No Rest for the Wicked...or the Weary

Common Threads met at Carol's.

She had this great quilt top finished. It was made from a pack of 19th Century Reproduction fabrics from a fabric/fiber museum, which has since closed. I was hand-quilting (my Sistine Chapel), Margareth was working on her appliqué quilt top, and several people were knitting various projects.

Park City Quilt Guild met that evening. I asked for volunteers to make house blocks for a quilt for Habitat for Humanity, for the silent auction. Several people offered. I'll pick the finished blocks up at Davidene's on September 1st. We had a small turnout, probably because many people have fled to Montana, Idaho and Oregon to view the eclipse. However, we had a rewarding show-and-tell.

This quilt was based on the instructions and quilts in the book “One Block Wonders” by Jan Krenz. 

This baby quilt was made from a panel that was cut apart and then sewn together with other fabrics.

A member of an Airstream trailer organization made this quilt as a fundraiser for her group.

This quilt is in the process of quilting. It will be a gift for a friend of the quilter.

The doll-clothes sweat shop is still in operation. I finished a robe for Carter to go with his PJs. The robe is based on McCalls 2506, but without the extra thicknesses of facings and lined collar. Fleece is thick, but it doesn't fray, so I only hemmed the edges where I needed to cover seams.

I made one for the Habitat girl, too, but in purple. Then I made a hat and scarf for each, while I was working with the fleece. It was like this one I made for Daphne's Hannah last year. 

For the hat, you cut a rectangle 7" X 14", then make cuts 1/2" apart and 2" deep slong one of the long sides. Sew the short sides together and tie the "fringe" together with a 1/2" X 7" strip of fleece. Cut the ends of the tie off to match the fringe. For the scarf, cut a strip 1 1/2" X 21" and make cuts 1/2" apart and 2" deep on each end. There's only one seam for the hat and none for the scarf. Easy.

Then I made a shirt and trousers for Carter.

The shirt is based on the Cowgirl Shirt in Fancywork and Fashion’s Best Doll Clothes Book by Joan Hinds. I used the pattern to draw a new one, with the bottom cut straight instead of curved, and the length the same as the center front and back. I also made short sleeves. The trousers were based on Liberty Jane’s Boot-cut Jeans pattern, but since they would be skin tight on Carter, I added 1/4" to the width of each pattern piece for the front and the back. I left off the back pockets, but made everything else the same. Here you can see one of the front pockets.

The Habitat girl needed a sun hat, too, so I made one for her with denim and a blue quilting fabric lining. She also needed a water bottle. Since I didn't have any more Thyrovet bottles (yet), I used a party-favor bubble-stuff bottle, with the bubble stuff still inside. I glued a bead on top. The recipient can have fun making bubbles, and then have the water bottle for her doll.

I made the mistake of posting photos of Carter on Facebook. Someone from Therapy Animals of Utah (an organization I belong to) saw it and recruited me to dress a doll for their silent auction in early November. My deadline is October 28th. Yesterday my Habitat contact brought the Creatology girl over for "fittings." Fortunately, the clothes I've made that have been modeled by my in-house models fit her, so I'll be good for both dolls. We picked out some things for the Habitat girl, and there was plenty left, so other than making more PJs, another Jacket, scarf and winter hat and a sun hat, I may not have to make too much for the second one.


Carter went off with them. He will be interviewed by our local paper on Thursday, and I hope to have a link to the interview for next week's post.

I took time out from Habitat duty to proofread a sewing tutorial for a dress for Götz Happy Kidz dolls designed by a friend and test-sew it for her. Here's my version of her dress (she has four other test-sewers):

I'll share the information when she's ready to publish the pattern. For a preview, see Andrea's blog.

And because Mandy is so stinkin' cute, here's a closeup.

I did finish my spinning project. Here it is on the bobbin.

As I'm writing this, the yarn has been washed and is hanging up to dry. I'll try to get a yardage count when it's dry. I've been busy.

What's on my needles: Still the Gracie Cardigan in “Cyan” for Mandy. Ready to start the "sleeves" (they're very short).

What's on my Featherweight: Still clothes for the Habitat for Humanity dolls, a house block for the Habitat quilt and…doll clothes for Therapy Animals of Utah.

What's on my loom: Still waiting.

What's on my wheel: Finished spinning the Woodland Woolworks Merino Combed Top Multicolor Mojave Heather and N-plied it. Stanzi is now awaiting her next task. 

What's on my iPad/iPhone: Finished listening to Stranger Child by Rachel Abbott (One of my favorite authors). Now listening to And the Rest is History by Jodi Taylor, one of the Chronicles of St. Mary’s novels. On the Kindle app, still reading Undeniable by Laura Stapleton.

What's in my wine glass: Two-buck Chuck (Charles Shaw from Trader Joe’s) Merlot. I prefer their Shiraz, but the Merlot is pretty good, and certainly a good value.

What's my tip of the week: Dropping freshly hard-boiled eggs into cold water makes them easier to peel.

Note: This blog post was produced on the iPad and the MacBook, using the iPhone for some photos and some photo processing. No other computer was used in any stage of composition or posting, and no Windows were opened, waited for, cleaned or broken. No animals were harmed during the production of this blog post.

Revisiting the Sweat Shop

Rebecca is at it again.

Vintage Stitchers met at Janet's on Thursday, and Rebecca had this pillow for show-and-tell. She colored the image with crayons, and then heat-set the image. Finally, she embroidered it. She found the image here.

Rebecca and Brenda are also working on a free design from Crabapple Hill Studio using the same technique. 

Rebecca said she will teach us how to do this process. It should be interesting.

Carol had made this baby quilt:

The back is almost as interesting.

Marilyn was finishing up this interesting quilt.

This was the back, a good use for the large bird print.

Barbara had this one to show from Jelly Roll Jambalaya Quilts by Jean Ann Wright. It's a nice break from the 1600 quilts she has made.

I love the fabric she used for the border and the backing.

The knitters were busy, too. Diane had brought this shawl for show-and-tell.

...and Janet was working on this shawl, a mystery KAL with a designer she likes.

She picked from her stash of Knit Picks Palette for this project. Janet was also finishing this  cross-stitch to commemorate her anniversary. She's almost done, or at least coming down the home stretch.

The Habitat for Humanity sweat shop was busy. Dolly is standing in for the Habitat girl, but Carter is wearing his own overalls. The Habitat kids will wear overalls to the Overall Ball September 22nd where they will be part of a silent auction, along with their wardrobes. The overalls pattern was The Oh My Gosh Overalls pattern by QTPie from Pixie Faire.

I love the detailing on the overalls, and the pattern design and instructions made it fairly easy to do. Here's the back.

There is a loop to hold a hammer (right below Carter's thumb).

On the other side, there's a special pocket for a screwdriver.

I also made Carter a surfing outfit: trunks and a shirt.

We don't do a lot of surfing here in the mountains of Utah, but he can pretend, and his hat, the Summer Camp Bucket Hat by Matilda's Closet, also from Pixie Faire, can be used for any outdoor activity, like hiking.

Carter still needs a couple more shirts and more pants, so I'm not done yet. Until I get the Habitat girl, I don't know which outfits she'll be taking from my growing girl collection. I'll need to try them on and see which ones to add to the wardrobe of donated knitted and sewn clothes. I added a few items to the assortment last week, though. I finished the green (Palette "Macaw") French Back-to-school Cardigan, modeled here by Vroni.

I also made two new dresses. Here are Mandy and Vroni modeling them for us.

The pattern is Simplicity 1484 (with easy modifications) for both. I'm making another Gracie Cardigan in Palette "Cyan" to go with the dress Mandy is wearing.

You might notice Mandy's new reading glasses. They're from American Girl.

The house exterior has a new coat of paint and the portico has fresh stain. We paid a neighbor, who is a house painter, to do those jobs. DH painted the mailbox. We're going through our "stuff" to see what we can dispose of. MS is coming to pick up on Saturday. 

Dusty had his annual checkup and shots on Wednesday. We've been busy, but somehow we managed to find time to hike with the doggies. I had just finished taking this photo when DH threw the toy and hit me in the face. (An accident, he says.)

That's what I get for looking at the photo I just took.

Retraction: I misunderstood about Johan's time in the cockpit during the family's return flight. It was while the plane was on the ground. Everyone can relax now.

What's on my needles: The Gracie Cardigan in Palette "Cyan" for Mandy.

What's on my Featherweight: Still clothes for the Habitat for Humanity dolls.

What's on my loom: Still waiting.

What's on my wheel: Stanzi has been busy with the Woodland Woolworks, Carlton, OR. Merino Combed Top Multicolor, 4 oz, Mojave Heather. I should have something to show next week. 

What's on my iPad/iPhone: Finished listening to Dark Witch by Nora Roberts. Then listened to Lord Grenville’s Choice by G. G. Vandagriff. Now listening to another Rachel Abbot mystery, Stranger Child. On the Kindle app, still reading Undeniable by Laura Stapleton.

What's in my wine glass: Corbett Canyon Merlot in the big bottle. Very nice, good value. I must tip the wine steward. (As soon as he stops throwing things.)

What's my tip of the week: If you have one of those magnetic pin dishes, you can use it to find pins and needles you drop on the floor. Just empty it, turn it upside down and wave it over the area where you think you might have dropped the pin or needle. As an alternative, I often wait until DH walks through in bare feet. He always finds them.

Note: This blog post was produced on the iPad and the MacBook, using the iPhone for some photos and some photo processing. No other computer was used in any stage of composition or posting, and no Windows were opened, waited for, cleaned or broken. No animals were harmed during the production of this blog post.

Continental-style Knitting, How I Do It

Someone was asking me about Continental (picking) vs English (throwing) styles, wanting to learn Continental. I thought it might be good to post these photos of how I do it. (Keep in mind that there are as many ways to hold/tension the yarn in the left hand as there are knitters who "pick.")

I wrap the yarn around my left hand this way:

Then I give a slight tug to the end coming out from my hand and leading to my yarn supply.

Now I'm ready to knit. Using the right needle, I reach through the stitch and grap the yarn between the stitch and my forefinger.

When I have the yarn, I pull it through and off the needle.

Purling is a little awkward until you get used to it. First you have to move the yarn to the front of your work, easily accomplished with just a movement of the needle tips.

Then you reach through the stitch from behind.

With the working yarn above the needle, bring the needle tip up and over the yarn...

 ...and then through the stitch.

Then pull the stitch off the needle.

Just as knitting English style took practice when you first learned, Continental-style knitting takes time.

How about the rest of you Continental knitters? How do you hold and tension the yarn?

Same Old, Same Old.

Unlike at Lake Wobegon, it was not a quiet week at our place. Monday was spent washing all the sheets, towels and quilts we use in the trailer and giving it a good cleaning. Tuesday I CO another doll cardigan as we took the trailer back to its resting place.

It's the same French Back-to-school Cardigan I've been making. I think this one may go to our granddaughter's new Christmas doll, Katie, or her Daphne Jr. We'll see.

Wednesday the pups went to the groomer. They still have their summer haircut, but they're still pretty cute, so I was going to take a photo, but it hasn't happened yet.

Thursday we had Common Threads at Ellen's daughter's house. It was a nice group, with four of us working on quilting and two knitters. We had some fresh fruit, some pumpkin chocolate-chip dessert bread, and some Finnish pulla (a cardamom bread). I took my "Delectable Pathways" (my "Sistine Chapel) quilt to work on. I have another panel almost finished hand-quilting.

Ellen keeps her Home Sweet Home appliqué project here at her daughter's house, so she always has something to work on when she's visiting her daughter, who is a flight attendant. 

She had just added the squirrel. 

I bought the book back in 2007 to make this quilt to fit over my mantle. I just used three of the blocks and added a braid for a border, instead of the swags, to make it a size that would fit.

When I finished with the blocks, I gave the book and my templates to Ellen. She has been working on the blocks for her own quilt ever since. 

We're having our next-door neighbor paint the outside of our house, and he was getting ready to start when I got home from Ellen's. They were pressure-washing the house, and they started painting on Friday.

Most of my crafting time this week went toward providing Carter and the Habitat girl with wardrobes, mostly for Carter, as some volunteers on Ravelry provided me with some great wardrobe items for the girl. Dolly modeled the PJs for me, although she wondered why she needed a shower and to put on PJs in the middle of the afternoon.

Dolly needed a stand, because her head was so heavy with the towel.

Carter's PJs required some green buttons, as the translucent white buttons I originally sewed on didn't show up. He woke up early on Friday Morning to find his buttons has turned green. Appropriate, since he's "My Pal for Going Green" from My Sibling/My Pal Doll Company. I decided that, since the buttons are simply decorative as it's the Velcro that keeps the shirt closed, they should show up.

No one can survive winter here in Park City without good winter clothes, so each of the Habitat kids needs a jacket. Dolly was my model for the girl's jacket.

I altered the pattern a bit for Carter, because the A-line design is really better suited for girls, and Carter is longer-waisted,  so he needed a bit of extra length.

This last photo is just to show that all that hair will fit into the hood of his jacket.

I hope to have two pairs of overall to show by next week, and maybe a fleece hat and scarf for each.

What's on my needles: Another doll cardigan. Almost finished hand-quilting a panel of my "Sistine Chapel."

What's on my Featherweight: Still clothes for the Habitat for Humanity dolls, ready to start the overalls.

What's on my loom: Still waiting.

What's on my wheel: Stanzi has been busy. I'm almost done spinning the fiber I picked out for Tour de Fleece, but not ready to ply.

What's on my iPad/iPhone: Finished listening to Apart at the Seams, the next book in the Cobbled Court Quilts. Then listened to Dark Witch by Nora Roberts. Now reading The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz. On the Kindle app, still reading Undeniable by Laura Stapleton. I get only a few pages read every night before falling asleep.

What's in my wine glass: Wine.

What's my tip of the week: Having trouble threading your sewing machine because you can’t see the eye or the thread? Hold a piece of paper behind the needle. It makes it possible to see what you’re doing. This assumes, of course, that you can see and that you don’t have an automatic needle threader.

Note: This blog post was produced on the iPad and the MacBook, using the iPhone for some photos and some photo processing. No other computer was used in any stage of composition or posting, and no Windows were opened, waited for, cleaned or broken. No animals were harmed during the production of this blog post.