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July 10, 2006
Carla in progress
As promised, here is a picture to prove I really am making progress on Carla. I love the way this sweater is knitting up, I just hope I can put it together right! I found the Carla-Along website, so I'm going to read through the entries for tips on seaming and doing the fancy stitchwork on the arms.
This is also the debut of my craft room! (Or crap room, as my husband likes to call it - he's so sweet: "Zarah, where are you? Are you crapping in the crap room?" "Yes dear....") Sheesh.
At this point, I have an old couch moved in and a little folding table for the sewing machine. I arranged my yarn stash and knitting book collection in the closet. It's very functional but not too pretty just yet.
Ah, yes... you caught me. I said sewing machine. Back in olden times (elementary school and jr. high) I was in 4-H, and I actually entered sewing projects for the county fair 6 or 7 times. But truth be told, I'm pretty sure my mom did all the hard work and I just sewed a few seams. I really don't remember anything. But I'm very good at reading instructions, so I've got the sewing machine book out and I am trying out my rudimentary sewing skills. Of course, I didn't want to spend too much money on this crap craft since I'm not good at it yet, so I bought some fabric and thread and that's it.
I've been working on a purse from an on-line tutorial, and I've learned a thing or two.
A: I need good scissors. Or maybe a rotary cutter.
B: I need a good place to lay out the pieces while I measure them. The ironing board isn't working for me. I will probably need another table in the craft room.
C: I need some kind of storage system for all the sewing gadgets - the sewing machine pieces alone are creating a big mess on my tiny table. My mom used to have this tackle box-looking thing except for sewing... I think I need one.
D: This no-pattern thing isn't good for a total beginner. I need some structure, then if I want to improvise a little, it's all good. For example, I had to change the way the handle attaches on my bag because I sewed the side seams too far up before I attached the handle. Argh....
Anyway, hopefully I'll have some pictures of the little purse I made tomorrow. It's reversible.... and it's Project Spectrum-y!
Posted by zarah at July 10, 2006 6:35 AM
Comments
A. good scissors! ginghers are very nice, but i'm not allowed to own them anymore because i kept dropping them on the floor and nicking their blades. so, i now use the friskars that lock in the closed position. rotary cutters are great too, though the replacement blades can be pricey, and for me ... that downward pressing hurts my wrist.
B. other table ... lots of sewing type craft stores have sales from time to time on "cutting tables". they're great, because they're tall, and have two dropleafs, so they don't take up much space when you're not using its total surface potential.
C. storage system ... sewing boxes are nice, and anything from the plastic box storage section at target is good too ... whether indivual boxes that stack with a handled lid, or a little system of drawers.
D. lots of great patterns available. once you understand the basics, it makes alterations easy. also watch out for pattern sales. some places may mark certain brands, such as mccall's, to $1 during a sale week.
carla is looking good. i have carla-envy! have fun in the crap-room. i'm off to go play in mine now ;)
Posted by: gray la gran at July 10, 2006 7:57 AM
A big table to cut out pattern pieces is a must. My parents had a huge dining room table where my mom and I used to cut out our patterns. RM and I have a tiny round dining table that doesn't work in the slightest.
Carla is looking lovely! Haven't started her yet, but hope to soon.
Posted by: Jennifer at July 10, 2006 8:26 AM
Yay for sewing. And for craft rooms. It really is nice to have a place to put things that keeps all of our stuff contained.
Posted by: Stephanie at July 10, 2006 10:19 AM
Woohoo!!! A "crap" room! Seems my whole house is my "crap" room! And "yeaeaea" for sewing! I made yet another Cabo halter this weekend from some Tracy Porter fabric!
Can't wait to see your purse and your "crap" room!
Posted by: Jeanie at July 10, 2006 11:09 AM
I also have a crap room! Of course, it mostly gets called that because it's the dumping ground for all of the crap from the rest of the house when it comes time to clean. (We don't actually put things away, we just move them from one room to another one).
I was also in 4-H! I think you'll find out that things come back to you pretty easily - sewing is not that hard, it's the following directions part that's a little tricky! Have fun!
Posted by: Sarah at July 10, 2006 10:04 PM
Oh, you are so close! Carla comes together quickly, doesn't it? The seaming is a little tricky, and I took a few hours to do it, making sure to be meticulous... however, after a few wears, I am in need of a little mending! Watch up for any jewelry when you put the pullover on - it is easily snagged with all of the lace! That happened to me, but I was able to fix it. Also, I had to reseam the sleeve after a few wears. The sleeve embroidery/weaving is fun, and I am sure you can get the hang of it. If not, drop me a line, and I will try to help over email. Or, you could always freestyle it! :)
Posted by: Lolly at July 11, 2006 9:13 AM
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