Summer Sewing

It's been quite a while since I posted anything.  We've been busy with construction/reconstruction on our place this summer so I've not had much time for crafting.

I did manage to knock out some Hawaiian print shirts and sundresses for the grandkids and their parents when they went to Kauai in June. (Does any mainlander understand how to pronouce or spell these hawaiian words????) 

I'd been wanting to try that 'shirring on the bobbin in your machine' technique for some time.  It's relatively easy, but somewhat time consuming as you have to wind the bobbin by hand (you don't want that elastic stretched!).  I would do it again.  I watched a couple of youtube videos and off I went!

Shirring on my sewing machine.  You set a zig zag stitch and the elastic thread automatically will get stretched as you sew -- right side UP.  I messed up a couple of times and had to rip out a few threads when I started onthe wrong side of the fabric.  I don't know why that was hard for me to remember, right side UP, but it must have been as I goof 3 times!!  Relatively easy technique and I want to try it on some insets in blouses.

 

The finished product for the grandkids.  A shirt for the boy and shirred sundresses for the girls.  I made another dress and shirt for the parents also.

A satisfied customer in her hotel room in Hawaii at 4 am! (She was still on Wyoming time!)


For my sundress straps I cut 1 1/2" strips of fabric, cut to the length I want.  I press under 1/4" on both edges and the ends.  Then I fold in half and stitch down both long sides and ends.   I think it's much easier than trying to turn a tube that size.

That is basically all I've sewn so far but I have a long list of sewing for fall and winter.

Seriously? This is Comfort?

For quite some time I have longed for a pair of 'crocks' for my feet.  When they first came out, the young chicks all told me they were soooooo comfortable.  I have a lot of issues with shoes and there are only a few brands that don't seem to pinch my feet.
 


Then hubby got a pair of 'crocks'.  He wears them like house shoes and even goes out in the snow to retrieve wood stove pellets in them.  I've slipped them on a couple of times but since his feet are soooo much bigger than mine, they don't really stay on well.

Recently Zuilly had a pair on sale, so after about 5 years, I bought a pair and

I HATE THEM!

I feel like I'm wearing Dutch wooden shoes.  They are awfully unforgiving and I even purchased a size too large to compensate for that.  Phooey.  I'm back in my old worn tired and true Teva sandals.

Apparently I have a whole 'nuter definition of comfortable than young chicks, hubby, and the company who advertises them as comfortable.

Spring will Arrive...eventually.

I haven't posted for quite some time.  I tore my menscus in my left knee at the end of November and have been pretty much housebound since.  In February they operated and 'cleaned' it up and I'm happy to report it's finally starting to be pain-free and feel much more normal.  

There's only so much you can write about winter from the house!  And because I could not stand for very long, no sewing either as I couldn't cut out my projects.  I'm seriously behind on my crafting.

Yesterday, I was treated to a sure sign of spring.   Several sandhill cranes stopped by and I watched them for a few minutes.  I actually saw one grab a small fish from the stream and gulp it down and had another treat me to the sight of it in flight - more about that further along.
A sandhill crane. (from Wilkepedia)

Sandhill Cranes are named for the sandy rolling hills in Nebraska that flank the Platte River.  They migrate through the plains area of Central United States every year.  They are a sure sign of spring in our area of eastern central Wyoming.

I think they are a rather awkward geeky appearing bird on the ground  with stilt legs and elongated necks.  But in flight!!  Oh my in flight they transform into a master of the sky.  With wingspans ranging from five to almost eight feet, you can see the powerful uplift each wing flap brings to the bird.

The one that took off yesterday was probably only 40 feet from me and I could see the detail of each feather in it's wing and how it interacted with the wing beat in the air, with the span approaching the seven foot mark. Simply gorgeous to watch. 

They only stay for a few days or even hours and they are back on the their migratory journey but I sure enjoy seeing them when they stop in the spring and fall.