company for the weekend

Ben was home from college this past weekend.

He brought someone for us to meet.

Here's Becky!



She passed all the tests: Homemade pizza eating, movie watching, being human furniture for the pets (both cats sat upon her - quite unusual), card game playing, and most of all - geocaching when it's 40 degrees and sleeting out! YAY Becky!





I managed some sewing this weekend.

Five more box bags.

I had to send for more zippers from ebay. Love that ebay - 100 random zippers for $10. Makes these little bags so much more affordable!





Not much knitting lately.

I have begun working on the collar for Osterdalen, finally.









Rogue has a few more rows. (After I ripped out the biased hemming)






Little dog didn't want Girl of the House to leave for school this morning.

Steeking Osterdalen

On Saturday, Paul had to work.

I finally went to my sewing table and steeked Osterdalen.


Because I continued knitting in the round, rather than back and forth at the top, I needed to cut a neckline.

I used a bright red yarn to mark where I wanted the neckline.







I placed the sleeves to determine the depth needed for the steek.










I marked the location and length of the steek with the contrasting yarn.











Off to the sewing machine.

I stitched on both sides of the marking yarn.

I prefer to use short, narrow zigzag stitches. (Maximum placement of stitch fixation!)





There are two rows of stitches on both sides of the sleeve steeks.

Be brave, take a deep breath - and CUT!








Once I finished all the knit sewing and cutting, I was inspired to do some additional sewing.


I finished three denim box bags and one pretty little checked bag.

I cut out pieces for eight more bags.
Now, I need to return to the sewing room!

I like to make birthday gifts for my co-workers.

In other years, I have given hand-knit washcloths, handspun woven bookmarks, small triangle bags made from left over surgical wrap. I started out making beaded wire-knit candleholders last year, but I really hated knitting them.

This year, I'm in love with these little box bags. Yesterday I made these four. When you're on a roll, they go fast. Three are for the January birthdays. The denim one (made from cut up bluejeans) was just a sample. Paul might take that one.

A few small simplifications to box bag sewing

I LOVE making these little box bags. Box Bag Tutorial
She makes it so easy. I've done a few small things to simplify the sewing.




Rather than sewing the fabrics to the second side of the zipper in the same order, I sew them one at a time.

First, fold back one of your fabrics and attach it to the zipper as you did on the first side of the zipper.

You can see I've been using up some of my stash zippers. This one is too long, but that is an easy correction. When you sew the top seam, you just cut off the excess. (Make sure your zipper pull is inside your bag, however!!)



Then, fold the other side in the opposite direction, and attach it to the zipper.

You will end up with two tubes attached to the zipper.

Just pull one inside the other to make your bag more recognizable!









Rather than sewing a partial seam at the top and bottom of the bag, I sew all the way across.











I then cut squares off the corner.

For the 12x16 piece of fabric called for, I cut 1.5 inch squares from the corners.

This is the easiest way I have found to keep the corners even and straight.







This allows me to realign the the corners by opening up the squares and flattening them to sew.

Try it, it's easier to do than it sounds - really! I wish I were a better descriptor!





From there, I continue on my happy way, following drago[knit]-flys directions.


I just LOVE making these bags!!















I've become quite enamored of these little pencil bags, too! Great tutorial here - Pencil Bag Tutorial

They are really quick to make up, and I was able to get a box bag and a pencil bag out of 2 fat quarters, with a bit left over. Thrifty, eh?

One more cool box bag

I DID make another box bag (tutorial link here) to wrap my coworker's holiday gift.

These get easier and easier. I made a couple of modifications that simplified the sewing. I plan to post those sometime soon. (12/21/07 - I've got an update here!)

She seemed to be pleased with her gift.

We all had a great time at the party.





Had the day off today. I caught up with a few more things, and I sat and knitted another square on my Rambling Rows.

It covers my lap wonderfully, and it's still getting bigger. YEAH!










Girl of the House had basketball scrimmages today. I actually got to attend!
(She's number 40.)

It's crazy to watch these sixth grade girls play. They are totally into it.

Title IX didn't come in til I was almost finished with high school. I had several friends who did play basketball. I stuck with the tried and true. Um, yes, I was a cheerleader.

I LOVE the fact that my girl has all these athletic opportunities. It doesn't matter if she continues each specific sport into the future. She has tried them out, and can learn which sports suit her. Keep what shes likes and continue to play. Our hope is to encourage a life-long active woman.