Sunday, August 14, 2011

Sunday Notes

Well, this weekend wasn't as sewing-intensive as some. Both kids were here and there were inevitable (though enjoyable) distractions.

You may recall that about a month ago I purchased a handmade ham and seam roll from Stitch Nerd on Etsy.

The ham, in particular, was smaller than I expected, so I wasn't sure how much use I would get out of it. I've now used it for several projects and, I have to say, I LOVE this ham! (I don't use a seam roll too much, in general.)

First, it has a nice smell of sawdust. I really like the smell. The ham I've been using is a Dritz brand and I'm not sure what stuffs it so firmly, but it is not sawdust. I love how the steam can really penetrate the sawdust filling. This new one is just a bit malleable - that little bit of give makes it much easier to manipulate and use. I like it much better than the hard-as-a-rock Dritz ham.

At some point, I will be ordering a custom ham in a larger size so I can have small and large options. I will then retire the Dritz model. I really use my pressing tools, and this one is definitely Shams-endorsed! (I get nothing for my review, so don't worry about that. :)

Other than finishing my Liberty top this weekend, I also have another Style Arc cardi almost finished. It's a quick project, but I am tweaking it a bit, so I'm not sure when I will be posting it.

I hope you have a great week!

7 comments:

  1. Interesting review on the ham. It's cute too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. At a Stretch & Sew workshop many, many years ago I learned to make a large ham & stuff it with bits of wet wool. Slam that thing when you stuff it to compact the wool. Hand-stitch the opening closed, then hang it up in a sling made of mesh or an old pantyhose top in a dry place to dry thoroughly (takes awhile). Mine has wool on one side, canvas on the other. I'm sure it will last far beyond my lifetime.
    Carol in Denver

    ReplyDelete
  3. Carol, I have never heard of stuffing a ham with wet wool bits. That is so interesting! And it works well for you?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the review! I can see how sawdust would be a great stuffing for a ham... I think mine is one of the inferior rock-hard ones you referred to...!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes, the wool-filled ham works very well. I should modify the instructions a bit: the wool bits were not WET; they had been spun-dried in the washer before stuffing into the ham form. The damp bits compact better than dry ones would but as they dry, they fluff up a little, filling the form.
    Mine must be about 40 years old. Sometimes I rest it on an old wooden miter box to hold it in the position needed for a specific pressing job.

    ReplyDelete
  6. cute pressing set! I just might buy my own :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have an old tailoring workbook that advocates a homemade wet wool ham. Im saving my scraps to try it.

    ReplyDelete