scribbling and reading
• Tags: sew
This summer I have had the good fortune of being part of a wonderful writing Co-op, The Word Nerd Co-op run by the amazing Beverly. Unfortunately my writing this summer has fallen the way of my socks; once I sign up for something this summer, I seem to loose the inspiration to continue with it. Well, that isn’t quite the right set of words. Hmm.. I think that has actually been my problem.
Except for last night. I wrestled my muse and I think we both brushed ourselves off and walked away happy.
In about forty-five minutes last night, with the ferocity of the thunderstorms we have recently been blessed with, I more than doubled the writing found within my summer exercise book. The words within took an unexpected turn based upon a memory and some recent reading, but it felt amazing. Thoughts, phrases, and a living scene flowed from my pen, and I’ve spent the day multi-tasking wanting to spend more time with this. It’s different from what I’ve been writing, but I was forcing a character and a place wanting it to work. I still want that story to work, but now is not the time for it. I see parts of both within my new creation, but time will tell what fruit these seeds bring.
I’ve also been reading and thanks to a new pillow catching up on sleep. Thus there isn’t as much reading as I would have liked, but sleep is very important too.
小さな刺し子―カンタンに作れる雑貨&袋もの by 雄鷄社
I always fall hard for these ¥280 ($3.95/us @ kinokuniya) books. The simplicity of the projects and the styling of the photos makes me look to see if any new ones have arrived (I have never researched their publication schedule. I should.) I love how it doesn’t matter that my Japanese vocabulary is limited to 出口 (exit) and finding 上野 (Ueno) on a train map. The diagrams show (either with arrows or different colour threads) the best way to execute the patterns.
The designs within this volume inspire me to try to step away from my plain solid fabric ways and try a little contrast with simple embroidery embellishments (it’s 99% running stitch, which apparently is known as sashiko, a traditional Japanese embroidery technique).
新パッチワーク—縫い方のすべてとキルティング
I tend to fall hard for these Japanese craft books despite a limited Japanese vocabulary. I find the photography, fabric (fibre) choices, and patterns inspiring. Since I recently bought a new sewing machine, I’m re-learning how to sew after a many-year lull. I figure that learning simple techniques a la Laura Ingalls Wilder will help me as they helped her. Not to mention they may help me stay small and slow at first. I didn’t start knitting socks straight out (though I came close).
When I can sew a straight seam and press them flat and then do adequately with curves, then I will feel able to take the next step into more elaborate things such as clothing.
This book will definitely help me gain those skills. While it is mostly about hand piecing, there are similar principals that apply. It shows me where to stop sewing. How to snip a corner and press the seam for a nice flat finish. It also includes several quilting patterns and shows how they look on a quilt. There is a combination of photographs and coloured pencil (?) drawings to supplement the text I cannot read and do not miss.
(Please feel free to view all my reviews at goodreads.)
I also re-read Little Women but as I’m making my way through Little Men and Jo’s Boys as well, you’ll be spared—for now—my stabs at a “review”. I will say that a very different reader read this book, especially the second part. Sure I still laughed and cried and hoped and wished, but as parts expressed difference relevance for me today than a decade ago when I last read it I enjoyed it in a different way than before.
on this day...
- jewish time - 2006
- amazing library treasures - 2005
I know what you mean about being a different reader each time you reread something like Little Women. Sometimes we play games at work and cast each other in books. Every time, I’ve been cast as Beth - a little disturbing, since she dies, but my friends mean it kindly, and think I’d be the type to drop mittens out the window….
melanie recently wrote peace shawl
simple techniques a la Laura Ingalls Wilder simple “best practices” maybe, but the clothing they made for ‘Sunday best’ wasn’t necessarily made plain simple without embellishment (ruffles, poofy sleeves, etc.).
I just bought (via the internet, the package arrived yesterday) fabric for a quilt for my daughter - she wants to learn to sew, and loved the picture I showed her of a baby crib quilt friends and I pieced for a mutual friend in college (OK, the quilters were students, married friend was not) - 3 color cubes with 6 pointed stars in relief.