Hello! Throw Pillow!

HELLO WORLD!
I am returning to the internet for real this time! Okay, and by that, I mean that I'm going to update this blog nearly thrice weekly once again! There's been some personal drama over the last year or so, and now I'm just making things for fun and doing things that I want and seeing how it turns out.

I like trying lots of new things, and I can't wait to sew more stuff, and work on some apparel and jewelry. If I think it's fun or cool, I'm probably going to try it. Ooo, also, using cut paper - I have so much paper and material, it's sickening!

First up, I've been meaning to make this pillow every since I bought this fabric* at IKEA last year!


What says "classy" better than a squirrel holding a cheese slicer?
A squirrel holding a cheese slicer standing on a birdcage! That's what!

I know, you are jealous, but seriously, it was pretty easy to make. I followed this tutorial and everything came out pretty well.
Zippered Throw Pillow Tutorial at Design*Sponge.

Here's the problems I ran into while sewing:
- Rat nests: My machine needs cleaning, so there was some ratnests on the back (you can't see them, so yay!)
- Thread Tension: It was hard for me to figure out the correct tension for this fabric, because it's thick, almost canvas-like fabric. Eventually I think I got it, but it took awhile. Hopefully it won't fall apart.

Well, it's good to be back to crafting! Hopefully I'll be doing new and interesting, or at least interesting things in the near future!
* This is the Lotta Kuhlhorn 2008 IKEA fabric

Leah's Sewing for Beginners

A few people have asked me how I do sewing projects, so here's a sort of Leah's Incomplete Sewing Primer.

Almost every sewing project I do combines these two things:
1) An actual piece of clothing like the one I'm making (this week, I borrowed one of Nick's vests that fits well)
2) A tutorial or pattern to help me order the sewing process (this week, I have a Simplicity vest pattern).

I usually make the pattern from the actual clothing (trace out all the pieces and add seam allowance) then follow the directions from the tutorial/pattern.

Good places to start sewing:
- Replicate something simple you already have and fits: A-line skirt, unlined vest
- Modifying something that no longer fits: adjust shirt's size, make into a hoodie
- Make a stuffed animal

Tips for using your sewing machine:
- ALWAYS keep scrap fabric around for test sewing each time you re-thread
- Learn how to thread your machine - 75% of my problems are from threading
- Use thread the color of your material - it's hard to see mistakes

Awesome online tutorials that I use all the dang time:
- Kim's No Fail Zipper Tutorial
- Stuffed Animal Tutorial
(except I sew on the details BEFORE joining and stuffing them. I hate the difficulty of sewing onto things that are stuffed)

Honestly, if there's any project you'd like to try, do a google search for "free tutorial" with the project and you're likely to turn up something. And if you get stuck, improvise or combine something you've seen in another tutorial!

That's all from me, but I know a lot of you out there have machines and lots more sewing experience, So, what would you suggest to a beginner?

Wonderland Week: Skirt Done!

Hooray! Skirt Finished!
The skirt is done! Of course, the apron is still in pieces, and the accessories are in the "if I have enough time" category now. But! The skirt! It's done!

I've learned that when you're working with patterned material, especially stripes, you have to be super detail-oriented when you're cutting out the pieces and sewing them together. And by that, I mean that I wasn't, so the lines don't necessarily match up all over the skirt (oops).

The other thing I learned was how to put in a zipper using this tutorial! This is the best zipper tutorial I've found, so thanks to Kim for putting it on the internet. I did use the glue stick, but I skipped some of the other steps and just pinned instead. The zipper looks really great, if I do say so myself.

I did attempt my first "freehand buttonhole" sewing using the sewing machine, which is a bit messy.

I'll get Will to take nice pretty pictures of the skirt soon, I just wanted to have something to show. Now back to the studio to put together an apron! And maybe an armband and ribbon and headdress. Heck, if I had another week, I'd finish my parasol.