Mugshot Monday: Learning about Sergers

Husky Serger

This is what I’d like to learn to use this year: a serger. Or I guess sometimes it’s called an overlock machine? It’s been sitting in my basement for a few years (after a very generous friend loaned it to me). My sewing machine is still running really well, but it’s probably time to get it serviced, tuned-up, cleaned up. And, what if it’s gone for a while? What am I going to sew with?

So before I actually sit down and start reading, I better go grab my cup of coffee.

Mugshot Monday: hot cup and reading material

Are you trying something new this year?

Craft Book Review: Sewn Hats by Carla Hegeman Crim

Sewn Hats: Cover

UPDATE 9/30/2014: The author states at her website, The Scientific Seamstress:

IMPORTANT NOTE:
The original publisher, Wiley, sold this title to Turner Publishing. Please send an email to: info@scientificseamstress.com to get a copy of the patterns

I vowed I’d only sew square or rectangular things like napkins, blankets and such. But this book may have changed my mind. Sewn Hats (Wiley; 246 pgs.) by Carla Hegeman Crim features thirty-five fun and stylish hats! (You may know Crim from scientificseamstress.com.) That’s enough of a variety for anyone to find the perfect style. Carla brings together twenty-nine fabric and pattern designers and bloggers in this hand-held hat shop. Reading the book was like browsing through a modern day millinery, and I’m thumbing along saying out loud – I like that; Ooh, that would be nice; Oh, let’s try that one; and perfect for my baby niece!

Pictorial Table of Contents

What great timing for this book too – fall, a perfect season for donning on a hat. And while I might grab my hat more often in cooler weather, this book covers hats for all seasons. And, types for all skill levels.

Sewn Hats: Having Fun

The instructions are easy to follow with illustrations by Carla herself. Patterns are located online and print onto letter-size paper. No tissue patterns – Bonus (unless you don’t have access to a computer and printer).

Sewn Hats: Collage Cloche figure

And, the photography, well, that’s what pulled me in. My favorite hat: the fleece beanie!

Sewn Hats: Fleece Beanie

Have you bought this book? It’s available on Amazon.com, retails for $21.99 and, we’re 90 days to Christmas… I’d say this would be a lovely gift for the crafter in your life.

**Update: This post is #300. Here’s to another 300. Thanks for following! Cheers.**

My Monster T-Shirt Quilt

… is FINALLY done! Countless hours, countless seam rips, startovers, facepalms… but it’s done, and it’s a beauty. (Really, don’t ask me how long it took – I first mentioned the t-shirt quilt way, way back.) Can’t say I’d ever do a king-sized quilt again, but I’ve been known as a repeat offender of crazy crafting projects.

The quilt entertains and keeps us warm, the perfect summer-weight cover. It makes me smile remembering some high school and college memories. I love it.




The quilt is hand-tied and hand-embroidered with binding finished by hand. I could have sent it to a full-arm quilter, but I had come so far on my own investing time and intended careful planning. Too much emotional attachment, I guess. Besides, I like crooked lines. Adds charm.



Don’t forget to sign your quilts, right?! This was done with a silver paint marker. The two little dots were completely accidental from shaking the pen. Lucky placement.

Sixty-one t-shirts make up the front, and each square has its own story.

I love the backside of the quilt – sort of makes it reversible, right? And, the colors for the wonky squares are significant. Each represents a school I attended.

So there you have it. The quilt took time, but it was worth the effort. It’s definitely not the prettiest quilt, or the most artistic…It holds memories and it’s remarkable to me. I dare you to pull out those unfinished projects you’ve stashed away. (I have many. Ha!) Or start those projects that you’ve always wanted to do. Everyone has some… do it. Do something remarkable!

Summer Blur :: Almost Wordless Wednesday

Who knew that it’s been over a month since the last post? No one but my family and a few close friends read this blog anyway… so, it’s okay, right? No, no. I know friends out there are reading. I’m sorry I’ve been away. I always seem to let too much time pass between posts in the summer months. With the kids and husband home, every day is an adventure – except when outside feels like a sauna and we hunker down in our basement and play video games and ping pong. (Not very into the pool scene. I don’t buy pool passes. No chance to break even.)

Forgive me for the lack of posting? Facebook and Twitter have been easier to update on the road and on the fly.

Since I last posted…

For neighbor kids and friends, we hosted a week long art camp in our garage.

Made some great projects during art camp.

Ssampled Brazilian Brigadeiro – chocolate truffle with sea salt and lime zest

Made cake again to make sure the recipe wasn’t faulty.. happy to report that it was not.

Managed to sew some burp cloths for expecting mom friends

Found this little guy on a garden walk which inspired me to get back into my own garden.

Made some Model Magic baked goods with the kids on a “too-hot” day

Checked out the Lego Kids Club

Celebrated 4th of July with family :: cakepops by my cousin

Tasted roasted purple cauliflower at a friend’s home

Worked on a Subway Art sign for a friend

Survived my first t-ball season

Visited an awesome bed and breakfast

Got to hang out a little at the beach, too

… and turned 39.

Related Posts with Thumbnails