Quilt Binding

WARNING!! Picture heavy. Elbee asked how I made the binding on the baby blanket I made this past Saturday night. Here goes:

1. I start with strips 3" wide. You can use strips cut on the cross-wise grain or the bias. With a plaid, I'll use the bias as I like the way it looks. I generally use the cross-grain on everything unless I am going around curves.

2. Fold your strip in half and iron. Starting on the middle of one edge, line up the edge of the strip and the edge of blanket/quilt and sew a scant 1/2". When you get 1/2" from the corner, STOP with your needle down.

3. Turn the fabric, and then lift your needle. Pull your fabric out from under your presser foot and fold back the binding - like this.




4. Fold you binding back down over the fold.

5. Put your fabric back underneath the presser foot and starting at the beginning of the seam, sew a scant 1/2" to the next corner.

The corner should look like this from an inside view.

6. Iron the binding up and over to the other side.

7. Sew about 1/8" to the right of the binding edge.

This is what the other side should look like.

My sewing is not perfect, but it works. If I have the time and am in the mood, I'll hand sew the binding to the back, so that there is not a line of stitching showing around the edge. But when you are a Procrastinator you do what you've got to do to get it done!

If I've left something out, let me know and I'll try to fix it.

Happy Sewing!

I Resemble That

Read on the back of my prenatal vitamins:

For the older OB patient.






Since when is 36 considered OLD.

Ottobre 6/2008

Well, the newest issue of Ottobre hit my mailbox this past Friday. In my huge amount of spare time, I've been pouring over the pictures and the line drawings and the instructions. This issue has a lot of clothes that I really, really want to make. These are just 2 examples of I want to make.

But, I'm in a bind. There are 2 fabrics that I have fallen in love with on these pages and I can't find them ANYWHERE!!!!! In the first picture they show a pink pre-quilted fabric by Eurokangas. I want it in turquoise, but I can't even find it in pink! Do y'all see that cape in the second picture, it's a felted wool knit by Hilco. Once again, nowhere to be found. I want those fabrics! Ughhhh! What's a girl to do?

Baby Gifts

Well, as a true member of Procrastinator's Anonymous, I started a baby gift the night before the baby shower. At 10 p.m. that night.

No, no, don't lie to me and say y'all never do anything like this. I KNOW better.

I had such great intentions - I bought the fabrics 3 weeks ago. I even pre-washed them the same day when I arrived home. Anyway, the baby quilt became a baby blanket. What's the diff you ask? Well, to me a quilt has a layer of batting between 2 fabrics, then has to be quilted and finally bound. A baby blanket is just 2 fabrics, wrong sides together, and then bound around the edges. Which one do you think is easier?

After finishing the blanket (at 12:30 a.m.), I decided to go to bed. I couldn't hold my head up any longer! The next morning, before church, I made the burp rags. Very easy and they only cost me a couple of bucks versus the $15 -$20 I see them selling for at those fancy dancy baby stores.

The blanket was made with FabricFinders LSU fabric and purple minky. That stuff is soooo soft. Bound with a yellow and purple plaid, also from FabricFinders. The burp rags were made with pre-folded cloth diapers that I had left over from making burp rags for Rachael. See, there is a reason for being a pack-rat. I used left over LSU fabric and left over plaid for 2 of the rags and bought 2 fat quarters (baseballs and footballs) for the other two.

Now, get this. This gift is for the daughter of a friend of mine. L is 2 years older than me and is about to become a grandma. C is 6 months older than Johnathan! I'm feeling really old right now.

Acknowledgements, Prizes, and the Like

Well, my dress is technically done. I did wear it to church yesterday, however, today it is going to be ripped apart and the top re-done. It just needs more work. BTW, Sharon commented that she had also bought this same fabric from Fashionista Fabrics and that it was wonderful to work with. No lie, it is!

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A few weeks ago, Cathy over at Home, Sweet Home, Noble gave me this Friendship Award. Thank you, Cathy. Would you and your husband consider moving to Louisiana?

The rules are:

1. Only five people allowed.

2. Four of them have to be dedicated followers of your blog and one has to be new and live in another part of the world.

3. You have to link back to who gave you the award.


So, here goes:

1. Cathy at Hemmin' and Hummin'

2. Faye at Faye's Sewing Adventures

3. Sharon at Adventures from the Sewing Studio

4. Elbee of Sew Little Time (I'm not sure if she reads me, but I love to read her blog).

And finally, somebody new that lives in another part of the world:

5. Diana over at Sew Passionista by Diana (check out her coats).

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Last month, I entered a drawing for a book over at Sharon's blog. I won, I won, I won!!! Yippee! Rachael and I have read this several times and talked about why you would need a transplant.

I don't know if any of y'all read the Domestic Diva's Disasters, but I've been following her for a little while and her absolutely gorgeous daughter is waiting on a kidney transplant. Right now they are trying to find a compatible donor. The Domestic Diva is also starting up a line of boy's clothing (Downtown Joey). Very handsome clothes for your little man.

Muslins 1 & 2 Are Done

I figured I should start off with a new set of measurements since I can no longer wear my girdle foundation garment to smooth over any lumps and bumps. They weren't really much of a surprise, except for my high bust measurement, which is closer to a 14 than a 16. Basically, I go from a 16 at the very top, to a 22 on the bottom. You might think that would make me a "pear" shape, but my bust measurement evens me out into a "hourglass" figure.


As I studied this pattern I realized that the side seam zippers won't work with the waist tie on the dress. One or the other will need to be eliminated or changed somehow. I have an idea what I'm going to do, but I'll continue to think about it some more.


The size 16 bust pieces had plenty of room, so I just added 2" to the center front. I made up a muslin in a cheap jersey I bought at Wal-Mart of just the top pieces. It looked fairly good but showed my bra straps and was too low in the front and in the back for me to be comfortable. So, I raised the neckline 1.5" all the way around.

I made another muslin and while it wasn't perfect, I'm ready to get started. I'll try to get the dress material cut tomorrow after lunch.

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A while back Summerset of Pins and Needles asked everybody what was an essential in their sewing room.

Along with all of the other basic sewing supplies, I keep these handy:

Why? My sewing desk is against the wall and pattern pieces/fabric/spools of thread etc. sometimes fall between the two. Since I can't crawl under or walk around my desk, I just lean over it and reach down with the tongs!

This also works great when you're 9 months pregnant and can't reach the bottom of the washing machine.

Here I Go

It's amazing what a little R&R can do for your body. I am still kind of ambivalent about what to sew, but did decide on something. I plan on making Simplicity 3874, view B. I am going to A-line the skirt and make it longer (hide the wide calves). I also am going to lengthen the sleeves to 3/4 length. It is winter after all. I'll probably put in invisible zippers along both side seams so that I can use this dress for nursing after the baby is born. That is something I learned about when I was expecting Rachael.

The pattern calls for wovens but I plan on using this jersey knit that I bought several months ago from Fashionista Fabics. By the way, Melody has some great fabrics on sale right now and she ships way fast!


The girls are with their daddy this weekend, so I plan on at least trying to get the pattern ready and having a muslin made up before Monday morning. We'll see, after all I seem to be staying exhausted (that whole 1st trimester thing) and we have Pastor Appreciation tomorrow after Sunday School. I've got to cook something! Then we go into Revival for the next two weeks. Any sewing that I do will probably be done at a slow pace.

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I wanted to show y'all this:

When I saw this I was amused. I was not amused, however, when I realized that the same child had also rearranged the tensions on my serger!

What To Do?

Have you ever just felt kind of - not paralyzed with fear - but maybe just really indecisive? I haven't been sewing because of this very problem. See, the heart of the problem is that I've:

• lost 25 pounds and nothing I currently own fits anymore, and
• I'm expecting.

What do I make that will get me through at least the next few months before I really need clothes for an ever expanding belly?

I've racked my brain, looked through patterns, looked through my fabric stash. Nothing is happening. No quickening of my pulse when I see a certain pattern, no fabrics are screaming, "Sew me now!" I just don't have any inspiration, any desire! At the same time, I'm tired of wearing the same skirt to church and rotating two jackets. I need some clothes now, preferably easy and fast clothes to make.

I kind of think that making dresses with an unstructured jacket would be best - but what? Ugh! I'm frustrated and not at all at peace with myself.

Audrey?

I read about this quiz over at Tres Bon Babble. I can totally handle being an Audrey!

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Audrey!

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

• * If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure


• * I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this


• * Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit


• * Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally


• * Ask me questions to help me get clear


• * Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery


• * Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings


• * I like a good discussion but not a confrontation


• * Let me know you like what I've done or said


• * Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life

What I Like About Being an Audrey

• * being nonjudgmental and accepting


• * caring for and being concerned about others


• * being able to relax and have a good time


• * knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around


• * my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator


• * my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now


• * being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being an Audrey

• * being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive


• * being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline


• * being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally


• * being confused about what I really want


• * caring too much about what others will think of me


• * not being listened to or taken seriously

Audreys as Children Often

• * feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant


• * tune out a lot, especially when others argue


• * are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Audreys as Parents

• * are supportive, kind, and warm


• * are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

News

Well, the cravings have begun! I woke up from my usual Sunday afternoon nap with an intense craving for Chicken and Dumplings. This is a dish that Cody does not care for, so I've never actually made it. Since I only had about 2 hours before evening church service I needed a fast and easy recipe. After googling for it, I found a recipe using tortillas instead of having to make dumplings. Yum yum!

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I'm off of bed rest and getting around but still have to take it easy. Evidently, I have a uterine fibroid that decided to cause some spotting and will have to be closely monitored.

Just to let y'all know -BED REST? In theory, this sounds like a wonderful thing; in reality, I was going crazy after about 36 hours.

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Hannah's skirt ended up in the trash can. I was just having a hard time with it (I'm still not sure why- I think lack of sleep and stress played a part). Anyway, while I was in bed I finally figured out how to fix my mistake. The problem now? I told the girls to empty the trash cans last week and they did it! I guess that I won't worry about that project again.

Old MacDonald

had a farm, E-I-E-I-O,

and on her farm she had some ducks, E-I-E-I-O,



with a quack-quack here,


and a gobble-gobble there,

here a chick,

there a neigh,

everywhere a baa-baa,

Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-OOOOOOOO!

With the exception of the ducks, these are all new to us animals. When Cody started talking about a miniature mule - I told him that it was time for him to go back to work!

Woo Hoo!

Faye over at Faye's Sewing Adventures has given me a prize. Isn't that just so nice! I'm always so surprised when I see that somebody has been visiting my little part of the internet!

The rules for this award - prize are as follows:
1. Select 6 bloggers to whom you would like to give this award- prize
2. Put the award - prize on your blog and indicate who gave it to you by identifying her/his blog;
3. Paste these rules on your blog;
4. Write 6 of your most important values and 6 negative points you condemn,
5. Inform the 6 recipients by leaving a comment on their blog.

Please understand that I am not trying to be preachy with what I am about write. It is just that I believe that since Jesus is the best example of how to live a life, then I should be emulating Him as much as possible (yes, I know that I have a very long way to go).

I desire these values in my life and I also look for them in my friends. In Galatians 6: 22-23, Paul wrote of the Fruits of the Spirit:

• Love,
• Joy,
• Peace,
• Longsuffering,
• Gentleness,
• Goodness,
• Faith,
• Meekness, and
• Temperance (discipline).

As for the things that I condemn? I also am going to use scripture for that. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 6:16-19, of seven things that God hates:

• A proud look,
• A lying tongue,
• Hands that shed innocent blood,
• A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
• Feet that be swift in running to mischief,
• A false witness that speaketh lies,
• Sowing discord among the brethren (or among family and friends).

I've been on bed rest for the last little while and so I hope that the people I am going to give this prize have not already received it.

Blakely over at Rockin Smockin - I enjoy getting to see her enthusiam for her sewing and her family (including her husband's).

Laura of Sew at Sea fame - I giggle everytime I read one of her posts.

Melody at Crazed Sewer - hers was one of the first sewing blogs that I found. I think that she has just as hard of a time finding time to sew as I do!

Leslie over at Curly Crafter - I love the clothes that she makes, but I am really enjoying the posts on her e-scrapbooking. Too Cool!

Cathy at hemmin' and hummin' - I just love to read what all she's up to!

Okay, my brain has been taxed enough for the day. I'll think of somebody else later.

I'm Back!

Thank you to everybody that has offered congratulations on our good news! Cody was on the phone texting all of his friends 15 min. after I told him. Me? I walked around with my heart in my throat for the rest of the day. I was just a little shocked!

To follow up on the comments made on my last post:

Sharon, I have 5 acres of yard to mow and once a month there is another 12 acres to bush-hog. I'm going to stick to the lawn tractor.

Laura, peace from the kids is one of the reasons that I do enjoy mowing so much. I may not get any peace in the bathroom but at least I can count on 3 hours of un-interrupted solitude while mowing.

Lisa, I sure do hope that I have time for baby clothes! I know that I will at least make a few things.

And finally, Faye, thank you for the prize, I'm going to take care of that in my next post.

Y'all have a great day!