Arm bags

On July 11, 2023July 8, 2023 By CarynIn Craft

I made up a few arm bags to sell at our local craft store. I love these bags. I love having my yarn up close, and not having to draw it from a container on a table or the floor. They make it possible to stand or walk and craft as well. The wide handle lays comfortably on my forearm, there is enough room to reach into the bag while it is on my arm, and there are two pockets! Pockets are important. I make them with 100% cotton quilting quality fabric.

I commissioned my eldest for the drawing on the tags, as I was busy sewing. I think it came out well. These are currently sold exclusively at NerdCraft in Weatherford, TX.

Knitting bag cover

On July 9, 2023July 6, 2023 By CarynIn Cats, Craft, Life Hack

My knitting bag next to my chair was my grandmother’s. It has a fold out wooden frame and inside pockets (pockets are important). With a kitten in the house, I need to keep it covered and keep him out of my yarn. I’ve tried several things, then rediscovered a basket lining I made years ago. Inside out, it makes a great cover. I would like to put some elastic in, to give it a snug fit, but even without it does the job of protecting my yarn. The kitten likes it, so my older cat, Izzy, thought she would give it a go.

Wrist strap

On May 15, 2023 By CarynIn Craft

I’ve been pinning many pictures of things I can do with my Inkle loom woven straps. So many things, but what caught my attention this time were wrist straps. Most of the articles talk about attaching keys, but I also saw wrist straps used for walking canes, cameras, and small bags. I also saw a method for securing the end of the cut woven strap with clear flexible glue. I used Modge Podge, which worked well painted on the ends and allowed to dry.

Securing cut ends by painting on clear glue

There is metal clamp hardware that make the creation of a wrist strap quicker, but I preferred the sewn leather direction. I noticed that leather makers use a wooden clamp that is similar to my bookbinding clamps. My clamp is larger, but it worked well to hold the pieces together while I stitched. I used a single ply of waxed nylon thread to sew a loop of leather to the ends of the strap.

Rather than a D ring, I used a split ring and a toggle clasp because these can be removed if the strap needs to be modified with different attachments.

Wrist strap made from an Inkle loom woven strap and leather

I liked how this one came out, so I made more.

Hand woven, hand sewn, cotton and leather wrist straps

Nod to fiber arts

On May 3, 2023April 30, 2023 By CarynIn Craft

I put together a 60s themed outfit with a nod to the fiber arts. I crocheted a duster vest and flower garland, wove a band and added bell sleeves to a tie-dyed t-shirt (I did not dye the shirt, dye and I are still not on speaking terms), and assembled some felted wool ball earrings! (My mom made and gave me the felted beads.)

When I do bell sleeves next, I will make them longer and without the off-set center hole. These look great on the hanger, but were awkward when worn, except when doing jazz hands, then they worked. Since I can’t do jazz hands all the time (although that would be quite the arm workout), I picked out the seams for the added sleeves after the debut. I can see peasant blouses with woven trim and bell sleeves on my crafting horizon.

How I find my needles

On February 6, 2023 By CarynIn Craft, Life Hack

I do have a sewing basket. Inside that sewing basket are a couple pin cushions. Is that where I store my needles? No, it is all the way in the other room most of the time. I do have a cloth divider in my side table, and the needles go well there, and are at hand when I need them.

Needles stuck in a liner for my side table pocket

Critters and Craft

Tag: sewing