Hang It Up

My workspace is very small, so I am always looking for vertical and off-site storage solutions. I use child-sized clip clothes hangers to store pattern, cut interfacing, and cut and fused component parts for bags.  I also have my photography diffuser and background clipped and hanging.  Interfacings are stored on the bolt, standing in an umbrella holder that is shaped like a huge tin cup.  My rulers are in an ancient stand-up letter file.  This saves lots of flat-surface space.  Manila folders are my best friends.  They are also in a stand up file, and contain pattern pieces and interfacing scraps.  I like paper folders because I can write notes on the outsides.  Another favorite organization tool is a card file pad that has a pivot binding.  I write my cutting sizes and instructions for my bucklebee bags on the cards--one bag per card.  It's small enough to toss in my purse when I go fabric shopping.  When it comes to storage, think outside the box.

Up and Running!

I announced the opening of my Etsy shop "Bucklebee" today! I have 7 bags listed; please stop by and take a look around. There's a link on the bottom of this page right to the shop--a few thumbnail photos of my listings are down there, as well.

Why Bucklebee bags? They're sleek, and designed to remain that way. The interior pockets expand toward the inside of the bag so they always look fresh and crisp. They're fashionable. Up-to-the-minute colors, styles and details keep you in step. They're unique! I design and construct every bag myself. Each bag is one of a kind. They're fun! Unexpected detailing will make you smile.

Yes, I will custom-make bags. If you have a special request, just let me know and we'll get to work!

Disaster Averted!

I made a custom Sally totebag for a friend. She picked the fabrics--a nice trio of rich fall browns and golds. When I got the bag outside, heading for delivery, I saw a big scorch mark on the upper cuff. Oh my. My heart sank.
Twenty-four hours later, the bag was delivered, and my friend was thrilled. How did I get the scorch out? Easy!
Back to our old friend peroxide. I used a white dishtowel, got it good and damp with 1.5% peroxide, and blotted the scorch. Then I left the damp towel over the stain for a full hour. I removed the towel and let the bag dry overnight. Stain gone.
If the actual fibers are burned, this won't work. But if the scorch is just on the fabric finish, you have a very good chance of rescuing your project.

No more OUCH!

I have been working with heavy fabrics, and doing a lot of precision work.  That means  pins, which mean sore, bleeding fingers and lumpy joins.  I was feeling pretty sorry for myself and my mangled fingertips, and figured that there had to be a better way.  And there is.

I bought a big tub of 200 binder clips at the local discount store for about $5.  There are three sizes of clips, and they completely fit my needs.  I've found some other benefits besides saving the integrity of my skin.  Since the clips are symmetrical, you can't get pricked by a hidden pin on the underside.  If you drop one on the floor, there's much less danger (your pets will appreciate this as well.)  I find that they hold just as well as pins when I am working with thick layers, and they're easier to move around.  They do not distort the fabric, which is very important if you're matching patterns or seamlines.  Best of all, you can apply/remove them with one hand.  I'm hooked!  There are specialty clips on the market just for sewing, but they are one-sided, which makes them less functional in my opinion.  They won't replace pins entirely, of course.  But I am happy to report that I made one of my big "Sally" tote bags yesterday and used four pins during the whole process.

Tabletop Studio

I've been looking for an inexpensive--very inexpensive--way to photograph my handbags in preparation for listing them for sale.  I am a terrible photographer.  I'm the person whose photos always have that rogue tree growing out of Uncle Murray's head, or a stray thumb (my own) peeking into the picture, or cut-off feet.  I just have no talent for snapping pictures.  After some research on various home-grown methods for photographing objects, I'm going to try the "Rubbermaid" technique.  This involves using a big clear storage bin as a light-diffusing box, and three desk lamps.  The background is white posterboard, tucked inside the bin.  I tried this last night with one lamp, which is all I have on hand right now.  Here are a few, unedited.

Certainly not fancy, but worlds better than my usual efforts.  I can't wait to see how the addition of two more sidelights change the results!

Rotary Cutting Tips

The rotary cutter looks intimidating, but it's such a useful tool.  Rotary cutting is a valuable skill to master.  For rotary success, follow these simple steps:

1. Find the corner of your acrylic ruler where the 1 inch lines intersect.  This is your 1 x 1 corner, and it should always be on the upper right.
2. Fold your fabric along its length.  Make sure the fold is along the straight grain.  The cut ends of the fabric will probably not be even.
3. Put the bulk of the fabric to your left.  Lay your ruler on the fabric, so that all off the cut ends of the fabric extend past the edge of the ruler.  Align a grid line of the ruler exactly on the fold of the fabric.  
4. Put your left hand on the ruler, and cut with your right.  Make a smooth, even cut, running the rotary cutter along the edge of the ruler.  Always cut away from you.  This is called straightening the edge. After your cut is made, click the safety switch.
5. Rotate your fabric so that the bulk is to your right.  Keep your 1 x 1 ruler corner on the upper right.  Find the grid mark on your ruler that you need, and align it to the straight  edge of the fabric.  Make another smooth cut.  
6. Remember to put some muscle into your left hand--plenty of pressure keeps the ruler from shifting.

Happy August!

I'm off in a few minutes to teach a Quilting 101 class.  It's a 2 1/2 hour intro class that is one of my favorites.  The students walk into the classroom convinced that they can't do piecework.  In a very short time, I show them that yes, they can.  Plus, I give a nice chat about quilting history, tools, techniques and a little trivia, of course.

Today's block selection is Hole in the Barn Door, also known as Churn Dash.  It's an easy block to make, and it allows me to teach three piecing shortcuts:  quick-pieced half-square units, strip piecing, and fussy-cutting.