86/365 - Thread Crochet

Thread crochet feels like such an indulgent hobby, which is funny, because you get so many hours of entertainment from a single ball of cotton thread.

78/365 - Reclaimed Yarn

This is "reclaimed" yarn-- unraveled from a $1 thrift store sweater.  It ended up in several balls, as you can see, but since it's 100% wool, I'll be able to use a felted joins, which is better than dealing with a hundred ends to weave in at the end.

61/465 - I Heart Crochet

Or in this case, "I crochet heart(s)".  ;o)  They were for another square for the current afghan-in-progress. 

58/365 - Cheerful Lacy Valentine

Here's the latest block for my current crochet WIP-- a sampler afghan in bright, cheery colors.  :o)

54/365 - Slice of Sunshine Doily

No comment needed.  ;o)

53/365 - Jewelry-Making

Hauled out the jewelry-making supplies to whip up a few pairs of earrings.  I am woefully out of practice!

47/365 - New Palette

The new crochet project is a sampler-- a variety of different motifs/blocks stitched together into a single blanket.  This is the bright and cheerful color scheme.  :o)

Random Thoughts

(When all else fails...)

- - - - - - -

I tried out my new Swiffer WetJet this afternoon.  I hope that it will encourage me to clean the hard surface floors (mainly the kitchen and breakfast room) more often than I tend to do with the mop or scrub brush.  I have sneaky intentions of either crocheting or sewing some reusable pads for it-- anything to avoid having to buy the disposable pads.  Also, I've found a tutorial that allows you to refill one of the bottles of cleaning fluid yourself rather than buying a new one every time.  (A penny saved, etc., etc.) 

Maybe it's just me, but the WetJet liquid smells like an odd mixture of fruit (sour apple?) and beer.  And yet it's not unpleasant.

- - - - - - -

Further proof that I am an über-introvert / hermit:  I got a lot (by my standards) of comments on my crochet/sewing blog a while ago, back when someone must've noticed and spread the word about my Circle of Friends-based afghan.  It's flattering and all, but I haven't even read the comments there or at Ravelry, and now I'm avoiding that blog so I won't have to deal with it all.  Surely I'm not the only person who has this love/hate relationship with comments.  (Right?  Or, ok, maybe I am.)  This is part of the reason I decided that Facebook wasn't my cup of tea.  Practically the whole thing seems to be centered around comments. (I may start going there to lurk, though.   ...Maybe.)

- - - - - - -

There is a reason that crocheters don't typically make blankets using a mixture of motif shapes.  This afghan I am currently piecing together has octagons, squares, and triangles, and it is taking for-ev-er.  I long for simple columns and rows of squares!  (But I'm not "allowed" to start another project for myself until I get this thing pieced together.  ...And when I do, I think I'm back in the mood for thread crochet.)

- - - - - - -

What's this about an NFL lockout (whatever that is)?  Fortunately, I couldn't care less about football (especially NFL football) if I tried, so I don't have to bother about this (incredibly boring) subject. 

- - - - - - -

My take on the situation with the Wisconsin senate democrats hiding out-of-state to avoid doing their jobs is predictable:  It's simply infuriating. If they refuse to fulfill the obligations of their positions of political power, they need to step down (or be removed from office).

- - - - - - -

How does spring manage to sneak up on me every year?  

Ugh.  There's so much I need to do before the summer heat sets in.

Genealogy Freebie

It's been a while since I spent any time looking into genealogy, but it's something that still interests me.  Maybe someday I'll get into it again-- try to sort through what I've already gathered-- prove or disprove some of it.  Or just see if I can find any new holes in some of the brick walls. What I'd really like is to find more personal information than the usual dry lists of names and dates. 

I'm really only here to mention that ancestry.com is allowing free access to their immigration records-- this weekend only.  It might be worth a look.

Lattice Window Rag Quilt

Last week, I wrote about finishing my second denim-and-flannel rag quilt on my sewing blog. (Scroll down the page for photos of the quilt-- and even further for a couple photos of the window that it reminded me of, during the planning process.) There are a few more photos of the quilt in this entry, too.

Your Name in Print

There was a time-- starting back around seventh or eighth grade, I guess-- when I thought that seeing my name in print (in something more than a school-level publication) would be the pinnacle of success. I didn't expect to ever write anything that would make me world-famous, but even the humbler hope of simply being published and seeing my name in print gave me thrills.

Though other interests have since taken hold of me and I'm now much less given to literary daydream, the thought still has its appeal. However, if someone has serious hopes of publication, she probably ought to write more than the occasional slap-dash blog post or polymer clay tutorial, and as of yet, I haven't devoted the required time or effort to those old ambitions.

But--
Despite my lack of "stick-to-itiveness" (can you believe that's an actual word in the dictionary?) in the writing department, I have been granted the pleasure of seeing my name in print in a real, "live" book! It's not quite the same as being The Author, of course, but it's still plenty thrilling to be mentioned at all!

Here I am credited as one of the "participating artists", in the back of the book:


This opportunity pretty much fell into my lap one day when one of the authors, Ruth Rae, wrote to ask if I'd be interested in contributing some polymer clay mini food charms for inclusion in the book. She'd seen my photos on Flickr and thought they'd work nicely in a charm bracelet or two. (Thank you, Flickr! (g))

It's been a while since that happened (this book-making business seems to take a lot longer than you might think), but earlier this month my complimentary copy arrived-- A Charming Exchange: 25 Jewelry Projects to Create & Share, by Kelly Snelling & Ruth Rae.


In amongst so many lovely jewelry-making projects and glossy photos, you'll see my miniature cupcakes, Pop-Tarts, and cookies. And my name (in a few different places)! (g) It really is a neat thing to have happen just when you're least expecting it. :o)

Hand-Dyed Trim

I came across this just now and thought it looked interesting.

Basically, you water down acrylic paint, use it to thoroughly tint your trim (such as lace), let it dry, then "set" the paint in the dryer (on high). I wouldn't have thought it'd be washer safe-- or permanent-- but supposedly it is. (I guess it makes sense that it would be, considering that spills of acrylic paint dried on clothing are usually there to stay.) Could be a fun way to get just the right shade of lace. . .

Knitting Vs. Crochet

I've crocheted about 15 simple granny squares (not counting three or so "practice runs" in scrap yarn). I think I've got the simple granny down pat. I'm not saying they're perfect, but they're good enough in my own estimation. Once I've finished my current project, I'll look into using different colors for different rounds. (Since the yarn I'm using now is variegated, I haven't bothered with that, so far.) I'm also planning to try a couple different types of granny square/motifs.

While working that basic pattern over and over again, I gradually have come to the point that I don't have to think so much about what I'm doing. I can listen to music or TV, or just let myself daydream.

Sometimes my thoughts have wandered to the public opinion of crochet versus knitting. I don't know much about knitting, and I know only a little more about crochet-- but even I know that knitting is currently "hipper" than crochet. For whatever reason, the re-popularization of crochet hasn't been quite as strong and widespread as that of knitting.

Personally, I've always felt more of an interest in crochet-- maybe because I remember seeing my mother crochet (rarely-- it wasn't one of her biggest hobbies). I give most of the credit to the nostalgic, retro appeal of the granny square and similar motifs. That's still just about the limit of my crochet ambition. I'm not interested in having to check gauge-- or in following elaborate patterns (esp. those that would require me to keep count, which is something I loathe)-- or in making clothing. I just want to make a few accessory-type items, from time to time. (Maybe someday I'll look into doily-making. For now, I think that's too finicky for my abilities. Fortunately I'm not one of those poor souls who can't bear to have a little "fussiness" around the house, so doilies are welcome in our home. (g))

Anyway, as a relative new-comer to the "fray", I've been interested in reading the various arguments for each craft. One argument against crochet seems to be that it uses more yarn than knitting. While this is true, it's apparently been blown out of proportion. Some have said (and even printed!) that crochet uses three times as much yarn as knitting. The truth of the matter seems to be much less dramatic-- crochet uses about 1/3 more yarn than knitting. (Either someone's out to scare people away from crochet or they got confused and only remembered that the proportion had something to do with "3". . . )

I was interested to find that someone actually wrote a blog entry on the subject. Five different stitches were put to the test: single crochet, double crochet, knitted stockinette stitch, knitted garter stitch, and plain tunisian crochet. Skipping all the other details (which you can find at the link above), the results were as follows: Knitted stockinette stitch was the clear winner (if by "winning" one means using the least amount of yarn to make a specified size swatch of fabric). Double crochet came in second place. Single crochet and knitted garter stitch were almost exactly equal-- third place in economy. Tunisian crochet came in last place.

Interesting. . .
Well, enough rambling on this subject. . .

Hope your Saturday's off to a great start! :o)

Crochet Update

Because you've been sitting on the edge of your seat, right? ;o)

Tried a little more crochet after lunch, and this time there was no numbness. So maybe I'll be able to handle a little at a time. I'm not that ambitious, as far as crochet goes, but I would like to be able to do a little now and then, for fun.

Does crocheting cause numb fingers?

I knew that crochet was one of those things that could potentially lead to carpal tunnel syndrome or similar problems, but I thought I'd have at least a few good years before it would strike.

I was working on a granny square this morning when I noticed numbness in my thumb and one or two fingers of my right hand. I haven't even done much lately! (I crocheted maybe one square yesterday, total-- and none for a few days before that.)

How annoying!

I'm hoping this is something that won't be a perpetual problem. I don't think I'll be crocheting much, if it causes numbness. I hate that tingly sensation!

Maybe I was holding my hands incorrectly and that caused the numbness. . . Or maybe I'm just cursed with bad wrists/fingers. (sigh) Seriously, I'm not even (quite) 30 yet. I thought you weren't supposed to start falling apart until then. ;o)

Nothing in Particular

== == == == ==

Donald noticed over the weekend that mockingbirds have been pecking at our tomato plants. Annoying! He put up a makeshift "cage" around all the tomato plants, and that should work for now.

I've read a little online and found a few other ideas, too. Some people suggest hanging junk CDs, foil streamers, etc. on fishing line to frighten the birds away. My personal favorite, though, is a rubber snake. Just move it around every day or two, and the birds are supposed to think it's the real thing. (Of course, we'd have to put it so that Molly couldn't get to it, or it'd be her newest toy! I can just imagine her running around with a fake snake hanging out of her mouth! It wouldn't be good for my nerves. (g))

== == == == ==

Donald's parents are getting a puppy today! (Already have it by now, I'm sure.) There are photos on this page of Thorbjörn's website. Their puppy is the one sitting by herself in two of the photos. I think Donald said her name is Soffi (spelling may be wrong), but I'm not sure if that's what they're calling her or just what the mother-dog's owners have been calling her.

== == == == ==

I just remembered something that happened one of the evenings we were taking care of Prince and Skipper, recently. We were driving away, and the dogs had "escorted" us to the front of the yard, near the fence. Suddenly, I saw a bird "dive-bombing" poor Skipper! He must have been near a nest. I've seen video of birds attacking cats that way, but not dogs. Fortunately, he seemed to be fine, though I do think he was aware that the bird was fussing at him.

== == == == ==

We watched The Invasion the other night.

SPOILER ALERT!!
Don't read this section if you haven't seen The Invasion yet and don't want it spoiled.

Afterwards, I checked out what people were saying about it on IMDB (Internet Movie Database). Just because I like doing that. (g) I don't know what I expected, really, because, well, many of the people who comment there are. . . well, let's just say they're not all the best or the brightest. Still, I allowed myself to feel shocked when some of them expressed the opinion that the virus was actually a good thing. Yeah, what's so bad about something that takes away the essence of who you are? I mean, it was bringing about world peace! Who cares if we cease to be who we are-- lose emotion and autonomy-- if it means the world's at peace?

I knew the concept of the rights (and the value) of the individual was being steadily brainwashed away, but this has brought it into even sharper focus for me.

== == == == ==

I'm trying to learn to crochet granny squares. I got a little demonstration from Mom and Aunt Cathy on Friday, and since then I've also found a couple of helpful tutorials online. (I'm sure there are lots more.) I guess I'm making some progress, but I'm sure my tension is off, because I can't seem to hold the yarn comfortably-- and my work so far is not very pretty. I'll probably improve if I just stick with it for a while, but it's hard to want to work on it when the results aren't that great. I don't think I'll ever be known for my patience in learning new skills.

(I've made two "complete" squares, so far. Still not perfect, but at least they're square. ;o) There's a photo on my Flickr page, if you're interested.)

== == == == ==

We have a new camera! It's a Canon XSi, and of course it works with all the lenses we've been using with our older camera. So now when we go somewhere, we can both take photos. (g) The bigger display is really nice-- and of course the larger photos are a plus, too.

== == == == ==

I'm sleepy tonight. Maybe going to bed a little early would be a good idea. . . Hope your week's off to a good start!

Sewing Kit in a Jar

I found this yesterday and liked the looks of it:

Sewing Kit in a Jar
From Martha Stewart Living. How to turn a Mason jar into a sewing kit (or storage solution) with a pin cushion on top. Simple and attractive.

I like the old-fashioned homeyness of the Mason jar, but the downside is that it's breakable. If you wanted a "traveling" sewing kit (one to leave in your car or to take on trips or to sewing groups), you could use a plastic jar. I've also read that some people prefer attaching the pin cushion to the bottom of the lid, so that it (and all the pins) will be inside the jar, when it's closed. Again, it looks more decorative with the cushion on top, but for traveling, inside would be better.

Anyway, just thought I'd pass along the link. :o)

First snake of the year, etc.

We saw the first snake of the year down by the pond, yesterday evening. I'm not sure what it was, or how long it was. It was a dusty grey color and looked dry and rough. It could have been a moccasin, but we took a detour and didn't get close enough to ID it.

Donald was the one to spot it, and when he froze, I knew at once what he'd seen (or at least that he thought he'd seen a snake), so I had one of those awful moments of dizziness I always seem to get in certain situations. It's something like the "slow-motion" feeling you sometimes experience (especially when you're falling). I hate it when that happens! I feel totally out of control-- for less than a second, probably, but it's still very unpleasant-- especially when I need to be getting away from something (the snake).

Anyway, snakes are apparently on the move around here, so be careful!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I was just looking around for photos of different types of snakes. (It can't hurt to re-familiarize myself with some of the most common venomous snakes in our area.) I found some random guy's blog, where he described killing a snake that he thought was a moccasin and which his wife had found on their porch. He'd posted a few photos of the snake in question.

The entry received some rather venomous (pardon the pun) comments from people who were horrified that he had killed what turned out to be a yellow-bellied water snake-- not a moccasin. Some of them just corrected him, though they couldn't resist the opportunity to point out how valuable these beautiful creatures are, etc., etc. But a few perfect strangers berated the man for his callous action-- told him that cutting the head off a snake is a cruel way to kill it, as they don't die instantly (What's a kinder way to kill it, then? Shoot it in the head, maybe?)-- called him a "selfish fool" and asked him how he dared to kill the animal without researching its "breed" (which is mighty hard to do when you've got to to keep an eye on it and make the decision on the spot)-- and so on. These people seemed to be personally offended that he'd killed the snake. You'd almost think the snake was a friend of the family. At least one person seemed to think that even if it had been poisonous, he wouldn't have had a right to kill it. (He was supposed to call a "wildlife re-locator". Because we're running so short on venomous snakes in the U.S., I guess?)

After looking at the photos, I have to agree that it probably wasn't a moccasin. The pupils aren't slits (as far as I can tell), and there don't seem to be "pits" in the face-- but the body does look like a moccasin, so I can't blame the guy for being confused. If I were in the same situation, faced with a split-second decision (because the snake was fleeing into a wooded area, but could have come back at any time), trying to protect a small child (or even just me and my pets!), I'd probably err on the side of caution. I figure that even if I kill two "harmless" snakes on accident every year, the world probably won't come to a screeching halt. But maybe I'm just an insensitive brute. ;o)

I definitely don't advocate torturing any animal, nor do I think you should go around killing animals with no legitimate reason-- but good grief! Is a person not to be allowed to kill a potentially harmful animal when it turns up on his private property? What's next? Maybe we shouldn't set mouse traps or spray wasp nests! Actually, why not ban antibacterial cleansers-- or soap in general? I mean, bacteria are living things, too, and who ever said that we have the right to kill them?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thanks to the time change, there's just enough time for us to have a walk or spend a few minutes doing something else outside before it gets dark, when Donald comes home. No complaints about that-- but I'm still not completely adjusted to the new schedule.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I finally got around to uploading a few photos I took of a pin cushion I made to put along with Mom's birthday gift this year. (She has it now, so no worries about spoiling the surprise. (g)) I made it using felt, a few glass beads, and a little "fiberfil"/stuffing.


(There are a few other photos of this on my Flickr account.)

I used a variety of websites for inspiration, but I ended up just making up my own pattern. It's pretty simple. (And I have very limited experience with needle and thread, so that's saying something!) All you really need to know is how to do a simple stitch-- the blanket stitch is a common choice.

To make it the way I did, you'll need the following:

• felt in the desired colors
  
• I just used the cheap sheets of felt you find in the craft store, but if you want to get fancy you can use wool felt. I've read that even if you're going to use polyester felt, you might get better quality stuff if you buy it off the bolt rather than in the pre-cut rectangles. Like I said, I used the cheapest stuff, and it still "worked".
  
• embroidery floss and thread
  
• I'm sure you could use regular thread, but the embroidery floss is nice, if you have it. I divided mine into two or three threads to prevent it from being too bulky, so it goes a pretty long way. You can choose floss/thread that matches your felt or colors that contrast-- whatever look you prefer.
  
• needle (or two-- a very thin one, if you're going to be sewing on tiny beads)
  
• card stock or thin cardboard
• I just used what I had on hand-- thin "cardboard" from cereal boxes or other food packaging. Use this to make your templates, if you like, and to stiffen parts of the finished food shape.
• pen
  
• This is for tracing your pattern onto the felt, if you like. I found that the pens I used tended not to dry on the poly felt. (Or if it dried, it took a very long time to do so.) It was a little bit messy. You could use pencil, I guess, or experiment on a scrap until you found an ink that dried. Or just don't worry too much about it and try to dab the ink dry with a tissue.
  
• scissors
  
• Good, sharp ones are best for cutting the felt.
  
• fiberfil-type stuffing
• I think some people are a bit picky about this part. Evidently certain types are better than others for preserving needles and pins. You can even fill the pin cushion with emery to help keep them sharp. I just used what I had on hand-- polyfil.
  
• small glass beads, sequins, ribbon, etc.
• These are just for embellishment, so use whatever you have on hand.
  
• weights / flattened marbles
  
• This is optional. I added a few flattened glass marbles in the bottom of this pin cushion to give it a little extra weight. You could use anything that's small and relatively heavy for the same purpose.
  

Basic instructions:

1. Decide what you want to make and break the shape down into simpler shapes. This may be harder for some people than others. If it helps, sketch it out on paper. Here's an example of what I mean: To make my slice of cake, I knew that I needed two shapes like triangles with a curved edge-- pizza slice shapes. One would be the top of the slice of cake and on would be the bottom. Then I'd need two identical rectangles for the long sides of the slice (the parts with the white stripes). Finally, I'd need one more rectangle just long enough to go around the curves of the "pizza slice" shapes. Those shapes would make the basic shape of the cake slice. Because I wanted to embellish the slice a little, I also needed two narrow strips of "icing"-colored felt (to give the illusion of a layer cake), some flower- and leaf-shaped pieces to go on top, and for the top and sides, so "piped icing". To make each section of the piped icing, cut three or four (or whatever looks best to you-- experiment!) ovals (or circles) of felt. Layer them and stitch together down the middle. When you sew them to the cake, you can pull the thread through the layers to make them come together and even "twist" a little.
   
2. Cut your shapes from the felt. I made cardboard templates to help me get things right, but that may not be necessary for you. Be sure to think about what each shape will be in the finished "food" before you cut. This helps you make sure you're cutting the right color for each shape.
   
3. Start stitching the shapes together. I'm not sure what's the best method to follow on this part. I just learned as I went, and I've forgotten most of what I thought I learned. ;o) I believe it's generally easier to save the bottom shape for last. Take your time. If it doesn't look like something's going to fit, you can still trim the shapes, at this point. Because felt doesn't unravel, you don't have to worry about protecting the cut edges. A simple blanket stitch works perfectly, but you can also use a whip stitch or whatever else you like. You'll want to hide your knots as much as possible, of course. I found it was easier to do as much as possible of the "embellishing" sewing before I sewed the whole thing together. What I mean is, I'd go ahead and sew the "icing" strips to the rectangles and the flowers to the top before sewing the larger shapes together. Ditto for the beads. It may be different for you, but this made it easier for me to keep my knots hidden. On the other hand, I think I did sew some of the piped icing on after putting together the basic shape of the cake.
   
4. Put in the stuffing, cardboard, and weights. As I said before, I saved the bottom shape for last. You can go ahead and stitch most of that last piece on, but pause when you have one side or so still "open". Now is a good time to add cardboard rectangles to the straight sides of the cake slice (if you want them to be stiff and not bulge out a bit). Next, start stuffing the pin cushion. I'm not sure how firm the ideal pin cushion should be, but I think it's easy to under-stuff, so it may be best to add a little more than you think you'll need. (You could try holding it closed and "testing" it with a few pins to see what it feels like.) To give your cake slice a flat bottom, put a cardboard shape (trimmed to the right dimensions) between the stuffing and the felt. If you want to add some weights to your pin cushion, put them in just before the cardboard. (I tried hot gluing the flat marbles to my cardboard shape, but it was clear that they wouldn't stay in place for long. You could glue them with something more permanent, if you really wanted them to stay put, but I think that as long as you put them at the very bottom, they won't be a problem, even if they are loose.) Stitch the final side closed. Do any final bits of embellishment you like, and then you're done!
   

Here are some links you might find useful:

• Blanket stitch on felt
  
• Whip stitch on felt
  
• Inspiration on Craftster forum
  
• Four ways to make a "cream puff"/"icing star" (Japanese)
  
• Baked goods inspiration (Japanese)
  
• Even more inspiration (in Japanese, so you just have to browse at random)
  

Scrappy Denim Rag Quilt Bag

Ow. I bit the inside of my mouth a little while ago, and now I have one of those little flappy sore things that make me sick just to think about. Maybe this is my punishment for being "ugly" earlier? ;o)

The real reason I'm online is to put up a few photos of the finished rag-quilt-style bag. I did the last bits of sewing this morning, then cut it (to make the raggedy fringe), washed and dried it. I might still add a few decorative buttons and snap closure; we'll see. . . The bag is made of denim from old jeans and a green cotton button-up shirt. There's no batting or interior layer of fabric.

Here's one photo. If you'd like to see a couple more, you'll find them in my flickr photostream.


It turned out ok-- good enough that I'll probably do more stuff like this in the future-- but I think I need to refine my sewing skills. They're pretty rough, still, and while that's not too noticeable in a design that's meant to look like it's been dragged halfway around the world and back, I'd still like to improve. I think I learned a few things working on this project, at least:

• Trying to piece together a project out of scraps is time-consuming.
• Seriously, unless you're down to your last penny or you just get a kick out of whipping something up out of (almost) nothing, save yourself a lot of trouble and don't do what I just did. ;o) It was fun knowing that I was using a bunch of pieces that might otherwise have been useless, but it took some creative thinking to find just enough of everything (without cutting into the other pairs of jeans I was saving for bigger projects).
  
• If my thread is all messed up (and loopy) on the underside when I'm sewing, I should rethread the needle.
  
• Even if I'm sure it's done right-- even if I'm convinced that it must be a problem with thread tension. Otherwise I'll just waste a lot of time tweaking the tension and growling at the machine.
  
• I shouldn't judge a raggy project until it's completely finished.
  
• They all seem to go through an ugly stage, but in the end, they turn out fine. Just keep going!
  
• If I think something looks "off", I should trust my instincts.
• Though maybe that seems to contradict the last "lesson". . . Anyway, the flap on this bag is a little skewed and goes down a bit farther on one side than the other. I should have-- well, could have done something about it before, but at this point it'd be too much trouble. Besides, I'm not going to be taking this into fine dining restaurants and fancy dress parties, so I'm not that worried. But it is a little annoying. I like things to be perfect, even if they hardly ever are-- especially when I make them myself! ;o)
  
• I ought to slow down during the sewing.
  
• I think this is where a lot of my sloppiness comes into play. I tend to hurry though the sewing part. (Well, it's hurrying by my standards; to an experienced seamstress it might be creeping along. . .) If I take a little more time, I think my seams will be straighter.
  
• Washing the bag in a pillowcase worked just fine!
• Or at least I think it did. . . The washer drain didn't clog (to my knowledge), and when I checked in the middle of the washing, I didn't see any loose fibers. After washing, I took the "unopened" pillowcase outside, took off the rubber band I'd used to close it, and shook everything off as thoroughly as possible. (There was a lot of lint and larger loose threads, so it's a good idea to do this in some out-of-the-way corner of the yard.) I dried the bag and pillowcase together (but not with the bag in the pillowcase) and checked the lint filter a couple of times during drying. There was quite a bit of lint, considering the size of the bag. (When I made my first bag, I hadn't heard of using a pillowcase to catch the loose threads. I just hand-washed it, then threw it in the dryer. I think I prefer this method. I think it probably "rags" the exposed seams more effectively.)

ETA: Psst! If you've stumbled across this blog searching for rag quilting info, you might want to head over to my sewing blog. I've transplanted all my sewing-related posts over there, and that's where I do most of my "fiber arts" rambling, now. :o)

Rag Quilting Video

Just in case anyone else is interested in rag quilting, I thought I'd share some things I found the other day.

Here are some video clips showing how to make a denim rag quilt:

Go to HGTV's Simply Quilts "video center". Once that's loaded, search (in the video center search box-- not the search box for the whole site) for "denim fray-edged quilt". There are three clips that take you through the whole process of making a denim and cotton (or flannel) rag quilt. It's pretty helpful if you learn best by watching and listening.

If you prefer written instructions, there are quite a few options.

Denim Chenille Quilt, by Catherine Timmons
This site has very detailed, step-by-step instructions for sewing a denim and calico rag quilt. The author even explains how to cut squares from old jeans using shears and a rotary cutter. Her method looks like a good one for getting the maximum number of squares from each pair of jeans (even if you don't have a rotary cutter). When I cut my denim, I took care to preserve the back pockets (to add a decorative touch to projects), but if you aren't worried about that, this is probably the way to go.

Ragged Homespun Quilt, from Jo-Ann Fabrics
Pretty straightforward description of a typical rag quilt. This one suggests homespun, but really, you can use any fabric that frays well.

Denim Rag Quilt, by Helen Cairns
Submit your e-mail and name to get this free pattern for a denim rag quilt using 6 to 8 pairs of old jeans (depending on their size, of course) and about 2 yards of flannel. (This is the pattern I based my first project on. I broke a needle, though, and put it aside before Christmas. More on that below. . .)

Denim Rag Edge with a Twist, by Rachelle Burleson
Denim rag quilt with "peek-a-boo" stars in a contrasting color. (You could change the pattern to have hearts or any other shape you'd like, too.)

Strippy Rag Quilt, by Trish Wilson
Here's a rag quilt with a different look-- scalloped strips instead of rows and columns of squares.

Rag Quilt Pattern, by Janet Wickell
This one alternates four-patch blocks and simple square blocks using five different fabrics. Good if you'd like a more structured look than the typical rag-bag look. (I like both styles, myself.)

Raggedy Quilt, from Crafts of Chaddsford
Yet another set of instructions. . .

No-Sew Calico Quilt, by Kelli Guhde and Cindi Schramer
This is a different type of raggy quilt. You don't even need a sewing machine for this one! Could be a fun project for kids too young to be trusted with a machine-- or for anyone who'd rather do their "sewing" on a comfy sofa.

And there are even more sites out there, but that should be enough to get you started. ;o)

I need to get back to work on my first denim rag quilt. I think I probably should have figured (and cut) for 1/2 inch seam allowances instead of 1/4 inch, based on everything I've been reading, but it's too late to do that now. I suppose I could still sew the squares together with the larger seams, but then the quilt would be quite a bit smaller than I'd figured, and I don't think I have enough matching "backing" fabric to add more squares. Besides, some of my "decorative touches" (pockets, labels, etc.) would be too big for the smaller squares. Well, I'll just carry though with what I originally planned, I guess, and hope that it'll be ok.

I've made one rag quilt-style bag from flannel, since putting away the denim quilt project-- and I'm in the middle of making a denim rag-quilt bag, now. I used scraps left over from the jeans I cut into squares (for the first project) and one of Donald's old button-up cotton shirts. (He still may not believe me ;o), but the poor thing was way past its prime. It had earned the right to go to the rag bag. . . .Why do I suddenly feel like Judy Plum on the prowl for material for her next hooked rug? (g))

I used this pattern, if you're interested. I substituted the denim scraps for the flannel because I wasn't sure how I'd like it and didn't want to waste good fabric on it until I'd practiced a little. I'm still not sure how it'll turn out. Right now it looks pretty pathetic, but I think it'll be better when it's clipped and "ragged".

Well, enough of that. I'll try to put up a photo when the bag's done. . . and maybe upload a picture of the flannel bag, too.

ETA: Psst! If you've stumbled across this blog searching for rag quilting info, you might want to head over to my sewing blog. I've transplanted all my sewing-related posts over there, and that's where I do most of my "fiber arts" rambling, now. :o)