All the vacation books I had requested from the library conveniently came the day I got back. I almost got hit by about three cars on the 2 block walk back home because I had my head in Amy Karol's Bend-the-Rules Sewing book. Since I am self-taught and consider myself still at the beginner sewer skill level, I was happy for all the descriptions of basic stuff that I could either pat myself on the back for already knowing or experience a little aha moment (um, who knew there were so many ways to attach bias tape?). The most startling thing in the book was her pronouncement that she uses a new machine needle with each new project. What??? Wow, I have never changed my needle and didn't intend to until my maiden needle broke. With that thought in mind I sat down at my machine for the first time in weeks and promptly broke my first needle! I was trying to attach webbing to a washcloth so I could hang it more easily, but it was too thick for my machine to handle. Harrumph! I'm way too frugal (which I often pretend to disguise as "green") to change my needle with every project, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to do it now and again.
Needle changed and ready to go, I made this simple baby boy's blanket for my 5 month old friend, Isadore. It's hard finding cute prints for boys, but this is one of my favorites (Denyse Schmidt's Flea Market Fancy line). I'd actually never used minky before and found it kind of annoying to work with. It was stretchier than I expected so next time I'll cut it slightly smaller than the cotton piece to mitigate the bagginess factor that I ended up with. Oh well, I'm the first to say that I'm not a perfectionist. And neither is Isadore thank goodness.
The quilt is very cute. I learned to change the needle well after I started sewing. I think I used the first needle for a couple of years... it was such a nice surprise when the machine started actually sewing again with a sharp needle. Now I look for them on sale and stock up.
Posted by: Cathy | July 26, 2007 at 03:34 PM
very cute and the name Isadore is just too cool.
Posted by: carol | July 26, 2007 at 08:49 PM