sewing | Lamppostings

February 25, 2013
by Melissa Leave a comment

Make It Monday – Embroidery On the Go

I like to keep my hands busy if I’m watching tv or just hanging out with the boys, but if it’s not easy and to hand at the moment, it’s hard to get motivated.

What I’ve been doing lately is to prep several embroidery designs so that they are ready to go when the mood strikes.

I keep an eye out for free embroidery patterns online – there are heaps! Lots of great vintage designs. I have them organised on my computer by subject. I also design my own patterns on the computer or hand draw them. For phrases, I just find fonts that I like and use them in the phrase or quote.

I mostly use vintage sheets as my fabric, but I also use white flour sack towels, felt and regular fabric.

I decide what size hoop I am going to use, size the design correctly on the computer, print it and then use carbon paper to copy the design onto fabric.

Then I put the fabric into a hoop, grab some thread and a needle and I’m ready to go.

I keep a few supplies in a bag – scissors, thread, needle. I have a hoop with me in my (gigantic) bag with me most of the time so I’ll be ready when I have a few minutes of down time. It’s surprising how many stitches you can get done in five minutes.

Here are a few of my recently completed projects.

Here are those same projects, and Chess.

I have three ambitious projects that I will be embarking on soon. Maps of the United States, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Phew! Lots of little details!

October 17, 2011
by Melissa Leave a comment

Make It Monday – Mason Jar Sewing Kit

I’m starting several new series here on Be Your Own Adventure. One of them is Make it Monday. Whether it’s a DIY project I find on Pinterest or something creative I come up with myself, I’ll be sharing a few of the things that I am up to lately. Of course, with Christmas only 10 weeks away, I won’t be able to share everything that I am working on.

This week I finally got around to making a mason jar sewing kit. I’ve been in need of a pin cushion for ages, but didn’t want to buy one, I wanted to make one for myself. I came across the mason jar sewing kit idea on Pinterest & thought it looked pretty simple & of course, I love jars! The extra storage space is a big plus too.

I tried the Marth Stewart tutorial twice, I couldn’t get it to work either time. The lid wouldn’t fit on. I was ready to give up & said so to Jude (my four year old). He promptly told me I couldn’t give up. Nothing would do then but to look for another tutorial. I found this one, and it worked!

Take a gander…

And just an FYI, hot glue is very hot & will give you a blister! Drat.

May 23, 2011
by Melissa 3 Comments

My Sister Knows Me So Well

A couple of years ago, my sister picked up some fabulous fabric for me at a thrift store. She knew that I would love it. There was a decent amount of it, so I knew I could make a dress out of it. It’s bright, bold & full of polyester goodness. Definitely not a summertime fabric, but it is wonderful.

A few months ago, I finally got around to making a dress out of it. I found an A-line, modish pattern & went for it. Sadly I cut it way too big & then cut it too short. So it’s taken some time to make it wearable. I added some cotton lace at the bottom to compensate for the short length & had to take it in quite a bit. It’s still not exactly right, the shoulders need some work. But I do love it. Super fun. I love that clothes can take you to a different era.