tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64940522024-03-13T00:13:17.944+01:00MonkeyroomEvery-so-often news about my sewing and knitting projects...and sometimes other stuffLorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.comBlogger595125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-29024082720581118822021-01-01T05:40:00.003+01:002021-01-01T05:40:13.911+01:00A new yearYou can't reflect on this past year without talking about Covid. I have been very fortunate to be able to work from home and have the means to have groceries and other items delivered rather than go out to purchase them in person, so my exposure has been limited, and to the best of my knowledge I have not ever contracted the virus. However, a work colleague died from it just two days after Thanksgiving. He was due to retire at the end of the year and had a family. I was looking over some computer code he wrote for me just yesterday (very well written, too), and it saddens me greatly that he passed away too soon from his life. He was a really nice guy. <div><br /></div><div>Another sadness is that we lost our beloved furry buddy, Felix, in early December. He lived a good, long life and we so enjoyed having him in ours. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaThQsgqg9Tn-3yeMnMZKGvuzjakKpbjmePlGhKieNYoIqpx1p2I_tQh7tr7RuC496ph6a7bc9_lDq8Jbeu274YOKDUVWvIp0HtLW3lJ0GI0JxQ594BGhDH2FhUVC78tQK9K9/s3024/20200314_114614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaThQsgqg9Tn-3yeMnMZKGvuzjakKpbjmePlGhKieNYoIqpx1p2I_tQh7tr7RuC496ph6a7bc9_lDq8Jbeu274YOKDUVWvIp0HtLW3lJ0GI0JxQ594BGhDH2FhUVC78tQK9K9/w400-h400/20200314_114614.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Felix Shag-a-ferocious Tuggle-rumpkin<br />2003 - Dec 2, 2020</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Moving on...</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a very crafty-filled year, most of which I wrote about in <a href="http://monkeyroom.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-year-of-projects-and-recently.html" target="_blank">this post</a>, so I won't repeat it here. I splurged on a number of new "toys" - partly out of retail therapy because of feeling cooped up but mostly because I wanted them.</div><div><br /></div><div>And believe it or not there were things I didn't own yet. This Cricut Maker was a Christmas gift that arrived this week. <span style="text-align: center;">Not a great picture of the machine, but the picture was more meant to show off the snowflakes I made - my first project after cutting out the sample blue bear.</span> It's fun! I think my next project will be to cut out some lettering to label some drawers that store sewing supplies. It'll dress them up a bit more than boring label-maker tags. I'm also excited to use this to cut small fabric pieces, either for quilting or machine embroidery applique.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH9k25sQoHqsK0e-CRVJj2eiOLr_Wp9pcLGBVgChSQtElfiUENQ0SyqxXk6Su6jAlDEQ4XYp4uvLHPRpDZ6_TPYTdPaahi7feP7w-HE4u9gWqMlVGbRXV2yDU4ShnKNV3gOLO/s3024/20201229_191648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH9k25sQoHqsK0e-CRVJj2eiOLr_Wp9pcLGBVgChSQtElfiUENQ0SyqxXk6Su6jAlDEQ4XYp4uvLHPRpDZ6_TPYTdPaahi7feP7w-HE4u9gWqMlVGbRXV2yDU4ShnKNV3gOLO/w400-h400/20201229_191648.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The rest of my Christmas gifts were mostly either items to sew with, like bobbins, sewing machine feet, embroidery hoop, or books on knitting. Two books on Norwegian-style knitting!</div><div><br /></div><div>And speaking of knitting, I finished one sock today:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMBOjYNACVwq_dURZK0vXIOHaq_EYM28Bos_h50-Ev_kzSqug3ALEVSFxID14cb3CeVHUyLeK9SFf9uWl6OS12OgdfPYZJv0pa99vlYz6OxORh4Qv_t6WiVvzexVWVHMC9GO_/s3024/20201231_154004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMBOjYNACVwq_dURZK0vXIOHaq_EYM28Bos_h50-Ev_kzSqug3ALEVSFxID14cb3CeVHUyLeK9SFf9uWl6OS12OgdfPYZJv0pa99vlYz6OxORh4Qv_t6WiVvzexVWVHMC9GO_/w400-h400/20201231_154004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Last week I finished sewing a Christmas-themed potholder. Another one just needs the binding. Maybe I'll get to it tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdteygFr38_xK5Qcqb_4hxAhUPPO2QaL3d-QfB8wub0Gdyz7ZKuyC0J9t-VDmjKKWtd-fRPUUuko4EqxJt88KRQNp0tbjW5uatT3g2TBx2mwTYIi_pQv75yo_-VGuOTFcBOjV/s3024/20201226_150859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdteygFr38_xK5Qcqb_4hxAhUPPO2QaL3d-QfB8wub0Gdyz7ZKuyC0J9t-VDmjKKWtd-fRPUUuko4EqxJt88KRQNp0tbjW5uatT3g2TBx2mwTYIi_pQv75yo_-VGuOTFcBOjV/w400-h400/20201226_150859.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I've always wanted to crochet snowflakes, so I gave it a go. I don't know that I'll ever make all 100! Haha! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7UdmnwfhM1DeXmQzl0T4nBdCPMVL4x23H5wSr5nrm80PJK6mFwG4aU99EfD44BEa46X2D8jOmTDxeCPkPG21rgqZuzj87sVfMU8i7teoJCw4l8B5BBGVNx1GgxwpRl2l50zj/s3024/20201231_203454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7UdmnwfhM1DeXmQzl0T4nBdCPMVL4x23H5wSr5nrm80PJK6mFwG4aU99EfD44BEa46X2D8jOmTDxeCPkPG21rgqZuzj87sVfMU8i7teoJCw4l8B5BBGVNx1GgxwpRl2l50zj/w400-h400/20201231_203454.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>And on this New Year's Eve, I also spent some time spinning:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6coxFtZ6uGgEqzmc8sUXIv84zV-guwtfvDYS8p7eQI_M9LeQvRThRZZjFOuYINtuEihZb9IyIp388_1C4ecPLgK1eaqoyHdGwnjf7EvhtpCE1wye05rQ0F_9oJUrDckY-u9e/s3024/20201231_184435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6coxFtZ6uGgEqzmc8sUXIv84zV-guwtfvDYS8p7eQI_M9LeQvRThRZZjFOuYINtuEihZb9IyIp388_1C4ecPLgK1eaqoyHdGwnjf7EvhtpCE1wye05rQ0F_9oJUrDckY-u9e/w400-h400/20201231_184435.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So what's in store for 2021? Well, one things for certain, I will do more knitting, sewing, embroidery, spinning, and weaving. And now that I have this new Cricut, I might do a little scrapbooking. I still have plans to do some fiber dying with natural materials - I received an indigo dye kit and some madder plant material at my spinning guild gift exchange. </div><div><br /></div><div>Happy New Year!!</div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-36623474391382660282020-12-11T05:56:00.007+01:002020-12-11T06:00:17.839+01:00More loomsI bought myself an early Christmas present: a Swedish band loom. I wanted one four years ago when I first heard of them, but I started small with an inkle loom to see if I'd like weaving bands. And I do! So when I saw one on a Thanksgiving-Black Friday-Early Christmas 10% off sale, I decided to go for it. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbmHkx4159VNFNA2naH-5pmnCk1lyvAEYQamVlavxt0FFCRBehIybtxguNX2ZGCD7MoNbK63jNFvw3LbyMPADgGIt3psB3_j6bSOUML0nkj7y0-wsptPhkwDCFDHwCBjQA08T/s3024/20201206_164722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbmHkx4159VNFNA2naH-5pmnCk1lyvAEYQamVlavxt0FFCRBehIybtxguNX2ZGCD7MoNbK63jNFvw3LbyMPADgGIt3psB3_j6bSOUML0nkj7y0-wsptPhkwDCFDHwCBjQA08T/w400-h400/20201206_164722.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>It's kind of hard to see with my messy background, but it's a really simple loom. You sit in front of it, as it's pictured, with the warp running from left to right. The cloth beam is on the left and the warp beam is on the right - both have metal ratchets and pawls to advance the warp. There's a pulley on top of the tall post in the middle (just out of the picture) that is used with the foot treadles to raise and lower the two sets of heddles. You weave perpendicular to the warp, passing the warp from front to back and back to front, which takes a bit of getting used to since most other weaving you sit in front of and pass the weft from side to side. What makes this loom better, in my opinion, than an inkle loom is that you can have a much longer warp and you don't have to raise and lower the heddles by hand, leaving your hands free to keep weaving, which makes it go very fast. </div><div><br /></div><div>I started another Christmas ribbon to try it out. The warp is 6 or 7 yards, so it's going to take a while! The shiny knife at the bottom of the picture is a weaving knife - beveled but not sharp and used to beat the weft as I weave. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWX_U3DQJm49SyQVdevbYtwL6dfcYnA07d-W7EZ8A8T7jvMUbkVydb52Cd9Zwv1u4OtPuT10j436eXDqwFQ-R681XgIwU4WCCcoyWmkztCQOJma9JIe4W98JlV-ne2XXp4wGA/s3024/20201206_164601.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWX_U3DQJm49SyQVdevbYtwL6dfcYnA07d-W7EZ8A8T7jvMUbkVydb52Cd9Zwv1u4OtPuT10j436eXDqwFQ-R681XgIwU4WCCcoyWmkztCQOJma9JIe4W98JlV-ne2XXp4wGA/w400-h400/20201206_164601.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I also recently acquired my tiniest looms: they're about 2 1/2 inches square. I bought them at Cost Plus World Market and thought they'd be a fun little loom to try out some color or texture combinations or make a little tiny weaving. The instruction book is actually pretty good - I flipped through it and it explains weaving in correct terms and shows how to do both tapestry and plain weave on this little loom. The box says "not intended for children", but I think it might be fine for a 10-12 year old, though a larger simple frame loom might be easier for a child to work with.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLx0tVfFt2ru65RTpejSkKW277-yZNynfIJBOsFmbr2dyMW029hOeMbZItvC_e1bPz_nbtC2ZhhIlnVepKfOlMWqRHntQbed9dNQ5XJgnYsH5uIaXk6rRjARdCh-yU5grvDjqy/s3024/20201210_201649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLx0tVfFt2ru65RTpejSkKW277-yZNynfIJBOsFmbr2dyMW029hOeMbZItvC_e1bPz_nbtC2ZhhIlnVepKfOlMWqRHntQbed9dNQ5XJgnYsH5uIaXk6rRjARdCh-yU5grvDjqy/w400-h400/20201210_201649.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-75614494947948716032020-11-29T22:47:00.007+01:002020-11-29T22:47:41.510+01:00In-the-hoop machine embroidery project<p>I finished a project. This was a kit I bought from <a href="http://sulky.com" target="_blank">sulky.com</a> after I watched one of their free webinar classes on an in-the-hoop project. I don't think the kit is available any more but you can still get the design from <a href="https://picklepiedesigns.com/" target="_blank">Pickle Pie Designs</a> and use your own fabrics. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0scCv3QCZxmP2lGmDhBzzrOapdxVwr8LIl75ANxpsrrwLSopzNwCwA-qzEKWIUGX_wjfUpWwiqelkOlpaz_YPa6AnWXzoT7gn6YTALNxVn24dKT6pnOOLSdLIk-QxXN8XTo4/s3024/20201128_135416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0scCv3QCZxmP2lGmDhBzzrOapdxVwr8LIl75ANxpsrrwLSopzNwCwA-qzEKWIUGX_wjfUpWwiqelkOlpaz_YPa6AnWXzoT7gn6YTALNxVn24dKT6pnOOLSdLIk-QxXN8XTo4/w400-h400/20201128_135416.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzWsRdjNpZjgUlyIZeTWR39nZlP0Jt5_Ns3hXoLDM2KFFOO11uZOXRaLw1XZ7n2-PEiSndtiF18wtU' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I've been out of machine embroidery for a number of years so these kind of projects, where you do both the embroidery and the construction in the hoop, are new to me. I wouldn't have been able to do them on my 7570 because not only were the hoops too small, but I no longer had a way to get designs into the machine except through the special cards. My new machine is a Pfaff Creative 3.0 and it comes with a large 260x200 mm hoop, or roughly 8x10 inches. This was a fun little project. The first block took me a long time because I didn't want to mess it up, since I only had the fabrics from the kit and no extra. I think it turned out really cute. My kit also included a book, also from Pickle Pie Designs: <a href="https://picklepiedesigns.com/signed-copy-modern-machine-embroidery-by-lisa-archer.html" target="_blank">Modern Machine Embroidery</a> It contains helpful information about machine embroidery, step by step instructions for a number of projects and a CD with designs. <p></p><p>Machine embroidery is not an inexpensive hobby, nor is it always simple. There are so many different kinds of stabilizers on the market now. Back when I started with my 7570 in the early 2000's, there seemed to be only cut away, tear away and water dissolving. Now they have mesh and woven, heat soluble, fusible and more. Which one to use for which application gets confusing fast, even though the manufacturers all have charts and color coding to help you. There are many different types and weights of threads too. And designs! Oh my, so many designs. </p><p>And then there's the embroidery machine. A few years ago I intended to replace only the embroidery function of my 7570 by buying a standalone machine, but ultimately decided to stay with the Pfaff brand. Back when I bought my 7570, it was their top of the line and only sewing/embroidery machine. This time I went "middle of the road" with the Creative 3.0 - there's a less feature-full 1.5 model and a more feature-full 4.5 model and then the top of the line "Icon." Now my 7570 was expensive when I bought it and the Creative 3.0 was not cheap either but the Icon costs as much as a new car. It projects an image of what you're going to embroidery onto the fabric and has speech recognition. It's no longer a computerized sewing/embroidery machine, it's a computer that sews and embroiders.</p><p>It's fun to embellish a few things with embroidery and I plan to do more of it. It's a luxury to have such a machine and to afford the threads and materials to do this for fun. Now I just need to find some more time to devote to it! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br />Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-54156418457029987602020-11-21T23:26:00.000+01:002020-11-21T23:26:56.576+01:00Barbie patterns<p>I have a number of patterns for sewing clothes for Barbie dolls. I even have some <a href="https://monkeyroom.blogspot.com/2004/09/barbie.html" target="_blank">Barbies</a> - both the well-worn dolls I played with - and sewed a few clothes for while growing up - and some newer ones, bought to sew clothes for. I don't know why I want to do this, except to challenge myself and relive childhood perhaps. There are no children in my life who'd play with these dolls or the clothes I'd make.</p><p>These are just a few of the patterns I have. There are more.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcuckDePmMxwRORaIS_wewrQTM6Tsf3RbB2U2rY4FDyqB3yhVOWyrF25cavQ354fXchq9wbtug-UwkQbZjMWpGIiZjEjRaMi8hO1iu0MJyA-GPPSzFN3kaacMaq0aYwZlCo6l/s2560/20201119_171240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcuckDePmMxwRORaIS_wewrQTM6Tsf3RbB2U2rY4FDyqB3yhVOWyrF25cavQ354fXchq9wbtug-UwkQbZjMWpGIiZjEjRaMi8hO1iu0MJyA-GPPSzFN3kaacMaq0aYwZlCo6l/w400-h225/20201119_171240.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I wonder too if anyone has actually made these clothes. I see these patterns for sale on eBay and they do have buyers, but I've searched and haven't found any evidence of anyone making them. If anyone has, please let me know!</p><p>The reason this topic came up is because I came across a new Barbie who'd actually be a more appropriate model for the historical clothes, should I actually make them, than the perky blonde Barbies of my youth, the vintage cat-eyed one of the 60's, or the new dolls that Mattel has come out with - they really do have a wide variety of looks, ethnicities now. But to me, this <a href="https://barbie.mattel.com/shop/en-us/ba/florence-nightingale-ght87" target="_blank">Florence Nightingale</a> doll fits the look for me - not a lot of makeup and her hairstyle fits a broad range of periods. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://images.mattel.com/scene7/GHT87_01?$oslarge$&wid=725&hei=725" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="725" height="400" src="https://images.mattel.com/scene7/GHT87_01?$oslarge$&wid=725&hei=725" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from barbie.mattel.com</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />So yeah, I bought it. I felt that I should make a decision with these patterns - either keep them with an intent to sew them one day or get rid of them because I'll never make them. If I decide to sew them then I'd want a doll that looked appropriate wearing them. But if I wait, this doll will eventually only be available from resellers or collectors, which means potentially more money than I will want to spend. And if I eventually decide I won't ever use the patterns, then I can sell them. Hey, maybe I'll sell the patterns with the doll for someone else who'd want a more appropriate doll to model the clothes. </p>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-79719766454011506162020-10-31T20:41:00.005+01:002020-11-16T21:12:39.820+01:00Finished the Christmas band and made some yarnHere's the finished Christmas band I wove on my inkle loom. It's 3 yards long and 5/8" wide. I'm not sure what I'll do with it. I might dress up some glass jars with candles in them - I made some candles last weekend but didn't have the right dye (gel food coloring does not work with soy was, despite what I read online) and my green candles look more like key lime pie. I have proper candle dye on order. But right now I just like looking at it. Maybe it's too soon after weaving it to think about cutting it up.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0XPse9RcMP-zKEEqBcTMZBCSc-QmvzKbDT0RLKTpXv2EeS9EsLyAZzy1nbfLwPkk5PUsdX6J5Hvp2VgYit5Ym_QNc-qdJMUtgrFqOcQ9axFkb-6IfYcCHTe7aUtlhfc_cOis/s3024/20201031_114021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0XPse9RcMP-zKEEqBcTMZBCSc-QmvzKbDT0RLKTpXv2EeS9EsLyAZzy1nbfLwPkk5PUsdX6J5Hvp2VgYit5Ym_QNc-qdJMUtgrFqOcQ9axFkb-6IfYcCHTe7aUtlhfc_cOis/s320/20201031_114021.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZzjAG_KZ4EqFeOtU-gL_WMUK9T0y0FtA_4y3eNVUqYqNvFTV6iL-r7kYXFQA9wGiz48yrrLuDx_rw1oMRIVXd7vWx-lC3r2BJdMDvJeO3jAm7gq-Pst7QWt-VgTYaImW0Vgc/s3024/20201031_113825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZzjAG_KZ4EqFeOtU-gL_WMUK9T0y0FtA_4y3eNVUqYqNvFTV6iL-r7kYXFQA9wGiz48yrrLuDx_rw1oMRIVXd7vWx-lC3r2BJdMDvJeO3jAm7gq-Pst7QWt-VgTYaImW0Vgc/s320/20201031_113825.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>I also finished plying some fiber I spun last year. It's chain-plied Targhee/bamboo blend. I waited to ply it until I learned how to chain ply - if you ply two different colored fibers together you get a barber pole effect when the two colors combine. When you chain ply you are combining one long twisted fiber with itself serially, so the colors mix more evenly. That's the look I wanted for this yarn. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_t3Wcf4d1-tzEZCxSsPSTJW4GwAXD7SfmYbmv3g7vZWoV4hZP_oNJ41LqwKFJhJRXkr3lSB7kOu58TPud-fwxzBLaTmrigDeI7nYuLoTiGB6U3mkhL1ApB0Kjzxj3VubSDuW/s3024/20201028_190512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_t3Wcf4d1-tzEZCxSsPSTJW4GwAXD7SfmYbmv3g7vZWoV4hZP_oNJ41LqwKFJhJRXkr3lSB7kOu58TPud-fwxzBLaTmrigDeI7nYuLoTiGB6U3mkhL1ApB0Kjzxj3VubSDuW/s320/20201028_190512.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>The wheel didn't stay empty for long. I received the fiber at my spinning guild Christmas party gift exchange last year. It's very pink and not my color, but I thought I should spin it anyway and perhaps use it to knit up a baby item as a future gift for someone, or perhaps something else for a pink-loving friend.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4jocS-AeGkILQuazVf4U9q4zDdcHblMsjNnjZbjLfxGSP9Kgd3RbLp2c54iisOW-mdYXOVq7yImh9-3yjDccYPMCQiNsAO9dTMpRanp7KiJqPPEikWb-AybhaYerHM4XfCUB/s3024/20201031_123019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4jocS-AeGkILQuazVf4U9q4zDdcHblMsjNnjZbjLfxGSP9Kgd3RbLp2c54iisOW-mdYXOVq7yImh9-3yjDccYPMCQiNsAO9dTMpRanp7KiJqPPEikWb-AybhaYerHM4XfCUB/s320/20201031_123019.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Now I am faced with project paralysis. Which of my many, many projects to work on next? I think right now I'm going to do a bit of sewing. My husband asked me to make him some hops bags for his home beer brewing. Here's a picture of what costs $7 from a homebrew company (ok, the one that costs 7 bucks is 1 inch larger than this one, but still) <i><b>Correction - he's since told me they actually cost $2 each</b></i>. Yes, it's a muslin bag with a drawstring and the inside seam allowances aren't even finished. So glad I sew. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-OGdZzfejzdtEFzlhLW_WwwIPu1zTMhwuj2dUORIremAvKUs1K3e0A4U5laX-Sh6zoHNMnNeRoluABg-kFpuJEw2TAH-tOL1eivVAeVz_v-T3ZjlEpphYA4spiFN4TQp_jiX/s3024/20201031_123309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-OGdZzfejzdtEFzlhLW_WwwIPu1zTMhwuj2dUORIremAvKUs1K3e0A4U5laX-Sh6zoHNMnNeRoluABg-kFpuJEw2TAH-tOL1eivVAeVz_v-T3ZjlEpphYA4spiFN4TQp_jiX/s320/20201031_123309.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-6825598413005054082020-10-25T03:18:00.011+01:002020-10-25T22:30:01.115+01:00A year of projects and a recently completed UFOIt's been almost a year since I posted on this blog. If you follow me on my Instagram account: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lori_sews/">lori_sews</a>, then you have seen my projects over the last year. If not, then here's a round up of projects and some related crafty purchases, from most recent to oldest.<div><br /></div><div>First, a finished UFO. I started these pumpkins probably 15 years ago (actually 2 pumpkins and 1 gourd). I got as far as stuffing them and had all the leaves and stems cut out and interfaced the leaves. I carefully had stored all the pieces with the pattern (McCalls 4189) in a ziplock bag. Why didn't I finish them sooner? I don't know. They sat on the top of my sewing bookcase for almost all those years and then went into storage while I was in Germany. After moving back and unpacking they again went to the top of a bookcase. I saw them the other day and thought it was time to finish them and enjoy them! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dhcYVHMEyQdD2ZIKTJjVNOLlXZVvTa-Resm1DQ4RUHEkavIaHkf3z2WdepY3m1JW9zEr-jHcYYUuleRHFFcQAty7oDj5E88aoK4aY3v8FOqfvltlA3rDgyROuZJQDpqs134t/s3024/20201024_125109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dhcYVHMEyQdD2ZIKTJjVNOLlXZVvTa-Resm1DQ4RUHEkavIaHkf3z2WdepY3m1JW9zEr-jHcYYUuleRHFFcQAty7oDj5E88aoK4aY3v8FOqfvltlA3rDgyROuZJQDpqs134t/s320/20201024_125109.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made the small and medium pumpkins - the large size must be huge!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zE9-Hgt3xaZuvbHBY1q_0XpWSXId8imdaXyW0PDgm03Uwrltpi8jyu6RF3j-DjCYOM5aOAVeF0I6kh3UGpCR8Ovl3gTOHpB9fuRDbPnrdnLAd8HL6riKT6Q6wVV9DfIoAlxe/s3024/20201025_140558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zE9-Hgt3xaZuvbHBY1q_0XpWSXId8imdaXyW0PDgm03Uwrltpi8jyu6RF3j-DjCYOM5aOAVeF0I6kh3UGpCR8Ovl3gTOHpB9fuRDbPnrdnLAd8HL6riKT6Q6wVV9DfIoAlxe/s320/20201025_140558.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>I tried out some tapestry weaving. This is sort of a sampler, designed as I wove, just to try out some different shapes and techniques. I used a Hokett loom - handmade looms by Jim Hokett, who unfortunately no longer makes them. I have a small (7x8) and medium (9x10) size; I used the small one for this project. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0rHuHV33wprId1rsgQB8gwMHIrC4qYC9gGwUcUt0RfhESy4NEWBFVlVZZQgpby8BDVe2CLfeI0C0JBCvQS52xsgF8EI0D2Ucmp5qAOSV-raXJInGcvQmnar8BAE8Jk-FOAeU/s3024/20201015_163056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0rHuHV33wprId1rsgQB8gwMHIrC4qYC9gGwUcUt0RfhESy4NEWBFVlVZZQgpby8BDVe2CLfeI0C0JBCvQS52xsgF8EI0D2Ucmp5qAOSV-raXJInGcvQmnar8BAE8Jk-FOAeU/s320/20201015_163056.jpg" /></a></div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB4-G5F1BBleCjtsfMsxJL_KmJzegPEvBzHlF-WNeP-jhxYb7eNFAjZEaFzMMvR44LXBOD99Rd_T4YvLyjQAbHyEd4K5J_ZOep6qm_7rA2Dl5K87S6U-dKpuqujSpXqJHS2NG/s3024/20201024_175726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB4-G5F1BBleCjtsfMsxJL_KmJzegPEvBzHlF-WNeP-jhxYb7eNFAjZEaFzMMvR44LXBOD99Rd_T4YvLyjQAbHyEd4K5J_ZOep6qm_7rA2Dl5K87S6U-dKpuqujSpXqJHS2NG/s320/20201024_175726.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Small and medium Hokett looms</div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I finished knitting some socks. These were my "work" socks because I knit them during Tuesday lunchtime knitting meetups with other knitting employees at work. But since the pandemic, I've been working from home, so these became my Webex socks - I knit them during reviews and other meetings I attend remotely when I need to listen but don't need to present or take notes. As other knitters may find, knitting actually helps me focus and listen to meetings and keeps me from wandering off to check email or do other work. As long as it's easy knitting and not lace or complicated patterns. Now these will become my work-from-home-socks during the winter.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dcuwJJcpTWp_hJ4-meg_5H2uhAdtiEhm9JkotodBIJ7he0Hfni11tar4nJ0aB0NvF49SeA9DoF8QvVBC62UlSquKSCtAW_ZgjZLYMCN4fFf0SGEnAF983FlBfJ8tLrv1Mz0f/s3024/20201007_141545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dcuwJJcpTWp_hJ4-meg_5H2uhAdtiEhm9JkotodBIJ7he0Hfni11tar4nJ0aB0NvF49SeA9DoF8QvVBC62UlSquKSCtAW_ZgjZLYMCN4fFf0SGEnAF983FlBfJ8tLrv1Mz0f/s320/20201007_141545.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Regia sock yarn, just a simple stockinette</div><div><br /></div><div>I've started on a new pair of work-socks, which I am also calling "Webex Socks" I'm knitting these for my husband.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO7Mu7d-NoHdChOs-GiC8bkx8uR18r4BRIVVgNUi5mcZsPGyZ7TJt0FVtq3Q69RalVFJecWufioDyEN14qfb1WzL2TYw8PX3VV8XJhmyRoklTQzDcGwO_7iT8nnMFH83mNXLW/s2021/20200820_101346.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2021" data-original-width="2021" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO7Mu7d-NoHdChOs-GiC8bkx8uR18r4BRIVVgNUi5mcZsPGyZ7TJt0FVtq3Q69RalVFJecWufioDyEN14qfb1WzL2TYw8PX3VV8XJhmyRoklTQzDcGwO_7iT8nnMFH83mNXLW/s320/20200820_101346.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More Regia sock yarn. I have a lot, but it's the best for socks in my opinion.</div><div><br /></div>Weaving in progress - I'm working on a Christmas-themed band on my inkle loom.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCs4lqtknl6PW9WaPAt8riyZBKj7Z9DsyHhcPuLWuU-ZZ-AUeRBpdMI2ukukyn2rzEijFMoxtA6165EcZRqasTnAaTHmucW8dcxq_wwpvsBI7Q6R3lNTPctyDTSDibDq0v4X6/s3024/20201006_185309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCs4lqtknl6PW9WaPAt8riyZBKj7Z9DsyHhcPuLWuU-ZZ-AUeRBpdMI2ukukyn2rzEijFMoxtA6165EcZRqasTnAaTHmucW8dcxq_wwpvsBI7Q6R3lNTPctyDTSDibDq0v4X6/s320/20201006_185309.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6JsTD8FryrnC4x8CZP5SJ1TDd3Y1rl-RFOD-ekT7GSz2il7fBgmi9J42W6KbrVHG0LauYZHfmsrKJ6_ALHtPkbFMj0wU5RCH7lzVw5gjxEpkXfoGzMffVd2AFbrK12dSVTcm/s3024/20201006_185339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6JsTD8FryrnC4x8CZP5SJ1TDd3Y1rl-RFOD-ekT7GSz2il7fBgmi9J42W6KbrVHG0LauYZHfmsrKJ6_ALHtPkbFMj0wU5RCH7lzVw5gjxEpkXfoGzMffVd2AFbrK12dSVTcm/s320/20201006_185339.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>I bought a new spinning wheel last summer. It's a Daedalus Starling XL electric wheel, made of carbon fiber and 3D printed plastic. I absolutely love it!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFw3meX-HHCVcxCwxzYEw4VCla58XVMu_ZOxmctqmdctmCTIDeGO5RpdxQ6IIHPPFEkSvKi9oXzV92KFrx1jF7BBYxaJJgJZwdesGYYnjhlhvEXakSKkfyVF8ZrJv9dhcPq4h/s3024/20200811_084613.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFw3meX-HHCVcxCwxzYEw4VCla58XVMu_ZOxmctqmdctmCTIDeGO5RpdxQ6IIHPPFEkSvKi9oXzV92KFrx1jF7BBYxaJJgJZwdesGYYnjhlhvEXakSKkfyVF8ZrJv9dhcPq4h/s320/20200811_084613.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8HI3ZG5j61Ds_h8A9jg7-mf_Uew3fTy-X81RKDYIrK36-H3-4Wtn-cFLm-taZ8wJokqY70Hrn9CyW0fdfy8fLR7vmV_fq8fL5Jrhe7BMFrBHifdbISCLdLShLZwJCcsLDiaE/s3024/20200909_124811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8HI3ZG5j61Ds_h8A9jg7-mf_Uew3fTy-X81RKDYIrK36-H3-4Wtn-cFLm-taZ8wJokqY70Hrn9CyW0fdfy8fLR7vmV_fq8fL5Jrhe7BMFrBHifdbISCLdLShLZwJCcsLDiaE/s320/20200909_124811.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wool/silk blend </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDZpj6HsNejqlYpK0DJY8zsXxbxqDyb1RPwFI4sbVVBinIbOBJ-4bAyMHFKLNjJBeBhti-AcvukBZ8FIQC0qhww8bUQJYSTtSoxUZ8SH_6_HvYXyUcZtS4kfht5G1xBoW_E2y/s3024/20200822_121201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDZpj6HsNejqlYpK0DJY8zsXxbxqDyb1RPwFI4sbVVBinIbOBJ-4bAyMHFKLNjJBeBhti-AcvukBZ8FIQC0qhww8bUQJYSTtSoxUZ8SH_6_HvYXyUcZtS4kfht5G1xBoW_E2y/s320/20200822_121201.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First yarn made on the new wheel - it was a freebie fiber they sent with the wheel</div><br /><div>I also bought two new looms this summer! My weaving guild was thinning out their rental looms and selling them to members at a great price. I couldn't resist. They're table looms from the Mountain loom company (now since closed). The large one is a 28" 12-shaft and the small one is an 18" 8-shaft. I cleaned them up and now they're ready to be warped. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOEbQm7x_b9G3QFzcz0eFIg7n8BPKelAa_9I2KqB78d4GOahp45SyiNKWbb53htYnYJCH61dhUvdUihYT7WtRwBrtRKei4XXp_2NpnVZOF1zflnRimGnLgaSbILKG4iyxqWDC/s3024/20200808_195133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOEbQm7x_b9G3QFzcz0eFIg7n8BPKelAa_9I2KqB78d4GOahp45SyiNKWbb53htYnYJCH61dhUvdUihYT7WtRwBrtRKei4XXp_2NpnVZOF1zflnRimGnLgaSbILKG4iyxqWDC/s320/20200808_195133.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQb0p7wAyZqLLIn1wkGq91Ub4ylxnzBlqDx5B2gbzvzHOmbv7T7j20FMpz8My_zaHbrFVVyZ_mR-JTQisPXamDnK5bCgvUmoj6pvdRKWys0TxhP6J11MlgCsPlAGp_y_CH7sF/s3024/20200808_091808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQb0p7wAyZqLLIn1wkGq91Ub4ylxnzBlqDx5B2gbzvzHOmbv7T7j20FMpz8My_zaHbrFVVyZ_mR-JTQisPXamDnK5bCgvUmoj6pvdRKWys0TxhP6J11MlgCsPlAGp_y_CH7sF/s320/20200808_091808.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A thorough cleaning!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fleece prep. I'd resisted buying a whole fleece for a while because of the work involved in washing and combing, but I gave in and started with a 1 lb fleece from the Deboulliet breed. I washed half of it and then combed it and discovered that it's actually quite fun - well, the combing part at least. When you comb, you pull align the longest fibers and then use a "dizz" to pull them into a long roving. The shorter fibers that are left behind can then be carded into batts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rGikWh9MAG5S3z2cPsGh73F0kJFOuDpCNyoQwKtCZ_m_ikQyBuK-qJhrnKUSZoOnQfLvV8KHBCHRG3_qNeWUE7Hlen7chQU1yrIfWREfuwEe6jstXUsFQpkdIxDa_qcYh6Us/s3024/20200119_155959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rGikWh9MAG5S3z2cPsGh73F0kJFOuDpCNyoQwKtCZ_m_ikQyBuK-qJhrnKUSZoOnQfLvV8KHBCHRG3_qNeWUE7Hlen7chQU1yrIfWREfuwEe6jstXUsFQpkdIxDa_qcYh6Us/s320/20200119_155959.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Drying the washed fleece</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9AHusax7Xbv_Ws3S1vYbYUNvRtnimyR1brO6mCEvxSXlt3EVIBIgKBANdHawWA3vouvSG9CnJzYlA3_BGgVVLaiUmIhTUjYz3DSoinCQT21c8eUKUQHY_qVyya0Y-Ih4XGpB/s3024/20200719_150533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9AHusax7Xbv_Ws3S1vYbYUNvRtnimyR1brO6mCEvxSXlt3EVIBIgKBANdHawWA3vouvSG9CnJzYlA3_BGgVVLaiUmIhTUjYz3DSoinCQT21c8eUKUQHY_qVyya0Y-Ih4XGpB/s320/20200719_150533.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A big decorative button I bought in Latvia came in handy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnHmdG8QIQUO8AWgqSavCLppLRdiktoHFkpz8oxLsI3bHHvRCTIE-Cw_kQHq49SHILz7std56VejnvzZFLm2rKEHLNzXWyIM4wWlh307BY6xHr8iM4BlI66Ha_Zr4AARNNe7L/s3024/20200722_190634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnHmdG8QIQUO8AWgqSavCLppLRdiktoHFkpz8oxLsI3bHHvRCTIE-Cw_kQHq49SHILz7std56VejnvzZFLm2rKEHLNzXWyIM4wWlh307BY6xHr8iM4BlI66Ha_Zr4AARNNe7L/s320/20200722_190634.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A basket of roving and batts of the shorter staples</div><div><br /></div>I did a lot of spinning in July when we had "Tour de Fleece" - it's when spinners around the world get together to spin during the Tour de France bicycle race (usually virtually and this year definitely virtually). The race was postponed but we spun anyway. Here's what I spun:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnqHm6xgtEDTs1PiQNBdOHMnjJoZORElrwtaHhbSf6AuB2qfw_sO6Qe4b1GBGbdkkUYB843yzU3zBGJWKcgLSQSfcMIMbX3TA13Ze8suq7HA_LKBP3oqyUTYM5_4xZSHguomy/s3024/20200717_195843%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnqHm6xgtEDTs1PiQNBdOHMnjJoZORElrwtaHhbSf6AuB2qfw_sO6Qe4b1GBGbdkkUYB843yzU3zBGJWKcgLSQSfcMIMbX3TA13Ze8suq7HA_LKBP3oqyUTYM5_4xZSHguomy/s320/20200717_195843%257E2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Merino/silk blend on my drop spindle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMX16SBYyk6K_o4cN5F2B5dOTXTU2mtE3KCQFgZKKVxYj2j-FH1vRa6-ZAZKul0LYBp9P8k7qmjR_t2uDcxdF5-uJj2OZ2Ftav9n3C0XL_PJ2bbLRFagNosh9b8SZgMHv_6dc/s3024/20200712_201602.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMX16SBYyk6K_o4cN5F2B5dOTXTU2mtE3KCQFgZKKVxYj2j-FH1vRa6-ZAZKul0LYBp9P8k7qmjR_t2uDcxdF5-uJj2OZ2Ftav9n3C0XL_PJ2bbLRFagNosh9b8SZgMHv_6dc/s320/20200712_201602.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I liked this action shot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDR3qc6cHCb07YFRavfB58NKVu6bWr_P-CCOOZNCZIHptmHHfuTg9gNJVv77TfObldQAIO31FAkOskeV_vA7TvMRShnJOUXmJdm_6X8fm1ZwkJ7OBZVrzXkvW1HY2PSPKnIMi/s3024/20200707_183432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDR3qc6cHCb07YFRavfB58NKVu6bWr_P-CCOOZNCZIHptmHHfuTg9gNJVv77TfObldQAIO31FAkOskeV_vA7TvMRShnJOUXmJdm_6X8fm1ZwkJ7OBZVrzXkvW1HY2PSPKnIMi/s320/20200707_183432.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alpaca - I actually just finished spinning this today</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmMsYyZnpM_MTsmpXaRZ9yNWpd22pyTZA_tHUSBXxQFwG2k8CC7UOrpoXHgk9SRMbFTc05DUaWsHswkpaAJSYN2cneVWJ_tkqaZCiXN9_3Tm9fRFahDwtenTF_X7fVvF-yp2V/s3024/20200703_190728%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmMsYyZnpM_MTsmpXaRZ9yNWpd22pyTZA_tHUSBXxQFwG2k8CC7UOrpoXHgk9SRMbFTc05DUaWsHswkpaAJSYN2cneVWJ_tkqaZCiXN9_3Tm9fRFahDwtenTF_X7fVvF-yp2V/s320/20200703_190728%257E2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some finished wool yarn.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Machine embroidery. I finally tried out the embroidery on my Pfaff Creative 3.0 by embroidering a muslin bag to store some of my Blue Face Leicester fiber.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37s0ZOreJkpyedb_QkCkLEs_pHGhMqyzgbmr2avGWlpIGEmasiEPhcflvM3tEIrN6qN0RSXUjJUleYbCSYrGW3V_SBSO8AfFiQ0XauUGmfDY2Ph_2-FHNV1I79wZeNqFit1a2/s3024/20200707_200145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37s0ZOreJkpyedb_QkCkLEs_pHGhMqyzgbmr2avGWlpIGEmasiEPhcflvM3tEIrN6qN0RSXUjJUleYbCSYrGW3V_SBSO8AfFiQ0XauUGmfDY2Ph_2-FHNV1I79wZeNqFit1a2/s320/20200707_200145.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>Sewing! I made some pajamas. And some more pajamas. I do hope to make something other than pajamas but I needed them.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUFWmvvDztzzNotvmm45Kgha9p0YEvcuxVQ8XlRZR2xkg9VK21GJm92KBrmQr9eKvbIXAYRlMlApZ58ek9HKhjHj24nd7g7_WhsohO3IKjpr3z2zcYIDj8hkX9Hnj4OWotXZI/s3024/20200628_164533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUFWmvvDztzzNotvmm45Kgha9p0YEvcuxVQ8XlRZR2xkg9VK21GJm92KBrmQr9eKvbIXAYRlMlApZ58ek9HKhjHj24nd7g7_WhsohO3IKjpr3z2zcYIDj8hkX9Hnj4OWotXZI/s320/20200628_164533.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My "go-to" pattern for pajamas: KwikSew 2811 </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5teoj8yD6K78MK9QfhcffgFAvVOCircsUSZbTsgPpQcDIJ2ju8c01FiuCJmYCLarVGy7AWECAATHIlOLVE10iGK-j3vPyvOI4KqliHeyfbLN-ej4ruJkB9bkum38d2q5gd8wZ/s2046/20200525_170427-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5teoj8yD6K78MK9QfhcffgFAvVOCircsUSZbTsgPpQcDIJ2ju8c01FiuCJmYCLarVGy7AWECAATHIlOLVE10iGK-j3vPyvOI4KqliHeyfbLN-ej4ruJkB9bkum38d2q5gd8wZ/s320/20200525_170427-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My other "go-to" pattern for pajamas: KwikSew 2821</div><div><br /></div><div>A new serger! This is the Babylock Triumph - a combo coverstitch/overlock. I have used my Evolve coverstitch/overlock for 18 years and it's still great but showing its age. I'm keeping both though.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCuzAmEKdEbJdBfeeO6B2cEZB0sLSLG3P_wxlG8uvH7kb_WTL9y1xyqriG9VI5XxU4Nd-ycyFn-dUqb3akeJdzbnI-Pm-2bV8akUwnvTN04GtpZaCH_AOKvK_4-J5cDQ9RhbN/s3024/20200530_164717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCuzAmEKdEbJdBfeeO6B2cEZB0sLSLG3P_wxlG8uvH7kb_WTL9y1xyqriG9VI5XxU4Nd-ycyFn-dUqb3akeJdzbnI-Pm-2bV8akUwnvTN04GtpZaCH_AOKvK_4-J5cDQ9RhbN/s320/20200530_164717.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So much bigger...and whiter. </div><br /><div>I'm knitting a sweater. It does have sleeves and they are done. I "just" have to pick up and knit the border along the front and neck edge, then block the pieces and sew everything up. My least favorite parts of knitting! But I do need to finish so I can wear it this winter. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDZE7BaUvxBNzsBdAkrwPHUqUgYShpCXufAlNeqF3MNSiqqgdp3yvL_G94lEiTZ9osx1ofTh8WPaGgcR8Ip1GhsFlX1czjTj3WdjzWvYBO1wzjlWlscAaqQlJZE-I5Ly2-Ioe/s3024/20200525_171020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDZE7BaUvxBNzsBdAkrwPHUqUgYShpCXufAlNeqF3MNSiqqgdp3yvL_G94lEiTZ9osx1ofTh8WPaGgcR8Ip1GhsFlX1czjTj3WdjzWvYBO1wzjlWlscAaqQlJZE-I5Ly2-Ioe/s320/20200525_171020.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>More spinning. I tried to make thicker yarn than I usually spin. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneaXslpzOPEEk2qVyVArC3mr9BcQZ9cGs07tD3cAnzZfaUGvNB9SC6__tg3ITsr20i5aEka-s65loD69GDcXtNC694bBQn_DcR0zQhmtCHE6W97ty9nCJ6jZA_nQAf15LVi8a/s3024/20200523_184325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneaXslpzOPEEk2qVyVArC3mr9BcQZ9cGs07tD3cAnzZfaUGvNB9SC6__tg3ITsr20i5aEka-s65loD69GDcXtNC694bBQn_DcR0zQhmtCHE6W97ty9nCJ6jZA_nQAf15LVi8a/s320/20200523_184325.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>More sewing. His and hers NASA-themed sleep pants. Yes, more pajamas!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFx2-TLFSBcEgpUlPAwZfZ_7uGiyuDz4GznYp30jkhWv7GDvWB6Rn09-iuC0ET6ddz3h66gBHzRx-4Bit6ekk2ecCNapp3_JSey3ucwqPC7WvXLpYTJPYnzndchU_PJjO7K86/s3024/20200508_154908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFx2-TLFSBcEgpUlPAwZfZ_7uGiyuDz4GznYp30jkhWv7GDvWB6Rn09-iuC0ET6ddz3h66gBHzRx-4Bit6ekk2ecCNapp3_JSey3ucwqPC7WvXLpYTJPYnzndchU_PJjO7K86/s320/20200508_154908.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I sewed the pajamas because I wanted to use the fabric remnants to make masks:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SYPlMlietrcxCgS9lEgI-fMYbvp1lEo0BeOVZMGersa1HsaR21OFreesE_S-X3Sgai7renG4mIVg5GYuIcq3v_sz62VB6j7sWl9qKFH-B5yAfOPOCWZFVC0AHJgwPYfInVr4/s3024/20200420_180809.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SYPlMlietrcxCgS9lEgI-fMYbvp1lEo0BeOVZMGersa1HsaR21OFreesE_S-X3Sgai7renG4mIVg5GYuIcq3v_sz62VB6j7sWl9qKFH-B5yAfOPOCWZFVC0AHJgwPYfInVr4/s320/20200420_180809.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAMzNujMx7lERKJam3cwfLbs28iGUDu872RvkW0bDhxvGcbPDbtxCOfSbzvOF8B9lXg5nvLpRQcmeOYWcvLr9X6ETK3mFwjHhY_2uIqYtiB2vhgHCa8omgb_ilxUPwY64XDnk/s3024/20200410_213900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAMzNujMx7lERKJam3cwfLbs28iGUDu872RvkW0bDhxvGcbPDbtxCOfSbzvOF8B9lXg5nvLpRQcmeOYWcvLr9X6ETK3mFwjHhY_2uIqYtiB2vhgHCa8omgb_ilxUPwY64XDnk/s320/20200410_213900.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqKgXcXiNdXNdjs8pt_Q9P41XtAUWsr4d2LODc1e4LD-pIzX91ov-egpWhXq2pNXmcyTQd_He30U9E3Gb8kSQtIMnCZWb0Gh_WsqUdbKbvCkNKA2eXJ6CGG6GDUlxgr6P-I9b/s3024/20200407_200624%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqKgXcXiNdXNdjs8pt_Q9P41XtAUWsr4d2LODc1e4LD-pIzX91ov-egpWhXq2pNXmcyTQd_He30U9E3Gb8kSQtIMnCZWb0Gh_WsqUdbKbvCkNKA2eXJ6CGG6GDUlxgr6P-I9b/s320/20200407_200624%257E2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Some sock knitting:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AoMxKZ5nQHYAZuvFAjQCU43nOrw7vGAhlMMqt1MKBHcNlcoPCJIJ0uWQDJNkNALkRgc9MrMw0t_EBwDLF7r5194FjQygojCjHCloSmOMv86nIjQUrEYMEAUWapkxVf42uwv-/s3024/20200221_174048%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AoMxKZ5nQHYAZuvFAjQCU43nOrw7vGAhlMMqt1MKBHcNlcoPCJIJ0uWQDJNkNALkRgc9MrMw0t_EBwDLF7r5194FjQygojCjHCloSmOMv86nIjQUrEYMEAUWapkxVf42uwv-/s320/20200221_174048%257E2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Regia sock yarn</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Outdoor chair covers. The last sewing project I showed on this blog was the large cover I made for our outdoor couch. I finished the chair covers a few months later - yay. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5vqmhh0VEbpTp1gXoXy7Ufu_quwfzLs2K6h8zowAy3quf4be9NqRXitc9aga1BLF4wyiDQ5twpAjF1O61NpovD3ev0qL_TLTcGKsztefZQWgMPcW6dnI-iOmN8YwaqzIcf3d/s3024/20200202_164040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5vqmhh0VEbpTp1gXoXy7Ufu_quwfzLs2K6h8zowAy3quf4be9NqRXitc9aga1BLF4wyiDQ5twpAjF1O61NpovD3ev0qL_TLTcGKsztefZQWgMPcW6dnI-iOmN8YwaqzIcf3d/s320/20200202_164040.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I almost forgot my other big purchase last year (I did make a few, didn't I?). I bought a Sailrite sewing machine. I didn't take any photos of it though, and it's put away in its storage case and very heavy, so I'm not going to get it out now to take a picture. It's a great heavy duty sewing machine. I bought it because sewing the cover for the couch pushed my Pfaff Creative 3.0 to its max - at one point it stopped and I got a message saying it had to rest! Now if I have anything heavy weight, I'm using the Sailrite. Here's a picture from the Sailrite company website:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LAecpQqA0aiCjIYbAkAnubSFQJV4UcwVBHrWY5XsQJnLh6oDMFocxLy3_fDwLN-FSEHSDe3U_M5EtqI9LSNSDViqewLJ3Tc6NcsqlY9Sq3eR1YPfqs6VcVqOaRotmgytv2wY/s1000/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-LSZ-1-PREMIUM-Walking-Foot-Sewing-Machine_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LAecpQqA0aiCjIYbAkAnubSFQJV4UcwVBHrWY5XsQJnLh6oDMFocxLy3_fDwLN-FSEHSDe3U_M5EtqI9LSNSDViqewLJ3Tc6NcsqlY9Sq3eR1YPfqs6VcVqOaRotmgytv2wY/s320/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-LSZ-1-PREMIUM-Walking-Foot-Sewing-Machine_1.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And finally, here's a weaving project I completed during a course I took at Stitches SoCal last year. It's called "clasped warp" weaving.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioANDN5YRIxG8vUpgfCvdd294llVqs54dQcsd8Z801StJsqKjkALKbKjgSF_m_pFdqa7t3ZaFIoHJZV4_mlao9pgV9FyO4xAZ8djoL0a_BDd9p-yTtp_01IgfRQs23-jjVFWFB/s3024/20191116_075309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioANDN5YRIxG8vUpgfCvdd294llVqs54dQcsd8Z801StJsqKjkALKbKjgSF_m_pFdqa7t3ZaFIoHJZV4_mlao9pgV9FyO4xAZ8djoL0a_BDd9p-yTtp_01IgfRQs23-jjVFWFB/s320/20191116_075309.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div>That's it! Just a few projects this last year. I have so many more project lined up, of course. I had to make a list because my head spins when I think about what to work on next. Do I warp the loom to weave some towels? Sew a top (NOT pajamas!!)? Finish my mini quilt? I did work more on it, but I haven't sewn on the binding yet. I have a Christmas-themed embroidery project queued up. I want to finish prepping the other 1/2 pound of fleece because I bought two full fleeces this summer (yup, I did). I have some singles to ply into yarn. I'd like to make some Christmas candles using some empty yogurt pots and maybe use the band I'm weaving to decorate them. </div><div><br /></div></div></div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-29061003968724673002019-12-16T05:35:00.001+01:002020-11-16T20:48:45.502+01:00Fiber, fiber, and more fiberI've rediscovered my enjoyment of spinning this year so most of my craft-time has been spent doing that...or buying more fiber to spin. Yeah, there's been...ahem...a lot of buying.<br />
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi8tabseKkKXRdgR719kkf1du35-3i5prf6kQheka26uPCKTk5HMS4lcCM8Ucnvffv1-6uxUReg0OwUQnFREbh4_YWT57Kbb3vspNXVyyOHqY4lZD9o-bUeVkxNa2RZAidmyb/s1600/20190821_182835.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi8tabseKkKXRdgR719kkf1du35-3i5prf6kQheka26uPCKTk5HMS4lcCM8Ucnvffv1-6uxUReg0OwUQnFREbh4_YWT57Kbb3vspNXVyyOHqY4lZD9o-bUeVkxNa2RZAidmyb/s400/20190821_182835.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was on clearance! Lots of colors of wool to play with.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKh7Vbyex-Vg4u-wpb2AIbx7btp_2b0mzDWi7lgATFB4cnOOvG4bWUc9g9XmvTv_J_f65HVzNehSyDCw3mg2zscFl11Y_ns1gn01gH-HBiUxT1XvWyN9lrfdVBkHpxXuR8u2u/s1600/20190821_183333_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKh7Vbyex-Vg4u-wpb2AIbx7btp_2b0mzDWi7lgATFB4cnOOvG4bWUc9g9XmvTv_J_f65HVzNehSyDCw3mg2zscFl11Y_ns1gn01gH-HBiUxT1XvWyN9lrfdVBkHpxXuR8u2u/s400/20190821_183333_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another sale = more colors to play with</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HdYaj7HC2KOU1UrqiIsyTzdacrUIEr2n4v50TBmESKYwqqlLmDdv_0Y7-kr_JKmxPxTPWPzfVVuP-u-d0Uts6_fVlLp6jWYcN43vi9a4kWce-cTBMtfM8tOW25sMC9y_V_75/s1600/20191006_192931.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HdYaj7HC2KOU1UrqiIsyTzdacrUIEr2n4v50TBmESKYwqqlLmDdv_0Y7-kr_JKmxPxTPWPzfVVuP-u-d0Uts6_fVlLp6jWYcN43vi9a4kWce-cTBMtfM8tOW25sMC9y_V_75/s400/20191006_192931.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a fiber festival. I went. I bought.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
Sometimes the braids of hand-dyed fiber are just too irresistible:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqN2QPdKXl3Imosnr1y3LabAMCdua0CH1_gEtPgAKnJxeVvw9bxKNuUAvQjm6bnOcElejGe342I0K5UfjiaO_b38cEB-S-LE2Rr1LeOvqV0D_P5YnDib2sNxP-6WE57QL-AwO/s1600/20190622_165332%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1435" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqN2QPdKXl3Imosnr1y3LabAMCdua0CH1_gEtPgAKnJxeVvw9bxKNuUAvQjm6bnOcElejGe342I0K5UfjiaO_b38cEB-S-LE2Rr1LeOvqV0D_P5YnDib2sNxP-6WE57QL-AwO/s400/20190622_165332%257E2.jpg" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess I really like this dyer's work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4kg6OurEGzKqy2j808ys04dPtNDGJC8t_Ct9zL7AzWu8_CSn-jI0ingSfg62mXRStaZTr4LjoPhT5m9yInKMpH4hsdtzSM9v1rGYnIvaAX5Ap16w4tgf-cTnOh_0yu3_6GSV/s1600/20190803_120527-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4kg6OurEGzKqy2j808ys04dPtNDGJC8t_Ct9zL7AzWu8_CSn-jI0ingSfg62mXRStaZTr4LjoPhT5m9yInKMpH4hsdtzSM9v1rGYnIvaAX5Ap16w4tgf-cTnOh_0yu3_6GSV/s400/20190803_120527-COLLAGE.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and this one too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first fiber in my collection was a gift from my in-laws after they visited New Zealand, and it was many years before I started spinning. I think the presentation is beautiful and I may never spin it because of that!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3cgg3emDRw2VRkxoKZqtf8ACd5HRJIroW1Nbfl4pxyYMDvoeaBSwYAineUt5GAwIdiiR_GK5cCIPrw_H_rKpXNdPzqsSk7CguHYxZTlIKWQMzEQwQvTbsuiSDj2PovzzmlvK/s1600/20190529_204143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3cgg3emDRw2VRkxoKZqtf8ACd5HRJIroW1Nbfl4pxyYMDvoeaBSwYAineUt5GAwIdiiR_GK5cCIPrw_H_rKpXNdPzqsSk7CguHYxZTlIKWQMzEQwQvTbsuiSDj2PovzzmlvK/s400/20190529_204143.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Then there's the fiber I bought because it was from interesting breeds of sheep or other animals or plants. My stash contains fiber from sheep, camelids, goats, plants, and other sources. Most weights are 4 ounces, but some are 8 ounces and there are a few larger "bumps" and some very small samples of 1-2 ounces. Some are blends, either two sheep breeds or mixed with something like cashmere, silk or bamboo. Some fiber is in its raw, natural color and some was purchased dyed, either by an independent dyer (like the braids above) or commercially (like the wool and bamboo in the first two pictures). All are prepared fiber, ready for spinning, with the exception of the one fleece in the list.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are the sheep breeds:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Merino (what spinner <i>doesn't </i>have merino?)</li>
<li>Bluefaced Leicester (known among fiber people simply as BFL)</li>
<li>Corriedale</li>
<li>Shetland</li>
<li>Perendale</li>
<li>Gotland</li>
<li>Jacob</li>
<li>Texel</li>
<li>Finn</li>
<li>Icelandic</li>
<li>Norwegian</li>
<li>Ramboulliet</li>
<li>Targhee</li>
<li>Polwarth</li>
<li>Teeswater</li>
<li>Swaledale</li>
<li>Romney</li>
<li>Herdwick</li>
<li>Deboulliet (my first fleece that I'll have to wash and comb first)</li>
<li>Black Welsh Mountain</li>
<li>Wensleydale</li>
<li>Cotswold</li>
<li>Navajo Churro</li><li>Wallace East Friesian</li><li>Falkland</li><li>Whitefaced Woodland</li><li>Manx Loaghtan</li><li>Gray Masham</li><li>Coopworth</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Goats:<br />
<ul>
<li>Mohair</li>
<li>Cashmere</li>
<li>Pygora</li>
</ul>
<div>
Camelids:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Llama</li>
<li>Alpaca</li>
<li>Camel</li>
</ul>
<div>From other animals and living or formerly living creatures:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Angora rabbit</li>
<li>Yak</li>
<li>Musk Ox, which is known as Qivut (very soft and <i>very </i>precious)</li>
<li>Silk</li><li>Seacell</li><li>Milk</li>
</ul>
<div>
Plants:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Cotton</li>
<li>Flax</li>
<li>Bamboo</li>
<li>Banana</li><li>Corn</li><li>Hemp</li>
</ul><div>Why so many varieties? Well because it's so much fun to use and learn about different fibers! Last year I bought a drum carder, which you use to blend fibers into batts. You can combine different colors, textures and fibers and come out with some really one-of-a-kind blends that can be very arty or whatever you want.</div><div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjp6WYXpLphjSbdA_zxUygbK3MvMxxcg_7YHDN0NumG4BYnqttIB1CrFoFklz3_-onpaB34LFeKPpIifJVR4xsQlzluu09C40uxOKA1DBZbhoYPn9IUx0JTTRbyis8wLShjA7/s1600/_Strauch_Petite_Drum_Carder_3__06700.1543861121.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img black="" border-color:="black" border="1" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjp6WYXpLphjSbdA_zxUygbK3MvMxxcg_7YHDN0NumG4BYnqttIB1CrFoFklz3_-onpaB34LFeKPpIifJVR4xsQlzluu09C40uxOKA1DBZbhoYPn9IUx0JTTRbyis8wLShjA7/s400/_Strauch_Petite_Drum_Carder_3__06700.1543861121.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the model drum carder I bought last year. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
So yeah, I have <i>a lot</i> of fiber. But it makes me so happy!<br />
<br />
I haven't yet played with my carder beyond one very fun day with my spinning guild, but I have been spinning.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgsIAC8GUuC9Le2hwPBGF_FF5_uvO9UR6Ym2pHtBqIhX7bIFg1XOipuDUX8KGVSnmLHT1wKH1uDvP70sujnftCUo4HRUvrAIoIFz9laSBXi49tpoSDrjeqVSK2sIW-mZ_8627/s1600/20190723_192743.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgsIAC8GUuC9Le2hwPBGF_FF5_uvO9UR6Ym2pHtBqIhX7bIFg1XOipuDUX8KGVSnmLHT1wKH1uDvP70sujnftCUo4HRUvrAIoIFz9laSBXi49tpoSDrjeqVSK2sIW-mZ_8627/s400/20190723_192743.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KOOE0DVN7ynGI-WdqcxIFeFUj4sLue3Mpsz2NJUJiHgIcfIzCi-Xspgx5EEAuUqUDgHRtqN8QCYrwfS5MgVX-GDO9BDvpQbP4cSmDNK9qmvmR7x6CJ0SOAUsTgqMEApTZxHW/s1600/20190803_120232.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KOOE0DVN7ynGI-WdqcxIFeFUj4sLue3Mpsz2NJUJiHgIcfIzCi-Xspgx5EEAuUqUDgHRtqN8QCYrwfS5MgVX-GDO9BDvpQbP4cSmDNK9qmvmR7x6CJ0SOAUsTgqMEApTZxHW/s400/20190803_120232.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After! Now I need to learn how to chain ply so I can keep the colors separate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Zi26fzE49Beo-kOfg3gMzhlYO_gT9En83NJ6EaGQjYPaoo8pBBHgwIqaRWfnxWTs5b6NpDX3P52FrhypuXQs-8PqhMMWkk4CVY4NRYUcSHcWv8GG6a-MhvseKrkKY892yCQM/s1600/20190601_122345.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Zi26fzE49Beo-kOfg3gMzhlYO_gT9En83NJ6EaGQjYPaoo8pBBHgwIqaRWfnxWTs5b6NpDX3P52FrhypuXQs-8PqhMMWkk4CVY4NRYUcSHcWv8GG6a-MhvseKrkKY892yCQM/s400/20190601_122345.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEBXy41SLe66j5RsYowbzz-8zMrlQVIixPJgMLTmaJ1rZV1oR-9vwz6QT6pWZy3DydjsEiF5NjpAOWUxPHEq_gNN5moeK4F7nCQNiTBikMTiAZFPQ3ujmZ2b88QnZkmcQTiGT/s1600/20190817_233546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEBXy41SLe66j5RsYowbzz-8zMrlQVIixPJgMLTmaJ1rZV1oR-9vwz6QT6pWZy3DydjsEiF5NjpAOWUxPHEq_gNN5moeK4F7nCQNiTBikMTiAZFPQ3ujmZ2b88QnZkmcQTiGT/s400/20190817_233546.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just finished spinning this fiber last week - two full bobbins. Ready to ply!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApDOuXbrxKewNybuzAFqaWOSsYuAznW5RNPtegijx2t6EVXBpnGHYsnJHUQukuzWR2R0yL6n0typ9vA3k1F233sdQNpqC21BotgoE3JVYwP57qtFO2wQHGnRhRWCxx7u05VEV/s1600/IMG_20190910_175342.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApDOuXbrxKewNybuzAFqaWOSsYuAznW5RNPtegijx2t6EVXBpnGHYsnJHUQukuzWR2R0yL6n0typ9vA3k1F233sdQNpqC21BotgoE3JVYwP57qtFO2wQHGnRhRWCxx7u05VEV/s400/IMG_20190910_175342.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some spindle spinning while vacationing in France. Not finished yet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here are some of my spindles:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pOox0_6vWCTtBOYjWZ4bWSPfj1eLqX8IuajA7tgwc6G8McKyPTgr7lYtsHLr-P8iX1iN7hIzk0Fou2Euu_XQFcyGQZG52KoSngYwQ_hWEr9uTXeJckn7cdYVurPbBndiGn3S/s1600/20190605_190019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pOox0_6vWCTtBOYjWZ4bWSPfj1eLqX8IuajA7tgwc6G8McKyPTgr7lYtsHLr-P8iX1iN7hIzk0Fou2Euu_XQFcyGQZG52KoSngYwQ_hWEr9uTXeJckn7cdYVurPbBndiGn3S/s400/20190605_190019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Support spindle used to spin cotton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKWNYCPLGifwa0Gwhr0NLQzKJsbqzxn7KSwral-0GE7c2D7QaB-yEcrjoJxA2W9greDPXx4SGbU9opYP6bVJ_4dfqfew8YlsWU0-t6CNGUoMdqw-BpT0lKuSxPqw_5mM44NtS/s1600/20190601_184849%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKWNYCPLGifwa0Gwhr0NLQzKJsbqzxn7KSwral-0GE7c2D7QaB-yEcrjoJxA2W9greDPXx4SGbU9opYP6bVJ_4dfqfew8YlsWU0-t6CNGUoMdqw-BpT0lKuSxPqw_5mM44NtS/s400/20190601_184849%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spindles in the center are old support spindles from Bulgaria and I don't spin on them, though I suppose I could.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mostly I spin on my wheel:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMlyKAmD9QEKHoo3eGTXDTUfM_9R8EWZVM61j3L3-6rKcecBJ23Evj4bqrrj6PGsnmcn0Tz-o8bVQzSsA_7SquvzvWTIJ4HovD6euBrzYJQHIg7MXMv2VHQW6AJRNF19UH0f-/s1600/20190818_124746%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMlyKAmD9QEKHoo3eGTXDTUfM_9R8EWZVM61j3L3-6rKcecBJ23Evj4bqrrj6PGsnmcn0Tz-o8bVQzSsA_7SquvzvWTIJ4HovD6euBrzYJQHIg7MXMv2VHQW6AJRNF19UH0f-/s400/20190818_124746%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Louët </span></span>Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So there you have it. Lots of fiber!</div>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-2955226155816820632019-11-30T23:13:00.001+01:002019-11-30T23:13:46.782+01:00Early Christmas present<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Santa paid us an early visit via the FedEx delivery truck. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc__l573kHGuvs-eBRomyGrOrpGdrqRTb7TVp8LHOfgfKuDbNg_xgfc5LXTdRz8fdLA_1kWeyE0guDXzhgayQn0Xj2LMGrcia_Qs36Z2N0roIs34ewH4BCMXOMw2RCRoz9s1IF/s1600/20191129_111657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc__l573kHGuvs-eBRomyGrOrpGdrqRTb7TVp8LHOfgfKuDbNg_xgfc5LXTdRz8fdLA_1kWeyE0guDXzhgayQn0Xj2LMGrcia_Qs36Z2N0roIs34ewH4BCMXOMw2RCRoz9s1IF/s400/20191129_111657.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I bought a Laurastar Lift iron when I lived in Germany and loved it. Lots of steam with simple controls: warm or hot setting and buttons accessible for right or left handers (I'm a leftie).<br />
<br />
But it was 220 V. We thought about putting in a 220 V line to our laundry room and either finding a compatible European outlet (no luck) or rewiring the plug, but ultimately decided to purchase a new one - and upgrade our ironing board too.<br />
<br />
I love it. This ironing board both sucks and blows - in a good way! I never thought about ironing with a vacuum board (great for setting pleats) or the blowing setting (useful for shirts).<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas! Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-62667257184804376682019-11-30T03:35:00.000+01:002019-11-30T03:42:40.251+01:00Completed couch coverMy sewing machine has been occupied with a large task: make the water resistant outdoor covers before the rains come. The fabric ones worked great to keep the furniture clean and protected from the sun, but of course they wouldn't keep the rain off and in fact as the temperature dropped in the evening, we found they were getting damp, so I needed to get cracking on those covers ASAP. I ordered the fabric from <a href="http://www.sailrite.com/" target="_blank">Sailrite </a>- 25 yards of it! Thankfully I have a large cutting table.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8jvkhVKnDuC3dvBzY1SpYmqMT1vWk-BieRmjThlm76kQJ3jw688iUU0UmjNkCHGJHmft06kh6qBV6HCD07OsEWUbTMPm_MVq9ZIAyLdAzpEh8_GRQKM0BDLUoWUA1psPCfT5/s1600/20191027_145211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8jvkhVKnDuC3dvBzY1SpYmqMT1vWk-BieRmjThlm76kQJ3jw688iUU0UmjNkCHGJHmft06kh6qBV6HCD07OsEWUbTMPm_MVq9ZIAyLdAzpEh8_GRQKM0BDLUoWUA1psPCfT5/s400/20191027_145211.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The left and right pieces of the couch weren't too complicated - just rectangles for the back, front (from cushion to the ground) and over the seat part from the back piece to the front piece. I suppose you could just cut one large piece but the seams you end up with between the three pieces help to position the cover. I measured that the rectangles needed to be 60 inches wide and as luck would have it, that was the width of the fabric (actually the fabric was 59 3/4 inches, but it worked as there was no selvedge). The largest piece needed to be 44 inches x 60 inches and my cutting table is only 36 inches wide, so to make it easier to measure and cut, I moved the roll of fabric to a big dining table we have in the room and put the cutting table next to the table. Then I could just pull the fabric up onto the cutting table for measuring and cutting. Sorry, I don't have a picture, but just imagine the roll of fabric just moved over the edge in the above picture.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1P2uJxW4m8XS0hyYZCgk4B_Da3fEyxdIshhw7yyIVVFr4eXiIfuReCevAgS5LtyPwL9z9qyD50Vp4-d3W9CyNUdXhO4du8fMhHgVf0KT78ctq8Lpq9txc2mZLsyAK5qsN5Wi/s1600/20191103_134206_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1P2uJxW4m8XS0hyYZCgk4B_Da3fEyxdIshhw7yyIVVFr4eXiIfuReCevAgS5LtyPwL9z9qyD50Vp4-d3W9CyNUdXhO4du8fMhHgVf0KT78ctq8Lpq9txc2mZLsyAK5qsN5Wi/s400/20191103_134206_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In progress - the hardest part is left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I bought matching heavy duty thread from Sailrite as well because it is UV protected, like the fabric (Top Notch 9). I stitched a sample first and had to do a lot of adjusting of the tension. This project was near the limit of what my Pfaff Creative 3.0 could handle. In hindsight I might have done better to dust off my grandma's 1919 treadle sewing machine (wow, it's 100 years old!), but the Pfaff worked ok and has a built in walking foot, which I think helped a lot. Sailrite sells a light industrial machine with a walking foot. Very tempting because I love new tools, but not practical to buy a new sewing machine just for this use.<br />
<br />
I managed to get the stitch balanced enough by turning the tension all the way up. I also found you can change the pressure of the presser foot and it helped a lot to increase the pressure to keep the fabric from slipping. Sailrite uses a stitch length of 6 mm in their videos on making outdoor covers - I used 5 mm. They also show reinforcing the seams and keeping the edges from unraveling by stitching a second time through the folded seam allowance or doing a mock flat felled seam. I ended up having to make some narrow seam allowances in places so folding was not an option (note - I used the same dimensions as I did with the muslin covers but found that with the heavier fabric I should have been more generous). I chose instead to zig-zag stitch the seam allowances. This fabric is woven and the edges unraveled easily. I could have bought a hot knife from Sailrite to seal the edges but since I've never used one before I really didn't feel like learning how to use it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmg-AaZF6T0dhXC64kREInZk8eM_S6k6RgG7psNRp6ZNlvGJ-DxAOTpt134O3KCTl3Iphr1UsUi4SYydbWZe2qBpCMRJJnJY8moC5ps9T5FqmmxFM0GsUAiOiNF8IYm9eV-Kg/s1600/20191117_162654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmg-AaZF6T0dhXC64kREInZk8eM_S6k6RgG7psNRp6ZNlvGJ-DxAOTpt134O3KCTl3Iphr1UsUi4SYydbWZe2qBpCMRJJnJY8moC5ps9T5FqmmxFM0GsUAiOiNF8IYm9eV-Kg/s400/20191117_162654.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The center part was the most difficult - the back is curved and I wanted to match it to get a good fit. I also made a generous hem in case we want to put a cord through the bottom, but the fit is pretty good and I think if the winds are strong enough to lift it, we've got other problems!<br />
<br />
I left all the cushions on the couch and there is even another one stuck under the cover too. We just had a very strong rain storm here and I haven't gone out to look to see if the cushions underneath are dry, though the cover seemed to shed the rain pretty well. I'm only concerned about water pooling in the back curve where a seam is and maybe getting through the fabric. But until things dry out, I'm not going to look because if I try to move the wet cover, then I'll surely get things wet.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8xfHTGGs6xo_iwgj3MFhrpuFlwtV06Bx1lhiHu6VcdamAyjHp6mar1RE_JqLcQuW35xAy4jYONkn32RPnhTkkPhK5wvUwydy64Nfb0ODO3xRla58ySYgfiIWgFaDg0yz18o2/s1600/20191129_085432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8xfHTGGs6xo_iwgj3MFhrpuFlwtV06Bx1lhiHu6VcdamAyjHp6mar1RE_JqLcQuW35xAy4jYONkn32RPnhTkkPhK5wvUwydy64Nfb0ODO3xRla58ySYgfiIWgFaDg0yz18o2/s400/20191129_085432.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rainstorm left lots of snow in the mountains!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Now I have to make covers for two chairs and perhaps the fire pit and some other furniture. There's lots of fabric left!<br />
<br />Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-6505160383438768652019-08-25T23:28:00.000+02:002019-11-30T03:44:46.097+01:00Summer white<span style="font-family: inherit;">I recently completed this top:</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgZQEiSNb47YNdxg9Y0FFeXFiwSTfNPloCm8kLQsUBtI8cdojkIAQshocNzrCaxJbOv6MbJxM2Wu052aT9Bt6xrSofZjtejh0JRvkKZ2k1JoPXrc4Y27NZo1hXggNTd64vB_T/s1600/20190816_190257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgZQEiSNb47YNdxg9Y0FFeXFiwSTfNPloCm8kLQsUBtI8cdojkIAQshocNzrCaxJbOv6MbJxM2Wu052aT9Bt6xrSofZjtejh0JRvkKZ2k1JoPXrc4Y27NZo1hXggNTd64vB_T/s400/20190816_190257.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3LvavN0z7NAImqKPOU5nnmGafjjzSykb64rDLwjDxp74C0pEpgeMrqKvxykuquZDl0IFYfjEbFKAEEJEYWctuHEY2ZT7oWeB8rzziHm6EE0GR3d7x9bFw29bN3Dwpk2Lhktt/s1600/20190823_175907%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3LvavN0z7NAImqKPOU5nnmGafjjzSykb64rDLwjDxp74C0pEpgeMrqKvxykuquZDl0IFYfjEbFKAEEJEYWctuHEY2ZT7oWeB8rzziHm6EE0GR3d7x9bFw29bN3Dwpk2Lhktt/s400/20190823_175907%257E2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wore it to work so I took a selfie with Curiosity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The pattern is Vogue 1306 - a "Rebecca Taylor" design from around 2012 and now out of print. </span></div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG6rHwaShBkeL9KQ70ScpJBdBfb7dELGwrbz7Xtw05XumayRxN2PHGgTkPdE05JbgcobsdMUl8rr1piysyuHmKqdi6YnyYrpVtissz-Uf1_ZoWDB7H5ovhuqNGNqJYEnWmeCh/s1600/V1306+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="330" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG6rHwaShBkeL9KQ70ScpJBdBfb7dELGwrbz7Xtw05XumayRxN2PHGgTkPdE05JbgcobsdMUl8rr1piysyuHmKqdi6YnyYrpVtissz-Uf1_ZoWDB7H5ovhuqNGNqJYEnWmeCh/s320/V1306+%25282%2529.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UisYXdKcU1sWTkUQERNShyoKmCb2sxGuYobJaveMOi-hC8Vd1QG-JiVF9CDQz6E1GHkAkoYNry8sudozEkJvNZI9lg2GoWUEUAjTv4Tdlrp1Kv2UXBKyNR6dwgFBTxQmGpIn/s1600/V1306+line+drawing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="589" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UisYXdKcU1sWTkUQERNShyoKmCb2sxGuYobJaveMOi-hC8Vd1QG-JiVF9CDQz6E1GHkAkoYNry8sudozEkJvNZI9lg2GoWUEUAjTv4Tdlrp1Kv2UXBKyNR6dwgFBTxQmGpIn/s320/V1306+line+drawing.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The fabric is a white cotton with some cross-grain stretch. The fabric had been aging in my stash - I recall purchasing it from fabric.com around 2001. Yikes!</span><br />
<br />
I made no changes to the pattern and cut a straight medium, based on reviews that the pattern ran large.<br />
<br />
The finished top looks like the pattern envelope but not quite like the line drawing. The gathers are more horizontal and not at an angle like you see in the drawing.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are my construction notes:</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the placket, pay
attention to the seam allowance of 1/4 inch because that will determine how large the visible binding will be. I sewed only one line of top-stitching instead of
the two the instructions called for. I also top-stitched the shoulder seam. I don't think the instructions say to do this, but I usually do this on t-shirt-like tops because I see that top-stitching in RTW and it keeps the shoulder seam in place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I used the "tricot" stitch on my sewing machine, which is a narrow type of zigzag, to sew on the neck band but </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">then I didn't like
the way the seam allowance laid. So I went back and used the serger, sewing very close to the first seam, and then top-stitched with the sewing machine. I still didn't like the way the neckband and placket join, but I'm not sure how I'd construct it differently. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
For the sleeves, I usually sew them in flat on knit shirts and that's how the instructions have you do them, but they also say to gather the sleeves between the marked dots to manage the ease. I found I had to do the gathering - I tried without it but couldn't line things up. I used my serger to sew the sleeves in and also for the side seams. But fearing that the top might be a little snug at a size medium, I serged only a 1/4 inch seam allowance (and I'm glad I did!)<br />
<br />
I used the coverstitch on my serger for the hems and left the sleeve un-cuffed.</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lessons learned:</span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mark the dots - there are a lot of them: for the gathering, the placket and to ease in the sleeves. Since this
was white fabric I used tailor tacks.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">The pattern points out where to
slash for the placket and the gathers, but don't do it until <i>after </i>you
stay stitch on either side of where you will slash. I didn't pay attention so I made the cut for the gathers when I cut out the pattern and though it wasn't the end of the world, it made the front pieces floppier and a bit more difficult to stay stitch.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next time I would trim the
5/8 seam allowance to 1/4 and use the serger for everything except the
gathers in the front and maybe the placket.</span></li>
<li>If I make this again, I'll lengthen the front a bit - the gathers are hitting a little high and aren't quite under my bust.</li>
</ol>
<div>
Overall, it's a nice casual top and a change from a plain t-shirt. </div>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-8298594175669713012019-08-19T00:08:00.004+02:002019-08-19T00:08:52.174+02:00More spinning, but there was some sewingI did some more home dec sewing to finish summer outdoor covers for new patio chairs (boring stuff, so no pictures). I did sew a new top to wear, but I'll show the results in my next post after I get a picture of me wearing it. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So in the meantime, more spinning!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxN5GaRktG_r5GUYOOr8c0csDFXZZPskvTTIZF5HT0mrCQP3spv09Sy0kFkEFkIB15Sy-CIEz-mp9icln1P3KXXIojL0FHw0I8X0AtrK3A9mUjxpU7UUZtClBa1cncdJS0Ox5p/s1600/20190818_124746%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxN5GaRktG_r5GUYOOr8c0csDFXZZPskvTTIZF5HT0mrCQP3spv09Sy0kFkEFkIB15Sy-CIEz-mp9icln1P3KXXIojL0FHw0I8X0AtrK3A9mUjxpU7UUZtClBa1cncdJS0Ox5p/s400/20190818_124746%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is a fiber I bought in Tallin, Estonia in 2013. Here's a picture of me when I bought it. Look how happy I am to have a big blue plastic bag of yarn and fiber! The prices were pretty fantastic too.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBg8s_BPb4VQCtu6_e3mJ_q-hDhUQAy1-grsL40diCqzvEKkvVol6gAN2MCcp7xaCI3oeHezt6FHtUFry3Rk1jzlR-pyyYQZ3ZTAAE5_3pfppUafwjfCfXxFr-K9dPJsGUJKj/s1600/DSC_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBg8s_BPb4VQCtu6_e3mJ_q-hDhUQAy1-grsL40diCqzvEKkvVol6gAN2MCcp7xaCI3oeHezt6FHtUFry3Rk1jzlR-pyyYQZ3ZTAAE5_3pfppUafwjfCfXxFr-K9dPJsGUJKj/s400/DSC_0634.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And this is a close-up of the fiber - nice pink, cream and tan colors and already prepped into a "pencil roving." I guess you could knit with it as-is, but it might fall apart because it has no twist in it. I don't know what kind of fiber it is, I mean it's wool from a sheep, but I just don't know what breed.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHiYW8P6vQv9ydBN4BuKtRWcq0UpwKEL698At8x9CaOaCrPnpeBBGO0yJ3sZLI7d3vtuSayRwt9vQawIuTuYMKH0QWE7WVMkpEpUGDPQNiahpGdvlh-V2SSuRnd6TlEBh1Svx/s1600/DSC_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHiYW8P6vQv9ydBN4BuKtRWcq0UpwKEL698At8x9CaOaCrPnpeBBGO0yJ3sZLI7d3vtuSayRwt9vQawIuTuYMKH0QWE7WVMkpEpUGDPQNiahpGdvlh-V2SSuRnd6TlEBh1Svx/s400/DSC_0729.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-31604579541647385182019-07-24T18:26:00.002+02:002019-07-25T10:10:16.264+02:00I made yarnI finished spinning the fiber I was working on during Tour de Fleece. Someone told me that my spinning will improve if I participate in this event, which is where you spin during the Tour de France bicycle race (either while watching or not...no requirements). Everyone is supposed to set goals and for many, including myself, my goal is just to spin every day, which would be hard except we sit down every evening to watch the recorded Tour de France so I just sit in front of my spinning wheel instead.<br />
<br />
And here is the yarn I made:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZgOOIHUfpii9Ydpw5DpO13b0yXHu6gE0zKgaHmxJ6WsMH2-HxBR6uADufsLVHOyrUI6OfNDfntaoZTHDu14dN3RagWjw5XMjDh5ODAIcJi4kAt6Sa6loy58zcXp9mT3mC-rQ/s1600/20190723_183833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZgOOIHUfpii9Ydpw5DpO13b0yXHu6gE0zKgaHmxJ6WsMH2-HxBR6uADufsLVHOyrUI6OfNDfntaoZTHDu14dN3RagWjw5XMjDh5ODAIcJi4kAt6Sa6loy58zcXp9mT3mC-rQ/s320/20190723_183833.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I really like this! I wasn't sure about the color combination at first and the singles on the bobbins only give some indication of what the finished plied yarn will look like:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaztK38rwG-yi-Fi6GofuoFOO72C9s4_xSohxQU3FhtlZ59rfqmzlMzE8BY8d5LGgNcmxd9Fw29VGLJoAnxKIuWXX4znKK1EwhTVhK9MDAkmJL-PCJ61G06kbi6G4H9rvbEbk_/s1600/20190720_171319%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaztK38rwG-yi-Fi6GofuoFOO72C9s4_xSohxQU3FhtlZ59rfqmzlMzE8BY8d5LGgNcmxd9Fw29VGLJoAnxKIuWXX4znKK1EwhTVhK9MDAkmJL-PCJ61G06kbi6G4H9rvbEbk_/s320/20190720_171319%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My spinning is getting more consistent, and I didn't have too many places where it got too thin or too thick. Too thin is more of a problem because if I draft a bit that's too thick, I can usually stop and redraft it a bit thinner if I haven't gone too far past it; however, too thin is forever too thin. My only option is to remove it and rejoin but often when I do that my join isn't very good and the result is worse than a too-thin section.<br />
<br />
I ended up with almost 700 yards out of the 8 ounces of fiber. Quite a lot! I thought I'd be spinning it and plying it forever.<br />
<br />
I also finished the yarn - I'm a chronic "non-finisher" in that I enjoy the process of making something but then for some reason I get close to the end and stop. I have to push myself to seam the sweater I knit, hem the garment I sewed, finish the tassels on something I wove, and to wash and snap the yarn I spun. Washing spun yarn is needed to "set the twist" - it relaxes the yarn and releases the tension that's been spun into it as well as removing any dirt or oils. Snapping is something you do to help distribute the plied twist more evenly. When you wind off the plied yarn, you usually do it onto a niddy noddy, from which you can make a skein.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPFcnwJFRb2FmVJk4vRZcezte8EGAAIreGz_O1yy-3-3gNv4JMBBLczpZGUgcK_iVX_g9qfntiWbTkdeZVTk74-pG3qRT6H5pmZisH_ZbEpAOI6BhUJTwRHDvdPZrgLjuqwVa/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPFcnwJFRb2FmVJk4vRZcezte8EGAAIreGz_O1yy-3-3gNv4JMBBLczpZGUgcK_iVX_g9qfntiWbTkdeZVTk74-pG3qRT6H5pmZisH_ZbEpAOI6BhUJTwRHDvdPZrgLjuqwVa/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">niddy noddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
To snap the yarn you put the loop of yarn between your two hands (like you're doing "cats in the cradle") and jerk your hands outward to "snap" the yarn. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaT0x-t_X2qJYL-0DHfWom31TLSrFUjY1dK9aEdZ_71Q0O2tck-xsStpbIvOf9fOfh5uutY0Cc0Gcnf8HIbxwwGleAQ2H2nwnQRS98XNwE2TTxhnKhDfZfbOs_AfQRjVz8QHrl/s1600/20190721_170541%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaT0x-t_X2qJYL-0DHfWom31TLSrFUjY1dK9aEdZ_71Q0O2tck-xsStpbIvOf9fOfh5uutY0Cc0Gcnf8HIbxwwGleAQ2H2nwnQRS98XNwE2TTxhnKhDfZfbOs_AfQRjVz8QHrl/s320/20190721_170541%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet wool drying on a sunny and warm day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll leave you with a picture of the previous yarn I spun. I finally washed and snapped it too!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYB4tewaeRjhIthbiaYYlhvlBNGBvJ2_ihmeFWjkx7wnEgAUFX7ImbTzYFxMNWTVfILKxo31hZZxjGrsIZ4fSH13586SHvclHcx3sBAaqnZHSCjvC2gi4dMIjz04UqvJcnIO1/s1600/20190723_183747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYB4tewaeRjhIthbiaYYlhvlBNGBvJ2_ihmeFWjkx7wnEgAUFX7ImbTzYFxMNWTVfILKxo31hZZxjGrsIZ4fSH13586SHvclHcx3sBAaqnZHSCjvC2gi4dMIjz04UqvJcnIO1/s320/20190723_183747.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-80708574025528868922019-07-05T23:11:00.001+02:002019-07-05T23:11:30.300+02:00Current projectsLots of projects in-work and finished - I like to keep busy!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't really enjoying sewing home dec, but it sure can save you money to be able to make custom items that you'd just be paying someone else to sew for you. We bought a new outdoor furniture set and I knew that come the rainy season we'd need covers but I also figured that it would be a good idea to protect the furniture from the sun, bugs and night-time critters. I found a <a href="https://youtu.be/xYe-ikX-NLY" target="_blank">YouTube video</a> that showed how to make custom covers so I used their method to make a cover out of muslin, which both acts as a summer cover and a test before I buy material for the rain cover. Or maybe once I find out the cost of the fabric and factor in the time, I might find that a purchased one will suffice. We'll see.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HcUKSQ_GKBnkgY8X_DI6gChD-xvbS9_GAkpt98j8_Vye635VA-092IrhmtmSzTn13quftFlOvyFtOHZ_w6JeCxma0FqLqZgcInfZqJ6BZ4qlN2Hxoym0cJoMIIxE5Kk838_a/s1600/20190624_191308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HcUKSQ_GKBnkgY8X_DI6gChD-xvbS9_GAkpt98j8_Vye635VA-092IrhmtmSzTn13quftFlOvyFtOHZ_w6JeCxma0FqLqZgcInfZqJ6BZ4qlN2Hxoym0cJoMIIxE5Kk838_a/s320/20190624_191308.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7Z6cVl1J_rxyLWsKddtHCPKVgvVghpiBCVtoHI2bNX4XWlY4OtlVxI8tzchPKQIQOFZMn9bTK7Xn2cvjn6iAXrnfBshOWFfLkAHOpi9s2VzADs582dCdwKsJgaxXBtVZdjPM/s1600/20190624_191323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7Z6cVl1J_rxyLWsKddtHCPKVgvVghpiBCVtoHI2bNX4XWlY4OtlVxI8tzchPKQIQOFZMn9bTK7Xn2cvjn6iAXrnfBshOWFfLkAHOpi9s2VzADs582dCdwKsJgaxXBtVZdjPM/s320/20190624_191323.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I made some design changes on the summer cover that I wouldn't do for the rain cover: I serged the seams (they suggest mock flat-felled seams in the video), used the selvedge for the hem (in the video they make a casing for a drawstring) and the back is not full length. I decided out of cheapness that I didn't need to use up more muslin for a full-size back because the back isn't exposed to the sun and not susceptible to damage from bugs and stuff. So I used scraps or cut pieces to about 12-15 inches or so, enough to hold the cover in place. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The other home dec sewing I did was to make pillow covers. The fabric has been in my stash for a long, long time and was always intended for outdoor cushions, so I'm finally using it for that. It took longer to hand sew the final seam than it did to cut out and machine sew the other seams. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGidxOeUQLVuFeZLtPKDFliwRHExgFflv5YPaHptvEG9YK3JJYiibUTFEGZTdcGGebfnIxWmL8dfZRQA7ehHmRxzgl9KKMuINk8-xUktPhDUqh1Uc9VsluHMV8Kibw0UubmowZ/s1600/20190630_174507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGidxOeUQLVuFeZLtPKDFliwRHExgFflv5YPaHptvEG9YK3JJYiibUTFEGZTdcGGebfnIxWmL8dfZRQA7ehHmRxzgl9KKMuINk8-xUktPhDUqh1Uc9VsluHMV8Kibw0UubmowZ/s320/20190630_174507.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have lots more of the fabric, so I'll either make more pillows or make some cushions for the chairs to our outdoor dining set. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My spinning wheel has been active. I've joined the Greater Los Angeles Spinning Guild (GLASG) and also joined the guild's group for Tour de Fleece. Tour de Fleece is where spinners spin during the days of the Tour de France bicycle race - they spin and we spin. It's silly but a fun way to join a group and get a lot of spinning accomplished and maybe win some prizes. Some people set goals to spin for a certain amount of time, like 10-15 minutes a day (that'll be me), other set distance goals to spin a certain amount of yarn - maybe equal to the miles that they race (not me!), and some set other goals to try new techniques or spin new fibers. I'm probably just going to stick with what I've been spinning, though since I did buy special Tour de Fleece fiber I might switch to that.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJAjb8WFVdbgizYxd7f3epcic7MWYRDhcqUnKxq2CJWzALPXx1JmUmGyq572JvaOdZMRodyD5b8xeK2Xzj43uQXK-aEJ5ST5-RpmP4k40Uvk9c9Ajh46OikA-8orQJdqV-5RQ/s1600/20190623_124020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJAjb8WFVdbgizYxd7f3epcic7MWYRDhcqUnKxq2CJWzALPXx1JmUmGyq572JvaOdZMRodyD5b8xeK2Xzj43uQXK-aEJ5ST5-RpmP4k40Uvk9c9Ajh46OikA-8orQJdqV-5RQ/s320/20190623_124020.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I'm currently spinning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv__l59Wer62AZ7pxfSxNgdW1igqaYPiiS9GkoyfaDKad1Lb4q1Wh14qRB81S9yKcWHeJWp2R8eXcq-1jwkgOJaTLdqQDu-ywFQpu8MuZWIrWm-JF1AGtHz2l7dGBD5RvJFog/s1600/20190622_165519%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv__l59Wer62AZ7pxfSxNgdW1igqaYPiiS9GkoyfaDKad1Lb4q1Wh14qRB81S9yKcWHeJWp2R8eXcq-1jwkgOJaTLdqQDu-ywFQpu8MuZWIrWm-JF1AGtHz2l7dGBD5RvJFog/s320/20190622_165519%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tour de Fleece colorway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I finished the red yarn I was spinning. I plied it and decided it was too loosely plied so I ran it back through the spinning wheel to add more twist. I like it much more now. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieBvGsuS6TD-MzZjpMTyjXta5c_QgkLDZCBNsesgYy6S_XWUysfRM98w3b3kF9qNuJml6FH5F05IodFfIekqX9wa0ZegGfyQOizoaXOV1ZV2MJdo8aJOOQ2mtbmwd799lNBvC/s1600/20190617_161140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieBvGsuS6TD-MzZjpMTyjXta5c_QgkLDZCBNsesgYy6S_XWUysfRM98w3b3kF9qNuJml6FH5F05IodFfIekqX9wa0ZegGfyQOizoaXOV1ZV2MJdo8aJOOQ2mtbmwd799lNBvC/s320/20190617_161140.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First ply on left; with added twist on the right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My knitting project is coming along <i>very </i>slowly. It's lace-weight yarn and about 800 yards, so this project will take a while. But that's OK, the pattern is very easy and I can knit it while I'm watching TV. This is the <i>Prevarication </i>pattern from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Curls-Versatile-Wearable-Wraps-Gauge/dp/0984998276" target="_blank">Curls 2</a>, by Hunter Hammersen. I've made two other "curls" scarves from her first book. These are great little projects for the lovely yarns I have in my stash. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXE6pPGWgniTueFaJR2yC3H2iVSlwFaWjU2iHagJcB_aSMb-HuRNCxPSWgWFoWX_leQhgQJBoqnIFHW44DzGclqZ9QFC6OpYRHSC8SddRyusLuT5yH0ZRQCOPTOwaomhyphenhyphenqW_g/s1600/20190629_180751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXE6pPGWgniTueFaJR2yC3H2iVSlwFaWjU2iHagJcB_aSMb-HuRNCxPSWgWFoWX_leQhgQJBoqnIFHW44DzGclqZ9QFC6OpYRHSC8SddRyusLuT5yH0ZRQCOPTOwaomhyphenhyphenqW_g/s320/20190629_180751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also tried out a new project - candle making. I have quite a few nice glass yogurt pots that I brought back from Europe and candles seem like a great use for them. Though I don't burn candles inside, we do need citronella candles outside to keep the mosquitoes away. So I ordered soy wax, wicks, an aluminum melting pot, and both citronella and lemon eucalyptus oil from on-line and found some instructions on-line as well (yay, internet!). Here's my first batch of citronella candles:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICr__JNgZ38Z7kjsVucM9qw63fs-JUzk2fNISgAC9-Qf7OFMrjZTJPohS9xQUn8sCgOhcofmkWaMAfoPNodrPg3OyXK4qyaNrTdK6mPe5YuHON-J8KoLeFiiqG_9UKXthn5rP/s1600/20190630_172821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICr__JNgZ38Z7kjsVucM9qw63fs-JUzk2fNISgAC9-Qf7OFMrjZTJPohS9xQUn8sCgOhcofmkWaMAfoPNodrPg3OyXK4qyaNrTdK6mPe5YuHON-J8KoLeFiiqG_9UKXthn5rP/s320/20190630_172821.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When heated, the wax is clear and yellowish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6SLRyXwo_90Jpq9kV4G1bmBimP1qRBQXQ6Y7muudVY-wH1vUPO5rbk4rtcB5R2Uhh7rBTNlv4JHIE6okcicF4gD3Su4JGgFh5FYSmprBVtnnhSbLc-pzRl51BNz1NGTe2KPn/s1600/20190701_202707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6SLRyXwo_90Jpq9kV4G1bmBimP1qRBQXQ6Y7muudVY-wH1vUPO5rbk4rtcB5R2Uhh7rBTNlv4JHIE6okcicF4gD3Su4JGgFh5FYSmprBVtnnhSbLc-pzRl51BNz1NGTe2KPn/s320/20190701_202707.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After cooling it turns a milky white</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The kitchen smells like citronella, so be aware if you want to try this! We actually don't mind the aroma. Lemon eucalyptus is also supposed to repel mosquitoes, so I'll try this fragrance next. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And finally, I leave you with some beautiful views from the San Diego area, where we spent a couple days.</div>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZSN7r_PNn53wW6i2EzkEeceaG2DYDc7dwYrjt1AqhIN4Ix5jM4wyColZu50sDgxRUmBNIRU9K5CQ2PrnYzKLl9O13fnBU7LLgiA-hbTBNSryxHtH5v4sFwg7GBoGC87JOm9d/s1600/20190704_104754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZSN7r_PNn53wW6i2EzkEeceaG2DYDc7dwYrjt1AqhIN4Ix5jM4wyColZu50sDgxRUmBNIRU9K5CQ2PrnYzKLl9O13fnBU7LLgiA-hbTBNSryxHtH5v4sFwg7GBoGC87JOm9d/s320/20190704_104754.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Jolla</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCB-71yauUeab_-7eL3E9C0FBd-uQctuhuXst8F4eF_gCnr7WFjzbRNiQi001uFQBhWbICjTq5GyBbxs3mIk-HVSHQX3Udnva3v_3Wt8NW8LCfrivGChiDHAQhQ5QNlSS7bZ5/s1600/20190704_104749%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCB-71yauUeab_-7eL3E9C0FBd-uQctuhuXst8F4eF_gCnr7WFjzbRNiQi001uFQBhWbICjTq5GyBbxs3mIk-HVSHQX3Udnva3v_3Wt8NW8LCfrivGChiDHAQhQ5QNlSS7bZ5/s320/20190704_104749%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Jolla</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTNldWDcCvbQYGu9Dq6n43xOmaSZNIcBYhxoXVRgTZS9hm5V1tQMD1rmyyMTPXreIQTrW7zrMaVRUSPXkLvgF7AKV0x9zH_nuY_6TefQqFOkgmkGB0RzZVaNdNvmONYiKpry0/s1600/20190703_181032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTNldWDcCvbQYGu9Dq6n43xOmaSZNIcBYhxoXVRgTZS9hm5V1tQMD1rmyyMTPXreIQTrW7zrMaVRUSPXkLvgF7AKV0x9zH_nuY_6TefQqFOkgmkGB0RzZVaNdNvmONYiKpry0/s320/20190703_181032.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alcazar Park in Balboa Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48fvcMWht7D7HnJ5CWHkuNMu006_wgXPxXfGgXut2lcXf1f7n0XoU4b7JdszK2yqjAMnjnE2iDZiSQahPJ92yuhNiQyBW8n4CGKua8EZYbFlyCOoBa3QrLxyRTdirD_9b5k9a/s1600/20190703_180552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48fvcMWht7D7HnJ5CWHkuNMu006_wgXPxXfGgXut2lcXf1f7n0XoU4b7JdszK2yqjAMnjnE2iDZiSQahPJ92yuhNiQyBW8n4CGKua8EZYbFlyCOoBa3QrLxyRTdirD_9b5k9a/s320/20190703_180552.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balboa Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9chL56MKLUendUPpDkpwGu25iCgUxLab24ePvDKcESDMt1GtK7dPROGlP5mB6iP0PEKcyZ7PqseTHT_pA90p-RET2zgvyXJSXQWp8tTiya3ojFpffmnpZSCpnoV9LzjUnIBa/s1600/20190703_161926%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9chL56MKLUendUPpDkpwGu25iCgUxLab24ePvDKcESDMt1GtK7dPROGlP5mB6iP0PEKcyZ7PqseTHT_pA90p-RET2zgvyXJSXQWp8tTiya3ojFpffmnpZSCpnoV9LzjUnIBa/s320/20190703_161926%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balboa Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-449987767418584492019-06-08T09:04:00.001+02:002019-06-08T09:04:33.297+02:00Fiber artsLast month the <a href="https://www.huntington.org/events/fiber-arts-day" target="_blank">Huntington Library and Gardens had a Fiber Arts Day</a> and members from the weaving and spinning guilds from the Los Angeles area gathered in the rose garden to demonstrate. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was a beautiful day and the roses smelled so good too!</div>
<div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCWFL3ISVafaaiTwCSyU2FfnLK47nWPolO1HBZF_sdrUk4tiOTZDwHZI7rwDcQs8FBzyQXu0TL6rC6hJy6-qRElO8Eqew1LAqtSOkPBQpps_gvxtCv5DioOtt4i7FK_OL3CYX/s1600/20190504_142406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCWFL3ISVafaaiTwCSyU2FfnLK47nWPolO1HBZF_sdrUk4tiOTZDwHZI7rwDcQs8FBzyQXu0TL6rC6hJy6-qRElO8Eqew1LAqtSOkPBQpps_gvxtCv5DioOtt4i7FK_OL3CYX/s320/20190504_142406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0lAe0X6XaC_F8Lijm0qyYYJP2eVb6n5foVBjtctqp7nR9NoAVFRx6foWh8m2rMMRNpKJpWIGWkk4KRjWYHIQkpbFDkbHU9WolcauLbHGKQ4sSJk2tMEB5aVsBlFz84atRy1t/s1600/20190504_124315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0lAe0X6XaC_F8Lijm0qyYYJP2eVb6n5foVBjtctqp7nR9NoAVFRx6foWh8m2rMMRNpKJpWIGWkk4KRjWYHIQkpbFDkbHU9WolcauLbHGKQ4sSJk2tMEB5aVsBlFz84atRy1t/s320/20190504_124315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVmMisvV7zZR0-aTKwIrJl54zH4dnvmDbwOw8ADbXBrqAM9q7j03anxDlFfzkynTDnskp2QZ9fRQ6xBc-dp0Lq93Fn2NmVW_Q1U6B8t-0eH-vs3HLU8yXDoAVBWXCQsbJNCHS/s1600/20190504_132919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVmMisvV7zZR0-aTKwIrJl54zH4dnvmDbwOw8ADbXBrqAM9q7j03anxDlFfzkynTDnskp2QZ9fRQ6xBc-dp0Lq93Fn2NmVW_Q1U6B8t-0eH-vs3HLU8yXDoAVBWXCQsbJNCHS/s320/20190504_132919.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The spinners and weavers were eager to chat.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6XhYRLpk-Ss8Ust7PWRMjvHBweSFhGHc8w_VUAkLGzgObzEDKr65WP9RDxTuGfIW2CbsqrD0BonPgdhFDglfR7GkjU-N09cg15O509ZqfJ7td6b0qSQ4WK5lKdXaZS9cSt1Y/s1600/20190504_142123%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6XhYRLpk-Ss8Ust7PWRMjvHBweSFhGHc8w_VUAkLGzgObzEDKr65WP9RDxTuGfIW2CbsqrD0BonPgdhFDglfR7GkjU-N09cg15O509ZqfJ7td6b0qSQ4WK5lKdXaZS9cSt1Y/s320/20190504_142123%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I got home, I was inspired to get out my spinning wheel.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsji1zLrW_ARW6OBySlji-NL8bi99WGysibuyw6f1jdyfgh5AlxiCUZMpGVWNpObpxBSjG61O2QRdEtF5qr8V2zyH52xzdTxlP2vDeI4G4fsIqVVT867_wobRI2dQfEhZsG3F_/s1600/20190504_170612%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsji1zLrW_ARW6OBySlji-NL8bi99WGysibuyw6f1jdyfgh5AlxiCUZMpGVWNpObpxBSjG61O2QRdEtF5qr8V2zyH52xzdTxlP2vDeI4G4fsIqVVT867_wobRI2dQfEhZsG3F_/s320/20190504_170612%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1jY0ZgX2pesEbr4QeuSIBhr_OVUmTUpuVQZkJU2sl1IBPjImWInf4RbKWWGPFg__jNwxATMGGaCi2XFN6coPRvJplETXvgNTuipmq1nISUvosXbNVQaHI2jfk2rNl_K3j5J0/s1600/20190527_153936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1jY0ZgX2pesEbr4QeuSIBhr_OVUmTUpuVQZkJU2sl1IBPjImWInf4RbKWWGPFg__jNwxATMGGaCi2XFN6coPRvJplETXvgNTuipmq1nISUvosXbNVQaHI2jfk2rNl_K3j5J0/s320/20190527_153936.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
At the Fiber Arts Day I learned there's a <a href="https://schg.org/" target="_blank">weaving guild</a> that meets on the second Saturday of the month and a <a href="http://www.glasg.org/" target="_blank">spinning guild</a> that meets on the fourth Saturday (and the American Sewing Guild meets on the third Saturday of the month - convenient that they all meet on different Saturdays but I don't know that I can devote nearly every Saturday to fiber arts!). I did attend the spinning guild meeting last month and made a few new friends. Tomorrow I'm going to the weaving guild meeting - my first time attending. I haven't done any weaving since I've moved here but I think I'll start a project soon. I have an idea for a band I want to weave on my inkle loom.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also found out about the Weaving and Fiber Festival, held every year in May, and was just in time to go to it this year. I may have made a few purchases at the festival...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_S_NY1bt3q2TYc9Avib9Qx2wpC1I1jCtuDPBSoqU_Alx-Lbf3Hiqi7TwKMBqM_9iPtjxKC2XVe9zLZhuUDt9G__2iAw7Oq8zwu57ovqdwCS7rbw91EjluCDuw9eSpis44reI/s1600/20190523_184627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_S_NY1bt3q2TYc9Avib9Qx2wpC1I1jCtuDPBSoqU_Alx-Lbf3Hiqi7TwKMBqM_9iPtjxKC2XVe9zLZhuUDt9G__2iAw7Oq8zwu57ovqdwCS7rbw91EjluCDuw9eSpis44reI/s320/20190523_184627.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiber to spin, yarn and yarn kits to weave, and new tools for weaving and spinning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Add this to the haul from the LA Country Yarn Crawl in April:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmgsFQFoYqWi98WQAHztYG8qXLcvDz0y53EZWy9gv1xaMWhdqgVA55UWHaiYG6xMCPr_8Lhf9_-nCzh2kps9whVwRe0QIA-YnXkhFiGIs3AYorJzwQWWWHcSP2CX_4YimjmZN/s1600/20190413_192122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmgsFQFoYqWi98WQAHztYG8qXLcvDz0y53EZWy9gv1xaMWhdqgVA55UWHaiYG6xMCPr_8Lhf9_-nCzh2kps9whVwRe0QIA-YnXkhFiGIs3AYorJzwQWWWHcSP2CX_4YimjmZN/s320/20190413_192122.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yarn stores in the area offer free patterns and 10% off the yarn for it. <br />Of course they choose the luxurious yarns that are too tempting to pass up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have to juggle my interests, doing one for a little bit of time and then moving to another, but I still manage to do work on a little bit of everything.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The little quilt has turned from pieces...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUi5NkGkVYWumJGDmtOGZM3FYjWVhhy4s_fu4VAiwTscZsdYWYGNe4MuMhulgKC87UWd3Ej27cqQ0YtSo1uUrqMNaZ0ucZZW3j47mP2Is4LhyUCKgnzhf4swQ8f_ORfCzhRiO/s1600/20190526_150317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUi5NkGkVYWumJGDmtOGZM3FYjWVhhy4s_fu4VAiwTscZsdYWYGNe4MuMhulgKC87UWd3Ej27cqQ0YtSo1uUrqMNaZ0ucZZW3j47mP2Is4LhyUCKgnzhf4swQ8f_ORfCzhRiO/s320/20190526_150317.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
into an <i>almost </i>completed project.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3TApg4yJWNN43xjiYWO-7HCY9PgSYf7TxwnVW_6bUyTec_-sXelV3j1gTI8XqtzWP9Q1IBk9YC1ahxyJqTuxp3O3_nad6AczbTGGYiIjhrCpvSBgM_VyCKgzcrLy04xkYJge/s1600/20190527_190312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3TApg4yJWNN43xjiYWO-7HCY9PgSYf7TxwnVW_6bUyTec_-sXelV3j1gTI8XqtzWP9Q1IBk9YC1ahxyJqTuxp3O3_nad6AczbTGGYiIjhrCpvSBgM_VyCKgzcrLy04xkYJge/s320/20190527_190312.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm learning to crochet granny squares using some cotton yarn I purchased in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Not sure what I'll make with it - maybe a bag or something.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1bIUFp7hj0zy91i529RS6-x1_SpTdRrt6Z1B3oW3GN3rfTOSSN5IyrLjWfYtk1jsYMj3oOo75ojGmo2I5Z05nHWEugVkdE691IJjHPoG15QpD0zEtYmIywyAjEK6I_ozlh8l/s1600/20190523_185208%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1bIUFp7hj0zy91i529RS6-x1_SpTdRrt6Z1B3oW3GN3rfTOSSN5IyrLjWfYtk1jsYMj3oOo75ojGmo2I5Z05nHWEugVkdE691IJjHPoG15QpD0zEtYmIywyAjEK6I_ozlh8l/s320/20190523_185208%257E2.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I finished knitting some scarves, from the pattern book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098499825X" target="_blank">Curls </a></i>by Hunter Hammersen. I'm working on a third one using some of the yarn I bought from the LA Yarn Crawl. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZBX-TSJ65zVMt1B-ZHzYHZqk2KoB2IqRurVl3Er46740Yq5jKDSmMzApVxur6xcsdBTye7Gmnp3f_G3KVMc0tPwtpQU_ShgLQEzDC_FyPZXZUzH65fC4DVbM0mdsQ5X7AuT3/s1600/20190512_135434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZBX-TSJ65zVMt1B-ZHzYHZqk2KoB2IqRurVl3Er46740Yq5jKDSmMzApVxur6xcsdBTye7Gmnp3f_G3KVMc0tPwtpQU_ShgLQEzDC_FyPZXZUzH65fC4DVbM0mdsQ5X7AuT3/s320/20190512_135434.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full shape while being blocked</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22ptkouXh7qojm9I0mD7pPqsvwj-neTEeGQNwNfGNf0q9jwj0UeZh226ePUUIRwqh3xqRKJbnrgh4foBu9pGiRtF4j-aWkEohWcwTDKNTgbs0KDSiLGx-vQYs60SQ8XmPO8tP/s1600/20190607_233551%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22ptkouXh7qojm9I0mD7pPqsvwj-neTEeGQNwNfGNf0q9jwj0UeZh226ePUUIRwqh3xqRKJbnrgh4foBu9pGiRtF4j-aWkEohWcwTDKNTgbs0KDSiLGx-vQYs60SQ8XmPO8tP/s320/20190607_233551%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXufid-HNTzZGLafCFlzpeSAj2xhYkziso-fFUj22C5ZlvTIem5iv-5SL6pI62vH8H4_zQAVfxUdEDEgk2K_xZpZMskH3H_ae384P9GR7WKycxae4VG-vyEACV7_U59lSga_Vk/s1600/20190514_204912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXufid-HNTzZGLafCFlzpeSAj2xhYkziso-fFUj22C5ZlvTIem5iv-5SL6pI62vH8H4_zQAVfxUdEDEgk2K_xZpZMskH3H_ae384P9GR7WKycxae4VG-vyEACV7_U59lSga_Vk/s320/20190514_204912.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of orange!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaZGsvTLI6UCqPgvtMc5KhQ5z_fmUw3uBdBwg7orm6YlaEFJUA89kNozTQ9uIq3xl_y-zqTWPGASjyuoMu9T-SgEEYhaKUUa-PCR6Ts1jnX1N68BTsCRQSB9xdgthAr66hBkc/s1600/20190607_233230%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaZGsvTLI6UCqPgvtMc5KhQ5z_fmUw3uBdBwg7orm6YlaEFJUA89kNozTQ9uIq3xl_y-zqTWPGASjyuoMu9T-SgEEYhaKUUa-PCR6Ts1jnX1N68BTsCRQSB9xdgthAr66hBkc/s320/20190607_233230%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also have a sock knitting project, but I keep it at work for my Tuesday lunch time knitting meetups with co-workers.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And today I did some more sewing. A coworker wanted to make a costume for an upcoming Cosplay convention and I offered to help her. So she came over today and we found a pattern in one of my sewing magazines, traced it, made a muslin, made some changes to the pattern to match the character, and sewed up this vest:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwdzoUp-JfFWobiL9HF7jFex6TNJ3Ic9YxcPFc86aHAQL8OlbHt-f5sITjenloUDHfhB6mfSpkVZJX8qs-ur-bAmJhBZ6bDUWQwyzwe1ZAywko7Skf05mCPQJpZmaQi_u_oOw/s1600/20190607_190714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwdzoUp-JfFWobiL9HF7jFex6TNJ3Ic9YxcPFc86aHAQL8OlbHt-f5sITjenloUDHfhB6mfSpkVZJX8qs-ur-bAmJhBZ6bDUWQwyzwe1ZAywko7Skf05mCPQJpZmaQi_u_oOw/s320/20190607_190714.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She wants to be this character from a video game (it's Barbarian Armor from Zelda - I had to look it up!)</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujxKi3SZUP0pIwSWjQaH8EIX3M-5XBcfZ51OVi3y6inohyu6hIH3iEkGZ8rb1OUJTag0-VpDNGr2fHcA77-ab4s7_dG17GhIp1RgFHOBAUDWDnYGL4ihe24YK-0XThItHUDEd/s1600/ce53b7d142c73173a4b89499c32dc7cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujxKi3SZUP0pIwSWjQaH8EIX3M-5XBcfZ51OVi3y6inohyu6hIH3iEkGZ8rb1OUJTag0-VpDNGr2fHcA77-ab4s7_dG17GhIp1RgFHOBAUDWDnYGL4ihe24YK-0XThItHUDEd/s320/ce53b7d142c73173a4b89499c32dc7cd.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think that brings my project tally up to date!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-35415188150895064022019-03-24T01:57:00.000+01:002019-03-24T01:57:23.597+01:00Another sewing project completed<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not very complicated but a new top to wear. And I did wear it, on a work trip just 2 days after I finished it. I think it will get a lot of wear.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrClNnWtUZnfQRgmXmgZHEYj5b3U7G1fc_o2VCbPl0YQWHByzwWqk9KEAHcZYO8Am2MPGfqbWJSO3nU-6uyyIqn3IGcp5BrgLWtD3Et6M5_UIkUXNQNG96-kfo-u3PaAkL092U/s1600/20190310_211311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrClNnWtUZnfQRgmXmgZHEYj5b3U7G1fc_o2VCbPl0YQWHByzwWqk9KEAHcZYO8Am2MPGfqbWJSO3nU-6uyyIqn3IGcp5BrgLWtD3Et6M5_UIkUXNQNG96-kfo-u3PaAkL092U/s400/20190310_211311.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHG6WE_XTxKyKtlGMoV75-4fZPP-4m1N5Jn7C2jwcvtCXMxvkaasDOOZtSJdjZY_CeOzkYsUgoYY7Czk-lE-B5-okGWF3Egt53QKxJmVy566ibUZxqXsqdfQ2EhQ0o6COl_iX/s1600/20190310_211353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHG6WE_XTxKyKtlGMoV75-4fZPP-4m1N5Jn7C2jwcvtCXMxvkaasDOOZtSJdjZY_CeOzkYsUgoYY7Czk-lE-B5-okGWF3Egt53QKxJmVy566ibUZxqXsqdfQ2EhQ0o6COl_iX/s400/20190310_211353.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The fabric is a brushed polyester knit, which is very soft. I think it might have been a remnant purchase from Britex, many (many!) years ago. I'd always envisioned it as a top and now it finally is one! I used the same pattern that I've used for two other t-shirts, so this made it a very quick and easy project.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Pattern used</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">: Model #38 from </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Sabrina Woman</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> (German) issue 3/13. This is the same issue as </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Modellina</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> (Italian) 152, </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Elena Couture</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> (France) 62, </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Fashion Trends</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> (Netherlands) 11, and </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Tendencias de Moda</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> (Spain) 11. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Sizes</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">: European 36-46. I made my usual alteration of a 42 in the bust/shoulders to a 46 in the waist/hips.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Alterations</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">: I lowered the neckline by 4 cm</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Construction</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">: I didn't use the instructions in the magazine because this was very simple to construct. I used fusible stay tape in the shoulder seam, and then serged the shoulders. Next I serged the sleeves - I find it much easier to put sleeves in flat on knit tops. Then I serged the side and sleeve seams and used the coverstitch for the sleeve hem and bottom hem. Finally, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I turned the neck edge under and used a coverstitch.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<br />
I'm switching gears for my next sewing project. While unpacking and organizing my sewing stuff I came across two appliqued mini-quilts I made at least 15 years ago.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAw8wughWnRTHRyHtFNfDeR7ovlu534DaK8EpRZGyPp7oPV_o1LNLQ9PP73k8_nk9uEd6B6VthefaYffCP32GB69MZaxxBeVTbNaS-hcbLkBSTrrg6_c6GeHEiiDLf28seMKE/s1600/20190323_170902%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAw8wughWnRTHRyHtFNfDeR7ovlu534DaK8EpRZGyPp7oPV_o1LNLQ9PP73k8_nk9uEd6B6VthefaYffCP32GB69MZaxxBeVTbNaS-hcbLkBSTrrg6_c6GeHEiiDLf28seMKE/s400/20190323_170902%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
They're about 12x12 inches. I had bought 12 patterns, each one representing a different month, with the plan to make a calendar. Not sure I'm going to do that anymore, but I do like having a little themed item to display. As you can see, the ones I completed are for March and April. Being the orderly sort of person I am, I decided to work on May, which has a flower and garden theme:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2o6BPyWhNWmJ_lhPpbxr-_wdPqwwbaTpaMmpxPaB2a-vDLl3K0o9tRrHzDucdAdOUidKGtveH69_g6k1hCvTrYliEstClAz47g6MIrr9p7aICKamsMcVxv8UgMGvVDyzYENU/s1600/20190323_170922_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1231" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2o6BPyWhNWmJ_lhPpbxr-_wdPqwwbaTpaMmpxPaB2a-vDLl3K0o9tRrHzDucdAdOUidKGtveH69_g6k1hCvTrYliEstClAz47g6MIrr9p7aICKamsMcVxv8UgMGvVDyzYENU/s320/20190323_170922_003.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<br />
I have picked out the cotton prints I will use, but alas, I don't have (or couldn't find) the fusible webbing to use for the applique pieces. I might have thrown it out or given it away when my craft stuff went into storage. Amazon Prime to the rescue! A package of Steam-A-Seam 2 should arrive tomorrow.<br />
<br />
My next garment project will be a blouse, which will also use a <i>Sabrina Woman</i> magazine pattern.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yDvl2c_0z4DnOAjTemdYiZyr-MfBqVJl8LS1V-5W1HqvhE4rT2SssHwBWvX8S3gjjsUvYbiiv_74dcnMqL2Wy1riSN8zkC70KrrEIOk1vIPHk_zzu_Lui66t73KRDyDQx8JQ/s1600/Sabrina+3_2015+blouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yDvl2c_0z4DnOAjTemdYiZyr-MfBqVJl8LS1V-5W1HqvhE4rT2SssHwBWvX8S3gjjsUvYbiiv_74dcnMqL2Wy1riSN8zkC70KrrEIOk1vIPHk_zzu_Lui66t73KRDyDQx8JQ/s320/Sabrina+3_2015+blouse.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
<br />
The fabric I plan to use was purchased in Germany at the Karstadt department store. I miss that store - I'd buy my sewing magazines in their news stand, have lunch in their restaurant, check out the housewares section (excellent German knives and cookware!) and then browse the fabrics. They had such a great remnant section and fantastic sales. If you bought the last of the bolt they discounted it - Joanns certainly doesn't do that! Anyway, the fabric is rayon (viscose in Europe).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGb0SVq5EcsVUSaLWTZGhY_eYAXCHQGqc8nRIOeNd2Fll9rHGdocJLRk2mS9i2QWd0Cv5BZ5W4RcL60RSys9ORVFvzCV-TyvtvhD4mb9BJjz5_esh3DdoIPea6559ikwJkobC/s1600/20190323_170758%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGb0SVq5EcsVUSaLWTZGhY_eYAXCHQGqc8nRIOeNd2Fll9rHGdocJLRk2mS9i2QWd0Cv5BZ5W4RcL60RSys9ORVFvzCV-TyvtvhD4mb9BJjz5_esh3DdoIPea6559ikwJkobC/s400/20190323_170758%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Auf Wiedersehen!Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-19556115209765288782019-03-03T03:21:00.001+01:002019-03-03T03:21:37.210+01:00Finished projectsYes, it's me. I'm back. Well, sort of. Working full time kinda makes it tough to do all my projects. I finished sewing a robe, which is what led me to decide to post today. <div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoFy5MslcszAxh_v8M6sB4xogT2n5S6YCfAS4lVEGBbtNTWvT1QrVtnXxCXJDOKIvQa2ubFI5VRi1riP92Rg0OsVH-2tqLFOjM10T_JHxx-kDyLUNJJFLd-BM8Q3xm-cRVune/s1600/20190302_171555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoFy5MslcszAxh_v8M6sB4xogT2n5S6YCfAS4lVEGBbtNTWvT1QrVtnXxCXJDOKIvQa2ubFI5VRi1riP92Rg0OsVH-2tqLFOjM10T_JHxx-kDyLUNJJFLd-BM8Q3xm-cRVune/s400/20190302_171555.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Messy sewing space (aren't they all?). I need to find a better place for photos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtqhesMn2e5ogkK-8NIpQRjjBxpsmT9DT6eQQTNM5Q7bg7ztK_Ng_fmPHserIHEWeQbEn9pRLXp-ByLWMhxIuuh9tk4cjljnfgRu7aHeSyfhAk96W7F6dTI24RQkOIQEHAABC/s1600/20190302_171603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtqhesMn2e5ogkK-8NIpQRjjBxpsmT9DT6eQQTNM5Q7bg7ztK_Ng_fmPHserIHEWeQbEn9pRLXp-ByLWMhxIuuh9tk4cjljnfgRu7aHeSyfhAk96W7F6dTI24RQkOIQEHAABC/s400/20190302_171603.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fabric is a sweatshirt knit with a super-soft brushed side. I bought it in Germany.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJZbIeBE7D0sWWoG0ax_C6OjccIQQfJfD1i_xEb8aHFWMkrUBZoi8kkZTrmSW9uXZzK3sZ9gTbZWKQHayOe5DJuFjpt7k6BheHZkm5cplt_mThi42rmCG9GlJ4wPVqUFyQVWz/s1600/20190302_171614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJZbIeBE7D0sWWoG0ax_C6OjccIQQfJfD1i_xEb8aHFWMkrUBZoi8kkZTrmSW9uXZzK3sZ9gTbZWKQHayOe5DJuFjpt7k6BheHZkm5cplt_mThi42rmCG9GlJ4wPVqUFyQVWz/s400/20190302_171614.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I top-stitched nearly every seam and edge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW7XjzusHpXxBGajK3xG68UHorBv4bClButbV9CLhMu_XnbToLjqyWhrVVim3VwjQddnvbcKX6n6OLefnlVUZ_-aCqkGpxhxuCmloAUKbsEH6WxyU52GHxBYoekYhsYu8MqIr/s1600/20190302_171627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW7XjzusHpXxBGajK3xG68UHorBv4bClButbV9CLhMu_XnbToLjqyWhrVVim3VwjQddnvbcKX6n6OLefnlVUZ_-aCqkGpxhxuCmloAUKbsEH6WxyU52GHxBYoekYhsYu8MqIr/s400/20190302_171627.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used the soft side for the cuffs and tie. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /><div>
The pattern is from Burda 12/2016:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6w8_LRIFKMHjGpJg_oh2CnogHPA__HLJXnjx8e-G5p0_BnK77ApwRYTLvCpAqjd3LBQh7F38Nt3BOj9LvzVDGJK8WJYp3juk_L1jAEe815lDiKrwoWHixPB4cB8jH4KjfkdT/s1600/Untitled+picture.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="837" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6w8_LRIFKMHjGpJg_oh2CnogHPA__HLJXnjx8e-G5p0_BnK77ApwRYTLvCpAqjd3LBQh7F38Nt3BOj9LvzVDGJK8WJYp3juk_L1jAEe815lDiKrwoWHixPB4cB8jH4KjfkdT/s400/Untitled+picture.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuckIrLMnL_bnZG3Mt_6V6yDbrghixRkRwhya4wMM4jf82kRDk-sVsAhIZVyTrj60mYdEmlO4vIb202neco-0AebkV_tyCeONn8toC6h8vK5ivtzfenetz-HPDTYCb4nIzTPk/s1600/Burdarobe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="475" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuckIrLMnL_bnZG3Mt_6V6yDbrghixRkRwhya4wMM4jf82kRDk-sVsAhIZVyTrj60mYdEmlO4vIb202neco-0AebkV_tyCeONn8toC6h8vK5ivtzfenetz-HPDTYCb4nIzTPk/s320/Burdarobe.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I think my fabric is much heavier than what was intended for this pattern. I'd like to make it again in a thinner fabric but the robe I made <a href="http://monkeyroom.blogspot.com/2014/03/new-and-old-sewing-projects.html" target="_blank">five years ago</a> is still holding up well, and I have a cotton fabric in mind for a kimono-type robe. I don't think I need <i>that </i>many robes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sewing this robe was a bit challenging because I used a German issue of Burda. As you can see from the pictures, it has a shawl collar and dropped shoulders. I could have "winged" it, but decided to use the instructions from the previous robe I made (A Stretch and Sew pattern) to help with the shawl collar attachment. But I was perplexed about how to insert the back neck facing since I've never done one for a shawl collar before and the Stretch and Sew pattern didn't use one. Internet to the rescue - I found some instructions on line. The other problem was that the German instructions called for flat-felled seams. I tried but this fabric was just too thick. So I ended up serging the seams and then top stitching to hold the serged seam flat. The knit fabric wasn't going to ravel but the edges would get ratty after a lot of wear so I wanted some sort of neater finish inside. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I do like the robe. If I get sick, I can see that this will be a nice robe to snuggle in on the couch. But it's too heavy and thick for wearing in the morning when I get ready for work. I bought the fabric in Germany with the intention of making this robe, and it would have been lovely to wear there on cold winter mornings had I not procrastinated so long to make it. Instead I may take it with me when we go to our place in France and leave it there to wear on cold winter mornings. Seems a shame to have spent so much time on sewing it to have it sit there for a once a year winter trip but eventually we intend for those once a year trips to be months long. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Glad to mark this project <b>done </b>and move on to the backlog of things I want to sew - mostly tops for work. It's good to have my sewing mojo back, even if I can only sew a little on the weekend.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since I'm trying to get a good night's sleep and not stay up late sewing (which I would do), I usually spend my weekday evenings knitting while my husband and I watch some TV. In the last year or so, I've knitted three pairs of socks, a hat, two pairs of wrist warmers (gifts I still haven't mailed!) and a stuffed monkey doll with clothes (dress, skirt, sweater, and top). Pictures? Well, I have some of the socks:</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguli7q7aGu95VuclGiCkI2ePfxYY0OY0Mcl6PO0bJyAiv4RTKwSBtZXVgcXl_xAiULvKZQextKQJmeF4hHdfC7ymQKMedqknVFngof-N76OtmG4pqOOCcI-YNKuQgTEJFuzOMA/s1600/20180916_180835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguli7q7aGu95VuclGiCkI2ePfxYY0OY0Mcl6PO0bJyAiv4RTKwSBtZXVgcXl_xAiULvKZQextKQJmeF4hHdfC7ymQKMedqknVFngof-N76OtmG4pqOOCcI-YNKuQgTEJFuzOMA/s320/20180916_180835.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYZezGWX4ObxGf-oS_blFJf0LecbnmByN5KQvvzGW-1SlcVSvSpA5vo_6e4fSBg2O1DNtts4R0-k2zoeJmyyGdjwA4BJCqzArKamdufQKmufz-AwbatPdrghrBStEpA9BVOwD/s1600/20190101_142419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYZezGWX4ObxGf-oS_blFJf0LecbnmByN5KQvvzGW-1SlcVSvSpA5vo_6e4fSBg2O1DNtts4R0-k2zoeJmyyGdjwA4BJCqzArKamdufQKmufz-AwbatPdrghrBStEpA9BVOwD/s320/20190101_142419.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOEnX3et53cTsJlFdwAAwEmPqyQh6d7e7eg_UP820euoJm5IHynPMkCwnrUtYHGYeQhdlxUpPDV6xfpodWwH_7bS642VQNCtbXaK-NVHEfqnuxlgbj4Vs55vQttXxW7V3bdyL/s1600/20190118_122418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOEnX3et53cTsJlFdwAAwEmPqyQh6d7e7eg_UP820euoJm5IHynPMkCwnrUtYHGYeQhdlxUpPDV6xfpodWwH_7bS642VQNCtbXaK-NVHEfqnuxlgbj4Vs55vQttXxW7V3bdyL/s320/20190118_122418.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm currently working on a scarf/shawl in a lace pattern - it's almost done but I ran out of yarn so I have to figure out how I'm going to end the pattern early and whether I need to un-knit some of it to have enough yarn for the bind-off. Typical of me, I set it aside and started working on a new project - a hat for my husband.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I did finish one other sewing project: a snowman decoration for Christmas.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0S1d5qU2nZWA1OaRE8yXbMkij6lucOmpaptZOVJY5mOoBBxVRvvgzQAz0GawkW4wqKYiQy1Q45mm_udrzpi9OqK2xPPS8c-69LK6b_GuW19AjBaObh3QFDahYrP-JBkfKjy8/s1600/20181219_190403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0S1d5qU2nZWA1OaRE8yXbMkij6lucOmpaptZOVJY5mOoBBxVRvvgzQAz0GawkW4wqKYiQy1Q45mm_udrzpi9OqK2xPPS8c-69LK6b_GuW19AjBaObh3QFDahYrP-JBkfKjy8/s320/20181219_190403.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was from a printed panel and I'd already cut out the pieces at some point so it was "easy" to sew up. It was a bit fiddly to sew all the little pieces. He's about a foot tall. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ciao!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-35167083932790796302018-08-18T04:23:00.002+02:002018-08-18T04:23:57.636+02:00Settling in and unpacking my epic fabric stashWell, it's been a while. Let's just say it's not an easy thing to move from Germany to California.<br />
<br />
A few weekends ago we finally were able to reassemble some IKEA wardrobes we had bought in Germany and moved to the US. When I bought them I had planned to store both fabric and clothes in them, so I designed them with big pull-out drawers as well as hanging rods. I only used the wardrobes for a short time in Stuttgart - and my fabric stash was actually quite small then - but in Wiesbaden they didn't fit in the apartment so they were stored in the basement cellar. I wish I had more drawers, but they don't make this version of PAX anymore - or the color, so I'll just use what I have.<br />
<br />
I spent the last few weekend unpacking many, many plastic storage bins. I had a lot of fabric stored in the states while we were in Germany, and of course I managed to buy more in Europe. I really hoped I could store all of it in the wardrobes but I still have storage bins containing bulky fleece, thick wool, children's fabric (I need to find some babies to sew for!), swimsuit and lingerie fabrics, quilting cotton, fake fur, and home dec fabrics. The wardrobes are filled with some really nice stuff though! I organized them by color because that makes sense to me, and I like the way it looks.<br />
<br />
I put wools and suitings on the top shelf - these are mostly black, gray and some pink and fuschia. The next shelf has black and blue fabrics, mostly solid ones in larger yardage in the back. I turned some fabric cubes on their sides to keep them contained but visible. The small bins in front hold smaller pieces of mostly printed knits and lightweight fabrics. The bottom shelf in this picture shows my pink, coral, and yellow fabrics and some more prints. By the way, the puck lights are stick-on battery-operated LED lights. They're remote controlled (and you can set them at 50%, 100%, cool, warm, or on a timer) or you can just push them to turn them on or off. Bought them at Amazon.com!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_9zigp47wgwICcB8RyGLP3nBFBEm3qVyE_1RQ_eXoA_I0X7VH0saDKWN-JTfQ2F0DtYbin9GIh94lk3fntb1HZkANJXFrdan5fhAqGwT5q0oxFNOIx9lhl55qYhafXVV9s0G/s1600/20180817_180853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_9zigp47wgwICcB8RyGLP3nBFBEm3qVyE_1RQ_eXoA_I0X7VH0saDKWN-JTfQ2F0DtYbin9GIh94lk3fntb1HZkANJXFrdan5fhAqGwT5q0oxFNOIx9lhl55qYhafXVV9s0G/s400/20180817_180853.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The bottom of the wardrobe has two drawers. The top drawer holds blue fabric and the bottom drawer holds black and gray. The very bottom has red fabric and though you can't make it out in the picture, the left bin has black knits<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpQoPQapqG-RCgvhJw3WKlzUPMAtz7mTAifo0zS1HFWpwT451x5zo4glGofvsmrRI7KRDbCFik6ewpow6xrLCmLByuZ3FzA7DymIWu0NfgpzxNRouAMjljIU7ZSjZeGJQm7N1/s1600/20180817_180908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpQoPQapqG-RCgvhJw3WKlzUPMAtz7mTAifo0zS1HFWpwT451x5zo4glGofvsmrRI7KRDbCFik6ewpow6xrLCmLByuZ3FzA7DymIWu0NfgpzxNRouAMjljIU7ZSjZeGJQm7N1/s400/20180817_180908.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The drawers are full extension. See how nicely I can view and get to my fabric now!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pLu68ZP5CK44Sv4Ft2UG_jL-CSpI3dNgca7JckjrSoFffgMVoiWc67YYTmtoIx6lzPDcqSzxC_BbYGPJoK_WVr1ubAcG-E1mvrQ5jagrIBfDpuFlzF76T9PoAgsyLGdGb9vo/s1600/20180817_180933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pLu68ZP5CK44Sv4Ft2UG_jL-CSpI3dNgca7JckjrSoFffgMVoiWc67YYTmtoIx6lzPDcqSzxC_BbYGPJoK_WVr1ubAcG-E1mvrQ5jagrIBfDpuFlzF76T9PoAgsyLGdGb9vo/s400/20180817_180933.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The right cabinet has a hanging rod, so I used that to hang up some pieces of woven fabric. Just some! Haha! The top shelf had my bulkier or not-likely-to-be-used-anytime-soon pieces of brown wools, blends, and knits.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMhfE9bG1Xfxqoyldb1l8jUoJHix8pUzr-eOnR4CqtlplQGPOKm69hZCC9qrgbhO0lf0vDTNQOGhChnUruyDkPWPjAneL3_CSGKTThF2nKppHiQ3BuW-xw-s_FMJCFvl4K11Y/s1600/20180817_181020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMhfE9bG1Xfxqoyldb1l8jUoJHix8pUzr-eOnR4CqtlplQGPOKm69hZCC9qrgbhO0lf0vDTNQOGhChnUruyDkPWPjAneL3_CSGKTThF2nKppHiQ3BuW-xw-s_FMJCFvl4K11Y/s400/20180817_181020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Two drawers on the bottom hold the brown, green, and white fabrics. More white and brown fabric is stored on the very bottom. I do not know why I have <i>so many</i> pieces of plain, white fabric.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiIHpRHEygPYF4VVY51MHJPhjeK_MoaDfy8nujoaqDszU-rgJZdmyI4XNbq4dYWivl1cOogWX8_AES5nNyD-0jZBkFmkKcpWkspV8uvZeG95wQgmwNeL8XhKMiOBeT8yKvquv/s1600/20180817_181050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiIHpRHEygPYF4VVY51MHJPhjeK_MoaDfy8nujoaqDszU-rgJZdmyI4XNbq4dYWivl1cOogWX8_AES5nNyD-0jZBkFmkKcpWkspV8uvZeG95wQgmwNeL8XhKMiOBeT8yKvquv/s400/20180817_181050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My fabric store is open!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Good thing I have a brand new sewing machine to sew (and embroider) on!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI3FrtcWKr7UVO3qKUA8cgqGPMhv_UxgeXnjmKujE5wB2qU23PO2FyESKWmrOAlrgCmRVOUqEWSnGFz3JvD7MklJEgWLBUy7HhrZrabpL3wYGOironCXGecjtEnxNVrmAOLkT/s1600/20180726_223829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI3FrtcWKr7UVO3qKUA8cgqGPMhv_UxgeXnjmKujE5wB2qU23PO2FyESKWmrOAlrgCmRVOUqEWSnGFz3JvD7MklJEgWLBUy7HhrZrabpL3wYGOironCXGecjtEnxNVrmAOLkT/s400/20180726_223829.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And today I just bought this!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-22e-CLmdShjL9FBXB3xH4nBSacgjVoRc78kNCLoQ_uFPn6aqRZAoLiE696cQADmT0OW5WOzXc8DFGYsp0dcLQoYztFNeh8y0Mr4Oh77axMmJsKrx4gSTf49UFAQEg0pcKSuh/s1600/Quilter%2527s-Vision-and-Companion-Chest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="648" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-22e-CLmdShjL9FBXB3xH4nBSacgjVoRc78kNCLoQ_uFPn6aqRZAoLiE696cQADmT0OW5WOzXc8DFGYsp0dcLQoYztFNeh8y0Mr4Oh77axMmJsKrx4gSTf49UFAQEg0pcKSuh/s400/Quilter%2527s-Vision-and-Companion-Chest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's from <a href="http://www.tailormadecabinets.com/" target="_blank">Tailormade Cabinets</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm still keeping my Pfaff 7570 but the software to send designs to the machine won't work on Windows 8+. Once I was reunited with all my threads and designs and stabilizers I had in storage I felt the urge to embroider again. And then I saw the cool things a new sewing machine can do, like auto tension and a presser foot that you can raise with a touch of a button or automatically when you touch the foot control - just enough so you can pivot around curves and corner. And it automatically cuts the thread. The 7570 is a great machine though and I won't sell it and since my new machine won't fit in the old cabinet the 7570 gets to stay in its home and I <i>had</i> to buy a new cabinet. I don't have a huge sewing area but the space will work as long as I can move the cabinets and cutting table around when I need to. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I still have some organizing to do before I can return to garment sewing. But I did come across a great little project to work on and practice with the new sewing machine. I found that I had already cut out all the pieces, so it's some Christmas sewing in August!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDecC6PYo-zGz_9QKvAzH-h__ngWPkTyW9x9pVGu7uIUVnQDQz-mT480MO7supPRoJ5aDk9EBx4BxWh-hhH-mor1xMiNi_3TuMjtLqy84zJV5S7nSBf7aNhRCKT1uVEXYzGiuu/s1600/20180801_191443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDecC6PYo-zGz_9QKvAzH-h__ngWPkTyW9x9pVGu7uIUVnQDQz-mT480MO7supPRoJ5aDk9EBx4BxWh-hhH-mor1xMiNi_3TuMjtLqy84zJV5S7nSBf7aNhRCKT1uVEXYzGiuu/s400/20180801_191443.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-36587396621141689312018-01-08T11:37:00.000+01:002018-01-08T11:37:26.506+01:00Big changesThis is the state of my sewing at the moment - an almost finished Burda top (#121 from 9/2010), a sewing repair to my husband's sleep pants, and a growing mess.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxapLn4OUzYOIKNgj1T69SgtVNhDskvs8obRKM5eyUsxclRTLDuR4bK7-EtC9-lkdmhTfinGLrMrxuDWSs9hmDlhtAQUW6gBGn6PIRXSRFAeYa8xdpVXkwjOgtmiy6I7Xwp0p/s1600/20180108_104710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxapLn4OUzYOIKNgj1T69SgtVNhDskvs8obRKM5eyUsxclRTLDuR4bK7-EtC9-lkdmhTfinGLrMrxuDWSs9hmDlhtAQUW6gBGn6PIRXSRFAeYa8xdpVXkwjOgtmiy6I7Xwp0p/s400/20180108_104710.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The growing mess is because I'm moving soon. Our European adventure is going to end and we're about to start a new one back in the U.S., which I'm happy about because it means a really great job for me. Of course this will mean less time to spend on all my hobbies, but this job will be worth it and was an opportunity that would probably not come around again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope to finish the top and the repair but other than that I don't think I should start any other sewing projects and should instead focus on getting stuff ready to move. We will have our stuff packed for us, but not all of it will be going back to the U.S. - like most of the IKEA furniture we bought to furnish our apartment here - so I have a lot of work to do to sell/donate/throw away. And we'll have a house hunting trip in a few weeks and some final trips in Europe to do. Busy, busy busy times! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One project I am working on is to finish weaving a scarf that I had started just before I knew leaving was a real possibility. I blogged about it <a href="https://monkeyroom.blogspot.de/2017/12/making-scarves.html" target="_blank">earlier</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70jNXzOnJXtjMBcpUh8WLLavj1BwdlCIx_5EXGVEu9AGKMk5ilr6L0MuBFBQG2lrWNQuZclhmrntbYYq1PvCMxjgTNceMcW9Xia38tYJHjwbHH8iVE5k0RJ4GojMk5uHtPuMf/s1600/20180107_195819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="1600" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70jNXzOnJXtjMBcpUh8WLLavj1BwdlCIx_5EXGVEu9AGKMk5ilr6L0MuBFBQG2lrWNQuZclhmrntbYYq1PvCMxjgTNceMcW9Xia38tYJHjwbHH8iVE5k0RJ4GojMk5uHtPuMf/s400/20180107_195819.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The scarf looks really complicated and it sort of is. First, I did not design this, so the really hard work was done for me. The scarf is from the book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Next-Steps-Weaving-Never-Needed/dp/1620336278" target="_blank">Next Steps in Weaving</a></i> by Pattie Graver. Still, this is the most complicated weaving project I've done so far. But it's like following a recipe, where the ingredients and their amounts are already determined and you just need to apply your skill at working with them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had lots of time to knit in December because I flew from Germany to California for an in-person interview right before Christmas, and we made two trips to our place in the French alps (which we are keeping and will be our destination for most, if not all, of our vacations). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First, a shout out to <a href="https://www.wollhaus.com/" target="_blank">Wollhaus </a>in Pasadena, California. With the evening free after my interview was over, I of course sought out a yarn shop. I was warmly greeted right away and invited to join their knit night, which I did. I immediately felt at home. This may very well be my new LYS and as a bonus, one of the owners is Austrian and can help me translate all those German knitting magazines I accumulated!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's a finished project:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zcHe8nmQG-Qkh745hHlwSO-HK2yZJAKpuA4LfRdsO9PjfoAK6QuDOMm0s6-w2NxuS5gi4wlI8F1rdefQPCL8dLMn_759jGLLlxP1T0zzWKV282y8htAaLVxt-BhpIKSWwNWb/s1600/20171217_135211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zcHe8nmQG-Qkh745hHlwSO-HK2yZJAKpuA4LfRdsO9PjfoAK6QuDOMm0s6-w2NxuS5gi4wlI8F1rdefQPCL8dLMn_759jGLLlxP1T0zzWKV282y8htAaLVxt-BhpIKSWwNWb/s400/20171217_135211.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Socks for my husband</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Works in progress:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2id81RE2DrK-35tTLF-BDkI8S5aArN2_1gT262gvbXqE_1CChZSN1Ks7CcZejT37bswVzNVNAeF8xYCupGWW1MUcQaYR08j7d9krMTxHvj4BGtkZdgu-P8gcJEVEEGTTmfMN8/s1600/20180108_112137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2id81RE2DrK-35tTLF-BDkI8S5aArN2_1gT262gvbXqE_1CChZSN1Ks7CcZejT37bswVzNVNAeF8xYCupGWW1MUcQaYR08j7d9krMTxHvj4BGtkZdgu-P8gcJEVEEGTTmfMN8/s400/20180108_112137.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More socks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll leave you with a picture from our recent snow shoeing fun:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSIETK1wM2UdY36JUxcf3fq44f44Z3SdWb29GiMWWzifq0XhAJE-xcxIy08txsDlcxnW0JA9DTkLtklUZrOSMmyTKWpF7sTA4lihrVawvog8GpoyFyPA8ejANnDgCtPzuCbIM/s1600/20180102_121349-PANO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="1600" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSIETK1wM2UdY36JUxcf3fq44f44Z3SdWb29GiMWWzifq0XhAJE-xcxIy08txsDlcxnW0JA9DTkLtklUZrOSMmyTKWpF7sTA4lihrVawvog8GpoyFyPA8ejANnDgCtPzuCbIM/s400/20180102_121349-PANO.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to biggify!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-23539967170964769302017-12-17T00:27:00.000+01:002017-12-17T00:27:31.798+01:00The sad state of ready-to-wear A few days ago I bought a suit for a job interview I have next week. I wish I had the sewing experience and non-procrastination-ness (yeah, had to make up that word) to actually make a nice suit. I did shorten the hem on the pants though.<br />
<br />
I did not enjoy the shopping experience. I knew getting both the pants and the jacket to fit off the rack would be a challenge. One problem I had was that I am between sizes in jackets, or more accurately I am a different size in the shoulders than my waist and hips. If the jacket fit in the shoulders, it wouldn't button and if it buttoned, then the jacket looked big in the chest and drooped off my shoulders. This was when I realized that the jackets seemed to lack any real structure. The jackets were lined and had shoulder pads, but overall the jackets felt skimpy and the collars were lumpy and bumpy.<br />
<br />
All these jackets were in a department store that carried many different labels and they ranged in price from $80 to $160. I wandered over to the expensive part of the store, where they have Hugo Boss, thinking maybe a higher price would mean higher quality. Jackets there were $450 and up, which after adding another $200 for pants made for a pricey interview suit I might only wear a few more times. In hindsight I should have tried some on anyway and looked at the quality. Maybe I will on a later shopping trip but on that day I was goal-oriented and didn't want to be enticed by a $700 suit.<br />
<br />
I searched the rest of the store again and miraculously I managed to find pants ($100) and a jacket ($160) that fit, at least well enough to look presentable for my interview. I could tell the jacket had more structure in the upper chest and shoulders and that made the larger size I chose (so that it buttoned) look OK in the shoulders and not like I was wearing a jacket that was too big.<br />
<br />
A long, long time ago, early in my working career, I wore a lot of Liz Claiborne and Jones New York. I remember pants were about $80-90, blouses $60-70, and jackets (blazers) were about $130. I don't remember that being <i>very </i>expensive - it was what the department stores offered as "career wear." How is it that today, nearly 30 years later, the prices in similar clothing lines are not much more?<br />
<br />
At some point I stopped needing to buy "career wear." I returned to school to get a master's degree and then casual Friday became casual Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Though I still liked to wear dressier pants to work instead of jeans and blouses instead of t-shirts, I began buying separates and, more importantly, started sewing my own clothes, so I guess I didn't notice that the prices weren't going up.<br />
<br />
If the price to the consumer was staying the same, or in some cases even decreasing, then something in the equation had to change. Pants stopped being lined. Jackets lost some tailoring. Fabrics got thinner. Labor was moved to places where they could pay very little, like Bangladesh, where my new suit was made. The quality of the sewing in my suit is actually quite good, but the material quality is not. I've also noticed that unless you go to a major city, many department stores no longer carry clothes at a higher price point. The public wants to keep paying the same amount (or less!), which means cheap clothing and now that's the only thing available. <br />
<br />
Since I'm in Germany and have different clothing lines, I just looked online to see if Liz Clairborne is still around. Well they are, but I wouldn't recognize it. The clothing is much cheaper than 30 years ago but nowhere near the look or, I assume, quality it once was. Jones New York looks to be targeting the same demographic they used to but the clothes are at the same prices as 30 years ago. So I'm going to guess that the quality won't be the same and the labels will indicate that they're sewn in some place like Bangladesh.Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-17849231869141354212017-12-10T20:28:00.000+01:002017-12-10T21:21:18.803+01:00A Paris day trip: Dior and fabric shopping<span style="font-family: inherit;">When </span>I heard that the Christian Dior exhibit at the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris was not to be missed and was ending in early January of 2018, I decided that I should go! Now! I can get to Paris in 3 1/2 hours so I decided a day-trip was in order. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">I arrived in Paris about two hours before my timed-ticket entry of noon. Originally I'd planned to walk from the train station and stop at a fabric store or two along the way but it was freezing cold outside, so I took the metro. I thought it was still too early to go to the museum so after a pastry and coffee I checked out a nearby ribbon shop called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mokuba/559857570697316" target="_blank">Mokuba</a>. They have an incredible selection of ribbon but since I didn't have any need for any at the moment I just browsed. I also peeked in the window of <a href="https://www.kaetsu.fr/boutique/" target="_blank">Kaetsu </a>, another fabric shop I'd read about, but it wasn't open until noon. It turns out it's not so much of a fabric shop as a boutique that makes bags and other accessories out of Japanese fabric. They may also sell some of the fabric, but I couldn't tell - it was a really tiny store too.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">By now it was time to make my way over to the museum. It was about 11:30 am but I probably should have gone over there earlier because there was a huge line outside - and these were all people with 12:00 tickets. It was cold but fortunately not raining so I waited with everyone else and watched as more and more people arrived. As you might expect, the majority of the crowd were female and many were "fashionably French" but others were pushing my fashion envelope for sure. I didn't get any photos because I didn't want to be rude, but my favorite look was an older woman wearing a knee-length bright green fur coat, red tights and purple shoes - or maybe it was purple tights and red shoes, I can't remember but she definitely stood out.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9I0iN9a5RJ2CBFID93CjN8VvKiIQuXKMj8HDFjBE2J6mcNGATqLfqLqvNdp1YEIHC0t283f8pOswuX7SG5MiT0S3WXr03hF4OuQj2j5H-N_zVIikMmpQYDesKDFNTY3d1hGE6/s1600/20171207_120520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9I0iN9a5RJ2CBFID93CjN8VvKiIQuXKMj8HDFjBE2J6mcNGATqLfqLqvNdp1YEIHC0t283f8pOswuX7SG5MiT0S3WXr03hF4OuQj2j5H-N_zVIikMmpQYDesKDFNTY3d1hGE6/s400/20171207_120520.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting, waiting, waiting...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I finally made it inside around 15-20 minutes past twelve. I followed the crowd and headed straight for the exhibit, unfortunately forgetting to check my winter coat, and I wasn't alone in this as I saw most everyone else wearing their coats. As often happens in these large, popular exhibits, the early rooms were very congested while people tried to read and observe every little thing, afraid to move on and miss something. I was pushed by people more than once and bumped countless times and bulky coats certainly didn't help! In one very crowded room a museum worker periodically instructed people to keep moving.<br />
<br />
I didn't really know much about Dior except for his infamous "New Look", the change in fashion that he initiated in the post-war 40's. The first room contained a lot of historical information and pictures but unfortunately it was so jammed with people I felt claustrophobic while trying reading anything so I moved on. I looked up information about Christian Dior afterwards and was surprised to learn that he died quite young, at 52, in 1957. Now I understand why so many of the clothes were labeled "Christian Dior" followed by "John Galliano" or "Yves Saint Laurent" or "Mark Bohan." These were some of the creative directors who took over the House of Dior after Christian's death. This exhibit represents the bulk of the Dior creations over many, many years and not just from Christian Dior himself. And what an exhibit it is!<br />
<br />
I took lots of pictures with my phone and have put together an album of them, which you can view farther down in this post. My favorite exhibit was one that showcased groupings by color of Dior clothes - full size and in miniature (which I adored!), hats, shoes, jewelry, perfume and artwork.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLrz7PjF894HlgCARtfhZcVmaWat-EfLHcEDydYrYB1yxG-IUsbeWGKtTw7jkeNn8D2jyRs1dLpnr1CV1XwauRTJLDoCwFCKRSIfcJB0m3OBIxRp9OKhIe-9ct4oV4n9-UpCk/s1600/20171207_123809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLrz7PjF894HlgCARtfhZcVmaWat-EfLHcEDydYrYB1yxG-IUsbeWGKtTw7jkeNn8D2jyRs1dLpnr1CV1XwauRTJLDoCwFCKRSIfcJB0m3OBIxRp9OKhIe-9ct4oV4n9-UpCk/s400/20171207_123809.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Another favorite room was one that focused on the floral pieces. The ceiling was decorated with paper cutout flowers and leaves and it was just beautiful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR30T4yJrOAWNdouMqopzGYTnsK-Bxh4KOIFAETiaOoZmccl0nNd3lGOgA1AzSfVxDxDY6ZEs_UmyGLpJ4HDYCETiIEnjLBMCDT1ial8XmW6UwreYXLuK_ohpuJKnYxYzmvn82/s1600/20171207_130940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR30T4yJrOAWNdouMqopzGYTnsK-Bxh4KOIFAETiaOoZmccl0nNd3lGOgA1AzSfVxDxDY6ZEs_UmyGLpJ4HDYCETiIEnjLBMCDT1ial8XmW6UwreYXLuK_ohpuJKnYxYzmvn82/s400/20171207_130940.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Another room showed the pieces in muslin (toile) form, filling the room vertically, which was an elegant way to showcase them. I would have loved to have been able to see the dresses closer up to see the design elements.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMOd0poMfGPUf8pCSI5LEwiHzkaYSFZj5XQ2GWYLvqruQuhynnkSyO8xC58kFqwmiBgdWuEDZ8ZGOzW38UNpxU8QcsBuEGo_7cUl3H_synvuZiOHz0WIRopQDySd9iiAWyRdV/s1600/20171207_133914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMOd0poMfGPUf8pCSI5LEwiHzkaYSFZj5XQ2GWYLvqruQuhynnkSyO8xC58kFqwmiBgdWuEDZ8ZGOzW38UNpxU8QcsBuEGo_7cUl3H_synvuZiOHz0WIRopQDySd9iiAWyRdV/s400/20171207_133914.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Towards the end of the exhibit was a room that looked like a grand ballroom and it fittingly contained ballgowns, including one worn by Princess Diana. So many lovely gowns!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3gYdZhZ3lF6gE5qSdk5KHdQaqpYWoPthA7YBncnfBdClkuN0rm3B4FTuwfOpTqKQspTaU4eeIZ4P4UuSRewI97PDEU0nf8Fk2DwIrDxcEvGgNnKvHBZ-ga51p5MsvIKbQauS/s1600/20171207_134736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3gYdZhZ3lF6gE5qSdk5KHdQaqpYWoPthA7YBncnfBdClkuN0rm3B4FTuwfOpTqKQspTaU4eeIZ4P4UuSRewI97PDEU0nf8Fk2DwIrDxcEvGgNnKvHBZ-ga51p5MsvIKbQauS/s400/20171207_134736.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I wish I could have spent my time admiring and studying each piece but that was impossible not just because it was crowded but because there was so much to see. I spent about two hours there and was exhausted afterwards.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/batoral/albums/72157689407104711" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Christian Dior, couturier du rêve"><img alt="Christian Dior, couturier du rêve" height="500" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4580/27181413119_7ca1314057.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click in the middle to view in flickr or click the arrows to view here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<div>
After the exhibit and lunch, I took the metro to visit another fabric store I'd read about. <a href="http://www.malhia.fr/html/en/" target="_blank">Mahlia Kent</a> is a weaving studio that supplies woven fabrics for designers and also sells yardage or sample pieces. They're located in a very cool space built under a railway bridge that has been re-purposed into studios and retail shops with a landscaped walkway above, known as the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Coulée verte René</span><span style="background-color: white;">-</span><span style="background-color: white;">Dumont. </span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX2LhK11ox3lW-SMSzzp7DFV0wVbVdBYhVAUJqzqd-xHjDdPwJSw30xQFnaT6M9gyUdIOqXShewUBWiOd55-6ikhb6Q4eQlhA5P3XsHw8-TJC3JkMi-oDQ2aRDxnVAaX75qr8/s1600/20171207_161640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX2LhK11ox3lW-SMSzzp7DFV0wVbVdBYhVAUJqzqd-xHjDdPwJSw30xQFnaT6M9gyUdIOqXShewUBWiOd55-6ikhb6Q4eQlhA5P3XsHw8-TJC3JkMi-oDQ2aRDxnVAaX75qr8/s400/20171207_161640.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I browsed a bit through the small sample pieces, which could be used for small bags or combined into larger pieces, but there were so many that it made my head spin. I was more attracted to the cones of yarn on their shelves that were also for sale - these are probably leftover yarns from their weaving. I bought four small cones of yarn to play with on my loom. Had I not been limited by what I could easily carry and not planning to shop more, I might have bought more!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwl1P4Vapj5ObDtg1qLdAzYD8QhzHiUpU64bs9cft1DKWTQHGsATsYcoUqtGIRxrWw1DFVNnoJcG2rwbvQPODsGfm-6PHNCokM0xF0C8RzX9JDHlqprhlE0aGn8BKu_BWvsqS/s1600/20171210_173606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwl1P4Vapj5ObDtg1qLdAzYD8QhzHiUpU64bs9cft1DKWTQHGsATsYcoUqtGIRxrWw1DFVNnoJcG2rwbvQPODsGfm-6PHNCokM0xF0C8RzX9JDHlqprhlE0aGn8BKu_BWvsqS/s400/20171210_173606.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My next stop was <a href="http://www.annakabazaar.com/" target="_blank">Anna Ka Bazaar</a>, another fabric shop I'd read about but had never visited and located in a trendy looking area a short walk from the Coulée. It's a nice little shop but not really my aesthetic. At first glance it looked more like a "twee" craft shop with glass jars of color-coordinated ribbons and buttons, but then I saw that they also stock yarn, patterns and fabric. It looked like they'd just gotten a shipment of printed cotton knits, which I liked but not enough for the price they wanted. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With two more hours until my train, I dashed to the metro in the rain and rode it to my usual fabric shopping mecca in Montmartre, home of <a href="http://www.tissus-reine.com/" target="_blank">Tissus Reine</a> and <a href="http://www.marchesaintpierre.com/" target="_blank">Marché Saint-Pierre Dreyfus</a> and many little "coupon" shops that sell pre-cut pieces of fabrics. I browsed and browsed as much as I could in the time I had left, but there wasn't any fabric that I felt I needed to buy. There was a small leather and animal skin shop with some nice pieces but I couldn't come up with a project to justify buying anything. Well, actually I <i>could </i>think of many projects but my list is long enough already.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was a great day! Long and exhausting and it rained off and on, but still a really great day. </div>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-42805952043778350422017-12-01T17:57:00.001+01:002017-12-01T17:57:38.708+01:00Making scarvesI finished the two scarves and have now warped my loom for another scarf project.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzZFcfQObp9sxArvTFbzFcB76b6HewhW4216v-B3hyGVbGa9RRLUMHHtBSEKd2J4NW5wCPtNJTO4YPcd9G3u6bXDJCBGTT5Xj7idyQdBSA9R2BweGrI1Cq6XBo8obGvaARt8c/s1600/20171115_153647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzZFcfQObp9sxArvTFbzFcB76b6HewhW4216v-B3hyGVbGa9RRLUMHHtBSEKd2J4NW5wCPtNJTO4YPcd9G3u6bXDJCBGTT5Xj7idyQdBSA9R2BweGrI1Cq6XBo8obGvaARt8c/s400/20171115_153647.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merino/tencel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUBBCCjOmjx-nh3yq3aG-70ibu91DPT5yTg0JyxFDM4C1FpZKVQnMdmrVihfipTPA-7N0tLpYONiHv3nHsqiEYvLzdVLQ5gViQQDXCK23UKGC2WF0t3KQ4PyxAFPV4gfa7gTW/s1600/20171115_160037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUBBCCjOmjx-nh3yq3aG-70ibu91DPT5yTg0JyxFDM4C1FpZKVQnMdmrVihfipTPA-7N0tLpYONiHv3nHsqiEYvLzdVLQ5gViQQDXCK23UKGC2WF0t3KQ4PyxAFPV4gfa7gTW/s400/20171115_160037.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpaca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next weaving project is from the book <i><a href="https://www.interweave.com/store/next-steps-in-weaving" target="_blank">Next Steps in Weaving</a></i>. It's my most complicated project yet, but that's the point of the book, to help you advance beyond simple weaving. This one is called "Scarf of Lucky Colors" because the author found that this color combination was her best-seller. I liked the colors and decided to use the same ones, as well as the yarn called for. Having all the calculations done - how much yarn to warp in each color and how much you need for weft - makes the project easier. Threading the heddles was the most difficult part, but I think I did it correctly. Now on to the weaving!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM106lZpkgLoPhkyAiPD4CxDqHoQLH4AA73DuoOZc5tEuQawW0MYrQffmMSk-I3KRbPZy8YNZvIJur-4BzYCrfHFXsWFe2Wq2CmzQx4dhfgahuyZPQd3HCbSfTls1A12h15Lmv/s1600/20171201_161953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM106lZpkgLoPhkyAiPD4CxDqHoQLH4AA73DuoOZc5tEuQawW0MYrQffmMSk-I3KRbPZy8YNZvIJur-4BzYCrfHFXsWFe2Wq2CmzQx4dhfgahuyZPQd3HCbSfTls1A12h15Lmv/s400/20171201_161953.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm also trying to make time for some sewing. I bought some fabric to make the "knock-off" top from my last post but may make a simpler version instead so that I actually <i>make </i>something instead of just planning it forever.Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-43819455331707251222017-11-20T11:01:00.000+01:002017-11-20T11:01:37.007+01:00A knock-off project (?)On a recent shopping trip I tried on a top that I liked but it was a little small and I didn't like the way the vertical stripe in the plaid wasn't exactly centered. I didn't find this top in a larger size and suspect that it would probably be too big in my shoulders anyway. But I can sew! I can make one to fit me, and if I make it in a plaid or stripe, I will make sure it lines up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8r1MtaV0NYRDRRiSlay2ZhyoOWbZvuX9PVUUEzxq1M22V5J92AtA5gnvs5ab9n32OT40jkjuWCsPqhK2vR4gRucLZJHhg45jzeb54HAuhVzygnXqHDTeu82FlVU2T1yzGcM_6/s1600/20171116_145701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1497" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8r1MtaV0NYRDRRiSlay2ZhyoOWbZvuX9PVUUEzxq1M22V5J92AtA5gnvs5ab9n32OT40jkjuWCsPqhK2vR4gRucLZJHhg45jzeb54HAuhVzygnXqHDTeu82FlVU2T1yzGcM_6/s400/20171116_145701.jpg" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dressing room picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I like the side panels, the 3/4 length sleeves, the curved hem, and the dart. I wasn't sure whether the collar was supposed to be folded over or unfolded and floppy like I'm wearing it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIFQJOQj4W_AXeQgUYFmIkywl4PGjxUhrN5dm4ShCDGstUq8JEx30ql2UqfTQgKmCATxTyGPZuiR9n7oIdqdKc7BeeYyfvkRq307MDxxhYPBX53j9dyl-w5d5EZ_tvFLdv4Wm/s1600/20171116_145709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1275" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIFQJOQj4W_AXeQgUYFmIkywl4PGjxUhrN5dm4ShCDGstUq8JEx30ql2UqfTQgKmCATxTyGPZuiR9n7oIdqdKc7BeeYyfvkRq307MDxxhYPBX53j9dyl-w5d5EZ_tvFLdv4Wm/s400/20171116_145709.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side panel on the bias</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I saw a lot of these boxy little tops on the racks, so they seem to be very "in" right now. I think this one I tried on could be suitable for work when worn with black or gray pants. It's a polyester/rayon mix with a little lycra. The other tops I see are made in textured knits and seem more casual but not "sloppy", so they could be work suitable too. Perhaps the "sweatshirt chic" of a few years ago has evolved a bit.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I scoured my vast pattern collection and although I didn't find an exact match, I found some Burdastyle patterns that are close and could work as a base:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh640krHlmLq8Rh4p3MXc86diqKwlS_1CQ_2LgCmBBi6hh0E-vgN-iia8H6beOQlBNHLpV09eLWd4WdYxgpvlya6s4pmteZ7jUsClxyYHxzoGqDoSbl4O_5nKXk5KakX34cyeZB/s1600/burda1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh640krHlmLq8Rh4p3MXc86diqKwlS_1CQ_2LgCmBBi6hh0E-vgN-iia8H6beOQlBNHLpV09eLWd4WdYxgpvlya6s4pmteZ7jUsClxyYHxzoGqDoSbl4O_5nKXk5KakX34cyeZB/s1600/burda1.PNG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then these patterns would give me a similar look also:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ozBfr98urwq-346tLtmL-W2-VNj3Tqo8-cBLTm94WkJqakxIFQcLFRvnbKprQ_Gl1xxV62fARNaGTLlnQ_3VfOt00VoTzkksOsMV-LfNthMgdxrGMvCuAMbVYr9V5kWQ0kx-/s1600/burda2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ozBfr98urwq-346tLtmL-W2-VNj3Tqo8-cBLTm94WkJqakxIFQcLFRvnbKprQ_Gl1xxV62fARNaGTLlnQ_3VfOt00VoTzkksOsMV-LfNthMgdxrGMvCuAMbVYr9V5kWQ0kx-/s1600/burda2.PNG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Note that the pink/gray top is from the August 2017 issue - Burda is often "spot-on" with the latest trends.<br />
<br />
So now I just have to make it, right? I think I might make the black one from the 9/2012 or the pink/gray one from the 8/2017 issue first - or maybe even instead of the knock-off.<br />
<br />
Oh and I found two patterns in Knipmode that would work, but would you believe that out of all the Knipmode magazines I have, which is nearly every month since 2015, the two tops are in the two issues I <i>don't </i>have, and they're not patterns that are available for download from their website. Go figure. </div>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-64593293187560473792017-11-10T12:37:00.000+01:002017-11-10T12:37:02.498+01:00Wearing the purple paisleyThought I'd show a picture of me wearing the <a href="https://monkeyroom.blogspot.de/2017/07/purple-paisley.html" target="_blank">purple paisley</a> top I made this summer. I wore it during a trip to Barcelona a few weeks ago, and it was perfect for the temperature and "vibe" of the city.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI90JBPLRD8n0ufk-VbMHhiadIGRu1J5m9qmKDZyGZggd5SesCBTaCGRuNXqzVjOJEFMdeXYH2OGXPkqLQw2HexZHVruZv0Rq9JTC0PM4l3l7QI_-1om0yK2rcU9O64Q-bI7g/s1600/DSC_0692+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI90JBPLRD8n0ufk-VbMHhiadIGRu1J5m9qmKDZyGZggd5SesCBTaCGRuNXqzVjOJEFMdeXYH2OGXPkqLQw2HexZHVruZv0Rq9JTC0PM4l3l7QI_-1om0yK2rcU9O64Q-bI7g/s640/DSC_0692+%25282%2529.JPG" width="408" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We're headed back to Spain for a weekend in Seville and Cordoba, and this top is going with me again!Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-49746634699965930242017-11-06T16:50:00.000+01:002017-11-06T16:50:19.006+01:00More weaving and more travelThe houndstooth scarf is off the loom and ready to be finished, which means twisting the fringe and washing it so that the fibers fluff a bit and lock together. And seeing as how I hate finishing things (lol), I decided instead to warp the loom for a new project.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZl_uLwinhIZvZwo539Gjb5QV9d0JrXRhsDhCIJvfZnWagB_USYLS_MTZ92rHsRLCqjzH88fzGvZyf7imDJSEBeSZ3i9PqIdR52dQOTw167laTDmEYj0-cmhgqrTmqc2eJ1K5l/s1600/20171105_155104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZl_uLwinhIZvZwo539Gjb5QV9d0JrXRhsDhCIJvfZnWagB_USYLS_MTZ92rHsRLCqjzH88fzGvZyf7imDJSEBeSZ3i9PqIdR52dQOTw167laTDmEYj0-cmhgqrTmqc2eJ1K5l/s400/20171105_155104.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another scarf!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's another scarf but this time I'm doing a simpler, plain weave. The yarn is a hand-dyed 50/50 merino/tencel blend from Maple Creek Farms (I don't think they're dying or selling yarn anymore, but I could be wrong). I opted for a plain weave because I wanted the yarn to stand on its own, but I sort of wish I had done a twill instead because twill makes a more fluid fabric. But maybe it will soften up more after I wet-finish it.<br />
<br />
If you're still interested in my travels (or if you ever were!), here are days 5 through 7:<br />
<br />
<b>Day 5: Grotte de Niaux</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I've been very fortunate to be able to travel and see incredible sites and works of art in person. But I'm of course not the only one who'd like to see these things. Often crowds can make the experience less than ideal, and sometimes the very presence of tourists causes irreparable damage and the sites have to be limited or closed entirely to the public. Such is the case for seeing prehistoric cave art in France and Spain. The Lascaux caves are perhaps the most famous for cave art in France. Discovered in 1940 they were opened to the public in 1948 and closed in 1963 because the paintings suffered damage due to carbon dioxide, heat, humidity and other contaminants. An exact copy of the caves was opened nearby in 1983 for tourists to visit instead.<br />
<br />
One cave that is still open to the public is <a href="http://www.sites-touristiques-ariege.co.uk/sites-touristiques-ariege/grotte-de-niaux" target="_blank">Grotte de Niaux</a>, in the southern Pyrenees. It's about an hour and a half north of Andorra La Vella, so we were able to time our arrival for the one English tour of the day (you must book tickets in advance). The group is limited to 25 people and you walk single file in the dark with a flashlight through the cave for a 1/2 mile to get to the Black Room (Salon Noir). The rest of the cave is off limits or inaccessible. There are some paintings along the route that the tour guide stopped and pointed out but the final Black Room contains the best ones. Not many, but still pretty incredible to see something painted by humans about 12,000 to 15,000 years ago. Of course you can't take photos inside, but there is a display outside the cave (in French) that shows some of the drawings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfi9Ujzxjb9fuBVa3AxzzBp4HriIvZmwQjr3hST-zZua9wU9oZkpRvob2waRI1pSX1q2DpXFVV2EHy3U9BSOuF4jkKlXMEAxAVP8wtJvjA7mzYmD2DnRXA4_FduKSLHRKomFO/s1600/DSC_0331+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfi9Ujzxjb9fuBVa3AxzzBp4HriIvZmwQjr3hST-zZua9wU9oZkpRvob2waRI1pSX1q2DpXFVV2EHy3U9BSOuF4jkKlXMEAxAVP8wtJvjA7mzYmD2DnRXA4_FduKSLHRKomFO/s400/DSC_0331+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schematic of the cave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHLzyHQs8adD9xE_9nO2LSpax_w0OfXbwPfYw4BB1LteUSRAsyGzbLGydYtnPI1Ii8rAEGLhTx2zpFZ4gCsifCAwkoZI7ExyDDvpR-wj1Otw5kmjzTaA_8XbAYTYsp3gIiyrx/s1600/DSC_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1487" data-original-width="1600" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHLzyHQs8adD9xE_9nO2LSpax_w0OfXbwPfYw4BB1LteUSRAsyGzbLGydYtnPI1Ii8rAEGLhTx2zpFZ4gCsifCAwkoZI7ExyDDvpR-wj1Otw5kmjzTaA_8XbAYTYsp3gIiyrx/s400/DSC_0337.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that face on the bison! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuWp5r0olecn0OXiumie3LpAIdGdVCL57jXx56Lrk62MvAN_zDV2ariUcIp8Rv5clBqaEKCQDen24kJmM_DI9qZN8XZja5MmTlJ3AoDC5f7V1UDu0tMRJ0OhvqwKvlG-oyHmx/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuWp5r0olecn0OXiumie3LpAIdGdVCL57jXx56Lrk62MvAN_zDV2ariUcIp8Rv5clBqaEKCQDen24kJmM_DI9qZN8XZja5MmTlJ3AoDC5f7V1UDu0tMRJ0OhvqwKvlG-oyHmx/s400/DSC_0332.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The location was beautiful!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Day 6: San Sebastian, Spain</b><br />
<br />
The ocean! We arrived in San Sebastian late so didn't get out to explore until the next morning. The rain didn't deter us, it just made for a gray day. After a long day of driving, we planned to relax and enjoy the sites and scenery. We strolled through the old town, ate some tapas, had a beer in the old bullfighting ring while multiple rain showers passed through, and I found a yarn shop and bought some <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKb7oSYUXG5jw8MkItHO8WEssD0u8BYUtsgpv_MYro1mDGPybij4OoOF7Ca0rRlrriX1emBhkXJJFOQl1-Uz3-0FnA-mMtHUB2O_w32-0_Ov-2fb7cL0fKSMTCz3r3nlUe6Hk/s1600/20170916_161436.jpg" target="_blank">Spanish yarn</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DzqHKT7Wxjbh7B36kLkqfHNCZlj7yQUCfWcAibhIL00eIxslL-TJlNRUa9JnBSZeEcJzW6i8opyQIYrw-kfcvtaOW4pIOoEr9tirXAciwNwRN9XtvTBNez0SOor-Zz-CcMml/s1600/DSC_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DzqHKT7Wxjbh7B36kLkqfHNCZlj7yQUCfWcAibhIL00eIxslL-TJlNRUa9JnBSZeEcJzW6i8opyQIYrw-kfcvtaOW4pIOoEr9tirXAciwNwRN9XtvTBNez0SOor-Zz-CcMml/s400/DSC_0345.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September weather wasn't exactly beach weather</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCkfwT6zMRs5qUbrQ7gc9dOe6Ugh_BdIoHJdX6iiBsoOPMaQkwyPCjmDo4Gmg14AJJTaCmomO-tS2cZsqndKLqZRZZOTHSvbbBVglWJ11aV6KTuRop5IMEUrfJH28T8npuGJC/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCkfwT6zMRs5qUbrQ7gc9dOe6Ugh_BdIoHJdX6iiBsoOPMaQkwyPCjmDo4Gmg14AJJTaCmomO-tS2cZsqndKLqZRZZOTHSvbbBVglWJ11aV6KTuRop5IMEUrfJH28T8npuGJC/s400/DSC_0352.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some people ventured into the water. Our hotel was on the top of the hill!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8PLd27fZGm-p85xEg8Aa2mPr7MK8NMRuPZoosewYT_879PEHbpOhfINBI59hN4oLKxbeG9pKkPWiCnNG6buhzzfB83iYdyIIsmSkua98mxFSHZ3RC5p1PLuvZKO1wX3PGb-H/s1600/DSC_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8PLd27fZGm-p85xEg8Aa2mPr7MK8NMRuPZoosewYT_879PEHbpOhfINBI59hN4oLKxbeG9pKkPWiCnNG6buhzzfB83iYdyIIsmSkua98mxFSHZ3RC5p1PLuvZKO1wX3PGb-H/s400/DSC_0344.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of information and things you can't do on the beach...including Olympics???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQgQB68-xed3DT6GLdz9N9O6cjVJpT73igTUxcW_Ca1wUzc8hNa3LHlwhSZlHSxbe7Iyjnr9T9Roa5S9K4hyoXnrFOEUVC52oTd8yxBgy6QcFv-Q3359rm71NHhGsVaaWNIGX/s1600/DSC_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQgQB68-xed3DT6GLdz9N9O6cjVJpT73igTUxcW_Ca1wUzc8hNa3LHlwhSZlHSxbe7Iyjnr9T9Roa5S9K4hyoXnrFOEUVC52oTd8yxBgy6QcFv-Q3359rm71NHhGsVaaWNIGX/s400/DSC_0364.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old town with the steeple of San Sebastian Cathedral in the distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwLnJizYmgt3zRuWWeEjvd-jnuY8Us-QHihvdLUeFrHB9UgpVMsdgfJrDfXfFuG2z7WNodC3tGMFbzwbY8qkDTpLD8LhFO4CX7XPa-h-BAyiaA6sd89Fpo9gRky3HBNmb8ypD/s1600/20170911_131557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwLnJizYmgt3zRuWWeEjvd-jnuY8Us-QHihvdLUeFrHB9UgpVMsdgfJrDfXfFuG2z7WNodC3tGMFbzwbY8qkDTpLD8LhFO4CX7XPa-h-BAyiaA6sd89Fpo9gRky3HBNmb8ypD/s400/20170911_131557.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-day siesta in the old bullfighting square</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU7E0LIiUPBoVtKShX92xb62w8HIwszYKeAbu7JCk-ipqugPkb4CmEKxkOWhk4ddJOY62ioeWMmwrbJt865WpN6FwN7G5Xm7nsRsoWRkypWb-xC9iFzivDBeSIsITQuiuqg-x/s1600/20170911_204451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU7E0LIiUPBoVtKShX92xb62w8HIwszYKeAbu7JCk-ipqugPkb4CmEKxkOWhk4ddJOY62ioeWMmwrbJt865WpN6FwN7G5Xm7nsRsoWRkypWb-xC9iFzivDBeSIsITQuiuqg-x/s400/20170911_204451.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the hotel at night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfh58_GLU8d3okOy-Ai8GjgWrY5hUWY2f0DhJqmnFSGmybzNWFuP0p1JiuuO_WeZVu8abnEepjZiJXK4t2dCQr66wSq-O3pyvXQG45l6NBr71i6IBXhnT44sDJS6hzH2zUbbX2/s1600/DSC_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfh58_GLU8d3okOy-Ai8GjgWrY5hUWY2f0DhJqmnFSGmybzNWFuP0p1JiuuO_WeZVu8abnEepjZiJXK4t2dCQr66wSq-O3pyvXQG45l6NBr71i6IBXhnT44sDJS6hzH2zUbbX2/s400/DSC_0397.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reminds me of the California coast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lFmsnKSahKbv02rMIPng6-gQUZzejjOibxs_Fyn9f9aNYX31XrAPw71hcOJ8WMnr_dHoUpvMqOcixNcozhSZ7jHndFW649tzTq-wZUDjnF2U_Mdfa4sy7OlbQO0IFqDG3mbZ/s1600/20170912_103827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="1600" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lFmsnKSahKbv02rMIPng6-gQUZzejjOibxs_Fyn9f9aNYX31XrAPw71hcOJ8WMnr_dHoUpvMqOcixNcozhSZ7jHndFW649tzTq-wZUDjnF2U_Mdfa4sy7OlbQO0IFqDG3mbZ/s400/20170912_103827.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panorama - (click to view larger)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Day 7: Dune du Pilat</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Since the drive from San Sebastian to Bordeaux was not too long, we took a detour to visit the tallest sand dune in Europe. It was a beautiful day and fortunately not too hot. If you ever go here, be prepared for the elements! It's a steep walk up to the top.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lp25_LMpwmUOmEV9HReXvz_lhOJkjoOunrDNDAwS13hgrKys6Wayzq51xB670ZlPWYJHzkkOzmhWsV-2xXHOHgzlWeSnyGOXIl90wvHVkvB-mouQHujZoLDy3_kKv1TaeZdg/s1600/DSC_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lp25_LMpwmUOmEV9HReXvz_lhOJkjoOunrDNDAwS13hgrKys6Wayzq51xB670ZlPWYJHzkkOzmhWsV-2xXHOHgzlWeSnyGOXIl90wvHVkvB-mouQHujZoLDy3_kKv1TaeZdg/s400/DSC_0405.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plastic stairs help you with the ascent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuBOl_QIP4zU1fEQdMewdddFSLzUjqL9MluHCB-3MZNm58GKivtEYg5HOHZUVNFFCYLNdpVFckgTBnDbqDxyU4viv4xB5dzWHGLlYR3nj9r44_hdPph2K7G8LUiIRq6zZdbQ0/s1600/DSC_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuBOl_QIP4zU1fEQdMewdddFSLzUjqL9MluHCB-3MZNm58GKivtEYg5HOHZUVNFFCYLNdpVFckgTBnDbqDxyU4viv4xB5dzWHGLlYR3nj9r44_hdPph2K7G8LUiIRq6zZdbQ0/s400/DSC_0406.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just sand and forest, into which the dune is encroaching</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2quPtCjsW8p0vQ9wtabBwM511ccINyS5-mMh-ZrMsI3Gh9gNUpYNMLiBGx7lR4QZiN6sYM63PbX1TseEughk0M7b5CFrmAAytlu1ACtbV0rrzs2PybvuqnpMN7Zeo8vprGF0L/s1600/DSC_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2quPtCjsW8p0vQ9wtabBwM511ccINyS5-mMh-ZrMsI3Gh9gNUpYNMLiBGx7lR4QZiN6sYM63PbX1TseEughk0M7b5CFrmAAytlu1ACtbV0rrzs2PybvuqnpMN7Zeo8vprGF0L/s400/DSC_0412.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a view from the top!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Having spent many summers at the New Jersey shore, I wanted to put my feet in the ocean from this side of the Atlantic.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUEuxov7rVFHPqzQbRH4IkbShWO5s4SbzNtx9Gx3oZv_Q21QDw4BmXa6uEN3TVESefRbgQCXOrX4pU0pjfoMbiZ_mgz7leIv7rO4ZQfz2no0d4CCqrAXQVx8we9sMBe8V8uO8/s1600/DSC_0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUEuxov7rVFHPqzQbRH4IkbShWO5s4SbzNtx9Gx3oZv_Q21QDw4BmXa6uEN3TVESefRbgQCXOrX4pU0pjfoMbiZ_mgz7leIv7rO4ZQfz2no0d4CCqrAXQVx8we9sMBe8V8uO8/s400/DSC_0438.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It doesn't look that far to the water!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA17n0K8Dwu0qj8dLwgHtnKLTQD2PKUDD2tcP20HWpJ3j5R8RBAiThoJHaQeInRPOKqQJUpsV0ptXrTqZvRw7Va3ah9xt5EosZ_2QMRudAdwWpf2ZNXCglcixUbqCE0ZREwy1Y/s1600/DSC_0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA17n0K8Dwu0qj8dLwgHtnKLTQD2PKUDD2tcP20HWpJ3j5R8RBAiThoJHaQeInRPOKqQJUpsV0ptXrTqZvRw7Va3ah9xt5EosZ_2QMRudAdwWpf2ZNXCglcixUbqCE0ZREwy1Y/s400/DSC_0453.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And then we had to walk back up. It's less steep on the ocean side due to the way the winds deposit the sand, but it was still a good workout.<br />
<br />
<br />
So my next and last travel post (until the next trip) will highlight our visit to Bordeaux and then the drive back to Châtel with a couple stops along the way.Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494052.post-61975787656512836162017-11-05T01:44:00.001+01:002017-11-05T01:44:56.461+01:00Weaving and more travelHere's a look at my latest weaving project. This picture is from a few days ago - I finished weaving the scarf yesterday and now need to wet finish it, then trim and twist the fringe. <div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01Ga8L80y9dOLgd_MOY73hV9LlE8Z2G1l-Eq3hNJOinMiBm95GYgrf3tl_ciSG777EDq-nTn1IqweOWZIeY1VjqFvBvb6w4_MFOH8Xm_Ws2CRRHQJnwHtiK9XlwgH9S6lQ-XC/s1600/20171030_191949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01Ga8L80y9dOLgd_MOY73hV9LlE8Z2G1l-Eq3hNJOinMiBm95GYgrf3tl_ciSG777EDq-nTn1IqweOWZIeY1VjqFvBvb6w4_MFOH8Xm_Ws2CRRHQJnwHtiK9XlwgH9S6lQ-XC/s400/20171030_191949.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The fiber is alpaca wool, purchased at a local yarn store and packaged under the store label, <i>Kiko</i>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The loom wasn't empty for long. I spent a few hours this morning sleying the reed and threading the heddles - weaving terminology for some of the tedious steps in getting the warp threads tied onto the loom. The next project is also a scarf using knitting yarn; this time it's a wool/silk blend. Even with setup of the loom, weaving a scarf is much faster than hand-knitting one. I'm planning to give these scarves as Christmas gifts, so time is short. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And now a bit more of the travel log...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Day 3: Millau to Andorra</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
I'm an engineer, so I appreciate when challenging and difficult problems are solved, especially with something as cool looking (at least to me) as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millau_Viaduct" target="_blank">Millau Viaduct</a>. I had watched a show on TV, perhaps it was this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd1in9ZtUXs" target="_blank">National Geographic Megastructures</a> episode, that showed how they built it, so I specifically routed our trip so that we could drive over this bridge (a viaduct is a bridge that has multiple spans supported by towers). The bridge was built in 2004 to ease congestion along this Paris-Spain route, which is well used by trucks as well as vacationers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5gf9UhAIb9VFIuwClP5CQdzhtX1vmzf2pY-xZBbk4_acZ0G_JgaBym_uWP4lpqn6wopQVMQj4QSBZyzk3924bU__fu3Kga1iB4kXleEPS4IhtRPnxd8gRA4mjXxdExXbAx2i/s1600/20170908_104807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5gf9UhAIb9VFIuwClP5CQdzhtX1vmzf2pY-xZBbk4_acZ0G_JgaBym_uWP4lpqn6wopQVMQj4QSBZyzk3924bU__fu3Kga1iB4kXleEPS4IhtRPnxd8gRA4mjXxdExXbAx2i/s400/20170908_104807.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seven masts - the highest is 343 meters, making this the tallest bridge in the world</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_6QNUXmkcsmvAzOmGtDSFi6eWO6m5_u555LwYuSswVf987xHbBMFmZvb5OoL2y9wwLKfVc1GZJkhrimiAdLDbCKyJfCgFpGPnZXJl84vb4ekoRxRYjWiVdAMIJ8PmMIeAcPz/s1600/20170907_170358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_6QNUXmkcsmvAzOmGtDSFi6eWO6m5_u555LwYuSswVf987xHbBMFmZvb5OoL2y9wwLKfVc1GZJkhrimiAdLDbCKyJfCgFpGPnZXJl84vb4ekoRxRYjWiVdAMIJ8PmMIeAcPz/s400/20170907_170358.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from below</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The town of Millau looked nice, but we didn't stay long enough to really see much of it. We did take a quick walk through their large market the next morning, where I bought some <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZozymRTDELkWbJRyTHI_ZhouZfMEfat_NyVtqLMEOcYsSTx-i0UbMo8LjcbKzzV_EHCyaKwZeuI1ywQXmZ42tASeM1tnbdHM-nuj5UBG2R0dV8L6hpqpiBC7iExHbo6Dd5I5/s400/20170916_161339.jpg" target="_blank">mohair/silk yarn</a>. The yarn comes from a co-op of small farmers who raise goats - here's a link to their website (in French): <a href="http://www.mohair-france.com/">http://www.mohair-france.com</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just south of Millau we stopped at La Couvertoirade, a fortress built by the Knights Templar in the 12th and 13th centuries. We were there during the mid-day, when just about everything was closed, so I didn't get to see what was inside this shop with a spinning wheel in the window and a sign that says "hand-made fabrics." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5RmsDsfJa499BlRR163nRt9-38wgVbl_MVFf4BBquw-rKRy7hOcFpXAFyiZcrsZhAPoQWraXHf4GP8isZXGmnsyEKr_hgNag8G5zFyCnpI9VQNQKeUgJ3S8bT-by3_dnBlAL/s1600/DSC_0293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5RmsDsfJa499BlRR163nRt9-38wgVbl_MVFf4BBquw-rKRy7hOcFpXAFyiZcrsZhAPoQWraXHf4GP8isZXGmnsyEKr_hgNag8G5zFyCnpI9VQNQKeUgJ3S8bT-by3_dnBlAL/s400/DSC_0293.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinning wheel! Fabric sign! Too bad it was closed! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The sign may have been for this shop, which was closed for the mid-day break:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX9rtqO6wkFnLgLohFRjvxeIWuZucgcljpQ6tlXRuFZ2ekoPyGZbi0ZtQV2__aNjNO0p5fxvF1H6o4FcUmWU0fsouznswkRrf9ALozpyqjKfPnZfow5e7ae5bekU01Syanr_H/s1600/DSC_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX9rtqO6wkFnLgLohFRjvxeIWuZucgcljpQ6tlXRuFZ2ekoPyGZbi0ZtQV2__aNjNO0p5fxvF1H6o4FcUmWU0fsouznswkRrf9ALozpyqjKfPnZfow5e7ae5bekU01Syanr_H/s400/DSC_0306.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiterJssj2Bo2zCq78D_5jeX0SLT3Z8w4v4DnJp9kqz_0kiZp18XUGjTyysqLZ9CUeut4sJnNbmpMZEQ_gHDZ-RnUEqqbHdesiPbM0BEjq8SxFZlrEMvVbdsn3PsfKItawAwkqx/s1600/DSC_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiterJssj2Bo2zCq78D_5jeX0SLT3Z8w4v4DnJp9kqz_0kiZp18XUGjTyysqLZ9CUeut4sJnNbmpMZEQ_gHDZ-RnUEqqbHdesiPbM0BEjq8SxFZlrEMvVbdsn3PsfKItawAwkqx/s400/DSC_0305.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture taken through the window of the closed door. I spy a loom! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was still pretty fun to walk around this old, very well preserved place. I felt like I was stepping back in time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcG7otiiuxx5bQOLThMy1WXOgs7CqlkkLmUiQ07SQjCZnemB-J3XPQ9eZZSIDX_Mg2HJUpVu9H5rR7yvIS_J8DrxwlouoThM2S_SLUNAeXx6dJnXbhJE6mXHbY32J8CBCO1D6/s1600/DSC_0269+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcG7otiiuxx5bQOLThMy1WXOgs7CqlkkLmUiQ07SQjCZnemB-J3XPQ9eZZSIDX_Mg2HJUpVu9H5rR7yvIS_J8DrxwlouoThM2S_SLUNAeXx6dJnXbhJE6mXHbY32J8CBCO1D6/s400/DSC_0269+%25281%2529.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle towers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3B6Q1D1O7gGZjg1zGIJVZd1GFU4K9s5c8Hwx7oRTPBUtb67Bzl-8mAKGo7YgBf5gA8ho6Xj6SXNutGt1q2dwuYOm6gMNHC8dWGc0LzwqG_vybyEOstIKi6scZ_e_H-aN3awb/s1600/DSC_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3B6Q1D1O7gGZjg1zGIJVZd1GFU4K9s5c8Hwx7oRTPBUtb67Bzl-8mAKGo7YgBf5gA8ho6Xj6SXNutGt1q2dwuYOm6gMNHC8dWGc0LzwqG_vybyEOstIKi6scZ_e_H-aN3awb/s400/DSC_0274.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medieval streets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8h0XjY8IpZWbHh4Ff1Xx4CGqByfGUfiF_U5ImSXVgg-6IkWzyd5kCEwdMN7joUnjGGKLf4_Q0JaXJ_urt33QUzl0wkdufSlS4iczszQl0iPt84EJ7ObiiiuOpht-niH4jUOmU/s1600/DSC_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8h0XjY8IpZWbHh4Ff1Xx4CGqByfGUfiF_U5ImSXVgg-6IkWzyd5kCEwdMN7joUnjGGKLf4_Q0JaXJ_urt33QUzl0wkdufSlS4iczszQl0iPt84EJ7ObiiiuOpht-niH4jUOmU/s400/DSC_0289.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just the cats are out in the mid-day sun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our next stop was unplanned. While on our way to Andorra, we came upon the high walls of a medieval town and many cars trying to find parking outside of the walls, so we decided to find a parking spot also.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The fortified town of Villefranche-de-Conflent was founded at the confluence of three rivers in the early 11th century to protect the valley from invasion. In the 17th century it became a strategic point between French and Spanish conflict so it was further fortified. Today you can walk the ramparts and shop for souvenirs inside its walls.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCrgk4PbbkvJFDRHdcA1mKLvwMdeVwz0DfTErSXjs5_whifxXxd_lDeQQ_ptGcGjej88OBD8LlRgNdlZ_BxvZSrgka_uae2kROeSWc5NhQccWejNZRzVPgCawwrp-WYz2g6I7/s1600/DSC_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCrgk4PbbkvJFDRHdcA1mKLvwMdeVwz0DfTErSXjs5_whifxXxd_lDeQQ_ptGcGjej88OBD8LlRgNdlZ_BxvZSrgka_uae2kROeSWc5NhQccWejNZRzVPgCawwrp-WYz2g6I7/s400/DSC_0314.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHldLM5Caku1ITXVyUGOeZsMSrJnKbS4FiQSJk6ypmMlPEXgUMgfLExv276R8VFkssu3C8238KWM5HQjTIAfxr5N0DjeWvzXaDR3E-fAlcPrA43HMmduc7QzYQ929N74UHAG4c/s1600/DSC_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHldLM5Caku1ITXVyUGOeZsMSrJnKbS4FiQSJk6ypmMlPEXgUMgfLExv276R8VFkssu3C8238KWM5HQjTIAfxr5N0DjeWvzXaDR3E-fAlcPrA43HMmduc7QzYQ929N74UHAG4c/s400/DSC_0315.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weaver Street - but unfortunately no weavers in sight these days</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMZp4rkUmQIuNoGAZBHtuYBDS4wZ2WQu0pe4kBBefvQq6IAkBqfuGGZ9ddD3O4GHR15Wiv-ZLxauamvUSjPNclNmu2Xhh6IqAykwTfyQYlDPwywZDgRDy5cGvd1POtCjyDQKA/s1600/DSC_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMZp4rkUmQIuNoGAZBHtuYBDS4wZ2WQu0pe4kBBefvQq6IAkBqfuGGZ9ddD3O4GHR15Wiv-ZLxauamvUSjPNclNmu2Xhh6IqAykwTfyQYlDPwywZDgRDy5cGvd1POtCjyDQKA/s400/DSC_0322.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ramparts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRKKHUwEhc107lS-Z7kPV1kKALlZcib9lLKE2T8VLKF3vez3Er8CG8gpahjYSJ79le_p8vVQ3CCIUqfxUeGridgOw6Nxa1FG81KD_VhsYWuxgrjsixy3p5b3YkcVxanLCPSwC/s1600/DSC_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRKKHUwEhc107lS-Z7kPV1kKALlZcib9lLKE2T8VLKF3vez3Er8CG8gpahjYSJ79le_p8vVQ3CCIUqfxUeGridgOw6Nxa1FG81KD_VhsYWuxgrjsixy3p5b3YkcVxanLCPSwC/s400/DSC_0328.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Day 4: Andorra</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Andorra is a tiny country in the Pyrenees mountains sandwiched between Spain and France. The country is about twice the size of Washington DC and they have a population of about 77,000. Tourism is very important to Andorra, with most visitors skiing, shopping, or both. We stayed in the capital city of Andorra La Vella, where shopping is the big draw. Andorra has no sales tax, so many Spanish and French go there to buy cheap alcohol, cigarettes, gasoline, chocolate, clothing and other stuff. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We arrived in the evening to find nearly everything closed. It turns out that there are four days out of the year when stores close and we happened to be there for one of them - National Day, also known as the Feast of Our Lady of Merixtell. We really didn't come for the shopping, but most of the restaurants were closed as well, which presented a bit of a challenge. The next day, a Saturday, was packed with shoppers, perhaps because they couldn't shop the day before or maybe that's a typical Saturday in Andorra. Other than looking for a warm jacket for me, we didn't do any shopping. And I wasn't even successful finding a jacket. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WD7oLkDQ9oCkYsjvuo4bFkE-vRJ2RQIhwguY-NkFgkV8ApjE4AZNCMr9GtSnN_TLUdayPqM1AhyphenhyphendIX7rMnn5uvNhooGYmebmBqR5oSA-GL9DiCjcdNPNfUWTsktwoYhc7pKZ/s1600/20170909_153946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WD7oLkDQ9oCkYsjvuo4bFkE-vRJ2RQIhwguY-NkFgkV8ApjE4AZNCMr9GtSnN_TLUdayPqM1AhyphenhyphendIX7rMnn5uvNhooGYmebmBqR5oSA-GL9DiCjcdNPNfUWTsktwoYhc7pKZ/s400/20170909_153946.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salvador Dali sculpture near the main shopping area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The mountains surrounding the town are very lovely, and there is a very small old-town area.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxjcRipNZ1jmsPiNJZgFFKISDyquQOXo-qjKQ2LrEUprSQ_oOrHKlMlLQ5Czsn0ginN_KAfBoZxuTb3ZXbi3p7iIjh1aCIbHunFpyWNCx23wSR0eFS_B3Q88hjMDqwEIA6YSP/s1600/20170909_165413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxjcRipNZ1jmsPiNJZgFFKISDyquQOXo-qjKQ2LrEUprSQ_oOrHKlMlLQ5Czsn0ginN_KAfBoZxuTb3ZXbi3p7iIjh1aCIbHunFpyWNCx23wSR0eFS_B3Q88hjMDqwEIA6YSP/s400/20170909_165413.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Església de Sant Esteve - church built in the 11th-12th century</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The rest of the city is more modern.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_pOOR4aKOBCafdO6sCqsRh3v7Ua8lZsUm18KBaJQI6aklTyyNtdFisshGa4NQtTrCpmg_AG-6pDwxelAYgjNwvhyphenhyphen7Wk8RoXe1ONozHhhZ7kMrs6V0TRdnvwGisqDxukg82at/s1600/20170909_171259.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_pOOR4aKOBCafdO6sCqsRh3v7Ua8lZsUm18KBaJQI6aklTyyNtdFisshGa4NQtTrCpmg_AG-6pDwxelAYgjNwvhyphenhyphen7Wk8RoXe1ONozHhhZ7kMrs6V0TRdnvwGisqDxukg82at/s400/20170909_171259.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As usual, I was on the lookout for yarn and fabric stores and found a few listed in town, however, one of them had gone out of business and the another one didn't really have anything I liked. I did see this statue of a young bobbin lace maker out in front of a church.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJejz1WwFfXcy8VqJZGQ2TnnF_ERq7H7cnZJfaj8dvT5xTEJJRG2zWsDzxzYW-ft0b_WLrQB9JO6L7fhzpAus79JQrLPSyKg08zg86xAacIjwnxEXflqzdD4ZbT0fujVcsqgj/s1600/20170909_191340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1213" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJejz1WwFfXcy8VqJZGQ2TnnF_ERq7H7cnZJfaj8dvT5xTEJJRG2zWsDzxzYW-ft0b_WLrQB9JO6L7fhzpAus79JQrLPSyKg08zg86xAacIjwnxEXflqzdD4ZbT0fujVcsqgj/s400/20170909_191340.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of a young girl making bobbin lace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We left early the next day and on the winding roads north through the mountain pass we were treated to the first snowy peaks of the season:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnQbMxN4udlalpnZWIigWNLZels411S-qH3lFyymmp6rBIai1lucCuAO7PjhnKQ2XEP2puXEr_kpnatxC7TWn0g8UmjpV-ff0uXorqrcjjTvzUN5yZYsFLTg07O0zMHsO-UFd/s1600/20170910_115037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnQbMxN4udlalpnZWIigWNLZels411S-qH3lFyymmp6rBIai1lucCuAO7PjhnKQ2XEP2puXEr_kpnatxC7TWn0g8UmjpV-ff0uXorqrcjjTvzUN5yZYsFLTg07O0zMHsO-UFd/s400/20170910_115037.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
My next travel post will include some very, very old art, a visit to Spanish Basque country, and a lot of sand.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076620222434551530noreply@blogger.com3