Sewing class

I needed a complete refresher on all things sewing, because I hadn't touched a sewing machine since my adolescence. I took the Teen Sewing 101 class at Jo-Ann Fabrics. I picked the teen class because you make a skirt as opposed to the regular 101 class where you just make swatches and practice squares.

We measured & cut lining & fabric, pinned and stitched seams, and embellished. I feel up to speed on basic sewing machine operations, except for loading the bobbin.  The skirt came out fine, and I gave it to an actual teen.

Now I need a refresher on working with patterns, pinning, cutting, blocking, etc.  A friend is coming over tomorrow to help me practice.  I would cross my fingers, but I don't think I'll be able to sew very well like that.

When last we left our hero

I have actually been crafting, just not blogging. But since, I want to better measure my progress this year, I decided to re-start the blog. I may leave it here, or move it to my own host. But in the meantime, here's what's been going on.

I've expanded my jewelry repertoire to include more wire work. I also have been experimenting with more materials and feel pretty comfortable with a lot of cord, thread, tiger tail, memory wire and more. I'm using more tools, including a wire jig, and making pieces more quickly. I've signed up for a 101 class, but I would really love to find a class to help me with design. Currently, I've got 6 pendants that need to be hung from something, 2 earring ideas, and an idea for my first ring.

I've taken a basic sewing class, and made a skirt.  I've signed up for a second class to help me work with patterns. And I have a few (supposedly) very simple patterns I want to try out. I have theoretical knowledge of sewing, but this is really the first time I've tried to actually start making things. I'm planning an apron and a wrap skirt.

I'm still crocheting in straight lines. I've made a lot of scarves. I just found some great resources on stitch patterns that are still straight lines and don't deal with increasing and decreasing or making rounds, but can vary the look of the piece. I'm looking forward to my first large piece using one of these. I'm finishing up an infinity scarf and a "sharf" then deciding how the next set of projects will go.

I've pretty much given up on scrapbooking and quilting. I may take up knitting again.

For some reason, blogger changed the dates on the entries I just went back & tagged.  I'll go back & fix them eventually.  Probably. 

Book recommendation

I got this book:


I like it, though I haven't finished any of the projects yet. I would consider these projects easy, but not beginner-level.

There is also this book:


It's on my to-buy list, but based on the difficulty level of the crochet book it's probably not something I'm ready for.

December already

Wow, this year has flown by. I can't believe it's December already. That means I only have a couple weeks to try to finish up most of my gift projects.

The holiday gift list includes 6 - 8 scarves, 3 hats, 4 pairs of earrings, 4 necklaces, 1 bracelet, 6 bookmarks, and about a dozen coffee mug cozies.

Also, I need to update my stash on ravelry.

Odds and Ends

• I have temporarily cut myself off from Michael's - except that I can't find my yarn needle & have to go get another one (or two).
• When I get said yarn needles, I can finish off 2 scarves.
• YouTube tutorials have been helpful, and maybe too inspirational. I think I just added another 3 projects to the queue.
• I'm contemplating opening an etsy shop after the holidays.
• I have some jewelry for sale: http://jewelrybyjoy.wordpress.com/
• I've been making coffee cozies to practice working in the round, and I'm about to make my second attempt at a hat.
• I'm curious about experimenting with felting - maybe I'll start with coasters.
• I really want to re-acquaint myself with sewing and get familiar/comfortable with sewing machines. I have a couple really basic patterns that I think I can handle.

Let the Craft-a-thon begin!

...or, rather, resume.

So, last month I started making progress on the holiday gifts.
I've nearly completed 1 scarf, with 2 more in progress and another fairly easy one planned. I have 2 more slightly more difficult ones (eyelash yarn!!) in the queue as well. Three are already definitely for someone in particular. The others are likely, but not positively designated. As I work on them, sometimes they start to feel like someone else.

I completed another set of earrings this weekend. It was part of a kit to make 4 pairs, and I tackled the easiest 1 first. I definitely need to work on my technique; my loops aren't as smooth as they could be. I'm planning another pair of earrings specifically for 1 person.

I've also bought tools and materials to start work on some wire jewelry projects.

Other random notes:
Michael's has been sucking me in with coupon after coupon.
I'm cleaning up my ravelry account, deleting old projects etc.
Beadfly looks pretty dead; I wonder if there's another site picking up its slack.

Shopping trip

On my way home from a friends' place today, I noticed a Jo-Ann Fabrics in a strip mall. It turns out they're closing and everything in the store (what was left) was at least 30% off. I got a couple of sewing patterns, some yarn (more Fun Fur), a pair of size 17 knitting needles, a combo tool for beading, and a few scrapbooking odds & ends.

Now I have to do something, I know.