Slaying the Dragon - Zipper

I feel like I have slain the dragon.  Well, not the one in the picture.  That is one that I made of polymer clay for a friend who collects dragons. 

Here is the story of my dragon.  I am talking about one of those things that you avoid in your sewing or crafting because it seems like a dragon that will kill you. 

Hereby begins my tale:

I have a pair of very nice dress pants that I had worn less than a dozen times. They fit well and look good on me. 
The zipper BROKE a few weeks back (on Sunday, in church of course!) I put them in the "mending" pile and actually bought a new zipper. Ha! 
A couple of days ago I started ripping out the broken zipper...my anxiety started to rise. I thought "maybe I should just throw them out." I left them laying and went to something else. 


Then on Monday evening I came in and started on them again. I got the zipper out - and other than a few "special words" as I stuck myself on the pins I used (those flower head pins are thin and SHARP) I didn't have a great deal of problems getting the zipper in. 
I put them on and checked to see that it lays okay. YES! All that remained was to re-sew a few seams that had to come out to make way for the zipper. 
I did it! I have slain the dragon!!!!

More Play -and an Announcement

I digitized another design with the Machine Embroidery digitizing software that I got. (The software is Embroidery Magic 2.)   I am calling this design "Diamond Delight."   I think it looks a lot like a quilt block.

This shows it still in the hoop.   I used textured  column fills in the the "red  orange" area. You may be able to see them better in this close-up.

I alternated the angles to add some variety to it. I used another texture in the inner section (light aqua) but it really makes the stitches too long in my opinion.  I did save the file in a format that I can continue to edit.  I have to say it is fun to do this.  I will probably use this piece as part of a small project like a notebook cover.

Now for that announcement:
In a few days I will be reviewing the upcoming book by Jennifer Chiaverini.  The title is "Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker."   I will do a small spoiler and say that I loved the book.  I will tell you more when I write the review - but if you were thinking about pre-ordering it, I will say: Sure! Go ahead, it is a good read.

Playing with Digitizing

I got a couple of rather inexpensive digitizing programs for Christmas.  I have been wanting to learn some digitizing for machine embroidery (aka ME.)
So I started with a simple cat face design and digitized it.

Remember that this is my first attempt and I am still learning the program.  I see a couple of "oopsies" in this.  The nose (most obvious) has an open space in it.  The eyes could stand to be more neatly curved around the edges.  I mistakenly used a patterned stitch for the face outline and thus it looks more ragged.
There are tricks to learn in controlling the tools. I will be working on learning this for some time, I am sure.  But I did want to let you know that I am still "kicking" since I haven't posted in several days.

What is on your creative plate?  I need to get to work on a baby quilt - something simple - for a co-worker's soon to be born granddaughter.


Edited to add:  Some of you may not know about digitizing.  Digitizing is the process of turning a design into a file that is readable by an embroidery machine so that it will stitch out.  I started with simple drawings that I made in photoshop. 

Start the Year With Class

Hi folks, I have been lazy  enjoying the holidays and haven't sewn much.  I did make a simple table runner for the Nana but didn't take a picture.  
I gave myself a present,  to start the new year off right.  This is a great present that will keep on giving.  

Hand-Stitched Collage Quilts  

I am taking a new class on Craftsy (love that site!) taught by Laura Wasilowski.   I have wanted to take a class with Laura for some time, but just didn't have time or funds to do so.  Now I have it going on!  I have CLASS with Laura.
The great thing about Craftsy classes is that you can watch them as many times as you need to so that you can master the techniques.
As an added bonus, there is an iPad app - so I can watch it while sitting at my machine.
So, start the new year off right - give yourself some Class!