UFOs and Other Phenomenon

Ask any quilter how many UFOs they currently have in their sewing room and if they answer you at all (rather than blushing and avoiding the question) there will be "a few."  What is a UFO? UNFINISHED OBJECT.

Some quilters, like my Aunt Nyla, keep a running list.  She loves to cross them off as she completes them.  (I suspect she doesn't add all the quilt kits she buys, however.  But, that's only a theory.)

How many do I have?  A few.  I don't keep a written list, but I do keep track of them...mostly...do patterns I buy but have not yet started a quilt count?
 
I like to think I'm different than most quilters...that I don't have so many...but truth be told, I'm probably not that different.  Right this minute I'm working on my Project of Doom and about  3 quilts I'm giving as Christmas gifts. That makes 4....but I have more than 4 boxes stacked up..... Oh, well, what can I say.

I was hoping to make a significant dent in my Christmas gift quilts this past week, but accidental sewing projects just seem to come up.
 

I blogged earlier about the Super Hero Cape?   Turned out way cute and my daughter-in-law said it was a BIG hit at the recipient's birthday party...ah, could I make one more for her younger sister?  And, when I delivered said cute S.H. cape, the littlest babe grandson (3) saw it and he kept saying it was his...so I said I would make him one of his own.... and of course, I can't make one for the littlest babe unless I make one for the oldest babe (8), also.  So, this past week, there I was....making Super Hero capes.

They were a BIG hit when I delivered them last night...
Unfortunate for me when I delivered them the oldest babe's best friend was there for a play date... with his younger sister...and oldest babe said "Grandma, can you make them Super Hero capes, too?"   I said "We'll see."

I think this is how cottage industries get started?  What do you think...can I actually make money sewing Super Hero capes???? (If I don't keep giving them away, that is.)

And looking to the bright side...they did not end up a UFO!

Creative

I would not define myself as "creative."  The person who created this wall hanging is CREATIVE (and talented.)

I do not know the creator.

Isn't this just fantastic?!  I would LOVE to be this creative.

Still, when my daughter-in-law asked me to make a Hero Cape for a little girl's birthday party I think I did pretty good, if I do say so myself.

I started out with a basic idea from Pinterest and it evolved from there.   If you have not yet discovered Pinterest...DO.  Such an inspirational place.

Of Course, when I delivered the cape to my daughter-in-law, the "youngest Babe" (who is 3) wanted it.  So now I will make another...but not pink....

How Important IS That Quarter Inch Seam Anyway

VERY!!

And, I must admit, I have trouble with keeping a quarter inch seam all the time.

I have seen various ways to set up your sewing machine to ensure an accurate quarter inch.
I have two sewing machines, a fairly new Janome (that I use when I'm home) and a 1951 Featherweight (which I use when I travel.)



On the Janome (her name is Jan) I have a "Quarter Inch Foot." When it is in place, move the fabric right along the "blade" the right side.  On my machine, it makes a "scant" quarter inch.  Which works for me.

On my Singer (her name is Miss Ellie) I use a magnetic seam guide.

I used this little ruler to get the placement just right, purchased from Bonnie Hunter's website.

 (Psssst....I'll tell you a little secret...I have no idea what you are supposed to do with this little ruler.  They are sold singly or in multi-packs.  The way I used it I can't imagine why you would want more than one, so obviously I'm missing something.  It has a sticky back ????? If you know, post a comment.  Thanks.)

Regardless of the method you use to get that PERFECT quarter inch seam, you need to test it.

There are lots of videos on You Tube regarding quarter inch seams.  Search for "Checking your quarter inch seam."  This one by Marti Michell seemed the easiest to understand.

And, while we're improving our skills, I watched this video from Shiny Happy World about nesting seams just this morning.   I thought it was VERY helpful.

Happy Sewing

!

Progress Made

Even though I've been working out of town for the last 12 days, I have made progress on one of my Christmas-gift quilts.

Love having a sewing machine small enough to travel with me!

Home Away From Home

I travel to Vancouver BC a lot...
This is my favorite place to stay because I can make my self ta home...

Set up Miss Ellie... set up the room to make it sewing-friendly...

ahhhhhh.....

We're On The Road Again

I travel a lot for business.  The next 12 days I will be in Vancouver BC (a lovely city, to be sure.)
Software teacher by day.....sewist by night....

Miss Ellie and I on the road:

All packed and ready to go.

I did get one piece of advice when traveling with your Featherweight, remove the thread pin.  It could easily get bent or broken...good advice.