A Sticking Problem Solved

 

Exposed hook/loop tape

     We had to get new bags for our bikes after we got new phones.  Our phones are only a touch bigger than our old ones but didn't fit into the old bag.  My husband went to the bike store to get the new ones.  There really was only one that went onto the top bar that would fit our phones plus blocks and salt for riding.  I installed it on my bike and after doing one ride, I hated it.  The hook/loop system they used to attach the bag to the bike was exposed.  Every time I had to stop my bike, like at an intersection, the hooks would catch on my bike shorts.  At other times my leg would brush up against it while riding and it would irritate my skin.  I was almost ready to toss it but thought there had to be a fix.

Jewel's Tape I used

     Jewel's Tape and fleece the rescue.  I cut a strip of fleece the width of the hook/loop tape and enough length to go from side to side underneath the bag.  Then I attached a piece of Jewel's Tape to each of the short ends.

Fleece strip ready for install

     I removed the paper from one end and stuck it to the bag.  Then I threaded the fleece between the bike bar and the cable.  I then removed the other piece of paper from the tape and adhered it to the bag.  No need to stitch or iron.  Now the hook/loop tape is covered with soft fleece.  No more catching on my bike shorts or scratching my leg.

Left side covered

Right side covered

June ASG Challenge - Placemat

Finished placemat

      We were given a fat quarter of the pink swirl fabric and told to make something using most of the piece and adding as many other fabrics as we needed.  The only other rule was it could not be hidden inside, like used only as a lining.

Back of placemat

     Since we as a group are making placemats for Meals on Wheels I decided to use the challenge fabric to make a cheerful placemat.  I had the yellow fabric and the multi colored piece in my stash, left over from making the birthday placemats for the grandkids.  I used fusible fleece for the inside.  I used a decorative stitch on my machine to sew on the yellow stripes on the front.  Then I bound it with the multi colored fabric.  

May ASG Demo - Tissue Holder

 

Finished tissue holder

     At our last ASG meeting, one of our members demo'd how to make this quick and easy tissue holder.  It just requires two rectangles of fabric.  The lining piece is larger than the outer piece and that is what gives the look of a binding on the outside.

Inside

     The inside raw edges are finished with a zigzag stitch.  You could use a serger also.

End stitching

     It was suggested to add some reinforcement stitches at the ends, as she said her nieces were having them come apart there.  These would make fun stocking stuffers.

Cinderella Walhanging

 

It's finally finished

      After many years, I finally finished this Cinderella counted cross stitch kit.  I think I have had the kit for over 25 years.  I started it and then it got put to the side after I got my embroidery machine.  A few years ago I pulled it out again.  The threads were so tangled together!  I tried working on it but each time I would put it away and then pull it out again I spent most of my time untangling it.  

Working on the backstitching

      Then something I hear on Gretchen Rubin's Happier podcast made all the difference.  She talked about wanted to water color every day but found she spent too much time pulling out her supplies.  She had an aha moment that if she left out her supplies on a small cart, they would be much more available.  Eureka, I decided to do something similar.  I set up a large folding table in front of the windows in my living room.  I then laid out all my carded threads with the tails hanging off the edges.  No more tangles!  I did have to take it all down for Christmas, but as soon as the decorations came down in January, I put it all back up.  

Detail of backstitching

     I tried to spend a half hour every week day working on it.  I finished the cross stitching, then the backstitching to bring it to life and finally the hundred or so beads were sewn on.  I did have to buy some more embroidery floss.  Not sure if I lost some or did it get so tangled I had to toss a color or two.

Needs to be pressed

     Then I had to press out all the wrinkles and hoop marks.  I took it to a local studio, Perkowitz Art Studio to get it framed.  She helped me choose a mat color that enhanced the piece and a pretty but not too ornate frame.  She did an amazing job!  

Hanging up

     Originally I was going to hang it on the wall on the stair landing going upstairs but in the meantime we purchased a second home, a condo in Cedar Rapids.  The piece is now hanging in my sewing room at the condo along with the eight Cinderella plates I had purchased YEARS ago.  I also found a cute plaque at a resale shop in Cedar Rapids that I hung with it all.  Eventually I will repaint the walls in the sewing room, but at least now I can see it whenever we go out there.

Thanksgiving Sweatshirt

 

Finished sweatshirt

     Just a quick blog this week.  I embroidered a sweatshirt to have to wear at Thanksgiving time.  I think I bought the sweatshirt from Amazon.  I washed it in hot water so if it was going to shrink, it would be before I did the embroidery.  I ironed on a polymesh stabilizer and used my magnetic hoop.  The design is from Designs by JuJu.  A quick and easy stitch out.

Embroidery detail

     It will be fun to wear this next Thanksgiving.

Neutral Brampton Shorts

Finished shorts

       I made these shorts with fabric I bought from my ASG trip to San Francisco 2024.  I made them last May and wore them a couple of times last summer.  They fit okay, not sure I like the bag waist fit on my body though.  

Pattern and fabric

     When I bought my fabrics at Stonemountain and Daughter, I took a photo of the pattern with the cut fabric so I would remember what I bought each piece for.  This was necessary as the fabric was getting shipped to me and I wouldn't remember otherwise.😁

Back pocket detail

     I did both the in-seam pockets and the back pockets plus the the sash.  The fabric was maybe just a little too 'stiff' for the tie sash.  Maybe a more flowy rayon would work better.

Hem detail

     The pattern was easy to follow the directions and the fabric was a dream to work with.  

Grey Floral Kashi Tee

 

     Just finished this for myself.  I had bought this so so soft knit at JoAnn Fabrics before it closed.  I used another Itch to Stitch pattern.  This time the Kashi tee.  I chose the v-neck version with long sleeves.  I did not use my serger for the construction, just for finishing the hems.  I used the stretch stitch on my sewing machine for putting it together.  

     The instructions for the v-neck were very good, went together smoothly. I can't wait to wear this.  I can see wearing it with my sage green pants, grey ones, blush or white.  So many possibilities.  I highly recommend Itch to Stitch patterns.  The directions are excellent and so far most of the things I've sewn have fit well.