Z - Zig-zag

Yey, I made it through the challenge! Now to the post:

The zig-zag  stitch is a very useful tool (#3 on my sewing machine above). Most seamstresses will use it if they don't have an overlock stitch or overlock machine (a serger). It helps prevent fraying by stitching one set of threads to another set of threads on the cloth, thus making it harder for the edge threads to come loose.

When setting the zig-zag to have an extreamly short stitch length, you can create a satin stitch. The stitch is so named because the threads lay flat next to one another and close enough to resemble satin material. In the pictures above and below, a zig-zag satin stitch is used on the outside edge, and a triple regular stitch is used to resemble a hand-stitched back stitch for the details.

Another interesting technique is laying out a satin stitch then sewing another stitch over the satin stitch, as below with a black zig-zag and a purple straight stitch.  This was the first time I tried it, so next time, I will make the zig-zag a bit wider. The XXX stitch is another decorative stitch my machine has, but a person who is very patient could actually do it with a zig-zag, some practice and some time.

Happy A-Z to one and all. I'll be back to my normal posts until next year!

Y - Yoyos

Fabric yoyos are a fun little thing to try. The basic premise is that you take a circle of fabric and hand stitch along the outside, then pull tight. Here is a demo pic I found on the internet:

And another picture of a finished yoyo:

Last year, I attended a camping event for my role-playing group. One of the vendors there held a crafting contest where we had a gallon bag full of crafting supplies and had to make something using only those supplies and tools that you brought with you. I decided to make a belt favor (a decoration to hang off of a belt) by making as many different flowers as possible with the crafting materials.

Yoyos can also have shapes, so I did a flower shaped yoyo, and I pulled the back through the hole to give it more of a center of the flower look. Here is the final favor:

X - Cross Stitch

Counted cross stitch was one of the first crafts I learned. I actually learned how before I was really very good at reading or counting. I think I may have been in second or third grade at the time.

It is a craft I enjoy, but it is also something I rarely finish. Most of the bigger projects I made were gifts, so I don't have them around, and most were made before I had a digital camera, so I don't have many records of them.

This little kitty was a quick mother's day gift I made a few years ago. My brother and I both did a cross stitch picture for our mom, and she absolutely loved them. She is also an avid cross stitcher, and taught both of us.

W - White Wolf Tunic

This tunic was an act of love. This is my brother's heraldry for SCA (almost... I goofed up and did purple rather than blue, but the picture I had really looked purple). He hasn't been to an event in a long time, and he is going to a large Alliance event next month.  He was stressing out about what to wear since he didn't have any garb, so I made him this tunic and wrap pants.

The wolf was done with machine applique, and the eye was hand embroidered.

I added some thinner details by triple stitching in some lines on the legs and paws.

I also added a bit of definition to the collar of the shirt.

Back view, mostly of the wrap pants.

I actually found 1" thick cotton twill tape for the pants. I was super happy because making 1" wide fabric ties generally sucks, and twill tape works so much better.

V - Variegated

There are lots of cool applications for variegated thread and yarn. Some change between several colors like the tatted book marker above, while others are subtle, like both the orange and blue in the hardanger heart below.

I really don't often use variegated thread because there is a lot of chance involved, and in some applications, it can simply look like stripes.

But when done well, a variegated thread can add to the design.

Happy A-Z Crafting!

U - Unusual

I have a few unusual projects and patterns I have developed, so here are a few.

This set of fairy wings was a crafting challenge. I had a budget of less than $20 plus whatever is in your private stash. We had to make something appropriate for a fairy court. I used branches off of the tree that fell in my dad's house, and a bunch of different things from my stash. I used crocheting to make the dragon fly/dream catcher-like wings. I love how it turned out, but I can't figure out a way to make them to sell because they are so fragile.

This is a better picture of the over-all wings.

I made these for the same challenge. We were supposed to make something that is thrown in the game of Amtgard. I made spell balls using the Japanese technique of Temari balls. This launched my interest in making better and cooler balls.

This is a pattern I developed for a fairy skirt. I haven't seen this type of skirt/dress anywhere else. I have fabric to make three more, and I am looking forward to making more because they are so fun and different from the others out there.

This dress is also a skirt. It offers lots of costuming possibilities. Thanks for reading... Almost at the A-Z finish line!

T - Tatting

Tatting is a craft I picked up when on chemo. It takes almost no energy, and very little room, so I would pop a tatting project into my purse and work on it while waiting for the doctor. I really like the feel of shuttle tatting, and especially these old fashioned shuttles.

I am planning on teaching a class on tatting at Clan this upcoming July.

S - Serger

This Christmas, I decided to use the money I received to get this serger. It is a brother 1034D. I did a bunch of research on models before deciding on this one. Here are some projects I would not have done without a serger:

This circle cape had a bunch of satin edging. I used a rolled hem special stitch to give it a clean look.

I could have done these pants without a serger, but it was so fun to get it done so quickly with the serger.

Again, the hems on this skirt would have been a nightmare on a sewing machine, but they were a breeze on the serger.

R - Rose

Rose is one of my really close friend's auntie. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, I made her a few pink ribbon inspired things. The first was a paper crane and  pink ribbon decoration. I folded the cranes and connected them with beads.

This was the rose quilt for Rose. I saw this pattern on a baby quilt and wanted to try it out. I love these oriental looking calicos, so I put them together in a nice lap quilt that would be perfect for the chemo days.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, Rose mailed me a care package of hats and other little things to help me get through it. I am happy to report that she is still cancer free, 9 years later.

Q - Quilling

Please note: None of these photos are of my own work. I just found pretty examples.

Quilling is the are of twirling paper on its side and gluing it together to make three dimensional pictures.

I like quilling, and I have tried it a little, but I do not have any pictures of things I have done. So, this blog, I am posting things I would like to try.

The humming bird is using some techniques I have tried, though the one I did was all in white, so I think this one looks way better.

I admire the thick petals and the lovely 3-D this flower has. I also love the color choice.

This leaf is super cool because it really is made up using a fairly easy technique, but the execution and color choice are phenomenal.  

This is a chart of how to start. You begin by spinning paper in a spiral. Then by adding folds on the spiral, you make all these other shapes. Anyway, this is a super cool craft, and I hope it catches on more.

P - Pink & Pins

I have a three-year-old buddy that I often baby sit. I told her I wanted to make her a dress, and this is the fabric she picked.

She also helped me a bit by handing me the stick pins as I was pinning the pattern to the fabric.

It was a Christmas gift that I never quite got around to posting on the blog. I haven't actually seen her in the dress, but mom says it fits great and she loves it.

O - Ornament

I made everyone in the family some Temari ball ornaments for Christmas. These two are for my mom and aunt. I forgot to take pictures of the other 12, but this gives you an idea.

I picked each person's favorite colors rather than sticking to Christmas. Most ended up being football teams. My dad uses his for a light pull, so I may make them as light pulls in the future, because that is fun. :)

N - Needful Thing

This is a glowforge. It is a 3D laser printer, which I have to say, isn't a really good description of what it does. What it really does is cut and engrave objects with insane precision. So, why is it so needful? I can think of so many applications where it would help save time or help create something beautiful that I could not do or would take ages to cut by hand.

For example, if you saw my post on F - Filigree, then you know that I do some insane applique at times. 

To do this, I had to design and cut each piece by hand. It took at least 5 hours to do that. Then I had to sew, which took another 3 hours. So, a printer that I could draw directly into software then mirror and cut the fabric while changing sizes at a whim would be so time saving. 

Another example... I have gotten into wood cut stamping on fabric. It generally takes me a few hours to carve a block, and that is after the time I take to draw the design in the first place. I get custom orders all the time where people want something complex on their clothing, so being able to carve a woodblock in a matter of minutes would let me pass on the savings to my clients.

I am imagining all sorts of other cool things like embossing velvet and leather, cutting out laser necklaces in wood and shell... I seriously could use this thing every day.

I even applied for a job when I went to their site to find a picture. That is a crazy level of needful thing.

M - Makeup

We did an Alice in Wonderland themed tea part at an event a couple weekends ago, and the person in charge asked me to do makeup for the Mad Hatter. I also did makeup for a witch and painted faces for the masquerade. When I was in college, I took a really awesome theater makeup class. It is fun to get to use the skills again.

L - Linen

Most of my tunics are in cotton because it is less expensive and has more color options without having to use the internet,  so I was super happy to make this one in linen.

It is viking inspired with a horn of Odin symbol appliqued on the front.

Sorry for the blurry back. The sun was at a strange angle when I took the photos.