2024 Studio Post #43 - Minor Fix

This is my last entry for the year. (Posting on 12/31 for 12.29.24) I haven't made great strides in sewing this year, but it was more than in 2023! 

 

A friend bought these bracelets for a specific prayer request for her family. The bracelets were too tight for two people, so I measured their wrists with a strip of paper and added elastic. I probably should have gone to buy black elastic, but I went with what I had on hand.

 

The message is "The Lord will provide." There are several Bible verses that have this meaning, but my favorite is Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

 

The ends were originally connected with a LOT of adhesive and some stitching. I used a seam ripper to remove the stitching, pulled one end off the little black tab, and added some elastic. Then I covered the connector areas with the original black logo piece and a bit of fleece. My stitching isn't very elegant, but I think it will work. I need to change the needle on my Brother . . . it has been working hard lately.

 

The one on the left is mine. The last week has been pretty busy with Christmas celebrations, hosting, etc. What a wonderful year it has been!

 

 

 

Studio Post #40 - Not Much

 Besides hosting Thanksgiving last week, I wasn't feeling very dynamic. I didn't do much of anything. Today (Wednesday 12/4) I started to repair some cloth shopping bags my sister wants to use. I completely understand the sentiment - repair things rather than just tossing them out. It's how we were raised.

But sometimes cloth bags are made of really thin cheap fabric. And sometimes your time is more valuable than the object you're spending time repairing. But my birthday gift to her was a gift of service and this is one of the things she's asked me to do. So I'll repair a bunch of bags!

No photos. I'm already three days past my self-imposed "Sunday blog deadline," and I just started these buggers!

Studio Post #37 - Minor Repair and Medora Progress

This past week, I expected to spend more time in my studio . . . but that didn't pan out.

I did put a pocket patch on a pair of old jeans. Because I like to tuck my cell phone in my back left pocket, that's where I get the most wear and tear (until it won't even hold my phone any more!). This isn't pretty, but neither are the jeans. I can use the pocket again! 

 

There was also a pretty good sized hole in the right knee, so I put a piece of fleece on the inside. That feels good on my knee and my youngest grandson can still "pick" at the loose fabric on the outside.

 

Yes, I used red thread. I just didn't care about color coordinating it. The patch below looks a bit weird because I pulled out a scrap of fleece that "matched" the shape of the damage to the denim. I just sewed around it!

 

I also pressed and cut some pieces for the Medora quilt I'm working on. No photos until I've made more progress. Some of the cutting is putzy and I refuse to get a special ruler to do it (though I could probably put out a call to borrow one). I won the pattern a few months ago and thought I'd give it a try. I'm making the crib size quilt to see if I like it enough to make a larger one.

At our MQ monthly meeting yesterday, I connected with my friend Rose. We have a strategy for Teresa's brother's quilt and dates in January for me to go to her house to long arm it. That's progress!

Studio Post #36 - Gift Bag and a Repair

I knew it was going to be a busy week, so I did a few small things and took a photo. I'm blogging a day early and hope to do more sewing in the week ahead! It helps to have a more orderly studio.

 

The washcloth had a seam coming loose, so I sewed it down and tossed it in the wash.

I wanted to give my daughter-in-law a birthday gift so I sewed a bag to put it in. I like how it turned out.

 

I don't buy wrapping paper any more. I like using fabric! If my family members want to keep the bags, they can. If they don't, I get them back and wash them to re-use.

2024 Studio Post #4 - A Repair and A Finished Edge

Another small week, but I love getting into my studio!

My husband's old lined jeans were wearing out at the buttonhole. He primarily uses them for walking the dog at 5am on cold mornings or working in the garage in the winter. I cut a buttonhole zone from a pair of old denims and stitched it over the frayed fabric. Due to the many layers of thick denim, I couldn't go all the way around with my sewing machine, so I hand stitched part of it. It's not pretty, but it's holding up!

I found a piece of heart fabric on the "free" table at Minnesota Quilters and nabbed it right away! I pressed the unfinished edges, gave it a sew, and used it in a display at church for "I love missions." It's simple and quick, but I did some sewing last week!