Jalie 1201

September 9, 2013 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ 1 Comment

Since this Sewaholic Renfrew top was a best pattern of 2012 on Pattern Review, I figured it was about time I give it a shot. I’m in need of very casual t-shirt type tops to wear around the house and yard, so I will make this one in a few more versions.

The banded bottom is great because it saves me from making a double-needle hem. Plus, I’ve always liked banded bottom shirts. The finishing technique was the same as on this Simplicity top.

The v-neckline is just a bit low cut, but not scandalously so. I can still comfortably wear it without a cami underneath and that is a blessing in the 90+ degree heat that we are still experiencing. The fabric is a one-way knit from Joanne Fabrics. It was very inexpensive (under $10) so I deemed it a good buy to test out the Renfrew top.

The sleeves are also finished with a self-fabric band. Yay, no hemming there either!!!

Pam

Simple Granny Square Table Runner

September 4, 2013 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

Rarely anymore, but now and then, there is something on television that catches my interest.

When that occasion arises, I like to crochet as I’m watching the show.

This project was pretty much a no-brainer for me.

I used leftover Martha Stewart Extra Soft Wool Blend yarn from my stash.

And I first learned to crochet granny squares waaaaay back in the fifth grade,

so I didn’t have to purchase yarn and there were no instructions to follow.

The three yarn colors are igloo, bakery box white, and holly berry.

I used a size H/8 (5mm) hook.

The holly berry scalloped edging was achieved by crocheting 5 dc in one space,

skip 3 spaces, crochet 5 dc in the next space, etc.

The result is a lettuce-type edge.

Happy hand-made week, my friends. 🙂

Pam

Pressing Matters

August 26, 2013 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

I don’t publish too many posts concerning sewing techniques, but here’s one I felt was worth the effort. I wish I had known this when I first started quilting. Those of you who are seasoned quilt veterans will most assuredly find this information quite mundane and ‘old news’. But to novice quilters such as myself, this is a gold nugget of information. 🙂

I’m currently sewing blocks for a Christmas (yes, I said it, Christmas) quilt. There are a bunch of seams that come together right in the middle or close to the middle of the quilt block.

To be specific, there are four seams that meet right, smack dab in the middle of said block. What a knobby blob one could produce by simply pressing all those seams to one side as usual. A little trick I learned, is to take a small snip with my very sharp little pointy scissors right near that center meeting point, being extremely careful to not snip into the seam line. Then I press half of that seam in one direction and the other half of the seam in the other direction.

Now it is a much more manageable ‘bump’ than previous intentions would indicate. From the front, it is almost an unnoticeable ‘bump’.

In other news, I intend to cut and sew a Sewhaholic knit top pattern this week. May you all have a fabulous week.

Pam