CONFESSIONS OF A LAZY CRAFTER
By Elizabeth F. Purinton-Johnson
WWED What Would Eleanor Do?
The former first lady was known for being a great humanitarian, the initiator of many public service projects, and also, as a knitter. This coming Sunday, May 1, at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center, will be the third Eleanor Roosevelt Knit in. This will be an afternoon where attendees can create afghan blocks for “Warm up America!”, a not for profit organization that provides handmade afghans to hospitals, hospitals, veterans’ homes, homeless shelters and many other organizations.
Why, dear Crafter, does this sound a little familiar? This could be that you and I have discussed the role of crafting in charity work, how people come together to form a community through crafting, and how a lot of crafts originated to use up the last odds and ends from other projects.
What you might not know and what I really enjoyed learning about was Eleanor Roosevelt's knitting habit. It seems she was fairly well-known for knitting, especially during meetings when she was the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. During World War II, she launched a knitting program at a Knit for Defense Tea at the Waldorf-Astoria in 1941. At the Presidential Library in Hyde Park you can see some of her knitting supplies. In her room in the house, there is a pattern book on her desk. And at Valkill, there is a reproduction of her knitting bag and a skein of red acrylic yarn.
And speaking of acrylic yarn, the goal of the Knit-In is to produce and join 7" x 9" afghan blocks. You may make pieces ahead of time and bring them with you or deliver them and/or you may make them there on Sunday. If you're not inclined to knit or crochet, they can always use a financial donation. (There are considerable expenses involved in supplies and mailing the afghans.)
“Warm up America!” is an organization “committed to motivating, training and coordinating volunteers to knit and crochet afghans and clothing people in need”. I took part in an afghan block drive at the local Michael's craft store a few years ago. It is truly a wonderful way to use up your scraps. Just a few striped blocks can make use of even the smallest snippets. This is also a fabulous opportunity to practice different stitches and techniques while working on just a small piece. It's hard to get bored in 7" x 9".
There are a few things you can do to make the process easier. “Warm up America!” uses acrylic yarn so haul out your acrylic stash and look at potential color combinations. This is a fun time to experiment with new color combinations that you might not normally wear or have in your house.
Do some preliminary stitch gauges so that you will know what size needles and/or crochet hooks to use or bring with you. While the outside dimensions of the block are more important than the gauge, you want your gauge to match up fairly closely with other crafters’. In this way, the relative density of the blocks will be similar enough to put together a pleasing blanket.
The lazy step in making afghan blocks is also one of the most practical. Cut a 9" x 7" piece of cardboard use as your template. This way, you can make sure that your blocks will always be the right size.
As an even lazier step, I haven't bothered to write craft directions for you this week. Instead, I am providing for you directions straight from the “Warm up America!” website (www.warmupamerica.org). I encourage you to use these as a starting point, adding your own stripes, cables, and patterns as you like. I also encourage you to take part in this, or another, crafting for charity program. You already know that The Ships Project (www.theshipsproject.com) is one of my personal favorites. It has a similar mission to warm up America, but the recipients are American service personnel.
If you've asked yourself “What would Eleanor do?” by now, you know the answer.
• She would take part in a crafting for charity project.
• She would consider her fellow Americans’ needs for warmth and comfort and to know that someone is thinking about them enough to spend the time working on a project like this just for them.
• She’d knit.
Crochet Afghan Block Patterns
All use Worsted-weight acrylic yarn
Gauge: 9 stitches = 2 inches
Finished size: 7" by 9"
Hook: Size G crochet hook or size necessary to obtain gauge
BASIC SINGLE OR DOUBLE CROCHET
Chain 30 for the foundation chain.
Row 1: Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook, and in every chain in the foundation row. Chain 1 and turn.
Or, chain 27 for the foundation chain. Row 1: Double crochet in 3rd chain from hook and in each chain of the foundation row. Chain 2 and turn.
Work even until piece measures 9". Fasten off.
BASIC KNIT SECTION PATTERNS
Knitting Patterns Materials:
Worsted-weight acrylic yarns
Gauge: 5 stitches = 1 inch
Finished size: 7" by 9" Needle size: 7 needles or size necessary to obtain gauge
GARTER STITCH, STOCKINETTE, OR SEED STITCH
Cast on 35 stitches.
Knit every row.
Or knit 1 row, purl 1 row.
Or Row 1: Knit 1 stitch, purl the next stitch, knit the next. Continue alternating stitches across the row.
Work even until piece measures 9". Bind off.
To make reservations, send a check for $15 per person to the Town of Hyde Park Historical Society, P.O. Box 182, Hyde Park, NY 12538. Include name, address, phone number and e-mail address. The afternoon includes films, tea, and entrance to the FDR home in addition to the Knit-In. Tell them the Lazy Crafter sent you. It won’t get you a discount but it might get you a funny look.
For information, call 845-229-2559 or 845-229-7711 or email: Patsyc97@AOL.com. If you cannot come and want to send the blocks, they would be happy to receive them.
Confessions of a Lazy Crafter is a regular column in the Hudson Valley News.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, July 12, 2010
Ode to an Old Sewing Machine
CONFESSIONS OF A LAZY CRAFTER
Elizabeth F. Purinton-Johnson
Ode to an Old Sewing Machine
Two houses means two sewing machines, right? That’s not what I originally intended when we bought our Florida house but…. My original plan was to bring my trusty ol’ Kenmore with me when we drove down (and bring it back, and take it back down). But, during my many trips to the local thrift shops for the oddments that didn’t come with a furnished house, it occurred to me to keep an eye out for a sewing machine. Sure enough, 57 trips to the store later, there was a plain Jane Kenmore machine. Price tag: $15. Ken was coming home with me.
During the cleaning, oiling, and researching the machine to try to get the cams to work for fancy stitches (which never did), I was able to date the machine to 1970. Prowling through the guts of the machine and poking into its nether regions, I developed an appreciation for how some of the mechanics worked (or, in the case of the cams, didn’t work). There was life in the old boy yet. When it was new was just about the time my mother was using her old faithful (later to be replaced with a brand spanking new 1978 model) to sew my school clothes, play clothes, curtains, aprons, my father’s coveralls, all sorts of things. The styles of the clothes may have changed but the concept of saving some money by sewing your own hasn’t. Neither has the enjoyment in creating something pretty, or original, or betting fitting than anything in a store.
The sewing machine was one of those things that was developed over decades and no one knows quite whom to credit with the “invention”. In 1755, Charles Weisenthal patented a needle for use in a machine (which did not yet exist). There were plenty of patents for machines in the late 18th early 19th century. Most of these were never built and would never work. America’s first semi-successful machine, was built by Walter Hunt in 1834. The machine as we know it, with two threads, one on top and a bobbin beneath was patented by Elias Howe in 1846. A similar machine was mass produced by Isaac Singer in the 1850s. Amid all of this inventing was an outcry from the tailors that machines would ruin their industry and from others that women’s work was being taken away from them.
Early machines did a straight stitch, in one length, and came with a crank to be turned with the right hand. Soon, treadles, designed by Isaac Singer, allowed the sewer to use both hands while she pumped the treadle to run the machine. Some of these treadle machines were later electrified. If you have one of these converted machines, you have my sympathy. They didn’t work well and it greatly lowered the antique value.
Today’s machines come in a wide range of prices and abilities. A home sewer would probably pay about $400 for a good quality electronic machine with dozens of built in fancy stitches. Lower priced machines are certainly available but beware the “discount store machine”. Makers of good quality, reliable machines will often make a style for discount stores that has neither the abilities nor the reliability that the brand name would imply. If price is a factor (or if you’re cheap like me), consider a higher quality used machine. Research is done fairly easily on the internet to identify which models are right for you and eBay and other auction houses are full of offerings.
I visited Sew ‘N’. Vac in the Poughkeepsie Plaza to get a feel for what was available in newer machines (not having shopped for a machine since I helped my feather pick out my mother’s new machine in the late 1970s). Bob Frisenda was generous with his time showing me some of the amazing capabilities of newer models (generous especially since he knew I wasn’t in the market for a new one). One of the most astounding features is a USB port whereby one downloads designs from the internet, a digital photograph, or other software, uploads them to the machine, and creates new embroidery designs. Who knew? Note: If you go to Sew ‘N’ Vac, take a few minutes to look over Bob’s collection of vintage machines on display. One of them is dated to 1877-1883. The contrast between his sparkling new machines and the “experienced” antiques is startling.
And, if you have an old faithful, count yourself lucky. With proper maintenance (repeat after me: “cleaning and oiling”), your machine will continue to give its all for your creative endeavors, sometimes plodding along, but always keeping you good company throughout.
Modernizing an Old Sewing Machine
1. As with all machines, clean and oil it on a regular basis. It’ll make a huge difference in the machine’s life expectancy.
2. Bobbin indicator – Some new machines have a light that blinks when the bobbin is getting low on thread. Make your own. Fill 2 bobbins with your sewing thread. Use one of them as the top thread. When it gets low, the bobbin will also be low.
3. Quiet function – Impressed with how quiet new machines are? Improve your own by placing it on a piece of carpeting or a rubber mat. You can also paste felt to the undersides and inside surfaces. Just make sure it’s well secured.
4. Horizontal thread feed – All the new machines have ‘em. You can, too. Buy a thread stand. Buy a cheap plastic one and make a stand for it out of modeling clay (to weigh it down).
5. Good lighting – This is easy. Open the light housing and clean the light bulb. You can also line the housing with aluminum foil to increase reflective light.
6. Automatic needle threader – It’s not like these work anyway but if you can’t stand threading the needle, try this. Never unthread the machine. When it’s time to change colors, tie on the new thread and gently ease the knot through the needle’s eye. Cut the old thread.
7. Shiny new exterior – Clean your machine with an old T-shirt and ordinary spray cleaner. Dry. Put a drop of oil and a spritz of perfume on a clean cloth and shine up the machine.
8. Ergonomics – I don’t think even the new machines have this feature. Tilt your machine toward you and tuck a gum eraser under each of the back corners. This will give you a 1” tilt that improves visibility and maneuvering.
Elizabeth F. Purinton-Johnson
Ode to an Old Sewing Machine
Two houses means two sewing machines, right? That’s not what I originally intended when we bought our Florida house but…. My original plan was to bring my trusty ol’ Kenmore with me when we drove down (and bring it back, and take it back down). But, during my many trips to the local thrift shops for the oddments that didn’t come with a furnished house, it occurred to me to keep an eye out for a sewing machine. Sure enough, 57 trips to the store later, there was a plain Jane Kenmore machine. Price tag: $15. Ken was coming home with me.
During the cleaning, oiling, and researching the machine to try to get the cams to work for fancy stitches (which never did), I was able to date the machine to 1970. Prowling through the guts of the machine and poking into its nether regions, I developed an appreciation for how some of the mechanics worked (or, in the case of the cams, didn’t work). There was life in the old boy yet. When it was new was just about the time my mother was using her old faithful (later to be replaced with a brand spanking new 1978 model) to sew my school clothes, play clothes, curtains, aprons, my father’s coveralls, all sorts of things. The styles of the clothes may have changed but the concept of saving some money by sewing your own hasn’t. Neither has the enjoyment in creating something pretty, or original, or betting fitting than anything in a store.
The sewing machine was one of those things that was developed over decades and no one knows quite whom to credit with the “invention”. In 1755, Charles Weisenthal patented a needle for use in a machine (which did not yet exist). There were plenty of patents for machines in the late 18th early 19th century. Most of these were never built and would never work. America’s first semi-successful machine, was built by Walter Hunt in 1834. The machine as we know it, with two threads, one on top and a bobbin beneath was patented by Elias Howe in 1846. A similar machine was mass produced by Isaac Singer in the 1850s. Amid all of this inventing was an outcry from the tailors that machines would ruin their industry and from others that women’s work was being taken away from them.
Early machines did a straight stitch, in one length, and came with a crank to be turned with the right hand. Soon, treadles, designed by Isaac Singer, allowed the sewer to use both hands while she pumped the treadle to run the machine. Some of these treadle machines were later electrified. If you have one of these converted machines, you have my sympathy. They didn’t work well and it greatly lowered the antique value.
Today’s machines come in a wide range of prices and abilities. A home sewer would probably pay about $400 for a good quality electronic machine with dozens of built in fancy stitches. Lower priced machines are certainly available but beware the “discount store machine”. Makers of good quality, reliable machines will often make a style for discount stores that has neither the abilities nor the reliability that the brand name would imply. If price is a factor (or if you’re cheap like me), consider a higher quality used machine. Research is done fairly easily on the internet to identify which models are right for you and eBay and other auction houses are full of offerings.
I visited Sew ‘N’. Vac in the Poughkeepsie Plaza to get a feel for what was available in newer machines (not having shopped for a machine since I helped my feather pick out my mother’s new machine in the late 1970s). Bob Frisenda was generous with his time showing me some of the amazing capabilities of newer models (generous especially since he knew I wasn’t in the market for a new one). One of the most astounding features is a USB port whereby one downloads designs from the internet, a digital photograph, or other software, uploads them to the machine, and creates new embroidery designs. Who knew? Note: If you go to Sew ‘N’ Vac, take a few minutes to look over Bob’s collection of vintage machines on display. One of them is dated to 1877-1883. The contrast between his sparkling new machines and the “experienced” antiques is startling.
And, if you have an old faithful, count yourself lucky. With proper maintenance (repeat after me: “cleaning and oiling”), your machine will continue to give its all for your creative endeavors, sometimes plodding along, but always keeping you good company throughout.
Modernizing an Old Sewing Machine
1. As with all machines, clean and oil it on a regular basis. It’ll make a huge difference in the machine’s life expectancy.
2. Bobbin indicator – Some new machines have a light that blinks when the bobbin is getting low on thread. Make your own. Fill 2 bobbins with your sewing thread. Use one of them as the top thread. When it gets low, the bobbin will also be low.
3. Quiet function – Impressed with how quiet new machines are? Improve your own by placing it on a piece of carpeting or a rubber mat. You can also paste felt to the undersides and inside surfaces. Just make sure it’s well secured.
4. Horizontal thread feed – All the new machines have ‘em. You can, too. Buy a thread stand. Buy a cheap plastic one and make a stand for it out of modeling clay (to weigh it down).
5. Good lighting – This is easy. Open the light housing and clean the light bulb. You can also line the housing with aluminum foil to increase reflective light.
6. Automatic needle threader – It’s not like these work anyway but if you can’t stand threading the needle, try this. Never unthread the machine. When it’s time to change colors, tie on the new thread and gently ease the knot through the needle’s eye. Cut the old thread.
7. Shiny new exterior – Clean your machine with an old T-shirt and ordinary spray cleaner. Dry. Put a drop of oil and a spritz of perfume on a clean cloth and shine up the machine.
8. Ergonomics – I don’t think even the new machines have this feature. Tilt your machine toward you and tuck a gum eraser under each of the back corners. This will give you a 1” tilt that improves visibility and maneuvering.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The hand in progress
Nothing like shaking hands with yourself, now is there?
This is the hand halfway out of the mold. I got it this far before I had to cut.
On the right is the hand just starting to come out of the mold. I reinforced the back of the mold with gauze to strengthen it. That wasn't what gave me problems. Where the difficulties came from was the space (or lack thereof) between the fingers. *sigh*Thursday, November 5, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
What does it mean to be well rounded?
What does it mean to be well rounded?
Why haven’t you heard from me in a while? Because I’ve been busy being a department chair at Marist College and the fall semester has begun. Other than the pesky day job, I’ve crocheted an afghan for my step-daughter (yes, since the last entry), knitted another pair of fingerless gloves, begun another afghan and am planning a sweater for my husband for Christmas. I find that I can pick up a piece of knitting or crochet when I have just a few minutes or want to spend the whole evening.
I found a wonderful book called The Knitting Way (Linda Skolnick and Janice MacDaniels, Skylight Paths Publishing 2006) that discussed the spirituality of knitting. It really speaks to why we do some of the things that we do.
But, my point was this. On the one side, I’m a college professor. On another, a consumer behaviorist. On another, a resin crafter. On another, a crocheter, knitter, seamstress, organic gardener, wife and doggy mother. By the time you put all the sides together, you have a ball, hence, well-rounded.
You may argue that we are all a collection of interests (or in the terms of psychographics, activities, opinions and interests) but how far should we reach in our blogs, on our websites, and in our web stores? This summer, on LinkedIn, we had a discussion of how far to push a brand. I argued that you needed consistency (well… I do have a PhD in marketing). But, you also need to stay fresh and timely and you never know what an offshoot is going to take root (too much of a metaphor?)
Why haven’t you heard from me in a while? Because I’ve been busy being a department chair at Marist College and the fall semester has begun. Other than the pesky day job, I’ve crocheted an afghan for my step-daughter (yes, since the last entry), knitted another pair of fingerless gloves, begun another afghan and am planning a sweater for my husband for Christmas. I find that I can pick up a piece of knitting or crochet when I have just a few minutes or want to spend the whole evening.
I found a wonderful book called The Knitting Way (Linda Skolnick and Janice MacDaniels, Skylight Paths Publishing 2006) that discussed the spirituality of knitting. It really speaks to why we do some of the things that we do.
But, my point was this. On the one side, I’m a college professor. On another, a consumer behaviorist. On another, a resin crafter. On another, a crocheter, knitter, seamstress, organic gardener, wife and doggy mother. By the time you put all the sides together, you have a ball, hence, well-rounded.
You may argue that we are all a collection of interests (or in the terms of psychographics, activities, opinions and interests) but how far should we reach in our blogs, on our websites, and in our web stores? This summer, on LinkedIn, we had a discussion of how far to push a brand. I argued that you needed consistency (well… I do have a PhD in marketing). But, you also need to stay fresh and timely and you never know what an offshoot is going to take root (too much of a metaphor?)
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Last year, I had the great fun of being guest author on TackyLiving.com.
As my usual, eclectic self, I’d been cruising the internet for unusual things. So far, I’d found:
The Gallery of Regrettable Food (by James Lileks, available at Amazon and half.com) He also brought us Interior Desecration (I always knew the 70s would come back to haunt us).
WhatNotToCrochet
and
CakeWrecks
Who knew there were so many fun, frighteningly tacky things??
As a marketing professor and researcher of consumer behavior, it got me thinking about tackiness.
We all know that what is tasteful for one person is tacky for another (I’d learned that quite thoroughly in retail). But, what makes tacky? Are there things that are tacky for everyone?
And, what’s kitsch? Is it the same thing as tacky?
Somewhere I read that kitsch is only kitsch if one is unaware of its tackiness. Hmmm… That would mean that no one enjoys collecting kitsch. (Either that’s a huge disappointment or circular thinking.)
I noticed that this month, WhatNotToCrochet asks the question, “What’s the point where something slips from cute to FUG?”
Of course, it answers, “there – no just behind that”.
Okaaayyyyyyy. Something tells me that answer won’t get me into the Journal of Marketing. But, it brings up a really good point.
Is tackiness like pornography? We can’t define it but we’ll know it when we see it?
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
As a resin crafter with a wholesale and retail following, it made sense to have a blog.
As a marketing professor, it made sense to have a blog.
As a marketing professor teaching Internet Marketing at the MBA level, I had to have a blog.
I've always seen blogs as the internet equivalent to home movies (and not the funny stuff on YouTube either, just the duller than dirt junk you gotta watch of someone else's vacation). So, in spite of my usual stream of consciousness writing, I'll clean up my act for you. If I'm gonna have a blog, it might as well be useful to someone.
Here, you'll find some of my projects and techniques (mostly of resin). Maybe someone can either learn from them or take solace in someone else making more mistakes than he/she does.
But, in the meantime, check out:
AtomicFlamingoCreations.com
or
my Etsy store:
atomicflamingo.etsy.com
As a marketing professor, it made sense to have a blog.
As a marketing professor teaching Internet Marketing at the MBA level, I had to have a blog.
I've always seen blogs as the internet equivalent to home movies (and not the funny stuff on YouTube either, just the duller than dirt junk you gotta watch of someone else's vacation). So, in spite of my usual stream of consciousness writing, I'll clean up my act for you. If I'm gonna have a blog, it might as well be useful to someone.
Here, you'll find some of my projects and techniques (mostly of resin). Maybe someone can either learn from them or take solace in someone else making more mistakes than he/she does.
But, in the meantime, check out:
AtomicFlamingoCreations.com
or
my Etsy store:
atomicflamingo.etsy.com
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