Sewing Boo-boos and How to Fix Them!

You are not stuck with EPP (English Paper Piecing) if you want to play with hexagons. Although I've had fun with EPP and I'll share some of those pictures too. I did this project years ago, and when I was going through tubs in the garage, I found this. I used fusible web on the wrong side of the fabric and then cut out the hexies. I don't remember if I used a template or Inklingo . (If you've never tried Linda's method of printing shapes on fabric - do it! Great fun!) But either way, I cut them out. I laid them on a backing/batting/foundation piece, pressed them and satin stitched them together. No seams. I butted the raw edges together and sewed. I don't know how this would hold up in a test of time or washing. But it's pretty fun to do and you get quick results. The finished/unfinished quilt. (no binding) Close-up. My machine skips on the zig-zag stitch. Oh well.   The edges that need cleaning up. The back can get pretty thready! ...

A few years ago I came across this blog and the following pictures - I was smitten! I started gathering all my wool odds and ends to make a scrappy, yet designed blanket. In two winters I've not gotten very far. But I am making progress. As I've been going through tubs stored in the garage, I'm finding lots of interesting projects to work on. I have absolutely NO business starting another one! Here is the progress on my wool blanket - I had to block the center in order to get the side pieces to fit evenly. It's still drying.  These are the new blocks I'm working while waiting for the center to dry. I'm using a sock wt variegated blue/green yarn combined with a red lace wt yarn -   And speaking of THIS BLOG - it's written in French, but the pictures are delightful. This is one talented lady. If you have some time and need some inspiration - stop by! More Adventures later! Karen

It figures. I finish a project and I don't like it. It looks nice. And feels nice to my hand, but stepping on it is like walking on golf balls! I have very tender feet and so maybe they are more sensitive than other feet. I don't know. But I can't live with it.  I'm really disappointed. I used tons of wool and alpaca - it's a very heavy little rug. And lovely to run your hand through.  And it looks so nice on the hardwood floor! :) Bye bye rug!  Back to sewing adventures! Karen

I'm on a sort of a mission to finish up WIPs (works in progress) that have been hanging around for ... well, far too long. Introducing the Wool Pom Pom rug. This uses a TON of pom poms and eats wool like crazy. That's okay, I have way too much wool yarn, most of it in quantities too small to make anything of substance. So, I use it to make pom poms! I found the backing at a thrift store, years ago. Last week, I started tying the woolly/alpaca balls to the backing. I'm not sure I have enough pom poms yet to fill it, but it gives me a break from the eternal yarn winding! And it is Heavy! After tying for a short time, my arms are tired, even with it laying in my lap. Some are bigger than others, but I like the uneven texture. I'd like to finish this by fall. It will go next to my side of the bed, perfect for my feet on cold winter mornings. I am concerned about all the possible mess. I mean, this is just short lengths of yarn, tied together as tight as I can d...

I love vintage patterns! One of my favorite blogs is A Few Loose Threads, and she is vintage pattern ga-ga! Recently she posted about the illustrations on the cover of patterns. The illustrations do seem to show you what's inside, but she found they do not do the pattern justice. See it Sewn is a new chapter on her blog. It's well worth a visit. The First Sew it Sewn post   and The Second One This isn't a long post, I just wanted to share this blog with you. My sewing room looks like a tornado came through as I work on a few projects at once. :) More sewing adventures later! Karen

I'm not a big fan of summer. So, I'm quilting a snowman. Specifically, Sir Frosty by Leslie McNeil of MarveLes Art Studio.   That is the link to the pattern in her Etsy shop, but if you really want the eye candy - visit her site here   She is one talented designer and quilter.  And a sweet lady, I've known her and been working with her for a few years now on some projects. She is a joy :) You can tell by her designs, as they are full of joy! Okay, here's my pictures.   Getting "Sir Frosty" pinned to the background I've got the aspen trees placed, and the scarf and hat. I cut the bottom scarf piece wrong, but I figure the wind is blowing so the scarf can go anywhere it wants to go :)  At the recommendation of Leslie, I used Steam-a-Seam Lite, but I could only get the 9 x 12 sheets, not yardage. I had to divide each tree into 3 sections and make sure I labeled everything properly.  I used a piece of green linen for the background an...