splityarn

boxing. or is it bagging?

I haven't made any resolutions per se, but I wanted to use the New Year to tackle a few things differently. The biggest change for me is how I'm going to update the splityarn shop. Without a posting deadline or any pressure, I'd been making things in dribs and drabs. That wasn't really working very well creatively or financially. My studio days weren't producing much and the shop reflected that. This year I'm going to set a fixed schedule for shop updates. Every other Monday afternoon beginning January 21st, I'll be posting new items. This week's update will have black and white knitter's zips and a few more needlecases.

I was hoping to add a few new designs to the shop and to do that, I monkeyed around with an idea I'd had for a few months. My knitting project bags used to small fabric totes that I'd made a few years ago. When we added a yarn eating feline to the house, I was forced to put my projects in something that requires opposable thumbs to open. Because above all, every knitting bag in my house needs to be absolutely Teek proof.

With the exception of a gallon ziploc bag for sock projects, most of my knitting has ended up in the zippered clear bags that you get with a new set of sheets. The construction seems quite simple; two rectangles, interlocking to make a cuboid. My hope was to try out my own version and possibly have a new product and pattern(!) to add to the shop. I grabbed some scrap fabric, two zippers (I didn't have one long enough, so I faked it) and set out to make a small sock bag version.

The resulting box bag is cute. At 5" square and 8" high, it's a great size, shape and I think it will work well as a sock project bag. The problem is that the construction was incredibly fiddly and allowed no room for error with seam allowances. I don't think this one will end up as a regular shop item without some serious pattern tweaking. Certainly not with this shop update, but we'll see if I can't simplify the process. In the meantime I'll road test this one and mull over my options.

coin purse mania

Every morning this week I got up, I poured a big cup of coffee and locked myself in my office. My goal was to sit at the sewing machine for at least an hour to get the juices flowing. My thought is to use up fabric scraps and notions that I already have and shop from my stash until the New Year. The result this week: teeny little change purses. They're addictive to make! I've listed most of them in the splityarn shop today and I expect more by the end of the week.

The hardest to cut into was that fabulous red and white knitting print. I followed a link from 6.5 Stitches a while back to Aunty Cookie's Etsy shop. It was a limited edition fabric print and I snapped up all that I could. It's one shop I'm going to keep my eye on. Gorgeous stuff!

pouchy

When I add a new CD to the collection, I'll often listen to it over and over until I'm almost sick of it. (Currently Tegan and Sara, So Jealous.) 3, 4, 7 repetitions a day and I don't even blink an eye. It's one of those OCD quirks that many of us have, so I don't think it's particularly weird, just mildly annoying to those around us who aren't as keen on the object of obsession.

This same tendency has crossed over into my sewing since I've returned home. I have a million projects in the queue but I can't stop making zippered pouches. I'm sure the impending "I don't want to LOOK at another pouch" will come, but I'm not there yet. They're all unlined, not big enough to be purses or wristlets or anything, just random pouches for random stuff. I think they'll work well as thank you gifts but I’m so deep in the obsession that I can’t tell anymore.

sew a zippered wristlet (tutorial)

I've been making wristlets for ages now and I thought I'd share my recipe since they're appearing with less frequency in the Splityarn shop (that'll happen after you make 80 gazillion of something.) I wasn't really thinking about it when I started, but choosing (notoriously hard to photograph) red as a key component to the project made for some challenging photo edits. My apologies that the pics aren't quite up to snuff. I'm only posting the basic pictures here, but there's more detailed photos and notes in the accompanying flickr tutorial set.

For this project you'll need:
7" zipper
2 pieces of fabric (an outer fabric and one for the lining)
zipper foot (optional, but worth the investment)
1" bias tape maker (optional)

From the outer fabric cut 2 pieces 8" x 6.5" and one piece 10.5" x 1.25"
From the inner fabric cut 2 pieces 8" x 6.5"

1.  Starting with the lining, pin the zipper to one of the lining pieces both with right sides up. Stitch across the top from end to end, fairly close to the zipper (if you have a zipper foot, now is a good time to use it.) when you're approaching the slider and pull tab, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot and open the zipper past the foot up into where you've already sewn. This is key to getting a nice, straight line.

Repeat with the 2nd piece of lining and the other half of the zipper. I don't usually bother with pressing until after the next step.

2.  To sew the outer pieces to the zipper and lining, place the right side of the zipper on top of the right side of an outer piece and pin. With a pencil or chalk mark in about .5" from the edge (right about where the metal pieces at the end of the zipper are). This time you're not going to sew all the way across. You're going to sew over top of the previous stitching but between the two points you just marked. Repeat with the remaining outer piece.

3.  Press the fabric away from the zipper, just like how it will be when it's finished. Press! Press! Press! This is critical to a nice looking piece. This is the difference between homemade and handmade. You won't get a chance to redo it after you stitch it down, so take please take time to do it right.

4.  Now you're going to top stitch the zipper down. When I do this I like to top stitch only the outer piece down onto the zipper, keeping the lining out of the way. I also like to double my thread when I top stitch in a contrasting colour; it makes the stitching pop a little more and look deliberate. Just thread your machine like you normally would, but use two pieces of thread for your needle.

Leave the zipper foot on and stitch between the metal ends of the zipper. Do this on both pieces.

5.  Next up is the wrist strap. Run the long skinny strip through your bias tape maker and press the whole thing lengthwise again. If you don't have a bias tape maker, you can simply press the edges in towards the middle, then fold in half again and press. Top stitch along the length of the strap to close it (about an eighth of an inch seam allowance)

6.  Open up the zipper at least 2/3rds of the way and flip both pieces of the lining out of the way to sew later. Fold the wrist strap in half pin it to itself, then pin it onto one side of one of the outer pieces, about .5" down, raw edges together, parallel to the zipper.  Pin the outer pieces right sides together and sew from the top edge of the outer piece around 3 sides to the other top edge (1/3 - 1/2" seam allowance.) Be careful not to catch the lining in the seam. The half inch you left unsewn when installing the zipper allows you to fold the lining out of the way.

7.  Pin the right sides of the lining pieces together. Mark off an opening of at least 2 inches. I like to do this along one of the sides so when I close the seam at the end it's less noticeable. Sew the lining together all the way around the three sides, leaving the opening (of course)  This time you'll catch a little of the tops of the outer pieces as you start and finish.

8.  Clip your corners and turn right side out through the opening you left in the lining. Wiggle the corners out and then all that's left is to close up the hole in the lining. You can do this by hand, but I detest hand-sewing anything so I do it by machine. It leaves a wee ridge, but because it's on the inside, you won't really notice it.

9.  The very last thing is, you guessed it...
Press! Press! press!

You can vary the size easily if you have a different length of zipper. Simply measure the full length of the zipper tape and that's how long to cut out your fabric. (A 7" zipper usually has 8" of tape.)

If you have any questions, please feel free to ping me. If you make one, be sure to send along a photo for the gallery!

discovered! sort of

In mid 2004, recommended by another blog, I came across Name Maker labels. It was an extravagance at the time, but I thought it would be fun to have labels to put in my handknits and my sewing projects so I ordered up a small batch. The first time I sewed one into something that I had made, I was hooked. There's a funny little thrill that I get sewing MY NAME into my project. I suppose it's ego stroking, but I like it just the same.

It's odd because I've had a post about the labels in draft for a few months now but I never pulled the trigger to publish it because the timing didn't seem quite right. I have no idea what I was waiting for, but this week it all fell into place. Yesterday I was contacted by Name Maker (!) and asked if they could use some of my photos to help promote a contest they're going to have in April. They are going to have people submit pictures of how they are using Name Maker products. Mine are the ones that they're using to get the contest up and running. I'm so excited! Check it out! Those are my mini wallets featured on the front page!

Now I know why I waited to hit 'post!'

uncommon threads on the air

Thanks for all the good wishes about our move, it's going to be a busy couple months. It would seem that life is a never-ending river of excitement chez splityarn; remember way back in August when Jennifer, Marisa and I flew to LA to shoot Uncommon Threads? Doesn't it seem like it's been ages? While the DIY network continues to air season one of Uncommon Threads, HGTV has picked up season two. HGTV! Included-in-most-cable-packages-HGTV! I stumbled across the listings the other day mere hours before the first episode aired. Set your Tivos and DVRs, it's finally happening! If you thought I was excited about being on the DIY Network, I'm over the moon about HGTV.

We filmed three episodes while we were in LA and if they're airing according to the episode numbers, our shows should air on January 15th & 24th and the third episode on March 6th. The first episode (Mad About Aprons) is all the talented Jennifer. I'm there running the iron, but it's all about her amazing work. The second one (Crafty Helpers) is where I demo how to make the knitting crafty bucket. The last episode (Old Cover New Trick) we make one of my CD cases, Marisa demonstrates Jennifer's book cover, and....something else. Maybe the host Allison made something? It's been so long I can't remember!

I'm starting to worry now that maybe I was completely dorky or that I've said things that will make no sense. I'm sure it will all come out fine, but it freaks me out a little. I always think about the stuff the editing crew must make fun of while they're putting the episodes together. I mean, just how loud was my stomach rumble while Allison demonstrated the crochet pin cushion?

a home for my hooks

I spent yesterday afternoon pretending it was fall. I wasn't feeling well, so I put on some comfy housepants, tucked my feet into some slippers and made-believe the A/C pumping was actually a stiff autumn wind. The truth of it was the temperature was still in the 30s (high 80's) and we've had barely a hint of fall. Not perfect Thanksgiving weather, but a girl can pretend.

A few months back, Mum had sent a care package of fabric and notions that I started sorting out and putting away yesterday. Included in the box were some of my grandmother's well-used crochet hooks (that's her on the left with her sisters.) My aunt had taught me to crochet when I was 10 or so as Gram couldn't see so well anymore but for some reason, the crochet bug didn't bite. Could it have been the endless hours of granny squares in fluorescent pink and yellow variegated acrylic? Most likely. At any rate, my Grandma's hooks needed a place of their own in my sewing room and yesterday afternoon I made one. I'd been saving the mod red and pink fabric for just the right project and I think this was it. If you'd like a variation of your own, they're in the shop and I'll also be donating a couple as Socktoberfest prizes.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

How to sew a pencil case for your binder (tutorial)

When all the ads on TV start playing the back to school tune, I can't help but remember the thrill of getting new school supplies. Mmmm, fresh Laurentien pencil crayons and brand new ultra fine point pens. This weekend I was motivated to put together a new sewing tutorial and what better project than a swank pencil case! This one will go perfectly in my quilting designs binder. (As always, click the photos to embiggen. For more detailed photos check my flickr set)

    Here's what you'll need:

• piece of vinyl cut to 10" x 10"
• scraps of vinyl for your motif of choice and for your sewing tension swatch
• 8" zipper
• exacto knife
• rotary cutter
• zipper foot
• 3/8" grommets
• painter's tape

1. With a pencil, mark off the zipper placement on the backside of the vinyl by drawing a line at 4" in from the edge and another line at 4 and 1/3." Mark the top and bottom cut lines 1" from the top edge.

2. Using the exacto knife cut the short end lines as well as a little ways into the long line. This will give you a precise cut when you go in with your rotary cutter to trim out the rest.

3. Center the zipper in the cut out area and tape it down with the painter's tape. When you're sewing with vinyl you can't use pins because they leave permanent holes. That's why removable tape is your new best friend.

4. Before you sew the zipper in, test out your thread tension on a piece of scrap vinyl. When I'm top stitching on vinyl I like to double the thread for that extra pop of colour (and I'm too cheap to spring for thicker thread.) You might have to futz around with the tension for this to be perfect too.

5. With your zipper foot on, sew around the zipper opening. This will be your easiest  zipper install ever. It stays flat the whole time. Bliss! I avoid sewing over the tape, it's better to peel it up and stick it back down after.

6. Now that the zipper is in, put whatever embellishment or motif you want on the bigger side of the vinyl. You could sew buttons on, a silhouette of some random woodland creature (like all the kids are doing!) or be like me; argyle! Be sure to leave an inch free of embellishment at the bottom; that's where the grommets will be.

7. Fold the pencil case in half so that the zipper is at the back. Tape the whole thing together with that magic painter's tape. I even put some inside in the middle to keep the whole thing stable. (I told you it would become your best friend)

8. Sew up the sides with a 1/4" seam allowance and the bottom with a 1/2" seam allowance. I like to keep the top stitching on the zipper side for added interest, but it's not a hard and fast rule. At the bottom, add 1 more line of stitching 1/2" inch in from the previous one. This will create the bottom of the pouch and add stability.

9. Measure and mark for your grommets. A standard 3 hole binder's rings are 4.25" apart. Mark for the first hole in the center of the first line of stitching at the bottom and measure out from there.

10. Cut away the vinyl with the exacto. Put the grommets through and hammer 'em in according to the manufacturer's instructions.

11. Square up your edges with the rotary cutter and you're finished! I got a cool pinking blade for my rotary cutter, but plain edges work just as well. Put it in your binder and you're set!

can you feel the heat baby?

This weekend while the husband was busy cheffin' up breakfast quiches for us to eat all week (ham, peppers and onions - yum!), I did my part to encourage the behaviour by sewing up a pair of manly oven mitts for him. Black and red with skulls from the stash seemed rather fitting.

I used the Too Hot to Handle pattern from my much-used Denyse Schmidt Quilts book. In the 'use what you have' vein, they're made with doubled Warm and Natural cotton batting instead of thermal batting, but the Husband has asbestos fingers anyway and never seems to feel the heat. I think I see many more pairs of these for my brothers and the father-in-law. Time to dig out the Red Sox fabric!

apparently I have an addiction to zippers

Ever since I discovered that Zipperstop (warning: music) sells on ebay I'm always over there trolling for deals. Last week I caved and bought many many many zippers. $10 for 100 zips! Awesome deal.

They were barely out of the envelope before I resorted them by colour, took a couple of quick pictures and then started on the atomic blue wristlets. I can hardly contain myself.