ILX Sewing!

I have a very, very good wrap pattern that's easy and I've made it twice and you could embellish or add pockets or change the closure to anything you wanted (it's supposed to be long skinny ties but I've also made it with a D-ring buckle).

the show is scientifically engineered to make you cry. it's evil really.

Oh! And you're totally right, Laurel: pressing seams makes a world of difference. I felt competent yesterday while making my sad little apron!

Sidenote: everyone of my family members is getting an apron for Xmas.

Regular ham:
http://www.bblackandsons.com/store/media/product-images/pressing_supplies/PS-04.jpg

I think, after I complete my apron, I will try something non-threatening like a tote-bag. I think I may try this:

http://www.supereggplant.com/archives/000216.html

I've also read that, if you want a skirt hem to float REALLY nicely for a special occasion, you can iron it out section by section on the ham rather than flat on the ironing board...it will give it just a little more rounding and body. Of course it's also more work.

http://static.flickr.com/101/271857434_a8edf1035b.jpg?v=0

CAT PICTURE ALERT:

http://static.flickr.com/98/272187119_94969efab5.jpg?v=0

Gertrude LOVES the sewing light.

Does yr machine have special settings/stitches for knits? Might be called a "stretch stitch" or similar.

It's my first time trying to follow a pattern . . . but it's a nice, simple one that I can improve upon when I try again.

thanks! the quilting was one of the easier parts . . . you use masking tape as a guide & it just happens so quickly. the border was really hard. it's cut on the bias & the corners are mitered. or supposed to be . . .
i'm going to try again anyway. we need potholders.

Yeah, Sam, I'd recommend Mason Dixon knitting! It's not clothes-heavy, but for some semi-practical stuff, (dishcloths upthread), it's really nice. Lots of fun afghan patterns too.

http://s133702574.onlinehome.us/pictures/blog/colonblow.jpg

My brain is feeble.

Sew Wrong: http://mena.typepad.com/dollarshort/sew_wrong/index.html
Not Martha: http://www.notmartha.org/index.html

This is an apron blog:

http://angrychicken.typepad.com/tieoneon/

Laurel, where do you go in the city/brooklyn, for fabric, tools etc. I want someplace that is well priced, non specialty, where i won't feel intimidated by tons of design students/designers.

(I had someone call me at home on my day off to ask what taffeta was so I think this could be useful.)

Further uptown it gets pricier and also snottier but there's some cool stuff. Everyone loves Mood Fabrics (www.moodfabrics.com - where contentants shopped on that sewing show, damned if I can't dredge up the name) and they have mind-boggling selection but PRICEY! Special occasion only, I think. There are a few notions places on um 39th Street? Steinloff and Stoller is a good one (and I think they sharpen shears there), also Daytona Trimmings. Generally just poke around the street. All of these places seem to attract FIT students & wholesale buyers, but it's not a big deal.

There's a totally awesome place called the City Quilter (www.cityquilter.com) in Chesea, the only fabric they carry is printed cottons for quilting (and the prices aren't great) but the selection of colors and unusual prints is unmatched anywhere else and they have really good notions and tools in the back room (for instance, they sell glass-headed straight pins that won't melt under the iron!!, and cutting mats and technical stuff).