I've been writing and editing this post since the sewing retreat July 12-14. I was also dealing with car problems throughout, so I was glad the retreat was so much fun in contrast. All skippable, I'm just using this as a journal to help me remember what I did!
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(start of post July 15th)
Speaker Tuesday night did not demonstrate everything she told me she was going to, but was still lots of fun.
3-day sewing day camp Thurs-Fri-Sat is over, much too soon. I am key holder for the building so I needed to be there first to last 8AM to 9:30PM each day. I worked this one again same as the spring one, setting up tables & power cords, helping prepare meals, kitchen clean up, general go-fer throughout the event, then clean up at the end. We didn't have to put away tables & chairs this time because the next group in the room needs them all, so that made clean up a lot easier.
I never expect to get much sewing done at these events. This time I actually got more done than usual.
Before retreat/day camp: Sorted through piles of patterns, sketches, and notes to pick out projects. Ran into car trouble which interfered with preparations. Ended up packing at the last minute and throwing a bunch of stuff into tote bags. Did additional sorting the first day of camp, which was very helpful.
Retreat projects:
1) Cut 9 nylon net strips to make dish scrubbies. (These are all I use on my cast iron pans.) Sewed 3 and put the rest of the strips in a baggie to sew at home. Gave the rest of the nylon net to DH to give to his mother today at the family picnic.
[He forgot to give it to her. ]* I had already committed to this sewing day camp before DH's family decided the date of the picnic. I see them often enough that I didn't feel the need to cancel sewing camp. *
2) No-tie scarf from a class. Drafted pattern from chart in a purchased booklet, cut it out of red/white polka dot silk, sewed, finished the scarf. Now I need to learn how to loop it together for the different shapes in the booklet.
Need to make another in a color that will coordinate better with my usual blue/purple palate.3) Studied glove pattern and cut apart pieces. Pattern is for dress gloves, not winter gloves. I have a couple chunks of practice fabric. Need to trace the pattern pieces onto something stronger so they can be used multiple times.
4) Showed clothing design idea binder and vintage patterns to other campers. Shared design ideas.
*An on-going and constant procedure all 3 days, sharing ideas and advice when asked.*5) Figured out how to use circle rotary cutter. Cut circles from old Tshirts to be used in a funky scarf pattern found on the internet. Results: circle rotary cutter doesn't work that great on stretchy Tshirt knit, but was faster than drawing circles & cutting with scissors. Bagged circles and instructions to finish at home since it is hand sewing.
6) Simple jacket pattern: Sewed together pieces cut out at spring retreat. Tried on, analyzed fit, took apart sleeves and re-sewed. 2nd fitting, feels ok but not great, and I don't like the color of the practice fabric so I'll probably only wear it at home. Made notes for cutting 2nd attempt in a color I'm more likely to wear.
7) 2nd simple jacket pattern: Discovered that the pretty batik fabric I packed was not a big enough piece to cut out the jacket. Need to find a coordinating fabric in my stash to be able to follow the instructions for "jacket with bands in contrast color."
8) Studied pattern included in purchased kit for a purse with a flower decoration. It's going to be more complicated than I thought, but looks fun to do and the kit was on clearance sale.
Actually, the purse doesn't look very difficult to build, but the flower decoration has 120 individually-cut petals.
9) Figured out method for quadruple (or 4-sided or 4-faces) placemat. Made one to fit inside a metal Christmas tray so it can be used year-round. Result: it is cute but fiddly to do and thus time consuming. I'm not sure of the usefulness unless you are really short of storage space, such as in a camper. Needs to pressed each time it's flipped to a different side. Will probably not make it again.
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Best part = talking with everyone else about their projects and admiring their work. Totally inspirational!
Other people sewed:
Intricately pieced quilt top
Blouse with complicated sleeves for granddaughter
Hand-sewn flower embellishments
Fall table runner, Christmas gift placemats & potholders
Nightgowns and misc.
Large yoga mat bag with bias trim
Pillowcase dresses for Haiti
Small fabric box & patriotic banners
Dog leash flags & covers, jelly roll pieced quilt top
... so you can see we have varied sewing interests in our group.