January 08, 2008
Sew-Sew
Look what I can do!
(I can make passable-to-disgraceful sewing projects look pretty with the help of a lightbox, a tricky lens, and Photoshop!)
Here's my first product, the half-filled draft stopper for the hall door that leads to the basement. This one turned out pretty nicely, I think, so long as I don't screw up the end I have to hand-sew once I get enough rice to fill the thing up. The material was from the remnant bin and was priced at $1.39, which was awesome, especially since I have enough left over to make more draft stoppers or, even better, a little curtain to hang over the cat flap that was cut into the basement door but serves not cats but a multitude of sweater-eating moths.
Here is my shameful pincushion. It looks worse than the windsock I had to make in junior high home ec, and waaaay worse than the vests and boxer shorts my mom helped me sew the summer before junior high, when I was gearing up to establish my reputation as a style maven among the 13-15 set. (One of the vests had a shiny back, and one of the pairs of boxers (which I wore as shorts) featured brown Holsteins with beach towels and life preservers around their necks. Alas, even though it was 1992 and suburban Utah, this did not make me cool.)
It's supposed to look like this. It obviously needs to be stuffed and finished (and yes, I will stuff and finish it (because Goonies never say die!)), and perhaps if I throw in some extra ribbon and sew (glue?) some buttons in strategic locations...and tilt my head sideways and squint one eye whenever I look at it, it will be fine. (As mutants go, I still think it's rather cute!)
Here's the material I used for the music room skylight shade. The opposite of the pincushion project, this one was all about massive pieces of cloth and loooooong seams and absolutely no following of prescribed directions whatsoever.
The finished product looks awesome. Now all I have to do is replicate it for the other window.
And finally, here is the fur Simon wants me to use for his drumstick bag.
I had a really hard time photographing it because there wasn't really anything for the camera to focus on, so I made a little addition.
Oh, I am hilarious. You know who would love this? A BABY, that's who.
Ahem.
There are a few notes and extras on Flickr, if you're into that sort of thing, plus a bonus shot of Simon and Linus working on their manly craft, the Cat Tree of Destiny.
We'll be out of town this weekend for a late Christmas in Salt Lake, and I'm legitmately sad that I have to leave my sewing machine behind. Something about "carry-on weight limits" and "TSA safety regulations" and "common sense."
Posted by Leah at January 8, 2008 04:04 PMI was totally going to say, "That is Cookie Monster's FUR" but then scrolled and there it was, you beat me to it.
The shade looks especially great!
Posted by: Assertagirl at January 8, 2008 06:21 PMmy first project was a sad looking stuffed bunny sewn from a vintage kitchen towel (how proud was i when i finished!). i used to refer to him lovingly as 'lump' (now he is 'lump with hole'). sewing and crafting can be so fulfilling, even if your greatest achievment is a cloth tissue holder, in which no box or travel sized package of tissue will actually fit (it's still so pretty to look at!) can't wait to see more of your creations...keep it up!
Posted by: amy at January 8, 2008 06:56 PMThe blind looks great!
You'd never know it was made by the same person who made that pin cushion.
Yeah, totally awesome. I just got a sewing machine for my birthday. I loooove it! You can check out some of my projects on Flickr, if you are interested... I can't post my link because then it's spam, but I'm one of your contacts... "mybloggylife".
Posted by: Elizabeth at January 8, 2008 08:59 PMYay for Cookie Monster!
I also need me one of those lightbox thingies. And maybe I'll even sew!
Hardly.
Have a great trip!
Posted by: Angella at January 8, 2008 09:42 PMWahooooooo! Loving the sewing posts! I just updated my blog with Christmas craftiness!
Posted by: Super Sarah at January 9, 2008 02:07 AMYou killed Cookie Monster? Karma's gonna get you for that one!
Posted by: Chris Cactus at January 9, 2008 06:51 AMI don't think the pin cushion is a lost cause yet. A lot of stuffing will go a long way! There are very few perfect sewers out there and as projects go, sewing a box like that is actually fairly difficult. If I may say so (as a person who has room just for fabric and sewing), I think it's a fine first attempt. Your fabric selection was nice and once stuffed, it will actually serve its original purpose. More than I can say for several of my projects over the years.
Posted by: cat at January 9, 2008 07:07 AM"nothing for the camera to focus..."?
Maybe that is why I always have such a difficult time photographing my knitted items. I will have to try your method next time.
Posted by: cagey at January 9, 2008 08:39 AMWOW I am impressed -- these look great! I am a terrible sewer, to the point where I will willingly lose buttons rather than take a minute to take out the needle and thread. It's awful! But you've inspired me. Your baby will be very well-dressed :)
Posted by: nicole at January 9, 2008 09:54 AMWe are moving and I have to leave my large sewing station and sewing machine behind. It makes me a little sad. Even though I haven't used it in over a year, I was raised that household essentials included a cast iron skillet and a sewing machine. Also, a pair of chickens. So it feels like my career as a homemaker is taking steps backward... glad to hear you are taking steps forward!
Posted by: Andi at January 9, 2008 11:33 AMI'm impressed with it all... I once entered a wearble arts competition, which involved a lot of sewing, and I broke 3 sewing machines, and ended up just using a horrifying combination of tape and glue.
Posted by: Leaf, probably... at January 9, 2008 12:06 PMThe pincushion might look better once you stuff it to the gills. Of course, it might not.
Posted by: Mama Urchin at January 9, 2008 02:41 PMI'm impressed. At least your sewing machine is out of the box. Mine's still all tucked away. Eventually I say. Eventually. I love the cookie monster fur though. Simon has good taste.
Posted by: Cari at January 9, 2008 05:44 PM
