The second of the two things I had to show you today...
Notes: Sew? I knit! Actually, I mean that. I really don't sew very well. It's for lack of two things: (1) experience, (2) even the slightest smidge of training from anyone who knows what they're doing. In 7th grade Home Ec, I got the only "C" of my entire academic career as a result of two events. First, my team put 1 cup of salt in our hot cocoa recipe instead of the 1 tsp called for. Oops! And second, I chose the easiest sewing project (a heart-shaped pillow) and still it was difficult to tell what it was supposed to be. It then fell apart posthaste. But now I have my own sewing machine. It was purchased for hemming pants, since all my pants must be hemmed. And I'm pretty good at hemming pants by now. It's time to branch out.
So when my friend Shiri suggested a craft day, I snapped up the chance to visit Purl Patchwork and try out one of the small patterns from Denyse Schmidt Quilts. I originally wanted to make a kitchenwarming gift for Chris' parents, who just redid theirs, but more practice will be needed before that's possible. In any case, here are random notes on the "Too Hot to Handle" Mitt:
I wonder whether I could redo this without majorly tearing up the fabric.
Despite all its, er, quirks, however, I feel confident the mitt will still suffice for light kitchen duty. It's eager to get on the job!
Great choice of fabrics.
I would definately bind off the raw edge at the bottom with some cotton tape. That will take some caaaaaareful top-sewing! ;)
I take heart that you're able to share your crafting progress with the blogosphere, flaws and all.
Beautiful!!! I have to say, you've inspired me. I have no sewing skills whatsoever, but desperately wish I did. I know that I'll be inheriting my Grandmother's sewing machine soon, so hopefully I'll be able to get into it though. I just love what you did!
Posted by: Kelly B. at September 20, 2006 8:29 PMi also got a C in seventh grade home ec, and also because of sewing. (i was sick on the day we learned hems and seaming, so my pink biker shorts were atrocious. They would have been anyway, tho.) and though we didn't add too much salt, my teammate did add ground up chalk to the powdered sugar.
Posted by: carrie m at September 20, 2006 8:51 PMThat is awesome! I love the prints and colors. Definitely go for the twill tape.
Would you like to do some hemming for me? ;) I have a pair of pants and a jacket to fix up but no sewing machine and not quite enough patience.
Posted by: Alison at September 20, 2006 9:16 PMLove your fabric choices! I love me some ORANGE! =) You know what they say.. it only gets better with practice!
Posted by: Angela at September 20, 2006 9:17 PMi don't think it would be bad for you to use twill tape on the bottom. i've seen it on many oven mitts. love your choice of fabrics!
Posted by: gleek at September 20, 2006 9:18 PMI think it's a great first effort. The fabrics are gorgeous and the twill tape is definitely the way to go.
Posted by: Belinda at September 20, 2006 9:31 PMthat looks fabulous! i want to get into sewing so badly! your pie below looks delicious as well!
Posted by: margaux at September 20, 2006 10:20 PMYou should pick up some pre-folded bias tape - just fold it over the bottom of the mitt and sew all the way around it once, see quick topstitched, http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/el_biasbinding.html
Posted by: eliza at September 21, 2006 12:57 AMIt's too pretty to use! I love the fabrics you chose ;)
Posted by: Lolly at September 21, 2006 7:55 AMThat's lovely! Double fold bias tape is what I would use for the edge. You can get it in little packets (or make it from your fabric) and it has the added bonus of letting you make a little hanging loop.
Posted by: Adrian at September 21, 2006 8:19 AMIf I could find fabrics like that in my neck of the woods, I'd whip out my sewing maching in a heartbeat! Love 'em. But I'm also lacking those "experience" and "training" items you spoke of...they don't happen by accident. My sewing prowess begins and ends with throw pillows, unfortunately.
Posted by: jenna at September 21, 2006 9:21 AMLooks great! I agree with Adrian and Eliza: bias tape. That's the correct "tool" for the job.
I sat behind you at B&N for the Yarn Harlot. I failed to notice your razor shell cami until I was getting up to see her. I love the color (and the yarn) I used bamboo for my clapotis.
Posted by: jennifer at September 21, 2006 11:39 AMLove that Denyse Schmidt book. And those Amy Butler fabrics. Sigh.
Posted by: Jessica at September 21, 2006 1:49 PMOooh, nice job! Love those fabrics! I think the thumb is fixable. Seam-rippers are your friends! Just "unstitch" that one section very, very carefully. If you're nervous about unstitching, you can always just flip it inside out and add more of a seam allowance to just that spot, joining back up with your other seam allowances on both sides. (Does that make sense?)
I know what you mean about seaming, though, especially a quilted thing, and especially curved edges! Not so fun!
Posted by: Kim at September 21, 2006 2:25 PMi *love* the fabrics on your oven mitt!! really nice color/pattern combo. i just finished one of these a couple of weeks ago (pictures on blog)... the hem is still unfinished but i think i'm going to use bias tape, handmade out of the same fabric as the mitt. easy-peasy. i think you could fix the thumb-hole easily enough too... just whipstich really small and tight over that area.
Posted by: amisha at September 21, 2006 6:39 PMThose fabrics are amazing! I was surfing the web hoping to find a non-country oven mit pattern and I found your blog! You have given me courage.