Saturday, July 26, 2008

Bonding time


Well I must be well and truly hooked. Not one row did I knit to today. Ophelia was left wilting in the basket even though I'd planned to wear her on Monday so need to finish the back. Other projects made pathetic attempts to catch my attention. At one point the whole box of yarn exploded in my face as I scrabbled about for a tape measure. I ignored them all and headed for the machine. Once a feared and revered object over the last week or so there is a slow thawing of tensions between us. I wouldn't say we are friends yet but things are definitely looking up.
Peri was a bit miffed at this interloper for my attentions and decided to be as helpful as he knew how. I think he was probably psyching the machine out, giving the needle a very stern look as it raced in and out of the fabric.

He then gave me a long hard look as if questioning my very sanity. After all I don't usually sit at the sewing machine on a Saturday morning. He was concerned for his own welfare. How was he suppose to sit on my lap while I played silly games with thread, fabric and a noisy monster? He was quite concerned. I however sewed merrily on until I ran out of thread.
The fruits of my morning's work



A pencil roll for my youngest Daisy. I am pretty pleased with it, but I think it might have needed something to make it a bit firmer, no idea what. I am pleased with the shape and the seams are pretty straight without any puckering this time. I have orders from the two other girls to make them pencil rolls too and I bought fabric when I was out getting more pink thread. However I don't want to make them until I figure out how to give it a bit of stability. Perhaps some sort of padding?




While out getting thread I also found a metre of grey rose fabric that I just saw immediately as a bag. It was on offer at $2.50. I cut the pieces out and ironed them and I'm itching to stitch it together but the light in the study isn't very good so I am making myself wait until after church tomorrow.



My idea for the bag came from celine Dupuy's book simple Sewing with a French twist. It will be a while before I can manage most of the projects in this book, but the bag called to me instantly. I love the cover.



This book tells you how to make Bohemian flip flops, cafe blinds, bistro place mats, a pencil case a la mode ( which I think might be next after the bag) and an artist's organiser.
It's so great to be able to finish a project in a day. Sewing is so quick even with the number of times I have to unpick a seam. I think I may have it bad.

17 comments:

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Your new book looks grat - I will have to check that one out! I used a layer of flannel when I made some pencil rolls which added some body to the fabric, it that is any help. Love the new grey fabric - it will make the perfect bag!

Louise said...

I am relieved your sewing machine didn't see Peri's whiskers as thread! x

Elizabeth said...

I love Peri in the first photo, too funny!

Interfacing works between layers for the pencil rolls. It looks fab, though.
And yes, it appears you do have it bad.

Wendy said...

I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous. I tried sewing with my mom's machine when I was in college and I nearly burned the thing up. I have my aunt's hand me down machine now and it scares me to work it without supervision.

Down on the Farm said...

You can find "stabilizer" of different weights at the fabric store. I enjoy the iron on kind. Works very well.

Way to go with your sewing machine.

Sandi McBride said...

I don't know, I'm rather fond of Peri, myself lol...what a lovely Siamese...I have a nice young man myself lol...I have an award for you too, over at my Friday post...hope you will come by and pick it up...loved this post and your creativity...
Sandi

Kitty said...

I was going to suggest the same as Elizabeth: some interfacing would sort out that 'floppy' problem. You can get iron-on ones in light, medium or heavy quality. Good luck with the bag! x

Ally Jay said...

Thanks everyone for the tips on dealing with fabric floppiness. I went into the haberdashery last week but the assistant frightened me with all the choices. I only wanted chalk!

marit said...

Love the photo of Peri-really cute!
The pencil roll looks good, and interfacing of some kind would help stabilize it.
Lovely grey fabric, it will look great as a bag. Have fun!

The Vintage Kitten said...

Hiya, Thanks so much for visiting my blog. You're right about coming back as a cat, my four live the life of riley in this house. We to have a bed hogger! I often have to squeeze into a small section of the bed because Jasper is plonked right in the middle of it, and I end up with a napkin size piece of quilt covering me while he is curled up in the majority of it. Peri is gorgeous, and looks just like my neighbours cat who is the snootiest puss in the street LOL! She struts about lording it over the 'lesser moggies' and the noises she makes are amazing, its as though she is speaking. Hope Peri didnt get too near that needle. They are sooooo inquisitive aren't they? Mandy

Probably Jane said...

I am always in awe of people who can sew - the look on the cat's face - that would be mine!
lovely work.

Thimbleanna said...

Haha -- be careful -- you'll get sucked in never to get out LOL! Sewing definitely offers more instant gratification than knitting -- but both are wonderful!

raining sheep said...

I have that book as well and it is fabulous. Of course, I have only 'looked' at the pictures. You are a greater woman than I. Maybe iron on interfacing would stiffen the fabric?

Ally Jay said...

Thank you so much for all the support and encouragement. I just want you to remember that for every seam you see, at least four were ripped out. For every serene image there are several of me exploding with frustration. If I can sew anyone can. I would never have tried though if it hadn't been for all of you out there giving me such wonderful examples to follow.

LizzieJane said...

Surprise! You've been given an award. Go to http://mylizziejane.blogspot.com/2008/07/arte-y-pico-award.html

Adrienne said...

The roll is great! I think this has been said already but a light weight interfacing would work nicely. I have that book too - it's such eye candy! I've made 2 of the lingere bag (for my knickers and to hold our GPS). I want to make the chemise next.

SissySees said...

More kitty photos!! Now I know where to come for my Siamese photo fix!