Around My House

When I was cleaning the kids bathroom the other day it dawned on me that I had another project to post... the shower curtain. Last spring, I came across lots of pictures of the waterfall ruffled shower curtains and knew that I could make one...it was time consuming but so worth it! 

 For mine, I used a white flat sheet for the backing and some textured white fabric that I thrifted (of course) for the ruffles. Using my rotary cutter, I cut my strips in the desired length and width. I calculated the width of each strip by measuring the length of the finished curtain and then finding a width that wouldn't leave me with a half strip at the top or bottom. Say if my total length was 100 inches, I might choose to cut 20 five inch strips... to make it even. I hope that makes sense... 

For the length of each strip, I just cut it to be double the desired width of the finished shower curtain to account for the gathering. I used my serger to finish all sides of the strips (this was much easier then hemming them).Then I gathered each strip and pinned it to the backing and stitched it on. Like I said before, time consuming!!! But I love the results. The fabric is a polyester, like a tablecloth, but it washes well, which it needed when it is white.

The paint color I used is one of my favorites, Benjamin Moore Whythe Blue. I loved it so much, I used it in my sewing room too!

Got My Knit On

This week I have been in a sewing slump but instead of giving up on delivering a project...I got my knit on! For me, sewing a garment can take a lot of thinking and this week I didn't have it in me. I had some leftover yarn from a blanket I had crocheted and thought it would be fun and easy to knit a chunky infinity scarf.

This scarf was sooooo easy. I used Red Heart chunky yarn in  #4 weight and size 5mm bamboo needles.

Here is the pattern:

Cast on 32 sts ( or any even number of sts to get desired width. 

Row 1       Knit to last st, P1 

Row 2       Sl 1 knitwise, *yo, K2 together, repeat*to last st, P1  

Repeat Row 2 until scarf measures desired length ( my length was 60 inches) 

Bind off all the sts knitwise. 

Then sew ends together using a yarn needle. I put one twist in mine before I sewed the ends together.

And you're done!

More Plaid

This is last weeks project but it was difficult to find a photographer so I waited for my patient husband to come home to take these for me. He is so patient and will always take as many pictures as I need. Thanks buddy!

I made this kimono style cardi from Simplicity 1884, view C. I liked the pattern, it was super easy, but the fabric was tricky to work with. It was unravelling like crazy! Again, I used my rolled hem foot to finish the hems. One great property of this fabric was that it is completely reversible, making it perfect for a this cardi where the inside is often visible when worn.

Coats, Copy Cats and Cattle Conversations

          I am so glad that I live in a part of the world where we have definitive seasons. I always enjoy the start of a new season. Fall is especially great for me because I'm a coat girl. I have a lot of coats. And no, I will not count them! I would most likely be embarrassed and I am capable of embarrassing myself quite well without seeking a new opportunity to.

Now, let me defend my crazy coat collection...First off, I almost never buy one new, my best stuff is thrifted. $10 for a beautiful grey Nanette Lepore coat...who could pass that up? Not me. And if you could, then pass that coat over here lady! Secondly, I am also a dress girl. I love to wear a dress but in the winter it's cold, so a long coat is like wearing a beautiful dress...without the ITCHY tights! Some days those tights just aren't happening. Coats also make it easy to look good running errands. In these pictures, I'm actually wearing my Christmas jammies but you can't see them under my beautiful coat! Ok, not true, but I could wear whatever crazy getup I want under a coat and still look great. Just remember not to go anywhere you may have to take that coat off!! 

 I made this coat about three years ago from a Vogue pattern. When I dug out the pattern to photograph, I noticed that I had copied the fabric choice used on the front of the pattern. Hmmm. That's not something I usually do, but I must have really liked it. I remember this coat being a big deal for me to make. A lined coat in a plaid that had to be matched...yup it was a big deal. 

I still wear this coat even though it doesn't fit as well as it used to. After seeing these pictures, I think that a different belt would look nice. Something more like the one on the pattern cover...Yes, I am definitely a copy cat on this one. 

I had to include this picture. Here is how everyone reacts when they find out we have cows...

Everyone:     YOU!? Have cows?!

Me:              Yes. We have cows. Steers actually.

Everyone:     Do you milk them?

Me:              No, but you can try.

Everyone:    Really?

Me:             No.

Everyone:    Where do you keep them in the winter?

Me:             In the freezer.

Everyone:    Huh?

Me:             We eat them.

Everyone:    Oh, right. 

Seriously, I have had this very conversation many, many times over the last four years. It is always funny to me. Real farmers (we are not real farmers) must think people are very stupid. I know we were, before we started this hobby farm thing.