Scrap Busting Sewing Project

How to use leftover fabric to create something new

Scrap Busting:

Scrap busting is sewing term used to describe the process of using bits of leftover fabric to create something new. In the process of organizing my sewing space http://seamslikeastory.com/tidying-up/ I discovered a remnant of multi colored , global print knit fabric that I’d used years ago to make a tunic. There was about a yard and a half, just enough to make one of my go-to tops, the Willow Tank by Grainline Studios.

When laying out my pattern, I came up just a bit short so I rummaged through my stash and found a piece of black and white checked , lightweight flannel that I could use to make a contrasting band at the bottom.

Would it work?

The Willow Tank is designed for woven fabric. Would it work with knit? Would the knit and flannel work together to make a summer top? Is the color and pattern combination weird/unusual? (Actually, I liked it! ) The nice thing about scrap busting, especially when you are using a pattern you already have, is that if it doesn’t work, you’re not out any money. It’s a risk-free way to experiment.

Let the sewing begin!

Tucson Festival of Books

March 12-13, 2022

A reader finds a quiet spot at the Tucson Festival of Books.

Imagine a Disneyworld for authors and book lovers! Every spring, thousands descend on the campus of the University of Arizona for a weekend of workshops, author meet and greets, books sales, food , music, and fun. The Tucson Festival of Books has been virtual for the past few years, but took place in person this year, though plexiglass dividers and facemasks (for the most part.) Here are my take-aways from this year’s event:

Out to Lunch

I love going out to lunch.  Even more than dinner at a fancy restaurant.  Even more than a down-home eggs-n-bacon breakfast.  Just take me to lunch.  I think it’s because, for most of my teaching life, lunch was an elusive luxury.  Now that we’re retired, my husband Ed (also a former teacher) and I go out for lunch often, usually frequenting our neighborhood sandwich shop. We go there so often the staff knows our names and our order. Always on the lookout for a good story, I’ve observed our fellow lunchers and grouped them into four categories.  I couldn’t help myself. It’s a teacher thing…

The Toddler Lunch

The Toddler Lunch 

  • Prefers outside tables away from the crowds
  • May include high chairs, wet wipes, juice boxes
  • Menu: Mostly finger foods
  • Adult lunch is secondary to the feeding of the young
  • Duration: until the toddlers loose interest and become “free-range” Children

The Kindergarten Lunch (aka the rhyming lunch)

Dr. Seuss Door Decor

Melanie’s ABCs

As a teacher, one of my favorite times of the school year was Read Across America Day,  celebrated on March 2nd, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Teachers love a good theme to get their creative juices flowing and with Dr. Seuss as our muse, we let our imaginations run wild! Reading and writing activities, dress up opportunities and, in recent years, classroom door decorating contests abound. All you have to do is search Pinterest for ideas. 

My Star-Belly Sneetch costume retired when I did four years ago. No more Dr. Seuss fun for me, I thought. Then my daughter called.

My granddaughter’s ABA (applied behavioral analysis) center was having a Dr. Seuss door decorating contest. Melanie was given the theme of Dr. Seuss’ ABC book and she could decorate a door in her home to win a contest. “Do you have any ideas, Mom?” Kelli asked. Of course I did!

You have met Melanie in several of my blog posts. She is a bright, energetic girl who loves Disney Princesses. Melanie has autism and is mostly nonverbal. She attends school virtually and works with Elizabeth, an RBT (registered behavior technician) from the ABA center who comes to her home each day.

“I just need a visual.” Kelli said. I found a copy of the book cover online, made up some alphabet pages and Kelli, Melanie, and Elizabeth took it from there. They used photographs of Melanie along with alphabet pictures Melanie worked on to complete the project.

Melanie thinks of something that begins with W. Waffles! Her favorite!

New Girl in Town

A Husqvarna Viking machine joins my sewing family

Meet Ingrid

There’s a new girl in town. She’s sexy, sophisticated, and Swedish. I named her Ingrid.

Ingrid is a Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 835. She was “born” somewhere around 2010 and my husband’s aunt Wanita purchased the machine shortly thereafter. Aunt Nita was a lively, exuberant personality, always ready for fun and adventure. I didn’t know her sewing habits , but she was impressed by the machine and took a few sewing classes. Maybe she wanted to quilt. Sadly, Aunt Nita passed away before she could use the machine much and it was given to my mother-in-law. In Norma’s spare bedroom it sat on top of her treadle sewing machine cabinet. Occasionally she would use the Husqvarna to hem slacks.

 This Christmas, Norma gifted the machine to me. Ingrid joins me in my sewing studio with my other machines, Kendra (my 1970s vintage Sears Kenmore) and Joy (my mother’s machine, a 1990s Kenmore)