Brighter Fusion Blog

Check it out:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Thread-organizer-box-for-skinny-spools—-Sulky-G/

More craftiness.

I bought some Dickensian fingerless gloves from “jmillen” on Etsy. She cut the sleeves off of a wool sweater, felted them, and sold them to me for $6.

When I got them today, they needed thumb holes cut, as advertised. They were also pretty ill-fitting, being felted and lacking the sexy curves my wrists naturally have.

So, I made thumb holes, created an angle on the wrist, and tailored the arm seam. I’ve had them on for hours now, and they are indeed quite relaxing!

^_^

Here is the finished product, with before-and-after pics after the jump

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Speaking of vintage sewing patterns, if you like to sew (or just look at funny fashions), stop by the new Brighter Fusion Etsy Store.

I’ve got patterns from the 1940s through the 1980s for sale, and will be putting up more.

Yesterday I made a tote bag from a vintage style bath towel that I bought at Savers.

I got the idea in general from the Indygo Junction pattern, but I did everything differently than the pattern said. I didn’t take a “before” picture of the towel, but you’ve all seen this kind before. It had fringe on the ends.

I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. In these pictures, the tote is filled with vintage sewing patterns. As a result, it looks more structured than it really is. I assure you it’s quite floppy with non-rectangular stuff in it. It’s very lightweight and super soft. I love it.

More pics after the jump.

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I picked up a nice pale mint green Wards Signature sewing machine from a thrift store a few months ago. It took me a long time to fix it (needed to turn it upside down and hit it with a hammer, as it turns out). It seems to be working pretty well now, with a few odd quirks as you would expect from a $10 sewing machine made around 1962.

I started with zig zags. I bought some giraffe jeans from the same thrift store (”Savers”) and cut them to be capris and zig zagged the edges, with enough extra length to roll up my calf, 50’s style. Then I butchered some old towels and made some nice small size rags for house cleaning. I even made some money “hemming” a massage therapist’s halved sheets by folding over the edge and zig zagging. I have yet to use the iron on a sewing project.

Now, I think I’ve turned a corner. I’m nearly finished with a knit wrap dress from a Butterick pattern, designed by Maggy London. I need to sew the waist on a bit more (and I’ll sew a vintage nylon slip to the dress while I’m at it) and put the sleeves on, and then I’m all done! I’ll try to get a picture for the blog when it’s done.

Here’s a question. If a pattern is only appropriate for matte jersey knit, why on earth does it have ironing instructions all over it? What good does attempting to iron jersey knit do??