It's That Time of Year

It's that time of year when I start taking on more than I can accomplish. Remember when I bought all those glass paper weights? I finally started working on them this weekend. My intention was to always use them as Christmas gift for co-workers. So I am right on schedule. This also gave me an excuse to scrap the dust off my Xyron machine. The Christmas fabric is from a swap partner for a fat 1/8th swap. The fabric is so my style. Another one of the guys from Mexico is a new father. My boss thought I bought the blanket and embroider the name on it. I take that as a compliment. The double sided flannel blankets are a snap with the serger. Temps in the 20's this week, so hopefully Marcelo will stay warm.

And put this under the category of things I didn't know. Satin keeps African American hair from being damaged. Satin pillow cases and satin lined hats are highly sought after. Guess I never really thought about it. My intern asked if I would line some hats with satin for her nieces for Christmas. She is buying the hats but it would be simple to make them also. We will see how this project goes.

The dance tunics were delivered yesterday. And she had a check waiting for me. Nice Christmas bonus for me.

Retraining - Serger Thread Tails

After spending hours sewing the dance tunics this weekend I am even more in love with my serger. It was such an odd concept to retrain myself on almost everything I knew about sewing. No longer having a bobbin and no back stitching were the hardest things to get into my head. But now that I have embraced the retraining it is a snap.

I have been using fray check on the threads when I make the scarves but that really wasn't an option for me on the blankets that were going to get alot of use and frequent washing.

There are several tutorials out there that show these steps but my flannel is so much more fun to look at.
Leave a long thread tail at the end of serging.

Thread it into a large eye, long needle. I have a set of doll needles I use.

Pull the needle and thread through the serged seam.

And it buries the thread so it doesn't unravel.

Snip off the remainder of the thread and it is all hidden.

Embroidered Ornaments

While visiting my Mom a few weeks ago my sister showed me the embroidered ornaments she made. Of course I had to give them a try.
They do take forever to stitch out on the machine. About 45 minutes each if the thread doesn't break. I like the depth of the varigated thread.

The metalic thread is so thin and breaks really easily. They are stitched on "wash and gone" stabilizer. Just dip into water and the ornament is all that is left behind.

Flannel Blankets

I was able to make a dent in some of the flannel I bought over the weekend.
Reversible flannel blankets. This one has the striped print on the back.

This one has the bright yellow.

Good thing I didn't have enough of the sequin fabric or I would have put in on the back of this one. Flannel was much softer.

The edges are serged together with rounded corners. It makes for a clean and neat edge

If you didn't notice they are a bit addictive once I got started. The two layers of flannel make these so super soft.

"Fun" Sewing

Back to "fun" sewing.This is most of the flannel I bought on Black Friday. It is fresh out of the laundry. A few dark pieces are still getting washed.

And back to having fun again with a few eyeglass cases. I just need to hide the tails and turn inside out. They have a cute owl print on the other side.

Sewing for Fun

I did get up early Friday morning to go to Joanns. But not early enough. I was there by 6:30am and the $59 Cricut machines were gone. Probably for the best, I spent my money on flannel and thread instead. Spent $40 and my receipt says I saved $111 on my purchase. The Disney print flannel was not on sale but I had a coupon at Hancock Fabrics.

I put together a pair of lounge pants for a co-workers son. Had to add a little tag to the back so he could figure out which way to wear them.

I need more 4 day weekends. Now that the tunics are done I can spend some time sewing for fun.

Rainbow of Tunics

The rainbow of dance tunics are basically done. I need to add the little gathers at the chest but that shouldn't take too much longer. I will deliver them at some point this week ahead of schedule. It was fun to use the serger on the tunics. But I bore easily and am glad to move on to other projects.

My swap partner made me a sweet lady bug mini quilt. I really need to start hanging these on my walls.

I did throw in a couple holiday towels in the box to my Mom.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends. I am so thankful for many things this year and where we are in our lives. Looking foward to an uneventful day.

Eyeglass Cases

As I get older I find myself switching between my computer glasses and bifocals more frequently. Unfortunately that meant I was constantly throwing a pair of glasses into my purse. They won't get scratched anymore with these eyeglass cases.
It is simply two pieces of fabric 7 inches square serged together. The inside fabric is flannel, which should reduce scratches. Great way to use up some of my fabric scraps also. I might just make a few more with a little embellishment on them.The fabric for the other six dance tunics was delivered. I hope to get a few of them finished this weekend.

If you are looking for a bargain this Friday Joanns has flannel for $1.29/yd and a coupon for 20% off the entire purchase if you fight the crowds before noon. I think I might settle for the flannel at Hackcock Fabrics for $1.49/yd hoping their crowds won't be as insane. I really don't need any flannel but it would be fun to stock up at those prices.

We don't have any major plans over the long weekend. Which means I can disappear into my room for a couple of days without any complaints to work on some Christmas gifts. Wish me luck.

Glimpse

I thought you might enjoy a little glimpse into my sewing room. This was before I started with all the projects. The two tins are buttons from my Mom and Grandmother. I need to find a purpose for the tiny buttons I don't normally use.

I am a little late with the microwaved potato bags. I think they were all the crazy a couple years ago. The serger made quick work of it. I haven't tried cooking with it yet.

And more embroidered towels.

And more towels. 35 to be exact.

And the first of 8 tunics for the seniors dance group. Again the serger made quick work of it. I love the way it finishes off seams on knits. They still have a little give but are sturdy.

Not a bad weekend of sewing considering I was down and out with another migraine Friday night and all of Saturday. I will schedule an appointment with my doctor as soon as the holiday is over not sure how many more days like that I can handle.