Now Playing: (ominous, horror-type music, cued up with 'Robe Begins')
Current Mood : a bit strung out
Finally began work on BIL's robe - it took me two hours to cut the thing out. And the nice young lady at Hancock Fabrics who told me the material was 60 inches wide was blasted wrong. So one part has a seam it shouldn't have, but ya do what ya can with what ya got. I've reread the directions, and begin sewing tomorrow. Man, human clothes take forever !
Did my usual grocery run - this time to the ‘high side' Mal-Wart. Back on the 17th, less than a week ago, I found out their fabric center was closing. Sad, but I stocked up on fabric and hoped to return. So today, I did - and it's nearly gone. There's maybe 40 half-empty bolts of fabric remaining, plus the not-discounted buttons, patterns, and sewing machines remaining. Large flats of big storage containers and tall plastic cabinets filled the empty space. It's pretty apt, since people were buying material by the mile last week, but still, rather painful to see.
Vulture that I am, I drifted over to the still surprisingly abundant trims section, and stocked up on rick rack and piping - I had a minor brainstorm about how to use some last night, and at 75% off, now was the time to snag ten or eleven various sized packages. Of the remaining fabric yardages, there was nothing I wanted, and I kinda wanted to get out of there before I got depressed. Or wanted that blue/green shelf tower...
Got the haul for the week home and stored, and went to the community thrift store. Wanted to look at that Cinderella doll they've had forever. This time, I actually looked at the price on the bag. Since Cindy was sharing bag space with a Cabbage Patch Kid and Strawberry Shortcake doll, the price was $9. Too much for me. I'd rather find ‘em for a buck or two at yard sales. And heck, of the lot I bought last week, those averaged out to only $6. each, shipping and all ! According to the USPS, they left Jacksonville, FL today - which is odd, since the seller lives in Georgia !
Made some other discoveries, though. A pair of glittery baby shoes was half price - 49c ! - and a package of fairly small black gathered lace also found a home with me for the same price. Snagged two idle reading books for a buck, and an unopened pack of gold grommets for 50c. Beloved Hubby's planning on making Dearest Son a cubby storage set like mine, so we'll need grommets, and I'd much rather pay 50c than the $3. I paid for my silver ones ! But you know how I am, I'll always choose silver over gold when it comes to fake metal tones !
The big score, though, was a box of odd sewing machine feet. I sincerely have no idea how to use most of ‘em. And some, I can't even tell how they'd attach to any sewing machine ever made. But a rolled hem foot caught my eye, and I shelled the $2. for the box. Those things are $12. delivered on eBay, and $20. at Hancock's. I wasn't sure how they'd work, and buying used ensured I'd be SOL on directions, but I took the chance.
It kinda works and kinda doesn't. Frankly, if I can fold the material that small, I can hem it without the rolled hem foot. And it slipped out of the foot constantly. I got it to work several times, but had as many failures. If nothing else, at least I won't spend $20. for one now ! I can probably work it better with practice, but there isn't much time for that lately. I was able to find directions on line, but honestly. If I can press a 1/8" hem, I can sew it. I don't need this foot for that. Seems like a waste of time/money to me.
I've come to that conclusion about most sewing machine feet. Most will help you do something either a little faster or a bit more accurately, but that's about it. The pinktuck foot, for example, only really helps you keep an equal distance between tucks, but you still have to watch it like a hawk. You could as easily draw or transfer straight lines to the fabric, and save a quick $20. All I really need is a zig-zag, a straight, and a zipper foot to do pretty much all of yer regular sewing. The rest...well, I've yet to be sooo impressed with one, that I'll only use it for this or that specific job. But, heck, that $2. saved me $20. and a bit of longing, so...
Well, tomorrow, I should start work on the first robe. It's gonna be just a ‘rough draft' version, out of some inexpensive silky polyester that feels nice. After it's done, and BIL's indicated what changes he wants (I already know the sleeves will be too full for him), I make it again, out of more expensive fabric. But once they're done, I've kept my promise. It'll be a while before I promise to sew someone else anything - because keeping my word on this one has been a challenge !
