Evaluating 2013

ALMOST TIME FOR A NEW YEAR TO BEGIN.... 

In only a few weeks, it'll be time to re-evaluate our progress for 2013. Funny really, that so much fuss over the end of 2012 was made; and now it's almost 2014!! Am hoping that a better world for all... is still possible... for the peoples of Earth!! Still a dreamer....


So, my own evaluation begins....

Blogging...
DIDN'T WORK: After a whole year of trying out new ways and places to blog, I think I'm coming back to this one. I really do enjoy designing the layouts and adding posts; however, to have high speed and unlimited internet use are neither of my options, at the present time.

SOLUTION: So.....I've decided to rejoin Twitter to have one place to share when I add new blog posts, patterns, and ideas, etc.; and not put pressure on myself to feel discouraged with my costly and limited internet service provider. (A worthy goal for a new year coming soon.)


Sewing/Quilting...
PROBLEM: My sewing machine lost its ability to wind up bobbins; and as I couldn't spare it, in order to get it fixed, I needed another solution. Maybe in the spring, it can be repaired.

SOLUTION: So... I found a way to wind them up manually. This was really helpful. Then, the other day, I finally had opportunity to see if another sewing machine would be able to fill some bobbins; and it worked. Now, I have twelve full bobbins in three different colors, ready for more projects. I had really forgotten how a full bobbin looked; as hand winding is tiresome, but it works.


Room Layouts...

DIDN'T WORK: I still love moving around the furniture--however, I generally need extra muscle power to get it done, painlessly . So that has to fit into the plan. In need of consideration were the living room and the sewing room.

 

With the living room, it was too cold in winter for my computer/office desk area. And, upstairs in my sewing area, it was too hot and the line-up of cooling fans had priority there.

ONE--
LIVING ROOM:
SOLUTION:
Thank you to my sons, for their strength and patience. Now, walking into my living room, it feels like one is stepping into another house. It is so refreshing to see this arrangement working. My office desk is now near an inside wall, and I can view the TV without turning around; the two large pieces of furniture are in new locations; and those ugly, whitish drapes are finally gone!!

RESULT:
It was after much deliberation, stalling, and procrastination.... that my living room now has a new appearance. That day, I had the extra muscle power and the plan in place for this new arrangement.


TWO--
SEWING ROOM:
I had ample opportunity to try new room arrangements; but it didn't work for long. Each time it felt better; but it just wouldn't last! The two giants to cope with here were: the spare mattress set and the sloping ceiling. It was my sewing room that saw the most changes. Well, you know... if it doesn't work you find another way!!

SOLUTION:
So... after closing up cracks around the small doorframe that resided in a corner area behind the bathroom that let in unwanted residents; a carpet cleaning, and removing two shelves in the slanted ceiling cabinet areas; it was time to put back the furniture.

RESULT:
The cabinet area now fits my white banker's boxes, and other stuff; and the mattresses are set against one of the slanted walls, away from the cabinet doors. This got rid of the clutter of boxes, and a better place for the mattresses. And the carpet is so much easier to vacuum, each week.

I really love this arrangement: there's an area for the cutting table and fabric shelf; an area for the sewing machine; an area for my laptop, when needed; and space for an antique sewing machine. The ironing pad also utilizes the same space as the cutting mat. My three white storage towers sit in front of the mattresses; and can easily be moved, when our special little guests have a sleepover.



I look forward to sharing my progress of new projects with you, as internet time permits. Best wishes to all; and may we all have time to dream up a list of worthy goals for 2014!!

Now, just to make that snow melt... and get more outdoor time!! That wish may just take some time to come. Merry Holidays!!

Doll Clothes

Sometimes Small Is Better

Do you love sewing large quilts? Or is it time for something different, let's say, doll size? Doll quilts are really fun and make a quick project. How about making clothing for dolls!

For myself, I really do prefer smaller quilt  projects, but sometimes trying something really different is a welcome change. 

Book of the Month
February 2012
Sew Baby Doll Clothes by Joan Hinds

When deciding which book to feature next, I was reminded at Christmastime how much fun it was to sew doll clothes and thought this would be a great book to share with you. 

 

Joan Hinds has several great books and if you are able to buy or borrow them from a library they give lots more inspiration for creating doll items for those special little people in our lives.

 

If you want to try some different fabrics this book includes: cotton, flannel, fleece, denim, knit, velour, stretch terry, sweatshirt fleece, and a variety of embellishing materials.  The items in the projects list with an * beside them are knitted garments.

 

 

 

 

To take a look inside this book:

Instructions and Full-Size Patterns for 30+ Projects for 12" to 22" Dolls.

 

Contents:

What Dolls Will These Patterns Fit?

        Sizes: Small--12-13", Medium--14-16", Large--17-19", X-Large--20-22"

 

Small-- includes Gotz Muffin, Corolle Cailin, Zapf Creation dolls

Medium-- includes Bitty Baby, Bitty Twins by Pleasant

Large-- includes Adora Doll, Corolle and Gotz Maxi-Muffin, Gotz baby dolls

X-Large-- includes Adora Doll, Zapf Creation, Berenguer dolls

 

The doll I sewed for is a My American Doll - 18" doll.

 

There is a great chart on page 7 to figure out which pattern size will best suit the dolls you have to work with. Joan says the most important measurements are: neck circumference, waist, and shoulder width. Choose the size category that is closest to these measurements.

 

Projects:

Baby Doll Layette

     (diaper cover, diaper shirt, bonnet, booties, bib, bunting)

 

Sailing Away

     (short-sleeved t-shirt, shortalls, cap; pleated dress with felt shoes)

 

Under Construction

     (long-sleeved t-shirt, coveralls, cap; blouse, girl's coveralls, ruffled hat)

 

Bonjour Velour

     (top with ruffled hem, beret, pants)

 

Denim Play Date

     (short-sleeved t-shirt, denim pants with bib; knit shirt, denim jumper)

 

Trick-or-Treat

     (jacket, pants, cap)

 

Winter Wonderland

     (jacket, pants, hat)

 

Gone Fishin'

     (bib overalls, shirt, cap; jumper, long-sleeved t-shirt, wide-brimmed hat)

 

Tees for Two

     (t-shirt dress, jacket)

 

Summer Fruit

     (strawberry dress, panties, cap; watermelon dress, cap, panties)

 

Fresh as a Daisy

     (daisy dress, panties, headband)

 

Sleepytime

     (nightshirt, cap, slippers; pajama top, cap, pajama pants)

 

Butterfly Kisses

     (cap*, booties*, sweater*, cuffed pants)

 

Warm and Cozy

     (cardigan*, pants, stocking cap*)

 

Party Favor

     (baby's first birthday dress, patternless pinafore)

 

Shining Star

     (baby's first christmas dress, patternless pinafore, headband)

 

Gingerbread Holiday

     (button-down shirt, bow tie, pants; gingerbread dress, headband)

 

Christening Gown

     (christening gown, bonnet)

 

Baby Doll Essentials--quilts and blankets

     (chenille hearts quilt; embroidered squares quilt)

     (knitted blanket; celebration blanket; fleece blankets; applique flannel blanket)

     (hooded bath blanket)

 

 

As we weren't able to visit family over the last several years, it became our custom to send our gifts to arriving in the new year, allowing our grandchildren something fun after all the excitment of Christmas was already past.

 

So in December 2011, I got busy creating some cute doll items for my granddaughters. And will share with you next week what I sent them. Some are not from this book but it was a special treat to revisit that genre of sewing.

 

 

Happy Quilting,