FESTIVE PARTY Scarves End this Sewing Project

Single Loop Glittering Metallic Purple Scarf.

Today I finished 6 festive party or special occasion scarves and two red paisley scarves.  This is the end of this current scarf session!  There are some I will wrap in tissue, box, and wrap as gifts, some I will keep for myself, and some I will place neatly in my "gift" drawer for later gift giving.

Double Looped Ice Blue Metallic Scarf.

What I love about them is the ease with which they change the whole look of an outfit.  Add a glittering metallic to a dark turtleneck and trousers and it becomes quite sheik.  Sort of Lauren Becall or Katherine Hepborn!

Single Loop black Velvet with Glitter Pattern.

Double Loop Black and Gold Metallic. (Side A)

Or wear with a skirt and sweater with a glittering scarf and again I see a very quiet elegance bursting through but with a loud whisper!

Single Loop Royal Blue Metallic Scarf.

One of the fabrics really stumped me.  I could not decide which side I preferred so I made two scarves, one of each side.  I will never know which side was meant to be the "right" side.

Black and Gold Double Looped Scarf. (Side B)

Really I have thought this to be great fun and I hate to say I am done!  I may have to make a few more?  We will see....If you would like directions to make one please click on the following link I am happy to share.      thehiddenpantry.blogspot.com/2013/01/infinity-scarf-circle-large-double-loop.html

Silky and Lightweight Double Looped Red Paisley Scarf.

Tomorrow I round up lace and batting for a new project.  I will see you again with it I feel certain.

Sewing a Gentleman's Eye Compress and Eliminating My Pile of Mending

Gentleman's Eye Compress

I have been given a project by our middle son Mike.  He has asked me to make an eye compress for a friend.  The description was much too colorful to elaborate on here but suffice to say he needed two pouches to hold rice connected in the center.  You see his friend's eye doctor described this to be microwaved a few minutes and used warm across both eyes as a remedy for tired dry eyes.  I am happy to give this a whirl!

The top one is more practical as the larger amount of rice will hold the warmth longer.

First I selected a soft cotton flannel fabric and laundered and dried it.  Next I traced two sizes using tailor's chalk, a wide mouth jar lid, and a small saucer as patterns.  I was uncertain what size I would end up with after sewing and filling the pouches with rice.  As it turned out the larger is more practical as the larger amount of rice holds the warmth longer.

I will leave the opening to turn the compress right side out LARGER the next time.

Next I double stitched around the edge with the right sides facing each other 1/4" from the raw edge.  I left an opening not stitched at the bridge large enough to turn the compress right side out.  The next time I will leave the opening larger for ease of turning. 

A quick trip to the kitchen for a funnel and a bag of rice and I was near to completion.  After filling the two sides with a comfortable amount of rice I hand stitched a double row across the opening to close and for added strength.  The bridge width can be adjusted by lightly twisting to shorten the length of the connecting strip as needed. 

Just microwave a couple of minutes to warm and you are all set to relax! 

My stack of mending projects was 5 deep!

Mother always had a stack of mending to do.  Much more than I do as many items nowadays don't hold up long enough to mend.  I wonder does anyone else out there mend?  It Is not a phrase I have heard anyone use in years.

Possibles Bag

After making the compress I thought I would clean up my stack so I repaired a friend of my husband's "possibles" bag.  (A utility type bag men use/carry when shooting cap and ball type firearms as a hobby.)  The strap was loose so I stitched it back!

Next I cut off a pair of our grandson's PJ's with the knee out and hemmed them.  Good as new!  Now I am in the backstretch...with only my husband's long underwear to mend and a button to match and sew onto a pair of slacks.  And now he mending is done until the next time.

Rehab: Modifing Window Treatments To Work and Modifing Spools of Thread for Horizontal Thread Posts

Window treatment has rings to fit a decorative pole.

One of our sons recently moved into a new home and I remarked how much I liked the window treatments gently puddled at the sliding glass door the first time I was there.  He remarked they were going because he didn't care for them!  So, he gave them to me when the new window treatments arrived!  Our whole family tends to pass things around! I think it a very nice tradition.  He sent his Grandmother some beautiful sheers she fell in love with from the dining room!

I can use these in the master bedroom here and it will have a room darkening effect for when Brian wants to take a nap as they are darker than the ones currently hanging.  They also go quite well with the paint color of the room.

THE PROBLEM:
I really don't want to install new rods but these have large rings to place a pole through.  Currently European rods are up that are about 2" deep and call for a deeper channel on the treatment.  I like them too!  There is also a regular rod inside shallow mounted inside the European rod.

PONDERING;
I have been "pondering" this  for better than two months now trying to decide how much trouble I want to go to to hang these.  Those of you who follow or know me have read about my "pondering" before and find this part to be no surprise!

Close the casing by stitching 1/8" above the open edge to close.

MY SOLUTION:
Yesterday after measuring I decided to simply turn under the top section of the fabric at the line of stiffening so the rings are on the backside of the channel where they cannot be seen at a depth of 2 1/2" - 3"  plus, and run a line of stitches to close ( about 1/8" from the open edge of the fold) and form the channel.  Then thread them onto the European rods and I am done.  Since they are longer because they were originally hung to puddle they are just perfect loosing the extra length for our situation.

Finished front top casing to fit a European rod.

This is a beautiful as well as easy solution.  Good "pondering!"

Thread post horizontal.

ANOTHER PROBLEM:
The other issue that repeats since I got a new sewing machine with a horizontal thread post is the snagging of the thread on the edge of the spool. 

Traditionally there is a slit to catch a loose thread on when you have finished sewing.  Newer spools do not have this slit.   I have HUNDREDS of spools of thread, not counting the ones that are wooden spools I have removed from service.  They catch on this slit and hang up the machine as it feeds from the underside of the spool and pulls the thread right into the slit.

This one was easy because it was soft plastic.  Not always the case.

MY SOLUTION:
Take a knife and cut down into the slit and pulling the blade to form a shallow trough or flattened "u".  Next file it smooth so the thread will not catch.  Ready to go.

This is a pain and I have considered keeping a second machine at the ready with a vertical thread post for these types of jobs.  If you have an easier better solution PLEASE SHARE IT WITH ME!

Christmas Gift, Tablecloth Finished

With Love in Every Thread

This has been a labor of love and I am happy with the end result I think....never really sure it could not have been a little better.  But that is just me!  It is really pretty though and I would love it on my table so that is as good as it can be I think?

After stitching I did the final pressing.

To make the finished edge I ran a line of straight stitching  3/8" all the way around from the trimmed cut raw edge.  Next I used a hot steam iron and folded the edge under to the wrong side just above the stitching so it does not show on the right side of the finished tablecloth.  Then fold again and press.  Using dressmaker pins I pinned every 12" or thereabouts except the corners which I pinned more closely to ease them.  The final step was to stitch 1/4" from the folded edge of the tablecloth and do the final pressing.  NOTE:  It is really important to watch the tension of the sewing machine as you do this as you will not have attractive stitching.

Nothing left but to wrap it up and deliver!  Then on to my next project!

Cutting the corners of THE CHRISTMAS TABLECLOTH.

Well after my pondering was through this morning I did it.  Snip, snip, snip!  I found on an edge it is a Hallmark Fabric.  Whatever that may mean!

First I folded right side in down the length of the fabric and pinned the edges straightening to the very best of my ability!  Then I folded in half cross ways lining up all four corners.  Nest I trimmed a bit as to even things up.

Now for my biggest platter!  The big one the girls fired for me as a special gift!  Perfect as the template for a big easy curve!

And then to mark oh so carefully!  Instead of the Tailor's chalk (they were out of dark) I had to buy a fabric marking pin that becomes invisible with heat.

Then the cutting is done and I am ready to sew tomorrow!

Assembly of the 3 layers, trimming, and basting the next quilt to be done.

I pin and trim and as I go I turn the quilt on the table to get to the next section.

After a six day trip to Indianapolis and a week to get things back into order at home I started back on Quilt #3 this afternoon.  Previously I had completed the embroidery of the four women's names who will have "had a hand" in the completion of this quilt* and purchased and laundered the backing material.  I chose unbleached perma pressed muslin. I had on hand 100% cotton batting and hand quilting thread in several colors.  I chose to hand baste in contrasting black.

The quilt top measures 6 1/2' by 7 1/2' so it is nice and big but it will be awkward to work on because of the size.  I start by lining up the backing on the corner of my dinning room table with all of the leaves in.  With Brian's help we laid the batting on top lining up the starting corner and sides.  It was much easier with a little help!  Next we placed the pieced top on the batting forming the three layers of the quilt.

The new long straight pins did make this go with more ease.

Last week I broke down and spent $7.00 on a new package of long straight pins with red beads on the end.  This made the pinning easier and more visible.  I pinned it all of the way around the perimeter smoothing the three layers as I went. Then trimmed the three layers all to about 3/8"from the raw edge of the top. (I can't tell you why I do it this way, I just do?)

Honking big gaudy basting stitches!

My hand basting is big and easy to see as well as easy to remove when I am finished! It has only one purpose and that is to keep the layers smoothly in place as I work. It was evening by the time I finished the basting and I had to turn on the dinning room light which is why the photos are so differently lit!

The basting is done at about a 6" interval in a rectangular spiral pattern from the outside in.

My next step will be to try to figure out how to put together one of my two quilting frames and how then to get this quilt onto it!  Hopefully my son Mike and his wife Julie can lend a hand tomorrow night after supper.  Both frames were her late Grandmother's.  If that doesn't work out I will call my neighbor Cindy who quilts with a frame and perhaps she will help me.  Will go from there!  Plan "C" is to just use a lap hoop and just get at it!  *  Here is the link explaining the 4 generations who have put these together.    thehiddenpantry.blogspot.com/2014/10/quilt-number-three-starts-today-weekend.html

Quilt Number Three Starts Today, A Weekend Guest and a Cherry Pie in the Oven.

Starting inherited pieced quilt #3 .

Guess with the cooler weather and the leaves turning I have the "bug" to sew.  No sooner than I had the second quilt finished and on the bed to admire than the tape measure was in hand measuring number three for backing, 6 1/2' by 7 1/2'.   Again, this was pieced by three generations of my late first husband's family and recently given to me. 

This morning I caught up all of the mending as Brian was off on errands, rolled out pie pastry for a cherry pie, and mixed up the filling from the cherries the Saltzman's shared with us.  (I sure wish I had thought of making the cherry pie filling and freezing it in foil and plastic lined pie plates as I have done with the peaches and apples!)

Cherries frozen in the spring make a great pie filling now.

I love making the French Pie Pastry in the food processor.  It is the best ever, fast, and the dough handles beautifully.  I keep 2 sticks of butter dices up in the freezer just to make it up anytime!  Here are the links to my new favorite pastry and for making a fresh cherry pie.  I hope you are fortunate enough to make one real soon!    thehiddenpantry.blogspot.com/2014/09/french-pie-pastry-in-food-processor.html       thehiddenpantry.blogspot.com/2012/05/fresh-cherry-pie.html

Four names with dates of birth are embroidered in one corner of this hand pieced quilt top.

At any rate I traced the names and have started embroidering them onto a corner of the "new" quilt top this morning.  This is fun too!  It will keep my occupied until I get to town to purchase fabric for the backing and a spool of yellow quilting thread I need to repair a quilt Brian's Grandma Ruby made.

It is good I am so easily entertained!

Monday Morning:  It was a lovely weekend and I managed to finish the embroidery as well as have a family dinner and a lot of fun.  I expect it may take me months to do this particular quilt as I plan to hand quilt it.  There are several other projects I plan to sprinkle in as I go to keep things interesting.

Tutorial, Hand Work, How to Make the Antwerp or Knotted Blanket Stitch

I love learning new hand stitching techniques!  This is one I am particularly fond of.  It is my second attempt to master it and as with so many things I was making it harder than it is!  I like anything with the blanket stitches worked into it and the Antwerp is a variation and is also known as the Knotted Blanket Stitch.

I am half way around the vintage quilt now and thought I would take a break and share this.  I am really enjoying this a great deal.  It is a chilly, cloudy, rainy, and rather bleak day but my tea kettle is warm and Molly is here on guard as always as I stitch happily away!

Start from the bottom folded edge and hide your beginning knot. Then pierce the needle through all layers about 1/4" above the fold and bring it down on top of the loop.

This is how it should look as you pull the needle through.

Now pierce the needle back front to back through the bottom of the taught lower portion of the loop.

Next bring the loose end of the thread or yarn first beneath the needle than over and across the front.

Gently but firmly pull until the knot tightens.

Repeat the next stitch.

I  try to hide my knots starting and finishing by pulling them into where I over cast stitched and closed the front and back fabric of the quilt.  This is a stitch that is also used as a decorative edging.  I like it because it presents itself and not only attractive but quite durable and long lasting.

Finishing Tied Rustic Vintage Quilt with Antwerp Edging Stitch or Knotted Blanket Stitch

Antwerp Edging Stitch

Monday I cleaned off the dinning room table and spread the rustic hand pieced vintage quilt I have been working on across the top.  It has been a couple of weeks since I have had it out and this would be a good week to try and finish it.  Rain and storms all week and rest my strained left leg a bit.

Trimmed, turned, and pinned.

I trimmed it cutting the batting back about a quarter inch inside the rough edge of the top.  Then I trimmed the muslin underside equal to the pieced top.  Next with straight pins in hand folded both the top and the bottom pieces under equally about 3/8" and at the folded edge pinned all of the way around the quilt.

Slip stitched edges.

My plan is to use quilting thread and hand slip stitch the two folded edges together.  This is my way of basting it together before the decorative finish is applied.  I am crazy about alpaca yarn.  I have no explanation for it.  Just one of the little mysteries of life!  At any rate I want to then do a fancy Antwerp blanket stitch using alpaca yarn matching the ties holding the quilt together all the way around to embellish the finished edge.

Yes, I know this is different, but I like different and so this is the direction I am headed with it!  We shall see how it works out!

My view in the dinning room!

Alpaca yarn is terribly soft and non allergenic.  It makes a soft and not a bit scratchy contrasting
 edge.  I have always loved anything finished with a blanket stitch so I love the idea of trying a variation of it on this piece.

My favorite stitchery book!

Also worth mentioning here is an amazing woman who has more than mastered the hand stitching of the world as far as I can see! Sarah Whittle has published a wonderful book I purchased about a year or so ago and she is a Contemporary Embroidery Artist I am quite in awe of!  Her book details more stitches than I would have guessed exist.  It is called "The Needlecraft Style Directory" and gives beautiful instruction, history, and illustrations of stitches from around the world.  I would highly recommend it for anyone interested in hand work or it's history.

Making Pot Holders to Add to Jenn's Gift This Morning

This first attempt to sew a couple of pot holders took an hour to complete.  I think I'll make me some!

Right after Brian left this morning while still in my PJ's I headed straight to my sewing!  Over the weekend I made these pot holders in my head for two days.  Although I have never actually sewn a pot holder before how hard can this be?  Sooo.....I laid out the left over red ticking right side down, smoothed it with my hands, laid atop two layers of cotton batting, and lastly a final layer of the contrasting red leaf print, right side up.  After smoothing out again I pined where I was certain the four layers ended at each corner and put down my grungy faded potholder as a guide. Using my rotary cutter and my big clear plastic cutting guide I cut two squares of fabric a bit larger than my pot holder. 

I have always loved any color pillow ticking stripes.

And red is such a happy fun color!

Rounded corners?  OK!  I will just use a round metal box I store bobbins in as a guide and mark with a sewing pen, then snip away.  I am ready to sew.  Seems like a good idea to sew a few lines of quilting just to hold everything in place so away we go.  Two lines of stitching across each corner will do it. 

Stitching the loop.

Next to my can of seam tape for a package of extra wide 1" red seam tape.  After pressing it in half with a hot steam iron I cut two 3" lengths for the loop all pot holders seem to have.  I sew the 3" lengths closed and pin them hanging down to the inside with the raw edge even with the raw edge of the soon to be pot holders and stitch them in place.

I could do these all day!

The final step is to stitch the folded seam tape all of the way around the pot holder covering the raw edge by placing the tape so the fold is at the raw edge and the folded edge falls down an equal distance on both sides of the potholder.  Press the loop to the outside now and repeat the row of stitching next to the first.  Done, and they are cut as can be.  Yield 2 reversible pot holders.