Stitching the pieces together
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My jewellery has already been allocated to my daughters piece by piece. They know who is to have what but they also know that while I'm capable of wearing things they stay with me. There are a few painting that I want them to have and again I've told them which ones. Other than that everything else is up for grabs......clothes can go tithe charity shop kitchen parafenallia they can choose what they want as DH won't use or need the majority of the small appliances. Oh my gosh!! Listing all this just tells me how much crap I've accumulated!! Mmmm maybe I need to start down sizing now although I can't imagine not having all my stuff around......lol
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My craft room would be the room from hell for anyone when I go. I have drawers - big ones, little ones, stacked ones, old ones and news ones filled with the tiniest of beads and buttons and lace and twine and wool and photos and patterns and threads and SO much STUFF!!!!!!!!
Chrissy, I emailed you some pics of my latest project, can I abuse your good nature again to have you post them for me? PULEEEZ????
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No probs Barb, I'll go crank up the laptop and post them for you ....... anytime I really don't mind........besides.....lol......I get the first look!
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Here we go............the latest from Barbe...........
Ladies, here is my latest project. It is a paper-pieced piece with a pattern called Indian Orange Peel. I am about half done. It is supposed to be scrappy with harsh "matches" of fabrics (which is hard for me to do!) so I just piled the fabric pieces on the floor and pick from there. There are literally thousands of seams!! It will be just over 5 feet square when done. What a great stash buster for fat quarters and ugly fabric that I bought because I felt sorry for it! (anyone else do that? please say 'yes'!) Sorry for the blur, I didn't use my tripod... The last pic shows the back of one of the small pieces to give you an idea about the seams!!
Barbe
Wow! Barbe that is going to be amazing! Never mind about the harsh color mix it looks great!
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Barbe, That is just gorgeous. I can't imagine the work involved. At a craft fair I saw gift tags and cards made with quilting fabric scraps. I guess there's no amount of fabric that can't be used for something.
My BIL died over a year ago. We are still trying to do things with some of his stuff. He had liver failure and dementia toward the end, so wasn't able to tell us anything. He was a stereo camera buff and had several. We have no idea of value or where to sell them, so have to do research first. A list would have been really great. Even the kind that home owner's insurance has you make would be a big help.
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Barbie love it!
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Thanks ladies! I am shocked at how blurry the pics are - so sorry!!! I really do need a tripod. I'll do better with the next set. Thanks Chrissy!!
Wren, an insurance list is a GREAT idea for anyone with ambiguous items like antiques, jewelry or expensive hobbies!!!!
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Barbe - how exquisite!!! But I think the intricacy would give me a migraine - even though paper piecing is about the only way I can ever get my seams to match up....
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Three times now we have had to clear out completely packed houses. Once was for us, when we sold our mountain house that had been DH's full-time residence before we married. Twice it was for loved ones who made absolutely no arrangements for their "stuff" after they passed.
What we did was call in an estate sale company. We found a really good one. I think their commission was either 30% or 40%.
We took the things we wanted, and then gave them the keys. Their team came in, sorted through everything, arranged items on display tables, and advertised in the paper and through their extensive email list. The email announcements included hundreds of pictures showing the vast array of items available.
Sales last the whole weekend. Prices are set way higher than we would have sold them at a yard sale. A crappy bowl we would have sold for $1 was sold for $10. Everything sold is itemized and must be taken away by the buyers before the end of the sale. On the last day, items are usually discounted up to 50%.
Everything in the house is up for sale....seriously - EVERYTHING!!!!! People bought stuff like cases of paper towels, and cabinets that were attached above the toilets.
Once the sale is over, the company takes stock of whatever is left over. Some things they can sell on eBay, or in their consignment shop.
Everything else is itemized, and the charity truck is called to haul off every single thing that's left. That's the agreement - they can have everything as long as they take it ALL.
When we get our keys back, we come back to a completely empty house, a nice fat check for all the items sold, and a receipt for a hefty tax donation.
DH and I decided that's the way we'll do it when it's our time.
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Barbe, your piece is wonderful. I love the colors and your method of choosing. Just stunning.
Blessings, my sister did the same thing when they downsized 2 years ago and it worked great. They even left old pairs of shoes in the closets they didn't want, just removed everything they and the kids wanted and handed over the keys.
I haven't cleaned things out yet, I'm like Chrissy and can't imagine getting rid of my stash(es). But I do have a list attached to my will which tells people where they can donate things that no one wants, like my hooking group, knitting group, Favorite charity and contact numbers. Should make it a bit easier, I hope.0 -
You are all simply wonderful and inspire me.
Love Ginger
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Chrissy...I've sent you pics of the finished quilt top and my new project started. Could you do the honours and post them here? Thanks in advance!!
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Will do Barbe.
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I signed up for serger school in March at Martha Pullens in Huntsville. I just don't remember how to use my serger, it is the last one I got and I never really learned to use it. My previous one I used a huge amount and knew it very well. I want to feel competent again and I think this will help me do that.
I actually prefer machine sewing. I would like to take the sewing childrens clothes, or sewing for girls but they are not available. I do like heirloom sewing too but haven't done it in a long long time. I have an embroidery sewing machine and find that I don't really care much for the embroidery function, I am not a push the button and go sewer, I like to be involved with the process. Like making pintucks and such. I get a real sense of satisfaction out of making pintucks. lol at myself. I think the sewing stores are promoting embroidery so extensively because there is so much profit in that particular area.
So I am rambling here.
Hugs Ginger
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I would like to find a serger class. The one my mother gave me has sat idle since the day she helped me thread it.
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Ginger, I haven't done a pin-tuck in YEARS!!! Does it use a double needle? Saw then the other day in a fabric store and was thinking about what they do..... Have you considered making accessories instead of clothing? You can really jazz up things like hats, bags, totes, etc...??!!
I STILL don't get the use of sergers and I used to sell them!!!! I took many classes on how to use the machines so I could sell them well (Husqvarna's) and the day I was there for serger training, I forgot my "cheater" glasses for close work (didn't wear glasses full time yet) and the trainer walked behind us with scissors and would randomly cut our threads!! It did get so I wasn't afraid of threading sergers, but I still don't get what use they are except for finishing up seams that you've already sewed! And as a quilter, we hide our seams by putting a back on the quilt so sergers never made sense.
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Meece go to a local sewing store they almost always have classes on use. The one I am taking is a week long and would be over kill for what you probably want. There are some spaces though if you want to go where I am in Huntsville ALabama.
Barbe maybe this will spark your memory, Sergers finish the seam as well as trim the fabric at the same time. On three threads they also make nice rolled hems, napkins, table cloths, scarves etc. four threads is an overlock 5 threads is the one that sews a seam as well as overlocks or can also do a cover stitch which I dont remember how to describe. I am amazed I remembered this much. One time I made forty pairs of pirate pants pretty darn fast for an industrial show. They can sew really fast. I am doing this to try to feel competent again.
Yes double needles you can make two pin tucks at a time that way. You also use a special foot. I have also made them using heavy thread in the trough and it makes a nice substantial tuck. They are just one of my favorite things. Who knew lol.
My serger is a viking 936 my machine is a year old its a designer deluxe does everything but clean the house. I didn't really need the embroidery function but I did learn how to use it so I can do it if I wish. My husband get it for me after I finished chemo. The machine sews nicely, but so did my old viking 500 that I loved! My DD has my 500 now and my old huskylock serger. I tried to get her to trade me sergers but she said no.
So I'll talk to you later.
Ginger
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Glad the subject of sergers has come up but I haven't read back 10 pages that I have missed since I went traveling to Dallas and Vegas for a month. Can't believe how fast this thread can go!
It was yesterday that I was thinking I really need a serger before I make any more clothes.
My problem is that even though I do a straight seam stitch and then a zig zag stitch, then the pinking shears - the seams keep fraying out too much when I wash the items and I am getting frustrated because I have spent so much money on fabric just with the 5 projects I have done this year. BTW - I am a total beginner - just taught myself to sew.
I don't remember my stepmonster (and yes she was brutal) having a serger and she sewed all the time for herself. I don't know how she finished the edges though.
I looked at sergers yesterday and there was one under $200 made by Brother. I have a brother sewing machine. The problem is that my dh has put the credit cards and checking book on hold as I spent too much money on my month long trip.
Should I look into getting a used serger? Where would I go about doing this? I am not allowed to make any big expenditures until January.
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Jancie before I got my serger to finish a seam I used to turn the edge of the seam allowance then running the zig zag over it. I never had problems of fraying even on linen when finishing the edges like this.
Maybe this will be useful information to get you through to January. Good luck!0 -
Chrissy - ok, so what you are telling me if I am getting this right - is go ahead and sew my seam. Iron them out as you normally would - then turn the edge over on one side and zig zag it - turn the edge over on the other side and zig zag over it. So now your seam allowance is cut in 1/2 on each side of the seam???
Got a picture you can share that would show this detail?
Which way do you turn the seam allowance? Towards the inside fabric piece or towards the other side of the seam allowance?
I think I am getting more and more confused as I am trying to figure this out. I am willing to try anything.
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Jancie yes as you describe it. Sew your seam, iron flat and then turn just the edge a little bit toward the wrong side of the fabric and zig zag. When completed and you look at it it will be very neat. I don't have a pick but you do have the right idea. To compensate for turning the edge I usually cut the seam allowance a little wider so I still have a good width completed.
It sounds like you are doing very well with your sewing. The best way to learn is by doing.0 -
jancie, the internet has lots of information about creating stable, attractive seams. Here are a couple of examples, and a Google search, or a look through a big sewing book from the library will turn up more. (I'm a bit of a lapsed sewing fan, but I still pour over Threads magazine every month!)
Techniques for Perfectly Beautiful Seams
One little suggestion - practice things like seams with cheap fabric (or cut-up old clothes) before commiting to that pricey yardage of your final garment.
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So life is getting back on track after the koi show this past weekend and tonight I start sewing again.
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Meece..."start sewing again"!!! Don't you have TWO more bridesmaid dresses to do????
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Meece, wow.
I love threads magazine, also Sew Beautiful. Those and Good HouseKeeping and COnsumer Reports and Sunset are my mags.
My DD is getting the disappearing nine patch assembled. She doesn't think you need to iron your seams over a certain way. I thought you did? Has that changed in recent years. Perhaps it is only that for a log cabin quilt. I don't really know so I am not going to argue with her about it. Also she didn't prewash the fabrics. She said it will make it look more cozy when it is washed, sort of scrunched up. Not a technique I have ever heard of.
LAters and big hugs
Ginger
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Hi Ginger, congratulations to your DD on her quilt. I quilt some and have taken some classes. Twenty years ago we all prewashed fabric but now only a few in class do. The hand of the fabric is better for piecing if you do not wash first and it does look nice when washed after quilting. I always iron the seams, well sometimes I do just finger press. Love fabric and quilting.
Mary
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Well, tomorrow our class is going to start on an "asterisk" quilt. The pattern is actually for a "wonky" asterisk, but some ladies are going to make theirs straight. I figure "wonky" will hide whatever mistakes I make.
We're each bringing our own background fabric, either black or white, and then a yard of bright fabric - either solid, or "reads like" solid - cut into 1" strips to share with the class.
We'll spread them all out on a table according to colors, then walk down and take two strips of each pattern.
Here's the tutorial:
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Ginger, sometimes it's easier when joing 4 squares to have the seams flattened in different directions so you can "lock" them together, pin them and sew them firmly so that you get EXACTLY 4 centres all perfect. I NEVER prewash my fabric as with cheaper fabric it frays the edges and with expensive fabric it starts to lose colour. I only do fabric art, so I don't wear or wash my work ever again.
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Blessings that is a GREAT pattern!!! I'd love to see pics after your class!! PULEEEZ???
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Barbe - You got it!!!
I'll see if I can snap some pics of the blocks that are done in class; if not, I know for sure many of these ladies will have theirs completely done by next week.
(Not me.....
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I love making quilts for new babies (crib size). I wash the material in a hot washer and dry it in a hot dryer several times. Then, when I give the quilt away, I can say that it's completely machine washable. I also tell them the best compliment is to use the quilt every day. I've had 2 quilts become the 'loveys' for little tots.
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