Just thought I'd share a bit of information that I learned. February 8 is Hari-Kuyo, the Festival of Broken Needles. A day to thank our needles for the work they've given us. The needles are rested into blocks of soft tofu to give their souls a rest for their hard work.

Just something neat that I'd thought would be cool to share.

If you're interested, here are a few pictures and some history behind this  
ancient Shinto rite.

My nephew needed a pillow for naptime at pre-school. He loves fleece, so I had to make it out of fleece for him. And because things can be yucky on the floor, my SIL asked for a removable/washable cover. I made a cover for each school day and an extra in case Mommy gets behind in the wash.



I was able to find most of his favorite characters -- yay! (Score points for auntie!)

I hadn't sewn a lot of fleece, so I learned a lot in doing this project. If you want to see more pictures and find my list of tips, visit my blog. http://sewchicago.wordpress.com/2010/09/25/the-polar-express-comes-through-my-sewing-room/

Just learned from HotPatterns' Facebook page that they're offering a free Good Witch/Bad Witch pattern via www.Fabrics.com. This will be available to download on Wednesday.

Looks cute!

But, it's just the hat...no dress. When I commented to HotPatterns that it's too bad that it's just the hat, they replied "It's free!", then deleted my comment and their reply. Kinda not nice.

But, the hat is still cute.

Full disclosure: I did not make this dress or the modification. This is a dress that a member of my ASG (American Sewing Guild) group did to lengthen her dress. She got the idea after the group went to a local trim shop to learn embellishments.


She used guides to make her pleats.



For step-by-step instructions, read her blog post, http://sewchicago.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/embellish-this-2/

I think she did a fabulous job!

What to do with those 1/2-yards of leftovers? Make shoe bags and shoe inserts!



I had leftover fabric from making pajama pants and made these. Actually, I had another full set like this and gave them to my friend who also travels frequently for work. These are flannelette, so very soft.

The shoe inserts have lavendar at the tip so they take the stinky out of shoes, then stuffed with poly filling to make them puffy. And now I can pack without snagging my high heels on my suits -- important since I'm usually a road warrior status for work.

Next up: boot stuffers -- boots look so sad when they droop in my closet. And they deserve to have lavender-infused tootsies, too!

Looks like one of the pink ones already ran away. 

Cheers!

I changed the roll in my Xyron 510 (permanent adhesive), but everything I roll through gets gloppy on one edge when I pull the top plastic off. It's noticable.

I ran some photos through, then tried to pull the excess glue off with a rubber cement eraser (or now called an adhesive eraser), but it didn't come off.

Can anyone clue me into what I may have done? Or did I just never notice before?

Thanks in advance!

This makes me feel so warm and kid-like. Every time I see it in my crafting cave, I want to sew something.

A pocket runs across the front to put away snippers, seam ripper, extra thread, etc. I zig-zag'd a seam down the middle to make the pocket into two sections. Each side is also big enough to hold a pattern envelope.

yee-haw!!

Cheers!

updated Jan 5 with the actual pic instead of a link

Aren't they? 

My boyfriend wears (manly) aprons when he cooks (yes, he cooks...and he's wonderful!). I felt like a slob just wiping my hands on my pants, so I dug into my fabric stash and found a tricky pattern that I could play with sewing on seam binding (ugh!) and voila!


Made from a McCall's pattern 3979

It looks much better laying on the ground than on a person -- those panels can really make a person look wi-i-de.

Have you ever been hanging pictures and needed a hammer, a screwdriver, a level and where did I drop those anchors and screws?!? So, I took some chili pepper fabric from my shrinking closet stash and made a toolbelt apron.



One of my friends really liked it and I made her one out of a beautiful Provencal fabric -- it was almost too pretty to give away -- I almost didn't give it to her. And I didn't even think to take a picture. I'll have to ask if I can take a picture of her in it.

Cheers!

updated Jan 5 with actual pics instead of links to images
Added pattern reference since someone asked

Is it an iPod cover? a cozy? I call mine a bag...well, -ish. The handle is long enough to hang on my wrist when I'm out walking and I put a pocket on the back under the cover. But I also put a clasp on it, so I can hang my purse onto my purse (or computer bag when I travel). The strap is black grograin ribbon -- it goes well with toile.



Here's the back with the all important pocket. The pocket necessity was because I couldn't find an iPod cover...I mean, purse that I could store my earbuds. Think about it, people! So, now I'm happy.



Being such a girl (and one with more remnants), I made myself another one. In the black chili pepper fabric that was on the inside of the toile version. This time, I used a carabiner ring to close the strap. With the other clasp, the ribbon would occasionally slide through. This is more secure, but takes more time to attach and detach.



The interfacing is a very stiff type. The only thing I didn't like about it is that it gummed up my needle. You have to clean it up every now and again when sewing this.

Originally, I was going to make this out of a paper-backed leather-ette, but wasn't sure how I was going to turn it inside out after sewing. I might still try it and just leave the seams on the outside. That will be #3. #4 will probably be made from a red brocade remnant...if I can find it.  

Thanks for looking! I hope you get inspired as I do from these postings.
Cheers!

updated Jan 5 with actual pics instead of links to images