Planned Purlhood

At least this time when I logged in, I didn’t have to “upgrade”.  Thankfully WP has figured out the auto-upgrader, so I don’t have to wrangle the FTP client.

SO!  What’s new?  Sewing…and more sewing.  And three “new” sewing machines this week, alone.

I finally started on John’s quilt.  The one he’s been nagging me to make for him for years.  It turns out I’m not quite up to speed on what fabrics are best for quilting (aside from the $10/yd stuff one can buy at the LQS, which I don’t do).  We picked up some nice broad cloth, and it turns out after swearing and ripping out most of the seams in the first block that its actually too thick to press all the seam allowances to one side.  So, I get to press OPEN the seams and thus far, it’s been going better.

Here’s the latest Singer to follow me home.  I actually had to pay for this one, but I was happy to!

A bit dusty from being on display at a local antique shop, it came in its original bentwood box.  This is a Singer 201-2.  Arguably one of the best Singer ever made.  I spent several hours cleaning and lubricating it; this included removing 65-year-old gear grease from all the gears which was truly gross!  Tri-flow for the win, to be sure!

I swapped the 15-91 and the 201 from case to cabinet.  I’m now using the 201 as my “main machine”.

I also was given two other machines this week.  One’s just another 1990′s metal bodied machine, but the star of the day  was this 1962 Singer 327k “Spartan”

I seem to be collecting a lot of 66 Class machines of late!

I’ve developed a real love for English Paper Piecing.  I really appreciate the portable nature of this method of piecing.  I can put everything I need in a quart size ziptop bag for many hours of “work!”

This is my first go at a Dresden Plate:

The pattern is somewhat unique, in that it has an odd number of blades (19). The templates are from sunshinequilter on eBay.  I really like working with her papers, as they are die cut from thicker cardstock than other brands and have no “sprues”.  The fabric is Connecting Threads “Summer”.

More pictures when I actually get something finished!  Right now I’m concentrating on accuracy in cutting & seaming.  Wish me luck…

Here’s a pic of Kiwi (who’s 14 this year!) from last week.  Strikin’ a pose!

Believe it or not, I sewed.  As in, used the sewing machine.  *gasp*

It’s been…a year since I’ve used my trusty Kenmore for more than 30 seconds.

I made, after doing a mockup for a friend’s medieval gown (hate sleeves!!!!), a kinchaku for my bento box collection.

For the sewing machine geeks out there, it’s a Kenmore Ultra-Stitch 8.  Capable of sewing through just about anything you can get under the presser foot, including leather.  (Not.  Kidding.)

I got her last spring (about this time), and paid a pretty price for her.  Granted, not near the price of a comparable quality NEW machine, but a well invested $300.  I bought her from “lotathings” on eBay, and when dealing with reputable OSMG (Old Sewing Machine Gods), you get what you pay for!

It out performs Two Tonne Tilly, aka my old Viking Husqvarna 6430 (2005 acquisition), unfortunately.  I fear the 6430 has had a hard life and even with professional service, her stitches aren’t perfect.  Plus, I found her upper limit of what I could sew all too easily. I’ve since added an electronic Husqvarna, a bloody nice machine and even nicer price tag.  Problem is, the $5 I spent at the Humane Society Thrift shop or it didn’t include the control foot!  Someday, I’ll get around to hauling it up to  the OSMG and see if it’s actually WORTH spending $70 for a new control foot. f

That’s Knitting ADD.  *sigh*

Just as I’m zooming in on finishing one project, I get distracted by a big squawshy tyvek mailer at the front door full of yarn.  Bugger!

I started, and am nearing completion, in the past 18 hours a Standard Issue Boyfriend Hat.  This time using superwash wool, so he can wash the darned thing!  The SIBH is a black watch cap with two red stripes.  Think London Beanie (which is actually the pattern I’m using this go-around).

About half an hour ago I finished another dishcloth.  My favorite pattern for using variegated cotton yarns is just a mitred square.  Despite fooking up on the cast on number, and thus the decreases going down 2 stitches off from center, it looks pretty nice.  I have teh dumb, some days, that’s for sure.

After leaving the terminal Lace scarf project at home (oops) tonight, I’m forced to deal with current WIPs.  Aforementioned SIBH, SIBS (Standard Issue Boyfriend Socks), A pair of socks for myself…churning along at 10spi, ugh, some sort of malady of a hat I thought I’d design and now will probably frog, and…

Oh look!  A new felted bag pattern in the bag.  Jee, and I just happened to pack the loner ball of Noro Kureyon.  Har har.  *sigh*

Someone shoot me now, please.

Just to spite my knitting, I also have garb sewing and scribal assignments hovering over my head.  One of Red Fox’s members, for whom I sew for, has requested a new set of clothes for Estrella War.  *cough splutter gasp*  Yes, it technically can be done.  I just have to rearrange my mental status and “get into the garb groove”.  This also requires finding my dining room/sewing area, too.  Scary.  My only saving grace, is that she’s easy to sew for, petite, and appreciates my work.  Ok, that’s three saving graces.

Scribal assignments.  Ugh.  Two commissions and a Baronial Award.  Eep.  Gotta get them done before the 26th, too.  Double Eep!  At least I have design ideas either complete drafted and ready to go, or can pull something out of one hemisphere of my brain for the others.

Did I mention I like to spin, too?  *sigh*  That lovely merino/tencel will have to just sit there and glisten at me for a while, dangling from the bobbin like a technicolor rapunzelite … something.