Tag Archives: handmade

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Show & Tell 3/3/2011

I finished it!  I showed you the monogram last week, but here is the whole enchilada (I mean, blanket).

The last one I made was square, and I was trying to make this one a rectangle.  I knit until I ran out of yarn; unfortunately, still a square!  But I didn’t want to buy any more yarn, so this is the finished project.  I didn’t measure at the end, but based on measurements I made while knitting, this is roughly 30″ square.

I have passed it along already, and the recipient was happy.  So I am happy.

Here is a final shot of the monogram.  I sewed in the loose yarn on the back and was able to close some of the holes from the intarsia (using the two different colors).  I think it looks great!

I have a few random little projects I have finished in the last couple of weeks, so next weeks Show & Tell might be a smorgasbord of crafty goodness.

How are you guys doing?  Create anything lately?  Please tell me about it in the comments.  With links!

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Felted Wool Dryer Balls

Last week on The Compact, members were discussing living without a clothes dryer for the rest of 2011.  I am not particularly committed to completely going without a dryer for 2011 (our house gets musty in the summertime), but I was fascinated when someone mentioned wool dryer balls.

I don’t use any kind of fabric softener right now.  I know that some people use plastic dryer balls, which I didn’t really understand.  But wool dryer balls!  Amazing.

From this product description on Amazon:

“Why use wool dryer balls?

1. Shorten drying time.

These wool dryer balls are made with pure wool yarn to absorb water (to help cut down on drying time). The balls also help to separate the clothes and promote the circulation of warm, dry air in the dryer.

2. Reduce static

3. Soften and fluff your laundry gently

The wool dryer balls speed up the drying time and soften up by gentle friction of the felted wool fibers against your clothing fibers, whereas the rubber or plastic dryer balls can tear at fabric.

The woolen balls help fluff up large items like quilts or comforters to dry evenly.

4. Use in place of dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener”

Shorten drying time?  Soften and fluff laundry?  Yes please!

However, I’m not going to buy them.  I want to make them of course.  And so I used the Google to find this tutorial.  It looks fun!  Plus, a great way to use up some of my stash yarn. 

From the same product description:

“How to use Wool dryer balls

1. Place wool dryer balls in the dryer with your clothes.

2. Use at least two dryer balls.

You can use as many as 6 wool balls per load of laundry. The more balls you use, the more you cut your dryer time and reduce static.

3. Store wool dryer balls in open air location so that they will totally dry between sessions in the dryer.

The balls will continue to felt as you use them in the dryer and should last for years.

The dryer balls may develop small pills after many uses, but don’t worry. You can either leave them with the small pills, or take a sweater shaver to remove the pills.”

 Also, I think this would make a nice present for someone who is thrifty.  I suppose it’s not the sexiest thing in the world to give as a gift, but I know a couple of people who might enjoy them.

I will get some photos up after I make mine!

Have you ever made your own dryer balls?  Or do you make your own laundry detergent?  How has that worked for you?

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Spring Palette Challenge

Do you ever feel like the Universe it trying to tell you something?  That certain ideas are bombarding you in a short period of time?  That you need to do something or else the Universe just won’t leave you alone?

That’s probably a bit dramatic, but honestly, this is out of control.  I won’t bore you with every conversation I’ve had and blog post that I’ve read, but here’s the short version.

Last fall, I began participating in Project 333 (33 items of clothing for 3 months).  I’m currently involved in its second iteration.  Then I joined the Compact in December, which encourages group members to avoid buying anything new - outside of food, medicine, etc.  More recently, I have talked with people who have made their own clothes and read some articles online about the horrible conditions that clothing factory workers suffer to make cheap clothing. 

The culmination of these experiences is that I want to sew my own clothes.

The final straw was when I found this challenge at the Colette Patterns blog: The Spring Palette Challenge.  Brilliant!

Luckily, I have enough clothes right now that I don’t need anything urgently.  This is more an experience to “level up” my sewing skills and fill in some gaps in my wardrobe.

Right now, I am planning the following items:

1) a skirt

2) a dress

3) a tunic top

4) a tank top

5) a knitted shrug

Here is the color palette that I have chosen:

I am planning a big shopping trip on Sunday to buy fabric, and hopefully I’ll have something done before I leave for Ireland.  I am so excited!  This makes me very happy.  I will be updating my progress as I work on this project.  The deadline is March 31.  I can’t wait to see how much I get done.

Are you participating in any challenges?  How are you leveling up your mad skilz?

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Show & Tell 1-20-2011

I love this quilt.  With all my heart.  I put in a lot of effort, and it paid off.  I love this quilt.  (BTW – it’s the same pattern as this one.)

As I mentioned in my post on Tuesday, I used this quilt as an opportunity to practice some things that I had learned at a binding class last weekend.  Wow!  It looks so amazing. 

See the brown piping?  See how it completely frames the quilt and makes it “pop”?  See how it’s awesome?!?

In case you hadn’t already guessed, this quilt was for a baby girl.  I think the next quilt I make is going to have to be for me, because I want one.  It’s almost heartbreaking to give them away.  I have an easier time justifying spending the money if it’s a gift but don’t want to “waste” it on me.  So that needs to change.  I am thinking a blanket for our living room – maybe a twin size for snuggling.  And I know the quilt store is having a fabric sale soon.  Hmmm……

What have you guys been creating?  Leave your links in the comments below!