The Sewing Sanctuary

Two months have flown by and I still haven't finished my own apron yet!  I did get new needles and bobbins for my machine.  It's been so nice (albeit chilly) the past few weeks that I have spent them out of doors.  Sadly I look at my half sewn apron and think:  I will work on it on a rainy day.  I don't want to be indoors on such a lovely afternoon. 

This weekend it may snow!  That will certainly keep me inside. 

I completed my first project of 2009 today!!!  Take a look at it on my Threads site.

When I venture into a Sewing Superstore, such as JoAnne Fabrics, I am overwhelmed by the amount of choices, the bright lights, and the tiny knick-knacks -- which I have since learned are called notions -- spread throughout the vast expanse of the megastore. Until recently, I wasn't sure why.  I can navigate a SuperDuper Walmart without hyper-ventilating. Why not a Fabric Store?  The answer is:  education.

Besides diligently combing the Threadsmagazine.com site for articles about fabric, I found this great book by Diana Rupp calle S*E*W Sew Everything Workshop.  Chapter 3 discusses fabric.  I learned about fiber, weaves, warp & weft and the very best part was the section on "Shopping For Fabrics".  The secret is to know what you want BEFORE you go into the store.  Have your pattern picked out.  Know what kind of material you are going to use:  for example, a knit or a cotten/polyester blend.  Later when I thought about it, I realized the only time I go into Walmart not knowing EXACTLY what I'm going to buy is at Christmas -- and that's ALWAYS nerve wrecking. 

As I begin planning my second project of 2009, an apron for myself, I have studied the pattern and know that I want to find a cotton or cotton/poly blend and most likely a printed one.  I know I'll need a yard and a half based on the pattern specs.  The only thing left I need to decide is if I'm going to use two contrasting fabrics: one for the apron & a different one for the pockets. Or keep them the same.  I might even change the pattern a little and make interesting pockets in the shape of oven mitts.  You get the picture.  I'll go to the store knowing what kind and how much, so I can go right to the printed cotton section and begin calmly browsing their selection.  If nothing catches my eye, I'll continue my search online. 

Shopping for that perfect fabric should be exhilerating, not exhausting.  It should be inspiring, not depressing.  All it took was a little research and I'm ready to go!

Last weekend, I started my first sewing project of the year:  an Apron for Hubby.  Last fall, he had requested a BBQ apron with his favorite NASCAR driver --#48 Jimmie Johnson.  I tried to find a cotton or cotton blend fabric in NASCAR #48 at my local fabric stores (which are few and far between) but found nothing.  I finally bought a fabric shower curtain from Amazon.com.  It was a bit pricey, but I'll also be able to make some pillows out of it.  Hubby was thrilled to hear that!  Nascar pillows for his "Man Cave" (a corner of the basement with a worn out lazy-boy, old smelly couch, and the best TV in the house ;-).  He immediately called his brother to brag.  Well, I hope he's still bragging when they're finished. 

I promised to get pics posted soon.

Kim

It probably seems as though I'm going out of order here.  But today I am shopping online for fabric for my next sewing project:  An Apron For Me.  I already have the fabric for my Project #1 ordered.  (Project #1 is an Apron for My Hubby in a Jimmy Johnson #48 cotton blend -- for those lucky enough not to have a clue who #48 is:  think NASCAR.)

Back to Project #2 fabric shopping:

1. 

Found at EBay Store: Pirate's Royal Bootie










Found at EBay Store: Fabric For Sale 1










Found at Fabric.com