Dianna's Sewcial Craftology Den

It is so good to be sewing something besides nap mat covers.  Don't get me wrong, I love using my talents or skills...however limited they are and which way you want to look at it...for doing things for charitable causes or for my church.  But I am ready for something different. I pulled out Simplicity 9264, size XL.  According to the envelope, if one goes by the bust, I am that size, but my waist and hip is two sizes larger.  Pattern companies are seriously screwed up on their sizing. Found some dark blue denim in my stash and made the skirt, View C.  I really liked the pleats in the front and back, the side pockets and elastic waist.  Screams easy...right?  Well, it was for the most part.  I made it much harder than it had to be by trying to size it to my measurements.  I thought I was being so smart about it.  I looked at the pattern measurements, then measured myself, then figured out how much I needed to increase and where, then wen...

For Christmas, 2020, I gave my grand daughter, Miss C, 8 years old, a Brother LX 3817 sewing machine. Basic sewing machine with 17 stitches.  She wanted me to teach her to sew. She has asked me for a couple of years but for one, I wasn't sure she was ready, both physically and mentally. Also, life around here just got in the way.  Recently, she has proven to me, though she didn't realize I was watching her, that she indeed had the motor skills, listening skills, and attention span to start learning.  She was so excited.  I drew lines on scrap muslin and she had to practice stitching straight lines.  A pillowcase was the first project.  She picked the fabric.  I have a ton of fabric in my stash...like an obscene amount...and she could not find any fabric that she liked to make her pillowcase.  We went shopping, at the Walmart, which is our only option locally.  We live in a rural mountain community.  She is going to be a true quilter and ...

 I am finally finished...sort of...with the nap mat covers for our church preschool. Okay so, as I stated in the last post, I was not happy with the final outcome. I completed 30 of the muslin covers, then made 2 out of an old bed sheet.  The sheet won out.  No wrinkles, softer, actually cheaper.  I planned to make another 30 out of sheets from garage sales and thrift stores, however a wonderful lady that I met at the local quilt guild is downsizing, cleaning out her home and she offered me a bunch of sheets.  YIPPEE!  So, in a few weeks, I will start on sewing up the rest of the covers. I have a quilt project and some garment sewing and to work on next. It is hard to get started on something because my time has been taken up else where.  See you soon.