The Rigid Heddle Loom

     It's funny what inspires us.  Recently I was inspired by ShopGoodwill.com.  Seriously!  I like to watch the craft stuff for odd things that could be a steal.  The most recent thing was a very cool 4 harness weaving loom.  It went for a just a little over $100 and that's because I quit bidding!  The hubby said is it was such a good deal.... BUT as I have a rigid heddle loom that I bought off Craigslist for $20 or $40.... it was some time ago, I really couldn't rationalize trying to fit another loom into the budget.

     Next day.... yep... figured I missed a great deal and so I wouldn't miss the NEXT deal, I thought I should sample about the loom I have.  It was pretty dusty and had a large amount of cotton thread weft that was yellowed and in some cases broken/rotted.  After some debate, I started pulling the weft and found that which was down a bit was in much better shape.  I rethreaded the heddle and pulled the weft through until I thought the thread was in decent shape.  

     Just a few days prior, at work, myself and one of my staff was talking about a local lady that used to weave denim rugs.  That was my inspiration, along with the pile of my husband's jeans that are past mending.  I chopped the legs off two of the pairs and then used my rotary cutter to make 1/2 inch strips.  The end results was a nice rug, 25" by 3 1/2 feet.  I'm pretty happy with it!

NEXT STEP....

     After my little rug experiment, I kind of figured I would need to get rid of what was left of the weft threads.  I was debating the next project but I figured instead of just winging it, maybe I should do some research.  I went shopping on Amazon and I found what looked like a good book on the rigid heddle that I ordered.  The second book, The Weaver's Idea Book, was available on Kindle Unlimited, but as soon as I started looking through it, I knew I                                               better just go ahead and order it.

     Meanwhile, there is nothing better than visiting a local yarn/fiber store.  By chance, I was with my family in downtown Lafayette where River Knits Find Yarns.  I don't go in very often, but I love seeing and of course touching the many yarns and fibers.  As we were browsing, I noticed the lady at the desk was weaving on a Schacht heddle loom with a very fine, lace like yarn.  Of course, I immediately started talking to her about her project.  Another lady joined the conversation as well.  My husband was amazed at how friendly and willing to share the ladies were!  After talking with them, I decided maybe a nice scarf would be an interesting project.

     I'm a little frugal and so for this scarf, I decided to get some inexpensive sale yarns.  For the weft I chose Premier Yarns sockweight viola and for the warp, Bernat's Roving in flint.  I measured my heddle and there's 8 holes/slots per inch and so I decided to shoot for a weft of 80 threads.  It took me some time, but I successfully, I think, threaded the weft.  I used the weft thread to start the weaving and now wish I'd left a long enough tail to hemstitch the end.  I've thought about removing a couple of rows so I can hemstitch it though.  (Yep, that's out of the idea book!)

The original heddle brackets on the side were not in great shape.  My husband remade them for me, but I'm going to have him modify them when he does.

After after a few inches of plain weave, I used the weft yarn and alternated it with the warp, making and interesting pattern.  Course that wasn't good enough, so back to the idea book and I added a few beads.

     I haven't decided what else will develop in this scarf, but it's at least fun!  My husband keeps talking about speed but it's more about enjoying the process.  Weaving, like many other textile arts is not about "production".  If you want "production" go to the local mass merchant and buy some imported stuff.

      Regarding the heddle supports I referred to in the picture of my loom, I'm going to have the husband recut them so the up position is just a little higher and then add a middle neutral area.  The current supports do not elevate the heddle quite high enough to create a nice shed.  I also think the neutral position will make threading the loom much easier in the future.

Cinnamon Red Hot Firestarters

      We just added these to our booth at the Cottage Shops in Monticello, Indiana this weekend.  So hubby says, "Where did you see this idea?"  I didn't see it anywhere.  I mean, surely everyone has seen the cinnamon scented pine cones to scent the home and use in the fireplace and then there's those cases of nasty waxy sawdust things that admittedly work well.  Why not combine the two?  This is my experiment that we found works quite well!

      The first batch I cheated and absconded with two red crayons from my kids.  I didn't particularly care for the lack of intensity in the red color, as they resemble pine cones in raw hamburger, but I did use some fantastic cinnamon scent!

     As you can see, I used one of my less than best cupcake pan.  It may have been one obtained at an auction, but it's now been officially designated craft only!  We started with dipping the pine cones in the wax.  Then after mixing in the fresh sawdust out of the shop, we packed the sawdust wax mix around each pine cone.

     After they were cooled, we had to try out my theory.  All I can say is, "WOW"!  I took one out in the back yard and set it in a non-windy area on a stepping stone.  I used ONE wooden match to light the base of the pine cone.  At first I thought the pine cone would burn and I would be left with a wax lump.  The pine cone worked almost like a chimney with the flame about 4-5 inches tall and then the wax bottom was on fire.  We, my son and hubby, actually got tired of watching it burn and walked away.  It was still smoldering about 15 minutes later.  It might burn shorter if it was more windy.  At one point I did stand close and they heat it was putting off was significant.  We've decided that extinguishing it after starting it, might not be an option.  The sign below is what we put on them in the booth.  Definitely a fire starter, not a candle!!!

Mercury Glass

     Mercury Glass seems to be having a resurgence.  Several blogs online give all sorts of tutorials, so no point in doing a repeat.  These are my version.  The interior finish was interesting, but I decided a little fun embellishments were needed.  A little metal banding, slightly antiqued, was exactly what was needed. The middle jar, a Kroger maple syrup bottle was dressed up with a little burlap ribbon and a cotton muslin flower.

     These disappeared out of the booth and so I am getting ready to do another set.  The biggest problem I had last time was getting the paint down inside the bottles.  I bought a spray lubricant that comes with a special nozzle and a little tube.  I'm going to try and swap the nozzle out and use the little tube to shoot the paint.  My biggest concern is it may clog the little tube after the first application.

     One other tip... a heat gun... the type for embossing... works wonders in shortening the time between paint layers.

The mad hatter... under the weather...

Winter, winter, winter!  Wow, it's been nothing but winter.  Luckily that family has remained fairly healthy until this past week when my son and I got the sniffles.  Sniffles make you tired and hence, I haven't been very productive in the craft room!

A short while back I got a vintage simplicity pattern off of eBay.  Although the outfit was vintagely "cute", I was more interested in the hat pattern that came with.  It's kind of a pillbox style and I hate to say it, but makes me think of a stewardess.

It went together rather quick and easy as there are two main pieces with just the accent.  I used a grey felt for the side and top and then I lined it with a stiff black lining material.  I also used interfacing of course.

The first view is a front/side view courtesy of my hand.  I should have actually made it a little bigger as the inner circumference is only 21 3/4.  I'm glad I didn't use anything too expensive as I will probably not keep this version.  When I tried it on, it was a little too snug but it looked great on my son!  As it is simple, I may make another and modify the pattern slightly.  However, I'm not for sure a pillbox style looks too good on me!

The pattern also called for a fashion buckle rather than the button I used.  I didn't want to sacrifice one of my vintage buckles if I didn't keep the hat, so I used a vintage looking new button that was hanging out in the stash begging to be used.

Below you can see the lining.  Overall, I'm pleased with that hat and how neat and crisp all the seams are.  Hubby kept telling me to add a brim... so maybe the next will have to have a brim.

Hattery flattery

     Watch an old movie and you will see hats.  Hats that aren't just crumpled in a pile and shoved on the head for warmth, but styling hats.  It's a ladies accessory we have forgotten about.  We still spend money on shoes and jewelry, but what happened to the hat?  By the way, although I've worn my fair share of baseball caps, let's not consider them as a styling hat!

     A styling hat is just that.  It's a thought out accessory that compliments your style.  It shouldn't be an afterthought.  It is as planned as the rest of your outfit.  Granted, if you're heading to the ballpark, shove the baseball cap on your head.  Truthfully though, if you're going outside, why not style in a hat that also protects you from excessive sun exposure that can damage skin?

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/1/prweb10333549.htm

     Personally, I have become more and more intrigued with the cloche style hats.  Late last summer I crocheted a cloche to wear casually out raking leaves or whenever I wanted a little head covering for a little warmth.  Recently, I pulled out a McCalls hat pattern and whipped up a simple cloche hat from felt.  I made the one pictured top right below, in an afternoon.  For the center of the flowers I dug out some vintage buttons and that added a nice detail.  Overall, I was very pleased and have received quite a few compliments.  However, as the brim hits the collar of my winter coat, it will have to be modified next time.

   

My hat - black felt with swirl pattern - vintage buttons.

    I've also just purchased an old Simplicity pattern on eBay that has a hat included with a dress.  I'm anxious to try it out as it is kind of a simple pillbox style.  I doubt that will interfere with my coat collar.

     I've also made a fleece hat off of Simplicity pattern 1959.  I'm not highly recommended this without modifications.  The main picture on the envelope shows a cute slouch like fleece hat.  Against my better judgement, I followed the pattern instructions and I did NOT use any interfacing in the brim.  Consequently my brim looks wavy and sloppy.  I might consider making another as this hat was quick and simple even with the added lining in the crown.  (Now why would I add lining if I didn't add interfacing?  Why? WHY? WHY?!!!)

Suet is for the birds!

With winter and cold weather comes all the birds to the feeder.  I have been having fun watching all the wonderful birds in my yard the last few days.  My husband is especially fascinated by all the birds my home made suet seems to bring in.  Personally, I'm not overly fond of all the store brands of suet out there.  Like most of the seed mixes, they frequently are filled with seeds that the birds don't really prefer.  Therefore, I have started making my own.

I usually start with a block or two of plain suet.  (I get mine at Rural King.)  I melt/soften it in the microwave in a large plastic container.  Then I add a scoop or two of inexpensive peanut butter and then a cup or so of corn meal.  For the seeds, I like to find a patio mix bird seed that is basically sunflower hearts (shelled sunflowers) and some peanuts.  I avoid cracked corn as that seems to attract starlings/grackles, etc.  I've also been known to throw in raisins or other dried fruits.  Don't use anything that is salted either. 

After I've mixed the suet, I bring in my hanging log feeders and stuff the holes full.  Currently that has been a challenge as I have a pileated woodpecker showing up multiple times a day.  He can really eat!

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Hairy Woodpecker

Kwik Sew 3915

As I was passing through Joann's the other day, I got snagged by the Kwik Sew pattern sale.  I liked the 3915 pattern for ruched neck tops and added it to my collection.

After bringing my find home, I checked out the reviews on Pattern Review.  Most of the reviews were positive and after checking some measurements, I believed it would fit me as well without major modifications.

I chose view B and used a piece of dark olive green jersey that I picked up in Springfield, Missouri while on vacation last summer.  I was concerned that the neck might be scoopier than I wanted, so I cut the neckline as an small, even though the rest of the pattern I cut as an XL.  It resulted in a wider neckband, but I don't think it looks bad.  Prior to assembling the shirt, I hand randomly placed glass beads where the neckband is ruched.

The finished shirt fits fairly well, although I believe next time... and I probably will make this shirt again... I think I will cut the arm holes a size smaller as it is a little large there.