Inertia

I don't have much to show for the last couple of weeks. Halloween has come and gone. I again made masks for my neighbourhood friends to wear to school, along with some sweet goodies.

I love this fabric. Baby Yoda was very popular with the recipients. 

I finished some socks.

The colourway was listed as Border Collie but it looks more like Zebra to me.

The Christmas cakes got baked, and are now maturing in the cupboard. Next week, they will be given another shot off rum.

I did some sewing for other people, bindings and labels. I delivered a couple of donated quilts. 

Our favourite little boy came for a sleepover, and stayed for the next day, since it was a PA day for the teachers. 

Mudd got into a tissue box and made it snow in the bathroom. (All paper products are now being stored in places he hasn't found yet.)

Emme would like you to know that she is not getting enough treats for her liking. She also says that healthy snacks are not treats.

I have started my Christmas shopping. I just need to remember where everything has been stored. I am trying to keep my crafting plans down to a minimum. I often plan more than I can possibly finish in November and December. I think all the socks are knit. I have a cowl finished as well. So there is no urgency in the knitting. I have a couple of things to sew yet. 

Meanwhile, our unseasonably warm weather means that the firewood has been laid in, the Christmas lights are up, the snow tires are on the car, and winter can come without a panic. The expectation is that that will likely happen, next week. Perhaps more cowls will be required.

Tools of the Trade

 And here it is, the middle of September, and this is my first post of the month.

I have lots of good excuses, and these are my best ones.

Look at how big they are getting! Emme is more thoughtful in her activities, and Mudd is into everything.

A friend gave me reason to think of this the other day, so I thought I would blog about it. When sewing (or knitting) there are some things you can "cheap out" on, and heaven knows, tools are expensive, but some things it is worth buying the best.

Scissors are the theme of this discussion. My mother didn't sew, and when I first started sewing, I needed a pair of good sewing shears. My dad, who always equated heft to quality bought me a pair of large, heavy shears. I don't even know where they are now, but I do know that I wore the chrome plating off the handles.  

I bought some lighter shears when I started sewing for my kids and needed sharp shears to cut knit fabrics.

I bought these Fiskars with a scissor sharpener on the sheath. They are safe to carry around and always sharp. I actually have two pair, the second pair doesn't have a sheath.

Recently, with aging joints, I bought these shears. Still Fiskars but much easier on my wrists and fingers.

My first pinking shears came from my grandmother. She didn't sew, either but a lady she knew was giving them away. Perfect for a 16 year old.

They are probably 80 years old and they weigh a lot. They are loose, so the fabric an wrap itself around the blades.  I used them until someone in a class I was taking loaned me hers to try.

I bought my own pair, immediately. Light and easy to use. I have had these for quite awhile now and do not regret buying them.

Lest you think I am stuck on Fiskars, I do have other scissors. These are my sewing snips, that sit next to my machine.

Of course, they are purple.

Last year, in the midst of mask making, I realized it would be easier if I had some applique scissors to cut the filter fabric out of the seam allowance. So, I bought these.

Useful and pretty! My grandson asked if he could try the applique scissors and his grandfather told him not to ever ask that. Nobody touches Nana's scissors!

I may be overly pessimistic in my creating, because, while looking for scissors, I discovered 6 stitch rippers within easy reach of my machine.

I'm pretty sure I have more, in other parts of the house, where I do hand sewing.

The intesting thing is that all of these tools are used to make masks.

Some of my recent mask production for back to school. The scrap pile is dwindling (yeah, right).

The garden thinks it is fall, and the leaves are starting to change, so I leave you with some asters, in my garden.

Not Much Has Changed

 I'm not sure what happened to the past week. I did some cleaning, attended my on-line yoga classes,  and finished a couple of projects that were waiting.

The socks in Gryffindor house colours are finished. I like how they turned out. 

The forsythia also flowered, so it looks like the bush will soon be covered in bright yellow. I may cut some apple branches this week so I can have apple blossoms for Easter.

I also made more masks. Although our mask mandates are removed, the case numbers are still rising, so it just seem prudent to do a spring refresh on masks.

I added a couple of new fabrics into the mix.

Next up is the semiannual Change the Blade in the Rotary Cutter. As well, I plan to clean my sewing machine and change the needle, and put away all the things sitting out from bag and mask making. I have a plan for another bag, but I need to tidy a bit first and check that I have everything I need.

Twas the Night...

 So, we are once again entering a very quiet Christmas celebration. The Covid cases in our area are again soaring, and I'm hiding! 

The church will be closed until the new year, and knowing this, last Sunday there was some tidying of things that won't be required when the building reopens. So, a friend brought me a wreath that had been hanging on the door. With no one using the door, she thought I would enjoy it, and I do.

It now graces the wall on the other side of my front door, where it can be seen from the street.

The Christmas tree is up and decorated, though there is only us to enjoy it.

My entirely cat friendly tree. It is just lacking garlands.

I made Christmas masks for people I want to keep safe. These are the grown up ones. There were kid ones as well.

I keep seeing advice to ditch your cloth masks. If you are following the rules for social distancing and your mask has three layers including a filter and provides a good close fit to your face, then go ahead and keep using it. The environment will thank you. 

I finished another Sesame Street hat. This one is Elmo.

I modified the pattern that came with the kit because apparently my favourite five year old has a bigger head then the pattern suggests. This is a much better fit.

When my kids were younger, I often made them pajamas for Christmas. I decided that I should make some pajama pants for the next generation.

When I bought the fabric, I forgot to add an extra fabric allowance for the fact that the fabric is one way and I can't turn one pattern piece around. Obviously, it has been awhile since I did this. However, I managed to squeak out a pair of pants out of my yard of fabric. The second pair isn't a one way design so it should be easier.

A Squirrel or Two

 I have gotten a few things done this month, including a quilt I planned to bind. And then there were the things that popped up.

The kit for Oscar arrived and was just begging to be knit, so I dropped everything and made an Oscar hat. It is going to a fundraiser coming soon.

Then I was told that my favourite little boy didn't have enough masks for school. So, of course, Nana had to drop everything and make 10 more masks.

I despair of every being free of mask making, however, his teacher said that they must be good masks because he doesn't try to take it off in class, like some do. Oddly, after being told it was an emergency, they are still at my house. Does it count as a Squirrel if it's a request from a dear one?

Meanwhile in my WIPs Be Gone, I made a back and binding for a quilt that I started a long time ago.

I remember trying very hard to make sure that the same fabric wasn't touching and I see that I failed. Oh, well, it will be done and the new owner will love it.

I also pulled out this UFO from the start of the pandemic.

I think I decided that the zipper was a bit wonky, but I think I'll leave it wonky. It can be a design feature, right?

I am going to link up with Sandra for her DrEAMi #58 linkup.

Still More Masks!

 I was checking today, and I have made over 60 masks since August. Since there is still a need, I am making more. This week, my best boy seemed to be missing some of his, and cold weather means that the masks get wet, quickly.

I made 5 over the weekend, and finished 5 more today.

These still need their elastic. Next up, we will need Christmas ones! I just looked in my Christmas bin, and I think I have lots of potential fabric.

I was running out of filter medium and elastic, so I ordered more. And , since the shipping is flat rate, I added a bit of fabric.

Hopefully, I can make more fun things than masks.

My hands wanted some nice restful lace, so I cast on a cowl.

It is the Joy Cowl, by Cally Monster, part of a set of cowls called Glad Tidings. 

I learned a trick, some time ago, and it really helps when you knit lace. I place markers at the beginning of each repeat.

This means that you don't need to redo more than one repeat, if you miscount. In this case, no more than 20 stitches.

Besides masks, I hope to start on some other Christmas sewing this week. I have some gifts that I hope to finish on time.

Some More Pouches For Kitties

 Some time ago, a quilting friend gave me a Connecting Threads kit, that she had purchased. She had made one of the pouches in the kit and decided she didn't need to make any more. She knows I make items for the Lyndhurst Feral Cat Rescue's fundraisers and thought I might like to finish the kit. I tucked the kit away and forgot about it. This fall, I found it again, and decided to make the pouches up.

The kit was suppose to make four pouches. So far, 5 have been made. I think there is enough fabric to make one more.

The fabric is bright and cheery, though not my usual style. I added zippers from my stash, as well as some fusible fleece to make them stand up.

I made the backs a solid piece of fabric to make construction go quickly.

They open nice and wide, and with the flat bottoms are easy to fill. They are on the small size but I could see them used for stowing things while travelling. ( Will we ever travel again?)

The pouches have gone on their way to the sale. I believe the sale is mid November. It will be held on Facebook.

Because Halloween is coming, I was making Halloween masks, today.

These are 5 of the ten I made, ready to wear to school tomorrow. I gave them to some young friends along with some other treats.

I claim I don't use orange but this blog is very orange.

More Masks

 I seem to have disappeared again. However, I've been knitting, and reading. Of course, back to school in Ontario means more masks. Little people are going to in-person learning for the first time, while some are returning to school after a five month break. 

I have lots of fabric, so I don't charge for my masks, parents have enough on their plates right now. Instead, I ask for a donation to our local food Cupboard, of back to school supplies. I said yes, too many times, so it turned into a bit of a marathon. I finished 27 masks for elementary students, by Sunday.

I discovered that my vintage Singer does a nice job on the top stitching, and isn't bothered by the multiple layers.

She is 82 years old and still shines like a debutant!

The masks have all been sent to their new homes, but now I have requests from university students! So, I guess there will be more masks in the future. I bet they don't want Paw Patrol, although I think Super Dinos might go over well with the university crowd. 

However, I have plans for a bag first. I need a new cross-body bag for walking. 

Meanwhile, if you drop in for coffee, today, I have Orange Zucchini Bread. 

This and That

 After a week of power sewing, I have spent the past week recovering.

I have spent 40 months involved in a church team, working toward becoming an Affirming Ministry. Affirming Ministries are welcome, inclusive, loving and seek justice for all creation. This, of course, includes the LGBT community and their family and friends. Last Sunday, we asked the congregation if they agreed to become an Affirming Ministry.  This explains the rainbow heart pulpit fall. 

This is what people saw on Zoom, last Sunday. 

I also made sure the participants were suitably rainbow attired.

Masks and ribbons for everyone who was in the building (there were 10).

The vote was overwhelmingly in approval of moving forward. So, I'll need to make a communion table runner, next!

My current bag project is nearly finished. The lining has been finished. The interior pockets are in place, and the lining has been stitched into the bag. 

As you can see, the bag was too thick to complete the top stitching, over the front strap. However, that will be under the flap.  I just have the crossbody strap to finish now.

I got myself a treat. I was given a gift certificate to a fabric shop I don't often shop at. I have had it for months so I decided to look for something to use it on. I don't usually buy them, but I got a fat quarter pack.

This is 7 fabrics from the Tula Pink collection " Curiouser and Curiouser", in the blue colourway. Sadly, it didn't include the Cheshire Cat fabric.

One of my pet peeves is fat quarters that aren't cut on the straight of grain. Really, how hard can it be. This one is out by about 1/2" in one direction and 1" in the other. I suspect that it is caused by the manufacturers not printing the design straight, on the fabric and the stores trying to follow the pattern on the fabric. Interfacing on the back of the fabric helps when it is going to be a bag. However, sewing in straight lines is much easier, if the fabric is cut on grain.

And Still More

 Mask making continues. After a year, people need new ones, filters are added. So, I was making masks again this week.

A collection of fun ones, made from scraps, because it is bad enough that we have to wear them.

A pretty one, with a matching ear saver, for someone who wanted something professional looking.

And to go with them, I made a pouch with a pocket that can hang off a purse or tote bag.

Sadly, the crane ended up with his head cut off. 

It has a nice pocket for hand sanitizer and a credit card.

The crane on the back kept his head, but he is flying upside down.

I used a tutorial from Bethany of Sweet Bee Buzzings.

In order to have matching zippers, I used a 22" zipper cut in half and I added new zipper slides. The first zipper piece, I zigzagged over the ends after adding the slide. I got too self assured on the second and didn't bother.  Of course, while sewing in the second one, I zipped the slide right off the end of the zipper. At least the ends were still free so I could put it back on.