In My Own Backyard

Today, I checked out a lovely (and large) quilting and yarn store, and a little yarn store, right across a parking lot from each other and practically right in my own backyard. Never knew they were there before! I've only taken up knitting this year, though, and although I've been sewing for years, I've only done a very little bit of quilting. I've developed an interest in doing more quilting recently. I have the fabric and pillow form I need to make a log cabin pillow, and I have fabric to start on quilts for my daughters' beds. I think for the daughters' quilts I will just make simple, large squares, so the prints on the fabric don't get lost in little pieces. I keep wanting to take pictures of the fabric. If someone tells me they want to see it, it might motivate me. :)

In addition to the sewing I *want* to do, the girls and I really need some summer clothes, and I do most of our clothes sewing around here, too. It may not be cheaper than Wal-Mart or Target, but I think the clothes wear longer, and it's not that much more than the stuff at Target, if you get good deals on fabric. Plus, I reuse a lot of my patterns. Of course, I have managed to collect a large number of patterns. :)

Potluck Post

So, first of all, what to look for in a basic sewing machine: forward and backwards straight stitch and zig-zag stitch. Buttonholes are also useful, but most machines that zig-zag can also do buttonholes. Pfaff, Bernina and Viking are the top brands. Singer is not as good as they used to be.

If you are tall and thin, Vogue patterns are good. If you are more "full-figured" Burda patterns are nice. Sometimes the "Big Four" patterns, Simplicity, Vogue, Butterick and McCall's, will have a pattern for what is called a "fitting shell." This is a very close-fitting garment that is meant only for you to work on your fit. It has no "ease," or extra room so you can sit down, etc. in the garment. It is just a way to see how the company's patterns fit you. Ease is included in all other patterns. I would probably try a simple pull-on skirt before a fitted skirt or blouse.

Speaking of sewing, I just bought a quilting book from Japan. This ebay seller sells a lot of sewing and beading books from Japan that have some very neat projects in them, although I find the gothic Lolita stuff kinda disturbing. Anyway, I found this picture from the book to be an interesting juxtaposition of Japanese and Americana styles.

In some ways politically, I lean libertarian. I'm definitely for smaller government and more control of things at the local level. I just wonder why on earth the libertarians cannot get anyone better to represent them than Ron Paul. The man comes off as a total fruit basket. Rudy Guiliani pwned him last night