Elsa Handwork

Today's Slow Sunday Stitching involves hand basting the sleeves onto the Elsa dress.  They have been carefully eased into the arm openings.

The fabric is sheer and a bit slippery on the machine; therefore, I shall baste to hopefully avoid any sleeve puckering (as best I can prior) to machine stitching. Also, I am trying to avoid any possible rip outs or redos.

Reminder to self:  dress is a costume for a five-year old and will not be graded by a home ec teacher.

Hook and eye fastener will be hand sewn for a neat and tidy closure along the neckline. Next step will be a "fitting" prior to hemming.  

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and I hope you find time for Slow Sunday Stitching with others right HERE.  It's fun!

Linky Laundry List

Yikes!  I misplaced last month's goal list so I guess the first priority for October is to find last month's list.  Lol!  I did not accomplish everything, but more than I would have if I had not linked up with Kathi's Monthly Laundry List.  Think about writing a goal list and joining Kathi.  A giveaway is offered.

Since I do not have hard copy of last month's list (lucky I posted it), I shall edit the photo showing what I did get accomplished.  I did not finish nor start everything, but at least half and that is a good thing.

Fuzzy golf covers have been 

a conversation piece on the course.

Kaffe Fabrics which are going into a foundation-pieced quilt.

This is the September list for the month of October 2014 and a photo of one item on the list.  Check out other goal setters at Kathi's Designs Originals by KC by clicking HERE.  Last month I won a very nice giveaway for linking up.

Elsa Costume

A quick sewing update on Elsa costume for Halloween.

It is going well after taking the time for important pre-sewing steps.  The five-year old was measured and matched to the pattern's measurements.  An adjustment was made at the waist and bodice length.  This was a challenge as one does not want the dress to be too tight nor too loose as it is more of a fitted style.  Based on the design, after completion, there is not much room for alterations.  Note the waist has two adjoining fancy fabrics and trim.

Elsa is 2014's most popular character.  The pattern and fabric was purchased eight to six weeks ago. I am using bridal fabric (the satin is the reverse side of a nubbed faux silk).

Fancy blue fabric is flying off the shelves.  Yesterday, I went to buy a blue 12-inch zipper.  Guess what?  They were out-of-stock.  I had to buy the 16-inch zipper and will have to cut down.

There are nine (9) pieces to Simplicity's pattern so I do not consider it a quick costume.  Nor is it inexpensive.  I estimate to be up to $40 for fabric, pattern, zipper, trim, and bias tape. All purchased on sale. Oh, but is it pretty and fun putting it together.

Back to sewing,

Linking with Karen at Sew Many Ways.

A Linky Thank You

My first time receiving a giveaway arrived this week.  It is a brand new awesome cloth tape measure which is retractable ~ works smooth as silk.  A lanyard is attached for hanging on neck.  If that isn't enough, there is a magnet (for dropped pins and needles) on the opposite side of the push button.  How handy dandy is that.

Just who is the generous blogger who offered the giveaway?  None other than Kathi at Designs Originals by KC.  It was part of her Monthly Linky Party in which you write your own Laundry List of goals that you want to set for the following month.  There are a few days in which you can write your list (doesn't have to be long ~ no pressure either) and then link up.

The list is assisting me in staying focused on my projects.  May you consider setting a couple of goals and then link up with Kathi at the end of September with your October's Laundry List.  There is no pressure to finish and it is fun!  If I meet half my goals, I'll still be ahead.

Knitted golf covers are completed.  Been practicing applique and working on my Kaffe quilt.  This week I must get going on the Elsa costume which is a character from Disney's Frozen movie.  Tape measure will be handy for costume fitting.  :-)

Even without winnning a pretty and functional giveway, I am finding the laundry list process to be enjoyable and beneficial.  Not only does Kathi have her own blog, she is a contributing writer for Celebrate Hand Quilting.  AND she is in the process of making a special and personal quilt for a family member.  She has designed it herself and is focused on completing it!  Click here to see the quilt and her progress.  Thanks Kathi!

Applique Practice

This past week, in order to get together with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching friends, I made slow steady progress on my applique practice orange peel/melon seed block.

1.  Fabrics were chosen from my Kaffe collection.

2.  Watched a few youtube videos on needle turn applique presented by Becky Goldsmith of Piece O Cake Designs.  These informative clips supplement their books very nicely.  Thanks Becky!

3.  Unearthed from my sewing stash a box of vintage unused Zwicky thread that was an estate sale purchase. I gather from my quick online research that Zwicky is now part of Guttermann.

4.  Ready, set, sew!

Applique Practice Not

My participation with others at Slow Sunday Stitching consists of choosing fabric to practice applique work. I was going to start with a heart, but I am really liking Kathy's seed blocks and a seed/melon/orange peel would be easier to practice on before attempting the heart shape. Eventually, I would like to make Flower Pots, an applique quilt, by Kim McLean.

Above is what I chose to hand sew today, but I was sidetracked.  Uh....it is not the first time.  This morning I browsed a nearby outdoor antique show.

Found bits of pretty lace for a future crazy quilting project.  Do not yet know what I'll do with the vintage black buttons encrusted with rhinestones, but the price was right.  All this for $4!

In the afternoon I had an opportunity to watch the Blue Angels fly at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.  The weather was perfect for an air show.  Clear blue skies with low humidity.  My family was able to see the show off the base (to avoid the crowds) yet, close enough to experience a flyover.  It was awesome and a thrill to watch them perform.

It was worth being sidetracked from my hand sewing on a beautiful day seeing special things.

A Knitted Finish

The knitted golf club covers are completed.

They have been washed in hot water for felting purposes.  I then put them in the dryer.  Perhaps, I shouldn't have as the ends of the eyelash yarn have a bit more mashed look.  Not as light and fluffy before laundering.

It's okay as they are just golf club covers and it doesn't matter.  Overall, they still look good, they match my bag, and they are finished!

Now it is obvious why I choose brightly colored yarn.  I have been told that with this bag, I can be spotted several fairways away, which I means I must be on my best behavior ;-)

As mentioned on previous posts, this was a free pattern from Chris Knits in Niagara.

A note to non-golfers:  the numbered black flat covers are commercially made and are for the clubs called "irons."  Thanks to my dear blogger friends who encouraged me to finish knitting the covers.

Almost Done

This past week I finished knitting my main golf club covers:  the driver, the 3-wood and the 5-wood.  After checking my golf bag, I decided I needed one more cover for my 6-hybrid.

Thankfully, Chris Knits in Niagara has a free knitting pattern on her blog.  Val an Ravelry member (no blog) has kindly shared her directions for adding stripes to the "socks" (bottom part of cover).  Today, with others doing handwork at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching, I shall finish knitting my last golf club cover.  As you can see, it is almost done. Yay! I will look forward to starting other needlework projects.

A note to other knitters in regards to these covers.  The original directions are for knitting in the round.  I was clumsy uncomfortable with holding more than two knitting needles.  Therefore, I opted to knit them flat and join the seams by hand.  It has worked out well.

The "hoods" (top part of cover) are knitted with eyelash yarn and wool that is to be felted for a tighter and more protective cover.  After I finish the last cover, I shall be washing these in hot water in order for the wool to become felted.  That will be a new experience, and I hope it works.

Also, having fun linking up with Karen at Sew Many Ways.  May the U.S. and Canadian viewers have a safe and care-free Labor Day!

Elsa Costume

There is at least one sewing goal that I would like to accomplish during the month of September.  That would be making an Elsa dress as a Halloween costume.  Elsa is a Disney princess/character from the popular Frozen movie.

Normally, I am not this organized to start a project early.  However, the licensed Frozen products sell out quickly.  When I saw this pattern at my local Joann's; I purchased it along with some pretty blue fabric.

My motivation is also putting this goal in writing as part of Design Originals by KC  monthly's Laundry List Link Party kindly hosted by Kathi.   Other items on my list are:

I don't know if others prioritize their lists, but Elsa shall take precedence this month.  Wish me luck on sewing with such fancy material!

Slow Knitting

Today I am doing some hand stitching (knit stitches) with others at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.  I have completed last week's club cover (5-wood) and hope to knit some rows on the driver.  I am reversing the colorway.  It will have a green sock (bottom ribbed section) and the top (hood) will be knitted with fuzzy black yarn.

It should have been completed by now, but this week's excuse (a good one) is taking an overnight trip to attend the AQS Quilt Show in Grand Rapids.  It was a very nice quilt show and worth my trip.  A wide range of wonderful quilts nicely hung and displayed.  

It is always so hard to vote for a favorite, but this quilt received my ballot.

This is the fabric that I purchased.  A dot quilt is on my list to do.

The best part of attending the show was finally meeting in person a dear blog friend, Teresa from Fabric Therapy!  Such a delight.  This is her "Baltimore Rhapsody" which is all hand appliqued and quilted.  Did I mention that she designed the blocks and the patterns are for sale.

I had another pleasant and serendipity meeting.  I meet two very nice, friendly ladies that are in the same guild as our Slow Sunday Stitching hostess, Quilter Kathy of Kathy's Quilts!  Jackie and Susan traveled from Ontario to attend this quilt show.  

My cousin and I (pure chance) sat near them at lunch which was in a huge convention hall with LOTS of quilters taking a break.  The next day we met again at the show and chatted some more.  Now I have remorse as, I did not take their photo.  They spoke highly of Kathy and all that she accomplishes!  It was a pleasure meeting them and hearing that Kathy is as nice in person and talented as she is on her blog.

Fun Fur & Fuzzy Redo

Today I am redoing a golf club cover.  It is fuzzy knitting with one strand of 4-ply wool and one strand of Lion's Brand Fun Fur.  I like the bright green color and the softness of the Fun Fur.  Knitting the hood (top of golf club cover) in a stockinette stitch is going quickly with size 10.5 needles (6.5mm).

I am glad these knit up reasonable quickly as I am in the midst of the redo from being unsatisfied with my too loosely knitted socks (bottom part of golf club cover).  Have you done a redo on any of your stitching projects?  I think redos happen to many of us at one time or another. The Fun Fur is making the redo enjoyable as is stitching along with others today at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.

Today, while driving home from purchasing fresh-picked sweet corn from a local farmer, I spotted a small field of blooming sunflowers.  It was a pleasant surprise.

Knitting Golf Club Covers

Today I am linking with others' hand work at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.  Last Sunday I first started knitting my golf club covers.  This week, two covers were finished.  I experimented which colorway I prefer.  I am liking the chartreuse green fuzzy yarn for the "hood."

Today I started knitting the third cover (the driver).  However, I was sidetracked by a lovely summer outing.  Within an hour of our home, an historic tall ship, the Niagara, was docked in the quant river town of Algonac in Michigan.

The ship was an impressive site and a lovely summer afternoon was spent along the blue waterway of the St. Clair River which divides the U.S. and Canada.  It was worthwhile being sidetracked.

If you had a nice weather today, I hope you had a chance to get outdoors.