UFO/Orphan support group anyone?

[lyra]

Wow, Marji that's a ton of sewing! 
I got inspired by this thread & hung all my UFOs up on the railing around the stair case to my loft so that I'd have to see them every time I came up here.  I should tackle one of the easy ones to start.  Besides a bunch of pieces that need some hand sewing to finish, there are 2 dresses where the bodice never fit right that I'm going to chop down to elastic waist summer skirts.  I have to rip out the zippers in them to do that, though, which I've been lazy about.

[Fox Valley Patti]

I'm going to revert to the Bulletin Board system and tack up the pattern envelopes (not sure what I'll do with the Burda's) - and a swatch at least of the fabric (I save all the scraps until the garment is finished, and even then I sometimes put a small piece away for repairs).

I am so "out of sight/out of mind" in my thinking.

I'm also reworking the guest room to be the sewing room and closet!

[Karrol]

Pink polka dot shirt - CUT
(that is prgress considering fabric and pattern have been sitting in a bin for about 2 years now!)
I used a gorgeous vintage pattern that had to be traced. Now I'm excited!
here's the fabric and pattern:
pink dotty blouse

[fzxdoc]

Cute fabric, Karrol!  I'm glad you rescued it from the UFO pile. It will be fun to see it made up with that vintage pattern.

Kathryn

[Marji]

Karrol, love those dots, and the pattern is great too.

Patti, I too find that out-of-sight out-of-mind is one reason why so many projects stay UFO's longer than they need to. A bulletin board is a great idea.

[Karrol]

Well, after cutting out my blouse, I got completely sidetracked by another project.  A pair of board shorts to wear with my bathing suit. Now WHY would this take such precedence over my lovely blouse???
Because next Saturday, a friend is taking me (for my b-day) to a spa/mineral springs for the day. And I realized I do not have a decent cover for walking around in (I will not traipse in my bathing suit, thank you very much!). I had some very light denim in a hawaiian print, just enough for the shorts. I may end up taking a pareau, too, but the shorts will be nice once summer gets here, too.
I actually got them half-way finished, just need to do some minor adjustments to the leg width, they should be done by Friday.
That's motivation for you!

[Elle]

Karrol, beautiful pattern and fabric, hurry up with the shorts! 

Reporting to the group that I actually can take one item off my UFO list:  sewing two buttons on to my black wool/cashmere coat.  I even did it before my big interview.  This is how it happened.  Way too busy to do it on Saturday.  Way too busy to do it on Sunday before I caught my plane (DD was polishing my briefcase and purse so that they'd look nice and shiny instead of scruffy, and things were pretty frantic).  Went for a nice long walk in Chicago Sunday evening.  Then had a nice dinner and read myself to sleep.  Monday morning, just a couple of hours away from the 4 hour interview marathon session, there I am sewing on buttons.  I even darned up a tear in the hem!  And I wore my beautiful dress with the torn lining. 

I thought of this thread and all of you frequently throughout this process.

Claire, visit Manchester Sewing if you have a spare hour or so.  Jennifer has two gorgeous pieces, they each won the Pfaff embroidery contest in their respective years of submission.  One is an ivory gown with tons of embroidery, the other is a black velvet coat with tons of red roses embroidered all over.  Truly spectacular.  I wonder if she has issues with sewing on buttons.

Ta!

[LindaL]

Pink polka dot shirt - CUT
(that is prgress considering fabric and pattern have been sitting in a bin for about 2 years now!)
I used a gorgeous vintage pattern that had to be traced. Now I'm excited!
here's the fabric and pattern:
pink dotty blouse

I like this fabric and the pattern!

[Sewshopper]

Ok, so my UFO is really my stash.  This year I promised myself that I would only buy fabric that goes with something that is in my stash.

Meanwhile, next week I am heading on a trip with a carry-on so:  I finished a black and teal sweater knit Garbo jacket with the sweater front, light teal Bianca top with the TS Monaco funnel neck and black tencel LH Cruise pants.  Then I made another Bianca top, this one with the funnel neck and 3/4 sleeves from a red and black knit, a black knit Garbo jacket and a second pair of Cruise pants in a black that I was thinking was a wool, but have decided that it is a microfiber due to the way it presses.  I have the LH Boatneck cut out in a multi-teal jersey knit and am just finishing up on a majenta top that I used a Canvasback neckline idea I got from Sew Amazing some time ago.  I am pretty pleased with the results and feel like I should have a very workable variety.  (I won't go into having put the pockets in on the back instead of the front on one pair of pants.  Don't know where my head was at the time.  I did rescue them though.)  Must say, the year is off to a pretty good start.

Karleene

[kelleyc]

so here's my lists (I can't believe I have 2 lists!)
For my daughter:
1. Yellow togs  (cut out and need to sew these up before she's too tall to fit into them) - DONE
2. Yellow/pink togs   (see above) - DONE
3. Yellow/pink/purple sunshirt - DONE
4. Yellow bikini pants - DONE
5. Pink/Yellow butterfly redondo skirt - DONE
6. Cut off and hem blue floral dress - have decided that she can just wear this dress as a tunic and I'll make her some white leggings to wear under it. - DONE
7. Pink cotton knit panties
8. Pink glitter knit top
9. Pink butterfly lycra togs
10. Floral corduroy pinafore
11. Pink/Orange/Yellow hat

For me:
12. Brown knit crossover top (more of a muslin, really)
13. Black denim 3/4 pants
14. Red camisole
15. Black/aqua embroidered linen dress - DONE
16. Organisation: measure, record, refold and put away all the fabric that is currently on my table! - DONE

Had a busy morning yesterday and finished off the redondo skirt and made a pair of little white leggings. I'm starting to see the end of this list. Now I'm putting together a list for the next lot of things in the sewing queue. BUT this time, I'm going to finish one thing before I cut out the next.

See you next week.
Cheers
Kelley

[Karrol]

Thanks Marji, Katherine, Elle and Linda! I'm excited about this blouse. Alas, the shorts didn't get finished in time for the mineral springs (ANOTHER UFO?!?!?!?, Aack!  )
But at least I'm back in the swing of things with my sewing time, and am enjoying sitting down and putting fabric together again. In my overly hectic life, that's a nice constructive way to wind down for a bit in the evening.
Karleene and Kelly, good going! Lot's of stuff getting done! 
I have to clean house this afternoon, but hopefully will be able to squeeze in some sewing time later. Since there's no new shows on tv anymore, It's a great time to get upstairs and sew!

[kelleyc]

Thanks, Karrol.

I'm just checking in to report another UFO has bit the dust. Pink panties for my little girl.

One more down, 7 to go. The end is approaching!

[kelleyc]

Checking in again to report yet another UFO is done - a particulary painful glittery knit top which my daughter just LOVES but I can't bear to look at the hideous stitching that I've done. I simply couldn't get the needle to stop skipping stitches - I tried every kind of needle I had. I simply settled on a vow NEVER to sew this kind of fabric again. I'm good with avoidance  as anyone could see from the size of my original UFO list.

Now I've got 6 more things on my UFO list - a couple of them should be pretty straight forward - there are 2 that I'm really struggling with. Maybe I should just swallow the frog and start with those next. I'm rewarding myself already by alternating UFOs with new projects - so I really should get stuck into the troublesome ones soon.

I'm still thanking my lucky stars I found this group - you guys have given me the motivation to tackle some of these projects which have been cut out for months!

[Fox Valley Patti]

My UFO list has expanded due to planning for and not completing Julie's SWAP this Spring!

I will have to do up a new list - but now I'm just trying to make some of the UFO's fit into parameters of the various smaller capsules being sewn around the group here!

Organizing my stash is actually one the things I must tackle and soon, because grown-up kid is moving back home in August and I lose my sewing room again!  I definately don't want my stash to smell of his tennis shoes and socks, so it's got to get out of his closet!

Here's my previous list - brought forward

• Loes Hines Flounce skirt - in a lightweight buttermilk type knit - FINISHED
  Top from above fabric - discovered in the bottom of the plastic bag once I got the skirt constructed - 1/2 Done
  Hotpatterns Sunshine top - I'm dithering over what type of interfacing to use for the neckband, but it's all cut out otherwise!
  Onion wrap skirt - wool jersey, half sewn, but put aside for the summer - plus it'll need twin needle stitching and I have to fit the hip yoke
  Vogue 8263 jacket - cut out, partially sewn - but fabric ravels like a fiend and I need to do hong-kong finish and I'm putting that off as long as possible
  One Seam Pants - from same fabric as above, cut out, needs to be hong-kong finished
  Diana mode magazine - capri pants in dusky navy stretch poplin - cut out
  Vogue 2865 - two tops.  One in seersucker is just about done.  One in a rayon print is cut out.
  Butterick 5027 dress - modified top extensively using Jalie cross neck top due to super low neckline on Butterick.  Skirt of dress needs to be modified as well, I just don't like the gathers. -- WADDER TOSS
  Burda WOF Tee - in dusky blue cotton lycra, a basic that I need - NEW ITEM
  RTW pants - I have to unpick the old elastic waist that was destroyed by dry cleaning and put in new elastic - WHY BOTHER
  Burda WOF June/08 #105 blouses - one in georgette, one is a floral print stretch cotton - cut out
  Remake of a too-long eyelet bordered ivory linen skirt - I may have to just attach the border to another skirt because I believe it will be too tight
  Navy long sleeve tee - from Spring SWAP - not even cut yet
  Lavender embellished tee - from Spring SWAP - sleeves to put in, and neckline & hems
  Lavender/brown print LS tee - from Spring SWAP - hems
  Lavender/white dotted blouse - vintage pattern - from Spring SWAP - attaching underlining because fabric was too drapey ... may end up tossing it, because fabric pilled so much when it was pre-washed
  Lavender linen pencil skirt - insert zipper and hem
  Navy A-line skirt - just don't know if I like it, but will try the elastic waist suggestion from Threads
  White linen pencil skirt - cut out, need to sew

[Rosesred]

This thread brought me out of lurkdom, because it made me realise something:  pretty much everything I made since I learned how to sew in january qualifies as an UFO!    (Well, except for the bags i made, which I did finish )

It's usually the last little bits that get to me, and then I'll just leave the project and get on with a new one. I just really, really dislike hemming, I think.


UFO's, more or less in order of how much work still needs to be done:

1. Golden linnen trousers need to be hemmed
2. Coral maxi-dress needs a minor hem repair (first time I wore it, toddler stepped on the seam. )
3. Infinity dress (by rostichery) needs elastic in waist.
4. Cream wrapdress with red border needs to be hemmed.
5. Burgundy & printed baroque flowers summer skirt needs hemming, and zipper needs to be repaired (the pull thingie went of the zipper, I hope it can be fixed. I really do not want to put in an other zipper)
6. Dress made of t-shirts and flowered fabric needs to be adjusted, and skirt and top are still not attached.
7. Sew up patrones summer top. All the parts are cut already.

Whew. Í think I'll finish this lot before I cut that cute little blouse I'm thinking about. Thanks to you guys for making me realize how much incomplete garments I have....

[redhead]

I feel that way about hemming.  Sometimes I pay a tailor to hem my stuff.  It's only about $10 or so and it keeps me from having unhemmed UFOs.

[BeeBee]

I was the same way about any hand sewing until I discovered beeswax.  It goes so much faster and smoother now I almost don't absolutely hate doing. 

[redhead]

I forget about beeswax, although I have it in my kit.  Great tip!

[sdBev]

It's been a long time since anyone posted on this topic, but it's time for me.   I've been inspired by elizabeth (ejvc) and have been cleaning up my sewing room preparing for our spring 6PAC sew along.  Before we moved in my sewing room was a nice sized bedroom with a very admirable closet.  8' along one wall, only one hanger deep which might or might not be a disadvantage.  I use the close to stage the ironing, mending and my sewing projects and to tell the truth it becomes the repository of things destined for thirft store donations.  During the Fall and Winter 6Pac's I had pulled several fabric selections from my stash thinking about using them in the then "current" sew along.  I did indeed use some of those pieces, even had extra's for my sew-alongs.  I also completed several home dec projects and 2 shirts for DH during that time.  All in all though, more stuff went into the closet then came out.  So I've spent the better part of 2 days just cleaning out the closet.  Finished Dh's last shirt first, tackled the ironing and picked thought the mending - I decided several pieces weren't worth mending.  I did have several pieces of mending, including shortenting a recently completed skirt, that are now all done.  I folded up lots of those fabric selections and returned them to the stash.  I had several long-sleeve T-shirts that I was contemplating doing a little machine embroidery but decided that I actually "needed" plain shirts.  You know shirts that could go with several things and not just a specific capsule. So I happily pressed them and put them in my closet.  I had 2 T-s that were already prepared for embroidery.  I finished one today and am starting the next one.  I'm also ready to put the finishing touches on a home-dec project that has been cut for about 8 weeks.  It's a table runner that needed a backing and binding.  Backing is done, binding is cut and I'm ready to sew it. 

I'm feeling pretty good about myself.  Didn't realize I had stuffed that closet with so much.  I am pleased to see that about half is now empty hangers; about 1/4 is empty space and about 1/4 WIPs (works in progress).  Problem with WIPS is that they become UFO's very easily.  Next time I post, I think I'll list those WIPs.  A little accountability goes a long ways towards helping me finish my good intentions

[marciae]

Good for you Bev!  I have a winter coat from 3 years ago that only needs the lining of the sleeves put int!!   But, I'm not that thrilled with the coat/jacket.  But I should finish it and give to someone that would wear it!!

[Betty F]

I think I make more UFO's than completed garments!  Sometimes they just dont turn out and dont seem worth the bother of finishing -- other times the fit disappoints me, but often its just the excitement of starting something new instead of finishing what's undone.  I am trying to stifle myself from starting new Jalie patterns until some of the UFO's are finished.

Does anyone want to set up a SUFOP (sewing UFOs plan)?  The prize could be all the pats on the back we give each other. Maybe set a goal of 5 completed UFO's before Easter?

Currently I have

• fuchsia wool cape needing collar, lining, closures and hem (pattern is for raw edges, fabric is not - set aside out of frustration over that)
• vest made from leftover fabric from the cape, needing lining and hem and armhole binding (self-drafted pattern with challenging neck edge)
• tartan pants needing waistband fastener and hems (slightly snug, set aside upon discovery of that)
• beige sweetheart  t-shirt, cut out only, nothing more done
• red t-shirt needing hems (too small, will fit daughter)
• green cords needing hems and waist fastener (problematic bulk at top of zipper and also too snug)
• satin shell defying fit
• beautiful red crepe wool jacket, needs final touches and hemming of lining (feels too big due to styling - set aside in spring and forgotten)
• a box of older ufo's not likely to be opened anytime soon

I have just realized that none of these things match.  Maybe a SUFOP should include a couple of new garments to coordinate with at least one of the UFO's.

[sdBev]

..
Does anyone want to set up a SUFOP (sewing UFOs plan)?  ...

Not sure I want to run this, hey Elizabeth want to volunteer?  It is a really good idea.  Sometimes all we need is the encouragement of our peers and then we just take off like a plane. 

I made a partial list of things in my closet.  There are several boxes on the bottom that I still need to sort through.  I know that I won't make the trip to the thrift store to make donations for at least another 3 weeks.  Sorry to say, but that closet is the best place to accumulate this kind of stuff.  The stuff is out of the way, yet still visible.  I've found things which disappear into storage sheds or otherwise disappear from sight, get forgotten about, rot and eventually found; but by then I'm saying what was this. 

So what's in the closet?
Several boxes not to be examined for the next 2 weeks. (first on the list so I will have to look at it each time I review).
3 pieces of ironing (2/5/10 DONE)
Curtains for my walk-in closet need to be hung.
Kitchen runners to be installed.
Winter coat, sleeve and lining
1 pair of pants cut waiting to be sewn.
Chair pockets.
Bog coat with possible fabrics for bindings still need to select lining fabric
Table runner fabrics (2/5/10 folded and put back into stash)
Toletry bags, cut but need linings, battings, zippers and sewing
2nd T to be embroidered (2/5/10 finished)
Purse, cut needs lining and assembling
Pair of winter pants cut but stopped when I realized the pattern wouldn't fit.
Pair of shorts cut but stopped when I realized the pattern wouldn't fit.
Chopin Blouse Tracing.
Table Cloth Set (trying to decide how to use)
White lingerie blouse (mending)
Blue short sleeve T imprinted "Demayo LAW" not sure what to do with it.
2 pair DH socks to be converted into warm toes.

Also stumbled across basket of kitchen towels and hot pads.  I like matching sets of 2 towels + 2 mitts.  DH likes clean sets.  I thought I had a stash of towels waiting for toppers.  However DH has asked, just this week, that I make more sets so that they can be changed at least every other day.  To which I agreed.  Not listing them individually but I have about 18  towels that need mitts and toppers. I pulled out 6 to work on. But I feel like Eve in the garden.  Yes Lord I did eat of the UFO fruit, but shouldn't it be Adam's fault?  After all he asked."

[ejvc]

Bev, I can help you with some of those.  Throw away the ones that won't fit!

Elizabeth

[RuthieK]

In the past I have had enormous piles of UFOs - multiple boxes of them in fact.

I've come up with a few approaches to tackling them

- 1 + 1. This is having one project on the go and another cut out. I finish one of them before I can start on anything else. This keeps the pile from growing in the future.

- Current collection. Before starting a new collection I go through the UFOs and see if anything there would work in with what I am about to start. That way when I finish the item I will have stuff to wear it with, and becuase its part of something else I have new enthusiasm for it and it seems current again.

- Matching thread on machines. Each time I am about to change the thread on the serger I have a look in the boxes and see what there is that could be finished off (or altered) using the thread currently on the machines. Mostly psychological again, it seems lower effort if I don't have to change thread colour 'just' for a UFO.

- Reality check. Some things in the UFO box are actually wadders and need recutting or just recycling.

[ejvc]

I have a two-project rule, the problem is I don't stick to it.  So my approach is to have UFO cleanup twice a year or so.  I recall last year I did it in April.  For me it tends to be fitting issues that get in the way, although the last three were construction issues and this one is a cutting issue (now overcome).  I have much more oomph to sew them since I've been wardrobe sewing.  I've tended to sew brown, blue, and cream, with splotches of red, so whenever I have a UFO in any of those colours (often) it always goes with something and extends my wardrobe, and is therefore gratifying to finish.

I'm off to cut some lining for these trousers upstairs now!

[marciae]

Heres a link to Shirley Adams with lots of details on the bog coat.

http://www.sewingconnection.com/sc12hart.htm

[sdBev]

I made some progress yesterday.  I straighted both my sewing and stash rooms. The creative process can get a little frantic, but eventually I need an ordered space to work in.  I also did 3 loads of laundry with ironing yesterday, so none of that came into the closet but was put away immediately.   I started removing the stuff that should go to the thift shop and since we don't plan on company for a while, I put it in boxes in the downstairs tub.  I have half a tub full.  DH always wants to go through whatever I've designated for thrift and remove a few items.  So now he knows where it is and what it is.  I threw away 2 items-- just weren't worth the bother when I looked closely.  I finished the T completely

and started the hot mitts for DH.  Last night was a bad night for me, so today I haven't done and I won't do anything.  Sigh...   But when I went to bed last night the closet looked like this:

[sdBev]

Administrators, I was thinking about my bog coat.  Could all the comments regarding bog coats be removed to their own topic?  I'd like to post completed pictures on a seperate topic but would like to accompany it with the above discussions.  If it's too much trouble, don't bother.  I can post here.

[Lisa]

Administrators, I was thinking about my bog coat.  Could all the comments regarding bog coats be removed to their own topic?  I'd like to post completed pictures on a seperate topic but would like to accompany it with the above discussions.  If it's too much trouble, don't bother.  I can post here.

Not a problem at all!

You'll find new thread titled "Bog Coats."  If there is a post you think should have been moved (or if I've moved one you think should have stayed here), please let me know!

Lisa

[ejvc]

Bev, what have you thrown/given away now?

And, I think it would be sensible to come up with a "UFO schedule" and rewards.  So if you meet your UFO deadline, you can -- I don't know -- order some super buttons or something.

Elizabeth

[sdBev]

Bev, what have you thrown/given away now?

And, I think it would be sensible to come up with a "UFO schedule" and rewards.  So if you meet your UFO deadline, you can -- I don't know -- order some super buttons or something.

Elizabeth

Well the boxes contain stuff from all over the house, plus a few shelves we haven't used and I don't think we will.  Actually we need to go through the house now and discard things that we aren't using.  We moved here 3 years ago when I retired.  At the time we got rid of a lot of stuff, but held on to some that we thought we needed.  Last year I did a purge of my yarn and fabrics -- I have more of both than I will use in one life time and did n't want to go to the trouble to sell for a dollar or two.  We've made a couple of runs to the thrift store. But stuff accumulates.  We're not hoarders - we don't attach sentiment to everything that comes in the house - but it does get cluttered and it's hard to let go of sometimes. I hate to waste money and keep trying to think of ways to use something that I should just let go of.  Clothes wise there are a couple of pairs of pants (and will be more) some long underwear that went into the trash; t-shirts that went into dust rags.  I've still got 2 of Dh's shirts that I wanted to copy for patterns and then they go the dust rag route.  Everything still hanging are projects that have accumulated in the last 6 months.  Things I wanted to do, and started to do, but didn't get finished.  I still have some boxes (on the right in the picture) that I need to go through.  But today I am sewing.  That's my reward for doing the laundry, ironing and sorting the donatable from the discardable. 

[Betty F]

Yeah! 

• 1 UFO red t-shirt finished.  Too snug, but made to check out a pattern size.  Will fit somebody I am sure.
• 1 UFO pair of tartan pants analyzed for fit issues.  Tenderly put aside with adjustment notes,  till I lose 10 lbs
• 1 UFO fuchsia wool vest gets closer and closer -- only hand sewing left.
  

I like that idea of treating myself to something special -- maybe some cool braid of some sort for my upcoming bog coat.

[LauraTS]

Love the idea - the UFO contest happening at PR in Feb. got me going with this. But I'm also trying to finish alterations and mending and generally clean out the queue. So far I've hemmed three UFO knit tops that were waiting for me to get out the twin needle, pitched or otherwise repurposed three UFOs that were never going to work out, hemmed a pair of RTW pants and taken in a waistband on a skirt. I've still got tons of UFOs (probably around 15, I would guess?) and several alterations to go, but already I'm feeling like I'm getting my sewing area back into shape.

[sdBev]

to LauraTS and Betty F   

My gosh you two are getting lots done.  Today I'm actually working on detail finishes.  Snuck up here to correct an embroidery design, decided to toss it and use something with better digitizing.  Shrug, somethings can be fixed easily others need to be redigitized.  It was in the latter category.  Moving along...  (even have DH thinking about clearing out some)

[sdBev]

11:30PM in South Dakota and all's well.  Ok at least that's the way I feel about my day's activities. 

We, DH and I started the afternoon by laying carpet in the downstairs landing.  Long story trying to make it short, we had water leak into the area last year.  Sealed it carefully but did not wish to permanently replace capeting until confident that the seal was working.  It is, but we've had some serious discussions about what we want to do and how we want to spend our funds.  End result was we want a professional re-carpeting of the entire downstairs, but now is not the right time.  As an alternative we, the two old fogeys in this house, installed a room size rug trimming to fit the landing.  DH worked very carefully and did an excellent job.  We're hoping this needs to be in place for less than a year, but  Que Sera Sera.

I moved onto sewing, actually finishing projects.  I have a completed kitchen towel and oven mitt set
and gave to DH along with instructions for testing.  ?Testing? you say.  DH says that the mitts I buy him at Walmart do not protect him well enough.  They work only if he holds onto oven heated pans just long enough to fling them from oven to counter top approximately a nanosecond or less.  A full 2 seconds and he is feeling the heat.  My solution, which seems to be working, is one layer of insulbrite covered by one layer on warm insulation, sandwiched between 2 layers of fabrics plus 2 more layers for the top..  I'm using a standard 8.5x11 inch sheet of paper to draft pattern of various shapes for the oven mitts.  I have one pattern that works but is very bulky and difficult to sew even with my Bernina 1630.  I'm trying different shapes trying to find a happy medium between what he needs and what is easy for me to sew.  This first one is developed from the egg shaped oven mitt shared on the Insprations Thread.


#2 makes me feel like I've gone one step too far with the machine embroidery.  One pair of earrings to coordinate with my almost finished Winter 6PAC
  It's just a grey swirl with some pink dots same colors as used in the other embroideriers.  They are reversible, i.e. I made 4, 2 are mirror images, glued back-to-back..  My reasoning mind says these are too light as is, I'm going to need to add weight i.e. additional beads and findings.  My experimental mind says "go ahead try these as they are.  We can always fix the problems later."  The experimental mind won.

3rd project is a cover for my refrigerator top:
Fairly simple but I did practice making a narrow hem using my Bernina foot #68.  This is not the first exposure to the narrow hemmer, but it is my first successful attempt.  Mind you, there is room for improvement.  But I think I finally found the sweet spots for folding and feeding the fabric into the hemmer.  Couldn't get it to work with curves this time, but decided practicing on straight sides was enough for this time.  I was trying to finish UFO's not improve sewing skills.  The successful application of a sewing skill was a second but happy happenstance

Last December, I feel in love and purchased from Barnes and Nobel a journal


I'm using this journal to record my projects.  Each project will contain a date added, date being, date finished and Project Title.  I left only 4 lines for short notes.  Long discussions and detailed diagrams will have to be done elsewhere.  It gives me a place to record thoughts of projects I'd like to do and a place to look for something interesting to do when I'm in the doldrums of life.  Being me, I wasn't satisfied until I made the journal my own.  I added an Emblem to the front and a bookmark complete with satin ribbon page markers weighted with quarts beads.  It's possibly just a lovely piece of nonsense.  But I enjoyed creating it.






And you know what? I feel like doing more tomorrow