GreenStitch Episode 37 - Portland

Thanks for joining me on my fun trip to Portland, Oregon! (Click here to listen.)

Here are a few shots from my week.

Maureen and I had a great time Sunday afternoon at Portland's famous rose garden. We lingered here for a long time, just breathing in the wonderful fragrance, people-watching, and enjoying being together. She's such a sweetheart. We really had a fantastic five days.

A few of the flannel pieces I'll use to make my traditional baby receiving blankets in memory of my mom.

Vintage fabrics and linens!

If you're in Portland, I'm sure you know this place well. Maureen and I really enjoyed being there.

My new canvas bag. If anyone knows the significance of this text logo, let me know. I hope it's nothing awful, because I really like the bag!

ETA: Why didn't I just Google it sooner? It's not only nothing awful, it's something really nice.

GreenStitch Episode 36 - Just rummaging around

Thanks for your patience while I got back to the microphone! If you haven't heard the current episode, check it out here.My friend Peggy Jo had a terrific sale table with fabric and craft items of all sorts.

A sign that's guaranteed to move things out -- "FREE"!

Shoppers in a frenzy.

Here's my table, with Connie next door. It worked well to pile all my scraps in a bin and have people choose what they wanted - $2 for a full-stuffed bag.

How could I resist the lure of vintage buttons from guild member Betty? I didn't even try!

Finally, here's what's been keeping me busy these past few weeks. Soon I'll have a retired husband and a lot more of a flexible schedule on the weekends - it's been a great 10 years in business and I'm really thrilled Dan can take this long-awaited next step!

GreenStitch Episode 35 - So clean, so green

I never thought I'd have fun cleaning, but having good, green products and tools you've put some thought into make all the difference! Here's the episode.

Making attractive cleaning cloths couldn't be easier - two layers of flannel sheets, just serged together. I ask you, isn't a cheery red-and-white toile print nicer than grabbing old cut-up T-shirts for cleaning?

The handy cleaning belt won't win me any top prizes in a fashion show, that's for sure! Luckily, my dress form didn't complain. Above you can see a little of how the Velcro fits in, and how the various pockets accommodate an iPod or - in the case of the plastic-lined pouch - wads of gunk you run across in your cleaning adventures.

Check out this link for some great ideas on simple, green cleaning techniques. I'm amazed at how well they work. You can get baking soda in big bags at the big-box discount stores (yes, sometimes there are reasons to go there!) in the cleaning or swimming-pool supply area.

GreenStitch Episode 34 - A-thrifting we will go

My, I did ramble on this week, didn't I? It was fun to relax on the back porch (hope nobody minded the breeze in the microphone) and just chat with you. Here's the link to the episode.

For general amazing tips/observations/insights/perspective on the thrift shopping experience, go first to visit those fantastic Thrifty Chicks.

Now here's a recap of the official GreenStitch Top 14 Tips for Fabric Shopping at Thrift Stores:

1) Take all your measurements, along with measurements of anything around your house you might be dressing or decorating (like your dining room table). Keep all those measurements in a little book in your bag - along with a tape measure you'll take with you to the thrift store.

2) Check all fabric for comfort - brush it against your upper lip or your neck.

3) For the most generous yardage of flat fabric, go first to the linens area - for curtains, tablecloths, and more.

4) Men's shirts yield the best source of plaid fabric. Make your own terrific bias trim or binding!

5) Consider weight of fabric - thin and drapey is OK for gathered projects, but choose a heavier weave for things that will take more of a pounding. Don't be seduced by a lovely print or plaid if it's not the right weight for what you have in mind.

6) Don't forget that plus sizes and long sleeves yield a lot more usable fabric.

7) On the women's clothes racks - you'll find extra useable fabric in skirts, especially wrap styles.

8) If you're looking for flat fabric to repurpose out of deconstructed garments, remember that fitted women's clothing - with all the curved seams and darts typically involved - is often not the best choice.

9) Dresses, particularly in the plus size area, are often an excellent source for unusual buttons.

10) Need fastening hardware, D-rings, clips, etc.? Go for cargo pants, old purses, and thin nylon "windbreaker" jackets.

11) Before checking out, give your cart a once-over and weed out any duplicates you may have picked up.

12) Keep your staple remover handy when you take the tags off at home - avoid putting holes in your new fabric.

13) Wash everything right away! Some baking soda in the wash water really helps eliminate odors, as does white vinegar. Pre-soak stains in white vinegar.

14) Don't ignore this last step! Bag or box up unneeded things from your stash or closet to donate on your next trip back to the thrift store. Try to get rid of at least as many things as you just brought in.

A glimpse of my spring garden -- wood anemone (top), bleeding heart, and pulmonaria. These three are always the first to bloom and are such a welcome sight in the garden each spring. And as I believe I mentioned about a bazillion times in the recording, I do like my chopped-leaf mulch!

Special thanks to Bernina and WeAllSew.com for featuring GreenStitch as this week's Blog of the Week!

Hope everyone had a Happy Mother's Day!

GreenStitch Episode 33 - Earth Day updates

Episode 33 was filled with Earth Day stuff and other updates. Haven't heard it yet? Link in right here.

Check out Shilo's podcast and her Ravelry group (she's aJoyfulGirl) for the photos on the Ravelry side of the 2011 Repurpose Along. The Flickr group is here. Be sure and make your Viewer's Choice pix ("love" on Ravelry, "favorite" on Flickr) to determine who wins extra prizes. In the meantime, congrats to "goodstuff," Lesley, and Beth!

Want to make a pillow for breast-surgery patients? Here's the pattern I traced off of the one Susan's team uses. I hope there's enough info here so you can make your own pattern.

From there, using any sort of cotton or cotton-blend fabric:

• Cut out two, on the fold.
• Cut a piece of narrow elastic (1/4" or 3/8" wide) about 13 inches long. Pin or baste each elastic end to the right side of one of your fabric pieces at place indicated by large dot.
• Place your two pieces of fabric right sides together, and stitch around the edge, using a 1/4" seam. Make sure to keep your elastic loop between the pieces, stitching them into place as you make the seam.
• Leave an opening along the bottom, as indicated by the dotted line.
• Clip curves.
• Turn inside out and press.
• Stuff lightly with fiberfill.
• Hand-stitch opening closed.

They really go together so quickly and easily. Why not contact your local hospital or cancer-care center and see if they could use some?

A few other links from this episode:

• Restylistas
• Refashion Co-op
• Miss Knitta's Studio

Finally, I must share with you this photo which marks such a historic event in my family:

GreenStitch Episode 32 - Spring, spring, spring

I'm so happy spring is finally arriving in Western New York. Hopefully, no more snow in the background of my photos! You can listen to the full episode here.

Check out the Repurpose-Along 2011 Flickr group and add your own! Shilo and I (do check out her podcast, it's wonderful) will do our drawings next weekend. I've got to get a move on and finish my backpack, too. I'll not be eligible for the drawing, of course, but I want to impose the deadline on myself, too, in the spirit of the project.

Here's my work-in-progress. Check out the process in It's a Wrap. It looks rather dull in this photo, but up-close it has a really neat, vintage feel.

Here's another book on the same topic: Sewing Pottery by Machine.

It was really fun to chat with Erika from Miss Sews It All. By all means, check out Erika's great links here:

• Her blog
• The great venue for her upcoming classes
• More on "Sewing for Survival"

GreenStitch Episode 31 - My love for linen

Basketball, linen, a fine cat's birthday, and the Repurpose-Along 2011 - it's a varied agenda indeed in this week's broadcast. Click here to listen

The flash sure gave a yellow wash to these photos, but I think you can still get the idea of my reupholstered entryway bench. The previous version was navy blue and drab indeed. I think the big, splashy print of this linen is actually much more flattering to the bench than it once would have been on the backside of someone wearing the original skirt!

Do check out the Sewing With Linen Flickr group - but only when you have enough time time to browse, because I can guarantee you'll want to stay there awhile.

Also, join in the Repurpose-Along 2011 Flickr group by April 22, Earth Day, and be part of the drawing fun.

I thought you'd enjoy this photo, one of our family's favorites. My mother was an avid fan of all sports, and she loved the NCAA basketball tournament. She won the family prize in 2000 with her ace picks of Michigan State, Wisconsin, and other teams making it to the Final Four. Here she is accepting the treasured photo of Carol Burnett from my brother Joe. Isn't she cute? (By the way, if you'd like to read more about my mom, check out the "About GreenStitch" section of this blog.)

And here's the birthday boy, the fine Grendel, enjoying his felted wool nap blanket with catnip pockets. Twenty years ago he was a tiny stray kitten at a construction site. He's a much-loved and wonderfully cared-for fellow, and it was great fun to help my friends salute his two decades of loving companionship!