GreenStitch Episode 52 - Why I Didn't Clean My Sewing Room

Thanks for tuning in to another episode. Haven't listened yet? Get it here.

The batik quilt from the guild retreat is in its messy stage in this photo - just blocks clinging to my makeshift design board (aka, batting taped to the wall). I trimmed up the setting squares and put a silvery batik border around it. I'll post another photo once it's back from the longarm quilter.

Also, if you look closely, you can see a proper little stepstool on the floor. If you use a design wall, and it's actually a must for any sort of on-point setting like this, please use something sturdy. I was lucky to have no ill effects from my clumsy tumble off a folder chair earlier! All it took was a little asking around at the retreat center to come up with a better way to reach the top of my wall. I'm embarrassed I was so cavalier about it, but I hope you can learn from my mistake.

Here's the cute potholder made out of selvedge strips foundation-pieced onto a square of muslin, then layered with Insul-Brite and a cotton backing. So cute!

OK, here's one of the things I uncovered while trying to clean my sewing room. Ugh - awful, right? I have no idea why it didn't felt, but it did shrink up and get lumpy and thick. It was a no-risk proposition to cut that thick neck off and slice right up the center front.

It's still not a wearable cardigan (sleeves just too lumpy!) but I have to say, cutting the sweater and adding a cotton placket and neck binding was way, way easier than I thought it would be. Even though it hadn't felted, there was no unraveling in attaching the fabric. I didn't actually sew on these vintage buttons - just put them in place for the photo. Now I'm on the lookout for a cute, pastel, springy crewneck sweater so I can make myself a fun spring cardigan.

Here's the laminated garden apron that also distracted me in mid-clean. I had already started detaching the binding, thinking I would just narrow the bib portion. I realized the whole thing was just too long and too stiff to be really useful as a full apron. So...

...slicing right across the middle turns this into a right-sized, highly useful apron for the garden. Despite our unseasonably warm March weather here in New York, it's still too early to really get out and plant, but I'm really looking forward to using this soon.