Bitter Betty Blogs

You Turn Your Back for a Few Seconds

2012-01-23T17:04:00.000-08:00

The famous pompom mice and tiny hand stitched felt veggies

Well, far be it from me to claim to be a devoted blogger as of late. I had some super good New Year's type intentions but Life Intervened. It's all on the super major, but "kind of personal, not really blog appropriate" side with the decided exception of the beginning of my Fabulous New Career in Agriculture.

I am working with some of my favorite people at one of the best places I know: Mariquita Farm. I will be helping with the administration for the "direct to consumer" portion of the farm business. This is the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture- also known as the farm box) and also the really exciting bulk buying Ladybug/ Mystery Box services. Long story short- I will be working to get the best organic veggies into to the hands of talented home chefs and foodies... And I love that! What could be better?
Local, good for you and yummy! If you are a local bay area friend, go and sign up. (You can thank me later!)

I still expect to be crafting it up again soon, and once I get my ducks in a row, I am looking forward to hanging out here more often!

Take Care and Eat Your Greens!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T11:59:00.000-08:00

I'd like to join the chorus of wishing everyone a happy 2012!

I'm doing Fun A Day again in January...

Last year I did Finish A Day. That was fun and satisfying but a little hectic,

so I'm switching it up.

In order to practice my culinary craft, it's Food a Day.

Because let's face it: You have to eat anyway.

And I have a wise friend who once said

the best way to improve your quality of life is to improve your food.

(Meyer lemon curd and candied peels on the first...yum! I feel better already!)

More later,

right now I'm dashing off to my studio for the first time this year!

Happy 2012. Let's make it a good one!

Song For Monday Animatronially Correct

2011-12-12T21:08:00.000-08:00

Personal Public Service Announcement: Holiday Action Plan

2011-11-29T10:55:00.000-08:00

unrelated crepe paper amaryllis photo:

available at the Iron Dog- just sayin'.

It's hard not to get caught up in all the "shoulds" that will be marching toward us in the next 6 weeks or so.
I'd like to take this post to remind myself, and all of you,
to do what you can to feed your soul,
not bite off more than you can chew (unless it's gingerbread),
let go of what needs to go,
and get right on down there in the moment as often as humanly possible.
Let's enjoy ourselves and each other.

Obligation Schmobligation. Pffft.
Let's Play.

Song For Sunday-My Childhood Friends

2011-11-27T18:27:00.000-08:00

Because the holidays make me nostalgic...

But if you'd like, you can let your love hang out all over.
At my house though, people already shouldn't peek under the beds.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T07:59:00.000-08:00

This sentiment kind of sums up the way I feel about things these days.

Yesterday I had to go to the store and I anticipated an ordeal...

But Absolutely everyone was smiling At Each Other.

It was delightful!

Sometimes it seems to me to be a new world on the same old planet.

It occurs to me that the way we measure what things are worth is changing.

If Time doesn't equal Money...

What can it Equal?

Options? Experience? Joy?

There are plenty of moments in every day to embrace the notion that

Less CAN equal More.

Participating in the Joy Economy.

Thankfully.

Whoa! Thanksgiving is This Week!

2011-11-21T13:51:00.000-08:00

Howdy Faithful Readers!

I have been gratefully working on some new crepe "forced bulb" creations and plugging away at the annual Pre Tree Cleaning Spree. I made applesauce from great local apples, finished a couple of orders for the Iron Dog and

I find myself still in denial about the the rapidly winding down Fall!

I'm going to do a little catch up on my gratitude list:

4: Yummy fall produce. Winter Squash and greens, apples, beets, leeks, potatoes, clementines... I just love them all.
5: Hiking the steep muddy trail with my dog and friend. This makes the pie possible and just last week we even helped a lost, shirtless, shoeless guy (8 AM, in the 40's temp wise) find a friendly ranger. Good deed before breakfast.
6: Good Thrift. Oh My Goodness! 2 great lengths of vintage holiday print for $3.50.
7: Bleach. I know it's evil. But it saved the awesome fabric mentioned above.

8: Creative time. I am so lucky to get as much as I do.

9: My Pets. I spend time every morning in a big pile of my fur friends, enjoying my first cup of coffee.

10: Coffee. Can you be grateful and addicted at the same time? I say YES!

11: All my sisters. Blood and otherwise. You know who you are and without you I'd be lost. LOST!

12: Casey and Rae at the Iron Dog. Seriously, with out you, my creativity would lack an outlet! Thanks for your support and encouragement.

13: I am grateful for the motivation of a deadline. I hope it makes me into a wildly productive and jolly person for the next few weeks. I have lots of fun tucked in and am excited to be spending Thanksgiving with my wonderful Grandma and Baby Linnea (and the rest of my family too!)

A little "No Thanks" for my dead computer, but hey.. with a little miracle I'll get what I need off of the hard drive and keep moving forward.

Thanks for Reading!!

Betty

Gratitude Month: Day 3 ( It's a biggie!)

2011-11-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

Today I am grateful for a call at 2:45 AM that had me up and out the door to meet

8 pounds and 5 ounces of pure, amazing, goodness.

Welcome to the world Linnea!

May we make it a place worthy of you.

A Month of Gratitude

2011-11-02T20:12:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for good friends who like to get crafty.
Happy Dia De Los Muertos!

And Then It Was November!

2011-11-01T19:50:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Boots for my new niece or nephew!

Howdy Do Bloglandeers,

Today I found myself doing some holiday craft supply and birthday gift shopping, and just ACCOSTED by carols in every shop. Certainly, as I buy the bottle brush mini trees and the tag paper cones, I am thinking "Holiday", but the music just about freaked me out.
Really? Already? Not even a mix?
And playing in every store.
So now, I guess it's just all Holiday from now... until January. No wonder people get so stressed out this time of year. I love carols, but I need moderation.

To be fair it, wasn't just the ever so slightly premature jing- jing- jingling that un-nerved me. It also may had something to do with the fact that normally, by now, I am well on my way with my Handmade Holidays: projects picked, lists made, and even a portion of the sewing/creating completed. This November 1st, I don't think I have done item one. I don't even have a plan. I have an inspiration board on Pintrest, but it's whimsical, not practical (which made it much more fun to make... by the way).

I expect lots of blogs are probably all geared up with a full schedule of tutorial goody goodness, adorable pdf printable checklists, and all manner of comfort and joy, but I think I'll just be documenting my strategies and plans as I fully punt my way through the next two months. I need to find awesome fast, fun gifts to make, I need to find time for me and my family to celebrate and socialize and I want to leave stress at the doorstep.

My other goals are that I want to do is get back on the blogwagon AND focus on the holiday at hand...
So, I plan to blog every day in November about something I am grateful for...
(as well as the progress and process of the Handmade Holidaze Unprepared.)

A Full Month of Thanksgiving.

November 1st:

I am grateful (and excited) that my sister invited me to be there when she has her baby.

I think this is going to be fun.
Anyone want to join me?
It's easy.
We all have so much to be thankful for.

Thankfully yours,

Betty

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T07:07:00.000-07:00

I am about to go style my son's curly hair to a straight swept style and darken his eyebrows to complete his transformation into Carl Sagan.
He's already brainstorming for his Ira Glass costume for next year, practicing his significant pauses.
Are we a tad geeky? Perhaps.

I don't really have a costume this year or any plans. Must be the Monday-ness of it all. Might gather up some witch wear or paint my face like a sugar skull.. ( It's a big trend this year!)

Anyhoo, I hope you get all the spooky and the candy you desire!
I hope to be poking my head up a bit more through the festivity months...
Can't wait to see what you have been up to!

Boo, ya'll!
Betty

Song for Sunday- A Little Mood Music

2011-10-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

Everybody Scream. Do the Trick Or Treat.
It's Only Halloween. What does it all mean?

Dedicated with love to Amanda Button and my sister in toast, Sue!

A Song For Sunday- Swing It

2011-10-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

I really do get too hungry for dinner at 8!

A Song For Sunday

2011-09-11T10:39:00.000-07:00

The Search For Satisfaction

2011-09-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

Before you read further, I wanted to first say how wonderful it was to get your comments and emails on my sudden return. I am so grateful, and frankly humbled.
I expected nothing but crickets!

So, now please pardon the whiny intro to this post!

I have been plagued.
I have been vexed.

I am haunted by something that nibbles at the edges of my consciousness like an itch.
I find myself both merely and profoundly dissatisfied.

This is a crisis.
I lack absolutely nothing.
In fact, acquisition has lately only added to my distress.
Even the treasure hunting at the beloved thrift store often brings more anxiety than pleasure.
If it is not something truly missing, it must be a crisis of imagination!
I am fictitiously dissatisfied!

My dissatisfaction becomes most apparent when it suddenly dissipates;
When it transforms into satisfaction.

Like it does when I forage for blackberries, and they fill my bowl like gorgeous black gems.
Like it does when I fill my basket at the farmer's market with salad scattered with flower petals, and tomatoes, and hearty long stemmed sunflowers.
Like it does when I press in a perfectly piped seam.
Like it does when I hear the pop of the jarlids after canning a batch of organic tomato sauce.
Like it does when an unruly bunch of weedy earth is transformed by digging and scratching back into the flower bed it was supposed to be in the first place.

These are the things that fill my heart with satisfaction...
If only they weren't so solitary.
The work is good, but the lack of co-workers gets a bit lonely.
Is that why we all congregate in blogland?

So, friends, tell me...
What satisfies?

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

2011-09-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

Hi.

Is anyone still checking in here?
Couldn't blame you all if no one did. I just disappeared.
Suffice it to say that I just wasn't too sure anymore about what I was trying to do here and so I just started living in the "meatspace".

And I went to Italy.

It was great...
But I came home just Obsessed with Food.
So for awhile now that has been what I have been crafting up the most.

But now there is some new sewing on the horizon, a sale to sew for, and a new sewing circle forming.
Maybe I can find something to say about sewing and cooking and growing.

Just in case there is anyone still out there.

If there is:
Hi! I missed you!

I'm Still Here... and this is where I'll Be Going

2011-05-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

Something has been holding me back!

2011-04-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

But I am on my way to the studio

to put a stop to all this nonsense.

Please stay tuned!

Less Than a Bonnet... More than a Bow: A How To for You

2011-04-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

Well, I know you are all waiting to see what kind of

Easter Headgear

will be the fashion must have of the season.

And it going to be THIS:

Yes. The Felt Daffodil -Low to No Sew - Spring HeadBand Deluxe
For this tutorial you will need:

Supplies:
Felt in daffodil colors
fabric glue
cheap plastic headband

printed downloadable pattern

Tools:
Scissors and pinking shears
sewing machine (optional.) Start by cutting out the petals and leaf.Also cut out a stem piece that is not from the pattern but rather is long enough and wide enoughto wrap your headband. Now to make the no sew variety... ignore the pattern and cut centers that look like this:

Glue the straight edges together and you get this:

Pinch the petal piece together and put a few dabs of the fabric glue

in the center at the folds. My pinched petals look like this:

Add center to the front with another dab of glue:

Now glue and wrap the headband:

Seam up the center of the leaf if you are so inclined:

Glue the leaf across top of the head band:

Glue the two blossoms slightly off on one side of the headband:

Now Go On... Get Your Spring On..

And speaking of getting one's Spring On:Two Great A-Longs That would be great together:Made By Rae's Spring Top Sew Along And Miss P.'s Top Draft A Long: Put those Spring Sewing Super Powers to Good Use and learn something new doing it!!

Felt Daffodil: Free Pattern and Tutorial... Because I love You Guys.

2011-04-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

For this tutorial you will need:

Supplies:
Felt in daffodil colors
thread to match
or fabric glue
optional bamboo skewer for stalk

printed downloadable pattern

Tools:
Scissors and pinking shears
Needle
sewing machine (also optional.)

Cut out all the pattern pieces with regular scissors, except for the top of the center piece. Cut that with pinking shears.

Roll the center into a tube and glue or stitch the sides together. I used a contrasting thread to show you how.

Sew a running stitch along the bottom of the center piece.

Be sure and leave long tails on the thread.

Use the tails like draw strings

to close up the bottom of the center,

and tie with a hard knot. Trim.

Scrunch up the petal piece a little and stitch to the center piece around the bottom.

There is your finished blossom.

Just stitch the felt leaf and stem for a soft embellishment like on the easter basket above or...

Glue or stitch the felt around the bamboo skewer and seam the leaf up the center for a flower that stands up.

Viola!

Fashion Friday: This Is How It's Done!

2011-04-08T09:56:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Better Homes and Gardens Sewing Book 1961.

Now we know how to do it, because clearly, This Is How It's Done.

I LOVE each and every one of these little outfits.

And the illustrations?

Absolutely Reek With Charm.

"Making an attractive costume is only one part of being smartly dressed.
Accessories -suitable belt, buttons, trimmings, a becoming hat,
correct handbags and shoes, attractive jewelry-
also contribute to the smart, fashionable ensemble.
.... Choose accessories that suit your personality."

What?
Not sure of your personality and how it relates to your wardrobe??
Click Here.

Here's to The Smartly Dressed.

Please... I just want to be one of them.

xxoo,
Betty
Follow my blog with bloglovin

Me Made March- The Finale

2011-04-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Me Designed Retro skirted blouse


The New Vintage Wardrobe windmill blouse.

Modified New Vintage Wardrobe Shirtwaist Dress


Amy Butler Modified Cabo Halter in Vintage Zodiac Fabric

I had so much fun doing Me Made March that it was hard for me to get to this recap. I'm proud of what I accomplished. Only one pj day, one un photographed day, and one repeat outfit. My friends at the art studios have already asked "What happened to all the great outfits?" as I came down for a couple of days in jeans and t's. So I guess that is really a big boost to my sewing ego.

I will spend some time this summer making some more versatile separates (probably largely from Japanese sewing books), and a few layering pieces and I want to spend some Fashion Fridays introducing some really amazing bloggers that I met doing this great Experiment!

Thanks for bearing with me through all the goofy pics!

a little Spring inspiration...

2011-04-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

1. Felix again!, 2. Frida Barbie, 3. Crochet Mini Pink Mushroom House Sculpture, 4. Catstache, 5. felt bunny, 6. Two Face Doll in a Jar (#4), 7. "fly home now", 8. Just off Rose Street, 9. IMG_4766, 10. DSCN2817, 11. Untitled, 12. g is for green. Explore F.P. :), 13. 69 of 365, 14. face, 15. WP #027, 16. me as a peacock

I'm looking forward to my April. My Niece's Birthday. My Custom Easter Basket job. The blooming. The spring sewing to refresh my wardrobe. The Gardening... even the spring cleaning.

Okay, I'm looking a bit more forward to the clean house than I am the cleaning process itself.

But I think I love you, April.

Ps. The Chick 'N Carts are in my etsy shop. Free Shipping. Happy Spring.

Shir- Fire Success: The Shirred Top Tutorial (No Fooling!)

2011-04-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

I made myself a super comfy fairly easy new blouse using elastic thread shirring!

A few of my Me Made March buddies said they'd like a tutorial so...

Here We Go!!

( A little late. My PDF creating skillz are lacking!!!)

For this project you'll need:

Supplies:

Prewashed and ironed fabric. 1.5-2 yards
Matching and contrasting thread
Elastic thread

Tools :

measuring tape
scissors
marking method (tracing wheel and paper or dressmaker's pencil or pen is best)
straight edge
sewing machine
downloaded PDF

Use the PDF to measure and cut the pieces for your shirt.

It's a few steps to get the measurements done.

The Math is easy!

Mark your cut pieces on the 'right side' of the fabric.

use a straight edge and a more precise marking tool.

Straight lines to follow make all the difference!

More info on this step is in the PDF.

Hand wind your bobbin with the elastic thread.

Don't Pull It Tight.

Join and hem pieces according to PDF instructions.

Use matching thread to make these stitch lines less obvious.

( No pic, sorry, I just forgot to take one!!)

Load elastic bobbin, thread machine with
contrasting thread for a more Faux smocked look

and set stitch length to the longest possible.

Start shirring.

Right side up, stitching carefully on the lines you marked.

Pull the fabric gently as you go, to make the few inches

in front of the presser foot flat.

Pull the cotton thread through to the back
and knot it to the elastic thread as you go.

The stretchy nature of the elastic thread
will pull itself loose very quickly

When you are done your shirring should look like this!~

If it's looser, a little blast of steam from your iron will help it gather.

Join final sleeve to back panel.

(Again no pic. I got too excited!)

(you could try and do this before you shir,

but I like having the flatter garment to work on

what with all the bunching that is already involved!)

And then sew down the sides.

Hem and Wear it!

I love these silly little blouses because they are perfect for warm weather.

Comfy and breezy.

All the tiny knots take a little time,

But I will probably wear this once a week all summer!

And if you get the shirring principle down?

You can add shirred wasitbands, or smaller rectangular panels, little plackets...

The imagination reels!

Sew On, My dearies!

Betty

Me Made March Week 4! More and More of What I Wore.

2011-03-28T09:59:00.000-07:00


NVW Overblouse

The Tablecloth Sheath Dress

Scallop Edge Skirt

The Jacket Again


The New Shirred Shirt... Tutorial is On the Way

I'm finding that I'm altering a lot of items that hadn't been finding their way into my regular rotations.
Arm and neck holes that were tight are now more open. It's good. I'm learning so much from focusing on the real "wear-ability" of my handmade garments. I really recommend this exercise for anyone who doesn't embrace the whole of their handmade wardrobe.

I am not Slacking!

2011-03-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

I'm Working...

On a tutorial or two,
(Next Week!!)
on a bunch of Easter goodies for my lovely friends at The Iron Dog,
and a few extra for Etsy...

(April 1st the Chick N' Carts will be for sale. No Foolin'.)

On keeping the home fires burning in our stormy woods,
with the power going out here and there.

I'm getting a little tired...

But I'm not slacking.

Accessory Updates Month By Month

2011-03-23T21:01:00.000-07:00

Oh, I do hope you will all enjoy this inspiring and informative list from Constance Talbot's Complete Book Of Sewing circa 1943.

(click the image to enlarge)

I, for one, can't wait to add a pert bow to my hat...

Is it possible that these fine women restyled their wardrobe mainstays,

stitching on new collars, cuffs and linings to coats, jackets, suits and gloves monthly?

Bright print bolero lining with matching hat. anyone?

Wardrobe Re-Mix in absolute spades!!!

However, there is something to be said for a plan...

and even more to be said for always looking smart!

xxoo,
Betty

Me Made March Monday (or Late Tuesday): What I Wore... Some More

2011-03-22T20:00:00.000-07:00

Oooff.
I'm a little late posting.
After the Chick N' Cart tutorial (Thanks to all the wonderful blogs who have linked!) I was planning on taking a couple days to think of my next big plan,
but then we had a power outage and now... boom, I'm all behind.

So, here we are, Me Made March Monday...late on Tuesday.

Bumpkin Chic Styled 50's Frock with bloomers

Super 70's Pj's

60's upholstery remnant jacket

60's wiggle Dress 90's Styling

What, Me Work? Tunic With Utili Obi.

As you can see... Mostly still having a grand old time,

sewing what I wear and wearing what I sewed!

Chick 'N Cart Part 2: The Cart Part

2011-03-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

Hello faithful readers!
We are in the middle of our lengthy, but not too difficult, tutorial for a chick with it's own egg cart!

And here we are at "the Cart Part!"

Tools:

x-acto knife
Paint brush
scissors
hot glue gun

Supplies:

3.2 inch paper mache egg. (I get mine from German Corner.) They are great and fast. Order now and you'll have plenty of time to have these done by Easter
Craft paint
Tacky glue
cereal box cardboard scrap
Wooden wheels 1 1/4 inch ( available at most crafty stores...) 2 per cart
Bamboo skewers
Ribbon/rick rack for harness
trimmings (paper trims, tiny flowers, grass for inside, etc)

for completely adorable trimmings, try:
Castle In the Air
Blumchen

Step 1: Paint your egg with craft acrylic paint. Paint both halves different colors if you like.
You only need 1 half per cart.

Step 2: Glue trims around the top of the egg. If the trims are very delicate, you may want to want to skip to applying the wheels and do this afterward.

Step 3: Glue one wheel to the end of the bamboo skewer. Slide the other wheel on the other end and lay across the bottom of the cart to determine the length of your axle. Mark skewer, remove wheel and cut to length. You want your axle to go all the way through both wheels with enough room for the wheels to spin.

Step 4: Make a small cardboard bracket. Take a small rectangular piece of cardboard (1/2 x 3/4 approximately) Fold it in half an wrap it around the skewer to create the channel for the axle. Hot glue one tab down place axle underneath and mark where the other tab will need to be glued down. Remove axle and glue in place. You can paint this to match your chassis.

Step 5: When the glue is set, slide the axle back in under the bracket, and glue the second wheel in place.

Step 6: Determine the length of your shafts. They should attach to your egg just over the axle, and extend to the chicks "shoulder". You'll need to have your chick stand in for this measurement.
Cut two shafts. Glue any remaining trim that might need to go under where the shafts will be glued to the chassis. It's too hard to go around them later!

Step 7: Hot glue in place.

Step 8/9: Glue a short length of ribbon across the opening at the end of the shafts. Place the chick between the shafts and up against the ribbon. To hold the chick in place I used pretty straight pins. (Not okay for kids to play with..) So, you could also stitch, or glue, the chick in place.

Step 10: Embellish like crazy! Use your good stuff, go hog wild!

Then hold a race.....

Go! Chickies!!

Hope you make one! Let me know! I'd love to see!

xxoo,

Betty

The Chick 'N Cart Tutorial: Part 1- The Chicks!

2011-03-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, Well here we go.. My newest creation and I'm going to share this with all you lovely DIY-ers out there.

There are quite a few little steps to make this little goodie..

None are difficult, so don't worry about that. But it makes sense to me to break into a 2 part-er.

We start with the chick.. because a thinkin' person just wouldn't put the cart before the chick!

Now there are other chick tutorials out there, I'm sure,

but this one will guarantee your chick and cart are somewhat "to scale"

Tools you will need:

Pom pom maker (I use a Clover set)*
Sharp small scissor
wire cutters
a paint brush
and a darning size sewing needle
a ruler

*If you don't want to invest- I like this pom pom method.

Supplies:

heavy gauge thread wrapped floral wire
floral tape
acrylic paint
baby weight yellow yarn
Black beads with larger holes
small diamond shaped piece of orange felt

Step 1: cut floral wire into a 5 1/2 and two 1 1/2 inch lengths

Step 2: wrap short wires around either end of the long wire so that you have three 'toes'.

Step 3: Wrap floral wire with floral tape. I use white floral tape to make it easier to get the color I want when painting it, but the green will work just fine I'm sure. Floral tape is very moldable, and it takes paint very well. Totally worth the small price tag.

Step 4: Fold your legs so they look like this.

Step 5: Paint and set aside to dry. ( ack.. that blur. photos on a dark and rainy day!)

Step 5: Wind pompoms. You need two. I use the 1 1/4 inch and 1 3/4 inch wide makers to make the head and body of the chick. And because baby yarn is so fine, I wind it double stranded to save a few seconds.

(cont.) Wind it until the center of the maker is really full. Your chick will need 'body'. The pieces need to fit back together for the cutting and tying, but they should just barely be able to.

Step 6: Cut and then tie your pom pom. (sorry it's a blurry one!) You fit the tips of your scissors in between the two sides of the pom pom maker and start snipping. Keep a hand on the pieces as you cut so they don't pop apart. Then wind a longer piece of yarn around the center of the maker and tie. Pull the piece of the maker out. ( The maker you use may have more helpful instructions.. and you know what they say "When all else fails: read the instructions!"

step7: Trim the pompoms.

You should end up with a ping pong ball sized pom pom and an oversized egg shaped pom pom.

Step 8: stitch the head to the fat end of the 'egg' using the yarn and darning needle. Cut your yarn pretty long. We dont want to have thread that needle again! make sure you are going through the tied middle if the pompoms or it could break free. Nice and tight. If you cut you yarn long enough have it come out the bottom of the chick body.

Step 9: Sew the legs to the body. a few stitches on either point of the 'M', pulling tightly and fluffing afterward to hide the armature.
have the needle come out of the head where you want you eye.

step 10: Stitch the bead eyes in place. Black headed pins can help you determine where to place the eyes. move them around and find the right spots. This time don't pull too tightly just tight enough to get them set. After they are both set a little back stitch through the back of the head will hold them in place. Then have the needle come back out the front.

Step 11 stitch on felt beak.
One stitch in the center and one on each side, if you need it to get the right expression.

There you have it. Now make two of them!
Tomorrow you will see why two is definitely better than one in this case!

See you tomorrow for part 2... my chickadees!
xxoo,
Betty

The Newest Edition of The Tatters: Finished on The 15th.

2011-03-15T03:00:00.000-07:00

the lace has been piling up...

begging to be dissected and reconstructed...

so that something old and torn

can now, be lovingly worn.

********

And please come back tomorrow for Part 1 of the Chick N' Cart Tutorial!

(Click to enlarge..)

We will finally answer which will come first: The Chicken or the Egg Cart.

(Hint: It's the chicken!)

xxxooo,

Betty

Me Made March Monday: What I Wore

2011-03-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

Me Made Blue gingham shirt

Me Made Shirred Top

Me Made Vintage fabric Burda Dress

Me Made Japanese pants and Improv smock shirt

The Jacket That Started It All

Click and find out what MMM is all about!!

For me it's about proudly and thoughtfully wearing what I made!

At least one Me Made Item every day for a month!

So, How am I doing?

Make Yourself A Box Pleat Skirt!

2011-03-11T20:52:00.000-08:00

Well, I was just about beside myself with wanting

a cute preppy big box pleat skirt...

so I made one.

I just drafted the pattern myself.

This was not hard to do at all!
I already had a basic pattern for an A line skirt already drafted.

(If you want to see how to do that you can check out

my Wrap Skirt Tutorial at Sew Mama Sew.

Don't add in the 6 inches for overlap and boom.. basic A line pattern. )

Then I put in two inverted box pleats (Let Sally Stitch show you how!)

about 8 inches apart and 2.5 inches deep.

Iron, pin the pleats closed at the bottom.

Fold the rectangle in half and cut out the A line skirt front.

Trace a little facing and cut 2.
That is like the top 4 inches or so, of the skirt pattern.
An inner waistband for your skirt.

Then use the pattern to cut out the back of the skirt.

Just a nice plain A line.

No Pleats.

Put it together front to back. Add a side zipper. (traditionally on the left...)

Add darts to make the back curve with you and the waist fit perfectly.

Then stitch the facing to the skirt (right sides facing, flip to the inside and press)

and hand stitch it to the inside at the zipper.

Wasn't That Easy?

Me Made March : Week One in Review!

2011-03-08T07:34:00.000-08:00

the mermaid western shirt

the 50's frock

the rescued fabric pencil skirt

the New Vintage little white sailor blouse

The Lotta Jansdotter Simple Sewing apron

The Stash Skirt

Well, that was quite a week! It was great to commit to wearing handmade, to documenting the handmade the way I wear it out in the real world, and to seeing all the other people doing the same.

It's got me sewing mojo all jazzed up. Spring Wardrobe here I come!

Stay tuned next week to see More

(thanks so much Zo!)

Me Made March: Day One- My Favorite Handmade Pants

2011-03-01T21:19:00.000-08:00

Zoe over at So, Zo, What do You Know? does a really lovely little thing called

I've kind of falling off the back of the Sewing Blog Bus
and the Fun A Day really helped me get going so I thought
"Let's GO with Zo!"

I only pledged one item per day,

because lately I feel stretched a teeny bit thin sometimes

and I wanted to pick a commitment I could stick to,

because I like to win when I play these silly games with myself!

I plan to post to Flickr what I'm wearing everyday

and doing a weekly wrap up here.

If I make something new, I brag it up ahead of time!

Soooo...Here's a garment I made and I've been wearing and not blogging about...

My Japanese wide leg cropped pants from My Favorite Handmade Style.

(A great looking book, I wish I could read it!)

I made these pants about 6 months ago and I wear them all the time.

Sometimes things jump full fledged, off of your sewing machine, and into your wardrobe.

This was one of those items.

I had some fun making facings and pocket linings from contrasting fabric...

top-stitching and grommets...

as you can see they are quite well broken in!

I may end up making all the lengths and even adding the drawstrings at the bottom!

The pictures in these books are irresistible!

Sew There!

Tutorial: Make Your Own Spring -Paper Daffodils

2011-02-23T12:01:00.000-08:00

Hi! Well, I had a request about my paper narcissus...
from vivacious Jamie over at Curly Girl Press.

She wanted a tutorial so she could make a whole bunch. Fake-y Forced Bulbs by the Fistful.
High Whimsy, I do declare!

I actually learned how to make them at a class Castle In The Air
on my birthday. If you have the opportunity, I think you should get
on over there and take that class. It was a gorgeous experience.
I personally drove an hour and a half each way, and would do it again in a minute!

I did find a great vintage Japanese book after the class, that has the instructions.
Fancy Paper Flowers by Kiyo Sekiye.
( Yes, The Japanese folks have been making awesome craft books- practically forever.)
I have scanned them for you.
Click on each image to enlarge.

As you might recall my Narcissus had a bulb on it.
That was made by adding a watte cotton "pear" wrapped in brown crepe paper to the bottom of my flower. Since then I have added cotton string roots as well, you know... to make it "right". And the whole flower is on the small side to match the scale of the bulb.

Here is the thing:
Castle In The Air is the only place I have found that stocks the "good" crepe paper. And if you live anywhere in Northern California, or are coming this way, you are cheating yourself if you don't go there to take the class and do a little shopping to boot. You will learn so much more than just this one little flower, and you'll get a stack of supplies that's enough to make you drool!

But just on case you can't get to California,
order online:
deep olive doublette
yellow doublette
and gold doublette
and for the bulb, brown florist crepe.
(and since you are paying shipping anyway,
get some paper mache eggs and dresden trim to go with!
May as well....)

( you all do know that the "red" words are links, right? Take you right where you need to go!)

I found the wires and floral tape at my local regular craft store.

Sparingly use tacky glue or hot glue if needed, too much or another type of glue could cause colors to bleed.

.. and I use pattern tissue scraps for my bud cases.

That should put some spring in your step!

(Even if it is suppose to snow down to sea level here on Friday!
What?!?
Hello, Isn't this supposed to be California?
Still, that's exciting for us, as long as you can stay off the roads.)

Don't Worry, It's Not Serious.

2011-02-16T06:53:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been playing with paper, getting ready for spring.

I really like the optimistic cutesy cuteness of these kinds of exuberant novelties.

Perhaps it's shows my deep seated silliness,

but, I assert to you now:

Frivolity Rocks!

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T07:39:00.000-08:00

to all my friends. you are loved.

Gallery Girl ....

2011-02-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

Today I'm at the gallery, doing gallery-ish things.

Selling art, putting the calendar requests in for next month's show, sweeping up.

It's a beautiful day, and I thought I'd be off home by now but my replacement hasn't shown.

They must be out soaking up the sun...

clever girl.

The January Wrap Up.. A Lot Late

2011-02-11T08:39:00.000-08:00

The 29th!

Finally hung up all the flotsam and jetsam in the studio...

(click to enlarge... if we've been friends for a bit... you will probably recognize

some of your treasures!)

The 30th!

I had to toast to this one..

The former craft cave really converted

to an organized and utilitarian

pantry !!!

And 3 zipper pouches for the 31st!

Phew!

Starting next week we are back on track with new tutorials,

regular posts and generalized silliness!!!

Missed you, but after Finish A Day... I needed a nap!

Finish 28: Tiny Flock and a Nice Pair of Buns

2011-01-28T21:17:00.000-08:00

I found some cute vintage plastic game pieces at an antique store in lovely Niles.
I had an idea that it might be fun to try and use them to make mold to cast some new paint-able creatures from paper clay...

Oh click on the pics... There are details here people... details!

And it worked. And I totally love them. If I found them elsewhere... I would totally buy them.

Hmmmm... I think I feel a tutorial coming on!

okay... A list of catch up and #27

2011-01-27T20:21:00.000-08:00

Let's see:

Finish Line List is as follows:

23: paperwork stuff... covered in the last post

24: Finished all the winter pruning the garden. No photo... looks like heck. You can see my celebratory hoolahoop self portrait here.

25: Finished a major photo shoot in a great big field and did my first clone photo using and learning my new Photoshop 5. That was the utili-obi picture from my last post...perhaps you recall?

26: Made several zippered pouches. But I have not staged a decent photo shoot for them. They are cute but not earth shattering.

However, I will photograph them.

Eventually.

Soon eventually.

I want a Whole Month of Done mosaic to hang on my wall.

My final finish for the 31st!?

Which brings me to today.. I mean What Have I Done TODAY?

Aesop's Fables cushions.

tortise and hare

and

the stork and the jug.

For Etsy? or???

Finished and photopraphed and I'm happy about that.

So G' Night.

Weekend Wrap Up: Finishes 21,22,23

2011-01-25T21:03:00.000-08:00

( click to enlarge... go on. I dare ya!)

Okay.. So here is my secret. I cloned myself.

That is why I'm able to finish so much more than I did as just

Betty Singular.

Well, I don't know that I'm getting that much more done ,

but this focus on finishing has change the pace

and structure of my generally unstructured life.

Because it's supposed to be "Fun A Day"

I do try and have fun with it.

My finishes aren't like building a barn or anything.

It 's just turning into a fairly long list

of little things I have been meaning to get to.

# 23 isn't pictured. It was doing all the marketing listings for our next show

and revising all the forms and contracts for the next FashionART trunk show

and getting the email box organized.

Done. A 3-fer.

That day I didn't have any oomph left over for anything crafty,

so I counted what I did accomplish.

I think that is important when you are facing a challenge like this.

Most of us could stand to give ourselves a bit more credit

for what we do get done (like- all the time.)

So on Betties Right and Left, in the top photo,

are two more Utili-Obis that I have known

I wanted to make for awhile.

So on top of my finishing Wins:

Stash Sewing Bonus points!!!

If this wasn't Fun A Day I might not have even posted this

because I'd be busy knocking myself around

for not being able to post them on Etsy,

because I didn't take close ups too.

But that's not fun. So here we are. Keeping it fun,

and, hopefully, tomorrow my finish will be

all the new stuff is available in the Etsy Shop.

Special Thanks to Michelle of Green Kitchen

for a super fun photo safari

and a great day.

(That's her lamb.)

Finish 20 is all juiced up and ready to go.

2011-01-21T20:48:00.000-08:00

Finish 20 is the first of the Marimekko Utili-Obi's.

I will call her "Margarita".

Way back last fall I went mad and bought several Marimekko prints

because I thought they would look great as Utili-Obis.

I am not disappointed!

Well, a little disappointed with my photo and styling,

but with a finish everyday... some will be crisper than others.

Adios.

Finish # 19: Crispy Like a Crinoline

2011-01-20T23:13:00.000-08:00

Found a great old crinoline out thrifting in the Very Recent Past..

but it needed mending:

a teeny bit of darning and a brand new elastic waist band...

Viola.

That one wasn't on the mending pile for 3 days.

Yes, I can-can.

Finish # 18: Nellie The Elephant

2011-01-19T21:26:00.000-08:00

This is another original felt animal pattern.

Nellie the Elephant Jumped the Fence and said Goodbye to the Circus

Off she went with a rumpity -rump -rump -rump -rump.

Designed to do on the vintage drum ornament thrifted a year ago last November.

This pattern was just a sketch since December 2009 but I finished it yesterday.

The detail oriented amongst you may have notice I skipped Finish #17.

Okay, I bet no one would notice but just in case...

I will be posting it before the 31 days of Fun A Day/ Finish A Day are over.

I am having a blast with this but I have to admit,

I am itching to jump on a bigger project or two.

A garment perhaps.

but This is pretty darn good for now.

Finish A Day!

Finish #14, 15, and 16: Come On Baby, What's Your Sign?

2011-01-18T19:53:00.000-08:00

Want more details? click to enlarge

When you are on a roll with a personal challenge

but you need to take a little road trip

to see your cousin get married,

it's best to pack portable

Finishes For Each Day.

These are part of a much bigger collection.

I'm aiming for 25+ words embroidered in sign language.

I think a wall full would look so amazing!

50 was my original goal. Perhaps I should stick to that.

But I finished one per day.

Finish A Day= Fun A Day

Maybe that's because I am no longer a flaky Libra,

but instead a determined and fastidious Virgo.

Hmmmmm.

Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Finishing Projects and Falling Behind

2011-01-17T11:00:00.000-08:00

Hey Kids, Here's Finish #13

The Buckster:

I am a little behind with the posting but I'm still finishing something everyday!

And I'm even doing it on a road trip.

(sorry, can't help it, I'm impressed with myself about that one!)

This deer is a modified Jam Fancy lamb pattern from the Puchi Collective.

He was made from camel wool felt from a blazer and was 90% done for 14 months or so.

How do these things happen? I must be easily distracted!

Next post should be my catch up post for the stuff I finished on the road.

Finish A Day!

Whoo Hooo!

Finish#12 : It's a Mr. E

2011-01-13T21:23:00.000-08:00

Just a silly bunch of wooden pieces I couldn't pass up a the thrift store.

I have tons of weird little items that wait for inspiration to strike.

Clever name inspired by my nephew, who actually wears the same hat.

Now a little creature, maybe a prototype for a robot figure?

Finish a Day is great for doing some stash busting.

Finish #11: The Longest Swap

2011-01-12T18:08:00.000-08:00

Mini quilt that was so long in the making,

I bet the person I traded with has forgotten about the swap.

We are talking years. 2 or more. Bad.

So Embarrassing... I have no excuses.

But was I wracked with guilt the whole time.

Dropping it off in 5 minutes.
Finish-A-Day as Karma Cleanser.

Phew.

Finish # 10: M is for Mousy with Mushrooms

2011-01-11T21:08:00.000-08:00

I'm not going to mess this up trying to write something clever.

Finished up late last night.

Back on the crafty fast track today.

That Tah Dah Done Feeling comes rushing back.

In any case, Please just sit on back

and enjoy a little warm and wooly cuteness.
For more cuteness you can click on the picture to enlarge it.

Snuggles.

Weekend Wrap Up and a few more finishes

2011-01-10T20:26:00.000-08:00

Wow. Okay, so I had the new exhibit open at the gallery on Friday and that was fun, fantastic.

The next night was a big surprise party for a good friend of good friends.

Yes. He's dancing in front of his cake.

And then Sunday was yet another party. A fairly big one, that I kinda co hosted. And I was kinda wiped out, so No Pics.
3 parties. 3 days.
I swear to God, I am not that social.

So what did that do to Finish A Day?
... well the finishes did get a little compromised.
Especially on Sunday.

Friday, I finished a part of another challenge which is to complete Carla Sondheim's Drawing Lab ...
One exercise per week. There are 52, so it makes sense that way.

The first one (Friday) was to draw 30 cats while you are in bed. I was tired, so: PERFECT.
Are there pictures?....Wellllll, maybe later.

Saturday I repainted an thrift owl plaque that had been hanging out primed and ready since May.
Originally it was all the "avocado and harvest gold with dry brush metallic accents" you could stand.

I thought Faux Wedgewood would be cool. So: Viola.

I don't expect the Metropolitan Museum of Art to come knocking but.. it's done.

Sunday I only managed to get my 365 photo projects done.
I'm working on 2011 being the year I finally complete:
365 self portraits

and 365 photos.

Well, I also finished making a gallon of fresh lime margaritas and those were finished too
(not by me alone, mind you...)
but I didn't finish any lingering crafty projects.
But Finish is Finish.

So that brings us to today,
where I:
meal planned and shopped for the week. FINISH.
Took the 365 pics. FINISH.
Finalized the show for next month. Kinda finish-y. More of a start.

And Right Now am going to go finish another little craft project that has been on my table for 20 days, to photograph tomorrow, to try and wrestle this thing back to it's intent.

Finish Numero 6

2011-01-07T22:59:00.000-08:00

Okay.. I don't know how to say anything like "number"
in any kind of language a camel might speak,
or even overhear.

So Spanish is as exotic as I can get..

This one is MY camel.

I actually designed the pattern myself,

and as originally planned

perched it on the vintage drum ornament I thrifted over a year ago.

In fact, the camel, himself, was mostly done for 13 months.

He merely lacked tail, eyes, and hump warmer.

But today he is Finished.

He's part of a series, but the rest of the critters don't even have their patterns drafted yet.

and I'm thinking about publishing them/him for download,

so in a way, this project is far from over.

Is It Okay to celebrate the finishing of stages?

I Vote Yes !!!

(and this is my game and I'm still winning, if I play by my rules....

So, I will listen to your opinions but I am counting on you to agree with me.)

Okay, just look at his full profile.

Finishing this was FUN.

Now he needs a name.

Go on... Let's hear the suggestions!

Finish #5

2011-01-06T20:04:00.000-08:00

The tree is down and all the decor is stored.

That is a finish that will last for a whole year!

Whoot!

Fun A Day Finish Four!

2011-01-05T21:01:00.000-08:00

This one was a biggie...

Show all hung at the gallery. Fantastic landscape photography by Evan Russel.

Gorgeous show. I'm very proud of my part in making it happen, as a curator in training.
The selection of artist and timing was my choice, and I think I might have got it right.
A new skill set in the making.

Now the reception is Friday night. And I can't wait!

On a Roll ??? #3... On The Blog!

2011-01-04T21:29:00.000-08:00

A studio "Before" shot...

And then with the new finished shelf draping!!!

3 days and 3 finishes...

And I barely eeeeeked one out today.

I began to see how challenging this Fun A Day might be.

Some finishes might be a bit smaller than others.

(If I clean my plate at dinner, can that count?)

I mean it occurs to me as I look at these pics,

a little steaming wouldn't have hurt the final look of these...

Does that mean they weren't really done?

No! They Must be done.

Tah Dah Done.

I am going to do this.

I better go rest up.

Second Project on the Second

2011-01-03T17:45:00.000-08:00

Okay 14 months in the making and then.....

Made.

I am giddy with accomplishment.

If you are keeping track you know that today is actually day 3

and I finished what I set out to do today as well.

Pictures will, of course, be shown tomorrow.

I have a plan of accomplishment for tomorrow too.

Can I keep it up for 31 whole days?

Each finish setting off a new blast of momentum until

my inner procrastinator is powerless in the face of the Done-ness.

This is a western shirt from vintage pattern,

Kokka and Joel Dewberry fabrics from Hart's Fabrics.

And seriously, fabulously, nowhere near my to-do list anymore..

I have a new list:

The Tah Dah Done List.

I'm a little full of it this evening.

Could you tell?

First Across the Finish Line

2011-01-02T18:37:00.000-08:00

if you want to spy details, double click to REALLY enlarge.

Here she is, my mascot, my craft banner, my practice page.

But Finished First on the First .

1 of 31 Finished Projects for Fun A Day.

(click and commit!)

It's Never too late to join the fun!!!

2/365 is up on flickr...

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T18:50:00.000-08:00

1/365

My friend Blaize has a January thing where she does something for 30 days. (31 days?)

Meg is taking a picture everyday for a year.

I'm going to play along with both. I'm doing 30 days of "finishing stuff".

Today I'm finishing an embroidery piece I started in July...

Tomorrow, I'll post it.

I tried a 365 project before, but it was all self portraits.

Maybe I'll get closer this year?

Here's to that hope that springs eternal!

Let's make some Big Plans, People!

Boy, Sure Does Go Fast, Doesn't It?

2010-12-26T14:39:00.000-08:00

Quick Gift Tutorial: Beribboned Estate Sale Pearls

2010-11-17T07:47:00.000-08:00

Classy, no?

Marie Antoinette, Coco Chanel, Jackie Kennedy...

All the best dressed trend setting ladies know

a woman's wardrobe isn't complete without a sweet string of pearls.

Me? I collect them from thrift stores and estate sales.

Marie Antoinette wore the real thing, but Coco knew a fake can be just as glamorous.

So many of the good vintage strings have extra nice luster, or a gorgeous patina

So, I pick them up, but they are coming unstrung, they have no clasps, they have been abandoned.

They are often not quite as long as they need to be.

But they can quickly be revived and they will make a

breathtaking, inexpensive and really, quite quick handmade gift.

You will need:

Pearls removed from old and fragile string (at least 8 inches worth)
2 pieces of ribbon at least one foot long
a beading needle
thick buttonhole thread
regular thread, same color

Step 1: Thread needle with buttonhole thread, doubled.

Tie a knot in the end and draw through one of the the ribbon

(I used silk seam binding for my ribbon)

about 1 inch from the end, centered widthwise.

Draw tight against the back of the ribbon.

Step 2:

Load up the needle with pearls.

Step 3:

Pull all the way through so the pearls rest snuggly against the ribbon.

Repeat until all the pearls are strung.

(you may want to set aside 2 pearls for the earring tutorial I'll post soon!)

Step 4:

Stitch on the second ribbon similarly to the first. Centered widthwise,

about one ribbon width from the from the end.

(The slant I cut here actually made it hard to finish the last step on this end.)

This part is actually the trickiest part.

After you pull the thread through the ribbon so that the ribbon is snug against the last pearl,

make a tiny stitch to start to create your knot.

Now push your needle through the stitch and then slowly pull the thread to really secure the ribbon against the pearl. I held the ribbon and needle in one hand and pulled the thread through the knot with the other. If you aren't careful you will have unattractive thread slack.

Tie off firmly and trim extra thread.

Step 5:

Thread needle with the regular thread in the same color as your ribbon.

Fold the ribbon over the knot by taking the close end and folding it at a 45 degree angle across the knot first down toward you and the up toward the top to create a point over the knot.

Stitch it in place, and all along the open side of the fold.

Trim any ribbon tail that sticks out of the bottom of the fold on the back side.

And Viola: Simple, Elegant... Utterly giftworthy!

Stay tuned for the tutorial for a few styles of cute matching earrings

for those stockings that need stuffing!

xxoo, Betty

Where Did Those Snow People Stumble Off To?

2010-11-11T11:59:00.000-08:00

Oh, They got all dressed up and staggered off to Iron Dog Antiques

in Beautiful down town Niles, CA.

Here are a few scenes from Inside the Shop..

A beautiful bedecked Mary

silly snow peple made by me...

A beautiful blend of holidays!

Hey, Here's a flock of my vintage trim Space Angel Ornaments!

A Diorama Ball... This one is mine.

And Finally a well dressed snow person...

You can see all the little guys on Flickr

Just click here.

And if you need one of your very own,

You can just contact The Iron Dog (click for info) or email me!

Holiday Strategies for Slackers: The Soup Strategy

2010-11-08T07:10:00.000-08:00

For the Next Several Weeks I'm going to make a giant pot of Soup on Saturday, Sunday or Monday.
(click on any soup or cookie name and get right to my favorite recipe...)
This week it's Pumpkin Curry...
Next Week, Potato, Kale and Chorizo...
Then White Bean Chili .... ( but use left over Turkey)
Creamy Tomato
etc etc etc.

Make enough to eat twice and freeze one more lunch or dinners worth.
That gives you one night free from Kitchen-y chaos...
You could make a gift...

Or make a batch of cookie dough ahead and freeze it.
Imagine dough, and then a clean kitchen before you start baking.
Just make and ball form the cookie dough, pop into a ziplock bag,
write the baking time and temp on masking tape and tape it to the bag.

Fresh baked, warm, low mess, holiday cookies as you want them.
You do need to pull out the dough and let it thaw a bit...
Roll them in their sugary outer jackets and viola!

Works great with:
Peanut Butter
Molasses Crinkles
Chocolate Crinkles

Eat Well, and Slack On!

Betty

They Are Coming!!

2010-11-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

Pressed cotton snowmen WIP for Iron Dog Collectibles

Staggering toward us like so many drunken snow zombies...
Here come the Holidays.
I Am SO Not Ready. I will be shoveling some of my panic driven Holiday Strategies
on the blog just in case there is anyone else out there, aiming for Handmade, and woefully
behind.

And don't forget to Vote Today!!!
(I would never presume to say who or what for but, please Vote.)

And if you enjoy Bitter Betty Blogs on a reader feeder or by email, click on through to the other side, 'cause I redecorated ... Just for You! love to hear what you think, and what you think is missing!

All The Cool Kids Are Doing It

2010-10-30T12:31:00.000-07:00

They are all making a jacket or coat or whatever.

They are all making Lady Grey... You know, with Gertie.
Sure when the whole project launched, I saw it and I was like:
"It looks so hard. I have a nice coat.... and Jeez, I'm busy"

But then they've all been like" Making Muslins" and "Pad Stitching" and making "Bound Button Holes" and fancy fancy tailor-y seamstress stuff.

And I got jealous.

I still don't have time right now for Lady Grey...
But I'm doing a Sort-a Kind-a sew along, but way off to the side...

A Simplicity vintage How To from 1956 and a Simplicity vintage pattern circa 1940 sumpthin'.
A simpler jacket for a complicated time.

But I got my pad stitching on.

Not as cool as the cool kids... but working on it.

Tis' The Season

2010-10-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

Well, here's what has been haunting the studio lately.

All sorts of happy faces getting ready to celebrate the Mexican Day of The Dead.

Dia De Los Muertos.

Some calavera charms ...

The charms are hoping to get into the Etsy shop today.

Do you think they stand a chance?

Look how optimistic they are.

And finally,

WIP picture of the alter I made for the show

at the MichaelAngelo gallery on November 5th.

Anyone in the area should come by.

The Reception starts at 6:00

and the show is going to be great.

I got a peek at some of the other pieces that will be in the show

and I was in awe.

The thing I love about the idea behind Dia De Los Muertos

is that our loved ones never leave us.

They are still ours, to love, to visit, and bring gifts to once a year.

Bitter Betty Recommends Fun

2010-10-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

I have had a bit of a precocious midlife thing going on this year. I just turned 42 this month and I'm coming to terms with trying to live a bit more intentionally... Less reactionary, Less waiting for things to work out.... More grabbing life by the collar, with both hands, and forcing myself to look it in the eye. What have you got for me, Life? How are we doing here?

Now, this is, of course, relative... I am not switching to working on curing cancer or volunteering for the front lines... But I am trying new thing and putting myself out there more. ( Studio, Fashion Show, stuff like that....)

One of the most surprising, slightly oddball, but genuinely fun things I have done is I bought myself a high quality, adult size hulahoop and started learning to Hoop Dance and a few tricks.

Of all the ways to spend your life... I have to recommend fun. Have as much as you can. Play harder.
and just Quit Worrying about showing that soft white underbelly... Life is short and no one cares about it but you.

xxoo,
Betty

The Big Reveal...

2010-10-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you might recall this lovely yet un-assuming little out fit that I posted way back in July.

It's actually something that has been a work in progress for almost 2 years now.

It is the Jane Austen Theater Dress.

Recently titled "No Apologies to Mr. Darcy" for the FashionArt show.

The taffeta on the skirt is hiding

A series of loops and cords

So that when the model raises her arms .... Up comes the curtain.

The underskirt is appliqued with a scene where Elizabeth becomes inappropriately damp in the presence of the rather stuffy Mr. Darcy...

( Happens to lots of Jane Austen characters, actually.)

We had a collar of vintage pearls and a fascinator made from birdcage net and the folded pages of the novel.

As many of you may know I have a rather morbid fascination with the societal restrictions placed on the mid-century female. So, I had some fun combining a slightly risque reveal on a vintage fashion piece with a scene from Jane Austen, which I love, but also makes me marvel at the ways women were marginalized and how their very well being was linked inextricably to their marrying or being cared for by a man.

I was so lucky to get to work with Chelsea Keating as my model. She really put everything into it and it was quite frankly totally amazing to see my creation come to life as she took it down the runway.

She was fun, and sweet and so perfect for it.

It wouldn't have been nearly as exciting without her enthusiasm and charisma!

Thank You, Chelsea!

And here is a little close up... for the crafty voyeurs.

( click the photo to enlarge...)

This is actually a w.i.p. photo.

There were silver and crystal rain drops added on the day before the show....

What can I say? Deadlines are my greatest inspiration!

Fashion Art: Seamstress for Hire

2010-10-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

So, it has actually been a couple of weeks since the fashion show and due to personal drama and my sloth-like nature I haven't done the Blognanza of Bloggy Good Blogness that I promised! But here come the posts.

First of all I had my own piece of wearable art in the show which I will post on Friday...
But I also worked as the seamstress for another artist and had a fantastic time collaborating in that way.

It was a really fun and challenging process as Angelo Grova and I worked out the designs he envisioned...
in the materials he picked out.

Namely, industrial clear vinyl, landscape fabric, and tent nylon.

Sewing this stuff was a kick, as it made me use my brain every minute, but also a physical challenge.
It was sticky. or sometimes stiff. It needed weird thread. It hated to fold... and if it did fold, it hated to unfold. You couldn't iron it.
Very unforgiving as far as seam ripping and resewing goes on the vinyl.
So the actual sewing was a metaphor for life.

Be Prepared. Be Sure. Be Bold. Move Forward!

It was my first time working with fitting models and they were funny, delightful, and so sweetly accommodating.

It was really empowering and exciting to help someone facilitate their artistic vision. I hope I get a chance to do it again.

Fashion Friday: Long Overdue Etsy Update!!!

2010-09-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it's only two sweet little utili-obis...

But, Hey! They actually made it into my languishing etsy shop for all to see, and maybe possibly buy? You never know! I've never posted up one of these sassy little numbers that didn't find a new home somewhere!

click here to shop all two of them for yourself!

Let's Play Stylist

2010-09-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

sexy librarian by bitter betty featuring a wool coat

Okay, Polyvore? So fun and easy to use.
I can play fantasy dress up/ amateur fashion editor all day long.
I don't want to break the hearts of the affliated shops/ designers, but there is no way in the world I'm going to actually buy
the clothes I put together on this page..
( I think the bag is $3000 or something...)
But I fantasize that this is the sort of thing I would wear to go meet with my editors to go over the gorgeous proofs for
my brilliant book on making vintage fashion for the thoroughly modern woman.

In my dreams... those boots are as comfy as sneakers.

Yes, my fantasy life has a vast and fancy landscape.

Monochromatically Yours,

Betty

Playing With Paper Clay

2010-09-07T12:13:00.000-07:00

This was easy and fun.

Sacred heart paper clay medallions pressed with handmade woodcuts from Mexico.
These are first drafts... I think I need to make more.

All part and parcel of something fun I'm working on for a Dia De Los Muertos show.
Here is a first draft skeleton figure... He could use some refining!

I had a serious vision for a piece after I made these.
I need to find a fine plastic piggy.
I'm curious if anyone can guess what it might be?

The piece has nothing to do with the sacred hearts, but one thing will lead to another.
Maybe I'll have time to do more than one piece for the show...
But I don't know.
I have some doctor-y stuff coming up,
Jacob has his wisdom teeth pulled on Friday
and apparently all the animals require vet visits...

Is there ever enough time for everything?
Wouldn't it be great if there was?

And We Got Lost On the Way

2010-08-26T05:43:00.000-07:00

Haaaalooooo?
Anyone left out here?

Well, I sure didn't mean to wander off like that.. August. Phew. And 20 days later? It's like, pretty much over.

We did some camping and swam in some secret swimming holes in the High Sierras in August.

Made books at the Museum of Folk Art and Craft in August.

Watched Scott Pilgrim VS. The World and the quoted it to each other all this week. Not since Napoleon Dynamite has a movie invade the conversation in this manner.
"Scott, if your life had a face, I would punch it."
I loved me some Kim, and Wallace.

and I've been doing a lot of extra secret sewing for the FashionArt show.
But it's a blogging black hole because it's a secret... for the Fashion show. Afterward I hope to have a blognanza of bloggy good blogness but for now.. Just a super veil of secrets.

Anyhooo. I've got my tiny giant high schooler back in school and I think it's time
to try and catch up with all of ya'll. And to all the people who kept checking in...

You are my sunshine. The wind beneath my wings...all that.
Don't you ever change.

Get Out And Craft It Up...

2010-08-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been Crafting about town more than usual this last month...

I joined Futuregirl and her band of public crafters in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago. She does this every 3rd Wednesday of the month and I have to say it was fantastic. Lots of crafty chitchat, a variety of projects... ( even some LED action!) and we had to move it indoors due to the inclimate SF summer weather, but that meant Beverages.

This last Month I also joined a great embroidery class that is held at The Fabrica Sew-Op in Santa Cruz. That's been going on for 3 weeks now. Fabrica is a co-op sewing collective where they have fabric, machines, and people on hand to show anyone who is interested how to get their stitch on.
It all runs on donations and good will... Ridiculously cool.

I just love the class and the great energy our teacher Marie brings to the whole business. Last week there was some hard core excitement over crewel hedgehogs and 3-D flowers.

I'm loving all the details and all the specialty stitches, plus the face to face explanations of how exactly I'm totally messing some of the stuff up!

Tomorrow, I'm back up to San Francisco for Craft Bar at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art. They have a fantastic exhibit ( Clare Rojas) there that I'm dying to see. Plus it's book binding as the craft. I really am excited to try my hand at that... Like I need another Crafty Endeavor. But anyway... If you can go, you should go! $10.00 6-9 pm... Right downtown, across from Yerba Buena Gardens! I'll be there..

There's a Maira Kalman Exhibit too.. at the Contemporary Jewish Museum which is right next door!
If we can fit it in with the Back To School sneaker shopping, I'm doing BOTH!

The Wonders And Woes of Ambition

2010-07-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

" Do you ever get up in the morning, feed your family,
drive the youngsters to school and then come home,
look at your cluttered kitchen and untidy bedrooms and think
"Well, I really ought to clean the house top to bottom but I just
Haven't the ambition."

The ambition you are referring to is the worthy kind,
the one shorn of it's destructiveness. It's altogether desirable.
Without it we would be living in a world of dirty homes and discomfort.

But have you ever known someone who had her heart set on becoming
president of a club, member of a sorority, writer of a bestseller,
or social leader of her community? Or perhaps, a popular craft blogger?
This is the other kind of Ambition, The harmful kind."

Everywoman's Magazine August 1954

( Okay I totally added the craft blogger thing myself.. but it just Fit So Well.)

I wondered!
I have the wrong kind of Ambition!
I blame the internet. Oh, the cursed wonderful Internet!

But look where my Harmful Ambition has taken me now:

Welcome to Bitter Betty's Dilettante Atelier

Harmful ambition, my sweet patootie!

My living room is clean.

My craft junk looks way more delectable in the light of day,

I've already got a piece of art in the show
at the gallery downstairs from the studio

and this week I found out one of my dresses will be in an

Honest To God Fashion Show in September.

Was it hard to pony up the rent at first? Yes. It was scary.

I didn't feel like my efforts deserved it.

I had a hard time justifying it. It felt selfish. But now?

It feels perfect.

My home is better, my work is better,

I'm part of a community of creative people

and Ican't wait to see what will happen next.

Every day something new seems to happen and

my creative life feels like it just finally came out of it's cave.

I'm still struggling with the "clean the whole house" ambition,

but at least I don't have to shuffle all the craft junk into a corner to do it anymore.

What's Happening Wednesday

2010-07-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Gang!
Well, Summer's swinging through like Tarzan on a vine. I have been up to all kinds of wild goodness and I'm so excited to share some of it with you.

First, did you know I trade sewing lessons with an organic farmer friend for veggies? I do. And I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I get to learn about all kinds of super deluxe gourmet treats in exchange for something I do because I like it better than anything else. How's that for an Alternative Economy? This last batch of veggies held what can only be described as a culinary revelation. Coriander Berries.

Yep, if your cilantro is bolting, run and catch it quick and snip these pretty little berries off for a taste sensation!

I made a vinaigrette of rice wine vinegar, a little elderflower syrup*, a light olive oil, lime zest and salt and pepper and tossed it with sliced cucumbers, chopped up basil, and the coriander berries. Yummmmy.

I've also been doing some sewing. Here's a little WIP picture:

It's an outfit with a secret... But I might not get to reveal it until September.

Mysterious, No?

And I finally found a cure for this little problem:

Yup, that's supposed to be my living room.

dining area... just shove the projects over if you want to eat...

But Hey, There's no room left in the Cave

My solution will soon be revealed.....

Mysteriously Yours,

Betty

*you can buy premade elderflower syrup at fine markets or make you own by boiling cheesecloth wrapped elderberry blossoms in simple syrup and steeping overnight.

TGIF....

2010-07-16T09:35:00.000-07:00

I'm really busy sewing today. I'm working on a project that I started almost 2 years ago and I'm really excited about the way it's coming together...

In the meantime I hope you will enjoy this musical interlude from Andy Combs and The Moth...

Have a great weekend...

Vintage Sewing Tips for Back to School

2010-07-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, seriously? How cute is this article with their kitschy-koo adorable poses?

They look like they are about to burst into song or something!

And if you look closely you can see they clearly prefer the shirtdress with the black skirts over top!

This is from the August 1954 issue of Everywoman Magazine,

discoverd at my favorite thrift store yesterday.

We just don't really do this kind of multi-tasking layered garment stuff like they used to.

Maybe if the economy doesn't recover it will find itself back in fashion.

The article itself has some nice easy embellishing ideas and some vintage machine attachments demystified. So make sure you click on the images to enlarge and print them out!

(If you are into that kind of thing...)

New Vintage Wardrobe #26: My 40th Birthday Dress

2010-07-09T06:08:00.000-07:00

Okay. I'm like a year and a half behind posting this. But I think you'll like it anyway.
It's the dress I made for a dinner out in the city for my 40th Birthday. That was a year ago last October.
Dinner was great by the way. Deee-lish.

I haven't worn it much and when I put it on for the photo shoot I wondered why not.
It's a very nice dress.

I have to fix the sleeve hems now that I have a bit more sewing experience.

It's so grownup and sophisticated.

It's a scotch and soda dress.

The top is raw silk and the bottom is a heavy rayon, vintage hand screen printed.

Maybe I just don't pull off sophisticated as easily as I'd like!

Simplicity 2153.

Circa Late 50's, I'd imagine

It was pretty darned easy to make,

Just like it said on the package

and it was all salvage materials for my Fabric Fairy Godmother...

Thanks Diana!

As usual...Fashionably Late,

Betty

We Have A Winner! And a Vintage Fashion Inspiration

2010-07-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

Our Vintage Fashion Inspiration of the Week is the Japanese Band Pizzicato Five.
I just lost about 2 hours of serious craft time drooling over the styles sported by their lovely singer Nomiya Maki, and trying to decide which catchy tune to dedicate to my DIY Couture Winner.

Double click on the video and go to YouTube and listen to happy Japanese pop and drool over vintage fashion eye candy.

And Now for our Winner

KellyAnn you are lucky number 11!!! (generated by the Random Number Generator!)

And the books are all yours. Email Me your address and they will be in your hands shortly!

I'm off to do some chores and some sewing so I can come back tomorrow with some Betty Generated Fashion. I have my fingers crossed. Summer is so distracting!

xxoo,

Betty

WIP Wednesday: The Hat in Question

2010-06-30T10:35:00.000-07:00

As I'm teaching myself how to use Photoshop, I have hits and misses with my concepts.

Sometimes the actresses and Burlesque stars have something clear to say

and sometimes they are just esoterically whimsical.

This young lady was the latter of the two.

But whether they come together easily or not I have so much fun doing this that I forget myself entirely and will tweak and nudge the pieces for hours, if not interrupted.

I'm reading a great book on creativity by Ken Robinson, called
The Element.

So far ( I'm a third of the way in) it's about finding something that combines your talent and interest, so that you can find that unique endeavor that makes time cease to exist. It is then that you are in

"your element".

What puts you in your element?

DIY Couture Give Away and The Cloak I Made in an Afternoon!

2010-06-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Recently, after I sold out, I was contacted By Rosie Martin at DIY Couture.
She asked if I'd like to check out their books and I said "Yes, Please! Shall we do a give away!?"
Of Course, she said yes, or the title of the post would be totally different.

I got her first three books in the mail so fast. SO fast, all the way from England. It totally blew my mind.

They are great. Well written step by step instructions and full of excellent graphics so if you learn better from reading, or from looking at diagrams, they have you covered. It's basic sewing without patterns; just using geometry and borrowing lines from garments you already love. It works great. I made a lined cloak in less than a day.

Not an invisibility cloak, not a visibility cloak,

just a nice summer wrap.

This came out so much better than the caplette I made from a pattern... In fact I may remake it, using this system. The books look great and there is a bit of surprise art in the back that gives them a fun Zine-like vibe.

So here's your chance to comment and win a set of these 3. Make sure I can get a hold of you, (all you anonymous commentators, email address please, or a code name...something!), and a link back to this post gets you a second entry. Just be sure to mention your intention, so I can come see your sweet little blogs. I found some fantastic new reads the last time we had a give away! Not a blogger? A Facebook link will work too!

The 4th of July Weekend has me hoppin', so I'll draw the winner next Tuesday, July 6th!
Good Luck, all you wannabe DIY Couturiers! And a Big Thanks to Rosie, for sharin' the love!

Gotta Fly Like A Superhero!
Betty

Fashion Friday: Can You Help Me?

2010-06-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

All right all you vintage couture sewists... I want to make something like this:

Thanks to Dude Craft who sent me to Vintage Scans

(Not all G rated.. BTW... but has the word strumpetry in the subtitle..

which I personally found kinda cute.)

Specifically the bottoms with the shirring. I'm pretty good at the elastic thread sewing, but would love to find someone who had a pattern they might be willing to trace for the rest of the shape. Even if it isn't a shirred pattern but just a similar or semi similar bottom... I will pay or trade, and love you forever.

Monday I'll have the DIY Couture giveaway all sorted. I'm in the middle of something big and fun and secret this weekend... And I want to have something "material" to show you using their methods for the Give Away post!

Work In Progress Wednesday: Fancy Footwork

2010-06-23T15:52:00.000-07:00

Some girls collect shoes. For a year or so, I have been collecting feet. Sewing machine feet, for my vintage Singer. I buy them whenever I see them.

Threads magazine had this article on vintage sewing machine feet and their uses. I popped it open and it was pretty durn good. It wasn't the be all end all, so I also searched away in my vintage Singer manuals and Talbots Complete book of Sewing.

I hadn't set up the Farmer's Wife in awhile and I just got inspired.

I started out with the "tucker".

Easy rows of even tucks. Seamed up one way and down the other.

And then tucking the tucks.

Can you say Addictive?

Then I tried the embroidery/darning foot...
Sweetly sketchy.

I had a drop by from a friend who does real serious art quilting. She helped me understand the only problem I'm having is hand and pedal speed coordination. That takes practice. Practice sounds fine. After all, it's just thread and scraps.

Then there's the adjustable hemmer. Okay... it just hems, but it hems a Variety of Widths.

I am really loving the mechanical way these devises work. Every one works with the straight stitch. No fussy width, length or tension adjustments. Industrial Elegance. With patience and practice at speed and guidance, the foot pretty well does the work.

And finally the button holer. Okay ... What? this absolutely SHAMES my modern machine. These button holes are gorgeous by comparison. And it does it by wiggling the fabric back and forth.

Three cheers for the good old days.

More footwork in the future... With some in depth tutorials, vintage how to book pages scanned and road tested vintage feet for sale on Etsy. ( Yes, exhuberence = multiple purchases = extra feet to share with you all)

And another give away coming right up from me and DIY Couture!!

Saint Anne (More Photoshop Practice)

2010-06-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

I have been really lazy about taking pictures of what I'm sewing, but pretty disciplined about playing with other people's old pictures. So here is my tribute to the lovely Saint Ann. Patron saint of housewives, and seamstress alike. She was Mary's mama, don't ya know?

I also feel compelled to point out she also was originally said to have had a virgin birth. Was that a lot more common way back when? Or maybe it just ran in the family. Anyway the Catholic Church had the story straightened out a few centuries back, so I should just stop spreading rumors.

Anyhooo, as my threads break and my seams tweak, it just find it comforting to know that there is a specific saint I should be calling on.

Her feast day is July 26th. Maybe I should throw her a party!

Made It Myself Monday: Photoshop Practice

2010-06-14T15:17:00.000-07:00

I love this image of this beautiful French boxer from 1910.

Delicate, tough and haunting.

The photoshop practice has become very journalistic... or should I say journalish.

I'm often surprised where it takes me.

Yo Yo Blossom Skirt

2010-06-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

here we go...

steal this skirt.

easy as pie!

first make a pencil skirt

like they show you here.

then make 16 or so yo-yos in different sizes

like This.

Then use fabric glue to pin them on with some snipped out leaves.

Then stitch them into place with a back stitch and a blanket stitch.

So? What are you waiting for?

Fashions of the Future!

2010-06-04T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hi gang!
Husband's Birthday today so the staff here at Bitter Betty Industries is working it's celebratory magic. In the mean time I hope you'll enjoy our instructive 80 year old "look forward" to the Magical Year 2000. (That's why these look dated, they are so last decade.)

Dresses made of net? Sure, but generally the boob spirals are still only for Madonna and Lady Gaga.

My favorite is the "headlamp so she can find an honest man."
Love to know how that works out!

I doubt that it's the bearded fellow who always carries Candy for Cuties. He looks suspicious for sure.

And here's a preview of my personal Fashion of the Future:

Just a teaser,

See Ya Monday!
Betty

We Have A Winner....

2010-06-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

Number 49!

Hot Damn...

It's Daphne at Cranky is Good!

The really groovy felted Totoro is a Maker Faire Picture...

but I thought he was suitably celebratory.

To all the folks who didn't win...

thanks for playing and please stop by again.

And if there are any other sponsors who want to do a give away here... email me.

I will give any offer careful consideration!

Holy Hula Hooper!

2010-05-26T22:49:00.000-07:00

That's right... At the Maker Faire I got a grown up size hoop and I have been practicing every day.

One day I want to be just like this guy.. or go someplace and drink martinis and watch him in awe.

Same guy (Mat Plendl) as the kid in the commercial! He was performing at Teatro Zin Zanni in San Francisco in 2009. Talk about finding your passion and sticking with it!
I wonder if he's still there?

As far as my own hoop dreams are concerned, if I ever master anything even remotely tricky, you'll see it here first.

I'm outta here for my weekend at Strawberry Music Festival with the ladies. Camping with the possibility of snow showers and a 100% chance of fantastic music. I am packing my hoop. No possibilities of any remote updates, but if anything exciting happens, I will report when I get home.

Made It Myself Monday: The Preppy Piped Semi-Blirt!

2010-05-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

Okay, first things first:

Thanks for all the entries in the Hundred Dollar Iron Giveaway!

Oh. My. Lord.

I thought a few folks might want a serious iron upgrade, but I truly had No Idea!

It's so fun to see my blogland friends in there with so many new Commenteers!

I do hope you newbies will keep visiting me and say hi whenever you have the time!

If you haven't entered yet there's still time!

Now... on to something craftier!

Well here is another example for a garment with piped seams a la the grande tutorial of yesterweek.
This was conceived as an Homage to the adorable Blirt (blouse'n skirt look but in a one piece dress) made by Dorie at Tumbling Blocks.

The empire waist kind of killed the blirt-y illusion, but dress is very pretty and comfortable. Made from linen blend from Sew Mama Sew and a rescued vintage curtain, it gave me a bit of a work out dealing with combining fabrics that have a disparite drape and weight. There were many seams that required multiple basting attempts to get the fall I wanted.

In this situation I am not sure if the piping trim is helping or hurting the structure of the dress.

And I need to find a better alteration for dolman sleeves and my slightly sloping shoulders, or are they supposed to do this? Double stick tape? I'm open to suggestions.

I think I'm going to add little lingerie snaps in the shoulders to keep all my undergarments out of sight when I wear this one.

3/4 yard new linen: 10.00
rescued vintage drapery from thrift store: 3.00
homemade piping from thrifted bias tape and sting .50
3/4 yard lining fabric 3.50

Total dress cost:17.00

Not my cheapest but a pretty decent frock for the buck. My biggest regret was not doing a lapped zipper. It was just beyond my sewing courage level to combine the corded seams and the new lapped zipper skillz into one dress.

thanks to flickr's Norma Frances for this fantastic digital backdrop

Maybe Mrs. Home Maker is right and looking stylish for less can be easy if you sew for yourself.

Bitter Betty Sells Out, Just For You!! Rowenta Iron Give Away!!!

2010-05-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

So I did it!!
I made a deal with an Honest to Goodness sponsor, the super deluxe online retailer CSN.
CSN has over 200 online stores that carry everything from martini shakers to tv stands and even, drum roll please, Sewing Stuff! And they let Me pick out something to give away to you, my wonderful readers!

After a long and thoughtful perusal, I settled on something that every seamstress wants, but only a few will allow themselves to purchase. The Hundred Dollar Iron!

"What?" You may ask yourself, "Why in the world would one want a Hundred Dollar Iron??"

(But only 89.99 on CSN, of course)

Well, because next to your Sewing Machine, your iron is the most important garment construction tool Ever! and let me tell you, from my retail merchandising days, the better irons really work BETTER.
But you don't have to take it from me. I have included from White's Sewing Manual circa 1947 a step by step pressing guide/ tutorial, so now, with this valuable info, everyone is already a winner:

(Click to enlarge and print sweeties. You Know The Drill.)

I know you are now convinced that there IS room for improvement in your pressing life. You need more details on that fancy iron, doncha?

Well, here's the specs:

The improved steam glide and comfort of the DX-8860 provides a new level in professional ironing. With a new better design and higher quality, the DX-8860 delivers higher performance. Its polished stainless Steel Soleplate with advanced heatshield with extra large area and specially designed dimples and channels, provides better glide and easier ironing with less effort. Get the same amount of work done in less time and greater comfort with the extra long steam burst, and full comfort handle with ergonomic controls. The 100 percent covered soft touch handle provides comfort and a non-slip grip for precision ironing, while soft touch ergonomic controls buttons provide superior control. Features:

Polished Stainless Steel Soleplate with Advanced Heatshield
Extra Long Burst of Steam
Anti-Drip System
3-Way Auto Shut-Off
Self Clean System
Variable Steam Adjusts for Right Amount of Steam for Every Fabric Type
1750 Watts

Okay, to enter leave a comment on this post. If you link back to this post in the next week you will be entered a second time. Let me know in your comment that you will be doing that, so I can find you easily. (Lazy, Sell-Out Betty...)

I will combine the two lists and use the Random Number generator to pick the winner on June 1st at 9:00 am PST.

Tell your friends, especially the ones with those tatty old thrift store irons.

Where Ya Been? Wednesday: The Weekends of Joy Approacheth

2010-05-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

This weekend I will again return to this:

and I will be amoungst the cool geeks once again!

And then next weekend I will go HERE and see this:

I am busy completing all the costumes and props required for such ambitious adventuring...
One day of inspiration and the a 4 day uber-deluxe camping and music adventure in the bosom of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Stay tuned though. I'll have sewing tomorrow and hopefully a Fancy Prize on Friday.

Ooooh! Ahhh!

Tutorial Wednesday: What to Do With Giant Underpants

2010-05-12T08:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm too busy sewing and celebrating ~~Martyr's~~ Mother's Day* to blog right now...

So I'm going to let Pee Wee handle this week's tutorial:

He perfectly expresses my creative mental space right now...

"A swing! Lalala. Hah Hah!"

*Some of you will find that offensive, so I apologize.

Some of you will totally understand, so I will sympathize.

Some can't comprehend what I could possibly mean by that...

and that's okay too.

The Age of Aquarius Top

2010-05-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

Hiya Kittens,

Thought you might want to see some applied piping in practice. Here's that awesome vintage zodiac fabric sewn into a revised Amy Butler Cabo Halter.

What's new on this halter other than that piping hot corded trim?

Viola! I lengthened the straps by 6 inches and crossed them in back. Buttons and button holes and it is so much more comfy. I tire of a knot rubbing the back of my neck. Sassy, No?

I just love piping. Don't you?