Just a Bit at a Time

Happy Monday All!

I hope none of you are having a Garfield-esque beginning to your week, but if you are, perhaps I can help to turn it around!

I don't have any new pictures to show you of my progress from yesterday because all that I worked on was my Valentine's present. However, I do have some pictures to share of my planned sewing space for when I get my own place. My current living situation is in one room of a house (about 98 sq. ft. with my desk and bookshelves being in public spaces, which makes it just barely doable). I love the house I'm in and my room mates, but unfortunately I came late to the game and moved in after everyone else had gotten settled and we'll all be going our separate ways in May, so trying to create a more permanent workspace at this point is a bit pointless.

This doesn't mean that a sewer can't dream. I have a general idea of what I want for my sewing table once I get myself settled in a few months. This idea is a bit of a rough draft and can be adjusted in size depending on whether I end up in an apartment by myself or in another shared living situation (I'm trying to keep my options open at the moment). My inspiration is a table that I found on Etsy almost a year ago. I believe it was within my first month of discovering Etsy in fact!

Here's the link to the Etsy page of the creator LizKDesign, this particular item has already been sold, but I think I could easily create something similar for myself.

My thought is that I can have my sewing machine on the top piece, and perhaps a permanent pressing/ironing surface on the top of the base (the left half). I can always switch that around however and just use a tabletop ironing board (which I would probably make myself and shape to fit the space). I can also create a space below to store my sewing machine when it's not in use to save on space, which may very well be in short supply.

With this Idea, I will have the wall space above the desk for some sort of peg board or other storage system for thread, tools, bobins, pin cushions, etc. In fact, for that I am thinking of doing something else multifunctional such as a vanity style mirror that swings open to reveal storage and supplies (again allowing for a more clean, usable space when I'm not actively sewing/crafting).

At this point I'm trying to plan for a "worst case scenario" in which I end up in a studio/efficiency apartment where everything has to have multiple uses in order to keep my living space from descending into chaos.

I will definitely be using some of the little tips and tricks from Karen over at Sew Many Ways for her various sewing tables and work spaces over the years
including: magnets, yard sticks/measuring tape in plain sight, cable and electronics storage and functionality. Until I get my own piece put together and posted here (don't worry, it'll be well documented) I encourage you all to hop over to her blog and check out some of her great storage ideas and solutions.

I hope you, like me, can use a new and fun idea and fun inspiration as a way to help brighten your Monday, whether it needed brightening or not.

Stay crafty my friends.

Matthew

That's a Wrap

Happy Sunday internet!

I hope you all have plans to enjoy the rest of your weekends, I know I do. I've recently started following the blog Sew Many Ways and Karen's post for today is for a Valentines Day "Linky Party". The idea is for people to post links to their own projects that are Valentines Day related.

At first I was extremely excited,  but then I realized that I would have to wait a whole five days until I could post my main gift (in case of spoilers). That's when I realized that I had intended a small side project to go with my gift that I could whip up and post immediately!

Here it is, a lovely Pinterest inspired stamp. Here's the original pin photo.

As you can see, it's quite self explanatory, so I'll spare you any sort of detailed description, just a few photos of my own project.

First, of course, our supplies: -Paper                        Check
                                                -Toilet paper roll       Check
                                                -Paint                         Check
                                                -NCIS marathon        Check  (don't forget the essentials)

Then my work space prepped (my paper likes to roll on me because it's heavy brown craft paper, so I had to tape it to a piece of foam board.

Then there's me stamping, waiting for it to dry, and stamping some more.

This is going to be the wrapping paper for my Valentine's gift. I added a little personal touch to a few of the hearts a la kissing tree carvings.

Hopefully he'll notice and realize that it's homemade. If not, it was a fun project that may inspire some of you to take some of the cost out of Valentine's Day by adding some time, thought and a little bit of love. After all, we sometimes need to remember what these commercialized holidays are really about.

"Money and power only last the hour, but friendship and love withstand the sky above."




Matthew

Something "Winter" This Way Comes

Hello all!

Today I am bracing myself for a long day stuck indoors until I work Monday evening. We have a blizzard warning in effect starting at 6 this morning until Monday morning with snow totals of 4-7 inches and winds from 25-45 mph! Not the storm of the century, but still a good reason to cuddle up with my Singer!

I'm happy to report that I had another wonderfully productive day yesterday. So much so that I neglected to post to tell you all about it!

On that subject, unfortunately I can't tell you too much as the subject of most of my work is a Valentine's Day gift, and I wouldn't want to risk spoiling it for the recipient. I can however tell you what I got done, and I will definitely be posting the many pictures that I took after this Thursday!

The project is a pillow and I decided to make an inner pillow with the stuffing in it and a removable pillow cover so that it would be easier to clean, and in case I ever need to add more fluff, I don't have to worry about doing the world's most "pretty" job of ripping it apart and resewing it if the need should arise.

I got the entire inner pillow finished, and I decorated and sewed the back pieces (two overlapping pieces of fabric rather than a zipper). I have spent some of my free time designing how I want the front to look. I will be using some cut up sweaters in a quilting/patchwork style, again, pictures at a later date.

In lieu of anything fun and shiny to show you, I have decided to take some time and jot down a few of my overall goals for this coming year, specifically for my sewing journey.

Here's what I came up with, mostly just in list form with a few dates/deadlines attached to individual goals or projects:

-Finish a wearable linen/cotton jacket to wear at my cousin's beach wedding by June

-Fashion myself a well fitting pair of dress pants either from a pattern or by drafting my own

-Begin collecting patterns and sewing/tailoring books for reference and future projects

-Sew a slip cover for my love seat

-Finish a passable "Malcolm Reynolds" (Captain Mal from "Firefly") costume for Halloween

-Begin to find and collect fun and unique fabrics to help inspire me for future projects

-Build/design myself a sewing space in my new apartment/room when I move in May

-Continue to grow my list of sewing related blogs that I read and get my foot in the door of the online sewing community for support, advice, and inspiration galore!

-Craft at least one piece for someone else (just to see if it's for me or not)

-Have a blast learning a new, rewarding, lifelong skill!!!

Well, now that's out of the way, I think I'm going to go get a hot cup of tea and enjoy a nice book before drifting off to sleep. I'll talk to you all soon!


"Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart." -Victor Hugo

P.S. Happy Chinese New Year everyone, enjoy the year of the snake (it's MY year, hooray!)

Matthew

New Beginnings

Happy Friday everybody!

I am extremely happy to say that I got a lot done yesterday. I just about got everything patterned out. I just have the collar, collar stand, pockets, and the front right piece (most I just get one half and will mirror it for the end piece, but this one needs the breast pocket marked and the button holes).

Supplies all laid out and ready to go!

I also went to Joann fabrics and got everything I need EXCEPT for a french curve. I was extremely frustrated, but I realized that, at least for these first few attempts, I don't think having a line that is a bit wobbly is going to make the biggest difference in the world. After all, the pin lines that I ended up with weren't that straight, and I still need to calculate and add cuff and seam allowances plus the extra 2 inches that I'm going to be adding to the torso.

Right sleeve all pinned down and ready to prick the outline.

Here's the pencil outline with labels and notes to remind me to add seam and cuff allowances. I'll be going over everything in sharpie later and then using tracing paper to make the copy that I'll end up cutting so that I can adjust sizes and proportions later if needed.

Quick question, does anyone have a recommendation as far as where is best to add those two inches, I was thinking the best place would be the side panels, but then I have to allow for the arm hole adjustments, and the patch pockets are mostly just covering the front piece, but they cross over about an inch onto the side panels. I feel like it would be a pretty big hassle, but at the same time, if I added it to the back I would ruin the lay of the double vents, and the front would probably make it lay funny and look lopsided.

I simply drew a line over the top of this patch pocket to mark the path of the side panel seam, for the darts in the front piece, I just measured how far under the pocket they went and continued the line to that point.

Here's the pencil outline of the same piece.

Anyways, today I'm going to try and finish those last few pattern pieces, and get at least a few pieces of fabric cut out, pre shrink my interfacing. Then I'm going to take a break to work on a Valentines day pillow for my sweetie. It's one of about 5-6 parts to his gift that I have planned out and the only one that I haven't gotten a start on. I'd prefer to NOT be the guy rushing like a crazy person on Wed. to finish everything (been there done that).

My front left pattern piece complete with pockets placed, darts drawn, and buttons...umm something that starts with "B"

I hope you were all able to be productive yesterday, and if not, then take this afternoon to put together a short list of what you hope to get done this weekend. Remember to keep it realistic, but still try to push yourself a bit. Maybe start in on a new hobby you've been meaning to try, or pick out a project that has been pushed to the back burner and take another crack at it.



Variety is the spice of life.

 Matthew

Onward and Upward...again

So here's where I'm at with this suit project. First of all, I've decided that it IS worth trying, and that it may mean I'm crazy, but what fun would life be if we didn't do something crazy every once in a while, right?

Today is my first of two days off in a row, so my goal is to finish purchasing the last of my basic supplies: foam core board, cutting mat and ruler, tracing paper, a french curve, interfacing, and perhaps some more pins. Then I'm going to use David Page Coffin's method of creating a pattern from an existing garment found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRLCHj2mDFE. I hope to get the pattern all drawn out on paper and adjusted properly to allow for seams (I also need to add about 2 inches to the body as it was a rummage sale find that fir perfect for length and I loved it's style, but was too narrow even after I let out a few seams). If I can get that far by today I will be thrilled, then the next step will be cutting my fabric and applying interfacing where needed.

Until then, here's a somewhat related craft that I've been working on for a few weeks, lost some steam on, but finally brought home to the finish line.

My supplies all laid out

It's a pair of blue Converse low top sneakers that I decided to decorate with designs from a show that some of you may have heard of...Doctor Who.

A stencil that I made using newspaper and white paint applied with Styrofoam brush

I had intended to chronicle the entire transformation with pictures and post it to Pinterest, but only ended up taking pictures in the early stages, so I have one or two from before/early in the process, then I have the finished product that I just waterproofed today (can't have those new details getting soaked and stained now can we?)

All finished, Tardis design done with silver paint pen and sharpie

DW, design also in silver paint pen and sharpie.

I'm just a cock-eyed optimist

Good morning internet, I have a question for you. Is it possible to be too optimistic?

I've asked myself this question an awful lot in the past month or so, and I find that I am not quite sure. I know that I'm more hopeful than the average bear, and that sometimes this can cause a situation to become a letdown, or to blow up in my face, but it does seem to add to by overall happy demeanor.

I'll give you a specific example. This month I began my journey towards learning how to sew. The original intention of this was to teach myself how to make minor alterations in RTW clothing and, eventually, to craft pieces of my own from start to finish. Within a week of deciding that I wanted to learn, which has been a back burner desire f mine for a while, I had decided that it would be nice to create a custom fit, homemade cotton or linen suit for my cousin's wedding in Florida...in June...as in less than half a year from now.

I have since begun to realize that this is far beyond likely as the process of tailoring a jacket properly and having a well finished piece at the end is a very involved process that adds advanced techniques on top of the basics of seams, pressing, pattern altering, etc. As it stands right now, I have yet to learn ANY of those basics.

Despite all of this, I want to try and put together my first muslin of a jacket pattern sometime this month. My perhaps overly optimistic thought process leads me to believe that if I just jump into this process with both feet NOW, I'll make a ton of mistakes, and learn a lot in a little bit of time, but everything I learn will be able to be directly applied to my final project. I also don't mind having to possibly go through 2-3 or more muslins to adjust for fit, practice interfacing, experimenting with different suit styles, and other factors. I have a ready supply of muslin fabric in the form of white cotton sheets. I work at a hotel that has at least one queen or king flat or fitted sheet every month that gets a small stain in it that cannot be removed after multiple attempts, these would be thrown away otherwise. Not to mention pillowcases as well. I also have a decent amount of free time as I work the overnight shift 4 days a week, and so I am awake while the rest of the world is asleep for 2-3 days total per week.

So tell me, do you think that I've hopped on a one way trip to crazy town, or is this optimism and excitement just the thing to help propel me beyond the odds. Can my lack of fear to try be the one thing that removes me from the crowd of others learning a new skill and allows me to become better, faster, and less afraid to mix it up and try new things once I have the basics down (I'm already thinking a wool jacket and corsetry would be fun projects for later, but will probably follow up with Peter Lapin's sew-alongs for jeans and dress shirts to help give myself a little bit of structure).

Here's to a new year (even though it's already Feb.) to learn a fun, interesting, and useful new skill!

Even the path most traveled can be fun, if you dance your way along it.

Matthew

Review, rework, revamp, retry



Supposed to just be me giving thumbs up, turned out more like "just got poked in the eye", also if I didn't know any better, I'd assume that was somebody else's hand...nope, just my huge mits.



Hello internet,

It's been a while since m last post, though I HAVE still been chipping away at my goal of improving my life one day at a time, I haven't been the greatest at documenting it. Instead, here's a quick rundown of the significant things that I've done with my life in the past several months.

I've continued to maintain if not improve my physical health through a two pronged attack involving continued exercise and general activity level in my day-to-day life. As well as revamping my diet with the fabulous products at a local Herbalife health club. I've had about two weeks of replacing an average of one meal a day with an aloe shot to help with nutrient absorption, a green tea mix to aid digestive health and boost metabolism, and a meal replacement shake high in both fiber and protein to satisfy me and to keep me full until my next meal.

I have also tried to step up some of my personal goals in life in order to keep myself moving forward. This has come in a number of different areas. First I decided to enter myself into the Frozen Feat 5K that's coming up soon on Feb. 16th. This is to help keep me inspired and motivated to work out (which I unfortunately haven't been the last week or so...but tomorrow's a new day). I have also been working towards making my life a bit more comfortable financially by both applying for multiple part time jobs and, in the meantime, signing myself up as an independent distributor for Herbalife products. This is all in the hopes that I can finally get EVERY one of my monthly bills paid by myself (the rents have graciously been picking up the car insurance, phone bill, etc. for about a year or so now) and start on repaying them for that as well. Lastly, I've been keeping my personal life and free time interesting by picking up a few new hobbies to dabble in and expand my set of general life skills. I have picked up crocheting, a skill I tried to teach myself a few years back and only got about ten rows in before setting it down indefinitely. I bought a sewing machine to work towards altering and tailoring my own clothes so that I feel more comfortable and confident in my own body (and eventually to tailor and sew my own garments to save some $$$!). Lastly, I took up Hardanger, a form of Norwegian embroidery that my grandmother used to do regularly, and created a doily for my grandfather's funeral and just over a dozen Christmas card inserts for that entire side of the family's presents.

The one thing that has happened in my life that wasn't planned, but is still helping me move myself forward is that I've started my first adult relationship! We met back in late October, and since we're still together and not at each other's throats, I'd say things are going great, and I'm looking forward to the next three months and beyond.

As porky the pig says, Th-The-Th-That's all folks. My last 2-3 months in a nutshell. I look forward to continuing my life's journey with renewed vigor in the following month. I will also be doing my best to try and post at least SOMETHING daily to help me make this blogging thing a habbit, the once a week thing was obviously too easy to fall off of the wagon with. This may mean a few more pointless, just because sort of posts, but I will try to keep these brief.

Best of luck to all of you as you take on life one day at a time!

Matthew