Saturday, January 15, 2011

And This Little Pig said Crazies Day 15 -- Whoo Hoo

Whoo Hoo!!! Happy dance :D Day 15 of the Crazy January Challenge, and 15 starts. Great now I have an extra 15 WIP's :-o)

Today I started my largest project [131x307], it is a freebie available at Needleprint, called Northern Nights designed by Kathy of Gracewood Stitches, a beautiful band sampler. The sampler originally had two shades of gold, and three shades of blue, I've added a couple of shades of green and antique violet.
So today I took some extra time to make up a couple of calico 'bags' for want of a better word, for my scroll rod frames. The problem I have always had when using scroll rods, is no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to keep the back completely clean. Always get rod marks along the back, at the bottom of the linen. Must be the way I hold them :(

I'm not very good with instructions, so this may ramble a bit, and sorry I didn't take photos. First I measured the squares by laying the calico over the scroll rods, make sure you add a little extra for the width of the scroll bars. Sewed up the sides, leaving the top open, like a pillowcase. Stitch a casing tube around the top, like you would for an elastic waist in a pair of pants or a skirt. Measured the elastic around the frame (scroll bars). Making sure it is tight enough to keep calico in place, but have enough stretch in the elastic that I can still get the fabric round the tension knobs. Then inserted elastic into the casing tube, with a safety pin. Sewed the ends of the elastic together, and quickly stitched the hole closed.... There Bob's your uncle.
So I can pull them all the way up and cover the frame completely when I'm not stitching and pull down so I have room to stitch, all the while protecting the linen at the bottom of the frame. Will have to work out something similar for my Q-snap frame.

Here are the three sizes I made, for my bigger Crazies projects.
Oh I forgot to mention if you have problems with the Northern Lights chart off Needleprint, go to Kathy's blog, and she will send it to you personally. She was so very helpful when I got mine.

Well good night, this little pig is off to bed.
LiBBiE in Oz

6 comments:

  1. This is a very good idea. A lady at my monthly stitch group has covers that just go along the rod area to keep it clean...The bag idea is really nice...might have to do something like it myself....now that we have so many to work on.

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  2. Oh, I saw this pattern, had a lady-like drool and sent for copies. It is nice isn't it? Someday I would love to do this one!! Can't wait to see how you progress. The bags are a great idea! Good thinking! My Grandmother always placed a clean towel in her lap whenever she started doing anything (knitting, quilting etc) and now we know the reason why! Whew, your "start" challenge is complete, I still have to think of something to stitch today...YIKES!! *Hugs*

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  3. Nice project for the challenge, can't wait to see the progress!

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  4. An additional 15 WIP's??!! Jeez, woman, that's a whole lotta stitchin'!
    Now, I may have missed this part in a previous post of yours, but what are you doing with all your finished projects? Do you frame and display them?

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  5. Hey Danni, that is why it has been called the Crazies, the Crazy January Challenge... Wanta join late? 12 of my new WIP's are ornament's from Little House Needleworks, so they will be little cushions/flats or pinkeeps, and the bigger three will be frame eventually. So how's that box going?
    LiBBiE

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  6. Oh dear...I'm no where near ready for any kind of xs challenge! The way I figure it, I've met my own personal challenge for the month...the box is DOWN!!! lol

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