Hand-Sewn Balloon Shades

With boldly printed cotton fabric purchased in Spain...

...cording and ring tape...

                              ...I set out to replace an aging pair of kitchen shades.

                                 After stitching the tape to the edges of the fabric...

                          ...I fold the fabric into thirds (for help with tape placement).

                                Additional lengths of tape are pinned on and stitched...

                                           ...(all to the 'wrong' side of the fabric).

               The top of the shade is affixed to a wooden bar using glue and staples...

                     ...and the cord is threaded through the eye-hooks and tape rings.

                                                        One finished curtain...

                                                             ...fully installed...

                                                       ...and the other one...

                                                ...in situ over the kitchen sink.

                                      Next time: a felted hat class with Judit Pócs!

Oklahoma Hats- Part 4

From lengths of silk selvedge...

...leftover bits of silk...

                                                 ...and bright merino roving...

                                                ...a rectangle of felt is created.

                                    A circular resist is used to fashion the hat top...

                                                  ...so the shape stays 'true'...

                             ...and so it can be cut apart and used to make two hats!

                                                          Once the felt is dry...

                                                 ...the hat is quickly assembled...

                               ...by machine stitching the felt rectangle to the circle...

                                   ...and sewing the ends of the rectangle together.

                             Voila! A bright and cheery hat for a grey and gloomy day.

Christmas Sewing (Pillowcases)- Part 3

The finished pillowcases...

                                     ...some made from treasured 'stash' fabrics...

                                        ...and others from newly chosen pieces...

                                 ...are all either wending their way to new homes...

                     ...or are already installed under a Christmas tree, somewhere! :)

Christmas Sewing (Pillowcases)- Part 2

When sewing seams...

...the fabric is usually oriented with its 'right sides' together.

                                                With French seams, however...

                              ...they are first sewn with the 'wrong sides' together...

                                             ...and the seam is then trimmed...

                                        ...leaving a very small seam allowance...

                                         ...before the project is turned inside-out.

                                            The same seams are then re-sewn...

                                             ...with the raw edges tucked inside!

                                The resulting seams are quite neat and 'fray-proof'! 

                                           Next time: the finished pillowcases...

                                                     ...all fifteen of them!! :)

Christmas Sewing (Pillowcases)- Part 1

Using an internet pillowcase tutorial...

...like this one...

                                            ...for the 'burrito' sewing method...

                                         ...I pin three fabric pieces together...

               ...(a top section, narrow decorative piece and main body portion)...

                                               ...and roll up the largest piece...

                                    ...pinning it within the folded-over top section...

                                              ...to form a festive cotton burrito! :)

                                             The layers are stitched together...

                                       ...and the core is pulled out and unfurled...

                     ...resulting in an assemblage that requires only two more seams...

                                           ...to turn it into a finished pillowcase! :)

                                     Next time: I sew French seams. Oooh la la! ;)

Re-Purposed 'Skirt Totes'- Part 4

By now...

                                         ...you probably already 'know the drill'. ;)

                                    The lining is fashioned and sewn to the bag...

                                                      ...then tucked inside...

                                                           ...and top-stitched...

                                     
                                                 ...and the straps are added.

                                             Because the tote was once a skirt...

                                ...the extant pockets (some with velcro closures)...

                                                         ...are pretty handy...

                                            ...for securely holding cash, tissues...

                                             ...or foam earplugs (on long flights).

                                           The three 'Skirt Totes' (back sides)...

                                                           ...and fronts!