tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89288068923726157422024-03-12T17:30:07.745-07:00Made By La BeqThis blog is where I will discuss, explain, and generally brag about the stuff I make. Because making stuff is what I do and who I am.La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-69270463622196709362010-04-20T15:12:00.001-07:002010-04-20T15:40:38.702-07:00Walnut was the most popular choice this semester.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84tIndVghI/AAAAAAAAAcc/DxGYw8j3brg/s1600/table+line+drawing.JPG"><br /></a><br /> About a decade ago, give or take a year or two, I registered for a woodworking class. I took a LOT of unnecessary electives while I was getting my bachelor’s degree (the one semester I only took classes required for my major and minor was the most miserable semester ever), because I have wide-ranging interest and because I like having “fun classes” to help me relax. Although I love wood and had had some prior woodshop class experience, that did not end up being a fun class. Just a few weeks into the semester, I was overwhelmed and stressed out by all that was required for the class, and tearfully withdrew from the class. When the teacher signed the card allowing me to drop the class, he told me I should come back and try the class again when life wasn’t quite so stressful.<br /><br /> “Less stressful” is, of course, a relative term. However, having finished all the courses for my master’s degree and just needing to finish up my thesis, this semester seemed like a good time to follow the woodworking teacher’s advice and come back and try the class again. I enrolled, this time already knowing what was expected in the class (the requirements have not really changed in the past 10 years). The class was on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 in the morning to 11. Yeah. Pretty sure that’s the only time I have ever voluntarily enrolled in an 8 am class. Lab times when we could work on our projects and assignments were Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-10 pm. Do the math, add in that on Thursdays I had to stick around to TA a 3-5 lab, and you will see that I had some very very long days on campus this semester!<br /><br /> I’m really writing about my semester project, and will not have in-process pictures. But just to give you more visual stimulation, here’s a picture of my turning project, a small bowl made from local walnut. It was my first bowl ever (and now I want to get some bowl gouges so I can make bowls on my own lathe), and I managed to get fairly impressively thin walls on it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oq089R4I/AAAAAAAAAcU/omsddQuz5WU/s1600/bowl.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oq089R4I/AAAAAAAAAcU/omsddQuz5WU/s200/bowl.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462348114280925058" border="0" /></a> Early on in the semester we needed to turn in working drawings of our projects. I decided to make a desk. Mostly because I do not have a desk. I chose walnut because I tend to prefer dark woods—and about half of the class also had projects partly or entirely out of walnut as well! Sometimes it’s nice to be in with the in crowd. I modeled my desk in Solidworks, which meant that I first modeled each individual part, then virtually assembled the desk. I first sat down and measured the comfortable height for the writing surface. I’m short, and usually feel like desks are at armpit level, which is not very ergonomic. I also measured the height I would need to be able to scoot my legs under the desk. The difference between those two measurements drove a lot of my design choices.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oqjAQyAI/AAAAAAAAAcM/QIYPuJGVgRI/s1600/table+solid.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oqjAQyAI/AAAAAAAAAcM/QIYPuJGVgRI/s200/table+solid.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462348109462947842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oawQBOlI/AAAAAAAAAb8/Z27kM8Q9_zk/s1600/table+line+drawing.JPG"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84tIndVghI/AAAAAAAAAcc/DxGYw8j3brg/s1600/table+line+drawing.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84tIndVghI/AAAAAAAAAcc/DxGYw8j3brg/s200/table+line+drawing.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462353024101220882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oawQBOlI/AAAAAAAAAb8/Z27kM8Q9_zk/s1600/table+line+drawing.JPG"><br /> <o:p></o:p></a><p></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oawQBOlI/AAAAAAAAAb8/Z27kM8Q9_zk/s1600/table+line+drawing.JPG"> </a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oawQBOlI/AAAAAAAAAb8/Z27kM8Q9_zk/s1600/table+line+drawing.JPG"> </a></o:p></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oawQBOlI/AAAAAAAAAb8/Z27kM8Q9_zk/s1600/table+line+drawing.JPG"></a> A few key features: 1. The top is not as thick as it looks. The center is ¾” thick, with thicker pieces framing it. The top nests over the frame of the desk. This meant that the top of the drawer had to be at the same level as the bottom of the edge pieces of the top. 2. The drawer is not as deep as it looks, either, the drawer is only half as deep as the drawer front. This did complicate matters somewhat, but it was the look I wanted. 3. The legs are tapered on the inside faces. 4. For decorative purposes (and some added stability), a stretcher and three slats are placed between the back legs. If you were paying attention to point #3, you may be able to figure out what one of the complications with this feature was. The stretcher went into the legs with a mortise and tenon joint. I made the mortises before tapering the legs, having already used my solid model to figure how deep they would need to be. This was not difficult. However, for the stretcher…well, I needed to make the tenons to fit into a slightly angled surface! The taper angle was only a little over 1°. I made the mortises in the top of the stretcher for the slats, then carefully transferred the necessary angle to the adjustable miter gauge on the table saw, and carefully cut the angle. When I took the angled stretcher back to the legs to check the fit, I discovered that I had inadvertently cut the angles the wrong way, so the holes for the slats were now on the bottom! Other than that, the fit was pretty good…. I filled in those holes with pieces of maple—not that anyone will ever see them, but it makes it look slightly more intentional and less like I was patching!<br /><br /> Assembling and gluing the project was another adventure. I had designed the pieces to all fit together without screws or nails. I used a lot of dado and rabbet joints, so that the various components fit neatly onto each other even without clamps to hold them in place. But it was a lot to do, so when it came time for final assembly with glue, my teacher recommended I use a polyurethane glue that would allow me greater working time than regular wood glue would. I followed his recommendation, and the two of us were able to glue and assemble the whole thing ourselves, whereas others in the class often needed to have four or five people doing the glue-up. However, the stuff did seem to take forever to cure, so I quite cruelly monopolized 19 gluing clamps when everyone else in the class was trying to do their final assemblies, too! And that was just for the frame, not the top or drawer. Also, compared to wood glue, polyurethane glue is a pain in the neck to clean off after it squishes out (and foams out) from the joints. I will not show you close up photos of the desk, because you would be able to spot some of the damage I did to it with poor chisel-handling skills in the post-gluing clean-up. Oh, well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oatwhgUI/AAAAAAAAAb0/XjB4xOGaano/s1600/clamps.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oatwhgUI/AAAAAAAAAb0/XjB4xOGaano/s200/clamps.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462347837471818050" border="0" /></a><br /> At this point, I was rapidly running out of time to finish in time for grading. Since we could only get into the lab when the TA was there, I decided I wanted a little more flexibility. So I kidnapped my project and took it across the street to the lab where I did the experiments for my thesis. Because our research machine is currently not in the lab, there was a nice empty area of floor space for me to put my desk for finishing! I finished it with four coats of a penetrating oil finish, which brought out some beautiful colors in the walnut. There are at least two species of walnut in the desk. Some is the same kind of local walnut that I used in my bowl, and some is…well, I’m not sure what it is or where it’s from, but the coloring is different. When I was first preparing my pieces, I was careful to arrange them so that the color variations would be aesthetically pleasing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oaF_64hI/AAAAAAAAAbs/swkJTu9riR0/s1600/beqi+desk.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oaF_64hI/AAAAAAAAAbs/swkJTu9riR0/s200/beqi+desk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462347826798977554" border="0" /></a> All in all, I’m quite happy with my desk. It looks good and it fits me well! Using solid modeling was extremely helpful, because I could easily see what it would look like, “making” the parts before I made them helped me think about the best ways to make them for real as well as indicating potential problems, and it was easier to figure certain dimensional issues (like the fit of the stretcher and slats) than it would have been if I had drawn it by hand or with a 2d drafting program. Now I just need a bigger place to live so I have somewhere better to put it than at the end of my couch….<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oZyb7uTI/AAAAAAAAAbk/5EVeHtsOQ3c/s1600/in+situ.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S84oZyb7uTI/AAAAAAAAAbk/5EVeHtsOQ3c/s200/in+situ.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462347821547764018" border="0" /></a>Oh. And my teacher’s comment on it: “Wow, it looks like the drawing!”La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-90741431777963745672010-01-04T08:31:00.001-08:002010-01-04T08:45:17.728-08:00Just because I could, Part IIIIn the previous two installments, I made a release-paper-covered polystyrene foam mold for a 9” high, 12” diameter carbon fiber bobbin lace lampshade, worked the lace, and smooshed a 24-hour epoxy into the fibers.<br /><br />The next morning (yes, less than 24 hours later), I returned to the lab to attempt removal of the composite lace from the mold. The first task was to remove the wax-coated toothpicks which I had used as pins. I used a pair of pliers to grip the toothpicks, and pulling out with a slight twisting motion was usually sufficient. However, three toothpicks did break off as I tried to remove them. Considering that I used an entire box of toothpicks on this project, though, three breaking off is not bad. After removing the toothpicks, I went back and focused my attention on the broken stubs, and successfully removed them as well. <br /><br />But even with the toothpicks removed, the thing was still stuck to the mold. However, my experience with removing the toothpick stubs pointed the way. See, I had grabbed one of the popsicle sticks that are stocked in the lab, wiggled it around under the lace to loosen the resin from the paper, and then turned it on edge to raise the lace high enough to reach in and grasp the stub. So to prepare to remove the shade from the mold, I slid the popsicle stick under the lace at an already loose point, then wiggled it around under the entire thing. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S0IZ4-MB2gI/AAAAAAAAAbA/90xdccxD2Uk/s1600-h/blog3+detach.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S0IZ4-MB2gI/AAAAAAAAAbA/90xdccxD2Uk/s200/blog3+detach.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422925367864318466" border="0" /></a>Finally, I pulled the slightly-flexible plaits along the bottom out and up enough that they were on the side. As you can see in the following picture, once I had everything loosened from the release paper, it slid off pretty easily. I had designed the top well enough that it kept everything stable as I pulled the basket-like structure off the mold. I just grasped the sides with my fingers, and pushed on the top of the mold with my thumbs. This was probably the quickest and easiest part of the whole project!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S0IYwF4u8JI/AAAAAAAAAa4/34jdA_9ixDc/s1600-h/blog3+removal.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S0IYwF4u8JI/AAAAAAAAAa4/34jdA_9ixDc/s200/blog3+removal.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422924115800420498" border="0" /></a>Next, I carried my carbon fiber composite basket across the street to my lab where I’d left the lamp hardware and assembled it all. I used a small piece of poplar as a support plate for the shade. After taking the project up to show my teacher, I took it home and hung it up in the dim corner by my fiction bookshelf.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S0IYv0h2fHI/AAAAAAAAAaw/cVw1FuNnxDM/s1600-h/blog3+finished+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S0IYv0h2fHI/AAAAAAAAAaw/cVw1FuNnxDM/s200/blog3+finished+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422924111141043314" border="0" /></a>I would like to put up another swag hook a little further from the shelf so that the lamp doesn’t block my view of the artwork on the top of the bookcase. But that will be a project for another day. In this slightly blurry view from the interior, you can more clearly see the lace pattern. The next picture, also an interior shot, shows the top pattern.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S0IYvornCdI/AAAAAAAAAao/JmHWb6wtjj8/s1600-h/blog3+finished+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S0IYvornCdI/AAAAAAAAAao/JmHWb6wtjj8/s200/blog3+finished+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422924107960748498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S0IYvOUGVLI/AAAAAAAAAag/uhavEiPZrmA/s1600-h/blog3+finished+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S0IYvOUGVLI/AAAAAAAAAag/uhavEiPZrmA/s200/blog3+finished+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422924100882814130" border="0" /></a>Almost everyone that I told about this project was intrigued, even if they were stumped by either the term “bobbin lace” or “carbon fiber” (or in some cases, both). This is definitely an example of how my wide ranging interests in making stuff come together in an unexpected way! I am fairly confident in stating that I am the only person in the world with a carbon fiber composite bobbin lace hanging lamp!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S0IYuyqqUKI/AAAAAAAAAaY/keCmbNwNYoI/s1600-h/blog3+finished+4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 174px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/S0IYuyqqUKI/AAAAAAAAAaY/keCmbNwNYoI/s200/blog3+finished+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422924093461254306" border="0" /></a>(Doesn’t it make a pretty pattern on the walls and ceiling? I should put in a liner to make it more of a lamp<span style="font-style: italic;">shade</span> though, and I should probably do that before friends come over for my birthday and burn their eyes out staring raptly at my fascinating lamp.)La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-25482721627302152442010-01-02T08:48:00.000-08:002010-01-02T08:57:07.421-08:00Just because I could, Part IIIn my previous entry, I described how I made the mold/working pattern for a composite carbon fiber bobbin lace lamp shade for my Composites semester project. In this installment, I will describe how I actually worked with the carbon fiber to make the lace.<br /><br /> First of all, I’m sure some people are wondering what carbon fiber is. (I’m pretty safe in that assumption, because some people have asked me, “So, what is carbon fiber, anyway?”) Carbon fiber is used for a lot of high-end uses where strength and low weight are necessary. New planes being built by Boeing and Airbus right now are being made largely from carbon fiber—the Boeing 787 has been in the news lately. Carbon fiber is made by taking another material with high carbon content and basically burning off whatever isn’t carbon. Sounds kind of weird, but it works. So you end up with long, continuous strands of solid carbon. This can then be woven into fabric or used in filament winding (where the fiber is wrapped directly around a mandrel to make the part). If I had followed my original plan to make laptop sleeve, I would have used carbon fiber cloth or prepreg (cloth impregnated with activated resin so you don’t have to add it when you are making the part). But for my bobbin lace, I took advantage of the fact that the lab had several spools of fiber for filament winding available.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz95VyuZKiI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/Wq3CFRzwjzY/s1600-h/blog2+1carbon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz95VyuZKiI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/Wq3CFRzwjzY/s200/blog2+1carbon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422185891677940258" border="0" /></a> At 44” long, this would be the longest piece of lace I’d ever made. Also, as you can see in the preceding picture, the fiber (which is made from many individual strands) is much wider than the thread I am accustomed to working with. So I needed a special set of bobbins to accommodate this unusual material. I got some craft dowels, cut them to three inch lengths, drilled holes in the end, and glued in long nails.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz95VolraFI/AAAAAAAAAaI/uP61oDrpKWM/s1600-h/blog2+2bobbins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz95VolraFI/AAAAAAAAAaI/uP61oDrpKWM/s200/blog2+2bobbins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422185888957032530" border="0" /></a> Now, winding bobbins is always my least favorite part of making lace, and these were awful to wind. I took the bag of bobbins and the spool of fiber over to the machine shop, where I could be available to assist students working on projects for the class for which I am a lab assistant. Not surprisingly, everyone looked at me oddly and asked what on earth I was doing. I got that a lot in the course of this project! I miscalculated how many pairs of bobbins I would need, and wound several more than necessary. That turned out to be a good thing. <br /><br /> Finally, I was ready to start the lace. I placed a couple of clamps on the worktable in the composites lab, and laid a piece of release paper across them, to make a cradle to hold the mold/pillow/whatever you want to call it. I also got a box of toothpicks and rubbed a wax mold release into a few handfuls of them. The toothpicks would be the pins for the lacemaking. As usual, I hung the pairs of bobbins on in a diagonal. Honeycomb is a very easy ground to work, which is one reason I chose it for this project. It also can cover quite a bit of area rather quickly, which is another reason. Now, I had originally thought I would apply the resin to the fibers a few inches at a time while working the lace. Quite sensibly, I revised my plan and placed all the fiber for the whole thing before adding the mess of resin. As I mentioned in my previous entry, I have not worked on a bolster-type pillow before. I found that it actually wasn’t much harder than the other pillows I’ve worked with. The only real problem was that the strands of fiber kept getting caught in the heads of the nails on the bobbins, which got annoying. But it worked. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz95VcZuJ_I/AAAAAAAAAaA/8IGGuUBkIqg/s1600-h/blog2+3in+progress+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 185px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz95VcZuJ_I/AAAAAAAAAaA/8IGGuUBkIqg/s200/blog2+3in+progress+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422185885685655538" border="0" /></a> In the preceding picture, you can see the bobbins hanging on the pillow. The edges were worked as simple plaits, and I hung the edge pairs off the sides to keep them out of the way when I wasn’t using them. This only took nine pairs. This next picture is taken from the back, which is why the bobbins aren’t visible. Here you can see the worked lace, and how the whole thing is bristling with toothpicks!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz95U_SjSyI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/9DVGVLmD4wg/s1600-h/blog2+4in+progress+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz95U_SjSyI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/9DVGVLmD4wg/s200/blog2+4in+progress+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422185877870955298" border="0" /></a> As I worked, I found that I was starting to run out of fiber on some bobbins. I was prepared for this eventuality, though! As I mentioned earlier, I’d wound too many bobbins. So I had some prepared to add in to take over for those that were running out. However, I did it in a different way than usual. I took advantage of the fact that I was making a composite material: I had a little bottle of super glue ready. As a bobbin ran low, I would hang a fresh one nearby, then glue the fibers together. As soon as the glue was dry, I just cut the new fiber above the patch and the old one below. Not a way you would want to replace threads in regular lace, but a method that works well enough when the whole thing is going to be saturated with resin soon anyway! I ended up having to replace almost all the bobbins in the piece at one point or another. When I finished working the lace around the side, I finished off in the same way, by just gluing the fibers to the start of the lace. <br /><br /> Next, I turned the mold so the top was up and stuck toothpicks in all the points I had previously marked and plaited a center circle. I cut a long fresh strand of fiber off the spool, glued one end to the plaited edge at the starting point, and placed it along the marked path, pulling against the toothpicks to make the design. At the edge and center circle, I used a crochet hook to loop the long fiber around the plaits, and did the same at certain intersection points in the design. I placed the fiber along the entire top pattern twice.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz95Un9_7QI/AAAAAAAAAZw/FJ2AnW19DwQ/s1600-h/blog2+5top+done.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz95Un9_7QI/AAAAAAAAAZw/FJ2AnW19DwQ/s200/blog2+5top+done.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422185871610735874" border="0" /></a> Finally, I mixed up some room-temperature epoxy using a hardener that would give me a one-hour working time and 24 hour cure. I used a cheap paint brush to apply the epoxy first to all the lace on the side, then to the top. I paid particular attention to the plaited portions, since they were denser than the others, and I wanted to make sure they got enough resin to be fully wetted out. Then I just had to leave it all overnight and hope I would be able to get it off the mold the next day.La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-43247664346774897152010-01-01T16:03:00.001-08:002010-01-02T09:01:17.299-08:00Just because I could, Part IThis past semester, I took the last class required for my Master’s degree. I had already taken all the other available electives, so Composites was the only one left. Composites are materials made of a reinforcement and a matrix. In general, the reinforcement is a fiber of some sort, and the matrix is a resin (not always, though). Fiberglass with polyester resins are probably the most familiar to the general public, as they are used in making boats and skis and such. As a requirement for the class, I naturally had to make something using the materials available in the plastics/composites lab. I opted for something made out of carbon fiber, rather than glass, because carbon is just cooler.<br /><br />During a class period earlier in the semester, I think when we were discussing forms of cloth made from reinforcement fibers, I started joking about making composite bobbin lace. But for my actual project, I planned to make a carbon fiber laptop sleeve. Well, when it got right down to it, my joking captured my enthusiasm much more than my practical plan did, so I became determined to make a functional piece of bobbin lace out of carbon fiber. Due to the general dimness of my living room, I decided to make a hanging lamp, with a carbon fiber bobbin lace shade.<br /><br />The first thing I needed to do was make a mold. I had decided to use an epoxy that cured at room temperature, so my mold would not need to withstand the pressures and temperatures of curing in an autoclave. I got a few rounds of Styrofoam and glued them together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N-5b7KcI/AAAAAAAAAZo/c9cCgaiE_qk/s1600-h/blog1+glue.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N-5b7KcI/AAAAAAAAAZo/c9cCgaiE_qk/s200/blog1+glue.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421927113110006210" border="0" /></a>I just used Elmer’s all-purpose glue, and I wasn’t sure how well it would work on the polystyrene foam. Fortunately, it worked quite well for my purposes. The glued-up foam pieces were the size of the lampshade, with no cutting or shaping required. So next I needed to make the pricking for the lace.<br /><br /> Normally I work lace on either my broad, slightly domed cookie pillow, or my roller pillow, which is set into a broad, flat pillow that supports the bobbins while working. For this project, I would be basically working on a large bolster-type pillow, with the lace working around the entire pillow and the bobbins just hanging from the work.<br /><br />Because the resin would be applied to the fiber while on the pillow, I needed to make sure the composite lace wouldn’t get stuck to the pricking. I took a sheet of release paper home from the lab—I’d used it before in some preliminary work and found that the cured epoxy peeled off the paper quite easily.<br /><br /> I had done some preliminary drawings on graph paper to determine the design, a basic honeycomb ground to fit the 9” width of the pillow. After cutting the release paper to a strip that would just fit around the mold, I started drawing grid lines. At first I tried using pencil, then gel pen, but neither would mark the paper. So I dug out a couple of Sharpies, red and black, and drew grid lines at one inch intervals in red.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N-nEEsyI/AAAAAAAAAZg/WEUXYfbP_GE/s1600-h/blog1+grid.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N-nEEsyI/AAAAAAAAAZg/WEUXYfbP_GE/s200/blog1+grid.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421927108178129698" border="0" /></a>Next, following the plan on my graph paper, I used the black marker to place the spots for the “pins”.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N2Glnz_I/AAAAAAAAAZY/ZEpsYOZ2TBM/s1600-h/blog1+dots.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N2Glnz_I/AAAAAAAAAZY/ZEpsYOZ2TBM/s200/blog1+dots.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421926962021519346" border="0" /></a>And, because it is a good idea anyway, and even more important on something like this, I drew in the working lines of the honeycomb ground between the dots.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N1kvne0I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/v1GsQCkutRw/s1600-h/blog1+working+lines.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N1kvne0I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/v1GsQCkutRw/s200/blog1+working+lines.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421926952936635202" border="0" /></a> I finished up the mold by cutting a circle of release paper to fit the top of the shade and drew a flower-like design, which I marked with pin dots, arrows, and numbering so that I could work the entire design with one continuous strand. (I did end up adding two more circles for support later on). This top part would not be worked in traditional bobbin-lace techniques, but rather the fiber would just be placed along the design, and smooshed together with the resin.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N1T3ZjGI/AAAAAAAAAZI/0eo_9sJv9b8/s1600-h/blog1+top.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N1T3ZjGI/AAAAAAAAAZI/0eo_9sJv9b8/s200/blog1+top.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421926948405873762" border="0" /></a>Next, I clipped the top and pinned it to the mold using straight pins, then pinned the honeycomb pricking around the side.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N1FBNSgI/AAAAAAAAAZA/LDTIsp0hX5k/s1600-h/blog1+assemble1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N1FBNSgI/AAAAAAAAAZA/LDTIsp0hX5k/s200/blog1+assemble1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421926944420481538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N0kvLsgI/AAAAAAAAAY4/rwRg58Xs3HI/s1600-h/blog1+assemble2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sz6N0kvLsgI/AAAAAAAAAY4/rwRg58Xs3HI/s200/blog1+assemble2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421926935754945026" border="0" /></a><br /> The mold was now completed and ready to be taken to the lab. I’ll stop my story for now, but I will be continuing it in two more installments!La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-42704723704336787642009-10-30T09:47:00.000-07:002009-10-30T22:32:24.790-07:00The Return of Lady BugWhen I was in high school—10th grade, I think—I made myself a ladybug costume. I wore black jeans, a black turtleneck, and black shoes and socks as the base outfit. I made a pair of extra legs (since lady bugs have six, so my arms + my legs + my extra legs = 6 appendages) which had loops at the top for sliding onto a belt, and yarn connecting them to my wrists, so when my arms moved, the extra arms moved, too. A red split circle cape with black dots completed the outfit. Over the years, I have worn the costume many times, and other than the legs and cape, and the fact that the base outfit is always all black, the rest tends to change every year.<br /><br />This year I decided I needed some new antennae. At some point in the past I had made a pair using black pipe cleaners and pompons, but they never worked particularly well and have long since been discarded. After brainstorming a bit, I decided to use some scrap wood to make beads for the ends of the antennae, and wire for the stems. Since my hair is unusually long at the moment and I can, with some trickery and cajoling, anchor a hair comb in my hair, I decided to take advantage of that fact and use a cheap plastic comb as the anchor.<br /><br />First, the beads. I used an extra piece of East Indian rosewood, because it is a dark wood (in retrospect, a paler wood probably would have made the antennae more visible). I decided to drill the center hole first, so I could drill both beads at once and be sure the holes were centered.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SusZGelKa1I/AAAAAAAAAYU/Mlmkf2hcwWQ/s1600-h/blog+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SusZGelKa1I/AAAAAAAAAYU/Mlmkf2hcwWQ/s200/blog+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398436177412516690" border="0" /></a>Next, I traded the tailstock drill chuck for a live center to support the length of the wood, and roughed it to round. I carefully cut the shape of the two beads (and got them pretty close to the same size and shape!), finished them with friction polish, but did not cut them off…I hadn’t left enough room between the two to use a parting chisel to cut them off.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SusZCZ0igDI/AAAAAAAAAYM/NUQrGNb63X0/s1600-h/blog+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SusZCZ0igDI/AAAAAAAAAYM/NUQrGNb63X0/s200/blog+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398436107415355442" border="0" /></a>So I used a hacksaw. I sawed with my right hand while spinning the part with my left hand. (I’d show you a picture of the finished beads, but it did not turn out well). I sanded the ends slightly, but the saw marks are still pretty visible. However, I correctly assumed that no one would be looking at them that closely.<br /><br />Next I started assembling the whole piece. I cut a length of craft wire and centered it in the comb. Rather than placing the wire in the center, I gave it a wider stance for stability and wrapped it around.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SusZCP6TmzI/AAAAAAAAAYE/oWxsSEDMGS0/s1600-h/blog+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SusZCP6TmzI/AAAAAAAAAYE/oWxsSEDMGS0/s200/blog+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398436104755190578" border="0" /></a>I twisted the wires around each other , then started creating loops for a whimsical look. At the ends, I added the beads, then simply looped the wire around itself to hold them securely. And that’s all it took!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SusZB0o0j4I/AAAAAAAAAX8/Hntheq-nrQw/s1600-h/blog+4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SusZB0o0j4I/AAAAAAAAAX8/Hntheq-nrQw/s200/blog+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398436097434095490" border="0" /></a>Finally, after getting the rest of the costume on I checked the look of the final product by jamming the comb down into hairdo I had created for the purpose.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SusZBl_Hy9I/AAAAAAAAAX0/dKblXFUiffQ/s1600-h/blog+5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 185px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SusZBl_Hy9I/AAAAAAAAAX0/dKblXFUiffQ/s200/blog+5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398436093501098962" border="0" /></a>I was going to a roller skating party, so I had to take the antennae off again while I drove over. As I was getting out of the car, I put my long black gloves on, re-inserted the antennae using the reflection in the car window as a mirror, and attached the loops controlling my extra arms (yeah, I don’t drive with those attached). And I am proud to announce that, despite my inability to skate, I successfully skated around the rink a total of 8 times (non-consecutively) and overall had an enjoyable time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SusZBWaWRcI/AAAAAAAAAXs/BJL0_KyBGOc/s1600-h/blog+6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SusZBWaWRcI/AAAAAAAAAXs/BJL0_KyBGOc/s200/blog+6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398436089320326594" border="0" /></a>La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-81856233019121261302009-10-15T18:43:00.000-07:002009-10-15T19:06:52.713-07:00Yes, peanut pumpkins are real.When the subject of a pumpkin purchased as a seasonal decoration by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.runswithscissors4.etsy.com">RunsWithScissors4</a> arose in conversation amongst my fellow <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.handmademovement.com">Sneak Attackers</a> on an <a href="http://etsy.com/">Etsy</a> message board, I admit I really wasn't paying attention. It wasn't until some time later, as people were discussing a challenge to create items inspired by the afore-mentioned pumpkin, that my curiosity was piqued. The vegetable in question was a peanut pumpkin, a type of squash that starts out looking like a normal orange pumpkin, but is gradually overgrown by little beige squiggly ridges. Runs posted a picture on <a href="http://runswithscissors4.blogspot.com/2009/10/since-im-no-good-at-carving-or-drawing.html">her blog</a>, and people began using the picture as either an inspiration or component in creations.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://runswithscissors4.blogspot.com/2009/10/since-im-no-good-at-carving-or-drawing.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3A9rgnewLY0/Ssup-R_fooI/AAAAAAAAA9k/KtnJLoBXTYc/s320/DSC01683.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>While others expressed gleeful disgust at the pumpkin, and joyously called it ugly...I thought it was pretty. To me, it looked soft, elegant, and vaguely lacey. Although I had no intention to join in on the challenge, I immediately had a thought of what I would like to do. Finally, I gave in, went to borrow a skein of off-white yarn from my mother, and started hunting for a crochet hook.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQfAFuGHI/AAAAAAAAAXk/JqE_Id3xbJo/s1600-h/blog+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQfAFuGHI/AAAAAAAAAXk/JqE_Id3xbJo/s200/blog+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393008309817972850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQejajGjI/AAAAAAAAAXc/OfZowLXHP40/s1600-h/blog+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQejajGjI/AAAAAAAAAXc/OfZowLXHP40/s200/blog+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393008302120704562" border="0" /></a>I found a size K hook in a bag of polymer clay in my craft closet (well, it's MOSTLY organized in there!) and got to work. I started working in a circle, of course, and worked in single crochet, adding stitches whenever it seemed ike the thing to do. After several rounds, I started skipping stitches to start pulling the floppy disk into a bowl. I then crocheted a couple of rounds without adding or dropping stitches for the center.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQeQZIeWI/AAAAAAAAAXU/5bafsR38imk/s1600-h/blog+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQeQZIeWI/AAAAAAAAAXU/5bafsR38imk/s200/blog+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393008297014491490" border="0" /></a>Working up toward the top, I again dropped stitches as I went to close the top. As I neared the stem area, I stopped and stuffed as much fiberfill in as I could. I then crocheting and continued dropping stitches to close until I was down to 8 stitches. At this point, I formed the stem by crocheting a few 8 stitch rounds, then used a couple of stitches to close the tube. Next, to put the "peanuts" on my little pumpkin. With no particular plan in mind, I started crocheting swirling lines onto the surface of the pumpkin. With the exception of the lines closest to the stem, I crocheted a second row on most of the lines. I continued until the base stitches were almost entirely covered.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQSJIpFHI/AAAAAAAAAXM/x6bxwKVskhY/s1600-h/blog+4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQSJIpFHI/AAAAAAAAAXM/x6bxwKVskhY/s200/blog+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393008088907846770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQR19cY2I/AAAAAAAAAXE/wBcuXDWlcdw/s1600-h/blog+5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 153px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQR19cY2I/AAAAAAAAAXE/wBcuXDWlcdw/s200/blog+5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393008083760604002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQRY7OKuI/AAAAAAAAAW8/XwCldFBoLAg/s1600-h/blog+6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQRY7OKuI/AAAAAAAAAW8/XwCldFBoLAg/s200/blog+6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393008075966655202" border="0" /></a>When I was done, I compared my little mini-pumpkin to the original:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQQ6u3fyI/AAAAAAAAAW0/M57Cjx31U9I/s1600-h/blog+7.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQQ6u3fyI/AAAAAAAAAW0/M57Cjx31U9I/s200/blog+7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393008067861774114" border="0" /></a>I like how it turned out, and I'm glad to have worked the idea out! It doesn't really fit the style of my<a href="http://labeq.etsy.com/"> shop</a>, so I don't know whether I'll bother listing it. But I'm not quite sure what else to do with it...it sure is cute though, isn't it?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQQcCFYUI/AAAAAAAAAWs/0f1ruswAdrU/s1600-h/blog+8.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/StfQQcCFYUI/AAAAAAAAAWs/0f1ruswAdrU/s200/blog+8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393008059620876610" border="0" /></a>La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-32767027400436716842009-10-05T07:04:00.000-07:002009-10-15T20:05:19.822-07:00What Do You Tink of That? Part III(The third and final installment of projects made using vintage labels provided by <a href="http://tinkersshop.etsy.com/">TinkersShop</a>)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9tJRk8aI/AAAAAAAAAWA/kuEg2kACGZ4/s1600-h/labels.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9tJRk8aI/AAAAAAAAAWA/kuEg2kACGZ4/s200/labels.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389117381151093154" border="0" /></a>The final label I needed to work with was the red and black Spanish one. Although I do not know Spanish, from<a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30975444"> those who know more</a> than I do, I understand that this label was printed for use on aftershave originating in Barcelona. My attention was immediately drawn to the man’s face. I knew I wanted that to be the focal point of my project, but I wasn’t quite sure <span style="font-style: italic;">what</span> to do with him.<br /><br />I went through several ideas, from jewelry to making a puzzle of the entire label. But when it came right down to it, I knew I had to do something simple. You see, this past week I was involved in the final rehearsals for a staged concert of one of my favorite Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, Ruddigore (in which I was playing one of my dream roles, Mad Margaret). So with my regular responsibilities at school, I was running out of available time. (And actually, I believe I’m a little late with this final project, anyway.) So I went with a very simple but useful choice: a refrigerator magnet.<br /><br />Some time ago I bought several rare-earth magnets to use in woodturning projects. I hadn’t gotten around to using them yet, so I went over to my parents’ house where I keep my woodturning equipment and retrieved the magnets. These nickel-plated magnets are very strong. Mine are the 3/8” size—any larger would be fairly difficult to remove from a refrigerator!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9spM4gNI/AAAAAAAAAV4/yD0EXQFN3Wg/s1600-h/stack.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9spM4gNI/AAAAAAAAAV4/yD0EXQFN3Wg/s200/stack.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389117372541468882" border="0" /></a>The first part of the process was very simple: I cut the picture out of the label, then cut a piece of 1/8” cherry slightly larger. I sanded the wood to clean and soften the edges and smooth the front and back.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9sDH-mZI/AAAAAAAAAVw/fNgSyiBkvjw/s1600-h/face.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9sDH-mZI/AAAAAAAAAVw/fNgSyiBkvjw/s200/face.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389117362320349586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9r5u4c-I/AAAAAAAAAVo/U8Ut5zY-DiQ/s1600-h/wood.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9r5u4c-I/AAAAAAAAAVo/U8Ut5zY-DiQ/s200/wood.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389117359799170018" border="0" /></a>Next, I decoupaged the image to the wood using Mod Podge. I used one of my smaller brushes and made decorative swirls in a thick layer of the finish.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9rdGmNGI/AAAAAAAAAVg/if_8TDjFN1g/s1600-h/decoupaging.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9rdGmNGI/AAAAAAAAAVg/if_8TDjFN1g/s200/decoupaging.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389117352114009186" border="0" /></a>Finally—or so I thought—I prepared to affix the magnet to the wood. I mixed a two-part epoxy recommended to me by the woodturning supply store. Because I had previously had trouble with this epoxy, I was very very careful to make sure the amounts of resin and hardener were. I applied the epoxy to the magnet with a toothpick, than carefully placed it on the back of the piece of cherry. The epoxy states that it takes 20 minutes to harden, and another hour to cure. So, since it was bedtime, I left it to cure. I actually left it for closer to 24 hours. But when I checked it again, the epoxy had not cured at all! Testing it by using a steel tool to pull at the magnet, the magnet easily separated from the wood. Now, I knew that if the epoxy had not cured at this point, it would not cure. So I set it aside for a while and went to rehearsal.<br /><br />A day or two later, I finally decided what to do with it. I cleaned the remnants of uncured epoxy as well as I could, then pulled out my back-up adhesive: a quick-setting cyanoacrylate. Being again very careful with the application, I once again attempted to stick the magnet to the wood. Once again, I left it overnight.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9ax_DlfI/AAAAAAAAAVY/DPU0FKWKl8Q/s1600-h/epoxy+back.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9ax_DlfI/AAAAAAAAAVY/DPU0FKWKl8Q/s200/epoxy+back.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389117065661748722" border="0" /></a>This time when I used a steel tool to try to pull the magnet off the wood, the magnet stayed put. I tried a second test by sticking the magnet to my refrigerator, and was quite pleased to see that the adhesive was successfully holding the wood to the magnet, and that the magnet could be removed from the fridge!<br /><br />The only minor problem remaining what that I wasn’t quite happy with the appearance of the back. The smudging of the epoxy, and perhaps also the cyanoacrylate, had darkened the wood around the rare-earth magnet. Although this would not be seen in use, I didn’t want it to be quite so obvious.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9abME8CI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/PNA6w2O3Z0k/s1600-h/spot.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9abME8CI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/PNA6w2O3Z0k/s200/spot.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389117059542347810" border="0" /></a>So, I grabbed my brush and Mod Podge once more and evenly coated the back of the wood. Although this does not hide the spot, it does present a more finished look, which satisfies me quite well!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9Z6WjclI/AAAAAAAAAVI/lWrEcuJ3Hks/s1600-h/tink+5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9Z6WjclI/AAAAAAAAAVI/lWrEcuJ3Hks/s200/tink+5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389117050727920210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9Zhaq5HI/AAAAAAAAAVA/mk8QPjnObLo/s1600-h/tink+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9Zhaq5HI/AAAAAAAAAVA/mk8QPjnObLo/s200/tink+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389117044034298994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9ZMcgUbI/AAAAAAAAAU4/AX3-t8ZVmmc/s1600-h/tink+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Ssn9ZMcgUbI/AAAAAAAAAU4/AX3-t8ZVmmc/s200/tink+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389117038404850098" border="0" /></a>La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-57378641744167207682009-09-26T10:01:00.000-07:002009-10-15T20:05:49.439-07:00What Do You Tink About That? Part II(continuing the making of projects based on a <a href="http://madebylabeq.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-do-you-tink-about-that-part-i.html">challenge</a> set by <a href="http://www.tinkersshop.etsy.com/">TinkersShop</a>)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5P6KU-pNI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Q3yahAD3yBo/s1600-h/labels.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5P6KU-pNI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Q3yahAD3yBo/s200/labels.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385830065005044946" border="0" /></a>For this second Tink Project, I decided to use the owl label. After toying with several different uses for it, I settled on making a book. While I was getting my undergrad degree, I took a bookbinding class twice, just because I enjoy it. However, it has been several years since I’ve pulled out my bookbinding supplies. I’ve been carefully toting my binder’s board and papers around with me from apartment to apartment in the meantime, though.<br /><br />I knew I wanted to do a paper-covered book, the more easily to incorporate the owl label. While I was mulling over the various papers in my collection, trying to decide which would be best, I got what I think is a brilliant idea: to cover the boards with a print from an old catalog, with fiddly little lists of prices and old-fashioned drawings. As I don’t have any antique catalogs around (and probably wouldn’t use them to cover books even if I did), I turned to another hobby of mine, the <a href="http://pgdp.net/c/">Distributed Proofreaders</a>. This site coordinates volunteers from around the world to scan, proof, and format books in the public domain, then submits the finished files to <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page">Project Gutenberg</a> and <a href="http://manybooks.net/">other sites</a> for free download to the masses. A while ago, I proofed several pages from an old Harrods catalog. So I went back, found some promising-looking original images, and pieced together an image large enough to cover the front and back of the book.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5P5ghzuTI/AAAAAAAAAUo/TK4YTwH7bck/s1600-h/blog+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5P5ghzuTI/AAAAAAAAAUo/TK4YTwH7bck/s200/blog+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385830053784566066" border="0" /></a>One of the reasons I have not done much bookbinding of late is that I learned to cut the cover boards using a heavy-duty guillotine-style paper cutter. It was quick, easy, and made perfectly-sized cover and spine pieces. However, although I could maybe still get into the bookbinding room on campus to use the board cutter, I thought I’d better cut the boards by hand at home. I used my big utility knife. It was neither easy nor fun, but I did get my two pieces cut. As I was making a link-stitch book, I did not need to cut a spine piece. I covered the boards with the paper I had printed, added the owl to the lower corner of the front, and placed them under my some heavy books to be pressed while they dried. (By the way, that book in the middle is my college chemistry book. There is a story behind the paper cover, but not one I will tell at this time).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5P5GSD6FI/AAAAAAAAAUg/v_9OsvmyKC0/s1600-h/blog+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 182px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5P5GSD6FI/AAAAAAAAAUg/v_9OsvmyKC0/s200/blog+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385830046739195986" border="0" /></a>In the meantime, I prepared the twelve signatures of paper by poking the sewing holes using the same template I had previously used to poke holes in the covers. It was approximately at this time that I discovered that the template I had decided to use was not quite the right size, resulting in holes too close to the edges. However, at this point I couldn’t change that, so I decided to just make the best of it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5PwW5h3oI/AAAAAAAAAUY/iNS1ySshwpo/s1600-h/blog+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 168px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5PwW5h3oI/AAAAAAAAAUY/iNS1ySshwpo/s200/blog+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385829896580882050" border="0" /></a>The next morning, I pulled out some beautiful blue-green paper with gold dragonflies and carefully tore it, glued the pieces to the covers, and returned them to the textbooks to dry.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5PvzIgYFI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/1XPHz9t5VHk/s1600-h/blog+4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5PvzIgYFI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/1XPHz9t5VHk/s200/blog+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385829886980022354" border="0" /></a>In the evening, I poked holes through the cover paper. I then cut and glued a purple paper to the insides of the cover. After this was dry, I re-poked the holes through the inside paper. The book was now ready to be sewn.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5PvnlTxuI/AAAAAAAAAUI/jL_CbKpzUMQ/s1600-h/blog+5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5PvnlTxuI/AAAAAAAAAUI/jL_CbKpzUMQ/s200/blog+5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385829883879605986" border="0" /></a>I decided to use a silver paper accordion-folded between signatures for a decorative spine. At this point, I honestly can’t remember whether this is a method one of my teachers demonstrated, or one I worked out on my own. Either way, it is an effect I like, and I have usually done it with metallic-colored papers. However, it does complicate the process somewhat, especially when one hasn’t sewn a book in several years…. Anyway, I cut a long strip of silver paper the same size as the pages. And then I discovered I did not have the right color thread. I wanted purple. The owl was telling me its book should be sewn with purple thread. It is a very demanding little owl, having already dictated all of the paper choices thus far. I had a little purple thread, but I knew it wasn’t enough. I had maroon. I had light blue. I had black. But no, it had to be purple. Fortunately, as I am once again a student, I was able to go to the art stockroom on campus (which only accepts payment by student card) and buy some purple waxed linen thread there. When I got home and settled down to sew, I realized how much I’d forgotten over the years. But finally, I remembered how to sew the first signature to the cover. After that, the rest was easier.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5PvCNZ5yI/AAAAAAAAAUA/HudKSpaP2bw/s1600-h/blog+6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5PvCNZ5yI/AAAAAAAAAUA/HudKSpaP2bw/s200/blog+6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385829873847232290" border="0" /></a>All the same, it took me two movies (Shrek and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) worth of time to complete the sewing. I definitely used to be faster. There are some minor details my teachers would have taken points off for, but I am delighted with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31585934">the book</a>, anyway. And the owl label seems to be pretty happy with his new home, too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31585934"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sr5PuhskXzI/AAAAAAAAAT4/6UZ4u_LclRI/s200/owl+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385829865119571762" border="0" /></a>La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-7674003377618209512009-09-23T08:19:00.000-07:002009-10-15T20:06:09.540-07:00What Do You Tink About That? (Part I)A fellow seller on Etsy, <a href="http://www.tinkersshop.etsy.com/">TinkersShop</a> put forth a challenge for those daring enough to accept it: use three vintage pharmacy labels, provided by her, in our own creations to be completed by October 2. I thought this sounded intriguing, and had an idea in mind, so I signed up. I received my labels and sadly neglected them for several weeks. This week, living by a very strict to-do list, I have finally carved out niches of time in which to work on the “Tink Projects”.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sro9k5hRMLI/AAAAAAAAASo/9BbW2e0u9Nc/s1600-h/labels.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sro9k5hRMLI/AAAAAAAAASo/9BbW2e0u9Nc/s200/labels.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384684008599793842" border="0" /></a>My first project was using the purple “Belgique” label. The elements of the label that particularly caught my eye were the scroll saying “Machelan (Brabant) Belgique” and the little circles with faces. The references to Belgium made this label a natural for my first idea—a pair of lace bobbins with the label decoupaged onto the handles. Belgium is famous for its bobbin lace, including one particular style, Bruges Flower Lace.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sro9fFIhoeI/AAAAAAAAASg/ie74-Ks8XXA/s1600-h/1+purple+label.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sro9fFIhoeI/AAAAAAAAASg/ie74-Ks8XXA/s200/1+purple+label.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384683908638024162" border="0" /></a>I started by turning a pair of cherry bobbins. The thistletop and neck were turned normally. For the handle, I wanted a smooth recess in which to place the paper. I did not do any decorative cuts, other than a little shaping of the area between the neck and the recess, as well as the end. For once, I did try to copy myself and make a matching pair. Although they are not quite identical (they never are), I surprised myself by liking the second one more! Usually when I am trying too hard to match, the copy is not as pretty. (The one on the right is the second one.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sro9eoTBwyI/AAAAAAAAASY/CcspPGQq60Y/s1600-h/2+naked+bobbins.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sro9eoTBwyI/AAAAAAAAASY/CcspPGQq60Y/s200/2+naked+bobbins.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384683900897444642" border="0" /></a>Next, I cut the portions of the label that I wanted to use. I cut them to fit in the recess, but with excess length to roll up. I then rolled the papers on without adhesive to test the look and fit, and trimmed again as necessary. Then, I applied Mod-Podge to the back of the papers and carefully rolled them tightly on to the bobbins, also being careful not to smear the wood.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sro9eJblidI/AAAAAAAAASQ/Jpcof-V9Cjk/s1600-h/3+rolling.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sro9eJblidI/AAAAAAAAASQ/Jpcof-V9Cjk/s200/3+rolling.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384683892611844562" border="0" /></a>Afterward, I applied a couple of coats of the Mod-Podge to the paper (and a very small amount to the wood along the edges) to seal and provide a glossy finish. Then I carefully propped them up to dry. Yes, my drying rack is a cookie cooling rack.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sro9d9TR2DI/AAAAAAAAASI/Pdze-44sThE/s1600-h/4+drying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sro9d9TR2DI/AAAAAAAAASI/Pdze-44sThE/s200/4+drying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384683889355774002" border="0" /></a>The next morning I applied tung oil to the wood, this time being careful not to smudge the oil onto the paper. After the regular finishing and spangling procedure, the bobbins were ready to list <a href="http://http//www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31414745">for sale</a>, submit to Tink, and just generally show off!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://http//www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31414745"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sro9dt5UafI/AAAAAAAAASA/Po-7j29Z22A/s200/5+finished.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384683885220358642" border="0" /></a>La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-46631248409619818082009-08-26T17:10:00.001-07:002009-08-26T17:20:34.878-07:00A Sharp-Witted T-ShirtI make myself a new t-shirt every year for my birthday. I also make other shirts occasionally during the year as inspired. Before you begin the birthday greetings, let me reassure you that this blog entry is about the second type of shirt—the ones I make just because I feel like it. My first shirt, and most popular so far, was my 25th birthday shirt. I altered an image of Marilyn Monroe and added the text “Quarter of a century…makes a girl think!” (from "Some Like It Hot"). So far, I’ve mostly used the same format: picture in the middle, with text arched over and below the image. Well, I decided to do something a little different this time. <br /><br />A while ago, when I was feeling somewhat artistic, I decided to do a small art panel based on a line from Much Ado About Nothing—a portion of Benedick’s epithet on Beatrice: “She speaks poignards, and every word stings.” I just used the first half of that, and illustrated it literally, using a photograph of myself that I have altered extensively, and adding in poignards (daggers) that I drew in SolidWorks and positioned in several angles. In the original art panel, I printed the words on a contrasting color of paper and decoupaged it on.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXP0iiaZmI/AAAAAAAAARQ/0GzjJkS4fkk/s1600-h/poignard+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXP0iiaZmI/AAAAAAAAARQ/0GzjJkS4fkk/s200/poignard+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374430231867844194" border="0" /></a>For my shirt, I used the same base image—the close-up of my face with the daggers spewing from my lips. However, on a white t-shirt, it seemed better to put a border around the image. On the art panel, the edges of the image were clearly defined, but an added border seemed advisable for the shirt. I’ve gotten into the habit of composing my t-shirt images in Word for some reason, so I just added the border there. I used a solid black border with a purple glow for the fun of it. I did toy around with adding the wording in as part of the printed image, but didn’t like how it looked. So I just printed the image as is on iron-on transfer paper, trimmed close to the border, and ironed it on, centered and just below the neckline.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXP0RRLX9I/AAAAAAAAARI/efAp1hFSMR4/s1600-h/DSCN1719.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXP0RRLX9I/AAAAAAAAARI/efAp1hFSMR4/s200/DSCN1719.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374430227232153554" border="0" /></a>Although the instructions for the transfer paper say that the paper can be peeled off while the transfer is hot for a matte finish, I have only encountered problems doing that. So I waited for it to cool, the removed the paper backing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXPr3_lqSI/AAAAAAAAARA/QOxh7Cj6HUg/s1600-h/DSCN1724.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXPr3_lqSI/AAAAAAAAARA/QOxh7Cj6HUg/s200/DSCN1724.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374430083008538914" border="0" /></a>In order to mimic the decoupaged paper words, I pulled out some of my printer fabric. I prepared the words in Photoshop, so that I could also add in some color in the background. I printed the words first on paper to check the size against the main image, then printed the fabric. Using a hot, dry iron, I set the ink on the fabric, then cut out the word rectangles and removed the paper backing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXPrPmdmCI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/qQinbmVJK9w/s1600-h/DSCN1721.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXPrPmdmCI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/qQinbmVJK9w/s200/DSCN1721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374430072165734434" border="0" /></a>Next, I applied Fray Check to all edges of the rectangles. I toyed around with different ideas on how to affix the words to the shirt, but finally decided to depart from the decoupage look of the original and embrace the fabric. I used bright purple thread to completely contrast the yellowish fabric and hand-stitched the words on. I intentionally made the stitches uneven, because I like the look. And although I did not refer to my pictures of the original panel for placement of the words, I did place the “poignard” rectangle over the edge boundary, similar to how I recall positioning it in the original.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXPq3K3aQI/AAAAAAAAAQw/__6UTbx_MkA/s1600-h/DSCN1731.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXPq3K3aQI/AAAAAAAAAQw/__6UTbx_MkA/s200/DSCN1731.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374430065607534850" border="0" /></a>Because I love this image, I made a second art panel using it. I believe I used a different paper for the words, and although the same components are used (well, a different wood was used for the backing panel), I consider this second panel to be an original as well. It’s Number 2 in a series of similar works, I guess.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXPqOJw3UI/AAAAAAAAAQo/ir-awM0CXrk/s1600-h/sharp+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXPqOJw3UI/AAAAAAAAAQo/ir-awM0CXrk/s200/sharp+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374430054597057858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29524672&ref=blog"><span style="font-style: italic;">A Sharp-Witted Woman, No. 2</span> is available on Etsy!</a></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXPplcPdyI/AAAAAAAAAQg/zr-jaBoQ5Ws/s1600-h/DSCN1734.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SpXPplcPdyI/AAAAAAAAAQg/zr-jaBoQ5Ws/s200/DSCN1734.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374430043668707106" border="0" /></a>As for my shirt, I’m mostly happy with how it turned out. Because I wanted the red lips, I did use color ink when printing it. However, as I have found in the past, the color ink tends to make the blacks and grays in the image a little yellow-greenish. I usually use black ink only when printing t-shirt transfers for that reason. Also, there was a trail of wheel marks from the printer. I need to figure out a way to clean and prevent that, but they only show up when I use the transfer paper; regular paper and printer fabric are fine. As this shirt is for my own use, though, I wasn’t too bothered. By the way, if you choose to try making shirts using iron-on transfers, remember to follow the washing instructions carefully. I have messed up other shirts before by being too lazy and running them through the drier before they can handle it. It is safest to wash the shirt, then hang it to dry several times—even longer than recommended in the instructions—before attempting to dry it in the clothes drier. It will stick to itself and ruin the image if you are not careful.La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-85612208322400748522009-06-12T16:23:00.000-07:002009-06-12T16:44:19.346-07:00Silk. Lots and lots of beautiful silk!A few weeks ago, I found out that an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5724269">enthusiastic trader on Etsy</a> had some skeins of silk laceweight yarn she was clearing out of her abundant yarn collection. Since I like silk, I’ve been curious about working with yarn, and I was wondering just how thin laceweight yarn is, I traded a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=16298690">keyring pen</a> for a skein of blue silk yarn.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLlH2kvQGI/AAAAAAAAAPo/3LwQrYeECes/s1600-h/skein.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLlH2kvQGI/AAAAAAAAAPo/3LwQrYeECes/s200/skein.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346587630713651298" border="0" /></a>Since I like to experiment on new types of thread by making longer pieces of lace, I needed to make a new pricking. After a bit of debating with myself, I decided to draw it out at a scale that would give me 8 pins per inch along the straight sides. I had thought to make scalloped edges, similar to the edges on the <a href="http://madebylabeq.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-dont-know-what-color-do-you-think-it.html">variegated thread bookmark</a> I made a few months ago, but decided to simplify it with straight edges. The center of the strip is a simple honeycomb ground. The triangles along the edges are half-stitch, and along each edge two pairs of passives are worked in whole stitch to give a sturdy woven edge. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLlHweBXQI/AAAAAAAAAPg/k2k9eJRkbDg/s1600-h/pricking.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLlHweBXQI/AAAAAAAAAPg/k2k9eJRkbDg/s200/pricking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346587629074865410" border="0" /></a>After drawing out the design, I scanned it in to my computer and printed out two copies. I carefully cut and taped the strips to align the design. Cheating a little, I did not mount the printouts on a stiff backing, and I did not pre-prick the holes. The reason I made the pattern so long is that I wanted to try working it on a roller pillow I bought on ebay a few years ago. I pinned the paper strip to the center of the roller, then wound about a yard of yarn onto each of 32 bobbins (16 pair). I started the lace at a point, similar to the bookmarks I’ve made, and worked it as normal.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLlHgcesqI/AAAAAAAAAPY/HMf1x5QxOAo/s1600-h/start.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLlHgcesqI/AAAAAAAAAPY/HMf1x5QxOAo/s200/start.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346587624773431970" border="0" /></a>For the most part, working with the laceweight yarn was no different than with thread. However, it was not an even thickness, and the thicker slubs had to be worked with carefully. They tended to get stuck in the whole stitch edges. The lace was a little looser than usual, due to the large scale at which I drew the pattern.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLlHTjWXfI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/Zuq4d-BdCqw/s1600-h/in+process.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLlHTjWXfI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/Zuq4d-BdCqw/s200/in+process.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346587621312585202" border="0" /></a>When working on a roller pillow, you work an inch or so at a time, then turn the roller back a bit to expose the next section to work. You take the pins from the back to use in the lace at the front as it is being made. I found that I liked this, because it left me with not as many pins to take out and the end when I’ve finished! However, there are some thing I don’t like about this roller pillow. I can’t push the pins all the way down, like I do on my cookie pillow. The slope on the roller is a little too steep, and the apron—the part where the bobbins lay—is awfully thick, making it a little awkward to position when working. As this is the only roller pillow I’ve ever used, I don’t know whether this is normal. I plan to make a new roller pillow myself, so I’ll try to eliminate at least a couple of those issues. <br /><br />I started to run out of yarn on a couple of bobbins before I quite reached the end of the 17 ½” long pattern, but what I had was long enough for what I wanted, so I finished off at a point similar to the beginning. Because the lace was fairly loose, as I mentioned earlier, I laid the strip out flat and treated it with spray starch. I didn’t iron the lace, but let it air dry. That worked wonders!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLlHAtrC7I/AAAAAAAAAPI/tZPqdudILRk/s1600-h/finish.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLlHAtrC7I/AAAAAAAAAPI/tZPqdudILRk/s200/finish.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346587616255609778" border="0" /></a>It wasn’t until I was partway through making the strip of lace that I finally decided what to do with it. I often wear my hair <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfStE8W9J6I/AAAAAAAAAMs/ElylnungKoA/s1600-h/close.JPG">pulled back by a sash</a>, since it’s too short to pull back in a ponytail. Since I have quite a bit of undyed silk chiffon left over from a rather nice dress I made a couple of years ago, I decided to make a silk hair sash on which to mount the silk lace. <br /><br />Originally, I’d thought to make a long, skinny sash, barely wider than the lace. But the first piece I pulled out of my bag of leftover silk was a roughly rectangular piece the full 44” width of the fabric, with the barely noticeable selvages still present. That gave me a new idea. I sewed the long edges together in a French seam and pressed it in the middle of the long strip.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLkRxed4lI/AAAAAAAAAPA/8yGAFvuW4rE/s1600-h/french+seam.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLkRxed4lI/AAAAAAAAAPA/8yGAFvuW4rE/s200/french+seam.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346586701632234066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLkRq20v6I/AAAAAAAAAO4/PrYi2ITyT4Y/s1600-h/sewing.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLkRq20v6I/AAAAAAAAAO4/PrYi2ITyT4Y/s200/sewing.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346586699855347618" border="0" /></a>Folding it in quarters, I marked the center, then marked the center of the lace and sewed it in the middle of the sash. I decided to leave the ends open so that, when tied, it would give the effect of a regular scarf. When I was taking pictures of it, I played around with folding it in long thirds the width of the lace, and laying flat like a head scarf. I even tied the folded sash around the neck of my wig head for another variation!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26381659&ref=mblb"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLkRcQ0FHI/AAAAAAAAAOw/cVdJ1Po5FPI/s200/silk+sash+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346586695937823858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26381659&ref=mblb"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLkRVLO0-I/AAAAAAAAAOo/QCN5R0AwH90/s200/silk+sash+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346586694035362786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26381659&ref=mblb"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SjLkRA2IrUI/AAAAAAAAAOg/v_5aS7jNOdM/s200/silk+sash+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346586688578170178" border="0" /></a>The next time I use this yarn, and probably for any other laceweight yarn, I’ll still use the eight pins per inch scale, since that works well with the unevenness, but I’ll add extra twists as necessary to make the lace a little tighter. Even doing that, though, I’ll probably still need to starch the lace. Which reminds me, I need to get some more starch because I finished off my current can on this!La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-31016334984965971722009-04-26T11:47:00.000-07:002009-05-14T15:03:40.826-07:00Happy Easter!Don't bother telling me the title of this entry is two weeks late. That said, I grew up with two older sisters. I was the queen of hand-me-downs. My mother even says that I helped my sisters pick out their clothes because I knew I'd end up with them eventually. But my mom always made sure that, even though the bulk of my wardrobe was previously-worn, I got a few new things of my own every year. At the beginning of the school year, I'd get to pick out a few new things (including the all-important first-day-of-school outfit, which I usually also wore on the also important Picture Day). I would also get a new dress for Christmas and another for Easter. These, combined with whichever clothes in the big bags in the basement happened to fit, gave me quite a nice assortment of school clothes and church dresses to wear all year long.<br /><br />I've tried, with varying amounts of success, to follow the tradition over the years. I do generally start every school year (when I'm in school) with a new outfit, and I frequently make myself a new winter dress in time for Christmas and a spring-summer type dress for Easter. This year, I decided I wanted an Easter dress. I had all the fabric by the Friday before Easter, so my plan was to wash it at my parents' house (the fabric is all 100% cotton, so pre-washing is a very good idea), then cut it out and maybe even start sewing while the rest of my laundry was being washed. I did get the fabric (and the rest of my clothes) washed, but a combination of other things coming up and my inherent laziness prevented the project from going any further that day.<br /><br />Finally this weekend I ironed all the fabric--four different pieces--and started cutting out. I decided to use one of my favorite patterns (the one from which<a href="http://madebylabeq.blogspot.com/2009/02/sometimes-you-just-wanna-wear-feathers.html"> I previously cannibalized a sleeve piece</a>) but with, as usual, some changes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfT4R50Ru-I/AAAAAAAAANk/LrswX5KHr3A/s1600-h/pattern+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfT4R50Ru-I/AAAAAAAAANk/LrswX5KHr3A/s200/pattern+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329157245547690978" border="0" /></a>The v-shaped neckline is somewhat precariously low in its plunge. I wanted to fill it in a bit, but am not a fan of the dicky look. While brainstorming different options, I realized that the crossed-over bodice and wide midriff faux-sash reminded me of a kimono and obi. Since I had been wanting a dress out of a Japanese-type print anyway, I knew what I could do to raise the neckline a little. Kimonos are worn with several other light robes underneath, with the layers arranged to show neatly at the neckline. Therefore, my plan was to mimic this look.<br /><br />I selected a purple fabric with a Japanese-style floral print reminiscent of the decorative washi papers I've used to cover boxes and eggs. In addition, I got two plain purple fabrics, one a light purple and the other a pinkish purple, and some white cotton.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfT4RiPQ5_I/AAAAAAAAANc/27VMB-fAwB0/s1600-h/fabrics.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfT4RiPQ5_I/AAAAAAAAANc/27VMB-fAwB0/s200/fabrics.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329157239218431986" border="0" /></a>As I was cutting out the pattern pieces, I primarily followed View C, which has the sleeves I wanted and is all one fabric. However, I cut the midriff section and tie ends out of the light purple. I mostly sewed the dress according to the pattern directions, with two exceptions: before overlapping the bodice pieces and basting, I cut (well, tore, actually) strips of the pinkish-<br />purple, folded and ironed them, and zig-zagged the unfinished edges, then sewed them along the front panel edges with 1/4" showing. This was done in order to add a contrast color, highlight the crossed-over nature of the bodice, and begin filling in the neckline.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfT4RlK7fUI/AAAAAAAAANU/19fWrirPop0/s1600-h/strips.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfT4RlK7fUI/AAAAAAAAANU/19fWrirPop0/s200/strips.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329157240005557570" border="0" /></a>1 5/8" from the top of the piece, I slanted the strip down to meet the shoulder seam which would be sewn at 5/8" from the top.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfStFigwYTI/AAAAAAAAANM/8Rc3IoqYbEk/s1600-h/measuring.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfStFigwYTI/AAAAAAAAANM/8Rc3IoqYbEk/s200/measuring.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329074569761284402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfStFd126gI/AAAAAAAAANE/ArDaO4MqRfY/s1600-h/sewing.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfStFd126gI/AAAAAAAAANE/ArDaO4MqRfY/s200/sewing.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329074568507615746" border="0" /></a>Also, although the pattern directs to lap the right side over the left, I switched it to left over right, after checking several images of Japanese women in kimono to see which way is correct for that look.<br /><br />From this point, I proceeded as normal. After the dress was complete, I cut (well, tore, again, since that's the easiest way I know to get woven cotton into even strips when I don't have a pattern piece) strips of the light purple and white. I measured and placed the light purple so that a bare 1/8" would be exposed, and also tapered it toward the shoulder line in placing. The white was exposed 3/8", and also carried around the back of the neck.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfStFP0WhoI/AAAAAAAAAM8/g1onSNhGrQs/s1600-h/finished+neckline.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfStFP0WhoI/AAAAAAAAAM8/g1onSNhGrQs/s200/finished+neckline.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329074564743202434" border="0" /></a>These changes resulted in the point of the neckline being raised a full 1 1/4", while looking intentional and designed-in (dickies always look a little last-minute and unthought to me, which is why I wanted to avoid that solution). Also, the layered neckline allowed me to use a fabric that is really a little to yellow for my skin tone, because the final white layer is more flattering to me. he end result is a fun dress that I have made my own--and that I can bow in safely!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfStFG4dfJI/AAAAAAAAAM0/SrNN7OOac0I/s1600-h/bowing.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfStFG4dfJI/AAAAAAAAAM0/SrNN7OOac0I/s200/bowing.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329074562344516754" border="0" /></a>Oh, and I also used leftover fabric to make a head sash. In these pictures, I've tucked up the tied ends.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfStE8W9J6I/AAAAAAAAAMs/ElylnungKoA/s1600-h/close.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfStE8W9J6I/AAAAAAAAAMs/ElylnungKoA/s200/close.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329074559519631266" border="0" /></a>La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-61782038600971521972009-04-24T08:20:00.000-07:002009-04-24T08:56:41.262-07:00Rubber ducky, you're the one!The April <a href="http://www.etsyfast.com/blog/">EtsyFAST</a> challenge theme is "Just Ducky". I felt like going with a rather literal interpretation of the theme and work out a small motif shaped like the stereotypical bath toy. I decided the best way to go was to make a simple braid outline, similar to the one I used for the <a href="http://madebylabeq.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-wasnt-originally-planning-blog-post.html">heart earrings</a>, but with a plaited filling rather than a torchon-type ground.<br /><br /> The first difficulty I encountered was how to create the narrow, tapered shape needed for a beak. I remembered a design I once saw, which used a leaf-shaped tally for a bird's beak. I made the drawing for the pricking based on this idea, and added in a spot for a small seed bead to be worked in, representing the duck's eye.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZnOUxffI/AAAAAAAAAMk/kp8Anv29zSc/s1600-h/drawing.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZnOUxffI/AAAAAAAAAMk/kp8Anv29zSc/s200/drawing.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328279102039358962" border="0" /></a> Next, I scanned the drawing in to my computer and mirrored the image so that I can make a ducky facing whichever direction I like. After printing the design, I cut it down to a square. I prepared the pricking by using clear contact paper to stick the printed design onto a slighlty larger square cut from a file folder. Finally, I used a pin to poke holes in all the designated spots.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZmyZ4aOI/AAAAAAAAAMc/RtRvYAxt1L4/s1600-h/pricking.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZmyZ4aOI/AAAAAAAAAMc/RtRvYAxt1L4/s200/pricking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328279094544591074" border="0" /></a> For working the lace, I decided on a very bright yellow cotton sewing-weight thread. I also got some bright orange cotton thread for the beak, and tiny size 15 black seed beads for the eyes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZm24k9jI/AAAAAAAAAMU/zcvvvwlfcOI/s1600-h/supplies.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZm24k9jI/AAAAAAAAAMU/zcvvvwlfcOI/s200/supplies.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328279095747081778" border="0" /></a> Now, a tally is worked using only two pairs of bobbins. Each bobbin is used singly as one is woven back and forth, forming a small, dense shape. So in order to make the beak a different color from the rest of the lace, I started by hanging in the two pairs of yellow-wound bobbins as usual, but instead of using one of <i>them</i> to weave the beak, I hung in a single orange-wrapped bobbin as well. I used the two center bobbins as one. The method I learned for making tallies includes tying the worker thread around one of the others at the beginning and end anyway, so that made a convenient way to bring the contrast thread in and out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZQO20yhI/AAAAAAAAAMM/BApPuMe0Avc/s1600-h/beak.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZQO20yhI/AAAAAAAAAMM/BApPuMe0Avc/s200/beak.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328278707045190162" border="0" /></a> After working the beak and removing the single orange bobbin, I added in more bobbins for a total of seven pairs and worked in cloth stitch to the eye. I incorporated the bead using my amazingly helpful teeny teeny tiny 0.4 mm crochet hook, then worked on around, completing the head in straightforward cloth stitch. For the body, I used a simple braid: cloth stitch with twists setting off the outside edge. As I worked it, i found a few spots where I preferred the pins to be place closer in. So I poked new holes and moved the pins. After completing the body and discarding most of the threads, I kept two pairs to form one side of the plaited filling, and added in two more pairs for the other half.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZPxyifWI/AAAAAAAAAME/cSRmg8j5hLI/s1600-h/in+process.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZPxyifWI/AAAAAAAAAME/cSRmg8j5hLI/s200/in+process.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328278699242585442" border="0" /></a> I plaited the filling pairs a little, worked the pairs through each other at the crossing, and continued on to a couple of picots. After another crossing and finishing off, the ducky was done!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZPjMglbI/AAAAAAAAAL8/w9rIBRRsvlY/s1600-h/ducky+v1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZPjMglbI/AAAAAAAAAL8/w9rIBRRsvlY/s200/ducky+v1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328278695324980658" border="0" /></a> But I wasn't completely satisfied with my little duck. The contrast beak was fantastic, but the way I added the additional pairs in left a gap. Also, the plaited filling didn't seem quite stable, due in part to the fact that I have not yet fully mastered right-hand picots, I expect.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZPgu2G8I/AAAAAAAAAL0/0XoFErwhw5c/s1600-h/problem+duck.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZPgu2G8I/AAAAAAAAAL0/0XoFErwhw5c/s200/problem+duck.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328278694663691202" border="0" /></a> So for the next ducky, I started with three pairs, with each pair used as a single thread in the tally when woven with the orange. This made the transition from the beak to the head much more smooth, but does make the beak tally a little wider. Since rubber duckies don't usually have sharp beaks, that didn't bother me. For the filling, I skipped the picots altogether, and just sewed the plaits to pinholes to make the shape. Happy with this one, I went on and made another the same way, and made them into a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24125146">slightly silly pair of earrings!</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24125146"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SfHZPSKnTsI/AAAAAAAAALs/rjhNSqTfAck/s200/ducky+1+finished.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328278690753629890" border="0" /></a><br /> I have an idea for using the same pricking to make some more realistically-colored ducks, so stay tuned for an update when I complete them!La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-7262995052797037862009-04-20T06:11:00.000-07:002009-04-21T13:02:13.137-07:00Spangled Midland does not refer to bellybutton rings.I've mentioned before that I make lace bobbins. I made a couple of pairs last week, so I'll share step-by-step how I do it. If you happen to have wood lathe experience, you probably have the skills to do this, too. But there is no need to follow the same steps as I do...this is what works well for me, but I will probably continue to refine my process.<br /><br />As I <a href="http://madebylabeq.blogspot.com/2008/11/bobbins-in-her-hairbobbins-everywhere.html">discussed before</a>, the elements of a Spangled Midland style lace bobbin are:<br /><br />1. the thistle top, so named for its shape, and which provides a useful location for the special knot used to hold the thread at a given length, yet easily unwind additional thread.<br />2. the neck, onto which the reserve of thread is wound<br />3. the handle, which is used for manipulating the thread and generally has decorative cuts<br />4. the spangle, which provides weight for maintaining tension, keeps the bobbin from rolling, and is pretty.<br /><br />In this example, I turned the bobbin out of a 3/8" diameter birch dowel. I like using dowels because it saves a whole lot of time compared to roughing from square stock. However, I've only found a fairly small selection of hardwood dowels, so beyond birch, oak, walnut, and cherry, I use pen blanks.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex2LGd0Z0I/AAAAAAAAALk/b0cEMUkIa5E/s1600-h/Setup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex2LGd0Z0I/AAAAAAAAALk/b0cEMUkIa5E/s200/Setup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326762392358774594" border="0" /></a>As shown above, I set up about a 6" length in a headstock drill chuck, supported at the tailstock end by a 60 degree cone point live center. I start with cutting the thistle top at the tailstock end. First I cut the angled top,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex2FKqDf2I/AAAAAAAAALc/rcVWoo1kfSI/s1600-h/thistle1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex2FKqDf2I/AAAAAAAAALc/rcVWoo1kfSI/s200/thistle1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326762290404622178" border="0" /></a>followed by a simple bead to form the bottom of the thistle shape.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex2E86TCBI/AAAAAAAAALU/7PMhSH15NVg/s1600-h/thistle3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex2E86TCBI/AAAAAAAAALU/7PMhSH15NVg/s200/thistle3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326762286714652690" border="0" /></a>Then, in several passes I cut a narrow neck about 1" long.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex2E5ohnDI/AAAAAAAAALM/DsfErPiQGms/s1600-h/neck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex2E5ohnDI/AAAAAAAAALM/DsfErPiQGms/s200/neck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326762285834804274" border="0" /></a>After marking off the final length (total length should be 4" to 4 1/2", but should be the same for both bobbins in the pair), I cut a decorative design in the handle. I don't plan it ahead of time, but just follow the whim of the moment. Likewise, I don't try to make both bobbins of a pair match...the second one never looks as good, and the pairs generally don't stay together through the lacemaking process, anyway. However, I do use the first bobbin as a reference for the second, so that the dimensions of the thistle top, neck, and length, will be about the same.<br /><br />I sand the bobbin with strips of sandpaper, starting with whichever grit seems necessary based on the cleanness of the cuts, and progress down to very fine grit. The neck and thistle top in particular need to be very smooth, so that the thread will unwind smoothly. Finally, to cut off the bobbin, I use a skew chisel to cut down to a narrow point and finally part it off. I've tried using parting chisels for this, but the skew just seems to work better and give a better looking end.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex2EzmLbuI/AAAAAAAAALE/GF2XrHojij4/s1600-h/cutoff.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex2EzmLbuI/AAAAAAAAALE/GF2XrHojij4/s200/cutoff.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326762284214349538" border="0" /></a>I use tung oil to finish the bobbins. Then, I drill a small hole at the end of the bobbin for the spangle. I cut a few inches of brass wire and thread it through the hole, leaving the bobbin hanging in the middle of the wire. (the spangling pictures are taken using a cherry bobbin I had on hand, because I didn't think to take pictures while I was spangling the birch pair.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex2ErFmttI/AAAAAAAAAK8/iOAcrksyDH4/s1600-h/spangle1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex2ErFmttI/AAAAAAAAAK8/iOAcrksyDH4/s200/spangle1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326762281930241746" border="0" /></a>Next I slide on beads symetrically on either side, finishing with one large bead. I do not use plastic beads, as they don't seem to give enough weight.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex1JlSARtI/AAAAAAAAAK0/9yfXW5G-joM/s1600-h/spangle2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex1JlSARtI/AAAAAAAAAK0/9yfXW5G-joM/s200/spangle2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326761266759354066" border="0" /></a>I cut the wire on one side, near the last bead. With a pair of pliers, I form a small loop. Then I pull the other end of the wire snugly through the loop, cut off near the loop, and form another loop, linking them together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex1JuMpQhI/AAAAAAAAAKs/7fqocx8_Kw4/s1600-h/spangle3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex1JuMpQhI/AAAAAAAAAKs/7fqocx8_Kw4/s200/spangle3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326761269152793106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex1Je3TBEI/AAAAAAAAAKk/j-y0_m6rCfc/s1600-h/spangle4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex1Je3TBEI/AAAAAAAAAKk/j-y0_m6rCfc/s200/spangle4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326761265036723266" border="0" /></a>With the pliers, I pinch the loops flat, then pull the large bead over the connection. And then the bobbin is complete and ready to use!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23926446&ref=blogpic"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex1JYAr2BI/AAAAAAAAAKc/H8pY7KkFVJs/s200/finished.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326761263197050898" border="0" /></a>And here is the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23822628&ref=bobbinblog">cherry pair</a> I made last week:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23822628&ref=blogpic"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sex1JG5AaWI/AAAAAAAAAKU/jPSup7jc7cM/s200/cherry+bob+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326761258601441634" border="0" /></a>La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-62282735092635618602009-04-05T15:49:00.000-07:002009-04-05T16:02:39.234-07:00Semi-Annual CheesecakeWhen I had roommates, I had a standing offer to make a cheesecake any time they bought enough cream cheese for me to do so. Although the offer was not taken very often, I also started a tradition that guarantees I make at least two cheesecakes per year. On the first Saturdays of April and November, I make a baked cheesecake. I eat the first piece for breakfast the next morning. I frequently have the second piece for lunch and so forth… I also give away pieces of cheesecake, as I really should not eat the whole thing myself.<br /><br />With only one exception that I can remember, I use the same basic recipe every time. I won’t type it all out here, but it is the Lindy’s Cheesecake recipe from my big Betty Crocker cookbook. It calls for 40 ounces of cream cheese. It also calls for grated lemon and orange peel, but I don’t think I have ever included that. A 9” springform pan is specified, and you should trust the recipe on that. The first few times I made this recipe, I kept having problems with the edges burning. Finally I measured the pan I was using and realized it was too big. I got myself a nine-inch pan and haven’t had any problems since.<br /><br />I have a couple of tried and true variations on the recipe (cherry-chocolate and turtle), but this time I decided I wanted to try something different. I had a bottle of almond extract on hand and a bag of sweetened shredded coconut, so I picked up a can of crushed pineapple to round it out. I had thought of this combination before, but was nervous about the effect the juiciness of the pineapple would have on the texture of the cheesecake. So, while I prepared the crust (it’s a from-scratch cookie type crust—if you don’t have that cookbook, get it, it’s a great general resource) and the filling, I had half the pineapple from the can sitting in a strainer over a bowl. Every so often I’d press it with a spoon or spatula to encourage more juice to drip out. After I’d finished mixing the cream cheese filling according to the recipe (leaving out the zests), I mixed in some almond extract. I measured out a ¼ teaspoon, tasted, thought it needed some more, and added a little more without measuring. I guess that’s what recipe-writers mean when they say to add something “to taste”. Just before pouring the filling into the pan, I folded in the strained pineapple and about half a cup of coconut, stirring by hand to distribute throughout. The rest of the baking and chilling was according to the recipe.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3lBj6IlI/AAAAAAAAAKM/oBsodHwDMUk/s1600-h/DSCN1010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3lBj6IlI/AAAAAAAAAKM/oBsodHwDMUk/s200/DSCN1010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321345543928685138" border="0" /></a>This morning, I decided a nice crunchy topping would be a good finishing touch. First I toasted some coconut (keeping an eye on it to keep it from burning) and then toasted some sliced almonds.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3f1JrFUI/AAAAAAAAAKE/0XjFRK0ZXXU/s1600-h/DSCN1012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3f1JrFUI/AAAAAAAAAKE/0XjFRK0ZXXU/s200/DSCN1012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321345454698075458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3fzyi2hI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/w9K_130nDDs/s1600-h/DSCN1013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3fzyi2hI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/w9K_130nDDs/s200/DSCN1013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321345454332631570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3f1JrFUI/AAAAAAAAAKE/0XjFRK0ZXXU/s1600-h/DSCN1012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3f1JrFUI/AAAAAAAAAKE/0XjFRK0ZXXU/s200/DSCN1012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321345454698075458" border="0" /></a>I arranged the coconut and almonds in circles on top of the chilled cheesecake, then sprinkled brown sugar over it all. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3fvZEVxI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/nz57uRs77mk/s1600-h/DSCN1015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3fvZEVxI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/nz57uRs77mk/s200/DSCN1015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321345453152032530" border="0" /></a>With the oven set to “Broil”, I stuck the cheesecake in to carmelize the sugar. I quickly realized that I shouldn’t have pre-toasted the coconut, as it continued to brown (and burn a little) while broiling. So I pulled it out a little sooner than planned, leaving some of the sugar unmelted. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3fqdhKpI/AAAAAAAAAJs/tiegBZSGRyk/s1600-h/DSCN1016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3fqdhKpI/AAAAAAAAAJs/tiegBZSGRyk/s200/DSCN1016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321345451828521618" border="0" /></a>Even though the coconut and almonds are a little more toasted than planned, it’s still really good cheesecake. The pineapple did not mess up the texture at all and gives subtle flavor, plus a little extra juice when I bite into a bit of fruit. This would probably also be good if coconut extract or (possibly) pineapple extract were used instead of the almond flavoring. Also, I think that next time I want to try this type of topping, I will rub some softened butter into the brown sugar.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3fIIcapI/AAAAAAAAAJk/aHJdz9nqHbc/s1600-h/DSCN1017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/Sdk3fIIcapI/AAAAAAAAAJk/aHJdz9nqHbc/s200/DSCN1017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321345442613324434" border="0" /></a>La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-11770575989953947132009-02-10T07:12:00.000-08:002009-02-10T07:28:01.219-08:00Sometimes, you just wanna wear feathersMy mom made most of my clothes when I was growing up. Well, many of them were originally made for my older sisters, but I ended up with them. That, however, is beside the point. The point is that when I would go to the fabric store to pick out my new skirts, dresses, etc., I almost always tried to find the fabric that was most similar to the picture on the front of the pattern envelope. Times have changed. Now I get an idea of what I want to make, think trough the patterns I have, and find the one that is closest to the basic shape I want. Wrong style of sleeves? No problem. I find a sleeve from another pattern and swap that in, until the finished product is what I want—which often has little relation to the picture on the front of any of the pattern envelopes. This is more or less what I mean by the tag “fun with patterns”. And this blog entry is going to show how I turned patterns for two evening gowns into one nightgown set.<br /><br /> For the second year in a row, I was fortunate enough to be voted as a calendar girl by the forums on a local website I frequent. No, not gonna provide a link…those of you who already know me from there don’t need the link, and since it’s not a sewing/craft/making stuff sort of forum, probably anyone else reading this wouldn’t really be interested in the site. Anyway, I chose February as my month, and decided to do something Valentine’s-y. Being a bitter old maid, I generally avoid such things, but I decided it would be good for me. Builds character. Besides, I’d been wanting an excuse to make a beautiful flowy negligee like in old movies.<br /><br /> For the actual nightgown, I decided something with a sweetheart neckline would be appropriately Valentine’s-ish. I remembered a pattern I had used for a previous Halloween costume. It’s a modern re-interpretation of a vintage pattern:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGcpBC_vwI/AAAAAAAAAIc/JwsZIvPwp7s/s1600-h/pattern+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGcpBC_vwI/AAAAAAAAAIc/JwsZIvPwp7s/s200/pattern+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301190464861355778" border="0" /></a><br />However, I’m more comfortable when wearing sleeves. So the sleeveless model wouldn’t do, but when worn with the robe I wanted, the rather full sleeves wouldn’t do, either. Another dress pattern I have come to love has sleeves that are basically a thin band—enough to make me feel covered, but not particularly noticeable or distracting from the general look:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZ_TLf1AI/AAAAAAAAAIE/gtUqqsgAfHM/s1600-h/pattern+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZ_TLf1AI/AAAAAAAAAIE/gtUqqsgAfHM/s200/pattern+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301187549151089666" border="0" /></a>Because this is just a nightgown, I decided it really wasn’t necessary to line it (the original dress pattern is fully lined). This did make it a little tricky doing the neckline. I ended up stitching a line at each of the corners, clipping, folding over the seam allowance, and stitching it down. Also, I wasn’t sure whether I would need a zipper. The original pattern has a back zip, and the zipper is definitely necessary in the previous dress I had made. However, I was making this gown in tricot, which has more stretch than the satin I had used before. If I did need a zipper, I wanted it on the left side, not the back. Fortunately, after stitching the right side and basting the left, I found that I could easily pull it on. No zip necessary!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZ_IpiTSI/AAAAAAAAAH8/p2Bjg339jPU/s1600-h/finished+gown.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZ_IpiTSI/AAAAAAAAAH8/p2Bjg339jPU/s200/finished+gown.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301187546324290850" border="0" /></a>For the robe, I used a pattern that I have had for several years, but have never yet used for the project for which it was purchased:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZuN3d9DI/AAAAAAAAAH0/Nk7NiR_Z9Hg/s1600-h/pattern+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZuN3d9DI/AAAAAAAAAH0/Nk7NiR_Z9Hg/s200/pattern+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301187255667127346" border="0" /></a>I also used tricot for the robe, but a very sheer pink tricot. Because of the sheerness, I used French seams throughout. The pattern calls for lining the bodice, but I didn’t. Other than that, I didn’t alter this pattern. However, after I finished sewing it, the real fun began! What is a classic flowy negligee if it isn’t dripping with feathers? I bought a few marabou boas from a local craft store…and then started puzzling over the best way to attach them to the edges. I wanted the feathers on the ends of the sleeves and the hem of the robe. I definitely did NOT want to stitch them on by hand. Finally, I thought of Liquid Stitch. I carefully applied the adhesive a few inches at a time, then pressed the boa in place with my fingers. It did get a little sticky, but was faster and easier than whipstitching it would have been! I found that half a boa was needed for each sleeve. For the bottom of the robe (which has a train), I used two boas. Because the bottom of the robe curves up into the front without a clear demarcation, I started at the center back and just glued until I ran out of boa. This way, I could be sure that the feathers would end at the same point on both sides.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZt_oe7NI/AAAAAAAAAHs/5_FhsIEvOtg/s1600-h/finished+robe.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZt_oe7NI/AAAAAAAAAHs/5_FhsIEvOtg/s200/finished+robe.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301187251846180050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZtlK4zpI/AAAAAAAAAHk/5hCVlXCNXlg/s1600-h/ensemble.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZtlK4zpI/AAAAAAAAAHk/5hCVlXCNXlg/s200/ensemble.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301187244742725266" border="0" /></a>To finish off the look, I needed appropriate footwear. A quick trip to a discount shoe store netted me a pair of cheap heels that needed only a little alteration. I cut the bows off the toes, then covered the whole toe-band in more marabou. This time I used a hot glue gun (and, yes, got more feathers stuck to my fingers).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZtYbnt0I/AAAAAAAAAHc/i6qwk-DOL5I/s1600-h/slipper.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZtYbnt0I/AAAAAAAAAHc/i6qwk-DOL5I/s200/slipper.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301187241323247426" border="0" /></a>The robe and the slippers are definitely costume items, rather than being particularly useful. However, the nightgown has earned its spot in my sleepwear collection!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZtLchCeI/AAAAAAAAAHU/PyONW-JM_bU/s1600-h/calendar+pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SZGZtLchCeI/AAAAAAAAAHU/PyONW-JM_bU/s200/calendar+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301187237837343202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo by Miriam Latour</span><br /></span></div>La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-57392046477139487082009-01-27T07:53:00.000-08:002009-01-27T08:15:27.407-08:00Yeah, I can't draw.I wasn’t originally planning a blog post about these earrings, but…well, it’s been a little while since I’ve posted something, and I’m inordinately proud of this design, so here goes!<br /><br />In my continuing efforts to make bobbin lace more accessible to the masses, I decided to make some Valentine’s Day earrings. After all, if lace doesn’t go with Valentine’s day, I don’t know what does! While I was at my former desk job, I had a tendency to doodle little pictures of items I want to make. On my last day, I gathered up all the little notes on my desk that had as-yet-unrealized sketches and took them home with me. One was for some bobbin lace hearts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SX8uiKeCQOI/AAAAAAAAAG8/AzDb67GknKw/s1600-h/blog+sketch.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SX8uiKeCQOI/AAAAAAAAAG8/AzDb67GknKw/s200/blog+sketch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296002851271753954" border="0" /></a> Once I actually started trying to make the pricking for the hearts, I came to a grave realization: I can’t draw a heart. If I tried to make it symmetrical, it came out uneven. If I tried to make it asymmetrical and whimsical, it just looked weird (and got very complicated when drawing in the filling ground). I even tried drawing half a heart on my computer, then using digital magic to copy and mirror the other half. That didn’t look right, either. So I resorted to lessons learned in childhood: I folded a piece of paper in half, grabbed my scissors, and cut a heart. The first one seemed a little too big for an earring, so I cut it down a bit more.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SX8uiNIGvYI/AAAAAAAAAG0/uyusLvdsD48/s1600-h/blog+cut.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SX8uiNIGvYI/AAAAAAAAAG0/uyusLvdsD48/s200/blog+cut.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296002851985079682" border="0" /></a> After a few revisions, I held the paper prototype up to my ear and decided it looked about good. I then placed my little heart under some tracing paper, copied the outline, and drew another line for the other side of the braid. (I did that freehand, but it was much easier since I had a reference). Again, it took me about three attempts to get the dots for the filling ground marked and looking good. Once I had it the way I wanted it, I just cut out the section of tracing paper, taped it to a piece of file folder, and poked all the holes with a pin. (Yes, I’m just using a pin to prepare my prickings at the moment. I am planning to make a set of tools, including a proper pricker, a matching sewing hook, and maybe even a pin lifter if I can find a congenial jeweler to help me with that.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SX8uh6ftwII/AAAAAAAAAGs/Xz6Ly4VNwRU/s1600-h/blog+pricking.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SX8uh6ftwII/AAAAAAAAAGs/Xz6Ly4VNwRU/s200/blog+pricking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296002846983831682" border="0" /></a> This is the type of lace that cookie pillows were designed for. I pinned the pattern to the center of my circular pillow, and turned the pillow as I worked my way around the motif. I worked the first pair in pink, but didn’t take pictures. So the in-process pictures are of the second pair, which is red and white. Because of the small scale of the lace, I used Coats and Clark Cotton sewing thread. I used a simple but pretty four-pair braid for the outline, with extra twists at the outer pair. For the red and white hearts, I used white for the outer pair of the braid, red for the inner two passive pairs and the worker pair, and white for the ground. I found it easiest to hang in the filling pairs as I worked the braid, and added an extra twist of the worker pair at each pin that would later be used for anchoring the ground threads. This made sewing in and finishing much easier. The filling is a simple half-stitch ground (hs, pin, hs, tw, ).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SX8uh_kfeWI/AAAAAAAAAGk/qXUIr5pJIe0/s1600-h/red+white+heart+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SX8uh_kfeWI/AAAAAAAAAGk/qXUIr5pJIe0/s200/red+white+heart+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296002848346044770" border="0" /></a> This is the first pattern of this type that I have drafted from scratch, so I am quite pleased with it! I think I’ll try doing a similar pattern with rose ground, just because that is my favorite ground. I also need to dig through my stack of sticky-note sketches and find the one that I thought would be good for black hearts…<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20165071"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SX8wCdnosQI/AAAAAAAAAHM/9suUzyATuac/s200/pink+hearts+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296004505679737090" border="0" /></a>(Click the picture to see where you can get your own pair!)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20226591"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SX8wCHoeYqI/AAAAAAAAAHE/IvP2Lpbctf0/s200/red+white+heart+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296004499777675938" border="0" /></a>La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-54072820937265452472009-01-13T09:00:00.001-08:002009-01-13T10:17:04.014-08:00I don’t know, what color do YOU think it is?A little while ago, I decided to join the Fiber Arts Street Team on Etsy. The main thing that interested me was their monthly challenges. I figured the challenges would be a good way to encourage myself to stretch a bit beyond my usual work. The January challenge this year is to make something in a color that is new to my shop. While I was brainstorming on this, I realized that I have always worked with solid colored thread. Not just thread, but even in my crocheting, I always used solid colored yarns. So I decided that for something different, I would use variegated thread for my challenge piece.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SWzU14ssNYI/AAAAAAAAAGU/AiVjZn8vpFY/s1600-h/blog+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SWzU14ssNYI/AAAAAAAAAGU/AiVjZn8vpFY/s200/blog+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290837684471477634" border="0" /></a><br />In crocheting, knitting, sewing, and other single-thread crafts, use of variegated yarn/thread results in blocks or sections of color that blend from one to the next. It is an interesting effect, although not one that has generally appealed to me—hence the fact I have never used it. However, bobbin lace is different. Since so many different threads are used, with most of them at different points in the color blend, I knew there wouldn’t be definable color sections. But I didn’t know how the lace would actually end up looking. I chose to work a bookmark, so that there would be plenty of chances for the threads to move around and the color changes to become evident. I worked it in embroidery floss (2 strands to reduce risk of breakage), DMC 4140. Because separating off strands for the lengths I needed is difficult, I decided to work the fans in half-stitch to eliminate the need for vastly longer threads on the worker pairs.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SWzU1n9rFxI/AAAAAAAAAGM/RrTF6yTpcWc/s1600-h/blog+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SWzU1n9rFxI/AAAAAAAAAGM/RrTF6yTpcWc/s200/blog+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290837679979304722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As I started, it was interesting to see that the first fan was predominately brown, and its opposite was predominately pink. As I continued through, the colors mixed more and color sections were not so well defined. I think I need to reevaluate the number of twists I use when working this design. Usually, when working in continuous half-stitch (the fans), the thread traveling across gets switched out every row. However, I noticed after a while that the same bobbin was always the one in that position—which isn’t good when you haven’t wound on enough thread for one to continuously weave back and forth! So I kept an eye on my bobbins. Whenever one seemed to be getting low, or I just felt like changing the colors in the fan, I’d add or drop a twist at the edge in order to ensure that the other bobbin in the pair was now the one travelling. I don’t know how obvious this is when looking at the lace, but at least I didn’t run out of thread and have to hang in any new bobbins!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SWzU1DwnvlI/AAAAAAAAAGE/2JemTmCXD48/s1600-h/blog+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SWzU1DwnvlI/AAAAAAAAAGE/2JemTmCXD48/s200/blog+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290837670260883026" border="0" /></a><br />Because the colors sort of remind me of milk chocolate and strawberry cream (and because of an entertaining thread on the Etsy forums which suggested that items with food names seem to get more attention), I’m calling this a Strawberry Chocolate Truffle bookmark. Yum.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19683491"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SWzU0yx9piI/AAAAAAAAAF8/16_fYVTiqOs/s200/vari+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290837665703110178" border="0" /></a><a style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19683491">The finished bookmark!</a><br /></div>La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-39932714707147611022008-12-05T12:00:00.000-08:002008-12-05T12:07:46.031-08:00The girl with kaleidescope woodchipsI won’t have too much how-I-made-it type info for this one, but I’m so darn proud of it, I’ve got to post it anyway. I made a kaleidoscope. I made it for a raffle, and I want to make another for myself, because, well, I love kaleidoscopes. It’s little—maybe 2 ½” tall—but a good size to keep on a desk for the times when you just need to look at something prettier than a computer screen.<br /><br />I actually turned the body of this out of poplar quite a while ago, but the tube that goes inside didn’t seem to fit (yes, the actual kaleidoscope part was from a kit). I was frustrated, but after a while, turned another body out of purpleheart using the tube as a guide for the length. Silly me, once I assembled the kaleidoscope into the tube, I found the second body was way too short, but the first one was actually only a little too long. 60 grit sandpaper took care of that problem fairly quickly (followed by other sanding, of course), and two coats of tung oil later, here’s my little kaleidoscope! I think it looks kind of like an urn or vase. It’s pretty, though, and stands up nicely on its own:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276399145334556834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/STmJES7XSKI/AAAAAAAAAFM/z8sHI6lInbc/s200/kaleidescope+urn.jpg" border="0" />Just for the fun of it, I tried taking a picture of the inside.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/STmJEjVWK6I/AAAAAAAAAFU/hHXeiRCg-9E/s1600-h/DSCN0477.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276399149738503074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/STmJEjVWK6I/AAAAAAAAAFU/hHXeiRCg-9E/s200/DSCN0477.JPG" border="0" /></a> And let me tell you, whoever wins this in the raffle had better like it!La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-29091448128773559202008-11-25T20:13:00.001-08:002008-11-28T21:14:48.055-08:00Bobbins in her hair...bobbins everywhere!<div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Not only do I make bobbin lace, I also make bobbins I use to make the lace. A few months ago, when I was showing off a pair of birch bobbins I’d made, a couple of my friends thought at first that they were hair sticks. Since I’ve always thought that the beautiful spangled bobbins I use are just as elegant as the lace they make, I was inspired to make a pair of hair sticks based on the design of my bobbins.<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 199px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo13/bc/5d/ea303b084175.jpg" border="0" /><br />The components of the Spangled Midland style bobbins I use are: the thistle top, the neck, the…well, I’m not sure what the technical term is, but we’ll call it the handle, and the spangle. The neck is where the thread is wrapped, the thistle top is shaped to facilitate a special knot that holds the thread in place, yet is easily unwound when needed. The handle is the part of the bobbin that is picked up and moved to manipulate the thread, and the spangle serves as a weight to provide proper tension on the thread, keeps the bobbin from rolling around on the pillow, and looks pretty. Bobbins are almost always used in pairs, but the pairs generally are not identical. I like to use coordinating bobbins as my pairs to start, although depending on the design of the lace, the bobbins are frequently mixed up into different pairs by the end of the project.<br /><br />For the hair sticks, I decided to make coordinating sticks with no attempt at making them identical. I selected oak, since I’ve had some sitting around for a while, but hadn’t gotten around to cutting any of it yet. I determined that the decorative portion of the hair stick should be based on the handle of the bobbin, complete with spangle…trying to incorporate the neck and thistle top seemed unnecessary.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272815333995212578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SSzNnBUEbyI/AAAAAAAAAFE/8QfaGJfAFtU/s200/DSCN0429.JPG" border="0" /> It’s a little tricky to turn a long, narrow spindle, so I generally start at the tailstock and work my way toward the headstock, so that the narrowest sections will be closest to the stability of the chuck. After turning each stick, I sanded it down through several sizes of sandpaper, down to 1000 grit for a very smooth finish. Cutting off at the point is always an adventure…I usually end up using a skew chisel from my miniature tool set one handed, while loosely holding the stick with my other hand. Spinning objects have a tendency to go flying when set free, and I prefer not to damage either the item I just finished turning or my parent’s car, which is parked very close by (I did mention my lathe is in my parents’ garage, right?). After the cut-off, I sanded the point.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272815334695343042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SSzNnD6_k8I/AAAAAAAAAE8/uj144ZNYWvs/s200/DSCN0431.JPG" border="0" /><br />Back at home, I treated the sticks with tung oil, wiped them, and left them overnight. Well, longer than overnight, actually. I turned the sticks on a Saturday. I prefer not to do anything work-related on Sundays, so after I woke up Monday morning, I lightly sanded the sticks, then rubbed on a second coat of oil. By the time I got home from campus, the oil was dry and the sticks ready for the next step—spangling.<br /><br />First, a small hole had to be drilled across the end of each stick. I used a small rotary power tool (like a Dremel, but off-brand) with a drill bit larger than the brass wire. Next, I cut a length of wire and threaded it through the hole. In order to allow the spangle to move freely, and also hide the connection, I arranged the beads on the wire, with the stick hanging in the middle, so that the when the ends are fastened together, the join could be slid inside the largest bead. Just as the sticks were made to coordinate, but not match, the purple beads on the spangle also coordinate without matching.<br /><br />Ta-da! Lace bobbin inspired hairsticks!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SSzNm66LH1I/AAAAAAAAAE0/cvkMI281r9g/s1600-h/Bobbinesque+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272815332275986258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SSzNm66LH1I/AAAAAAAAAE0/cvkMI281r9g/s200/Bobbinesque+1.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17826337">Oh. And I have short hair and no personal use for hair sticks.</a>La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-84548493301215419052008-11-19T19:46:00.000-08:002008-11-19T20:32:27.921-08:00Why Did The Kids Put Lace In Their Ears?Sure, my lace is pretty, but what do you do with it? So far, I’ve mostly made bookmarks. I use my bookmarks in special books, such as scriptures and my Jane Austen collection. But…for books I’ve borrowed from the libraries, I either A) use a highly advanced method of looking at the page number before closing the book and remembering it later on, or B) leave the book open, face down (I’d better dodge heavy objects being thrown by librarians angered by my flagrant destruction of spines). Plus, of all the books I’ve read this year (86 & 3/2 at current count), at least half were ebooks I read on my Palm TX. All I have to do to bookmark those is press a button! I know that many of my friends and coworkers listen to audiobooks instead of reading printed books…but when tried taking an informal poll of my friends to prove my point, I kind of dramatically failed (one (1) listens to books, one (1)—me—reads ebooks, and twelve (12) read traditional books). Probably I should have asked a wider range of people…<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270581500551829394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 195px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SSTd8zQjF5I/AAAAAAAAAEU/qbpqPuUX5n8/s200/yellow+fancy.jpg" border="0" /> <div><div><div>Anyway, the point is that if even I don’t have much use for the bookmarks I make, why should I expect anyone else to? I wanted a way to make my lace a little more accessible for everyday use, so I decided to try making some earrings. I started with an earring based on a white and yellow bookmark with a fancy type of spiders. I drew up the pattern by tracing sections from the bookmark pricking. This design uses 12 pairs of bobbins, including 4 pairs wound with yellow thread to outline the edges and the fancy detail of the spiders. I made a prototype, but the yellow diamonds around the small spider looked…off. </div><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 244px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 171px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo18/2d/44/9a463d56f9c8.jpeg" border="0" /></div><div>I made a second pricking (a pricking is the pattern used for creating bobbin lace. It consists of holes where pins are inserted to hold the lace in place, and lines drawn as guides for the movement of the threads. I sometimes use paper directly on my lace pillow and don’t pre-prick the holes. When I want a more durable pricking, I draw or trace a pattern on paper, which I then tape to a piece cut from a file folder, and then poke through at all the dots marking pinholes). This time, after tracing, I placed the new card directly under the bookmark pricking and poked through the existing holes. This was particularly important for the two pinholes that place the fancy detailing, and resulted in spiders that were much more like the ones in the bookmark. The placement of those two holes make a huge difference in the appearance of the spider!<br /><br />When I finished creating the body of the earring, I tied square knots at each of the terminating pins, being careful to place the tiny knots where they won’t easily be noticed, and tied the middle threads into a tassel. After removing the piece from my lace pillow, I applied Fray Check to all the edges, particularly focusing on the edges with the knots. I rolled the knots to the back to make them unobservable, then pinned the lace to a pillow covered with a towel, and sprayed a nice puddle of starch over the lace. </div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270583227085190146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SSTfhTGLdAI/AAAAAAAAAEk/KN3jxZL5nWw/s200/yellow+earrings.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>I made another pair in black and red, with a longer tassel and standard spiders, and also created an earring pricking using 16 pairs and a honeycomb ground. I worked that one in blue embroidery floss and white thread. Fitted out with sterling silver jump rings and ear hooks, I’ve turned bookmarks into pretty jewelry!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270582963652124642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SSTfR9u13-I/AAAAAAAAAEc/d6qKhDylZzc/s200/black+red+1.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17558471">yep, these can be yours!</a></div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270583421072361106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SSTfslwUxpI/AAAAAAAAAEs/hksk5npQH7E/s200/blue+earrings.jpg" border="0" />La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-62853621325612741432008-11-14T14:52:00.000-08:002008-11-14T15:19:11.542-08:00A Nightmare DressNo, the dress itself was not a nightmare to make. The title of this post just refers to the origin of the design. A friend of mine was feeling a little stressed about the prospect of making/finding the costumes for herself and her daughters for Halloween this year. I was feeling up for a challenge, so I took on one of the more intimidating costumes: the Sally dress. Here is the image my friend’s daughter provided for me:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268650231979241922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 82px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4BeLLm8cI/AAAAAAAAACk/IB24xsE_dHI/s200/sally1.jpg" border="0" /><br />The basic requirements for this dress were that it should look like the dress from the movie, both in color and fit, and that it should be made well enough to be worn more than once and be passed down to the younger sisters. Many commercially available costumes bore more of a resemblance to a circus tent—garishly colored and shapeless. My plan was to make the dress using patchwork and appliqué methods, using as a base pattern the design for a dress I made for Eve in The Diaries of Adam and Eve (performed at an extremely family-oriented theatre, hence the need for the title characters to wear clothing). Fortunately Sally had pretty much the same measurements as Eve, so that simplified matters somewhat!<br /><br />First, I drew out the overall plan for the front and back, including using my 9th grade geometry skills to draw parallel grain lines on each section. The dress is bias cut, to allow for a nice fit without excess construction seams—there would be enough seams in this dress anyway! I traced each section, along with the grain lines and any placement markings, to individual pattern pieces, and added seam allowances where necessary.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4CJiOTjYI/AAAAAAAAAC0/a87Hy3BHuSQ/s1600-h/DSCN0324.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268650976898944386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4CJiOTjYI/AAAAAAAAAC0/a87Hy3BHuSQ/s200/DSCN0324.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4CJd8W4iI/AAAAAAAAACs/52F9SpsjwnA/s1600-h/DSCN0321.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268650975749923362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4CJd8W4iI/AAAAAAAAACs/52F9SpsjwnA/s200/DSCN0321.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Next, the fabric. There are a lot of pieces, and a lot of colors, and I didn’t want to waste money or fabric by buying strips of cloth for each color, and then end up with a bunch of extra. Plus, I wasn’t sure how well I could find fabrics of the right colors. So I bought a couple yards of unbleached 108” muslin and some dyes. After prewashing and drying the fabric, I laid out the pattern pieces roughly, and drew section lines (all lines I drew were either parallel or perpendicular to the selvedges). I also marked each section with a code indicating which color it should be, and sewed around the edges to prevent fraying. Then, armed with Dylon cold-water dyes and a number of white dollar-store wastebaskets, I set up a dye shop in my bathtub. </div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4DRN6b3kI/AAAAAAAAADE/I78VWuIQJf4/s1600-h/DSCN0335.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268652208397475394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4DRN6b3kI/AAAAAAAAADE/I78VWuIQJf4/s200/DSCN0335.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I chose the Dylon dyes because they seemed much better suited to multiple small batch dye jobs than the other dyes in the stores. Almost none of the sections were supposed to be the colors indicated on the dye packets, so I mixed powders, dyed lighter sections for shorter times than directed, and dyed and redyed darker sections. The sections I had the most difficulty with were the maroon and brown. I ended up getting some navy blue dye and overdying those sections to try to get them a little darker. The end results were not quite the colors from the movie, but coordinated well together and were still much better than the circus-y commercial dresses!<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4Dp23dc3I/AAAAAAAAADM/rhu1ebAsGK4/s1600-h/DSCN0337.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268652631707710322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4Dp23dc3I/AAAAAAAAADM/rhu1ebAsGK4/s200/DSCN0337.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />After cutting and marking the pieces, I drew swirls, stripes, and dots on several pieces (using a black permanent fabric marker), fused the brown dots and pink square to their sections, then taped my master plan of the front to a door by my sewing machine and got to work. If pressed, I could recreate the order in which the sections were sewn together, but for now I’ll just say it was a logical progression. The front went together very quickly and easily. The back was a little slower…because I’d forgotten to put notches on any of the pieces. Even so, it still went pretty quickly. When I sewed the front to the back at shoulders and sides, I left a section under the left arm where a zipper could easily be added, if necessary. Since this is a bias-cut dress, and bias needs to settle, I hung the dress overnight at this point.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4EKOz93BI/AAAAAAAAADU/In1-KtuO1kg/s1600-h/DSCN0341.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268653187891321874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4EKOz93BI/AAAAAAAAADU/In1-KtuO1kg/s200/DSCN0341.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The next day, I hung the dress on a door, set up my laptop nearby with the concept image displayed, grabbed my scissors, and started cutting. I have seen other versions of Sally’s dress where the lower edge was cut at angles and hemmed, but I felt that, A) that method looks awkward and bulky, rather than ragged and torn, and B) That method looks like a pain in the neck. So I just cut the hemline and sleeve edges, mimicking the concept image as closely as possible. After I finished cutting, I applied a healthy dose of Fray-Check to all raw edges. Fray-Check is supposed to be washable, but I did advise my friend that it may need to be re-applied in the future.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4Ex1GSgjI/AAAAAAAAADs/htzxXhXTZ-c/s1600-h/DSCN0344.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268653868183618098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4Ex1GSgjI/AAAAAAAAADs/htzxXhXTZ-c/s200/DSCN0344.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4Exeoy2WI/AAAAAAAAADk/0eintrGF3O8/s1600-h/DSCN0343.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268653862154328418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4Exeoy2WI/AAAAAAAAADk/0eintrGF3O8/s200/DSCN0343.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4ExM9HoII/AAAAAAAAADc/usWAccy-KDQ/s1600-h/DSCN0342.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268653857407737986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4ExM9HoII/AAAAAAAAADc/usWAccy-KDQ/s200/DSCN0342.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />So, the dress is sewn, the edges are finished…should be done, right? Well, here’s where I started to get a little carried away. In the movie, the black thread used to sew the patches together is visible. Now, I did use black thread when I was sewing, but even if I had, say, zigzagged along the seams on the outside, tiny little black threads just wouldn’t show up. So I dug out some black yarn and a fairly large-holed sharp needle…and started hand-sewing big black stitches along the seams. </div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4FJNUck7I/AAAAAAAAAD0/qt3SaC_EsKU/s1600-h/DSCN0345.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268654269822440370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4FJNUck7I/AAAAAAAAAD0/qt3SaC_EsKU/s200/DSCN0345.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>After a few, enough to get the idea across, I sent a picture to my sister and asked what she thought. She liked it, but said I’d better do the same thing across the rest of the seams. My fingers were a little sore by the time I was done, but it really did look good!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4Fkzwt7iI/AAAAAAAAAEE/JvxkUNKPQhk/s1600-h/DSCN0348.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268654743998033442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4Fkzwt7iI/AAAAAAAAAEE/JvxkUNKPQhk/s200/DSCN0348.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4FkjZ4ZLI/AAAAAAAAAD8/9dMPVCrmKfU/s1600-h/DSCN0347.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268654739607282866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4FkjZ4ZLI/AAAAAAAAAD8/9dMPVCrmKfU/s200/DSCN0347.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />As I mentioned before, I left a spot in the left seam for a zipper, just in case. My plan was to try the dress on my friend’s daughter, then put in some darts and a zipper if she wanted it more fitted. However, I think I scared her off of that idea when she tried it on. I mentioned that the darts would probably give a slightly off-set appearance to some of the designs and seams. So Sally, weighing the designs against the fitting, opted not to have the darts.<br /><br />So, lessons learned:<br />1. It is harder than I thought to get deep colors on cotton using cold-water dyes.<br />2. PUT NOTCHES IN THE PATTERN PIECES!<br />3. Maybe a thimble wouldn’t be such a bad idea next time I’m trying to stab worsted-weight yarn through muslin.<br />4. Probably would have been better to fit a plain muslin shell to Sally, then use that as the basis for the pattern. If I had incorporated the darts from the beginning, we could have had both the designs and the fitted look.<br /><br />All in all, though, I like the dress!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4GVBdjD1I/AAAAAAAAAEM/Kxr5-fKAkis/s1600-h/Kelsey_Sally.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268655572309446482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 96px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wY3lyDQFQUs/SR4GVBdjD1I/AAAAAAAAAEM/Kxr5-fKAkis/s200/Kelsey_Sally.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div>La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928806892372615742.post-41617240152723413652008-11-02T08:08:00.000-08:002008-11-02T08:32:42.010-08:00Who is this La Beq person, anyway?Hi. I'm <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Beqi</span>. I make stuff. It's what I do and who I am. I decided to start this blog to keep a record of some of the interesting projects I've attacked.<br /><br />First, though, a little history about me that should explain what kind of stuff I make:<br /><br />When I was a kid, my mom taught me to sew, crochet, and cook. My dad taught me to use a beading loom and aided and abetted my interest in photography. In middle school and high school, I picked up some basic woodworking skills. When I got to college, I majored in Manufacturing, and therefore learned machining, welding, and casting. Through electives, I learned to throw pots and other ceramics skills, as well as bookbinding (I loved that class so much I took it twice!). During a summer break, a friend of the family taught me to spin. I got interested in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lacemaking</span>, and, using books, have taught myself to make bobbin lace. I am also pretty much self-taught in wood turning, using the midi lathe my parents gave me for my birthday a few years ago. They gave it to me so I could make my own bobbins, but I have been branching out a bit, as well.<br /><br />My basic philosophy is that I can figure out how to make anything that <em>can</em> be made. My ability to actually make what I figure out is limited only by availability of resources. Some items I discuss here, and others I don't, are <a href="http://www.labeq.etsy.com/">available for purchase</a>. Projects for my personal use, for family, or for friends, will not be sold, but will still be discussed in this record of just what can be Made By La <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Beq</span>!La Beqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00736612915946826349noreply@blogger.com0