Category: Sewing

This year, I believe, will be the year when I finally purchase my beloved industrial sewing machine.

I’m leaning toward the Juki DU-1181N walking foot machine; however, I’ll be checking out the Juki DDL 8700 sewing machine. I’ve watched numerous videos featuring YouTubers that use this sewing machine in the same way that I’ll be sewing. So the DU seems like the perfect match for me; however, I’ll also check out the Juki DDL 8700.

I honestly believe that the DU 1181N will best serve my needs. However, since there is a sewing shop in my state, I’ll bring a few items to the store to see which one I prefer. Initially, I was planning on setting up the machine in my room; however, I’m seriously thinking about creating a small space outside of the house. If I do that, I’ll move all my crafts related items to that little room. We’ll see.

This past December (December 15 to be exact) I got my daughter two male guinea pigs.

Their names are Yuuto (chinchilla grey) and Mareo (white). Throughout my life, I’ve had guinea pigs, so guinea pig care isn’t new to me, however, I must admit these guinea pigs have it great.

To reduce the headache of cleaning their cage (and expense) with disposable bedding I sewed their bedding using fleece and Uhaul furniture pad (which is made of 100% recycled denim and serves as the absorbent layer.

My daughter swaps out their liner daily, sometimes she misses a day but that doesn’t happen too often.

The bulk of the guinea pig care is done by her, of course, I pay for their food and will pay for their vet bills, however, everything else is mainly her. I get to enjoy their cute antics.  Thus far, I’ve made five fleece absorbent liners for their C&C cage, and I plan to make a few more.

Bella, our BichonPoo kept sitting on their cage liners as they were being made, and so I sewed a blanket for her doggie bed. Since she likes burrowing under blankets, I made it extra large.

Earlier this week, I fulfilled a long-time wish and purchased a pair of Dr. Martens. I’ve loved them since I was in college, but for some reason, I never got around to purchasing them until now. It was a want and spending over $100 for a pair of boots, isn’t something I typically do. But… Dr. Martens, tend to last a long time especially if they’re well maintained. I take great care of my items. I much prefer quality over quantity and so, I finally purchased a pair. The standard black shoelaces were instantly discarded and replaced with these shoelaces.

Just look at them, how can you not like them? Yes, I crafted them myself.

 

 

That bias tape was created with leftover scraps from a bolero jacket that I’d designed and crafted for my daughter when she was nine years old, so… five years ago.

Where did I get the shoelaces? I made them from the bias tape, that I’d created with my binder tape machine, that was about two years ago, and I wrote about this particular bias tape that I’d made with my bias tape machine in this post.

Since my Dr. Martens arrived on Wednesday, I’ve been wearing them daily. To break them in of course… and I must say, I’m enjoying this simple pleasure immensely. My daughter said, “Mom, it’s about time you start working yourself into the purchasing something for yourself equation.” I imagine she’s right. Early next year, my daughter and I’ll be visiting the closest Dr. Marten’s store to us, which is located in Washington, DC and, I’ll be purchasing a pair of shoes for my daughter. She does love boots and owns a pair of Timberlands. Her favorite shoe is Sperrys, both are great quality brands, that last a long time… with proper maintenance.

Earlier this month, I celebrated my 47th birthday and while I don’t get into my own birthday, my daughter does. She sketched for me a lovely picture and, she wrote me the most beautiful letter. I’m framing both. What she gave me and the above boots make this birthday a bit more memorable.

I’ve been searching for a sturdy backpack for several months. I much prefer them over purses and since I have my Franklin Covey Classic planner (which goes with me everywhere when I’m out), I’ve been carrying it around in the bookbag that I have, which honestly won’t last long. I didn’t make That bag.

I saw a few backpacks that I sort of like, but for over $100, I wasn’t ABOUT to make the purchase even though I had the money to do that. This morning, my daughter said, “Mom, why don’t you just make one?” Hmm, now why didn’t I think of that earlier?

I do have a backpack pattern that I customized. I also have a thick leather jacket that I won’t ever wear and so I’ll be cutting that up and I’m lining it with this cotton fabric.

I’m thinking that I’ll use the Harry Potter fabric as a lining, but who knows… I might change my mind again about the lining. Regardless, not too much money will be spent, and the Harry Potter inspired fabric is 50% off. You know that appeals to the minimalist frugal side of me. The main investment will be my time.

I’ve always enjoyed creating with my hands and a few primitive tools. No electricity required. The simple act of ‘doing’ without to many other gadgets to aid me has always ranked high in my crafting appeal. As much as I enjoy sewing, I know one of the reasons I have not done as much is because I really have not want to be on my sewing machine. Having a portable project that I can carry about? Yes, please! Being stuck to my crafting room to sew? Ehh… not so much!

Recently, I discovered Natalie ‘Alabama’ Chanin and was impressed by her couture line? Why? All the items are hand-sewn! That instantly caught my attention. A huge pull, for me at least, was the fact that she incorporated quilting stitches into her garment line.

Here are a few other reasons…

1. I love hand sewing
2. The extra details that go into making these pieces are amazing
3. Everything is created here in the USA
4. She pays her employees a living wage
5. She dislikes being wasteful… just like me

After much deliberation, I choose the following book, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design: A Guide to Hand-Sewing an Alabama Chanin Wardrobe

It was the book that was recommended by one site that I follow as your first purchase. It arrived a few days ago, and I’m really enjoying immersing myself into all things hand-sewn. It’s my favorite type of sewing, after all… and it feels like I’m “at home,” when I read through this book. I believe, the first project will be the tee-shirt, since the weather is getting cooler, I do believe I’ll make it long sleeve. Since I’m still working on the knitted cape, its highly doubtful that I’ll be starting this within the next few weeks, but afterwards… it’ll be added to my “works in progress.”

I do believe, Natalie Chanin would be thrilled that I’m using old tee-shirts, made from cotton jersey, to create this project. This falls nicely into the “waste not” category, don’t you think?