Just as suspected, I didn’t get in a whole lot of sewing time this month BUT I do think I got in more than I did in June, so I’ll be glad for that! With school starting and a schedule to hang on to, I’m hoping I can block off even more time for sewing in August. Here’s to hoping!
Most of my time this month was spent sewing ties! One of my nephews spent some time in Botswana and brought back a few lengths of fabric. He asked if I’d be willing to make some ties and I happily agreed. I’ve made ties before and I’ve always used the easier method that’s sewn entirely on a sewing machine. I used that same method here but two out of the seven ties turned out terribly, so I’m going to try the time tested method, which is mostly hand sewing. My frustration with this project is that I don’t know where to find tie interfacing! Even Wawak has me coming up empty handed. For these, I just used some bias-cut muslin, but after looking at the insides of a store bought tie (you can see the interfacing without cutting anything or ripping seams), I know I need something thicker next time.
Anyway, a fun part of this was that one of the fabrics my nephew brought was an African wax print! I’ve never sewn with this type of fabric before but I’ve heard a lot about it in the sewing community. It’s a beautiful, soft fabric and was very easy to work with.
I also finally finished this Ballet Bow Skirt from Matchy Matchy Sewing Club, which is a free and simple pattern (the pattern is just rectangular measurements, so no printer needed!). This was meant to be a quick project but I’m learning that nothing is quick in this particular phase of my life, ha! I had to hit pause because I didn’t have any waistband elastic. Then I kept having to go back to cut and sew more ties (once because I misread the directions and twice for misplacing the ones I’d already done). Anyway, when I finally got to the final step of sewing the hem I thought, “If I run out of bobbin right now, I’m going to throw this whole thing in the trash!” And what do you know? My bobbin ran out not a minute later! But I persevered, filled my bobbin, and finished sewing the final 18 inches of hem.
Aaaand it’ll do! It’s not the most amazing thing I’ve made but it fits and I like it well enough that I’m sure it’ll get worn. The bows kind of get lost in the print of the fabric, so I may have another go with the pattern, but in a solid color.
In other sewing news, I’ve had sewing for gifts on my mind and I’m wondering if you guys have any insights. I have nieces and nephews who are now in the phase of life where they are hitting some major milestones. After some thought, I decided I’d love to sew a quilt as a wedding gift for each of them, whenever that happens. But now it is go time and I suddenly feel so unsure. Do I just go for it and hope they like whatever I make? Do I ask around to get ideas about colors and styles they’d like? Do I make something with a more specific purpose in mind (a picnic blanket, for example) to increase the chances of it getting used? I just don’t know the best way to go about this. Let me know if you have any thoughts!
Last but not least, books! I finally did what everyone else seems to be doing and read Project Hail Mary. My hold came available the same week my husband and daughter had plans to stream the movie. So I powered through the book so I could finish before watching the movie with them. I really liked both! Some of the science stuff was way over my head but I was really impressed with the movie adaptation, which isn’t something I say often!
Here’s to a creative and productive August!
pineconesandcactus.com 
The ties look so good! That’s such cool fabric. It’s a bummer that a couple of them didn’t turn out. I’ve never made one, but it looks like you have it down!
I was obsessed with plumeria flowers when I was in high school. That picture is so pretty.
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Thank you! I’d love to get better at it, but I guess this all counts toward practice!
And I’m always amazed at all the colors and color combinations plumeria can be. It’s beautiful!
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My guy and I read Project Hail Mary together and both really liked it! My favorite thing about Andy Weir books is that space is the setting and not the antagonist. I’m too scared of space already to read them otherwise.
The skirt looks great, bows and all – but oof – sometimes you just want to be DONE already! The ties are also awesome, I hope you have some leftovers from the rampant zebras fabric because they are too cool for school. Do you ever loot thrift store ties for tie interfacing?
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Yes, you can tell Weir sees space as a playground which…can’t exactly relate to that, but good for him!
That’s a great idea for sourcing interfacing! And I DO have more zebra fabric! For some reason, my nephew got 5 meters of that gorgeous stuff! If he doesn’t want the leftovers I’m thinking maybe a voluminous skirt? Or a button up would always do!
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Ooh well done, nephew! I’m sure you can give the leftovers a loving home!
And you could not pay me enough money to go to space. We watched Apollo 13 not too long ago and just the part where they shove them into their spacesuits gave me palpitations. And they’re still on earth! And nothing has gone wrong!!
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Very nice ties and shirts!
I have been sewing and quilting for a long time and also have dozens of nieces and nephews. I have made bed quilts for goddaughters for graduation, but only after getting color approval. I would not make a bed quilt for a wedding, but rather a lap or throw size that I would call a picnic quilt. And once it has been gifted, you don’t know what they will do with it. It could end up on a dog bed or hidden in a closet.
I don’t mean to sound so negative. Quilting is an enjoyable hobby for me and most of what I make is for charities. It is expensive and time consuming, so I suggest you start small.
Good luck.
Elizabeth
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No, not negative, just realistic! And I definitely agree-a bed quilt would be too much! A throw size seems right and easier for them to actually use (if they want but, like you said, no guarantees!). Thanks for the insights! I’ve done a bit of quilting, but am definitely closer to the beginner end of the spectrum!
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And I meant very nice SKIRT.
Elizabeth
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