Fabric Swap

 I've grown fond of Instagram in the last couple of years. Once I figured out how to make it work for me.

 I get posts from the immediate family that has also discovered IG, but mainly my 'friends' are other sewing peoples and, of course, my airplane peoples. My feed on IG is all about the 94% awesome inspiring photos from people who have left the politics and other stuff you should not say in polite company - at home.

Sewing inspiration, airplane inspiration and nature inspiration. IG is now one of the first things I look at in the morning after I complete my online business chores.

My facebook feed, on the other hand,  is cluttered with friends, family, old high school friends, very interesting people and the other "interesting" people.

It became a chore to read FB during election time. Facebook didn't give me too  much joy - until I discovered sewing groups. Since I comment and look at these sewing photos often, my facebook is now 65% sewing posts.

In one of my FB sewing groups, a query was sent out. One of the gals, in Alaska, home to very few fabric stores, proposed a trade. My ears perked up as I had fallen into sewing lust over this print of Sled Dogs on batik in a turquoise colorway:

You might guess that this Iditarod print was only available in Alaska.

My trading partner wanted these religious fabrics she had seen made up into a wallet from one of the other purse groups we both belong too. I found them at HobbyLobby and we quickly fixed our trade. My sled dogs for an equal $amount in the prints below.

As with all trades, adding something extra is de rigueur. I made Alaska Girl a coin purse featuring a map fabric that just happened to show both Alaska and Oregon with a backing of cork. I don't believe she has sewn with cork yet so I included a scrap as well. And I won't tell you how many yards of the map fabric happened to fall into my cart to get free shipping.

The front is vinyl to be able to see what coins you have. The back is green (sea foam) cork which gives this coin purse stability. Completed with a lace zip.

Sweet trade!


I also like IG because it offers a 2-for-1 deal of being able to post a photo on IG and at the same time post to FB.

I already received my swap with an included coordinating fat quarter of fabric to my sled dog mushers. Awesome possum.

Super Quick Christmas Gifts

 I have a Christmas card and FQ exchange in one of my FB sewing groups. 
The name I was given was someone I hadn't "met" via FB (yet) and it was a little difficult to 'stalk' her.
She likes purple, crochet and she's a reverend. Not much to go by.

 Yesterday, at my mid-day work break, I went to my voodoo-hippie doc and got my christmas acupuncture and then zoomed over to Fabric Depot to take advantage of their 40% off fabric sale.

I found this vivid turquoise and purple "Tree Of Life" by Timeless Treasures for my swap partner and some purple grosgrain ribbon to trim it.

I fell in love with the scissor print and put this on the inside to easily see what's stored.

 Just love this combo and might make another this afternoon after I meet a friend for lunch and bazaar. Although, I have to sew up two pillowcases for my niece for her Christmas gift. I have a care package going out tomorrow and if I could throw those inside, it would be another item checked off my list.

This was a tiny gift for my friend who loves tiny flower vases like I do. I found these at an estate sale Friday! and knew they were perfect for her. Bonus - I was meeting up with her today. I think they call this Just In Time Inventory. lol

The pieces were made in England, marked DENMARK. There was an entire set that was very tempting, but we are both older and better able to resist tchotchkes.

She's a pocket tissue user so a little Tula Pink Rabbit made her a happy friend.

I've posted before about pocket tissue holders - they are less than five minutes to whip up - including the slow fabric selection. You can find tutorials all over.

Jewelry Roll For Traveling

 This was my bigger project on Sunday for Bag It (Elm Street Quilts).
It's ginormous.

It folds up nicely though.

I did some patchwork on the front of the linen. This is where I was bogging down earlier. The fabrics I was choosing weren't giving the effect I was after and the trouble was - I didn't know the effect I was after.

I auditioned several fabrics knowing I wanted a background where jewelry didn't get camouflaged. I wanted the outer to look like you'd want to put it in your luggage. I finally settled on linen for the outer with some scrappy patchwork dressing it  down  up  . I wanted each zipper to be a different color for easier organizing.

Sunday - I sewed this up and discovered it has a double layer of batting which makes it even more ginormous than just the size. I don't wear chunky jewelry. I wear small stuff and when I am traveling, I am attempting to carry less.  After finishing it, and writing this blog post, this is going straight to the etsy shop as a sample sale item.

 You can see some of my extensive collection of airplane jewelry swimming in this jewelry roll.

One of my favorite pieces, a bracelet of  airplanes with tow bars pulling them.

 You can use the ties to hang it vertically from a hotel hanger to see at a glance what you remembered to bring with you on your trip.

"I flew with Cap'n Mac" ( A doctor who gives biplane rides in the summer on the West Coast)

 I haven't pressed this, nor do I care. I was done even before I put the binding on.
I used this tutorial and, if, I were to make this again, I would size it down 50%. It's finished measurement is around 21" long x 12" wide. I lost some height by thinking my vinyl was going to be too long and I wanted the symmetry (same distance) from pocket to pocket.  In other words, I had a sewing panic attack.

I like the concept of a jewelry roll but I don't need one this big. If the idea is to separate your pieces to avoid entanglements, then this was a fail. Mostly because I am not a chunky jewelry wearing person. My little pieces are lonely.

I like my fabric choices though; the pins and earrings show up well on this turquoise fabric. The linen shows up as more elegant, the patchwork brings it down to my level.

I wish I had changed threads in my machine or even hand-sewn colored lines on the outer linen. I did four quilting lines in gold and they do not show up. They would look more awesome in heavier thread  - sashiko stitching across in orange and turquoise colors.

I used some pre-made vintage binding because I was already reading the signs on the wall on this project and it's sewn nicely but not neatly.


Although, one could use this to store electronic devices and all their assorted cords....

BAG IT Vinyl Sewing and Helpful Hints

For this last week of BAG IT with Elm Street Quilts, I have had little time to sew. I did enjoy a drama-free Thanksgiving at my house and I was thankful for those relatives who understand this is now a requirement.

I tried to sew on Thanksgiving as it was a day off work but got bogged down with fabric dithering and decided to just roll with it. Today, I managed to get myself into the sewing room where fabric choices were made quickly and sewing commenced.

My big project is a jewelry bag. I still need to hand-sew the binding down.
 
 I needed a quick & dirty project to 'cleanse my sewing palate' and these two small earbud pouches were sewn without too much fuss. I sized up on the second one as I don't need an earbud pouch. I like Erin's Circle Pouch better. I especially like the heart variation of her small circle pouch.

In any case, a larger see-thru vinyl pouch will be sure to fit in someone's stocking.

I totally stole Janine's idea, utilizing the lace zipper in these. 
It added a bit of polish to these easy bags.

I quilted the back - the diagonal stitching looks best.

Even with my teflon foot, the foot was grabbing at the vinyl during top-stitching, causing the threads to feed oddly. See bottom row of stitching. See those gold dots at bottom? This is the gold top stitching thread being pulled to the bottom. Lessening the bobbin tension might help?

 I had some trouble stitching on this vinyl and I have a little list that could help you sew with vinyl.

1. Sew vinyl with tissue paper underneath or on top or use fabric so vinyl doesn't get stuck on your feed dogs or machine foot. The tissue tears off easily.
Try to sandwich your vinyl in fabric.

2. Use a longer stitch length. This helps when you are navigating different thicknesses in your project. The longer stitch length also keeps things from going to perforated in a heart beat - where the vinyl has so many holes - it tears away from your project.

3. If you own a teflon foot, now is the time to bring it out. It tends to slide over the vinyl rather than your usual foot which grabs.

4. If you don't own a teflon foot, use some post its stuck on your sewing surface with just the feed dogs showing. Some people have used scotch tape on both the bed and underneath side of the foot.

5. My friend who sews with Michael Curry Design (Think giant disney characters and Macy's Thanksgiving Parade)has offered up using K-Y Jelly. You smear it on the vinyl so it doesn't stick and we are officially at TMI.

6. USE A SHARP NEEDLE - A NEW ONE. Don't use a dull one.

7. I had better luck with thicker vinyl bought at fabric store. It comes in guages - I have totally forgotten which one I bought but it's on the thicker side. When I first sewed with vinyl, I  used the vinyl bag I got bed linens in and had a lot of trouble sewing with that thinner vinyl.

8. Use your walking foot to help feed evenly. I have a pfaff which uses the IDT system. It helps keep things from grabbing so much too.

9. No Pins. Anything that leaves holes in the vinyl is to  be avoided. I like to use my Clover Wonder Clips - as long as they are used inside the seam allowance.

The little bag measures 5.5" wide x 4" tall.
The larger bag measures 6.25" w x 5" tall.

Phone Charger Travel Case Organizer

 When my sis has come west for her annual Oregon Vacation, charger cords are everywhere. They may still be everywhere, but I made her an organizer to corral items while packing.

 The case opens to reveal four sections. I did a divided double slip pocket for organizing her family of four.

As phones get bigger and bigger, this case may be all about the cords. I plan on getting her a four in one USB charger as well to carry in here. All electrical receptacles were in use - thus making forgetting a cord or two a reality as they were all over the house. This way, all the cords are visually seen, she can plug everyone into the four-in-one charger - utilizing just one plug-in.

That's the working theory.

Roomy enough for smart phones (but not ipads) with a clear pocket in front for the cords and plugs.


Notice those red dots at the top? Those are snaps for when it is folded up in luggage so items can't slip out.

Look at the backside - frontside? Big telephones bought at Eurokangas in Helsinki on our trip there a few years ago.

It seemed perfect.

I quilted around the phones to add some dimension.

The Case folds in half (2 X 2)with a flap to velcro over.
Snaps at the top also help secure the contents.

I still have my rotary telephone. Do you? It works when the power goes out and the cell lines are all busy. And it's ORANGE. Very vintage.

This is a story about my niece when she was nine years old. She came over to do some sewing with me and we were playing with felt and reverse applique. She saw me doing the Lazy Daisy stitch for decoration and after watching me do it once, she did it perfectly. The lazy daisy stitch is one of the more difficult embroidery stitches too. Just amazing for a nine year old.

Then we moved to my walk-in closet where I  was sewing at the time - where my fabric was stored. She was going to go treasure hunting for some fabric to take home. My old Rotary Telephone resides here too.

So Livy asks what the orange thing was. I told her is was a phone. She gives me the most confused look and asks, " What does it do?". I told her she could call Grandma on it.
She is very baffled. I instructed her to put her finger in the five hole, run it to the stop and let go, then proceed to the zero, then the three (5-0-3- area code).

This is the girl that just finessed a Lazy Daisy stitch after one look-see. She is completly baffled by this orange thing. Amazing bafflement. So I showed her. How to dial. Of course, you used to only have to dial seven numbers, now it's ten. So it takes a while.

Then she dialed.

And Grandma answered.

I loved the look on  my niece's face.

Faux Wonder Clips and Strap Sewing

 I succumbed to the cheapness of China and bought 50 faux wonder clips for $4.52 (free shipping).

I think wonder clips are the best sewing gift ever and I have given my fair share.
However, these are purple. And pink. And green. And blue.

They are the same exact size as wonder clips but are a little harder to squeeze open.

My sewing this weekend consisted of making two straps for the J-5 Cub (airplane). Hubby wanted to strap down the rear seat and keep the back of the seat from flying forward.
 

He first wanted me to toss my sewing room for my stash of leather.

After seeing me stumble home after another 12-hr split shift, he relented and found his stash of dark blue vinyl that the Stearman seats were made of.

 This is the seat - outside the airplane.

It was in the  plane when we were measuring to make a template. (Can you say awkward?)

To make straps out of leather or vinyl, you cut a larger piece than needed - on the fold-  from the template measurement. Vinyl and/or leather edges don't fray so you can leave the raw edges exposed.

You get out your old yucky glue stick that seemed to work and glue your vinyl together - wrong sides together. The first reason for the glue is to keep the layers from shifting while sewing. The second reason is that vinyl and leather stretch. Two layers glued and sewn together are stronger.

Then you chalk your template on. I use my Sewline Chalk pencil.
See if your machine will sew your vinyl fine or do you need to get out the teflon foot or other tricks. Generally, I rarely have any trouble sewing on faux leather/vinyl. The glue (inside) keeps the layers from shifting. I also am using my IDT feed (walking foot) on my pfaff.
Then I top-stitch just inside my chalk line and another top-stitch line parallel to that - 1/8 - 3/16" in. I'm not gonna sweat the evenness - these are hidden in the plane.

Clip your threads. Cut out close to your outer top-stitch line. Not on the chalk line. Invariably, your first top-stitch line isn't parallel to the chalk line on the curves - which is why you trim to the sewing line.
Color the edges with your black sharpie. (Why is vinyl always adhered to something white?)
Ta da!

Oh Wait!
 We have to figure out snaps. These are heavy duty snaps. One end has a screw end to go into wood and the other is flush with the fabric.
I found my leather working tools ( $8.00 score at a garage sale!) and punched a hole in the doubled up vinyl scrap to test my snap.
Then  went to work on the straps in the pictures above and below.


These were all done with hubby coming into the house, going out of the house, hollering for me to come out, test the template, go back inside, go back outside, are the snaps the right direction,  inside, outside, inside, outside.

Yeah.

Snaps are easy once you do the first one and figure out how much hammer strength you need to squish them together. My normal everyday snaps are put on with hand-held squeezy pliers.

 I'm not working overtime next week (hallelujah!).
I expect I will be sewing something.

With fabric only.

October Sewing

First up, I finished up all the pocket tissue holders I can stand.
As easy as they are, I don't do multiples well.

Benta asked for an airplane one.

 It will be a reminder of who made it for her.
Tissues from the DC-3.

However, if you would like one, my giveaway remains open.
Pocket tissue holders/covers are easy to make and it's an easy way to thank my readers.

 Next up in today's sewing were these cosmetic bags. My sis gave the purple and orange set to me for my Japan trip this spring. Very lightweight and washable. They are made of nylon fabric,  a zipper and some bias tape.

 I really liked the see-thru vinyl in the big one so I made two bags, both with vinyl on the front. They measure 9.5" x 7"  (large) and 8 x 5.5" (medium). Something fun to stuff into your luggage on a trip to help organize all the silly things you must take on your vacation.

 I didn't make the ultra small one - it's pretty small and I didn't use this one myself.

 I used a lightweight laminate with bicycles.
The wrong side shows through the vinyl quite well.

I used a coordinating cotton to bind the edges and make the straps.

 I traced off the first bag onto a piece of paper, adding my notes on construction.

To sew on the laminate and the vinyl, I used the thin tissue that came with the vinyl and placed the tissue underneath my fabrics, sewed  my seam, then ripped the paper away.

I had no problems sewing this other than putting the zipper the 'wrong' way the first time. The pull (and thus the strap) on the bottom bag should have been on the left-hand side in the photo below - but who cares.

You can't rip out wrong stitches on vinyl as the holes will show. You have to commit.

 I used my clover wonder clips - because they excel at helping keep bias binding in the correct place. You cannot use pins on vinyl and even the wonder clips will leave tiny gripper marks so you want to keep anything that will mar the vinyl inside the seam allowance.

I'm thinking of going against my rule on writing tutorials and making a how-to for these bags. Of course, the w-o-r-k will get in the way and squash that stupidity.