It might startle you to know that I am not the epic house cleaner. If you know me well, you might consider this an amusing understatement. But I want to share a sewing tip that is, as far as I know, unique to me.
What do you do with those scraps that are too small to use? I hope you do not put them in a box, neatly labeled, "Scraps too Small to Use".
What I do is to take a handful of them and, before heading to the trash, I seek out dust bunnies. I swipe floor boards, corners, wherever dust collects. The following example is from underneath the piano and behind the coffee table.
ReAnn and Jillian Meetup
On another note, ReAnn was in town towards the end of last week. She, Jillian and I got together for a long lunch and a quick run to Fabrix. I wish I'd had more time to play, but I am seriously lacking vacation hours at the moment. In fact, my lack of vacation hours caused me to cancel attending the Haute Couture event in Chicago earlier this month.
Our visit was short, but a lot of fun. We all decided to sport Trippens, our favorite collective shoe brand. (Though we are Trippen amateurs and bow to Margy, the Trippen Goddess.) As we walked the half block from Fabrix to the restaurant, a group of people (3 women and 3 men) stopped us to admire and ask about our shoes.
Trippens bring people together! :)
You are so funny.
ReplyDeleteI like your sewing/housekeeping tip. A good one.
Recently a quilting friend described this idea that I have adopted. I make a liner for one trashcan near my sewing machine (unfancy fabric) and put it in the trashcan, right side next to the bin. Then I toss all the too-small scraps and threads into it. When it's full, I serge it closed, wash it and take it to the animal shelter.
I do love your Trippens. Someday...
BTW, 2 friends and I are headed to SF in October for Sandra Betzina at Stonemountain. Maybe there could be a sewing meet-up? It would be fun - maybe a side trip to Fabrix.
Great sewing tip, Martha!!
DeleteI would LOVE to meet up with you and your friends!! When you know the dates, shoot me an email or PM (on SG) and I will get it on my calendar.
Martha, I LOVE your tip & will be adapting it! And please put me on your list to contact when you visit!
DeleteHousekeeping is a necessary evil so it's nice to see you using scraps so handily. Trippens are new to me so thanks for the intro.
ReplyDeleteBeware, Jane, these are mighty addictive! I have not, so far, paid full price for a pair, but one day...
DeleteHa Ha! Love your "dust bunny catcher"! and I love the picture of you, ReAnn and Jilly...Trippens acolytes, indeed!
ReplyDeleteWe bow down to the master!!
DeleteI just have to know, are Jillian's shoes comfortable? They are all quite unique looking!
ReplyDeleteYes, Andrea, I find them to be quite comfortable! I also have a pair of boots similar to Jillian's. I blogged about mine here: http://communingwithfabric.blogspot.com/2011/12/blogger-meetup-meeting-badmomgoodmom.html
DeleteThis meetup was a fabulous push for me...up the stairs & into the sewing room - you can expect some blogging from me again asap, promise!!!
ReplyDeleteAndrea those Trippen boots are soooooo comfy! They may not look it, but trust me, they are! The quality of the leather & the fit are JUST right! I adapted to the oddity of the blocks on the soles quite easily, and I really love them :)
I'm so glad to see you back to sewing, Jillian! It's too bad that we come home with each other's bag of fabric, but we will rectify that soon.
DeleteOh, love those Trippens! If my feet weren't so bunged up I'd be on those like fusible interfacing in a lapel.
ReplyDeleteMartha's use of bits is a great idea, a better alternative than my "tiny bits" box which was created to hold bits suitable for the art quilts I planned to make some time in the future. Darn it, my "future" is shrinking too fast!
Your handy household hint is just my style: practical, do-able and effective enough. Keep them coming!
Thanks, Carol! I appreciate how you consistently read the blog and offer feedback. "I'd be on those like fusible interfacing in a lapel." lol
DeleteAh housework. You know what they say "only boring women have spotless houses". I have never been accused of being boring or having a spotless house.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elle!
DeleteCongratulations Shams. I have just received my latest copy of Australia's Dressmaking with Stitches magazine and your blog has been recommended as a great online site to follow. I feel like a special friend has received a very special accolade.
ReplyDeleteTHANKS, Pam!!! How exciting! Can you tell me what issue it is, so I can order a copy?
DeleteVolume 20, Number 9.
DeleteShams is a creative sewist with fun ideas. And her writing makes it all so interesting. Glad that the magazine is recognizing her.
Deletelol fun tip. Loved seeing bloggers/sewist meet up photos...they always so fun
ReplyDeleteLove your housekeeping tip as I am a person who thinks housework is one big waste of sewing time. BTW I put Aussie Stitches onto your great blog and style, love both.
DeleteThanks, Rachel, and thanks, Barbara! Thanks for recommending my blog, Barbara. What a lovely surprise!
DeleteIf hubby wasnt around id clean much less lol,he grew up in a home that had a cleaning lady so hes used to a much higher degree of housework than me.
ReplyDeletePS...Love the boots :)
LOL Shams, how funny!! Good idea to embellish. For years I have a jar that i keep cut threads from embroidery and for awhile I kept serger scraps, to maybe make a fabric pizza.
ReplyDeletePainful Trippen envy. Too expensive for me but I so love these-
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gravitypope.com/shoes/product/15709-trippen-july-blk-box-july
I use wee fabric scraps to pick up debris as well- most often pet hair!
I was delighted to meet you "finally" and Jillian and Margy...a special serendipitous moment indeed. You three looked like you were having great fun, especially in those awesome Trippens! Ann and I had a wonderful day taking in the two museums and stopping for a quick romp through Fabrix. Looking forward to meeting up again sometime.
ReplyDeleteMy girlfriend swears by her Trippens...so do her friends. Good idea for the scraps...I'm guilty of keeping them.
ReplyDeleteHehe love trip pens shot.
ReplyDeleteAnd I laughed at the scraps... Great idea! I keep scraps for honks "just in case". This would be a far better use for them!
Sorry about the trippens mis-spelling, I am on our iPad and it is far more difficult to correct that darn auto spelling correct function. :S
ReplyDelete