Posted in Learning
After watching Superior Threadsā videos on using fusible thread for applique, I was determined to try it out for myself. In fact, I rushed to the store and bought the only fusible available: GĆ¼termannās polyester/nylon blended fusible. It was perfect timing, considering I was just starting the Kaleidoscope/Tula quilt, which has a lot of applique on a large scale.
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Posted in News
Although it doesnāt have the fun alliteration of āFinished it Fridayā or āWork in Progress Wednesdayā, today Iām showing you unfinished, in-progress views of what Iāve been working on this week, as Iāve been rather productive.
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Posted in Learning
Leah Day posted about the chemicals we use in quilting a while ago, and how those may affect the life of our projects. The researcher in me was especially interested in a scientific study on adhesives used in quilting that she linked, which ran tests on the effect certain spray bastes, fusible webs, and fusible battings have on fabric over time.
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I had hoped to be further along with my dress by now (that is, started), so that this giveaway could tie into notes about making the dress. However, I want to make sure that you have time to make your own dress for the show or whatever events you wish it for. So, without further ado, this is a giveaway! Of Simplicityās licensed Sense and Sensibility Regency Gownāperfect for 1812 Bicentennial celebrations!
Specifically, this is the size HH (6-8-10-12) pattern, so you need measurements smaller than 34-26-36 according to the package, although considering the modern ease added, you may be able to get away with using the size 12 even if you are closer to 36-28-38 (what they consider size 14), and if youāre really adventurous, you can try to scale the pattern up.
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ā¦until the show, at leastāand with a bit of history to boot. I just have a small amount of work left (namely adding a hanging sleeve), then Iāll be ready to ship it off mid-February.
I wish Iād learned about this before our trip to MO, because we could have swung through Chicago, but for those of you who can get to Chicago before April 16, 2012, there is a fabulous exhibition of couture fashion by Charles James at the Chicago History Museum.
Now, while I love looking at designer clothing, gowns alone wonāt usually inspire me to want to trek halfway across the country for an exhibit, but this is more than just a show of his designs. The curating team used advanced imaging techniques and intense study of the construction of three iconic dresses in order to show visitors how the gowns are structuredāand Jamesā designs are often very complex in structure. There are also touchable displaysāthe team painstakingly created prototypes of different aspects of the construction.
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Posted in Quilting
The bi-weekly So You Want To Quilt group is starting up with a new project this month: a quilt based on the Stack-n-Whack kaleidoscope technique (there are a few books about it, like Stack-n-Whackipedia). Our teacher is designing a wall hanging that we can make, but seeing as Iām more of a quilt gal myselfāand lack any restraint to keep things simple latelyāIām making my own design (more on that in coming weeks).
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Posted in Crafting
There must be something in the water at Carlās company, because many of his coworkers have become or are becoming parents recently. I made one of these elephants in the craziness of the week before Christmas, but forgot to take photos.
This one, I made this week.
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Posted in Historical
I thought things would calm down after I finished all the Christmas presents I made, but I was mistaken. Between house renovations/organizing, freelance work, 9ā5 work, and whatnot, I havenāt made any progress on the 1812 fashion pieces. What I have done is buy an extremely important part of the outfit: a shawl. From Target.
Posted in News
Iām convinced that my belongings grew in the move. I donāt know how, but things just werenāt fitting in the same amount of shelving as I had at the apartment. And, Iām still not completely unpacked!
A quick trip to Target last night for cabinets/shelving and a few hours this morning, and I finally have something that is starting to look like a sewing studio: (more…)