Sewing Thread!

[Hermits Garden]

I’ve started the satin pillowcase. I’ve got it cut and pinned. Tomorrow or Wednesday I’ll do the actual sewing. I’m hoping to be able to start the apron this week because I really need one. I managed to splash grease on another shirt while cooking this morning.

I have to wear an apron just about every time I cook--forever getting grease spots if I don't. There are tons of great apron patterns out there. Show us what you make!

 

[SnapdragonQ]

How long do feed bags last as a weed block fabric? Do they break down into a mess, or can you get them up/out if you need to?

I bought some weed block fabric. It didn't do its job, and it turned into a shredded mess when I tried to take it up in the fall. It wasn't even worth the end of season sale price, GRRRR!

How long do they last? Hmm, I'm not sure...I've never pulled them back up. But I can tell you that when I have used them as a weed barrier, and have tried to plant in those spots a few years later, I had to cut holes through them to plant. I'd say they don't really break down very well. They will get brittle in the sun and kind of crackle apart eventually.

Sometimes I use them as small tarps. And out in the weather, they last longer than those thin blue tarps you can buy. I've tacked them up over cracks in wooden structures as a wind or rain shield, I've used them as shade cloths over my portable chicken tractor, and even as mats for kneeling in wet garden mud. I've also used to roll items up into (think like a canvas firewood carrier) or to lay things out on to dry, like freshly dug up potatoes.

Even when I put holes in the corners to tie them like a small tarp, they hold up pretty good. I just make sure not to put the hole. or slit. too near to the edge.

 

[Hermits Garden]

I'm a folk artist, making dolls, figures, and various fiber art things (wall hangings, punch needle, etc.) but the majority of my sewing has been to make and clothe dolls that I make for sale, and sewing curtains, etc for the house.

My mom hated to sew, but my teacher sent home a note ("Why did Jan sew her school play costume inside out?"), so she taught me. Ha! Later, as an adult w/ four kids and a husband, we began to play with a reenactment group (google SCA) and I had to learn, to keep us in garb. You just don't find medieval clothes at Walmart. Hmph.

I love hanging out with quilting peeps, although I don't have the patience for quilting myself, except for small projects like place mats or wall hangings.

So I may be able to contribute to discussion here, but even if I don't sew much, I'll be tickled to applaud your efforts!

 

[SnapdragonQ]

Cool Dolls!!
And no, no medieval clothes at Walmart. LOL!

I used to do a local maple syrup and historical festival yearly and a lot of the vendors would dress up in period clothing. I loved it and seeing all the items and wares from the time periods.

Would you believe part of why I started quilting was because I did not have the patience to knit or crochet an entire afghan? Of course I started knitting and crocheting because I knew I could never learn to quilt!

These days I love all things fiber arts. And while this may be titled as a sewing thread (no pun intended) to me sewing, or making, comes in all forms.

 

[Hermits Garden]

Would you believe part of why I started quilting was because I did not have the patience to knit or crochet an entire afghan? Of course I started knitting and crocheting because I knew I could never learn to quilt!

I would definitely believe it. I can crochet, but knitting makes me sad bad words. Sorta like I can free-form embroider, but don't even say cross-stitch in my hearing.

My work room (the hubs calls it The Scary Room) is chock full of "get-to-it-someday" types of fiber arts and other crafts. But I plan to live at least another twenty years...so it's good to have something to aim for!

 

[Artichoke Lover]

I would definitely believe it. I can crochet, but knitting makes me sad bad words. Sorta like I can free-form embroider, but don't even say cross-stitch in my hearing.

My work room (the hubs calls it The Scary Room) is chock full of "get-to-it-someday" types of fiber arts and other crafts. But I plan to live at least another twenty years...so it's good to have something to aim for!

Hahaha! Im the opposite! I can knit quite well but I’ve never figured about crochet beyond doing a very basic shawl/blanket and I’m pretty sure I didn’t do those quite right. And embroidery terrifies me but I don’t mind cross stitching. I don’t think I’ve ever finished one though as I find it to time consuming and impractical even though I like it. I don’t know why my brain is like that. To type A I guess

 

[pennyJo1960]

I can sew inside out quilts all day long I can get the yard of the needle after that nothing goes forward from there..
Left hand qulter. knit possibly not...

 

[Callender Girl]

I used to do historical re-enacting and made many of our clothes -- mostly early nineteenth century but some appropriate for the 1850s and '60s. Some of those items had feautres I'd never come across before -- like waistband gussets in the men's pants. Many non-historic bad words were uttered in those days.

My sister spent a few years as a professional seamstress. I felt a bit better when I handed over one of those historic patterns, and she found it as confounding as I did.

Carolyn and I were taught by Mom to do embroidery when we were very young. I still have some of the pillowcases, most were decorated with birds and horses. However, I was the only one of us who mastered counted cross-stitch. For years, everyone could expect a cross-stitched present or two for Christmas and birthdays.

Both of them were accomplished at crocheting and knitting. I am barely able to knit a scarf. My increases and decreases were always too wonky. My mom also taught Carolyn to do broomstick lace -- one more skill I didn't pick up on.

I like to blame my lack of skill on having right-handed teachers. But, in truth, my high school home ec. teacher was just as left-handed as I am.

Maybe if I keep up with this thread, I will start using some of the gazillions of patterns and instruction books that are filling up my sewing/craft room?

BTW, I don't know if it's true everywhere, but I am constantly coming across treadle sewing machines at estate auctions. There was one in rough condition just last Sunday. Someone likely could have refurbished it.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Oh ya there are allot treadle as Grandma or Great Grandma has passed.
I am fortunate my White is some where around 1902 ? has had a motor added and knee feed.

 

[SnapdragonQ]

I would definitely believe it. I can crochet, but knitting makes me sad bad words. Sorta like I can free-form embroider, but don't even say cross-stitch in my hearing.

My work room (the hubs calls it The Scary Room) is chock full of "get-to-it-someday" types of fiber arts and other crafts. But I plan to live at least another twenty years...so it's good to have something to aim for!

Lol! Knitting makes me cuss like a pirate too!

I taught myself to knit first, but found it frustrating so I learned to crochet. Crochet just makes better sense to my brain because I can move in all different directions.

Don't hand embroider or cross stitch, and while I can do lacey crochet, I don't. I prefer bigger things....bigger projects using bigger tools or machines. It's more my comfort zone. I will quilt tiny intricate quilting, but I use a Big machine to do it.

Clothing patterns also make me curse. Even those labeled as easy for beginners. When I make sewn items but don't usually use patterns, rather I go by quilt math instead.