The crafty thread! Please post all your crafty/artsy creations here!

[fussykiki]

I sew, knit, crochet and many others. Here are some of the projects.

 

[Arcadian]

Kids clothing is so hard! those look great!!!

 

[Avondale]

I mostly knit and don't often take pictures of the finished product. Besides, who wants to look at socks. But I do crochet a bit as well, mostly for the sake of making small and cute plushies. So here are some:

This bee is the latest addition and I think only the second thing ever I'm keeping for myself. I tend to gift most of the stuff I make. I'll probably crochet and gift more bees (already have a couple of "orders" from family lined up), but this particular one stays here.
It's one of the simplest patterns that could exist, but the adorableness meter is through the roof.



This is a tiny collection of fruits and veggies that have already been gifted to the four people who worked at our local fruits and veggies shop. They've decided to close down and retire after 23 years. They've always been here, from before I moved in as a kid 22 years ago. Wanted them to have a little souvenir as a sign of appreciation.


(What you see here are a pumpkin, an apple, a raspberry and a tomato.)

And here are a couple of cats. This pattern is the other plushie I've kept for myself. I've made so many of them, people just keep asking. Spots here was gifted last summer and The Void will be traveling with me this January to its new home in Sweden.

 

[Crochet_Sparkles]

I crochet (hence my username)! Here's my latest project

 

[Arcadian]

Soooo I really don't have anything else made just yet. its been an interesting start to the year and I traded in my Elna Excellence 720Pro for their newest model (I got MSRP for the other one, made it worth the trade!)

Because they're owned by Janome its really a M7 Continental under the hood thats missing one minor piece of software (which to me isn't a big deal)



I won't upgrade again unless I win the lottery (I might have said that last upgrade?) Anyway I really mean it this time because this machine is giant. anything bigger and its doing embroidery (which I don't do)

 

[stracci2000]

I crochet (hence my username)! Here's my latest project

Fascinating! I love how it's constructed.
I like to crochet, too. I tried making doilies, but they are so tedious!

 

[Crochet_Sparkles]

Fascinating! I love how it's constructed.
I like to crochet, too. I tried making doilies, but they are so tedious!

Thanks! It's Tunisian crochet, but using a regular hook. It's worked from the middle out. I find Tunisian crochet very soothing

 

[icy_jade]

Tagging @allycat0303 to share her creation here

 

[jordyonbass]

Does rebuilding a Bass guitar count? I'm still in the process of doing it, but I'm sanding back the paint and replacing all hardware with decent gear. The paint job is proving to be the hard part though as I have had a few different ideas. I think I'm probably going to get my son to put paint on his hand and smack a big hand print on it somewhere though and then put a metal flake over the paint with a bunch of epoxy coats to smooth it all out and give a layer to sand and polish smooth

 

[Arcadian]

Does rebuilding a Bass guitar count? I'm still in the process of doing it, but I'm sanding back the paint and replacing all hardware with decent gear. The paint job is proving to be the hard part though as I have had a few different ideas. I think I'm probably going to get my son to put paint on his hand and smack a big hand print on it somewhere though and then put a metal flake over the paint with a bunch of epoxy coats to smooth it all out and give a layer to sand and polish smooth

Totally does in my book!

 

[t_trove]

I love this thread! I find vintage & antique boxes, repair them, and gut the inside to repurpose them as jewelry boxes. Here are a few!

 

[VRBeauty]

My husband has two potholders that predate me, and that are giving up the ghost. They were made on a loop loom, sold to him many years ago by two neighborhood kids who are probably raising kids of their own by now. The potholders are soiled beyond redemption. We started looking for replacements a few months ago, but he’s certain nothing else will measure up. So… I gave him a loop loom for Christmas, and a bag full of loops. And he got right to it.

Et voilà! I figure we’re set for the next 15-20 years or so!

 

[Arcadian]

I'm in no way finished but I decided to embark on a 2 piece tweed set. And while I know I have a jacket not yet finished. I've tried. Its not going to well and I hate how bad my hand stitching is....so, I will likely rip it out, just bag the lining and call it a day.

This however is all machine sewed. The only hand sewing I've done is thread tracing. The jacket for this dress will also have a bagged lining, even though its unlined, I'll give it the same lining as the dress. (why not right?)

WIth the new machine I did take a get to know you class, which was especially helpful (so many settings its unreal) . So now I'm very comfortable with how the machine works and its been a lot of fun! This is the first real project on it so I'm really enjoying it.

The good is that this is a multisize pattern but its also very fitted. I ended up with . size 20 in the bust, size 18 in the waist, size 20 in the hip. 42-32-44....... and I have to say I did a wide shoulder adjustment and a full butt adjustment because the dress is not meant for someone so shapely...lol

I ordered a specialty zipper because of the weight of the fabric. None of my skinny little invisible zippers will do well. I purchased the same type they use on ball gowns and wedding dresses. if it were here this would be done I think a few more days....

The tweed is Alexander Wang deadstock that was $12.00/yard. The lining is a silk twill nautical motif. it was $14.00/yard. I'll have plenty to work with on the jacket.






this is me attaching the lining.


And lining attached.


the back inside. I have to wait until the zipper gets here to finish this. Its got a 22 inch zipper.


The front fashion fabric.

There's 4 shaping darts in there but they're pretty hidden



The back fashion fabric. 2 darts there (and no zipper!) I got it to line it pretty well I think!



Side seams. Here you can see where I darted and also seamed. I decided that horizontal lines were more important. Of course I tried to keep them all straight but pretty impossible when you have darts everywhere.


So here's the outlay for this project to keep it in context.

Sewing pattern: $6.00USD

Fabric
Dress - 2.25 yards of fashion fabric +2.25yards of lining - $58.50USD

Jacket - 2 yards of fashion fabric + 2 yards of lining - $52.00USD


Notions
invisible zipper -$ 4.00USD
interfacing -$4.00USD
Thread - $6.00 USD
Buttons - $16.00USD

Total
$142.50

Not bad honestly considering its made to measure.

 

[Arcadian]

OK Sooooo the dress is all done. Thankfully! It wasn't hard but I may never want to do a tweed dress again. I had to hand do that zipper.



Dress is a bit loose but I'm OK with it.



The jacket is NOT done. ...

The jacket alone has Its now taken about 40 hours of sewing, most of it hand sewing... yes 40. I've been lucky to work on it in the evenings as said dogs want to keep me occupied. But I've been putting them to bed and working a couple of extra hours, then a couple of extra hours before work every day....lol Same material, and I quilted the jacket. I did this because I have no idea how to make a bagged lining for raglan sleeves.

But close to being done! Maybe another week or 2!

I have to close the inside side seams, hem it everywhere (sleeves and bottom) by hand, put on buttons, and do hand bound button holes. I can't lie, I'm iffy about the button holes. The back is supposed to have a bow on it. I did the bow, I haven't not attached it which I will do dead last.



The one that matches the dress



The hemming has not yet started. Excuse my bunching, its fine on, but pain in the rear to get on the stupid manniquin.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Arcadian, your pieces are absolute works of art! I am in awe of your mad skills. Truly!

 

[Arcadian]

Arcadian, your pieces are absolute works of art! I am in awe of your mad skills. Truly!

Thank you for saying that, it means a lot.

I'm still quite a beginner with apparel, so much I have not done yet! But doing this type of higher level stuff does force me to learn newer skill sets and hammer home the things I do know.

I had to really think outside the box a lot and think about pattern on the fabric as well... For the most part the horizontal lines are good so the rest..well, I did my best!

The goal is to mimic what is seen in haute couture sewing. I'm close!

The plan is to make this again in a ponte knit, which I think will look amazing but also will be super easy.

 

[Arcadian]

I'm mostly done with the jacket. I have to wait on yet another set of buttons (I did not like the ones I was going to use after all. I know, I'm being picky)

They should be here tuesday today so we will see what I think of them. But all that hemming is finally finished. whoosah!! I wasn't for sure if anyone realized this was a swingback jacket but...it is! Definitely work suitable.






Next projects are already being cut out. will not take as long as this one thankfully.

 

[Arcadian]

Oh gosh, I don't know if I should even bring this thread up anymore...

I currently am working on 2 UFO's that I had cut out but never actually went beyond that.

Oh and buying fabric (I honestly can't buy more) but.... I could not pass this up.

 

[canuk-gal]

Oh gosh, I don't know if I should even bring this thread up anymore...

I currently am working on 2 UFO's that I had cut out but never actually went beyond that.

Oh and buying fabric (I honestly can't buy more) but.... I could not pass this up.

Well make me something!!! (or else!!! LOL)

 

[Arcadian]

Well make me something!!! (or else!!! LOL)

When I tell you I got lucky to get one of these, Its true because when the fabric store sent that email blast out the site probably got overloaded because of all the people on it.

Its kinda surprising how much deadstock is out there, which probably says something about how wasteful the fashion industry is!! Quite frankly 90% the fabrics I have is deadstock.

Anyway because it doesn't come with a Hermes label, box, and not sold in an Hermes boutique, its sold by the panel for 70 bucks. And while its Hermes and not AN Hermes. In terms of fabric, its not the most expensive (the linton tweed is).

I should finish my UFO's this week if I'm lucky. My summer list is long.

 

[VRBeauty]

I almost hesitate to post this in light of all the incredible work posted on this thread, but it seems I have no shame, so here goes!

I finished this two-sided flannel blanket this morning, all ready for hubby’s fourth grandchild to make its appearance. So hurry up, baby - we can’t wait to meet you!



I’ve probably made about 100 of these blankets over the years - including smaller blankets for newborns, larger “reading wraps” for big brothers and sisters, and adult-sized lap or nap blankets.

Many years ago I realized that I’m simply not a good or fast enough quilter to make a quilt for each new baby in my life. Then one day I caught a glimpse of a co-worker’s grandchild carrying a two-sided flannel blanket around. I didn’t get a chance to examine it up close - all I knew is that it had been made by an auntie in the Midwest, and it looked to be very nicely made. So I started playing around with flannel, and I came up with this design: nicely finished edges all around, and relatively quick to put together. I like to package it with a baby book, especially for new parents. (Goodnight Gorilla is one of my favorites and I always keep a copy or two on hand. I’m sure my DIL’s kids already have a copy of “Goodnight Gorilla,” so I’ll have to go find another book. Darn! )

@Arcadian - how did that lovely dress set turn out? I’d love to see the finished dress and jacket!

 

[Dee*Jay]

I almost hesitate to post this in light of all the incredible work posted on this thread, but it seems I have no shame, so here goes!

I finished this two-sided flannel blanket this morning, all ready for hubby’s fourth grandchild to make its appearance. So hurry up, baby - we can’t wait to meet you!



I’ve probably made about 100 of these blankets over the years - including smaller blankets for newborns, larger “reading wraps” for big brothers and sisters, and adult-sized lap or nap blankets.

Many years ago I realized that I’m simply not a good or fast enough quilter to make a quilt for each new baby in my life. Then one day I caught a glimpse of a co-worker’s grandchild carrying a two-sided flannel blanket around. I didn’t get a chance to examine it up close - all I knew is that it had been made by an auntie in the Midwest, and it looked to be very nicely made. So I started playing around with flannel, and I came up with this design: nicely finished edges all around, and relatively quick to put together. I like to package it with a baby book, especially for new parents. (Goodnight Gorilla is one of my favorites and I always keep a copy or two on hand. I’m sure my DIL’s kids already have a copy of “Goodnight Gorilla,” so I’ll have to go find another book. Darn! )

@Arcadian - how did that lovely dress set turn out? I’d love to see the finished dress and jacket!

That is absolutely adorable -- what a great idea!

 

[stracci2000]

I've been playing with watercolors lately.

 

[Arcadian]

Thats such a lovely blankie! I have tried my hand at quilting and I don't have the patience for it...lol

The dress and jacket is.... cut out....lol Its a bit of a UFO. I ran out of the right color thread, Went over to Joanns to get more, they didn't have any (its plain ol coats and clark) Everywhere I've tried to get the thread has been out. I've tried 2 colors from different brands that should have worked but didn't, and by the time I got the right thread, Its been sitting in the pile and I've had to deal with life stuff.

The hope is that after the next fiscal year (ours ends September 30) I'll have more time to concentrate on the sewing stuff. Late October into November I'll be taking time off work (I have a lot of use or lose) so part of that time I'll be concentrating on completing the UFO's if the doggos allow.

 

[Arcadian]

I've been playing with watercolors lately.

You are wonderfully talented!!

 

[stracci2000]

You are wonderfully talented!!

Thank you! I hadn't painted for many years, but this summer I pulled out the paints again.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

I've been playing with watercolors lately.

Oh my you are amazing!!!!!! Please keep sharing if you paint anymore!!!!

 

[stracci2000]

Oh my you are amazing!!!!!! Please keep sharing if you paint anymore!!!!

Thank you!
I just finished the daisies today, so that's the newest one.

 

[stracci2000]

@VRBeauty @Arcadian
I admire your sewing skills. I have a sewing machine that I love.
I have quilted small things like pot holders, pillows, placemats and table runners. It's fun, but I don't think a big quilt or a fancy dress is in my future!

 

[VRBeauty]

I've been playing with watercolors lately.

Those are all beautiful, @stracci2000! You have so much talent! Im glad you’ve decided to start painting again!