fabric craft – Page 4 – No Idle hands here

Ask and ye shall receive

I am often told I should sell my work. Usually by people who think that if I sell, it will be priced like the sale racks at Ross and they can pick it up for a song. Every once in a while someone hints that they would love to have something I make. I usually tell them that I make things for myself first, then for people I love and care about, I’m not into making something just because an acquaintance likes my creativity.

And then there is Roberta, she simply comes out and says – you know, that hat would look really good on me, or cool scarf – Christmas is coming. So she made a similar comment about my recent cowl and you know what, I realized that yes – she should have the cowl.Looks great on her right? Now here’s the thing, she makes things herself so she understands the value of hand made items. She doesn’t knit, so it’s not like I could just give her instructions. She does crochet, she also has me come over every year for the last 6 years to show her how to crochet the Easter eggs her mom used to make. I’m an expert on Easter eggs now, I think she is too, but she really enjoys our time together crocheting eggs, so we’ll continue to do so every year.

Also, I mentioned that she makes thingsThis was a gift from a few years ago – this definitely makes Roberta Knitworthy, not to mention a very special friend.

Leah

Fun with tools

I’ve been quite addicted lately as you know. Which is why there haven’t been a lot of other projects going up here. Yes my son thinks I’m crazy – YOU ARE SEWING THAT ALL BY HAND?!?!

Yes, dear I am. But I am trying to figure out how to cut down on the work load. I had heard of all kinds of die cutting machines. I thought this one would cut fabric so I bought it. It’s a fun little tool. Of course this is just the initial expense, then come the actual dies, which aren’t cheap.I bought this set, thinking I can cut paper and fabric in different sizes. Ooops, turns out this machine only cuts and embosses paper. For a while I was cutting the paper templates as well as providing fun for grandchildren.It’s a good workout for them to crank the handle and they love the resulting images, which do end up in the trash. Fun with grandkids is always worth it. Meanwhile, I kept going back and looking at Accuquilt trying to convince myself that I should buy one. I kept saying to myself: after this quilt I will be so over the hexies, really, I don’t need this. Two things, first of all, I may only be a quarter of the way through this. Second of all, they came out with a clamshell die – which opens up a whole new range of possibilities .I bit the bullet and ordered the GO, you can see, it folds up nicely for storage. I had already bought the hexie die in hopes that I could use it with my Big Shot. Remember how VHS wouldn’t play Betamax. (Ok, I am really dating myself here, I probably could come up with a newer example). Well The same is true with die cutting machines. This die is just millimeters too big for the Big Shot. I tried to shave down the edges and realized I am probably wasting my time and might even ruin the die. As Here it is open and ready to use. The Go is much sturdier and heavier than the Big Shot, I did get value for what I paid.I can now cut six layers of fabric at one time, making 24 hexies in one crank. Fabric and paper ready to go.Action! Cutting the dies.

In less than a minute – this is what I have.

I showed this puppy to my son in law, boy did his eyes light up. He had just started a clamshell quilt and was not enjoying the cutting at all. So I promptly ordered the 8″ clamshell die (I’m waiting!!!). It better get here before Saturday, I am going to Israel for a week and promised my SIL that he can borrow this fun tool for just that purpose.

Now I really feel justified in my purchase, knowing how much use it will be getting.

Leah

Trip Souvenirs

A fun thing when traveling is buying souvenirs. I really don’t need any more chocthkies lying around the house. On the other hand, if I buy yarn or fabric to make something, I get double the joy. Can you tell by the colors that these are destined to become sweaters for my granddaughter? Yup, she loves purple and pink.I don’t ‘need’ another warm cowl, but this yarn and this pattern, Inspira, just called my name.

Of course I stopped in a few quilt/fabric stores. I’ve been working on my hexie quilt, that will be the subject of another post. I noticed that I am lacking purple fabrics, so I remedied that.

And then there was fabric for a dress for granddaughter and enough for a dress for me.

Got to get busy!

Leah

Kimono as modern art

LACMA has the best exhibit space for Japanese Art in Southern CA. Usually these large display spaces house Japanese screens. It is so exciting to see these kimonos up close. They always have one kimono on display – so this is an extra treat.

This exhibit explores Kimonos from the 1930’s – 1950’s. Japan has an incredible tradition of all kinds of crafts. They are also known for adhering very strictly to the rules. Which is what makes this exhibit so exciting. Most of the kimonos are from the 1950’s and often the fabric used is Rayon, not silk. The prints are a very modern take on traditional designs, as well as a very strong influence of Western art and textile prints. Not to mention what great quilt some of these pattern would make.

Wonderful feathers, bold and graphic.Here is the wavy squiggle, going from almost traditional to free-hand graphic. The color choices are also a very bold statement. The dragonfly is a traditional motif, the colors and scale – are not.Look at these polka dots! I think this might be my favorite as far as breaking away from Japanese tradition. The colors, the size of the dots, the fine black border around each one. One bolt of 36″ fabric is used to make a kimono.In complete contrast, look at these fine stripes with what looks like a comb was dragged through them to create the staggering effect. I love how the stripes are precise, but the jagged offset isn’t.Mountains, trees and streams are all very traditional Japanese themes in art. This is a very modern take, the shapes aren’t realistic at all – they are stylized. The Colors are anything but natural – black and peach colored trees, red mountains, yellow river.

Two very different takes on graphics.

Final word, the Netsuke. Kimonos have no pockets, but people need to carry things. Of course the ingenious Japanese figured out how to hang little boxes from their obis. Counter balance! There is a large gallery with about 150 of these objects. LACMA has a very large collection and is often switching them out. So to end I give you this:Carved from Ivory, about 2″ high. A picture scroll of a samurai defeating a demon – coming to life!. The back is just as wonderful, another demon pushing back against the tip of the sword that is cutting through the scroll.

The kimono exhibit is up until Oct. 19. Don’t wait, run over to LACMA and see these beauties.

Leah

Butterflies

The napkin rings at a wedding we went to were butterflies. I took a whole bunch home and made butterfly crowns. That’s all it takes to turn grandkids into graceful flying creatures.

Leah

Why I love the Fabric district in DTLA

Recently a friend came to visit. We met on Facebook but only met in person on this trip. It felt like we had known each other forever – which in a way, we had. Having only a few hours we rushed downtown. This was our first stop.For over 30 years this store has been offering everything for the Sewist in downtown LA. They have a separate Home Decorating store. A garment fabric store – which includes yarn, findings and a lot of notions. The loft – where they get remnants from local jobbers and sell everything for $2 a pound. Which btw, adds up very quickly.Here we are, of course we made some purchases. this just gives you an idea of how large the place is.

Then we just hit the streets and walked around looking at all the other wonderful stores in the area. According to Karen, this is a much larger fabric district that New York, could be, our garment industry is quite large. These are the fake animal prints out on the side walk. From cow, to leopard to pink tiger.More fur, I think these might go indoors soon. Interesting how they are chained. Is that so they don’t fall down or so no one walks off with a bolt?Party fabrics!Beads and sparkle.

The really good quality fabrics are all inside and yes, one can find some very expensive quality fabrics here.

This is the first post of many. I love this part of town, started coming here 22 years ago when I first moved to LA. It is amazing to me how the district has grown and changed. I will have to share some of the bead stores as well. Oh and don’t get me started on the party stores, or actually do, that is a subject for a different post.

Leah

A friend is having a big birthday this month, one of those ending with a zero. She spins fiber into yarn so she falls into the category of ‘handmade worthy’, someone who appreciates a well crafted item.

There is a wonderful pattern out called Sew Together Bag, available over at Craftsy.You can see I’m a quilter, I have a lot of fabric on hand that at first glance looks like it clashes, but will work together beautifully.

This is a fun multi pouch bag, anyone can find a use for this. Come on women, we always need another fun storage item!
As you can see, three inner zippered pouches with a nice surprise when you open them.A pop of bright red inside.

The instructions were very good and clear, I like how the raw edges are enclosed with binding.

I also love the way the zipper frames the bag and can be used as handles.I know I’ll be making many more of these.Birthday girl was so thrilled with her present. She immediately turned around and gave me one.Some of her incredible handspun two ply yarn. The black has silk in it, the brown in 100% wool. Both soft and lovely. I think this will become a hat for Joel.

Leah

Urban Nine Patch – finished

I sat down, quilted, binded and put on the label. Oh and of course took pictures.Here it is in all it’s glory. This picture was taken before I washed the quilt. Yes nice crisp lines. Here is a close up, you can’t really see the quilting on the prints, except for the straight lines in the large grey areas. Yay for a walking foot and a machine that cuts the thread itself. I’m talking about my Juki.The back is made up of the leftover fabrics from the piecing. So once again, quilting is not obvious.You get the idea of what the quilting looks like. Initially this quilt was meant for me. I had made the blue/grey quilt for Joel so this was going to be my, cuddle up quilt. I was posting pictures along the way on FB and before I knew it, a good friend claimed it. It is her colors! She wants this quilt and is willing to exchange a piece of art for it.

I don’t sell my quilts. I have given baby quilts as gifts but this is a full size quilt and the time and effort put in are much more than a baby quilt. An exchange, now there is an idea, I said yes.

If this were a wall hanging, there would be no need to wash it. Since it will be used as a quilt should be – I washed it. I don’t want the new owner to have any surprises if down the road she decides to wash it herself.Here it is washed. What’s the difference you ask?The top is unwashed, the bottom, after washing. Now you can really see the difference. I didn’t prewash the fabric, I used 100% cotton batting. Then threw it in the washing machine and dryer and this is the result. The quilt shrunk a little but it is also much softer and cozier. You can see the quilting in action, how it makes everything much more three dimensional.A quilt isn’t really finished until there is a label. It’s the artist signature, name and date.This is why I still need the Babylock machine. It does basic embroidery, which is a nice easy way to make a label.

Next week I will show this off to my Quilt Guild and then it’s going across the country to Connecticut to my friend Lynne. When I get the artwork from her, I’m sure I’ll post about that as well.

Leah

Urban nine patch Quilt

When I start a large project, like a quilt, I like to work through and finish it. I’ll have knitting on the side and maybe some easy dresses for the granddaughter. Not so with this project. There have been serious interruptions.This is the urban nine patch block, designed by Jenny Pedigo, using her wonderful quick curve ruler. The sewing and quilting worlds are full of gadgets, gizmos and tools of the trade. Sure, I’ve bought some that really weren’t worth it, but others like this ruler are wonderful.Jenny is so busy designing patterns to go with this ruler, I haven’t even tried to create my own yet.My colors tend to be brighter, more jewel tone. I had bought a few of these fabrics with my friend Becky in Orange County. I was looking for something different. This is what we in the quilting world call low volume. With a punch of color in the reds and green.

On Flicker there was a quilt along group. Although they finished their quilts long ago, it gave me some good ideas about the layout. I love the blocks on point rather than on edge. I love how when put together this way, bright bold green circles emerge.I had a few fabrics at home to add to the mix but that was it. I didn’t want to run out and buy a lot more. Sometimes being forced to use fewer fabrics makes the quilt much more interesting and less scrappy looking. Actually I did have to buy more of the background fabric, luckily I got the end of the bolt at Sew Modern and yes I bought one more of the peach colored fabrics as well.

Now for the border, I guess you can’t take the scrappy out of the quilter after all.The three fabrics that didn’t go into the border are the background, the inner squares and the dark green. There was some creative engineering to get the corners to fit. But hey, it’s fabric and it’s a quilt, so I made it work.

I finished the top a few months ago, other projects and a not very helpful sewing machine got in the way. I’ve finished a baby quilt and the Chuppah as well as sewing clothes and other items. So it is high time that I start working again on this quilt.

Leah

Handmade handbag

I tend to use one handbag for a season, changing only between winter and summer. Once I started making bags, that changed somewhat. I am particular, I don’t want the loving hands at home look, or even just another quilted bag.. The finishing details matter. At a quilt show last year I found this patternSince they were also selling the hardware, I bought this Korean pattern. Don’t you just love name: bag bostonian. When I travel I like to buy fabric and yarn as mementos, that way when I am working or enjoying a completed project – it reminds of the trip. I found this charm pack of fabrics in Oregon. The instructions were wonky, but other people have made this bag, thank God for the internet. I used not only batting but a layer of canvas as well as the lining fabric. This bag had good body and doesn’t flop around. I also like the combination of simple squares with circular quilting.Unclipped the bag is very spacious, I probably won’t use it often like this.When piecing the fabric, one never knows for sure if the conversation piece will be in the correct location. Luckily it worked out for these typewriter keys.A final touch was these little feet. But something was missing, I had used a sturdy zipper, but the pull was typical, small and not easy to use. Back when I was making Jewelry, I wire wrapped this fish. The necklace came apart long ago, but I held onto the fish. Perfect, now it has found it’s new home.And final shot, looks very good in action.

Leah