Thrift Thursday: Little Mitten--Thrift Store Yarn Project #3

My tiny sweater inspired me to try knitting some tiny mittens, so I combined a couple of patterns and ideas and came up with this little guy--I have never worked with two colors at once, so there were a couple of starts and re-starts. It's definitely a whole new skill!

This mitten is definitely a prototype--I think the thumb is too long, and the snowflake design is definitely not centered in the space. I'm working on Mitten Mark II and improving my pattern, and I think a pair of little mittens on a string will be a great Christmas ornament!

I am using my trusty size 1 straight needles and some yarn from my selection of lighter-wieght thrift store yarn. These skeins are wool, and labeled 'Fleisher's Ever-match Sport and Sweater', and they seem to be from the late 50's or early 60's--the manufacturer's address doesn't have a zip code!


Check out these mittens I made from the same pattern and needles, with a fairly light-weight worsted yarn--the weight of the yarn makes them almost twice as big, and also too stiff!
The striped mittens remind me of bees--wonder if I could make black and yellow bee mittens?

Quilting with Care--Update

I've been following along step by step with Care's 'First Quilt Ever' series at Obsessively Stitching, and I have all my quilt blocks arranged and pieced together--with a little help from my cat! Just have to head to the fabric shop tomorrow to choose a piece for the border and decide on the back.

I'm thinking a yellow vintage print for the border, what do you think? Should brighten up the whole thing and tie it together. And definitely a print for the back, to help the quilting nestle in! I'm excited to see it all come together!

This Week's Top Ten

Let me introduce my daughter Lol, who guest posts today.! Lol is the busy mom of five, a teaching assistant for college English courses, and has been for the past 9 years the excellent editor of our family weekly newsletter, the G.G. Here, from a recent G.G., are Lol's Top Ten

THINGS I KNOW ARE LOW CLASS BECAUSE GRAN TOLD ME

10. Oblivious loud cell phone conversations in public

9. Wearing your pajamas in public

8. Using crude terms for body parts and functions

7.Drawing attention to yourself in public

6. Writing on your skin

5. Discussing family secrets outside the family

4. Watching television during a family meal

3. Saying "ain't"

2. Words printed on shirts

1. Clothes that are wider than they are long


BONUS: Pointing in public!


What did your grandma tell you?

Miniatures Monday--Tiny Sweater! Thrift Store Yarn Projects, #2

In keeping with my love of all things small, I was considering a source for very fine yarn for tiny knitting projects--while I am certainly not a great knitter, I don't mind working on a small scale. On a thrift store outing, it hit me! There was an old crewel embroidery kit with a selection of tapestry yarn in bright, coordinated colors, for only$.50.

The tiny sweater pattern is from a book on miniature needlework, and in the past I've used the pattern with sock-weight yarn for some pretty cute Christmas ornaments. Since scale is more important than the actual fit in a miniature scene, it's simple to tweak the size of an item by using slightly larger or smaller needles, or slightly finer or heavier yarn. For this project I used size 1 straight needles. (I can't seem to knit in the round.) Each length of tapestry yarn is composed of three strands, and I used single strands, changing colors at the sides for each stripe.

Actually, I think the idea worked out pretty well--the finished size is in scale, the colors were already coordinated, and the scale of the yarn and stitches are believable. The biggest difficulty was having to knot and tame all the yarn ends produced by changing the colors. I used a dab of Fray Check (how I love it!) to secure each knot and trimmed the ends short, and didn't bother to weave them in. I think I'll pursue the idea further!

Hron was wondering about how the tiny armchair is made--let me just say that I love the library! We are fortunate to have an outstanding public library around here (I don't just say that because I work there!), and the ideas for the chair and many other projects are from library books. The frame of the chair is foam core board, with lengths of dowel for the curved arms, fabric glued on for the upholstery.

Books and fabric--it doesn't get better than this! Unless maybe we mix in the thrift store. . .

Thrift Store Yarn Projects, #1--Baby Sweater!

I like to watch out for good-quality yarn on thrift store outings--I especially look for lighter-weight yarn for smaller projects, and over time I've assembled a limited selection of wool and vintage yarns. Of course, natural fibers are to be preferred, but on one outing last fall I found I could not resist this wonderful turquoise acrylic!

It has a soft and fluffy hand, and judging from the label I'd say it's from the 60's or 70's. There were four unused skeins mixed into a big bag of other yarns--some of the others are of nice quality, too. More projects! I figure this part of the yarn bonanza cost about $1.50.

I decided to make a spring sweater for Jellybean's birthday--please let me say that I am not a great knitter, but I learned a couple of new skills to make it all come together. It does pain me to have to buy notions for a thrift store or recycle project--it's just not right! In this case I didn't have buttons in the box that would work, so I ended up paying $1.00 for a card of pink buttons. I love the corsage's pink edges--they just match the buttons. Cute!

I'm on a roll with thrift store yarn projects--I'll be posting more!

Thrift Thursday--New Red Pepper!

I have a delightful new addition to my ceramic fruits and vegetables collection! The shape and color and shine make me happy--I think it's my new favorite.

This beautiful red pepper canister is 6" tall and 4" across, and I love the way its size and shape and color contrast with the other fruits and vegetables. It's a gift from my daughter Lol, who got it (of course) at her favorite thrift store. It will be perfect for storing my fresh garlic! We generally seem to find items that are either smaller or larger than this guy, so he's an even better addition to the collection. Good-sized vegetables are hard to find--except for that giant, realistic eggplant cookie jar. . .

My guidelines for collection selection have evolved a bit over the years. I like to look for figural shapes that have a function and are (at least somewhat!) realistic. Color, finish, size, and variety count--and a hard-to-define element of fabulousness, epitomized by my cabbage, carrot, and tomato soup tureen, which I will post next week!

Mniiatures Monday--Tiny Armchair!

This little armchair is the last main piece from the room box I made in honor of my grandma Genevieve. I can certainly never remember Grandma being idle--her time was always spent working to care for her family, to help others, and to make her home more attractive and comfortable.

As Grandma got older, I remember her sitting in her armchair, piecing quilts. Her sewing basket was a very old tin that originally held chocolates (how she loved them!), and it held everything she needed for handwork--Care has it now!

I made the miniature 'tin' from wallpaper scraps. It holds bits of fabric, thread, and a tiny tomato pincushion with itty bitty 'pins'--I used a red seed bead for the dangling strawberry. (Does everyone know that this is an emery bag, used to polish up your needles by pushing them through?) The afghan I knit on my tiniest knitting needles--I think my vision must have been better then! The little pillow is made using some of the fine lace scraps from Grandma's
trunk.

In working with fabric, I feel a real connection to other generations of women who went before--the world has changed a lot, but maybe in a lot of ways, life hasn't.

Quilt Along--with Care!

I'm quite excited about Care's ' First Quilt Ever' series at Obsessively Stitching! She's guiding us all through making a quilt, step by step-- I've been admiring her Disappearing Nine-Patch quilts, and I think I'll join in!

I've rifled through my stash, and I think these vintage repro prints will be fun together. There's just enough of each piece, and as soon as I get a new rotary cutter blade, I'm ready to cut. Come on--let's quilt!

Thrift Thursday--Ceramic Squash and Cantalope Teapots!

As I have said, I LOVE ceramic kitchenware!

My first, and most beloved, thrift store theme is my ceramic fruits and vegetables collection. It all started years ago with a beautiful thrift store pear teapot (I paid $2.99--gasp!), and has grown into a kitchen theme that makes me very happy.
The depth of color, shine, and tactile nature of ceramic is so very appealing, and the contrasting shapes and sizes of all the fruits and vegetable only add to the appeal.

I actually don't usually add teapots to the mix, but these two were irresistible! Although I don't make a good find every week, or even every month, I found both of these on one thrift store outing this month. The little cantaloupe is 5" high, and the squash combo is 7" high, and I paid $1.00 and $1.50 for them. There may be more confession about my obsession later--just let my say the the collection has recently topped 100!

I have just the spot for these two.

Have Sewing Machine, Will Travel--a Question

Over the last few weeks my smaller sewing machine and I have travelled several different states, visiting my children and their families. There is always a project to work on, alterations to help with, or just an opportunity to play with the sewing machine with grandkids and marvel over its features--they especially love its ability to sew without the foot pedal!

I enjoy my newer, smaller, more updated, portable machine, but my REAL sewing machine and I have been together for 35 years now. My machine is a small Bernina which came from a harsh background in a junior high school sewing lab. Its life has been happier and more productive with me, I'm sure! It's wired into a vintage, closable sewing cabinet with drawers, but I have to say it has been a very long time since I kept it closed!

I think I've had my sewing cabinet set up in in every room in the house, with the possible exception of the bathroom. Since the kids grew up and moved away and we took over the family room, my machine and I have enjoyed a permanent, dedicated spot of our own.

Among the sewing women in our family, one took over the dining room, one has a corner in the kitchen, one has a dedicated sewing room, and one a corner of the family room. Not only the women carry on the sewing tradition--my brother #4, a surgeon, sets up his machine on the dining table. Brother #5, a graphic designer, sews on a TV table in the living room of his small apartment in Manhattan.

All this brings me to my question--where do you sew? Are you a sewing nomad, or do you have a dedicated spot? Do you have to move your project out of the way before every meal? Are you able to spend the time you would like to spend in sewing, or dream of the day when you can pursue your plans?

Where do you sew?

Mintautures Monday--Tiny Antique Trunk!

Like the tiny box of chocolates I featured a couple of weeks ago, this little trunk full of treasures is also from the miniature scene I made in honor of my Grandma Genevieve. 

When grandma died, I inherited an apple box full of various bits and pieces of antique and vintage fabric, fine lace, trim, an 1862 (!)  baby dress, and several lace baby bonnets that she had kept in a trunk. Some of the items were as many as two generations older than Grandma. Grandma was a master at re-using fabric, so this little gown and cap are made from scraps of fabric and beautiful lace from the trunk. The tray holds some tiny linens, and under the tray of the trunk is an unfinished quilt (although Grandma only left a couple of those - she was a great quilter).

The trunk itself is 3-1/2" by 2", and 2-1/4" high.  I made it of basswood, using a pattern from Mott Miniatures.  It's lined with a commercial dollhouse paper and the leather strapping is from a ladies' glove.  I cut the vintage photos from magazines and framed them with paper lace and tiny strips of wood.

It's difficult to make stitching on such a tiny item seem in proportion, so in this case I glued much of the dress together to make it look as real as possible.

This little trunk is just a small way I can remember such an wonderful, talented person and feel a connection with her even today! I like to think that I owe much of my creativity to her and those before her.

Thrift Thursday--Ceramic bowls!

Please just let me say that I love ceramic kitchenware! The colors, shiny surfaces, and satisfying weight make me happy. Thrift store ceramic bowls are hard to resist!

My nest of bowls was collected over time--the prices ranged from $.50 to $1.50 or so, except for the two that remain from a set I bought years ago for $7.99, new (!!!!!). I've been picking up bowls here and there for years, and then one day it occurred to me I had a collection! Oddly enough, they nested together perfectly.

It's been the same with several of my thrifting collections--first, I find things that speak to me and begin to see themes and similarities in the things I love using and having around me. Second, when I see a group of items coming together, I see how I can refine the group--almost always one or two things go back to the thrift store, and I become more choosy as I add new items. One bowl just did not work, and went on back to the thrift store--for a dollar or so, I can't feel too bad!

It's a satisfying exercise for me--it's fun to listen to the voice at the back of the mind and see what develops!

Re-cover Your Ironing Board!

In sewing, it definitely pays to have the pressing equipment you need. Beyond a good iron there are many helpful pressing aids (more on that later!), but first of all you need at least one good pressing surface.

Ironing boards can take a lot of heat and wear and eventually need to be re-covered. New covers are widely available, but it's a fairly simple project to re-cover your board in a fun and sturdy fabric of your own choosing, like this fabulous pattern-piece print that Care gave me.

Since I have a dedicated sewing space, my own 1974 model ironing board is always up, and it provides an extra flat surface and a stable pressing area--but smaller, table-top boards work for smaller projects, are easily portable and storable, and maximize your sewing space. I needed one!

I often see table-top ironing boards at the thrift store, and I've been watching for one to use next to the sewing machine so I can I press small seams without getting up. I can also easily take it to sewing groups, and stash it away as needed. I found one with sturdy metal legs that fold flat, and rubber tips to protect the table.


It also had a (hideous) polyester-blend cover and polyester padding, so off they go! Here's how to re-cover your ironing board, small or large:

l. Materials: Pressing surfaces need to be 100% natural materials! Use a good quality, sturdy, 100% cotton fabric for the new cover. If the existing padding is good quality and in good condition, it can definitely be re-used. I replaced my padding with two layers of Warm and Natural batting, using the old padding for a pattern.

A sturdy cord, pulled through a casing, gathers the edge of the cover to the underside of the board and tightens it to fit. The cord in my existing cover is in good shape, so I'm re-using it. Otherwise, purchase a strong cord long enough to circle your entire ironing surface.

2. Cut: Use your old cover as a pattern--mine was a little skimpy, so I added a bit of width on each side. If your new fabric is directional, be sure to align it in the right direction!

3. Casing: There are two options for the casing--first, use a wider bias tape to encase the cut edge of the cover as above, starting and stopping at the center of the flat end of the piece. See my suggestions for working with bias tape, here.


Starting and ending at the opening, thread your cord through the bias casing with a bodkin, as above. The bodkin securely grips the end of a cord or elastic and pulls it smoothly through a casing. Get it on the notions aisle of your fabric store, it's a great tool!

Second, you could use a zigzag stitch to sew over the cord and make a thread casing, as above. This is similar to the finish you will see on most purchased ironing board covers, and can work well, but be certain not to stitch too close to the edge of the fabric or the stitches could tear out. If you have a cording foot for your machine, it will be helpful. Be careful not to stitch into the cord itself, or it won't slide through the thread casing!

4. Cover: smooth the finished cover over your padded board, and loop one end the cord over the other once, as if starting to tie a bow. Begin to pull the cord to fit, easing the fullness along each side to the pointed end of the board. When it's as tight and smooth as possible, knot it off--I used a pair of surgical forceps from my sewing tool kit to clamp the cord and keep it from slipping while I tied it off. They have come in handy more than once in sewing!

That's it! The little press board will be useful. Now, my ironing board needs a little attention. . .

Miniatures Monday--Kids' Wading Pool!

With summer coming up, every miniature back yard needs a wading pool! I made this one for an outdoor scene that's set for a picnic and barbecue. I wish I could show the whole scene, but as I say my photography limits me. . .

The pool is made from three plastic bangle bracelets and a circle cut from a heavy blue plastic bag, all stuck together with a glue for plastics. You may recognize the ball (it's a re-usable plastic ice cube ball, carefully drained), and the Fimo rubber duckie was made especially for me by my daughter Laurel.

Ready for warm weather fun!