The problem with committing to post something to this blog every week is that there must be something to write about. I suppose that was the intention, although perhaps I had not yet fully assimilated the idea. I am certainly stitching every day, although more often than not that stitching has taken the form of knitting, and I do want to work in the studio. I also want to finish unpacking and catalog my stash, both knitting- and sewing-related. It seems therefore that if I expect actual sewing progress each week, I may be over my head.
But I am not going to rename this blog "sitting in the studio dreaming" although some of that did happen this past week. Let us just assume that dreaming, like fondling fabric and shuffling patterns around is a part of that thing called "process". Or at least just hope so.
I did sit on the loveseat lost in thought, staring at fabric while Poncho sniffed and snorted circumnavigating the space and mapping it in his mind. I am not yet convinced that he loves the studio; he might prefer to be in the house. At the same time, although he is not as clingy as he was, he likes to know where I am. Although he doesn't necessarily always curl up next to me, more often than not he is upstairs if I am upstairs, and downstairs if I am downstairs. He gets nervous when he can't find me, and runs around in circles. Hence we are still in learning mode — Poncho is learning the word "studio" and what that means, and I suspect that in time the studio will become as comfortable a space as the rest of the house. Getting him a more comfortable bed (there seems to be one kind he prefers) and a blanket might help, but then so might time.
In the meantime, He thought linen sheeting made a perfect napping spot, while I was laying the fabric out to measure for the second fitted sheet. Since feeling at home in the space is important, some assistance, or hindrance, must be tolerated.
This sheet is being cut from the smaller of the two pieces of linen I purchased. I believe this was the first purchase, as the fabric was nearly sold out when I discovered it. It has a tighter, finer, weave than the linen I used up last week, and a smoother hand with fewer slubs. It will feel silkier against the skin. However, I almost did not have enough fabric. I had enough for the width of the sheet, but was seven inches short in the length (this is after shrinkage). Luckily for me, I had cut an eight inch strip off the the width, which gave me just enough fabric, with a small seam allowance to join the two pieces. I serged the two pieces together as I did not think I had enough fabric (1 inch total, or 1/2 inch on each piece to make a fully enclosed or felled seam. The grainlline runs in different directions, obviously, but since this piece will be at either the top or bottom of the sheet, and at least partially tucked under the mattress, I do not foresee a problem.
All I managed this week was to sit and dream, to catalog a few more pieces of fabric, and to sew one corner on the fitted sheet. I will probably finish it this weekend. I am being much more meticulous. Partly this is because I have time and am not desperate to get this on the bed. But I also like this fabric more than the fabric for the first sheet, and having made one fitted sheet, I am more comfortable refiing the process.
On the first sheet, I simply serged the corner seams. I did finish all the bottom hems and edges, but did not bother with the corners. The seams are sturdy and tight and I am not particularly worried about functionality or wear. The goal was just to sew a sheet, and that goal was accomplished. But somehow, on this sheet, I wanted a more polished finish, so the raw edges have been enclosed and the corner seams finished more nicely. My stitching is not perfectly even. I am not worried about that. It will improve.
My new computer arrived last night, which means I can return to unpacking and cataloging. This will of course take away from actual sewing time, but will make things easier in the long run. I will keep you updated with all of it as I go.
