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

[Arcadian]

I should be finished by this weekend (I'm being hopeful especially if I don't have any helpers)

This side of my sewing area is a little messy (not gonna apologize its been a crazy few months)

The shell is silk chiffon. I've had this for a little while so I'm glad I'm using it. lining (slip really) is silk (not pictured) a deep orange silk habotai. Its all deadstock so not too costly (chiffon was 14.00/yard and habotai was 12.00/yard.

I had to make my own bias tape, which I need to attach, then hem, then put in the zipper.

I'm making this so I can sit outside and still look ok without putting on a moomoo (seriously, I am)



But sewing chiffon sucks. I'm just saying...

 

[Lookinagain]

I should be finished by this weekend (I'm being hopeful especially if I don't have any helpers)

This side of my sewing area is a little messy (not gonna apologize its been a crazy few months)

The shell is silk chiffon. I've had this for a little while so I'm glad I'm using it. lining (slip really) is silk (not pictured) a deep orange silk habotai. Its all deadstock so not too costly (chiffon was 14.00/yard and habotai was 12.00/yard.

I had to make my own bias tape, which I need to attach, then hem, then put in the zipper.

I'm making this so I can sit outside and still look ok without putting on a moomoo (seriously, I am)



But sewing chiffon sucks. I'm just saying...

It's beautiful and sure beats the muumuu that I wear when I sit outside!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

But sewing chiffon sucks. I'm just saying...

Haha I was just about to ask you how much trouble did the chiffon give you!

 

[Calla-lilies]

I should be finished by this weekend (I'm being hopeful especially if I don't have any helpers)

This side of my sewing area is a little messy (not gonna apologize its been a crazy few months)

The shell is silk chiffon. I've had this for a little while so I'm glad I'm using it. lining (slip really) is silk (not pictured) a deep orange silk habotai. Its all deadstock so not too costly (chiffon was 14.00/yard and habotai was 12.00/yard.

I had to make my own bias tape, which I need to attach, then hem, then put in the zipper.

I'm making this so I can sit outside and still look ok without putting on a moomoo (seriously, I am)



But sewing chiffon sucks. I'm just saying...

Nice! You are so talented!

 

[Arcadian]

Haha I was just about to ask you how much trouble did the chiffon give you!

Its absolutely terrible. Its probably the one material I hate the most aside from velvet panne. I have it so I'm trying my best to work with it (with as few seams as I can of course!)

I am of course utilizing all the tricks like I prewashed to make it not so slick, and I used a tiny dab of washable glue stick the seams together prior to sewing it (its the same kind that little kids use, perfect for sewing) because of course pinning sucks with chiffon. And I did french seams (really should have just used the overlocker and been done but nooooo lets make life harder...lol)

I had to do some emergency work today because a server went down unexpectedly so I didn't get around to doing much except putting on the binding on the neck and arms. I'll put in the zipper tomorrow.

 

[Arcadian]

So...where do I begin? This project is such a fail right now. Sure it does happen but...oomph.

I got the bias binding in, which was only slightly problematic (some of it came loose, I tacked it in place. But that zipper....

Mind you, I've put in a lot of zippers on many different fabrics including chiffon, so nothing different; stay tape, baste in the zipper, then sew with the machine, right?

nope, nope, and nope, thats not how it went! Every time I tried to sew it would go sideways, even with the zipper foot.

Employed the tissue paper technique but when I ripped the paper away, half the stitches slid out (thats not normal!) And I double checked my machine with different cloth (its not the machine clearly!) Used walking foot, single hole 3mm stitch and....

well, I shredded the hell out of the back of this dress.

OK so plan B (because I will salvage this) I already started yesterday. I stay taped the back. I was too mad to sew it together so I'll do that today if I have time (this evening) is to just sew it up 3/4 of the way, put in a button and loop and be done.


I swear I hate chiffon.

 

[Lookinagain]

OK so plan B (because I will salvage this) I already started yesterday. I stay taped the back. I was too mad to sew it together so I'll do that today if I have time (this evening) is to just sew it up 3/4 of the way, put in a button and loop and be done.


I swear I hate chiffon.

I like plan B!

 

[Avondale]

That sounds painful... Fingers crossed the projects is successful at the end. At least this way you get to joke "I did it but at at what cost?"

I have nothing to show. I'm knitting socks for the winter.

 

[Pumpkin Sparkles]

Homecoming week, this year I played around with burlap and lace. These are for a couple teachers. I have yet to finish my daughter’s and her best friend’s. He asked her and since it’s the last week I got to make them. My momma heart is ecstatic.
Excuse the pan the hot glue and e5000 aren’t forgiving on wood furniture (I learned that the hard way)

 

[fussykiki]

A few things I made this year, shrink plastic, crochet and cold porcelain flowers.

Shrink plastic pins:


Crochet:


And my new found hobby, cold porcelain flowers:

 

[Lookinagain]

A few things I made this year, shrink plastic, crochet and cold porcelain flowers.

Shrink plastic pins:


Crochet:


And my new found hobby, cold porcelain flowers:

I've never heard of either the shrink plastic or cold porcelain. Both look beautiful. I'll have to look them up. And the crochet pieces are adorable.

 

[fussykiki]

I've never heard of either the shrink plastic or cold porcelain. Both look beautiful. I'll have to look them up. And the crochet pieces are adorable.

Shrink plastic is something kids use for crafts, usually making keychains or pins. I layered few pieces to make it looks 3D.

There are many cold porcelain flower artists, you can find some online tutorials.

 

[jaqjaqjaq]

A wreath I completed two weeks ago - just in time too, the next day after I finished, I came down with Covid. Thought I would include a picture of the progress during and my dear kitty Po overseeing my work

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

Finally got an order in for a large batch of longhorn beetles and pachyrrhynchus weevils for some future pinning projects, and found a neat old frame for one or two specimens. Unfortunately (or fortunately, for all of you) they’re coming from France and it will be a few weeks until they arrive.

Under the assumption that most people on this forum would not appreciate dead bugs (shiny dead bugs, but still) in their forum, perhaps I will post some pictures of my (bad) pottery instead

 

[tyty333]

@Lentibulariaceae

I want to see the dead shiny beetles too!

 

[Arcadian]

Admittedly that dress is still sitting there, half the zipper put in . Its been hemmed though but I am sort of putting it aside for now.

A certain someone who is not me keeps losing dog collars How this is even possible I have no idea. So I spent some time (anything to not have to face that damn zipper!) to make dog collars this weekend.

I make 20 at a time for this reason. From the last batch, I have 3. And only one legitimately fell apart of out that 20. So from those left I will save the hardware as its really a fabric and thread failing. And of the last batch they were made near 5 years ago so its time to replace what I have. These are martingales so of course they're made to fit my silly hounds as close as possible. But they also take a ton of hardware.

Anyway I made 10 before I ran out of pretty much most things (the slides, d-rings and strapping)

And because I like to be fun, I do use a quilt cotton which is pretty sturdy and holds up very well.






The old collars which have gotten pretty dinged up. I'm salvaging the hardware.

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

@Lentibulariaceae

I want to see the dead shiny beetles too!

Then dead shiny beetles you shall see! When I actually have them!

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

Finally the bugs are here! 21 weevils, 15 longhorn beetles!

 

[tyty333]

That's quite the collection of shiny bugs, @Lentibulariaceae! I like the ones with the shiny green/jade color. What may I ask
got you interested in collecting beetles/weevils? You are going to make pins out of them or put them in picture frames?

Want me to send you a Palmetto bug??? They are horrendously ugly!

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

That's quite the collection of shiny bugs, @Lentibulariaceae! I like the ones with the shiny green/jade color. What may I ask
got you interested in collecting beetles/weevils? You are going to make pins out of them or put them in picture frames?

Want me to send you a Palmetto bug??? They are horrendously ugly!

I like them because it’s an opportunity to work with species not found in the local area and they’re very pretty! I started doing it because it’s easier than taxidermy but still has the fun parts. I spread them (most of these are already spread, but not evenly, so they need to be reworked) with pins and then glue them into various picture and shadow box frames. My walls are covered in bugs.

Assuming you are taking about a the roach type of palmetto bug, I think I’ll pass roaches are one of few bugs that actually still manage to freak me out!

 

[Rockcollector]

I enjoy making these.

 

[VRBeauty]

Finally got an order in for a large batch of longhorn beetles and pachyrrhynchus weevils for some future pinning projects, and found a neat old frame for one or two specimens. Unfortunately (or fortunately, for all of you) they’re coming from France and it will be a few weeks until they arrive.

Under the assumption that most people on this forum would not appreciate dead bugs (shiny dead bugs, but still) in their forum, perhaps I will post some pictures of my (bad) pottery instead

Totally off topic, but… have you read “Miss Benson’s Beetle”? My hubby and I read it aloud to each other last summer. Fun book!

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

Totally off topic, but… have you read “Miss Benson’s Beetle”? My hubby and I read it aloud to each other last summer. Fun book!

I haven’t, but by the synopsis I may! It sounds very interesting!

 

[Arcadian]

A couple of easy wins



Because after the chiffon debacle, my ego needed these....lol

And he said he needed some shirts. Of course he does, right?

Cost breakdown:
White shirt is roughly 50 dollars in materials because the material is 21 bucks a yard (Liberty of London "Niko" Tana Lawn). I used 2 yards.

Black shirt is 22 dollars in materials. Material is Bedhead dead stocked fabric Cotton Sateen at 8 dollars a yard.

Buttons are MOP for both shirts. And y'all know how picky I am about buttons...lets talk about these buttons y'all (its on my pressing surface so yeah ignore the marks...)

I purchased these from my button pusher because I saw these and Had.To.Have! These are Abalone buttons from the 1950's per their description. And there's really a distinct difference between these and modern abalone buttons which look NOTHING like these without a lot of help! The coloration is exquisite and very rich even outside. The colors here are not enhanced with a coating or dyed (I always test to be sure as coatings and dyes can come off in the wash) And I bought 48 of them! All of these can be used. Each is very unique (I like this actually) and the nacre is THICK, which is something you also don't see too often on modern buttons. These buttons is on the black shirt which considering the colors, does compliment it very well!

Being that these are more causal shirts, I don't add buttons at the very top (he never uses them)

I'm working on a silk/cotton shirt next (for me, not him) which I'll be using some of these on that shirt as well.

 

[newtojewels]

A couple of easy wins



Because after the chiffon debacle, my ego needed these....lol

And he said he needed some shirts. Of course he does, right?

Cost breakdown:
White shirt is roughly 50 dollars in materials because the material is 21 bucks a yard (Liberty of London "Niko" Tana Lawn). I used 2 yards.

Black shirt is 22 dollars in materials. Material is Bedhead dead stocked fabric Cotton Sateen at 8 dollars a yard.

Buttons are MOP for both shirts. And y'all know how picky I am about buttons...lets talk about these buttons y'all (its on my pressing surface so yeah ignore the marks...)

I purchased these from my button pusher because I saw these and Had.To.Have! These are Abalone buttons from the 1950's per their description. And there's really a distinct difference between these and modern abalone buttons which look NOTHING like these without a lot of help! The coloration is exquisite and very rich even outside. The colors here are not enhanced with a coating or dyed (I always test to be sure as coatings and dyes can come off in the wash) And I bought 48 of them! All of these can be used. Each is very unique (I like this actually) and the nacre is THICK, which is something you also don't see too often on modern buttons. These buttons is on the black shirt which considering the colors, does compliment it very well!

Being that these are more causal shirts, I don't add buttons at the very top (he never uses them)

I'm working on a silk/cotton shirt next (for me, not him) which I'll be using some of these on that shirt as well.

That's a great price for Tana lawn and it's such a dream to sew and wear! Perfect for an easy win, and your collars look impeccable! I love both shirts and your buttons.

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

Finished my first pieces with the new bugs!

A vintage frame with a Pachyrhynchus gemmatus:




And a random goodwill frame with a Nemophas grayii and a few random beetles:

 

[stracci2000]

Finished my first pieces with the new bugs!

A vintage frame with a Pachyrhynchus gemmatus:




And a random goodwill frame with a Nemophas grayii and a few random beetles:

These are very cool.
Do the bugs degrade over time?
Do you treat/ spray them with fixative?

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

These are very cool.
Do the bugs degrade over time?
Do you treat/ spray them with fixative?

They degrade a little bit, the chitin gets more brittle as time goes on, but that’s talking in decades. Unless you’re unfortunate enough to get an infestation of taxidermy-eating bugs they essentially last for forever.

The way bugs movement systems work, they don’t really have muscles. It’s more like a hydraulic pressure system, and when they die, the hydraulic “fluid” dries up. To make them workable again, I put them into a sealed Tupperware with a rag soaked in isopropyl alcohol and water for a few hours. This rehydrates them, replaces the fluid and makes them workable. After they are pinned into the desired position, they can be left to dry and are stiff when they dry up. You can rework a bug as many times as you like, and I use water soluble glue to attach them to the frames so they can be removed easily.

 

[Pumpkin Sparkles]

@Lentibulariaceae

Wow, this is beautiful … if only I didn’t have fear of most insects. I love the frames you’ve chosen for them.

 

[xsouzie]

Already started decorating for Christmas. I made this centerpiece using a pool noodle. Also made this wreath