Chemo Caps -again

I have enjoyed making the Chemo Caps.   I have found several free patterns.  The latest one I have tried is Millie's Tie Hat.  Clicking that link will take you to the pattern.

I made two of them on Monday.  One will be for my aunt and one for my niece's co-worker.   Here they are:

Notice the ties -that s where you can see the lining!

Notice the ties -that s where you can see the lining!

On my (large) head they are more snug than on the gourd that so graciously acted as a model. When I put it on my head I prefer the way it looks with the "brim" flipped up -like in the bottom picture.  I love these fabrics!

My blog is http://blog.geneblack.com
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A Finish and a Change

After two peaceful days and some time to enjoy the rigid heddle loom,  I have finished the navy and orange scarf.   Since I woke up in an interesting mood, the pictures are different than what you often see from me.  I tried to make them a bit more artistic. You can laugh if you want.

I did the flower arrangement. -aren't you impressed?

The gourd is an odd setting but I just wanted to try it.  We bought this gourd from an artist who was sketching on them and selling them at a gourd show in Cullman, Alabama.

Yesterday afternoon, I was in a relaxed mood, so I changed the setting of this little Japanese tea set. This painting, painted by my Nana, didn't have a place to be happy.  I love the way it adds a spark of color near to this corner shelf with the tea set.

In closing, I bid you a wonderful Memorial Day.  Remember those who fought and gave their lives for Freedom.


My blog is http://blog.geneblack.com
Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated.

Saturday Projects - Silent Saturday

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My blog is http://blog.geneblack.com
Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated.

Secret Revealed

First I should tell you that I did sew a couple of nights ago.  I made one of the cap type chemo caps and one turban from interlock knit.  The turban was made with the serger ---so much easier!

I told you several times that I was working on a project that I couldn't show.  I have my posts set to automatically share on Facebook.  The recipient is a Facebook friend and I didn't want to spoil the surprise.

You see, we had a seminary intern at our church.  We loved him and his family dearly.  When he graduated, it was a bit before he was ordained.  Last night was his ordination.  I was asked to make a priest stole for him as a present from our church.  This was a totally new experience for me.  

I was asked to make it special with symbols that mean a lot to him.  So, I did the practical thing and called his wife.   She told me that he was very involved in the Cursillo movement (in some denominations it is called De Colores.)  So I found a rooster embroidery and did a bit of re-digitizing on it.   Also the word "imagine" holds special meaning.

{*note: for some reason the whites in the fabric seem to have stains - this is from the camera phone.  The white is a pure white. }

Of course, the stole needed a cross at the center back so I digitized this one.

It has a touch of Celtic flavor in the knotwork.

I also added words that describe the goodness of God -"God Attributes"

And of course,  we needed a woven piece in it. There is a song in the Songbook used by Cursillo called "Weave" - part of the words are "weave us together in unity and love."   I used a piece of woven fabric and did an inset cross in a green fabric.  When the stole is worn this cross sits on the left chest, just over the heart.

This is not a good picture-sorry. 

And there is an applique cross on the other side,  probably at the knee level

And finally there is an angel and dove embroidery also.

I simply forgot to get a photo of the entire stole.

As a separate gift, I used the test sew-out of the attributes of God to make a framed piece.  It looked so good that I hated to let it go to waste.

Now I can get back to my usual projects --but first I have a long weekend to enjoy and next week I get to retire from my day job!


My blog is http://blog.geneblack.com
Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated.

Another Chemo Cap - and Topstitching Tip

I was so happy to learn that the Chemo Cap fit.  I cut pieces for two more.  So far I have made one, all but the top-stitching.  When I was preparing to top-stitch the first one, I started looking at my sewing machine feet.  Look!  there is a foot I really don't have a clue about.about. Hmmm,  it could work!  So I did a scrap sample.  Hey, I like it.   I used this foot to topstitch the first one.  Now where is that thing????  I can't find it so the top-stitching will have to wait.

I finished sewing the first one together.  I made it reversible just for fun.

The color that is the blue brim on one side is the back of the head if you reverse it.   I got a friend to take pictures, so I am modeling it.

 See how the inside edged out since it wasn't top-stitched?   I will top-stitch it later.

Side view of it. 

I just think this pink on white print is great with the blue. Sadly I didn't have a large enough piece of the pink on white to make a brim from it.  I could have pieced it, but I didn't want any extra seams to rub her head which can be tender when chemo causes the hair to fall out.

 Here it is sitting on the cutting mat.

And look! I have pieces cut to make another one.  Check out that peacock print!
I also made one turban type cap.  I sewed this one with my regular machine.  The next time I make these I will use the serger.
Since I did face shots on these, I decided to play with them in the photo editor.   I did not edit the turban portion at all though.

  (You can see the stitches in that seam. sigh!) 

My blog is http://blog.geneblack.com
Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated.

Quick Update

.I was told that the Chemo Cap fits! Yaaay.

So, now to gather more fabrics from my stash and make more of them.

Have a great weekend.

My blog is http://blog.geneblack.com
Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated.

Chemo Caps

An aunt is about to have chemo and she is concerned about losing her hair.   I don't blame her!  Mine has receded enough that I really understand it.   So I decided to find a pattern and make her a chemo cap or maybe several.   I found a great pattern that is free at
http://www.craftandfabriclinks.com/bonnet/chemo_hat_pattern.html
http://www.craftandfabriclinks.com/bonnet/chemo_hat_pattern2010.pdf
The second one is the PDF that has the pattern pieces you need to print and cut out.
 The pattern was written by Judy Danz.  Since I have chatted with Judy via email and we are friends on FaceBook,  I let her know I was using the pattern.
The cap is reversible, but I used the same fabric for inside and outside since I was just figuring it out.  The next one(s) will be more creative with the fabric choices.

So I decided to sew one up and see how it came out.  This is one of those things that quilters think "what?" about.  Sewing clothes is not usually our forte.  Ha ha.  I will say that this was a bit of a challenge.  When I realized I had to sew curves- after I had cut out the obviously curved pieces - I semi-panicked. Then I said "I can do this!  I will sew it like I do free pieced curves."
It worked great that way!  I just pinned at the ends and center.

So here it is sewn and laying on my sewing table:

And here it is on my oversized -or as my cousin, Carl, would say - Punkin Head.  It seems that several of us in our family have large heads.

It is snug on my head.  So, I plan to send it to my aunt to try on and report back to me before I make another one.
Now I am thinking that I may make the pattern bigger and make me at least one of them to wear when I do anything dusty or messy.  (or if I am just having a bad hair day!)

I am really glad that I am able to do something to help my dear aunt while she is going through this difficult time.


My blog is http://blog.geneblack.com
Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated.

Sewing for Food

Quite a while back I made a bowl cozy for my soup/oatmeal bowls.   I confess that I love oatmeal.  In fact one of my favorites is an instant by Better Oats.  They have added flax to the oatmeal.

 Yes it even comes in a DARK CHOCOLATE version - but that is not my favorite. I love the Maple and Brown Sugar or the Strawberry or Peach kinds best.

One of the clever things about this brand is that the pouch works as a measuring cup so my bowl and spoon are all that gets dirty.
But the bowl is always HOT coming out of the microwave.  And I like to sit at the computer and eat breakfast.  So the bowl cozy protects my fingers from the heat.

Here is the one I made previously:

It got dirty and was in the laundry when I needed it -so I decided to make a couple more. 

I thought I had lost the directions so I looked for a tutorial.  Then I cut fabric and batting to make two.  I made one  - and I didn't like it much - but I will use it.
So I looked for better directions and found them.  Then I cut more batting and made the second one.  Ahhh perfection.  Now as I am writing this I found the original directions I used.  Ha ha... they are the ones I used for the second one.  (I have added a bookmark!)
So here they are:

 Both side by side they look almost the same....but the one on the left is a bit flimsy and only has one layer of batting. The one on the right has two layers and is nicer.

the not as good one

The GOOD ONE- it is much firmer and easier to use.
It also fits the bowl better because the instructions were designed to make it fit exactly. 

I finished "the other project" and will be taking pictures of it soon, but I still can't show it for a few days.


My blog is http://blog.geneblack.com
Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated.

Bit by bit

Honest,  I haven't quit quilting.  I have been busy working on another project that I can't show just yet.  However, I am at a small standstill.  (I hope I get it finished in time!)

So while at the stand still, I decided to do some scrap piecing. I had some pieces already joined but I added to them and made bigger pieces.  I cut some of them down and made smaller pieces.  I squared or rectangled most of them so that I can more easily join them later.  Then I put them all on the floor and made this mosaic.

I don't think any of the pieces will fit together exactly,,  but that doesn't bother me.  Bit by bit they will become part of a quilt. I may add sashing in various widths to make them fit together.  A gray would be a nice modern choice.  White would be more traditional.   But then again, I may add more strips of fabrics to them so that there isn't a common background.
If I were Victoria Findlay Wolfe, I might cut them into traditional quilt block shapes and make a nice modern traditional blend.  Only time will tell....and you may not see these again for months.  It all depends on the muse and timing.

My blog is http://blog.geneblack.com
Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated.