drafting that started with <a href="http://www.sew4home.com/projects/fabric-art-accents/noel-home-comfy-pj-pants-whole-family" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>. Even though it's easier to cut the front and back pant legs the same, I'm not wild about the fit. If I make jammies for SuperHusband and myself, I'll be ditching pretty much everything from this tutorial except the cuff idea and going back to the original method I learned for drafting drawstring pants. Oh, and pockets. Must add pockets for the adults.<br />
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I decided do a few fittings along the way, so the kids have already seen them. (I'm confident, but not that confident.) When I finished them last night, they begged, BEGGED me to let them sleep in them, and -- guess what -- I'm a total sucker. So these have already been laundered and worn, and they're holding up great!<br />
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So here's where I would love a few do-overs:<br />
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When I attached Big Boy's red cuffs, I sewed the cuffs on, then completed the side seam, (similar to the way I attached the band on the pillowcase in <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2012/07/simple-chic-pillowcase-tutorial.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>). This process is easier than the alternative -- sewing the leg up first, then attaching the cuffs afterward -- but it doesn't make for a pretty turned-up cuff, as you can see. Thankfully, his pants are the right length without folding the cuffs up, so everybody's still happy.<br />
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When I made Bitty's, I did the opposite: sewed the side seams first, then attached the cuffs. Voila! No exposed seams. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYR67ieCIXc/VIXNanOD-nI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/YLkwiYpqsr0/s1600/Xmas%2BPJs1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYR67ieCIXc/VIXNanOD-nI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/YLkwiYpqsr0/s1600/Xmas%2BPJs1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was also my first foray into making knit t-shirts. The knit sewing and working on the serger went quite well, thanks to <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?B=467291&U=1062720&M=29190&urllink=" target="_blank">this really helpful Craftsy class</a>. However, since I drafted my own patterns, the first one is always apt to need some adjustment. Bitty's neck was a bit too big, so Big Boy's shirt -- my second go 'round -- fits much, much better.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKxATj8bpjM/VIXNbfdCUKI/AAAAAAAAEaE/imuqQyF0Flw/s1600/Xmas%2BPJs4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKxATj8bpjM/VIXNbfdCUKI/AAAAAAAAEaE/imuqQyF0Flw/s1600/Xmas%2BPJs4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm super proud of my finishes. Every one of my knit attempts prior to this project, unless it was from fleece, (which is heavy enough to sew like a woven), was a disaster. <br />
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Check out that neckband application! <br />
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Here are the inside seam finishes. <br />
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And the bottom cover hem. I recently sold my Babylock Imagine Wave from several years ago and upgraded to a used Babylock Evolution that I found from a delightful woman on Craigslist who had given up learning to use it. I'm thrilled to have a machine that can do this stitch! (We have SO many tshirts laying around that need to be altered, fixed, shortened, etc, etc.)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--J3PUwu58dc/VIXNbY-2bBI/AAAAAAAAEaU/C9TOYGvWklM/s1600/Xmas%2BPJs5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--J3PUwu58dc/VIXNbY-2bBI/AAAAAAAAEaU/C9TOYGvWklM/s1600/Xmas%2BPJs5.jpg" width="640" /></a><a 1em="" href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttp://cdn.craftsy.com/course/263/titleCard.jpg%E2%80%9D" imageanchor="”1″" margin-right:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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Let me pay this fantastic tip forward that someone else gave me: If you don't want to pay an arm and a leg ordering high-quality knit fabric when you're just learning to sew on knits, go to the thrift store and shop in the oversized men's shirt (XXL, XXXL, etc) section. I bought a red Alexander Julian Colours mock turtleneck at the thrift store for $4, then cut it apart to get the yardage for Big Boy's tshirt. He didn't want the little embroidered logo, so I cut around it and pieced in the racing stripes. He's in love with them and so am I!<br />
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I'm going to start doing a bit more blogging on serging with knits. In my own sewing and quilting journey, I've found there's woeful little out there for people who want to do serious serging, (or any serging at all, for that matter). Don't worry, I'm still primarily here for the beginners. :)<br />
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You probably won't see a full-blown tutorial on these pieces. I want to keep sharing projects with you, but in an effort to make my little "negative-profit" more sustainable, I'm going to start offering more patterns. My Halloween costume patterns did pretty well this year, and I'm encouraged. So, that's yet another step that makes me all giggly inside. :) <br />
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Is this a project you might like to see in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/justsewolivia" target="_blank">my Etsy shop</a>?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for stopping by and for not forgetting me after all this time away.</span> Despite all the down-time, the blog's audience has grown considerably over the last few months. I appreciate you, sooooo much, and I'm so excited to be back home and sewing again!<br />
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Oh, and if you're interested in the really great <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/?ext=ShareASale&utm_source=Affiliates-Share%2520A%2520Sale&utm_medium=Banner&utm_campaign=Affiliate&SSAID=1062720" target="_blank">Craftsy</a> class I took, here's the link:<br />
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<a href="https://www.craftsy.com/class/sewing-fashion-knits-beyond-the-basics/">Craftsy Sewing Fashion Knits Class</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/sewing-fashion-knits-beyond-the-basics/263?ext=ShareASale_SewingFashionKnits&utm_source=Affiliates-Share%20A%20Sale%20-%20Sewing&utm_medium=Banner&utm_campaign=Affiliate&initialPage=true" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://cdn.craftsy.com/course/263/titleCard.jpg" width="400" /></a>This is a sponsored link, but my opinions of the classes are genuine. I will not promote a class or product that I haven't personally tried and don't believe in. I may occasionally link to classes I have not tried, but I'll be up front about it. If you want to know more about sponsored links on my blog, check out this posting, <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2012/07/on-advertising-and-integrity-on-this.html" target="_blank">On Advertising and Integrity in this Blog</a>.<br />
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I will add one more thought to what I wrote nearly three years ago: The modest revenue that comes from pattern sales and blog ads helps me support my family, as well as my sewing and quilting addiction, which then lets me share those tips I learn and tutorials I write with you. If you find that you want to purchase a class or item I recommend here, please consider using the links I've embedded.Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-86334001185508183902014-04-17T00:01:00.001-05:002014-04-17T07:10:55.910-05:00The QuiltWest tribute ... One year later<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p2uU9Y6-eF0/U09ehrGEe2I/AAAAAAAAENE/uZgrmALKzBc/s1600/QuiltWest+quilts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p2uU9Y6-eF0/U09ehrGEe2I/AAAAAAAAENE/uZgrmALKzBc/s1600/QuiltWest+quilts.jpg" height="640" width="630" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">One year ago today, 12 first responders gave their lives in an attempt to save others in the small town of West, Texas.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">QuiltWest was born of a desire to give whatever small gift I could to comfort the family members of these men.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">I wanted to wrap them with quilts and the warmth of knowing other people felt their loss. I knew I couldn't do it alone: In all, 18 ladies from across the nation have opened their hearts and given of themselves to make 12 quilts for the families. These quilts have taken us on a journey of love, compassion, relationships and hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">I grew up the daughter of a first responder. You can learn a little more about my
mother's legacy as a paramedic and public servant <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2009/08/my-mother-has-made-life-out-of-saving.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2012/09/todays-photo-journal-legacy-of-love.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2012/10/todays-photo-journal-mothers-love.html" target="_blank">She also loved quilts and quilting, and understood the treasure of a gifted quilt</a>. I lost her just one month before the events in West, and throughout the project, I carried in my heart a quiet dedication to her.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The families who live in West will receive their quilts today. My heart broke when I realized work and family schedules simply wouldn't flex to allow me to deliver them personally, but my contact with the City of West has put me at ease. The fire chief has graciously agreed to pass them along and to see that the remaining
quilts are sent to the out-of-town families who couldn't make the trip for the memorial gathering. </span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">As QuiltWest winds down, it's extremely hard to put my emotion into words. If you'd like, you can <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3YaYPTRMUkiYnRFQlNTTy1qNFk/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">read an excerpt of my letter to the families here</a>. It's really my best attempt to explain all this. Thankfully, I have many, many photos of this wonderful journey and the lovely ladies who stitched their love into every quilt.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I truly hope you'll check out the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/justsewolivia/collections/72157644026282606/" target="_blank">QuiltWest Colle</a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/justsewolivia/collections/72157644026282606/" target="_blank">ction</a> on Flickr for more photos of the quilts, the process and their makers.</span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">If you'd like to learn more about QuiltWest, check out these previous blog postings:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/04/calling-all-quilters-quiltwest-for.html" target="_blank">Calling all quilters! QuiltWest for First Responders' Families </a>- April 25, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/05/update-quiltwest.html" target="_blank">Update: QuiltWest - Quilts for West, Texas first responders' families</a> - May 7, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/05/tutorial-basic-jelly-roll-quilt.html" target="_blank">Tutorial: Basic Jelly Roll Quilt</a><a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/05/tutorial-basic-jelly-roll-quilt.html" target="_blank"> - QuiltWest</a> - May 21, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/10/todays-photo-journal-over-quiltwest-hump.html" target="_blank">Today's Photo Journal: Over the QuiltWest Hump</a> - October 21, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Our love and prayers remain with the families of West, Texas -- all the families of that community -- as they take time today to look back in tribute...and forward with hope. May God's blessings be with you. </span>Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-69135600991044900532014-03-30T11:49:00.001-05:002014-04-17T00:03:18.411-05:00Basics: The Great Fabric Stash Organization project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JozebBmAhs/Uzg_srzZP5I/AAAAAAAAEMA/th6gHW6kBl0/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JozebBmAhs/Uzg_srzZP5I/AAAAAAAAEMA/th6gHW6kBl0/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_06.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Okay,
so I have a confession to make: I'm a fabric hoarder. No, not like
those gross people on TLC, but I really do struggle with throwing away
bits of fabric, let alone yardage(!). I just can't stand the waste.<br />
<br />
If
you sew you know how it is -- when you first start sewing, you don't
have a stash, so you have to buy new fabric for every project.
Depending on the project, you may have a few bits let over, or you may
have quite a lot of fabric left at the end. It's not just a quilter
thing: Home dec and <i>especially </i>garment sewing usually leave larger, more holey, and funky-shaped scraps. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
All
those scraps are great at first, because every sewist needs scraps and
loves having a good variety of small cuts to choose from, but over time,
the bits and pieces can start to take over your home -- particularly if
they're not organized. Not mention the fact that your fabric
preferences will change over time. That's right, I'm talking to you. I
know you're in love with that beautiful Tula Pink line right now.
You're so in love with it that you bought $300 in fat quarter bundles of
it and you just can't stand the idea of cutting into it. But believe
it or not, if you're still carrying around those fat quarters in 10
years, you might not even like it anymore. Tastes change. Or perhaps,
like me, you may have gotten one of those "assortments" or "grab bags"
and been less than enamored with the contents. <br />
<br />
Now my
fabric stash is too big, particularly with large cuts of yardage that
feel like they may never get used up. (This is one of <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/06/sewing-with-precut-fabric-bundles.html" target="_blank">the many reasons I'm starting to favor precut fabric bundles for planned quilting projects.)</a><br />
<br />
And
organization? Bah. Random stacks is more like it. Then two more huge
boxes of fabric came home with me from my mother's house in Kentucky. <br />
<br />
It's starting to look like Fabripocalypse around here. Something had to be done. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8VclH3ifGsM/Uzg_q-JL5WI/AAAAAAAAEL8/Yw227gb3_ew/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_01.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8VclH3ifGsM/Uzg_q-JL5WI/AAAAAAAAEL8/Yw227gb3_ew/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_01.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a>So here's how I organized: <br />
<br />
First,
I pressed all the scraps. I detest ironing, but it's a necessary
evil. Ironing the fabric made it easier to fold and easier to store.
And I've noticed when I get it back out to use, it's much easier to
press before cutting and piecing. To help with pressing, I keep a spray
bottle filled with a mix of water and white vinegar on my ironing
board. Water and white vinegar helps remove long-set-in wrinkles and
lock dye
into the fabric. That said, if you have a stain in your yardage, wash
it FIRST. Vinegar locks dies and stains into fabric permanently.
(Incidentally, prewashing with a cup of white vinegar is a great way
to lock dyes into stubborn fabrics like reds and blacks that insist on
bleeding.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rlkbuqvs5hU/Uzg_rX_CL0I/AAAAAAAAEME/cg1aIkPrF9I/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_02.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rlkbuqvs5hU/Uzg_rX_CL0I/AAAAAAAAEME/cg1aIkPrF9I/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_02.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Next,
I sorted the fabric into size categories. For oddly-shaped scraps, I
cut them to some variation of square, rectangle or strip and then sorted
them. Here are the categories I used: <br />
<br />
Yardage - Any cut that is at least one yard long by the WOF (width of fabric -- usually around 40-42 inches)<br />
<br />
Fat Quarter-ish - Any cuts larger than 9.5 inches on all sides, including Fat Quarters, quarter-yard cuts, Fat Eighths<br />
<br />
Wide Strips - Any strip wider than 4.5 inches and longer than 9.5 inches<br />
<br />
Narrow Strips - Any strip narrower than 4.5 inches and longer than 9.5 inches<br />
<br />
Large
Cuts - Any cut longer than one yard but significantly narrower than the
WOF. (These make great cuts for piecing quilt backs.)<br />
<br />
Small Cuts - Any cut smaller than 9.5 inches square, (except 4.5 inch squares).<br />
<br />
4.5 inch squares - These are common in scrap quilts, so they get their own stack.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5XyQHvjjgB4/Uzg_s0_fmHI/AAAAAAAAEMM/4NHhGf3gP54/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5XyQHvjjgB4/Uzg_s0_fmHI/AAAAAAAAEMM/4NHhGf3gP54/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_07.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I
sorted within these categories by color and occasionally by type. For
example, I separate solids from prints, flannels from regular quilting
cottons. I keep the Christmas fabrics separate from the other fabrics,
also separated period prints, ginghams and any fabric explicitly
purchased for "I Spy" quilt block centers.<br />
<br />
I even took
all my Kona solids out of the cardboard boxes and put them in a
stackable plastic bin so I could actually see them! (I know, I know,
those plastics aren't acid-free/archival quality. Blah, blah. Unless
you're a professional curator, sometimes you work with what you have.)
Oh, and it was nice, too, to combine them so I could really see what I
had together, instead of trying to mix and match from two different
collections. (I picked these up off eBay for a STEAL. Fourteen fat
quarters had been barely cut-into. Yay, discount!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DXSRc4NG1R0/Uzg_rmcH2-I/AAAAAAAAELw/QMR0mfJ06_Y/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DXSRc4NG1R0/Uzg_rmcH2-I/AAAAAAAAELw/QMR0mfJ06_Y/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_04.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before, only they also went inside another fully-encasing cardboard box.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Regardless of minor size variations, I folded all the cuts <i>within a
category</i> to a single, uniform size, making them easier to store. I
favored folding to smaller dimensions, particularly for fat-quarters and
related sizes. The thicker the folded remnant, the more likely I'll
be able to see and identify individual fabrics in a stack, making
picking and
sorting for projects easier.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZxVilfnT-c/Uzg_sPEoDnI/AAAAAAAAEL4/-9WaOTXgnQk/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_05.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZxVilfnT-c/Uzg_sPEoDnI/AAAAAAAAEL4/-9WaOTXgnQk/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_05.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhhh....that's better! Just looking at it makes me want to go pick a project and start quilting!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
All
in all, the project took me about three days of 2-3 hours commitment,
with most of the time going into pressing and cutting the scraps. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GDMIsKKj_s/UzhAkJSWI4I/AAAAAAAAEMY/NMC2IGJcdSc/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GDMIsKKj_s/UzhAkJSWI4I/AAAAAAAAEMY/NMC2IGJcdSc/s1600/Fabric+Stash+Organization_10.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yardage: Sorted and stacked by color in my fabric closet. (What...doesn't every home need a dedicated space for fabric?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And there you have it!<br />
<br />
I've been living with my sort for a few weeks now, and I can say that I'm thrilled with it. What would I change?<br />
<br />
Well,
first, I would set aside a stash for my kids. My Big Boy, in
particular, has really begun to spread his sewing wings, and with all
that soaring creativity, I'm happy to oblige when he asks for more
fabric or new colors. And Bitty loves to cut up the scraps and glue
them together into Transformers or dinosaurs for Big Boy to sew
together. (Fabric is the new construction paper! Who knew?) That
said, while they're doing abstract and kiddie art, I prefer NOT to have
them randomly raid my expensive quilt shop fabric finds, but instead to
use my (un-special) older or big box store scraps. Right now, I keep a
few random scraps by Big Boy's sewing machine, but eventually, I'll
probably create a separate collection just for my sewing boys.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5s4c64TDlVU/Uzg_qQ_jzGI/AAAAAAAAELY/oacBEbJkppk/s1600/Car+color+sort_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5s4c64TDlVU/Uzg_qQ_jzGI/AAAAAAAAELY/oacBEbJkppk/s1600/Car+color+sort_1.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone read to me about sharks while I sorted...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Second,
I need a fabric "archive" for those fabrics I save "just because."
Specifically, there are a few older cuts that I keep simply because
they've already been used in important quilts in my family. I keep the
scraps in case we need them to patch those quilts some day, and so I
don't really intend to use them. It makes more sense to separate these
fabrics out into their own "permanent storage" solution, rather than
keep them in the working stash, taking up room. <br />
<br />
I
didn't even touch the flannel or all my garment fabrics yet. I have
some amazing garment fabrics from NYC and even overseas. It breaks my
heart to say it, but it might be time to pare down and specialize. I
just don't see myself ever getting into serious garment sewing like I
once thought I might. Oh well, when I get around to those decisions,
that's what the Etsy shop is for!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBwLD3vLUuY/Uzg_qwcks3I/AAAAAAAAELg/4SHgqNoEHO8/s1600/Car+color+sort_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBwLD3vLUuY/Uzg_qwcks3I/AAAAAAAAELg/4SHgqNoEHO8/s1600/Car+color+sort_2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspired by my stash project, he decided to do a color-coded car sort. Pretty cool, eh?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sooooooooo...How do you organize your stash? :) Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-90359428498544869272014-01-28T10:47:00.000-06:002014-04-17T00:03:51.946-05:00Basics: Flatlocking and our 100th Day projects!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obj22i7h9so/Uue_0SDZNtI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/YYmn2vy5F74/s1600/100th+Day+of+School_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obj22i7h9so/Uue_0SDZNtI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/YYmn2vy5F74/s1600/100th+Day+of+School_2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
Whoa. Apparently, the 100th day of school is a big, big deal these days. Okay, confession time: I kind of dreaded this assignment. We didn't do anything special for the 100th day when I was a kid, and really, who wants to walk around finding 100 different objects, sticking them to a piece of paper and watching them fall off?<br />
<br />
I looked around the house and found a large piece of white paper, but my very serious artist explained he wanted a colored page. Then I found construction paper, but he said that wasn't big enough. (Some of the kids were using poster board, but it was too late in the day to make that happen.) My attitude started looking up when I figured out that it didn't have to be a piece of paper, though -- fabric stash to the rescue! Then Big Boy got jazzed about designing his own <i>custom</i> background. <br />
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<br />
We started with creative concepts. He drew this as a starting point for what he wanted.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPqIHcQjOqg/Uue_1VMWpII/AAAAAAAAEKo/b5mTIdQgEmI/s1600/100th+Day+of+School_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPqIHcQjOqg/Uue_1VMWpII/AAAAAAAAEKo/b5mTIdQgEmI/s1600/100th+Day+of+School_5.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I drew this to show him how to use the graph paper to make a scale drawing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bNNDccgbUms/Uue_1qYrzMI/AAAAAAAAEKs/YkgERnMBAOs/s1600/100th+Day+of+School_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bNNDccgbUms/Uue_1qYrzMI/AAAAAAAAEKs/YkgERnMBAOs/s1600/100th+Day+of+School_6.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It made a great math project.<br />
<br />
His wanted his project to be approximately 12 inches x 18 inches, ("<i>This</i> big, Momma!"), so I showed him how to use each 1/4 inch sized block on the paper as a pretend "inch." We counted 12 down and 18 across and drew the lines. Then we straightened them with a ruler. I filled in the number 100 according to his design and then drew dashed lines to represent where strips would be pieced together. <br />
<br />
Then we went through the process of counting blocks on the sides and bottoms of each strip to determine the strip sizes. He figured out the measurements, then I marked the blocks and kept the cut list at the top of the page. We made our list by "background fabric" ("BF" on the page) and "number fabric" ("NF" on the page), because we hadn't made any color decisions yet. <br />
<br />
Felt seemed like a natural choice, since it's already used in lots of school projects and I knew it was glue friendly. The other nice thing was that felt, as a bulky, stiff fabric, would be perfect for flatlocking.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>To flatlock two pieces of fabric means to butt them up against each other -- raw edge to raw edge -- and use a wide stitch to join them.</u></b></span><br />
<br />
So two points to take away about flatlocking so far:<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>1. Flatlocking is a perfect way to join super bulky or stiff fabrics, because it prevents the extra bulk created by traditional seam allowances.</u></b></span> I frequently use flatlocking to join narrow pieces of leftover batting to make a larger section for quilting projects. I love to avoid waste where I can! <br />
<br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: small;">2. Flatlocking is a GREAT way for beginners to sew a complicated design.</span></b></u> We didn't have to get into complicated math with factoring in 1/4 inch seam allowances and worrying about precision piecing. Now that he had figured out the sizes of the strips to achieve the design he wanted, we were able to cut strips exactly to that size from the felt.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">He was feeling a rough that day, so I did the cutting to save time while he took an afternoon nap. Having precision rotary cuts -- a skill he doesn't have yet -- also avoided a lot of frustration when sewing time came. <b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I want him to enjoy the process...not give up in protest.</span> </b><br />
<br />
(If you want to teach your kids to sew, remember this point. Ask me how I know...)<br />
<b><br /></b>
I don't have a picture of this next step, but to keep the strips from moving around on him while he flatlocked them, we laid them out on a piece of freezer paper cut roughly 14 x 20 inches and ironed them down to the shiny side.<br />
<br />
Time to sew! <br />
<br />
At that point, he took the design to the sewing machine and flatlocked each of the seam lines with a wide zigzag stitch, through the freezer paper and all. <b><u>When you flatlock, use a standard foot or a walking foot with a normal tip so you can clearly guide the seamlines straight into the channel of the foot. This will ensure the seam is centered under the needle.</u></b> It's still a good idea to check your first few stitches and make sure they're equally distributed on either side of the seam.<br />
<br />
Once he finished, we peeled back and cut away all the freezer paper except the narrow strips caught in the seam lines. With such wide zigzags, tearing away the freezer paper for the stitches probably would've broken the threads, but there's another reason to leave the freezer paper in there: The felt could also easily tear away at the seam lines, so I figured this would make great reinforcement for the flatlocked seams. <br />
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This brings up another point about flatlocking:<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>3. Flatlocked seams can't take a lot of abuse, unless...</b></u></span> <br />
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<u>- First, consider your purpose in flatlocking.</u> If you're doing as I often do, joining batting to go inside a quilt, then it doesn't really matter. The quilting process will hold the quilt together and keep stress off the flatlocked seams, so you don't need any additional reinforcement. <br />
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<u>- Second, consider flatlocking your pieces on top of a foundation block.</u> In this case, we used the freezer paper as a foundation, but if you need your final project to be washable or more durable, you could flatlock on top of a square of color-coordinated fabric or even <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2012/10/best-practices-use-fusible-interfacings.html" target="_blank">something fusible like interfacing or fleece</a>. (That was my first choice for this project, but my cupboard was bare.)<br />
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After we finished, we embellished his project by counting out and gluing on 100 buttons from my stash with blue glitter glue. I loved how buttons that came from my mother, grandmother, Mam-maw and Great Aunt Ethel's stashes all graced his project and provided that final family touch.<br />
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Now that it's over, I'm grateful for the chance to sew with Big
Boy again. He really loved the idea of having something different from
the other kids, and he's the only one in his 1st grade class who can
sew!<br />
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This smart, talented Big Boy wasn't the only one putting together an awesome 100th Day project, though. Check out another smiler with his cheery Cheerio 100! <br />
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Daddy's contribution was huge! He patiently helped both boys counting out their 100 objects -- the buttons for Big and the Cheerios for Bitty -- but declared himself allergic to glitter glue. Boys, le sigh.Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-981367658507286532014-01-24T12:35:00.000-06:002014-01-28T10:48:43.079-06:00Goals for a New YearUgh. My blogging has slowed way down. The
last couple of years took away a lot of steam. At times, my
self-imposed blogging deadlines helped me cope, I imagine, but at other
times, they really added stress in an already tough
situation. I've already started quilting like crazy again, though, and I'm ready to rediscover the fun in writing!<br />
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Part of the solution is to stop feeling guilty about everything. We women are the world's worst about beating ourselves up with guilt. A little guilt can be a great motivator... A lot of guilt can be a paralytic force of devastating proportions. <br />
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In 2013, there were some major guilt issues: <br />
...not spending enough time with the children or not being engaged enough when I did -- perhaps the common lament of every parent everywhere since the beginning of time.<br />
...not having the physical or emotional stamina to do everything for my mother I wished I could have. (That guilt reached back to 2012 when Daddy passed, too.) <br />
...not getting enough estate work done, or tax work, or house work, or church work, or well, you get the point.<br />
I felt guilty about things I didn't even do wrong, thanks to a few rather harsh critics.<br />
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But as if those weren't enough, I even gave myself grief about small, inconsequential blog things: <br />
...not blogging twice a week, then once a week, then once a month.<br />
...writing anything that didn't relate to my blog's sewing and quilting focus.<br />
...writing a blog posting without imagery to accompany it.<br />
...not having time to compose lengthy, illustrated tutorials.<br />
...sewing something for sheer enjoyment without stopping to wait for the right afternoon light to take pictures of the project in-progress. (Shock! Horror!)<br />
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Eventually, I didn't want to do anything at all, because nothing I could ever do would keep me from being overwhelmed, and therefore, I couldn't shut out the guilt.<br />
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And so, as we move well into 2014, I'm going to make a few resolutions:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. </span><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm letting myself off the hook</span></i></b>. It's not okay to wallow or be indefinitely paralyzed by stress and guilt, but it is occasionally okay to have a movie day, a sad day, a lazy day, an eat-all-the-chocolate-and-potato-chips-you-want day, a <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YgAVgsS7VTU/UMycxzho3NI/AAAAAAAAB7w/9CqOGR8XGRU/s1600/Silky+Furry+Fleece_8wm.jpg" target="_blank">curl-up-under-an-OliviaFurryBlanket</a> day, a sleep-through-the-rain day or all of the above at once. There's no more room for guilt when it comes to the arts that have previously brought me comfort-bliss. <br />
<a name='more'></a>My love of sewing and quilting inspired me to blog about it. If it's more hard than fun, I won't keep it up, so it's time to reframe my expectations.<br />
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- <i>Blog when it makes sense. </i>I don't have to blog according to some imaginary schedule. Better late than never, but never is okay, too.<br />
- While there is a "time to tear and a time to sew" (Eccl. 3:7), not every blog posting has to have a tie to sewing. It's more important to find inspiration.<br />
- I don't have to have an image with every posting.<br />
- My sewing room doesn't have to look perfect in photos, and I shouldn't beat myself up when said photos aren't magazine-quality. <br />
- A typo is not the end of the world.<br />
- It's okay to occasionally post about my projects without including tutorials. Heck, it's okay to do projects without posting about them at all. No more stressing about the endless backlog of postings I never got around to.<br />
- Perky, happy, energetic. Sometimes I personify these things. Sometimes I don't. My outlook isn't always rosy, and my postings don't always have to be either. I'm a real person, yo. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2. </b><i><b>It's time to find the joy</b></i></span>. A few weeks ago, my eldest told me he felt lonely...at home...with everyone there. Then last week, we were at the movies, and as I walked with my littlest guy to go to the restroom, he said, "Momma, I'm lonely." I thought, <i>so am I, buddy. </i>Did I mention that they're only six and four? It wasn't a massive leap to conclude SuperHusband was feeling isolated at times, too. If all four of us can feel lonely on a family outing <i>together</i>, then things need to change. <br />
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Our previous arrangement of eldercare-meets-terminal-illness-meets-toddlercare-meets-military-service has shaped our family into one that values efficiency and compliance. We haven't left much room for silliness over the last couple of years. My children went from 2 and 4 years old to 4 and 6 years old in this window of time. How unfair that at a time when "silly" should be their modus operandi, and their parents should be showering them with affection, smiles and goofiness, instead they've been stranded in a sea of impatience and emotional austerity. <i>When your parents are dying in your care, your children are small and your husband is active duty, you do what you have to just make it through the next ten minutes.</i><br />
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But that chapter in our lives is over -- no more excuses. I don't want their childhoods to be defined by where they couldn't play or how quiet they had to be, or how often we yelled at them to hurry up. (I've even been known to yell, "Macht schnell!!" You find the humor where you can, right?) We've been entirely too serious for entirely too long around here. It's time for my husband and me to step back, remember how young they are and learn to have fun again. I'm READY!! :)<br />
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We're already trying very hard, and it's starting to work. Both boys seem happier, SuperHusband and I are laughing more, even the air seems to weigh less in our house. Old habits die hard, though, so it will take prayer and mindfulness to sustain our momentum. If you feel like sparing a prayer for us, we could definitely use your help. <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3. </b></span><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm not sure how to find this balance, but I have to stop caring quite so much what others think, say or do to me.</span> </b></i></span><i> </i>Maybe your demons are in your professional life, family or church, but right now, for me, they're in executing my parents' estates. Estate work is no picnic, man. Let me step back and make a comment about elder and end-of-life care: In case you're ever on the outside of this arrangement looking in, please internalize that no family takes on the tremendous (and yes, rewarding,) task of eldercare out of greed. Until you've walked that road, you have no concept of the massive sacrifice involved for a young family, emotionally, financially, in terms of time and energy. I wouldn't change my decision for anything, but seriously, you have no idea what it can do to a household. Praise God for my amazing husband, because I can't imagine what it does to marriages where the bond and mutual admiration isn't as strong. In short, one does not care for sick parents out of selfishness -- it's a calling, a compulsion, and it's extracted from the deepest, most visceral kind of love. Yet, I can't count how many times I've heard bitter siblings accuse someone of taking care of their parents so they "could get everything," or some equally sinister conspiracy theory.<br />
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Believe me when I say, caregivers and family executors already feel isolated -- they don't need the added stress of bitter armchair quarterbacks. Being on the receiving end of such vicious rumors has been hurtful and left me incredulous. I've seen the pattern repeated in family after family, and I marvel that people can have too little courage or integrity to confront a person directly with their concerns, yet have no problem quietly dismantling relationships and attempting to ruin reputations. <i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">But </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">most of the power such people have over my happiness, I have given them</span></b>. </i>I have cared too much about their influence and about others' perceptions of me. I know what I have done and what I haven't. I am flawed -- it's true -- but my integrity is firmly intact. I weigh my every action to make sure it's fair, even to those who've shown me zero courtesy or respect. That is the very best I can do: The rest is up to others. <span style="font-size: small;">The worthy will ask me their questions before they pass judgment. I can no longer allow the unworthy to hold sway over my peace of mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4. </b><i><b>I want to glorify God with my words, actions and by disciplining my thoughts.</b></i></span><br />
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- This includes praying more. Prayer used to be a sincere and frequent daily exercise. I used to spend time every afternoon in serious extended contemplation and talks with God. At some point those became derailed. <br />
- It means putting a godly mentality into my endeavors. Success is great, and it should be a priority, but it shouldn't be the first priority. If I put God first and have faith that he will provide the increase, the rest will take care of itself.<br />
- It means not retreating into self-centeredness as I cope with being overwhelmed. <br />
- It means modeling a godly walk for my children.<br />
- It means reading my Bible more and engaging with the content through research and study. <br />
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One of my mother's hospice nurses told me something wonderful Momma said during a long night shortly after my mother's brain tumors had broken through and her mind had begun to wander into places we can't understand. I had been prepared with the knowledge that many patients will go to a very dark place once they lose rational thought. While hospice nurses pride themselves on taking care of people who can be verbally abusive and belligerent...they have a soft spot for the sweet ones. My mother was a sweet one. Danny, a kind, gentle man, said that in my mother's drifting, she quietly mumbled about cooking for church potlucks and playing cards with her Bridge Club Ladies. That's who I want to be in this world. I'd like to be someone who -- when I'm no longer cognizant of anything -- I'm rambling about the most godly, virtuous type of life. <i></i><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I want my children to see in me, what I saw in her: A woman of Proverbs 31.</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Thank you, again, for joining our family in this journey. In 2014, as we recenter and bring joy back into our lives, I hope we can pay some of it forward to you as well. </span><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">No matter what else is going on, I am enormously blessed to have many loving, supportive, creative people in the various parts of my life, and that includes YOU! </span></b> </i><br />
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<br />Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-71123903746538521942013-11-26T11:37:00.000-06:002015-01-27T09:26:49.511-06:00Tutorial Part 2: Upcycled Finds into Wild Kratts Costumes for Less Than $35<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YOfvLlGzdGU/UpTbExy0HtI/AAAAAAAAEJU/w6BtjJIqpok/s1600/Wild+Kratts+-+089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YOfvLlGzdGU/UpTbExy0HtI/AAAAAAAAEJU/w6BtjJIqpok/s640/Wild+Kratts+-+089.jpg" height="592" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/11/tutorial-upcycled-finds-into-wild.html" target="_blank">Find Part 1 of this tutorial series here.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2015/01/tutorial-part-3-upcycled-finds-into.html" target="_blank">Go here for Part 3 - the final step!</a> <br />
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Time to finish up those Wild Kratts costumes! When I left off, the vests were pretty plain. Time for some embellishment...<br />
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I started by buying t-shirts in the right colors from the thrift store and cutting pieces from them. No exact measurements -- I just eye-balled what would work for the size of the vest. I used Mod Podge Fabric to glue them in place. I know this picture shows all this stuff positioned on my cutting mat, but you do NOT want to do your gluing on a mat like this. Stick to a counter or some other surface that you can wipe or scrape clean.<br />
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Be careful where the Mod Podge touches your vests...it doesn't wash back out once it contacts the fibers. It works best if you put the glue on the back of the panel and then place the panel on the vest. I tried putting the glue on the vest first, and it was less messy, but it also caused areas where the glue bled out from under the panel. Once they're there, you're stuck with them for good.<br />
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I started with the shoulders, then moved on to the sides. I tried to have the panels wrap around from front to back like they do on the animated Wild Kratts' suits.<br />
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Next, I cut three circles for the front of the vest and glued them on. Be sure to leave enough room for your creature power disc pocket!<br />
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I did a lot of this work at night or in the late, dreary afternoon, so some of these pictures aren't exactly stellar. It's hard to see, but my next step was to do a loose satin stitch (a zigzag where the stitches are wide but very short) around all the pieces to secure the edges. This step isn't absolutely necessary since the Mod Podge ought to hold the fabrics together forever, but I figured these might get worn and washed tons. I stitched the edges down to protect them from fraying and to give them a cleaner look. <br />
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Now for the part that really makes this a "creature power suit": A place to insert creature power discs! Start by figuring out how big you want the finished pocket to be. SuperHusband had already made some small wooden creature power discs. Judging from the size of the discs, which need room to get in and out of the pocket and be seen while inside, I used a coaster from a set I made for SuperHusband a couple of years ago as the size-guide for a cardboard template. <br />
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You'll also need a couple of medium-sized pieces of aluminum foil and some fabric to match your vest panels. You could cut these from the thrifted t-shirt if you have enough left, but you need something that will press really cleanly and has little bulk, even in multiple layers. I used quilter's cotton.<br />
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Using the template, cut a piece of quilter's cotton <b>slightly larger</b> than the template for each Wild Kratt color (or only one if your little animal lover has a favorite bro). In my case, I eye-balled it and cut the color circles between 1/4-1/2 inch larger than the template. <br />
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Next, lay down a piece of foil, then place the color circle in the center, and center the template in the middle. Carefully fold the foil around the cardboard template, using it to evenly secure the fabric circle in place around the cardboard. <br />
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When you're done, it should look something like this...<br />
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Yes, it's that scorched ironing board cover again! Someday I'll replace it with something pretty and quilty, but for now, we'll all just have to deal with it. At least it's getting lots of use! :) <br />
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Use your very hot iron to press around the edges of the foil circle. This should secure the crease in the fabric. <br />
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Ta-Da! Now you have two nicely-formed fabric circles. <br />
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Time to secure your center circle to the vest. I didn't feel like fooling with the FMP for this part, so I just did some very careful, thorough pinning. You don't want this to shift around on the vest while you sew it down. <br />
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Start pinning at the four compass points and then carefully fill in the gaps all the way around. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vU3RlXJJAo/UpTITAOLcFI/AAAAAAAAEEc/r6qc8-Eva2Q/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vU3RlXJJAo/UpTITAOLcFI/AAAAAAAAEEc/r6qc8-Eva2Q/s400/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_50.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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No satin-stitching here -- you need to keep the bulk to a minimum, because there's much more to come on this pocket. I used a loose zigzag stitch to secure the circle to the vest. Can you see it? See the difference between the center circle and the other circles? <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhk0pKbimBw/UpTSV1JTkhI/AAAAAAAAEI4/Q2j3A21lhn8/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhk0pKbimBw/UpTSV1JTkhI/AAAAAAAAEI4/Q2j3A21lhn8/s640/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_51.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now for the vinyl window and to turn this into a pocket... First, cut a piece of clear vinyl exactly the size of your template. I used 6-gauge vinyl -- you don't want this stuff to be flimsy.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dwu2g6Olu48/UpTISSvDVuI/AAAAAAAAED8/vHnHi7hlxlI/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dwu2g6Olu48/UpTISSvDVuI/AAAAAAAAED8/vHnHi7hlxlI/s640/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_47.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Set your vinyl aside and use your color fabric (again, preferably something low-bulk like quilter's cotton) to make double fold bias binding. In case you need a refresher, here's a quick rundown of the process:<br />
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Start with strips of fabric cut on the bias. Mine were cut 1 1/2 inches wide. <br />
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Join them with a diagonal seam. Here's how you achieve that. <br />
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Trim off the excess, leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance. <br />
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Press it open. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2iWpvGFgA5o/UpTIUU6HxZI/AAAAAAAAEEg/5U9wSwaE-9k/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2iWpvGFgA5o/UpTIUU6HxZI/AAAAAAAAEEg/5U9wSwaE-9k/s400/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_54.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now press your long strip in half, but not quite on center. Leave one side just a hair wider. <br />
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Now open the fold back up and press 1/4 inch in on either side. <br />
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Fold it up the (almost) center crease again and press the whole mess into place. <br />
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One side will be slightly narrower than the other. From the end, it should look like this. <br />
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You just made double-fold bias tape (also known as binding)! Alternately, you could buy some at the store already made, but it's harder to color-match. And really, it's super easy to make.<br />
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Okay, back to that pocket.<br />
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Next, I wrapped the bias binding around the edge of the vinyl. DO NOT PIN. So here's the thing about sewing with vinyl, leather, pleather, oilcloth, laminated cotton...<br />
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Once you make holes in it, they're there forever. No pins, and you don't want to "over sew" it. So we're going to walk through a process to keep your stitching and hole-making to a minimum. Start by using binding clips instead of pins to secure it in place. They're basically the same thing as those bendy barrettes you buy in the hair accessory section at your nearest big box store. <br />
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As you encase your vinyl edge inside the binding, stretch the binding a bit to keep it smooth around the circle. (This is why you made your binding from bias cuts...it stretches to fit around curves!)<br />
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Don't worry about getting the ends perfect just yet. Secure the edges and leave them for the moment.<br />
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Next, lay the vinyl circle on top of the cotton circle on your vest. <br />
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Using your creature power discs as a guide, mark the binding on either side to determine the width of the pocket opening. These pictures are a little dark...<br />
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It's finally time to go to your machine. First, go back to a straight stitch, and make it a little longer than normal. Every machine is different, but I have a Janome and I think I increased mine to 2.8. <br />
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<b>Now, stitch your binding ONLY to the vinyl, and ONLY between the marks.</b> I don't have a picture of this step, unfortunately, and the picture below is a little deceiving. It shows the stitching between the dots, but it looks like I stitched in on the vest. I didn't. I laid the circle on top of the vest to show that this is where the pocket opening will be. I realized afterward that it looks a little confusing. The point is this: <b>Do NOT stitch the pocket to the vest between the marks!</b> <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lxXL2ya60A8/UpTIXLETnGI/AAAAAAAAEF0/IqvbbGpKGG8/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lxXL2ya60A8/UpTIXLETnGI/AAAAAAAAEF0/IqvbbGpKGG8/s640/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_64.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Okay, now that I pounded that into your head, you actually ARE going to stitch the pocket to the vest the rest of the way around the circle. Start by cleaning up the spot where the tails of the binding meet and securing it neatly.<br />
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Lay the circle of vinyl on top of the cotton circle on the vest. You can't really pin it down, so sew slowly and carefully, beginning on the outside of one mark, circling around the bottom and stopping at the other mark. Make sense?<br />
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Now you have a fully encased vinyl pocket for your creature power discs! <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuZSOAbpIXg/UpTIX_roTOI/AAAAAAAAEF8/V1DuXVAehuU/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuZSOAbpIXg/UpTIX_roTOI/AAAAAAAAEF8/V1DuXVAehuU/s640/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_66.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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You Wild Kratts vests are complete! All that left are the accessories... Check in for the glove tutorial later this week! <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mxREFc1DyZk/UpTIdssZYHI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/BrdeBHCn1mE/s1600/Wild+Kratts_93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mxREFc1DyZk/UpTIdssZYHI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/BrdeBHCn1mE/s640/Wild+Kratts_93.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/11/tutorial-upcycled-finds-into-wild.html" target="_blank">Need the first part of this tutorial? Find it here.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2015/01/tutorial-part-3-upcycled-finds-into.html" target="_blank">The final step - Part 3 - is here!</a><br />
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Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Sewing! <br />
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Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-53424200491197000692013-11-08T08:59:00.002-06:002013-11-15T18:42:42.622-06:00My Mother's ScentToday is Momma's birthday, and so I can't help but find myself combing through old photos and thinking of her. That happens more often than I'd like to admit. No special occasion required, really. But today will be a closet day.<br />
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In my mother’s closet there is a long-sleeved t-shirt covered with gold and silver beads. The beading takes the form of a deer surrounded by snowflakes. A Christmas shirt. For this time of year she loved so much. She had acquired many Christmas blouses over the years, but the whirls and twirls of this one, in particular, are dear to me. Special. So special that it’s buried under a pile of clothing for protection.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-juSUUasjA7w/UnzzzSskwlI/AAAAAAAAD_4/PteOp3b-rDM/s1600/Momma_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-juSUUasjA7w/UnzzzSskwlI/AAAAAAAAD_4/PteOp3b-rDM/s640/Momma_17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas at my sister's house maybe three, four years ago?<br />
No telling what kind of snow-scene was on the vest she was wearing...<br />
I love this picture. She still looked like herself. And happy!</td></tr>
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When my mother departed this world eight months ago, her entire room in my home smelled of her. After a couple of days, it was just her closet. Now, it’s that single blouse...barely.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U9AZwWm6RG4/Unz2_c4HXMI/AAAAAAAAEAY/av9LBcX_dCY/s1600/Momma_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U9AZwWm6RG4/Unz2_c4HXMI/AAAAAAAAEAY/av9LBcX_dCY/s400/Momma_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The green Christmas Crab shirt, personally selected by her favorite crabby (Bitty) boy.</td></tr>
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It’s no wonder that the sense of smell can trigger so many memories and sensations. After all, the scent of a loved one is as singular as a fingerprint. Though other things in life may pass away, they can be experienced again, like the scent of the fresh lemons from our trees reborn year after year. But I can’t recreate the unique layers -- her gentle soaps and fragrant shampoos, her lotion, her makeup and smell-good, all swirled with her own personal musk -- that defined her.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOXRKQQZ1To/Unz0J6hEHVI/AAAAAAAAEAA/n6k9fFj_jMU/s1600/Momma_110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOXRKQQZ1To/Unz0J6hEHVI/AAAAAAAAEAA/n6k9fFj_jMU/s400/Momma_110.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocking Big Boy on her front porch when he was still itty-bitty,<br />
taking in that delicious new baby smell.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo1CWnkOgxk/Unz2_cv2TyI/AAAAAAAAEAc/UJ9OoUp0aJ0/s1600/Momma_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo1CWnkOgxk/Unz2_cv2TyI/AAAAAAAAEAc/UJ9OoUp0aJ0/s400/Momma_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my brother and me in another festive blouse!<br />
I treasure this photo, but it's hard. She looked so tired. </td></tr>
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To smell my mother’s unique scent is to feel her presence again. And there’s only one blouse left that smells like her. If only I could seal her scent in a time capsule...but instead, when I can stand it no longer, I gingerly lift the blouse out of its fabric bunker, get a quick sniff and re-bury it, knowing that someday it will lose her scent and the memory of it will fade forever.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lFSmLH4lvg/Unz2_g3HtyI/AAAAAAAAEAg/nYzOxF3pdHY/s1600/Momma_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lFSmLH4lvg/Unz2_g3HtyI/AAAAAAAAEAg/nYzOxF3pdHY/s640/Momma_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-71219765108776971852013-11-01T22:40:00.001-05:002015-01-27T09:23:53.414-06:00Tutorial: Upcycled Finds into Wild Kratts Costumes for Less Than $35<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrgdTwr56G0/UnQlO-VfYEI/AAAAAAAAD_U/6Y58dA-O32A/s1600/Wild+Kratts_92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrgdTwr56G0/UnQlO-VfYEI/AAAAAAAAD_U/6Y58dA-O32A/s1600/Wild+Kratts_92.jpg" height="534" width="640" /></a></div>
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This. This right here. This is why I love Halloween so much. What could possibly be better than dressing up and exploring another identity for a day? Especially when that identity is someone you think is cool! <br />
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The kids embraced it with their usual verve. They were awfully proud of themselves as they bounced around the neighborhood pretending to be the Wild Kratts pretending to be various creatures. :) I'm pretty proud of myself, too. I've made the kids some <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2012/10/todays-photo-journal-halloween-costume.html" target="_blank">cool costumes over the years</a> including last year's <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2012/10/toothless-and-shark-costumes-debut.html" target="_blank">Toothless dragon and shark costumes</a>, but this is the first year I've managed to do it for so little moolah!<br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/11/tutorial-part-2-upcycled-finds-into.html" target="_blank">See Part 2 of this tutorial series here.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2015/01/tutorial-part-3-upcycled-finds-into.html" target="_blank">See Part 3 of this series here - the last step!</a><br />
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All in all, I made both costumes for around $35, if you don't count the few things they already had, like the khaki shorts. I also don't really count the boots either, because we bought them mainly for working outside with Daddy. Living in flip-flop land has its perils, especially when they decide to help him build something in the garage or do yard work. Still, even if you count the boots, they came in at a comfortable $13 per pair. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1.wp.com/toonbarn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Wild-Kratts-roars-with-PBS-Kids-Go.jpg?resize=575%2C285" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Wild Kratts roars with PBS Kids Go" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13034" src="http://i1.wp.com/toonbarn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Wild-Kratts-roars-with-PBS-Kids-Go.jpg?resize=575%2C285" data-recalc-dims="1" height="197" title="Wild Kratts roars with PBS Kids Go" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My boys pretty much nailed this pose for their pre-Trick-or-Treat photo.</td></tr>
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More gratuitous kiddo pictures! They had no problems performing for the camera once they got their vests on...<br />
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Show me: FIERCE! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cIDpUE4dGjU/UnG-W7ngZ2I/AAAAAAAAD9g/xZqCOf4Oz-Y/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cIDpUE4dGjU/UnG-W7ngZ2I/AAAAAAAAD9g/xZqCOf4Oz-Y/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_73.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bitty should've had a "squirrel power" disc given how well he squirreled away all that candy. Of course, as a baby he would squirrel away peas in his cheeks with regularity. Two hours after mealtime, we'd see a flash of green swishing across his tongue. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M1EnK-NkCHg/UnQlPW4iojI/AAAAAAAAD_s/x-ErG9ICmXE/s1600/Wild+Kratts_94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M1EnK-NkCHg/UnQlPW4iojI/AAAAAAAAD_s/x-ErG9ICmXE/s1600/Wild+Kratts_94.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you aren't familiar with the <a href="http://pbskids.org/wildkratts/home.html" target="_blank">Wild Kratts show on PBS</a>, here's what the boys are wearing: <br />
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<a href="http://www.animationmagazine.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Wild-Kratts-post-510x483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wild Kratts" border="0" class="size-medium wp-image-38288" src="http://www.animationmagazine.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Wild-Kratts-post-510x483.jpg" height="303" title="Wild Kratts" width="320" /></a></div>
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These funny-looking outfits allow the Kratt Brothers to turn into creatures thanks to creature power discs engineered by their friend Aviva. (The kids asked me to dress like her for Halloween. Thank goodness she's a pretty normal-looking gal. A ponytail, wide leg jeans and a zip up fleece...all set! )<br />
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Since I took about a thousand photos of the process (okay, maybe just 80, but <i>still</i>), let's jump right into it!<br />
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This year, I wanted to try upcycling instead of buying lots of new materials, so we first visited the local thrift shop. Here's what you'll need:<br />
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For One Vest<br />
- 1 yard knit fabric in black <i>*Thrifty alternative - Knit sweater or sweatshirt, V-neck if possible</i><br />
- Scraps of green or blue knit fabric for side & shoulder panels <i>*Thrifty alternative - Thrift store t-shirts in the right colors that you're willing to cut up</i><br />
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Creature Power Disc Pocket <br />
- Fat quarter quilting cotton in matching green or blue for creature power disc pocket background and binding <i>*Thrifty alternative - another piece of the thrift store t-shirts, though I really prefer a woven for this part instead of a knit</i><br />
- 5 x 5 inch piece of vinyl<br />
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Gloves<br />
- Black knit gloves <i>*Thrifty alternative - Upcycle an old pair by shortening the finger length</i><br />
- Scraps of matching green or blue fabric to make the finger and palm pads on the gloves <i>*More of those thrift store t-shirts!</i><br />
- Glow in the dark fabric paint in matching colors<br />
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Creature Power Discs<br />
- Heavy cardboard or wood circles<br />
- Animal shapes<br />
- Black and green or blue paint (SuperHusband used spray paint, but you could do this with any craft paint.)<br />
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Accessories<br />
- A green or blue t-shirt to go under the vest<br />
- Khaki shorts<br />
- Hiking or work boots<br />
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In our case, the main body of the boys' costumes came from two sweaters and two t-shirts, all purchased from the thrift store for less than $12. <br />
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Today let's tackle the main vest construction...<br />
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We found a fleece sweatshirt just a few sizes bigger than my Big Boy. The opening at the collar fit him great, so I bought that one, cut the sleeves off and threw it over his head to measure how much to take it in at the sides and off the bottom. I used chalk to mark it and then to give myself some "rough-in" lines.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1bHdmUtzlk/UnG9z_SYcfI/AAAAAAAAD04/zBJc9LRkDpw/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1bHdmUtzlk/UnG9z_SYcfI/AAAAAAAAD04/zBJc9LRkDpw/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_01.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I wanted the hemline to be higher in front and lower in back like the real Creature Power suits. I cut out the vest according to my drawing. (Be sure not to accidentally cut the back as high as you want the front!) Here's how it looked all cut out:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2Lt9OBtv98/UnG90CryCeI/AAAAAAAAD1E/OjCkQbJKyN8/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2Lt9OBtv98/UnG90CryCeI/AAAAAAAAD1E/OjCkQbJKyN8/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_02.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I set this one aside and started on Bitty's.<br />
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Unfortunately, none of the thrift store sweatshirts came anywhere close to Bitty's size, so we had to take a different approach. I purchased a nice, huge knit sweater. (It was a Roundtree and York that looked like it had never been worn!) For just $3, the men's XXL henley-style sweater provided plenty of room to cut Bitty's vest at a fraction of the cost of a nice knit fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cFjVOa-2Wk/UnG90Y_wIjI/AAAAAAAAD1Q/LlcUcwHNA7M/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cFjVOa-2Wk/UnG90Y_wIjI/AAAAAAAAD1Q/LlcUcwHNA7M/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_04.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Having already cut Big Boy's vest from the fleece sweatshirt, I used it as a pattern to cut the vest from the sweater. Since Bitty is a little smaller than Big Boy, I decided I didn't need to add seam allowances. I just traced and cut around Big Boy's vest. After cutting out both layers, I cut the "V" in the front piece for the neck opening and raised the hem on the front piece just like on Big Boy's vest. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb2aq9h_JMo/UnHEpnfFZGI/AAAAAAAAD_A/TPw3HfqgC80/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb2aq9h_JMo/UnHEpnfFZGI/AAAAAAAAD_A/TPw3HfqgC80/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_05.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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I also cut off the nice, neat hemline of the henley to use to make the collar in Bitty's vest. No need to make my own binding when it's already right there! <br />
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The first step was to create a "V" in the collar so it would fit the v-neck opening on the front of the vest. I did that by folding the binding onto itself and then seaming it at a 45 degree angle. If that's unclear, just pinch off the shape that you need, pin it, and seam it along the line that you pinched to accomplish the angle you need.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bUIKGV5hE-Q/UnG90yiaBFI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/09O8RKoRbdI/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bUIKGV5hE-Q/UnG90yiaBFI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/09O8RKoRbdI/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_06.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next, I laid the vest front over my new collar and turned about 1/4 inch under from the top edge. I pinned everything in place from the top side.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TqKHWHjiyEI/UnG91CHoOoI/AAAAAAAAD1g/D2NNMSAZm08/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TqKHWHjiyEI/UnG91CHoOoI/AAAAAAAAD1g/D2NNMSAZm08/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_07.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Knits have a lot of "give," so I was able to manhandle it into place, even around the point of the V, until I had it all pinned in place. Sewing a collar in this way with a woven fabric would've taken a slightly different approach.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qD5nS2qnHbA/UnG91fQmOKI/AAAAAAAAD1o/rSC1lLzElRg/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qD5nS2qnHbA/UnG91fQmOKI/AAAAAAAAD1o/rSC1lLzElRg/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_08.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used a walking foot on my machine and small zigzag stitches to topstitch the vest front onto the collar. Keep in mind, this collar has to stretch around the child's head, so the seam has to have some give. If you straight-stitch this seam, you'll regret it later. (Ask me how I know...)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5KadqId4t4/UnG92BUAYoI/AAAAAAAAD14/M7_WFFyu4EM/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5KadqId4t4/UnG92BUAYoI/AAAAAAAAD14/M7_WFFyu4EM/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_10.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Can you see those tiny little zigs and zags? <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-_kykbdUHc/UnG92QlnzpI/AAAAAAAAD2A/-qkb8fbzIm4/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-_kykbdUHc/UnG92QlnzpI/AAAAAAAAD2A/-qkb8fbzIm4/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_11.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ta-da!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwHpENMsuq4/UnG92kvjaAI/AAAAAAAAD2E/vCKAKROe798/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwHpENMsuq4/UnG92kvjaAI/AAAAAAAAD2E/vCKAKROe798/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_12.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once the collar front is in, it's time to do the back. The back is a little different. I started by seaming the binding (or collar piece) right sides together to the vest back. It won't lay flat in the direction you want it to just yet. It should be laying against the back of the vest.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rj3oKPvEBAU/UnG93fZHXUI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/5RMxitoiv4s/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rj3oKPvEBAU/UnG93fZHXUI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/5RMxitoiv4s/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_14.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once it's on, flip it up and pin it in place. <i>Now</i> topstitch it in place and it should look like the front. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OimoPoSS0mU/UnG93k3iXYI/AAAAAAAAD2g/85D_NjCIxcs/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OimoPoSS0mU/UnG93k3iXYI/AAAAAAAAD2g/85D_NjCIxcs/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_15.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Voila!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cDqJGnMw-mA/UnG938CojQI/AAAAAAAAD2o/zjLkIeiyvWU/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cDqJGnMw-mA/UnG938CojQI/AAAAAAAAD2o/zjLkIeiyvWU/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_16.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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At this point, with the right sides together, seam the shoulders, making sure the pieces match at the seamline, not along the edge. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bW3wpQ-EFqo/UnG94J06AEI/AAAAAAAAD20/OI2S8FoKXx0/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bW3wpQ-EFqo/UnG94J06AEI/AAAAAAAAD20/OI2S8FoKXx0/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_17.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yes, that's my gnarly bent pin and my marked up cutting mat. I'm a real person with well-used and well-loved sewing supplies. :)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2KL-6uZvZE/UnG94XdLvNI/AAAAAAAAD2w/g0lrR6sy9SU/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2KL-6uZvZE/UnG94XdLvNI/AAAAAAAAD2w/g0lrR6sy9SU/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_18.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I serged off the seam allowances in there after seaming the shoulder, but if you don't have a serger, you could just overcast it with a zigzag stitch. With many knits, you don't necessarily need to finish the inside edges off at all, but I knew these costumes would get regular wear and use, so I wanted to do as many nice finishes as I could.<br />
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Alright! We're caught up to the first vest. Doesn't that collar look great! Saving all that time by using the hem off the sweater makes me feel all tickley and happy...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NzB1UaLjKys/UnG94lrYdDI/AAAAAAAAD3A/dHMY8k28y2g/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NzB1UaLjKys/UnG94lrYdDI/AAAAAAAAD3A/dHMY8k28y2g/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_19.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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From here on out, the instructions will be the same no matter how you started, so read on to find out the next steps!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HaVwgrJZ5N4/UnG95L3x5fI/AAAAAAAAD3I/ozEr5yCVOjw/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HaVwgrJZ5N4/UnG95L3x5fI/AAAAAAAAD3I/ozEr5yCVOjw/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_20.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Time to stitch up the side seams...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bzEvfPI4zrI/UnG95SB1tsI/AAAAAAAAD3M/LiZpYq7feV4/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bzEvfPI4zrI/UnG95SB1tsI/AAAAAAAAD3M/LiZpYq7feV4/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_21.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and to fold the bottom hem under and topstitch it. Remember to use that zigzag stitch for stretch!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oCgKC60Q8GI/UnG95iptJnI/AAAAAAAAD3U/G8W78dttNsI/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oCgKC60Q8GI/UnG95iptJnI/AAAAAAAAD3U/G8W78dttNsI/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_22.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's not your imagination. The vest in the photo above (Bitty's) is not the same as the vest in the photo below (Big Boy's). The black-on-black process photos were a little hard to shoot, so I just used the ones that turned out the best. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wH-r18eVxYI/UnG90M1JBOI/AAAAAAAAD1A/IiAukz6tN2c/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wH-r18eVxYI/UnG90M1JBOI/AAAAAAAAD1A/IiAukz6tN2c/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_03.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you have a lot of excess seam allowance hanging around in there after topstitching your hemline down, you might want to trim it off relatively close to the seam.<br />
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Do the same things for the arm holes...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnLowinsxlA/UnG96QiMj8I/AAAAAAAAD3c/9E3J16Zk3Dg/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnLowinsxlA/UnG96QiMj8I/AAAAAAAAD3c/9E3J16Zk3Dg/s1600/Wild+Kratts+Halloween_24.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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And you're done with all the major construction on the vest! Everything else is embellishment...and boy is there embellishment! Stick around for Part 2 to see more of how to create these costumes, including the awesome window pockets for Creature Power Discs!<br />
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<a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/11/tutorial-part-2-upcycled-finds-into.html" target="_blank">You can find Part 2 of this tutorial here! </a><br />
<a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2015/01/tutorial-part-3-upcycled-finds-into.html" target="_blank">Find Part 3 here!</a> <br />
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<i>If you find our blog helpful or entertaining, please comment below and visit the JustSewOlivia facebook page for regular updates</i>! <i>Don't want to have to check in for new postings? Use the email sign-up to have postings delivered to your inbox the same day they go live! You won't get any promotional emails and I won't share your info. Thanks for sewing along with us!</i> ~ <i>Olivia</i>Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-57347879086901883282013-10-21T20:20:00.000-05:002013-11-15T18:41:26.755-06:00Today's Photo Journal: Over the QuiltWest Hump!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aUqyvou4TRI/UmXVxvXYQGI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/9w9-0VNqHQY/s1600/QuiltWest_Oct_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aUqyvou4TRI/UmXVxvXYQGI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/9w9-0VNqHQY/s640/QuiltWest_Oct_6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That, my friends, is perhaps the largest stack of binding ever.</span> (Okay, except maybe in a factory where they make the stuff commercially, but you know what I mean.) That bottom layer measures up to roughly the size of a 9-inch round layer of cake!<br />
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QuiltWest is still in full swing. So many lovely ladies have come together to make these beautiful quilts! Need the background? Check out these posts:<br />
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<a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/04/calling-all-quilters-quiltwest-for.html" target="_blank">Calling all Quilters! QuiltWest for first responders' families</a><br />
<a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/05/update-quiltwest.html" target="_blank">Update: QuiltWest - Quilts for West, Texas first responders' families</a><br />
<a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/05/tutorial-basic-jelly-roll-quilt.html" target="_blank">Tutorial: Basic Jelly Roll Quilt - QuiltWest </a><br />
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Here's Miss Sherry putting together that binding...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yU5ExFDXdOk/UmXVvwTwjQI/AAAAAAAADzs/nfOgBT_EWP4/s1600/QuiltWest_Oct_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yU5ExFDXdOk/UmXVvwTwjQI/AAAAAAAADzs/nfOgBT_EWP4/s640/QuiltWest_Oct_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and Miss Millie, JoAnn and Wendy stitching tops together like madwomen. Wendy has since had that baby and little Q. is a handsome handful! <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NV6LKqIxhY/UmXVwBwmgSI/AAAAAAAADzw/RiU2GQTGCgs/s1600/QuiltWest_Oct_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NV6LKqIxhY/UmXVwBwmgSI/AAAAAAAADzw/RiU2GQTGCgs/s640/QuiltWest_Oct_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Can't forget Kim. She stopped by this weekend and finished piecing her first quilt.<br />
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Wendy might've had the baby, but I'm pretty sure Kim felt like a proud mama by the time she presented her completed quilt top!<br />
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It's been a big effort for this small group to put together and quilt all these quilts. <br />
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Others who've completed quilt tops aren't pictured here, like Tina and Jennifer, and there are the fabulous ladies -- Vickie, Donna and Kerry -- at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LynnsSewingCenter?ref=br_tf" target="_blank">Lynn's Sewing Center</a> who are lovingly hand-stitching the binding on all the quilts. I can't forget Sheri and the <a href="http://www.sewitbetter.com/" target="_blank">Sewing Center Around the Block</a> who's quilting one of the tops.<br />
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Allow me to introduce the newest additions to the volunteer team: <br />
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The ladies of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LadyOfTheLakeQuiltGuild?fref=ts" target="_blank">Lady of the Lake Quilt Guild</a> in Lake City, Florida! They have agreed to quilt four of the tops. THANK YOU!<br />
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I met Miss Ruth from the guild while traveling back from Miami. I stopped in to a WAY cool store, the <a href="http://www.fabricartshop.com/" target="_blank">Fabric Art Shop</a>, where we connected over rulers and quilting books. What a thoroughly neat shop filled with neater people! Isn't it amazing the incredible people you meet in this world of threads, fibers and artistry? I told Ruth about QuiltWest and asked if they might have some long-armers who might like to help. She said yes on the spot! If you're ever driving up I-75 in Florida, you should stop and see her at exit 427.<br />
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Three of the quilts are completely done, while others need quilting or binding. What a pile I have to mail to Lake City and a couple more to drop off at Lynn's! Even though I think we're technically less than halfway done, it certainly feels like the home stretch. <br />
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Finally, I don't ever want to let an update pass without recognizing others who have provided financial support to this effort. Mary in Guam made a donation toward fabric and supplies, and Al Doan and the team at Missouri Star Quilt Company offered us the backing at a discount.<br />
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A hearty thanks again to all the wonderful people making this happen! Check the JustSewOlivia facebook page or follow JustSewOlivia on Instagram for regular updates on QuiltWest progress. Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-57166930253002986722013-10-17T09:46:00.002-05:002014-07-13T17:25:48.431-05:00JustSewOlivia Pattern Launch: Make your child a SHARK costume!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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YAAAAAY! YAAY! YAY! Lots of excitement all up in this sewing oasis... <br />
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So you may remember a while back, I started a Shark Costume Tutorial series to show you how I constructed <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2012/10/toothless-and-shark-costumes-debut.html" target="_blank">Big Boy's Halloween costume last year</a>. My original intention was to have the entire tutorial series posted by <a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/shark-week" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shark Week</a>, but I never actually finished it. In the beginning, I just got behind, but ultimately I decided not to for a couple of reasons. First, I spent almost all summer living <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/05/todays-photo-journal-family-business.html" target="_blank">My Other Life</a>. While I did a little sewing in hotel rooms, I just didn't have the kind of time to really do this project justice. But I made the final call to stop midstream when I realized that I wanted to make MAJOR improvements to the pattern and simplify the process for people wanting to sew it. <br />
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Significant refinement of design and concept were in order, and in all the effort to compose the pattern and instructions, I realized I'd reached that magical milestone: The time had arrived to launch a pattern line with real, professionally laid-out graphics and the whole sha-bang. Which brings me to today...<br />
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SO EUREKA! IT'S HERE! The FIRST EVER JustSewOlivia sewing pattern!!<br />
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I give you, "Shark Bait!" YAAAAAY! And through Halloween, I'm discounting it to $3!<br />
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/other/shark-bait-shark-costume--justsewolivia/70671" target="_blank">Get the Shark Pattern here on Craftsy!</a> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/other/shark-bait-shark-costume--justsewolivia/70671" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://djiqd110ru30i.cloudfront.net/upload/1010441/pattern/70671/full_9251_70671_SharkBaitSharkCostumeJustSewOlivia_6.jpg" height="320" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
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Source: <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/other/shark-bait-shark-costume--justsewolivia/70671" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: underline;">Shark Bait! Shark Costume -JustSewOlivia</a> via <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/user/1010441/pattern-store" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">JustSewOlivia</a> on <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Craftsy</a> </div>
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(<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/164102361/shark-costume-pattern-shark-bait-by?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">Prefer Etsy? Here's that link</a>.)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fznv5fYrYvA/Ul_s59gwUmI/AAAAAAAADx4/7D91Alw2gSc/s1600/Toothless_310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fznv5fYrYvA/Ul_s59gwUmI/AAAAAAAADx4/7D91Alw2gSc/s1600/Toothless_310.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a><u><span style="font-size: large;">Improvements </span></u><br />
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Here are some of the improvements I've made to this pattern over what you see on Big Boy in the photo: The most obvious improvement will be in the tail. I shortened the tail to make it stand out and have more life, like Bitty's dragon tail did.<br />
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/other/dragon-costume-like-toothless/103633" target="_blank">Get the Dragon Costume pattern here! </a><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/196266694/dragon-costume-pattern-in-the-style-of?" target="_blank">...And on Etsy! </a></div>
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Second, although you can't see it from the pictures of Big Boy's costume, the original process for making the back fin was a complete debacle. So I went back to the drawing board and found a much simpler, faster, more satisfying way to put it together. (I don't want anyone going bald pulling her hair out or chucking a sewing machine into the Bay like I almost did when I designed the original!)</div>
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Lastly, you'll get stunning process photos. Although I never have as many photos as I would like, I do strive to provide many vivid, helpful images to accompany the instructions.</div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">A word about free and not-so-free content:</span></u> </div>
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This part is delicate, but I want to be completely straight-forward. We all love blogs, because we love free instruction and free design ideas bathed in clear instruction. I'm no exception. However, producing a (good) blog takes mountains of time and no small amount of money, and up to this point, my tiny business could be classified as a "negative profit." (Ha! But seriously...) As I have always tried to do, I desperately wanted to do this project right for you, my amazing reader, which meant hiring out some graphic work. That's an entirely new realm of deadlines and expenses. I also wanted to do it right for my family. It's time to try to make this thing GO. So please consider that I'm able to provide the free designs and instruction that I do by the support you give in small purchases like this. </div>
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Finally, if you're not familiar with Craftsy's pattern store, you might consider looking there first when you need a pattern. Craftsy makes its money off its class offerings, so it doesn't charge designers a fee to list there nor a percentage of the proceeds. While I will continue to offer patterns on Etsy, you might consider starting with Craftsy, because you pay the same price but your favorite designers make a touch more when you purchase there. </div>
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I am THRILLED beyond words and thank you -- THANK YOU -- for coming along on this journey with me! </div>
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Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-44403227718259437082013-10-09T22:09:00.000-05:002013-11-15T18:36:57.370-06:00The Bitty Boy with the Gigantic Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes our children say things that simply <i>melt</i> our hearts...</span><br />
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For the last few days, viruses have paraded through our house like they owned the joint. First, Big Boy brought some kind of bug home from school, then I started catching something. Through all this, SuperHusband -- with his immune system of steel -- and Bitty sat patiently by while we staggered through the house zombie-like. Thankfully, mine only lasted one day, but we were careful to temporarily suspend all the hugging and kissing in an effort to keep anything from spreading.<br />
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Still, despite our best efforts, I received the call from Bitty's preschool yesterday saying I needed to come pick him up.<br />
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"He's got a temp of 101," his teacher explained. "It took me a while to decide whether or not to call you. He sat on the bench during recess. I asked him if he was okay and he said, 'I'm in a good mood, Miss V, I just don't feel like playing.'"<br />
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Knowing he's typically an active and uber-expressive kid, she kept an eye on him, and sure enough, he stayed quiet and still all morning. Then lunch time arrived and my normally voracious little shark "took one look at his sandwich, looked sick and put it back down." That's when she took his temperature and called me. "I just wasn't sure. I can't believe how positive he was all morning."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Googly Eyes go <i>everywhere</i>!</td></tr>
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I walked in to find my pitiful little guy sitting by himself staring at his lunch. Only the juice box had been drained. "Momma, I just need to get in my own bed," he said.<br />
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"Don't worry, buddy, I'll get you there." I carried him to the car with his little arms wrapped around my neck, strapped him in and handed him a bag in case he felt sick on the way home. He white-knuckled it all the way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#PiratePatchArt Request: Whale Shark</td></tr>
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A few minutes into the ride, he said, "Momma, I really, really love you."<br />
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"I love you too, buddy, more than you know."<br />
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And that's when he said it -- the sweetest thing he's ever said: (...which is saying something)<br />
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"Momma, I tried really hard to feel good, because I wanted to love on you. When you were sick, you said you couldn't kiss me and I wanted to be able to kiss and hug you 'cause I just really love you."<br />
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Ugh. I'm not weepy all the time or anything, but if you can be assaulted by the blow of so much love, I'm pretty sure that was me at that moment. What did I ever do to deserve such a dear, affectionate, loving little man? And phew, how much guilt was I feeling about raising my voice to him when he was dilly-dallying that morning?<br />
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I am so deeply moved by the depth of my children. So young, and yet already my son knows more about love than I do. And my eldest -- he's less demonstrative in his affection, but he's the most compassionate person I've ever known. At six years old, he can't stand to see another child -- or adult -- cry. I've watched as he walked up to complete strangers in the hospital to comfort them. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Boy is teaching Bitty some sight words.</td></tr>
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Not unlike the pathogens that filtered into our home earlier this week, sometimes I think the hardening of our hearts is an infection that happens subtly, with time and disappointment. My prayer is that God will help me safeguard these little hearts so they never become embittered. I want them always to love like they love now...like Christ loved. My innocent little boy was willing to suffer in polite silence all morning in order to show me, his impatient, hyper-scheduled mom, his love. <br />
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I can't imagine -- in this life -- that we can get much closer to God than that.<br />
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<i>"...for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matt 19:14</i><br />
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<br />Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-11042132967661081072013-07-18T19:16:00.002-05:002013-07-22T21:22:57.833-05:00The JustSewOlivia Project Runway "Make it work!" Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In celebration of the start of a new Project Runway season starting tonight, I've sewn, photographed and written this tutorial starting at 6 p.m. central time -- just one hour before the beginning of Season 12 -- with the goal of completing the tutorial before the show starts! Holy cow...I only have 10 minutes as of this moment. Yikes!<br />
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Here's the backstory:<br />
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Okay, so I'm on orders in my Air Force job right now, and I'm having a make-it-work moment! I arrived at the Air Force base on Sunday night, only to realize I forgot my pillow. DOH! I totally don't sleep well in hotels on strange, hard, overstuffed pillows. So I went out and bought a nice soft pillow and a remnant of fabric to make a quick pillowcase. My pillow's been wearing one of my soft uniform t-shirts for the last three nights!<br />
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I have the following meager tools at my disposal for this challenge: <br />
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a sewing machine I bought for $17 off craigslist<br />
a pair of snips and older sewing scissors<br />
my computer and iPhone (for a camera!)<br />
a fabric remnant, approximately 1 yard of 100% cotton<br />
gray thread<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-98uTTAaukY0/UeiC4EUi7pI/AAAAAAAADtE/sO_lt9DdsVo/s1600/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-98uTTAaukY0/UeiC4EUi7pI/AAAAAAAADtE/sO_lt9DdsVo/s400/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Here goes!<br />
<br />
I just emailed my photos from the phone, but now I have to download them (individually, no less) to the computer...<br />
<br />
Step One: <br />
<br />
Press your remnant!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qK9GGxkt0jA/UeiCyDIrRsI/AAAAAAAADs0/F4bfTQ0Q9aI/s1600/photo+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qK9GGxkt0jA/UeiCyDIrRsI/AAAAAAAADs0/F4bfTQ0Q9aI/s400/photo+%25286%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Fold it in half and use a standard pillowcase as a guide to cut it to size. Note which side of your cut square will be the end that opens...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Ai1d8OXdS4/UeiC7jk3aFI/AAAAAAAADtU/y_DHfuLNa9k/s1600/photo+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Ai1d8OXdS4/UeiC7jk3aFI/AAAAAAAADtU/y_DHfuLNa9k/s400/photo+%25289%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
On the side of the opening, turn 1/2 inch to the wrong side. Press.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSyqXijhwPs/UeiC7QDcDfI/AAAAAAAADtM/04hqxLIazmM/s1600/photo+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSyqXijhwPs/UeiC7QDcDfI/AAAAAAAADtM/04hqxLIazmM/s400/photo+%252810%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Now turn the same edge approximately 3 inches again, encasing the 1/2 with the raw edge on the inside of the double fold. Press again.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6ze_BWrTsg/UeiCpLmW1yI/AAAAAAAADsc/WEnXUl1OyxQ/s1600/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6ze_BWrTsg/UeiCpLmW1yI/AAAAAAAADsc/WEnXUl1OyxQ/s400/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Take it to the machine and topstitch the faux pillowcase band in place approximately 2.75 inches from the folded edge, making sure you catch all layers where you've folded the raw edge under. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dswIYc1hbI/UeiC_224mzI/AAAAAAAADtc/HA6PeVQiLzQ/s1600/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dswIYc1hbI/UeiC_224mzI/AAAAAAAADtc/HA6PeVQiLzQ/s400/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here's what it looks like on the underside...<br />
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<br />
Press the band again. Fold the pillowcase in half, right sides together.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQRFgWHg4ik/UeiDEKu1isI/AAAAAAAADts/Syckd43VH_Q/s1600/photo+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQRFgWHg4ik/UeiDEKu1isI/AAAAAAAADts/Syckd43VH_Q/s400/photo+%252812%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Stitch along the edges, starting at the faux band, and overcast the raw edges with a zigzag stitch. Obviously, you don't stitch the side with the fold, and you don't want to sew the opening closed. I'm not really sure I needed to say that, but you never know!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sF047SdTSRA/UeiCfsb3vkI/AAAAAAAADsM/MheERt-8F-A/s1600/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sF047SdTSRA/UeiCfsb3vkI/AAAAAAAADsM/MheERt-8F-A/s400/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Clip the corner.<br />
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<br />
Turn, press, stuff and enjoy!!<br />
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<br />
Here it is with the small pillow I really bought to sleep on in it, even though I made it to a standard size. (That way I can still use it on my bed pillow when I get home!<br />
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Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-60062570923089733532013-06-26T20:04:00.000-05:002013-06-26T20:07:17.983-05:00Busy, busy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wow! So much has happened! We've been all birthdays and company and traveling and Air Force duty, not to mention QuiltWest, which continues to progress. Nearly all the quilt tops are in from our hard-working sewistas, and I've completed long arm quilting on two of them! Check out these rockin' paisleys, yo.</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLFj6SknvIA/UcpX_p9Ec9I/AAAAAAAADqw/sEd_vPpCKmY/s1600/Long+Arm+Quilting_41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLFj6SknvIA/UcpX_p9Ec9I/AAAAAAAADqw/sEd_vPpCKmY/s640/Long+Arm+Quilting_41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I bet you think I've totally let the shark costume drop off the map, but I haven't. I'm in the process of revising some of the pieces and steps to make it WAY easier with far better results. Might be a few days yet, but HOORAY for easier/better!<br />
<br />
Speaking of sharks, here's a quick preview of Big Boy's birthday cake. More to come on that...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pS97N9zMNYc/UcpYYG_X-dI/AAAAAAAADq0/1SFUY6s9kj4/s1600/Shark+birthday_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pS97N9zMNYc/UcpYYG_X-dI/AAAAAAAADq0/1SFUY6s9kj4/s320/Shark+birthday_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So on to some BIG NEWS:</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
- First, I'm thrilled to say I can officially use the "I've been featured on FaveQuilts" button, because not one but TWO of my tutorials have been featured there in as many days! You can check them out <a href="http://www.favequilts.com/Table-and-Placemats/Pretty-Piecey-Placemat/ml/1" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.favequilts.com/Quilting-For-Baby/Scrappy-Roll-Up-Changing-Pad/ml/1" target="_blank">here</a>. YAY!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.favequilts.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="FaveQuilts Featured Button" height="200" src="http://www.favequilts.com/master_images/FaveQuilts/fq_400X200.jpg" title="FaveQuilts Featured Button" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I should mention that a few days ago I did a <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/06/sewing-with-precut-fabric-bundles.html" target="_blank">posting on quilting with precuts</a> that also listed resources for free quilt patterns. Though FaveQuilts is not focused on precuts, they offer tons of free quilt patterns in addition to the other resources I listed in that posting.<br />
<br />
- Next, I finally got around to creating pages for my <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/p/long-arm-quilting-services.html" target="_blank">long arm quilting services</a> and a <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/p/quilt-gallery.html" target="_blank">gallery of quilting techniques</a> I offer. So give me a shout if you want some kickin' custom quilting! YAY!<br />
<br />
- Another big milestone... <a href="http://quiltinggallery.com/learning-center/aiming-for-accuracy-quilt-along/sponsors-and-prizes/" target="_blank">I'm a sponsor</a> of a quilt along over on <a href="http://www.quiltinggallery.com/" target="_blank">Quilting Gallery</a>. (I feel so "official." I've never sponsored anything like this before.) Check out Michele's Aiming for Accuracy quilt along by clicking the button below. My grand prize offering is $100 off custom quilting services. YAY!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://quiltinggallery.com/learning-center/aiming-for-accuracy-quilt-along/" target="_blank"><img alt="Aiming for Accuracy Quilt-Along" class="imgL" height="250" src="http://quiltinggallery.com/images/aiming-for-accuracy-qal-250.jpg" title="" width="250" /></a></div>
<br />
And finally, though I can't spill the beans just yet, I'm in the midst of another big milestone that's taking up some of my blogging time. Hang with me...it'll be worth it, I promise!<br />
<br />
So there's the very brief data dump on what's been kind of a landmark week. Thanks for being awesome and supportive. Seriously.Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-71355769958673867752013-06-18T21:04:00.002-05:002013-06-20T07:38:13.955-05:00Sewing with Precut Fabric Bundles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NVoTfJ-ksyo/UcEFzRGzEzI/AAAAAAAADnI/1TOy0BcrVxw/s1600/Precuts_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NVoTfJ-ksyo/UcEFzRGzEzI/AAAAAAAADnI/1TOy0BcrVxw/s640/Precuts_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Since I selected the <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/05/tutorial-basic-jelly-roll-quilt.html" target="_blank">Jelly Roll Race quilt technique</a> for <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/05/update-quiltwest.html" target="_blank">QuiltWest</a>, you probably noticed I'm finally coming around on the whole precut fabric thing. For
years, the frugal homemaker inside me just couldn't come to terms with
paying so much extra for the process of having someone else do your
cutting. Frankly, I saw it as a luxury I couldn't afford.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Boy, has my perspective ever changed...</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b><u>Unfamiliar with Precuts</u>?</b><br />
<br />
Here's a basic breakdown of typical precuts and bundles you might see from various manufacturers. Some of these terms are specific to the manufacturer (Moda, mostly), but they've come to refer to all precuts in the same way that all sodas are "cokes" if you come from Kentucky like me.<br />
<br />
Fat Quarter - single cut of fabric, 18 x 22-ish inches, occasionally sold in bundles of varying sizes<br />
Layer Cake - stack of 10 x 10 inch squares, $39 or less<br />
Charm Pack - stack of 5 x 5 inch squares, $10 or less<br />
Jelly Roll - roll of 2.5 x 42 inch strips, $39 or less<br />
Honey Bun - roll of 1.5 x 42 inch strips, $30 or less<br />
Turnover - stack of 6 inch triangles, $18 or less, (80 pieces)<br />
<br />
With the exception of the turnovers, most of these kits come with approximately 40 pieces of fabric, provided from some 20-30 coordinating fabrics, but every manufacturer is different, so read the fine print to know what you're getting. <br />
<br />
<b><u>So why am I so sold on precuts now</u>?</b><br />
<br />
For one thing, what I failed to consider in the past was the variety
of beautiful fabrics you get in a bundle of precut fabrics.
Precut = precoordinated. So yes, if you buy a jelly roll with 2.5 yards
of fabric for $40, you're paying a pretty sizable markup, BUT do you really want an entire yard of all 40
of those fabrics? (Or even 1/2 yard?)<br />
<br />
So, yes. It took me a while to
realize how nice it is to get a bundle of beautiful cuts, <i>use it all</i> and move on to the next project. How freeing!<br />
<br />
After I finally broke down and bought my first precuts, my next dilemma was how to make a quilt from such a small amount of each fabric. Again, like the CFLs over my vanity, the lightbulb needed a little time to warm up before I realized that the key was to mix them with solids.<br />
<br />
And on a side note, it was about this same time when I realized that solids were the answer to showing off my mad long-arm quilting skillz, too. With a nice mix of solids and prints, the beautiful prints, precision piecing and intricate quilting prowess can all shine in a glorious trifecta of fabric-y genius! <br />
<br />
<b><u>Where do I get precuts</u>?</b><br />
<br />
I'm always going to say, "Start locally." I'm a big
fan of supporting local small business, and many
high-end quilt shops will carry a limited selection of precut fabrics
from major manufacturers/designers like Moda, Windham, Benartex, Robert Kaufmann, Riley Blake etc.<br />
<br />
...But if you can't find what you need downtown, it's time to hit the interwebs.<br />
<br />
The main internet purveyors are companies that focus on quilter's cotton fabric like <a href="http://www.missouriquiltco.com/" target="_blank">Missouri Star Quilt Co</a>, which specializes in precuts and boasts the largest selection on the web, <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/" target="_blank">Fat Quarter Shop</a> (FQS accepts Paypal!), and honorable mention to <a href="http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/" target="_blank">Hancock's of Paducah</a> for their amazing selection of precut Batiks. (This is a different company from the big box fabric store chain and infinitely more awesome). You can find precuts at <a href="http://www.fabric.com/" target="_blank">Fabric.com</a>,
but because this company deals in all kinds of fabric, their attention
to detail in precuts is pretty pitiful. (Sorry guys, but it's kind of a prerequisite with precuts that you should show a graphic with swatches of all the included fabrics. That's what sells it, silly. Why would you NOT do this?)<br />
<br />
Finally,
designer lines of precuts seem to come and go pretty quickly, so you
can't always wait for them to go on sale.
That said, when I've fallen in love with a fabric line and couldn't find it at
the major suppliers anymore, I've had great luck with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy</a>. Many small-time fabric dealers do business there and have older inventory, but don't expect a bargain.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZ6Cbyp-9Iw/UcEFy2WNtdI/AAAAAAAADnA/0q0HDdZ5WFE/s1600/Precuts_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZ6Cbyp-9Iw/UcEFy2WNtdI/AAAAAAAADnA/0q0HDdZ5WFE/s320/Precuts_1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<b><u>How do I get a better deal</u>?</b><br />
<br />
By
their very nature, web resources for precuts typically have competitive
pricing, so it usually comes down to selection, promotional discounts
and shipping costs. <br />
<br />
Pay attention to <a href="https://www.missouriquiltco.com/shop/dailydeal" target="_blank">daily deals</a> from companies like Missouri Star, which also offers $5 flat rate shipping. The daily deal is usually so good, it's nearly impossible to resist. (A few days ago, they offered something for 100% off. Kooky, right? But it was legit -- a free product with only the price of shipping applied.) Or go directly to the <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/onsale.asp?Store_id=499&Page_Id=15&T=1" target="_blank">sale section of Fat Quarter Shop</a>
so you can fall in love with something that's already on sale, instead
of wanting the latest release. Incidentally, FQS has the absolute best website for sifting through their inventory. It's fast moving and
user-friendly. If you know you need a layer cake, you can go to the
sale section and then jump to layer cakes. You don't have to sort
through the entire sale inventory to find what you want. Nearly all
these companies have a "free shipping" threshold as well. So it
behooves you to plan your project and order all your supplies at once to
save on shipping.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Another easy way to save?
Subscribe to email and coupon lists. Of course, in order for that to
work, you have to actually read the emails they send you... </div>
<br />
<b><u>What can I make from a precut bundle</u>?</b><br />
<br />
Now that you're sold on the <i>concept</i> of precut bundles and you've hunted them down, you run into two more dilemmas: <br />
<br />
First, how do I figure out <b>what to cut from these gorgeous little bundles</b>? I have a real hangup about wasting
things. I find that most people driven to learn arts like sewing and
quilting come from two camps: The "I want to save money and not pay
retail" camp, and the "I want something different from what everybody
else has" camp. They aren't mutually exclusive. I feel both
compulsions. So when I get ready to start a quilt with a bundle of precuts, it takes me a moment to get past the "Whatever I do, I don't want to mess it up!" stage. When the largest cut of any one fabric in a fat quarter bundle is a mere 18 x 22
inches, you want to have some kind of strategy, even if it's a loose one.<br />
<br />
If you prefer video learning, Missouri Star offers a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/MissouriQuiltCo" target="_blank">series of free instructional YouTube videos on various quilting techniques</a> with many of them starring precut bundles. <br />
<br />
If you're okay with a printed pattern, <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/freequiltpattern.asp?Store_id=499&T=1" target="_blank">Fat Quarter Shop offers an awesome selection of free quilt patterns</a> organized by manufacturer and many of them geared towards precuts. <br />
<br />
Hancock's of Paducah offers a nice selection of free downloadable patterns, but you have to know where to look. <a href="http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/SubCategory--Free-Quilt-Pattern-Downloads--m-6843" target="_blank">Start with this link</a>. Ignore the prices and the moment of whiplash that says, "I know I clicked a link that said FREE" -- these are prices for ordering a printed copy. Select your pattern and then when you're in the product page, below the photo you should see a link that says "CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FREE PATTERN." It's not intuitive, but it's there, just the same. <br />
<br />
And how do I know <b>what size quilt I can get from a precut bundle</b>?<br />
<br />
I am only beginning my precut journey, so I don't pretend to be the expert here. Missouri Star offered <a href="http://blog.missouriquiltco.com/what-can-a-precut-make/" target="_blank">this blog posting</a> last March giving a basic idea of what various types of precut bundles can make, though I think it's a VERY general guideline. It's extremely helpful if you have a size goal in mind, like a baby, lap, twin or queen-size bed quilt, but be flexible. Their posting says, for example, that two layer cakes will make a queen-size bed quilt. I'm knee-deep into a project using two layer cakes with a modest number of cuts and seams, and I'm here to tell you there's no way it's going to measure up to a queen quilt, (unless I add gigantic borders).<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-KjfjhhAHU/UcEP7EqyofI/AAAAAAAADnc/c578Onb0Wvo/s1600/QuiltWest_71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-KjfjhhAHU/UcEP7EqyofI/AAAAAAAADnc/c578Onb0Wvo/s400/QuiltWest_71.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The jelly roll race quilts we're making for <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/05/update-quiltwest.html" target="_blank">QuiltWest</a> have turned out to be about 49 x 56 inches, though with some slight variation from quilter to quilter. <br />
<br />
What kinds of projects have you made from precuts? Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-45724178804985723442013-06-06T20:36:00.001-05:002013-10-17T09:52:30.343-05:00Shark Costume Part 2: Drafting and Cutting Out the Tail<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LdMbx5YpTKg/UbDv2LtPw5I/AAAAAAAADgc/0vRO1GsgqPc/s1600/Shark+Costume_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LdMbx5YpTKg/UbDv2LtPw5I/AAAAAAAADgc/0vRO1GsgqPc/s640/Shark+Costume_07.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/10/justsewolivia-pattern-launch-make-your.html" target="_blank">UPDATE! See this link for the Shark Costume Pattern</a></span> <br />
<br />
Welcome to part 2 of the Shark Costume Tutorial series! This posting will focus on drafting and cutting out the tail. <br />
<br />
I love making Halloween costumes. In fact, Halloween costumes were the first project to really make me want to learn to sew. I just HAD to have something different from the standard brothel pirate costumes and Elvira wigs at local stores, but I didn't exactly have the funding for anything elaborate.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So the requirement was "uniquely cheap." Or maybe "cheaply unique." :) </span><br />
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Did I mention I had no idea how to sew? <br />
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I went to the local Joann's and browsed the Halloween patterns, trying to find something I could manage on my own. Eureka! The Flintstones! How hard could it possibly be? <br />
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Turns out it was a little harder than I thought, but after some trial and error it turned out bueno. I made costumes for my roommate, myself and our dates. Roommie K. and her beau were Fred and Wilma. My short, blond date and I -- with my sassy little bob -- made a picture-perfect Barney and Betty. It worked out perfectly and I was hooked! Okay, perfect except my date felt a little too twinkie-esque and added horns to his forehead with fake blood running down into his eyes. Harumph. Boys...)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xuicKTvANVk/UbEQDkyOMjI/AAAAAAAADmc/-3lPa3DClD8/s1600/Shark+Costume_51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xuicKTvANVk/UbEQDkyOMjI/AAAAAAAADmc/-3lPa3DClD8/s400/Shark+Costume_51.jpg" height="400" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't the costumes turn out cute?! Sorry for the quality...and cropping. No creepy ex-boyfriends on this blog!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anyway, here's how this shark tail thing is going to go down...<br />
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<b><u>Drafting the Tail</u></b>:<br />
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First, I
sketched out the tail on the matte side of freezer paper. Freezer paper is officially the most useful stuff EVER, right behind vinegar. It's perfect for pattern pieces, because you have a matte side that's easy to write on, but then you have a shiny side that irons on to fabric and then easily peels off without doing any damage. <br />
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To start sketching, measure and draw a rectangle on the freezer paper 22 inches x 11 inches. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38zIFtSmdos/UbEDVhCLrUI/AAAAAAAADlo/tv-qznmHM_E/s1600/Shark+Costume_41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38zIFtSmdos/UbEDVhCLrUI/AAAAAAAADlo/tv-qznmHM_E/s640/Shark+Costume_41.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next... <br />
<ul>
<li>On the left boundary line of your rectangle, make a mark 1 inch from the top and bottom of the box. See points labeled A below.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On the right boundary line, make a mark 4 3/4 inches from the top and bottom of the box. See points labeled B below.<br /> </li>
<li>On the top and bottom boundary lines, make a mark 4 inches from the left boundary and extend the mark at least an inch towards the interior of the box. Draw a line from point A to this line. The intersection is point C.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Draw a line from point C to point B across the top and repeat from C to B across the bottom. Congratulations! You have just drafted the main part of your shark tail. (Don't cut it out yet!)</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OK8ckTafN1U/UbEGSm9r_1I/AAAAAAAADmM/h7nUCjzF0Gc/s1600/Shark+Costume_42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OK8ckTafN1U/UbEGSm9r_1I/AAAAAAAADmM/h7nUCjzF0Gc/s640/Shark+Costume_42.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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The opening left between the B points on the right side should fit your <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3YaYPTRMUkiSDdHZjg3cGV5aTA/edit" target="_blank">shark tail pattern</a> almost perfectly. Cut out your shark tail pattern and glue or tape it in place to your drafted tail.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LTtXaj2ZEWQ/UbEDVv5B9VI/AAAAAAAADls/j7V2l7MMfD4/s1600/Shark+Costume_43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LTtXaj2ZEWQ/UbEDVv5B9VI/AAAAAAAADls/j7V2l7MMfD4/s640/Shark+Costume_43.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Freehand in a couple of mini-fins top and bottom. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlbEb0B-l2M/UbEDWIrN_bI/AAAAAAAADl8/PnxS7rN5L7I/s1600/Shark+Costume_44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlbEb0B-l2M/UbEDWIrN_bI/AAAAAAAADl8/PnxS7rN5L7I/s640/Shark+Costume_44.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now you're ready to cut it out! I'm so having an '80s flashback right now. You need to CUT. IT. OUT. ;)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZc2-DgMI3k/UbDv1L3VytI/AAAAAAAADgE/T6n0ZxqyJ4g/s1600/Shark+Costume_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZc2-DgMI3k/UbDv1L3VytI/AAAAAAAADgE/T6n0ZxqyJ4g/s640/Shark+Costume_03.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ta-da! Don't mind those extra marks. This is my original pattern piece, which was marked up and then adjusted to include seam allowances. <br />
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<b><u>Cut List</u>:</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>From your chosen tail fabric, cut out <b>2 tail sections</b>. <u>They must be mirror images</u>, so if you double your fabric, make sure you lay it down right sides together. If you want, you can iron the shiny side of your shark tail pattern piece to the fabric to stabilize everything while you cut. Repeat this step, cutting from lightweight fusible interfacing. (I ironed my tail pieces to the interfacing before cutting the interfacing so that it matched exactly. <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2012/10/best-practices-use-fusible-interfacings.html" target="_blank">See this post on using fusible interfacing for more information</a>.)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Next, from the same fabric, cut <b>4 rectangles</b> sized 3 inches by 12 inches. Repeat this step, cutting from lightweight fusible interfacing. These will make up the waist straps.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Finally, cut out <b>1 booty circle</b> 7 inches in diameter from <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3YaYPTRMUkiVWI0Z2hCLWJwS1U/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">the pattern</a> I provided. Repeat this step, cutting from your remnant of heavy duty fusible interfacing. </li>
</ul>
Sorry - I don't have a photo of all the parts and pieces cut out, but it's pretty simple. I know you can do it! :)<br />
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<script data-pin-hover="true" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-57934248262497696142013-05-30T21:24:00.001-05:002013-10-17T09:55:34.814-05:00Shark Costume Part 1: Research, Planning and Materials<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTf1GWOeCqc/UadXtyqZ73I/AAAAAAAADXE/1LoCa447B7w/s1600/Shark,+Toothless+costume+with+Gran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTf1GWOeCqc/UadXtyqZ73I/AAAAAAAADXE/1LoCa447B7w/s640/Shark,+Toothless+costume+with+Gran.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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<a data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.justsewolivia.com%2F2013%2F05%2Fshark-costume-part-1-research-planning.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-iMFfj9wDQ5U%2FUafTA8v3NnI%2FAAAAAAAADYA%2FJ0PTuL7CG58%2Fs1600%2FShark%2BCostume%2B4_1.jpg&description=JustSewOlivia%20tutorial%20series%20on%20making%20a%20whimsical%20boy%27s%20shark%20costume%20using%20a%20gray%20sweatsuit%20as%20the%20base.%20%20"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/10/justsewolivia-pattern-launch-make-your.html" target="_blank">UPDATE! See this link for the Shark Costume Pattern</a></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Life happened.</span><br />
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That's why I never got around to writing the tutorial for the shark and dragon costumes last year after Halloween as promised. But it's time to finish what I started, and I am TOTALLY jazzed about it! :) Read on to get a better look at the shark costume...adorable, right?<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMFfj9wDQ5U/UafTA8v3NnI/AAAAAAAADYA/J0PTuL7CG58/s1600/Shark+Costume+4_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMFfj9wDQ5U/UafTA8v3NnI/AAAAAAAADYA/J0PTuL7CG58/s640/Shark+Costume+4_1.jpg" width="544" /></a></div>
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He LOVED it. He ran around everywhere in it, knocking over stuff with the tail. (No one said this costume was glass-house friendly.) Even now, his main go-to jacket all through Kindergarten has been his shark jacket. More on that later, though. <br />
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So let's dive right in. Get it? Dive? <br />
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Part 1 is all about the prep work.<br />
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I saw a lot of shark costumes out there, but couldn't find much that appealed to me. I started with a simple gray sweatsuit as the base.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TnBd3omO6kA/UadU7tYiFlI/AAAAAAAADVU/V7spOLV2VU4/s1600/Shark+Costume_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TnBd3omO6kA/UadU7tYiFlI/AAAAAAAADVU/V7spOLV2VU4/s400/Shark+Costume_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please try to ignore all the toys/sewing paraphernalia in the background of my shots. :)</td></tr>
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I wanted to find a way to put shark teeth in the hood, a fin on the back and a tail extending out. <br />
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Here are the supplies you'll need --<br />
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<u><b>Fabric and Notions</b></u>: <br />
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gray sweatpants and hoodie<br />
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For the shark tail and back fin, 3/4 yd of 60-inch wide fabric or 1 yd 44/45-inch wide fabric <br />
<ul>
<li>As for materials, I want the costumes to be well-made and durable, but I'm also cheap. In the clearance section of our local fabric store, I found a nice, solid gray woven. </li>
<li>Pros - No stretch, right color, inexpensive. </li>
<li>Cons - It had a really silky, limp drape -- not ideal for a structured costume piece.</li>
</ul>
For the teeth, 1/8 yd red or pink, 1/8 yd white (fat quarters or fat eighths will work fine for this)<br />
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1 zipper in gray or red, at least 7 inches<br />
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2 large black buttons<br />
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3-4 inches of heavy duty sew-on velcro (I used the black tactical stuff. This will hold the long, floppy tail around your child's waste, so don't skimp. You can use stick-on if it's all they have, but you should still sew through it for stability. This WILL cost you a needle. I'm just sayin'.)<br />
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freezer paper<br />
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<u><b>Interfacing</b></u>:<br />
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2 yds light-to-medium weight, non-stretch fusible<br />
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1 remnant heavy duty, fusible, at least 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches square <br />
<ul>
<li>Remember that limp gray fabric? Well, interfacing can solve a world of dilemmas! You'll need enough of the lighter weight interfacing to line the tail, including the waist straps. For the "booty circle," the part of the tail that rests on your child's lower back, you'll need a small piece of heavy-duty interfacing. For this one piece, I used the super-thick interfacing designed for reinforcing handbags.</li>
</ul>
Are you ready to make the tail?! So am I, so go get your supplies!<script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-75739427337868771412013-05-27T12:00:00.002-05:002013-05-29T07:29:33.100-05:00Today's Photo Journal: A family business...<div style="text-align: left;">
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It's Memorial Day, and one of those times when I get a little misty-eyed about <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2011/09/they-know-who-they-are.html" target="_blank">military service and the way it's defined our lives</a>. Our military ties influence every aspect of our home, where Airman is a term for both Daddy <i>and</i> Momma, and we've been blessed to know many other couples who've turned military service into a family business.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9b7NnYQHfYs/UaOSUDXgKwI/AAAAAAAADUE/zIk9ikB9dQQ/s1600/military_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9b7NnYQHfYs/UaOSUDXgKwI/AAAAAAAADUE/zIk9ikB9dQQ/s640/military_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare photo of SuperHusband and I on duty together, posing with The
Gambler in front of a C-5 Galaxy...Kenny Rogers confessed later to SH
that he thinks I'm a bad driver. In my defense, your honor, the
gentleman had just had back surgery and Dover AFB has lots of speed
bumps.</td></tr>
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Fair warning: The photos here are only loosely tied to the posting. Sometimes I'm a little schizophrenic. Whatever. Just enjoy both...? :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YWAhom_9MTY/UaOSeEbw01I/AAAAAAAADU0/OxrsWvZDnNU/s1600/military_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YWAhom_9MTY/UaOSeEbw01I/AAAAAAAADU0/OxrsWvZDnNU/s400/military_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the old Russian control tower at Bagram (2011)</td></tr>
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A few months ago, my lovely and talented friend Julie, a fellow Airman at the time and mom-blogger, invited me to do a <a href="http://www.julieandmartin.com/2013/03/gbs-parenthood-and-military-leadership.html" target="_blank">guest posting on her blog</a>. Julie's husband, Martin, was prepping to go to Air Force basic training, and she invited me to share a story relevant to this time in their lives.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H9DokdDtenY/UaOSS2UiVnI/AAAAAAAADT8/Lux4EM61aLQ/s1600/Cadet+Years_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H9DokdDtenY/UaOSS2UiVnI/AAAAAAAADT8/Lux4EM61aLQ/s400/Cadet+Years_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't excel at the whole "basic training" thing. Which end of this goes on my face again?</td></tr>
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Let me start by giving you a little background on Julie and Martin: First, Martin has been in the military before -- the German military. Julie was an active duty Air Force Airman stationed overseas when they met and fell in love. Two little girls and a baby boy later, Julie is now a civil servant and Martin has taken the lead at home with the kids.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4URLoyJPTkY/UaOScdw3E0I/AAAAAAAADUs/2AP0for3Kjg/s1600/military_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4URLoyJPTkY/UaOScdw3E0I/AAAAAAAADUs/2AP0for3Kjg/s400/military_6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Military travel doesn't always involve hardship duty...I've spent a fair amount of time in Germany, too.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y5neae5bAi4/UaOSa8VnQUI/AAAAAAAADUk/D45nyPb7yAE/s1600/military_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y5neae5bAi4/UaOSa8VnQUI/AAAAAAAADUk/D45nyPb7yAE/s400/military_5.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We affectionately referred to this deployed location as "Sandals
Doha." I hear it's even nicer now. This was our only deployment to the
same location. We had a month overlap, worked on different shifts and
were relegated to different compounds. We saw each other only three or
four times over midnight chow and spent two days out. We were thrilled!
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But once the bug of military service bites you, it's hard to let go. Martin decided he wanted to join the military again, but this time, he joined the U.S. Air Force.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mt4_aq2VCjE/UaOSV8jDD3I/AAAAAAAADUM/OCETrxHk4RE/s1600/military_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mt4_aq2VCjE/UaOSV8jDD3I/AAAAAAAADUM/OCETrxHk4RE/s640/military_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not every deployed location is a garden spot, but they're all amazing
to see. One wing of this Baghdad palace was under construction... </td></tr>
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As you can imagine, with so much diversity packed in one family, they're an incredibly dynamic couple, and their blog chronicles an exciting, adventure-filled home. So in case you missed it above, you can <a href="http://www.julieandmartin.com/2013/03/gbs-parenthood-and-military-leadership.html">find that posting here</a>, and you can link to <a href="http://www.julieandmartin.com/" target="_blank">Julie and Martin</a> in the right hand sidebar of this blog any time!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-9R0V4y5KI/UaOSXveJGCI/AAAAAAAADUU/h4lEYT1PuaU/s1600/military_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-9R0V4y5KI/UaOSXveJGCI/AAAAAAAADUU/h4lEYT1PuaU/s400/military_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other one was a shambles. (I'm pretty sure the wing safety officer wouldn't have approved of this photo.)</td></tr>
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About a month ago, Martin GRADUATED from basic training. (<a href="http://vimeo.com/64116706" target="_blank">If this video doesn't make you a little teary, you should seek counseling</a>.) <br />
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...And just so you know, he proved me right. (You'll understand when you read the posting.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjTQTJy-shI/UaOSZvVZdfI/AAAAAAAADUc/bBYdO2MQ6AU/s1600/military_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjTQTJy-shI/UaOSZvVZdfI/AAAAAAAADUc/bBYdO2MQ6AU/s400/military_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to find pictures of SH in action. He's camera-shy, and we were rarely working in the same place. </td></tr>
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As of last week, Julie officially separated from the Air Force. She boasts many talents and a true heart; she will be deeply missed by her colleagues. Thanks, Julie, for the time you dedicated, the lives you improved and the risks you took to be a part of this brotherhood, where "brother" is genderless term. <br />
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And thank you to all who serve -- whether in the military or as a first responder -- and to their families. Thank you to those who have suffered for our freedom. And in particular, thank you to those who have given the last greatest gift. Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-53520190568921718302013-05-21T12:17:00.001-05:002013-06-06T15:21:20.589-05:00Tutorial: Basic Jelly Roll Quilt - QuiltWest<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzcNzn-V-Zs/UZt_eZrsgLI/AAAAAAAADRU/8hyIBnf1WXc/s1600/West+Texas+Quilt_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzcNzn-V-Zs/UZt_eZrsgLI/AAAAAAAADRU/8hyIBnf1WXc/s640/West+Texas+Quilt_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Goodness! We're about halfway through our project to make quilts for the families of first responders in West, Texas. Several people have asked me how to make a Jelly Roll Quilt, so here goes! <br />
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First, check out this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bEJLnaZQOU" target="_blank">great video tutorial with Jenny Doan from Missouri Star Quilt Co</a> on this technique. A lot of people call it the Jelly Roll Race, because it goes so fast that they want to race each other to see who can get it done quickest!<br />
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Now that you have the basic idea, let me walk you through in a little greater detail.<br />
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Supplies you need:<br />
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- Jelly Roll<br />
- 100% cotton thread (I used 50 weight.) <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gk2ljBhcfes/UZt-VUdQq4I/AAAAAAAADPU/zVyrFXIVSQo/s1600/jelly+roll+race_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gk2ljBhcfes/UZt-VUdQq4I/AAAAAAAADPU/zVyrFXIVSQo/s400/jelly+roll+race_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lay out your jelly roll beside your sewing machine. For me, the work flows best if I keep it to the left of my machine, about 12 inches away so I still have room to sew. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wlfyjpHMLhU/UZt9ogo793I/AAAAAAAADMg/Bfh2W0ArqYw/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wlfyjpHMLhU/UZt9ogo793I/AAAAAAAADMg/Bfh2W0ArqYw/s320/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You don't have to rearrange any of the strips, and it doesn't matter which end you put on top. My favorite thing about this technique is that it looks like you fretted over the placement of each strip, when really you don't have to think AT ALL. If you follow the no-fuss steps, the beautiful layout just happens! Weeks Ringle is SO disappointed in us right now! (Oh, Weeks...relax! I loved your Craftsy class on Designing Modern Quilts.) ;)<br />
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You might want to load 100% cotton thread on your bobbin and machine. (If you've never sewn with 100% cotton thread, you might want to <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/05/best-practices-working-with-100-cotton.html" target="_blank">check out this post</a> to understand the benefits of using cotton thread.) You're going to use a LOT of thread, so go ahead and load a couple of extra bobbins while you're at it!<br />
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1. <u>The first step is to join the ends of all the strips in one long mega-strip</u>. My kids think this is too cool when Momma puts together the "world's longest fabric strip." You can do this two ways. You can either butt the ends together and do a vertical seam to join strips, or you can put diagonal seams in it. I prefer diagonal, because they give the quilt just a touch of visual interest that doesn't revolve around the fabric.<br />
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To create the diagonal seams, you lay the ends of the strips right sides together, overlapping on the perpendicular. I like to let the selvage hang off the ends so it doesn't inadvertently get caught in the seams, but if you think you can't remember that, you should probably trim the selvages off before you get started.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdSIdENVNtI/UZt9zLDSuiI/AAAAAAAADMs/pd28sKXVeV8/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdSIdENVNtI/UZt9zLDSuiI/AAAAAAAADMs/pd28sKXVeV8/s400/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once you lay the strips together, you sew across from outside corner to outside corner. (If you do the top corner to the inside corner, you'll be picking out stitches!) It might help to mark it. Here's the stitch line:<br />
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Repeat this step over and over, stitching the tail of the previous strip to the beginning of the next one as they come off the stacked jelly roll. (This process of joining strips with a diagonal seam is the exact same technique you would use to make your own custom quilt binding, by the way.)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yoJWFYjT5tc/UZt92Is-YcI/AAAAAAAADM8/QnBidHogBjU/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yoJWFYjT5tc/UZt92Is-YcI/AAAAAAAADM8/QnBidHogBjU/s400/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I like to chain-piece, rather than cutting them out of the machine. Fewer stops and starts means more time saved!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IxEbeLuBVcM/UZt93zCZzrI/AAAAAAAADNE/pE0PC_k2V_M/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IxEbeLuBVcM/UZt93zCZzrI/AAAAAAAADNE/pE0PC_k2V_M/s400/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiBfWGjX-d0/UZt95dedAYI/AAAAAAAADNM/w-Cn3rPRSko/s400/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go, Jennifer, Go!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkNa_j0Zng0/UZt96-bgDtI/AAAAAAAADNU/JN1meTzZonk/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkNa_j0Zng0/UZt96-bgDtI/AAAAAAAADNU/JN1meTzZonk/s400/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All those strips start to make quite a rats' nest around your machine!</td></tr>
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2. Next, cut the threads holding the chain together...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pisESqDMY1A/UZt98u1NvfI/AAAAAAAADNc/cpkSNIcyZ-w/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pisESqDMY1A/UZt98u1NvfI/AAAAAAAADNc/cpkSNIcyZ-w/s640/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and trim the seam allowances to 1/4 inch. I know, you might have to look really closely to see the seam line. (Sorry, I'm not one of those people who will sew an extra sample with contrast thread just for the purposes of photographing the step. Too many stinkin' boys running around wreaking havoc in this house for that kind of duplicated effort!)<br />
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3. Next, find one end of your mega-strip and cut 18 inches from the length of your strip.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nFzOr7mnNvs/UZt-Bb6J9bI/AAAAAAAADN0/viHtN4kRtj0/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nFzOr7mnNvs/UZt-Bb6J9bI/AAAAAAAADN0/viHtN4kRtj0/s400/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now, grab it and hold on for dear life! With that end in hand, sort through the entire length of the mega-strip, straightening and unwinding it as you go, until you find the other end.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uij5qdqcbUA/UZt9_44FbNI/AAAAAAAADNs/Oya75Tz3bgY/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uij5qdqcbUA/UZt9_44FbNI/AAAAAAAADNs/Oya75Tz3bgY/s640/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_14.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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4. Lay the ends right sides together...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJ3cqO20GCw/UZt-Ceoo6nI/AAAAAAAADN8/5y8Blcz0lcA/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJ3cqO20GCw/UZt-Ceoo6nI/AAAAAAAADN8/5y8Blcz0lcA/s320/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and stitch them together along the right side, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Continue down the entire length of your strip, finger-pressing the diagonal seam allowances to one side as they come to the machine. (It's not a big deal with way you press them, but Mam-maw always said to "Press toward the dark," a.k.a. the darker of the two seamed fabrics.)<br />
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5. When you near the end, (and yes, it does eventually end), you'll have a loop. When it's about 6 inches or so from the presser foot, cut the loop apart carefully, trying to keep your cut straight, and continue sewing off the ends of the fabric. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ4VcisCgek/UZt-HA7E7VI/AAAAAAAADOU/SHtXuZh1RmU/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ4VcisCgek/UZt-HA7E7VI/AAAAAAAADOU/SHtXuZh1RmU/s400/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Eureka! Your mega-strip should now be two-strips-wide and half as long...which is still ridiculously long.<br />
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6. Find the ends again and join them in the same way, sewing along the length of the strip, clipping the loop and finishing off the end. Each time, the quilt will get wider and half as long. Just about the time you think it will NEVER END, you'll realize you're just one or two seams from finished. :)<br />
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From this...<br />
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To this...<br />
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To this...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3TEOkH6Qc0/UZt-PtxRi0I/AAAAAAAADO8/RWUgHVSf7NI/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3TEOkH6Qc0/UZt-PtxRi0I/AAAAAAAADO8/RWUgHVSf7NI/s400/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_24.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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"And sew on," until you get to this!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tF7nv5P8X5E/UZt-t-2yxLI/AAAAAAAADP0/wNYeVyLqXh0/s1600/jelly+roll+race_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tF7nv5P8X5E/UZt-t-2yxLI/AAAAAAAADP0/wNYeVyLqXh0/s640/jelly+roll+race_05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's pretty easy, but I want to share a couple more tips to help make your finished product a little nicer: <br />
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First, after you put that first long seam in, it suddenly DOES MATTER which way you press the seam allowances. Make sure you pay attention as seam allowances go under the machine and if they've already been sewn down in a certain direction, make sure the other side of the seam allowance gets tacked down in the same direction by the new seam. Confusing, I know. Here's a visual... <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C-CBJpz3Akc/UZuZqJVES6I/AAAAAAAADRk/AzZ1dICqNK8/s1600/Seam+allowances_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C-CBJpz3Akc/UZuZqJVES6I/AAAAAAAADRk/AzZ1dICqNK8/s640/Seam+allowances_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The strips in this photo aren't seamed diagonally like our quilt, but that doesn't make a differance. The point is that you want to make sure to sew your seam allowances down in the same direction when you stitch your strips together. Otherwise, you have to clip them in order to press them flat.<br />
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Second, when you get to the end of each long seam line, you cut the loop, right? Well, if you're not careful, those cuts will be crooked, and when you finish your quilt top, you'll lose as much as 3-4 inches in width trying to square it up. That's no fun. So in order to make my cuts straighter, once I get to four-strips-wide, I stop cutting it all the way across at the machine. I clip just enough to allow me to sew off the end and to get the scissor tips back in later. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_Gxg5xW8Gk/UZt-MHMavNI/AAAAAAAADOs/uTe0ZSzFo0o/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_Gxg5xW8Gk/UZt-MHMavNI/AAAAAAAADOs/uTe0ZSzFo0o/s400/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then I take the strip set and lay it out flat, re-insert the scissor tips and cut it the rest of the way across. My cuts were much straighter and my quilt tops more square once I started doing this. Less waste, YAY!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ygyx1kPOmO4/UZt-OBjcHHI/AAAAAAAADO0/L3W6yupMabk/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ygyx1kPOmO4/UZt-OBjcHHI/AAAAAAAADO0/L3W6yupMabk/s400/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Don't forget to gently press your quilt before you drop it off for quilting! (Or better yet, give it your own unique quilting touch!)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vdmtTBXeIJI/UZt8_TNPMKI/AAAAAAAADMU/ftLSR-PKynk/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vdmtTBXeIJI/UZt8_TNPMKI/AAAAAAAADMU/ftLSR-PKynk/s400/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_02.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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Great job, Miss Millie! We'll turn you into a quilter in NO time...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wlOX64vA21E/UZt9nSSULmI/AAAAAAAADMc/UvN58-DogkM/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wlOX64vA21E/UZt9nSSULmI/AAAAAAAADMc/UvN58-DogkM/s400/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Finally, another big shout-out to our partners in this project:<br />
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The amazing ladies across the map helping put quilt tops together -- you know who you are!<br />
The Missouri Star Quilt Co.<br />
The Sewing Center Around the Block, Fort Walton Beach, FL <br />
Lynn's Sewing Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL<br />
Long-Arm Quilter, Amy Hughes<br />
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Be sure to check out their websites in my links on the right. <br />
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Happy Quilting! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NXLFm5q1TaQ/UbDu_slm2YI/AAAAAAAADfU/R0ZqtZ9x3Vw/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Race+Quilt_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NXLFm5q1TaQ/UbDu_slm2YI/AAAAAAAADfU/R0ZqtZ9x3Vw/s640/Jelly+Roll+Race+Quilt_1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-39035797323116605402013-05-07T07:41:00.001-05:002013-05-21T11:29:14.047-05:00Update: QuiltWest - Quilts for West, Texas first responders' families<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GttBuYEIbNQ/UYjmLWErz1I/AAAAAAAADLY/C3k84yXFkK8/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GttBuYEIbNQ/UYjmLWErz1I/AAAAAAAADLY/C3k84yXFkK8/s640/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_25.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Goodness! I'm sorry I've gone so long without providing an update on the QuiltWest project. People have been so incredibly generous with their time and talents, so we've been busy, busy! <br />
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First, I want to highlight <u>the people who have provided our inspiration</u>. Their selfless actions remain at the center of this project:<br />
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Kevin Sander, emergency medical technician<br />
Captain Robert Snokhous, firefighter<br />
Captain Doug Snokhous, firefighter<br />
Joseph "Joey" Pustejovsky, firefighter<br />
Captain Kenneth "Luckey" Harris, firefighter<br />
Cody Dragoo, firefighter<br />
Cyrus Reed, firefighter<br />
Jerry Chapman, firefighter<br />
Perry Calvin, firefighter<br />
Morris Bridges, Jr., firefighter<br />
Jimmy Matus, honorary firefighter<br />
William "Buck" Uptmor, honorary firefighter <br />
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<u>Here's where we are in the process</u>: <br />
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- First, the number of quilt tops has changed. Mr. Matus and Mr. Uptmor were honored for their bravery by being named honorary firefighters posthumously. <br />
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- Half of the quilt tops are completed: one in EMS colors and five in firefighter colors...six more firefighter quilts to go! Three more of the jelly rolls are here or on their way, and I have lovely local ladies willing to put the quilt tops together over the next couple of weeks as we get the jelly rolls in.<br />
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- Backing and binding fabric has been ordered...Yay! We're probably going to make a local project of assembling all the backings in one day here before delivering to the long arm quilters. <br />
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- So far, I'm prepared to provide most of the batting, but I may come up a little short. We'll cross that bridge as we come to it, I suppose. :)<br />
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- The greatest challenge remains the volunteering of time by machine quilters. I have two machine quilters willing to donate their time to cover three quilts, and I can reasonably quilt up to five. That leaves me with four quilts.<br />
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<u>Here's what we need</u>:<br />
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- Three more of the Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for Moda jelly rolls<br />
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- Machine quilters!<br />
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- Neutral 100% cotton thread, 50 wt (I prefer Mettler's Silk Finish because I know both my domestic and long arm machines can handle it.)<br />
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- If you don't sew or quilt but you want to take part, please spread the word about our efforts.<br />
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Also, <u>I am not asking you to send money</u>, but several people have asked what the effort is costing because they want to donate. So here's the information. Though the assembly and quilting have been voluntary efforts, each quilt costs approximately $75 in materials to make. (The generosity of our partners has helped bring that cost down from $100 per quilt!) Some quilters are buying the jelly rolls out of pocket, and we've had $100 in donations for supplies. I've been asking people who wanted to donate financially to purchase specific supplies.<br />
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If you're interested in taking part in any of these ways, please contact me at olivia@justsewolivia.com. Thank you!<br />
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<u>Our generous partners in this project</u>:<br />
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- <a href="http://www.missouriquiltco.com/" target="_blank">Missouri Star Quilt Company</a> has agreed to donate two of the jelly rolls and to give us a sizable discount on the backing and binding fabric. (Thank you, Alan, et al...the whole gang!)<br />
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- Local Fort Walton Beach, Florida, quilting shop, <a href="http://www.sewitbetter.com/" target="_blank">The Sewing Center Around the Block</a>, offered us a great discount on the jelly rolls, and I purchased their last one last week. The owner there, Sheri, has also agreed to long arm quilt one of the quilts for us. (Thank you, Sheri!)<br />
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- Donna and Vickie from the local Fort Walton Beach, Florida, quilting shop, <a href="http://www.berninaconnect.com/lynns-sewing-center.htm" target="_blank">Lynn's Sewing Center</a>, have generously offered to bind the quilts for us. (Thank you, ladies! You are too cool!)<br />
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- Local long arm quilter Amy Hughes has agreed to quilt two of the quilts. (Thank you!)<br />
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- The inspiring ladies who put together the quilt tops so far, proving that even ladies who have never quilted can achieve this in less than a day...thank you Millie, Jennifer and Tina. And the amazing friends who are contributing to the supplies with their funds. Mary, Tina, you're hearts are gold. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSx6zqGIylI/UYj9IV2EPmI/AAAAAAAADLo/gD3RoF63KQI/s1600/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSx6zqGIylI/UYj9IV2EPmI/AAAAAAAADLo/gD3RoF63KQI/s400/Jelly+Roll+Quilt_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sew, Millie, Sew! This first-time quilter took me to task in the jelly roll race!</td></tr>
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- Our helpful and patient contacts at the West Church of Christ and Aderhold Funeral Home in West, Texas, who have opened the lines of communication during a stressful time in their community and given us the information we needed to make sure we honored their heroes properly.<br />
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If you'd like more regular updates, I'm putting information out quickly on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JustSewOlivia" target="_blank">my facebook page</a> as it becomes available. <br />
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Other West, Texas efforts:<br />
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Our project has been directly focused on providing a tribute to the first responders who gave their lives by creating something in their honor for their families to keep. But we're not the only people out there putting together quilts for families in West, Texas. Reportedly, the devastation of the explosion leveled 50 homes and injured more than 200 people. Many, many families have been impacted, so every effort counts. If you're interested in contributing to a more general effort, please check out all the lovely quilts people are sending in to <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/05/06/quilts-for-west-week-3/" target="_blank">Judy at Patchwork Times</a> and <a href="http://www.joscountryjunction.com/quilts-for-west-texas-2/" target="_blank">Jo over at Jo's Country Junction</a>.<script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-48780117910426125562013-05-01T20:12:00.000-05:002013-05-03T07:18:18.886-05:00Best Practices: Working with 100% Cotton Thread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPZAKon-_nM/UYGviHekjMI/AAAAAAAADJQ/tsckC_Drrr8/s1600/cotton+quilting+thread_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPZAKon-_nM/UYGviHekjMI/AAAAAAAADJQ/tsckC_Drrr8/s640/cotton+quilting+thread_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you're quilting Jelly Roll Race quilts along with us for <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/04/calling-all-quilters-quiltwest-for.html" target="_blank">QuiltWest</a>, you'll know that I requested participants use 100 percent cotton thread for both the piecing and the quilting. <span style="font-size: large;"> I have a confession to make: I pretty much hated quilting with cotton
thread until a fellow long arm quilter gave me some tips<span style="font-size: large;">...</span> </span><br />
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Ever wonder why most "serious" quilters will tell you to use cotton thread? There are a couple of theories. First, Modern quilters (with a big M) want to be able to wash their quilts, and using cotton thread allows the thread to shrink similarly to the quilt, as opposed to polyester and blended threads, which may shrink unpredictably or not at all. The other big reason I hear over and over is that the blended threads are stronger than the 100 percent cotton fabric used to make most quilts, and as the quilt ages, the blended threads can stress and break the woven strands in the fabric. <br />
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Not everyone agrees with this theory. One of my favorite long arm quilters, <a href="http://www.quiltingismytherapy.com/my-blog/" target="_blank">Angela Walters</a>, talks openly about using beautiful threads regardless of their composition. I know early in my quilting journey, I loved the look of the pretty polyester embroidery threads, like this one from Isacord (right) and the Wonderfil Metallic (left) here. (I still like to vary my thread choice from time to time, but most people have asked me to quilt their quilts with cotton, and it's just easier to build a stash of colors in the same product.)<br />
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But my initial preference for polyester wasn't just about the look. Frankly, I found cotton thread positively infuriating. It constantly broke in my long arm machine...like, every couple of minutes. Cotton just
doesn't have as much elasticity as the poly blend threads. It made me crazy until a more experienced long arm quilter told me to do two things: <br />
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First, if you live in a low humidity area, (we were living in the Colorado mountains at the time), store your cotton thread in a ziploc bag with a damp cotton ball and keep it in the refrigerator. (Crazy, right? But it works!)<br />
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Second, and this one has been the game-changer: Pick up a product called Sewer's Aid.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h4rHsoH7H7I/UYG04sdSbvI/AAAAAAAADLA/HHVUvl9f1w0/s1600/sewer%2527s+aid_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h4rHsoH7H7I/UYG04sdSbvI/AAAAAAAADLA/HHVUvl9f1w0/s400/sewer%2527s+aid_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This stuff is a thread lubricant that doesn't hurt your machine or your
fabric, but it allows the cotton to pass through your machine more
smoothly and gives it a bit more elasticity. Just <u>run a bead of the Sewer's Aid down the length of your spool</u>. (If you're using a great big cone on a long arm, run two to three beads down the spool.)<br />
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It will soak in quickly and then you can start sewing.<br />
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Another thing -- Don't forget to <u>adjust the tension on your machine</u>.
That's pretty much a given every time you switch threads on a long arm quilter, but it's less instinctive on a domestic machine if you use all-purpose thread for everything else. I don't change the bobbin tension on my domestic machine (the top-load bobbin case doesn't allow it), so I have to pump the
top thread tension up a couple of notches -- depending on the weight of the thread -- to balance the tension and
get pretty, even stitches. If your only choice, like mine, is to crank the tension up, you'll need the thread lubricant even more.<br />
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<u>Pay attention to the thread weight before you buy it</u>! "Weight" to thread is what "gauge" is to wire. It refers to the size of the shaft of the thread. The lower the number, the thicker the thread. I've been known to quilt with 30, 40 and 50 weight cotton thread. I once bought a super-thick 12 weight, and though it looked chunky and cool on the fabric, it jacked my long arm when it got caught in the bobbin race assembly and it left righteous amounts of lint. I'm just saying, I don't personally recommend anything larger than 30 wt. <br />
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By the way, can you tell I'm a sucker for variegated (multicolor) threads? :)
<script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-76653246628730960832013-04-25T20:38:00.000-05:002013-06-21T10:56:24.575-05:00Calling all quilters! QuiltWest for First Responders' Families<div style="text-align: left;">
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A few days ago, our nation felt the impact of two devastating events. For the families at the heart of the devastation, the whole of their lives changed dramatically in a matter of seconds. Particularly touching to me was the tremendous loss in West, Texas, with 10 first responders among the fallen. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to help, but what do you do for someone who's lost so much?</span><br />
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In my family, quilts represent warmth, sure, and love, that's a given. But they also mean other, more subtle things. When I asked my mother's mother about the legacy of quilts she'd left littered across our family through her life, she told me that she started cobbling together scrap quilts early in her marriage to keep her eight children from freezing to death. Later in life, she made big beautiful quilts from vibrant fabrics because she said she never wanted anyone she loved to be cold or poor again.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Her quilts -- like the lines on her face -- carried the tender but proud soul of survivorship.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">..and t</span>hat's what I want to give to the people of West who lost <span style="font-size: large;">their real, li<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">v</span>e heroes<span style="font-size: large;"> that day.</span></span></span></span> <br />
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Ten first responders. Ten families. Ten quilts. The first quilt top (below), in memory of Emergency Medical Technician Kevin Sanders, is already complete. (<a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2009/08/my-mother-has-made-life-out-of-saving.html" target="_blank">I grew up the daughter of a paramedic</a>, and couldn't wait to put something together in blue and white to represent the emergency medical services' <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_Life" target="_blank">Star of Life</a>.)<br />
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I knew immediately that I couldn't do this alone. Surely, I thought, out there in the sewing and quilting universe, enough quilters are willing to put in a few hours to accomplish <b><i>nine more quilts</i></b> for the families of firefighters lost that day. I reached out to people I know in my church, the local sewing community, friends all across the map and even some of my contacts through the blogging community on the internet. We've been blessed so richly with people interested in helping, but we need more!<br />
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<b>Here's what you need to know if you'd like to help:</b> <br />
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<b>- <u>First, let me know</u>! Please comment below and send me an email to olivia@justsewolivia.com. We need piecers, machine quilters, binders, companies willing to discount or donate the fabric and supplies.</b> <br />
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- <u><b>Fabric:</b></u><b> </b><u><b>Sweetwater's Mama Said Sew jelly roll</b></u> (pictured at the top) available from shops that carry Moda precuts is _perfect_ for this project with its reds, blacks, grays and whites. <br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Sheri at the fabulous <a href="http://www.sewitbetter.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Sewing Center Around the Block</a> in Fort Walton, Florida, has graciously offered to give a <a href="http://www.sewitbetter.com/shop/Fabric/p/Mama-Said-Sew-5490JR-sku-5490JR.htm" target="_blank">15% discount to anyone purchasing this jelly roll</a> if they mention Olivia and that they're helping with QuiltWest. </b></span><br />
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<b>- <u>Backing and Binding Fabric</u>: </b>Each quilt will use approximately 3 1/4 yds of backing fabric, and 1/2 yd for binding. I'm trying to work a donation of backing fabric -- more on that later. But until then, if possible, please purchase and provide these along with your quilt top. Backing should be at least 5 inches larger on all sides than the quilt top. That makes it large enough to mount on a long arm frame and leave room to quilt all the way to the edges.<br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Donna and Vicki at the wonderful <a href="http://www.berninaconnect.com/photos.htm" target="_blank">Lynn's Sewing Center</a> in Fort Walton, Florida have graciously offered to help bind the completed quilts!</b></span> <br />
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This isn't hard and fast, but <b>if possible, please use 100% cotton thread for piecing and quilting</b>. (This is the ideal, but don't let it deter you if you're stranded in the desert and have to use a blended thread.) <br />
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- <b><u>Quilt "Block"</u>:</b> Few techniques out there combine simple, quick and gorgeous like the <b>Jelly Roll Race</b>. It's not a block. It's simple, stylized strip piecing. If you're not already familiar, for now, take a look at <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2013/05/tutorial-basic-jelly-roll-quilt.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>. Anybody who can sew a straight line can put together a quilt top in a day, easily. (Mine went together in about two hours, even with interruptions.) <br />
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<b>- </b><u><b>Machine Quilting</b></u><b>: </b> I'm willing to donate my time to long arm quilt several quilts. Sheri has lovingly offered to quilt one as well. <b> </b>Please, please...this is a more specialized skill. We need machine quilters!<br />
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<b>- </b><u><b>Helpers</b></u><b>: </b>There are lots of moving parts. If you'd be willing to be a point of contact for supplies, machine quilting, binding or shipping quilts, please let me know. <br />
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<b>- <u>Timeline</u>: Quilt tops and backing should be completed by May 20th. </b>As machine quilters come forward, I can let you know where to ship your quilt for quilting. Even better if you can talk a local longarm quilter into donating time for your one quilt! (It never hurts to ask... You might be amazed by how willing and eager people are to help.)<b><br /></b>
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- Borders, Embellishments and Labels: If you'd like to put borders on your quilt top or do anything more complicated, be my guest. The choices presented here should make the project easy and quick, but by all means, infuse your own joie de vivre!<br />
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- <u><b>Expenses</b></u>: If you don't sew and want to help, drop me a line anyway. In addition to the jelly roll,<br />
each quilt will need batting, backing fabric and binding fabric. From start to finish, each quilt costs approximately $100 in supplies. Many of the people willing to sew don't have the money to purchase all the supplies, so if you're willing to "fund a quilt," please let me know. <br />
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So let's start small and see where this leads...<br />
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If you're feeling extra energetic, go wild! I couldn't find anyone else doing this when I first decided to, but since then, I've come across Judy from Patchwork Times, who is also accepting quilts for West, Texas. You can check out her post <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/04/19/quilts-for-west-texas-folks/" target="_blank">here</a>. :)</div>
<script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534703.post-68826684345464139892013-04-17T10:45:00.000-05:002013-04-17T13:42:25.654-05:00Getting on the bus...and off the roller coaster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nteGjEvwbBQ/UW3-DGJeiSI/AAAAAAAADGY/pMUGGFc1PPc/s1600/School+Bus_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="627" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nteGjEvwbBQ/UW3-DGJeiSI/AAAAAAAADGY/pMUGGFc1PPc/s640/School+Bus_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm sorry I haven't been around lately.</span> You see, I lost my mother in March, and it's been hard to focus on sewing or writing. When I do write, I get lost in emotion. The endless photo search just results in waves of silent tears, and then surrender. Even when I'm trying not to think at all,<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">everything seems to remind me of her. Even weird, silly things that you wouldn't expect.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like today when I put Big Boy on the school bus.</span><br />
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The bus driver told us today is her last day. I was exasperated -- only because we haven't had the same driver for more than a few days as at a time since the school year started. Every time the school system switches drivers, the bus usually misses our house. After two or three days in a row of calling to remind them, they finally get on track. By then, someone quits or gets sick and they're ready to switch drivers again. Until this one: We'd been blessed with this young woman for nearly three months!<br />
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Anyway, Momma used to be our "school bus watcher." In fact, the first indication I had of how drastically she had slipped during the course of one sad overnight was when she was too sick to get out of bed and watch for the bus. That might not sound like a big deal if you didn't know her well, but <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2012/09/todays-photo-journal-legacy-of-love.html" target="_blank">my mother was an incredibly proud, determined person</a>. She wanted to do things to be helpful, and she knew that having a responsibility drove her to keep going.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo-BNM6Ezv4/UW3-DNsRjXI/AAAAAAAADGU/lPNZTZvRM3E/s1600/Gran+and+Bitty_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo-BNM6Ezv4/UW3-DNsRjXI/AAAAAAAADGU/lPNZTZvRM3E/s400/Gran+and+Bitty_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I balked at Momma's suggestion that she should sweep the floors, she
insisted on being the designated laundry folder. Bitty's chore was to
empty the dryer and push the basket to her chair. They made quite a
team. </td></tr>
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Momma also knew me and my weaknesses -- like the fact that I'm forever
running late. So each day, she trudged dutifully from the bedroom to
the dining room, where I delivered her coffee and she kept an eye out
for the bright yellow flash of color through the trees that hailed the
coming bus. <br />
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That unprecedented February morning, she gave in to her headache and weakness. Twenty-four hours later, our world changed dramatically as her brain tumors proved themselves more than just shaded areas on a film. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fo0Lp7dHdF0/UW4ESu-wCsI/AAAAAAAADGc/-XK28EodVeA/s1600/Gran+and+Big+Boy_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fo0Lp7dHdF0/UW4ESu-wCsI/AAAAAAAADGc/-XK28EodVeA/s400/Gran+and+Big+Boy_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Momma also helped Big Boy with his reading at night. She proved a more patient coach than I.</td></tr>
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Now Bitty watches for us. He, too, needs to feel important, and it keeps him out from underfoot when I'm scurrying around trying to get SuperHusband and Big Boy out the door. He wasn't very reliable at first, but yesterday he made the difference between us missing the bus and making it! He's getting so big, I guess I'll have to change his nickname soon.<br />
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Anyway, back to the bus driver. Momma and I used to critique the various drivers on how they navigated our small cul-de-sac. This most recent queen-of-the-three-point-turn seemed safest and had won the Gran stamp of approval. So with the news our driver was quitting, <span style="font-size: large;">I had a fleeting moment's thought of "I have to tell Momma." After a month without her, that still happens 10 or more times a day. I wonder how long it will last. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_C5pGYE97w/UW3-CSEcZhI/AAAAAAAADGI/DBvo3NGXAQI/s1600/Gran%252C+Easter+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_C5pGYE97w/UW3-CSEcZhI/AAAAAAAADGI/DBvo3NGXAQI/s320/Gran%252C+Easter+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter 2012 - She was beginning to get strong again!</td></tr>
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I promise I'll get back to posting about sewing and quilting -- though with less frequency for a time. Much of my time and attention is consumed with the details of closing out a life. It's hard. And it feels wrong to try to neatly tie up the tendrils of a person who impacted so many through <a href="http://www.justsewolivia.com/2009/08/my-mother-has-made-life-out-of-saving.html" target="_blank">her various journeys in service and leadership</a>. Working through the details of her estate keep her memory immediate -- as does living in our home where she was so vibrant and loved.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--tC2lalQXi0/UW4FnHihpmI/AAAAAAAADGk/eZe0ry6PqUs/s1600/Gran+and+Boys_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--tC2lalQXi0/UW4FnHihpmI/AAAAAAAADGk/eZe0ry6PqUs/s640/Gran+and+Boys_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I adore this picture of her from Christmas with all my guys dressed in their specially-made car ties for church. She's all like, "Can you believe this zoo?"</td></tr>
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People outside our family have been so supportive while we rode this roller coaster of cancer and treatment, success and failure, sickness and health, with the only relief coming through faith and prayer. I don't know how we would've made it without the support of so many: Her wonderful friends in her hometown, her amazing church family in Kentucky, our compassionate and tireless congregation here in Florida. Through their emotional and logistical support, these people have quite literally sustained her -- and me -- through the last hazy year and a half. <br />
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So, too, have we felt the contributions of our Air Force family -- SuperHusband's bosses granted him tremendous flexibility over the last few months and my professional network took great pains to keep me from being mobilized for deployment last year while I fulfilled my family responsibilities. Multiple Air Force Reserve colleagues volunteered to take my place last fall. Those people can't know the depth of gratitude I feel toward them.<br />
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The words don't ever seem to be enough. There's so much more I should say...about her, to those who loved her, to those whom she loved. I know I can't get it right. <br />
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Over the coming weeks, as I work my way back into the tasks and projects that have always given joy and purpose to my world, I hope to share a glimpse into the last couple of months with her. We knew, beginning a few days before Christmas, that we were suddenly working on a very short timeline. I tried to create as many opportunities to share moments with her -- both for us and others -- as we could, but I didn't want to take the time away then to document them. I won't showcase her illness, but I want to share the joy of knowing someone who lived such a life.<br />
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Finally, thank you for being an awesome reader. Despite my five-week dry spell, you're still here. God bless you and keep you in his care.
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>Olivia@JustSewOliviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04682087640363382167noreply@blogger.com0