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:

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.

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.

I - Ink

Ink printing is a new area that I have been trying. If you read about the ermine or saw the picture of the bunny dress, that was my latest project. I made two other stamps in the last year, the sunflower/sun and the clarinet tree of life.

I found the white stamps at Michael's, and I plan on trying out embellishments on tunics to see how well they work. It is definitely a different way of decorating fabric, but I am really enjoying it.

G- Gee, I need a break

Okay, yes, this is not related to crafts. So, last time I tried the A-Z challenge I was diagnosed with breast cancer some time around M and gave up. This time, I went to the hospital with cellulitius, which I have had 6-7 times since they removed 25 lymphnodes. I am tired of being chronically ill. I want to finish the challenge, but, gee, I just can't think of crafting today.

D - Designing

I find that I spend a great deal of time designing the garb I sew. A lot of people will come to me and say, "I want something cool with this color and this thing." My drawing skills are not the greatest, but it is the easiest way of explaining what I am thinking.

So, here are a couple before and afters and a few still on my to do list. I really love coming up with ideas and working with my clients to make something that is totally unique and totally what they love.

Mask Fundraiser

Peacock Feather

 This is the second time I have done a masquerade mask fundraiser. They will all be up for silent auction on Saturday at my local Amtgard park. Most are based on fighting companies' and households' heraldry. I put my favorite first. I made most of them using the cardboard mask blanks from Michael's and painting them with acrylic paint. I also used puff paint and tulle to make the rest. My cousin Randi pitched in and made one as well because she thought it looked like fun. Enjoy!

 Blue Butterfly

 Dragonblade Mercenaries

 Cosmos

 Slytherin

 Dragonflies

 Star Wars Storm Trooper

 Hufflepuff

Monarch Butterfly

Queen of Hearts

 Wolves of Valor

 House Ansgar

Fallen Phoenix

 Ravenclaw

 Gryffindor

 The Lost Boys

 Deadpool

 Sun's Haven

 Mock Lace 

  Mock Lace 

  Mock Lace Dragon

  Mock Lace 

 Mock Lace 

Just One More...

My local kingdom did a challenge this week to make something with the heraldry. I just finished this little guy, so I thought I'd do one last post before the trip. Amtgard has really forced me to get good at applique. A year ago, I don't think I could have done this anywhere close to this cleanly.

So, now I have an actual coin purse to put my fake coins in... yey!

Dragon Master at Sun's Haven

Yesterday I entered the dragonmaster competition. I don't know the results yet, but here's what I entered: