Sewing for the Garden

Living in the Pacific Northwest, my primary hobby is sewing but from March to September you will find me spending most of my spare time in the garden. This year I turned to my sewing machine for my season extenders. For almost ten years I have been thumbing through garden supply catalogs coveting Wall-o-Waters, cold frames, old time cloches, and row covers. These fancy commercial products are just not in my budget so I turned to my sewing machine for some cheap alternatives. I tested out three homemade season extenders this year.

Project 1: Revamp the Coldframe

I made do for years with a box frame and an old window tossed on top. However, now that I have little ones running around outside, a glass window pane just the right size for sitting on seemed a bad idea. I revamped the old box with some 3/4 inch PVC pipe and put my sewing machine to work! I used double fold bias tape on all the seams to keep my sewing machine happy. (The feed dogs could not grip the 6 mil plastic.) Then I added plenty of loops for the zip ties that would attach it to the frame. I debated between a zipper, hook & loop tape, and snaps for the opening, but opted for the snaps because they were around.

What I love: It's taller and I was able to keep the tomatoes in here until they were 30" tall before moving them to the garden bed. Roll up ties were long enough that I could open it a little or a lot as the finicky weather ranged from 30-70 F. Tie down loops every 8-12" meant that even in the gustiest winds it was secure.

What I would change: The snaps have held up better than expected, but two zippers that met in the middle would be more convenient. I predict the cotton blend bias tape will mildew. In the future I will change to a synthetic fabric designed for outdoor use.

Project 2: 15 Minute Season Extender for Pots

Wanting to expand my available season extending space, I scavanged around and found some old bamboo hoops and made these quick extenders for pots. While it was super cold I left these rolled up tight except a few minutes each day for fresh air. As it began to warm I opened the top during the day and closed it at night. When day temperatures were safe I removed the covers during the day, but replaced them in case of night frost.

What I love: Super fast project! It was surprisingly versatile. Because these plants did not move from cold frame to garden they are the most robust of my veggies.

What I would change: I predict the cotton blend bias tape will mildew. In the future I will change to a synthetic fabric designed for outdoor use.

Project 3: The Hoop House

A disclaimer: this was not my project. I asked my husband to build a second cold frame because I liked my first so much. Next thing I know I have a HUGE PVC frame over a quarter of my garden. He didn't think through the project very well. It needs more structural support and a system for securing it to the ground, but I decided to make do with what I had been given.

I priced some options and decided he had bit off more than our checking account could afford to complete. In an effort to reduce costs I made some poor decisions.

It would need twenty feet of bias tape - too much to buy and too much to make by hand. I searched through some options and decided that it would be a good way to use up the hundreds of yards of leftover polyester ribbon from our wedding ten years ago. I also decided to skip the loops for securing it to the frame.

It was going to need a long, somewhat weather proof zipper. Originally I scoured the thrift stores for an old sleeping bag I could salvage a zipper from, but discovered that the fabric store carried seven foot zippers in the home decor department for a reasonable price.

What I love: Plenty of height for my 6'2" husband to help out.  It allowed for a large space of ground to dry out enough to plant earlier than the rest of our garden. A more permanent structure means we can try out heat happy vegetables that usually don't like our cool climate, and the zipper is easy to use compared to the snaps on the cold frame.

What I would change: It needs a box frame to attach side walls securely to the ground and a venting system to reduce heat build up on hot sunny days. It needs more supports not just to keep the frame from flexing, but so there are more places the plastic can be secured to the frame. I will never, ever use slippery satin ribbon as a substitute for bias tape. It's held up for a few months just fine, but the traction it provided the feed dogs was questionable at best and it made it hard to grip and sew with any control.

Body Measurements and Size Charts: Infant to Age 6

I have been compiling measurement charts for years trying to make sure I can properly estimate sizing for gifts, my own pattern creations, and of course my family. These charts estimate the measurements, and might lean towards the sturdier child since both my kids are in the 90 percentiles for height and weight.  For the PDF file, follow this link.

 I wish I could give credit where credit is due, but the measurements were compiled from a wide variety of sources and personal experience. Some numbers are averaged, or I selected from multiple options that which best fit my own kids. Certainly the Simplicity Creative Group, Ottobre Design, and assorted books and websites. As I recall them I will try to give them credit!

Engagement Dolls from Black Apple Doll Pattern

Meet Little Matt & Little Annette. I wanted to do something special for my sister’s engagement party, but funds were low. I decided to make them little rag dolls from my various scraps. I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a tutorial to make a Black Apple doll. I did not enlarge the pattern the recommended 150%, which may be why I struggled with assembly so much. In the future I will always enlarge the pattern.

To make the boy doll, I inverted the torso so that the wider skirt portion became man’s broad shoulders and the narrower girl shoulders became male hips. It came out well, although I had to re-sew the shoulders several times to get them just right.

To make the clothing I just added a ¼” to the doll patterns torso and arms. Yes, that’s a Utilikilt on my future brother-in-law, not a skirt. I’m not sure how widely their known outside of Seattle, but they are for real and the only distinctive clothing item I knew he wore.

I stitched little hearts to their chest with the others initials embroidered on it to make the engagement/wedding connection.

Overall I was pleased with my first attempt at doll making.

Estimated time 8-10 hours.

5 yards of Bias Tape from a Single Fat Quarter!!!

Calico Cat 1940's Apron Pattern

I just stumbled upon an amazing tutorial  (great photos!) from Jona Giammalva owner of Fabritopia.com. I can't wait for my next bias strip project. I always hate stitching together strip after strip of fabric. This technique you only need to join the fabric twice, then just cut one long strip! I could have used this technique on the aprons above...would have saved me a ton of time and fabric waste. Maybe I'll finally make the coordinating woman's apron.

Upcycle Project: Organizer for Hair Accessories

The gallon Ziplock bag that had served as my daughter's hair accessory container was a disaster. I poked around online, in shops, and blogs looking for a better alternative. I liked the french bulletin board style, but that was still going to leave a lot of unorganized accessories. Thank you Goodwill! I was browsing through our local Goodwill when I came across this Pottery Barn wall organizer and decided it was perfect for the job. After scrounging through the house I found enough materials on hand to please by daugher's champagne taste on my beer budget. The whole thing cost me $3.99!

I-Cord Project: Flower Bracelet

My daughter absolutely loves the Bond Embellish-Knit! I bought to make cords for my wool soakers. She's made yards and yards of I-cord, but mostly it sits wound in balls or wrapped around her dolls like fuzzy little boa constrictors. One day when we got tired of beading bracelets, I decided to try something new - an I-cord bracelet. So easy!


The flower:
1. Cut/create a length of I-cord.
2. Tie off ends, but leave, long 6-10" tails on both ends.
3. Mark 5 equal sections (or whatever # of petals you prefer).
4. Thread one of the tails onto a yarn needle. Catch a loop of yarn at each of the section points you marked.
5. Pull the tail tight until the petals form. Use the other tail to tie a knot.
6. Select a button and attach using one or both of the tails. Do not cut tails yet!

The bracelet:
1. Cut/create a length of I-cord to fit wrist, but make sure it has enough stretch to slide on and off.
2. Tie off ends.
3. Use the tails to tie ends to one another, then use a yarn needle to hide the threads within the I-cord tube. The bracelet should look like a snake eating it's tail and there should be no visible tails.
4. Place your flower upside down on the work space so the good side is down and the two tails are up.
5. Set the bracelet center (where the snake is eating it's tail) on the center of your flower.
6. Use the tails on the back of the flower to tie the flower to the bracelet.
7. Again, use a yarn needle to hide the threads within the I-cord.

Your Done! Wear with pride & send in your pictures!

Angie's Free Diaper Patterns is up and running!

Angie's Free Diaper Patterns & Dedicated Diapering Page

I can't believe it took me so long to sit down and do it, but I finally got my diaper pattern in a format for sharing online. I didn't want this blog to be overrun with diaper sewing and reviews, so I started a separate page just for diaper sewing. The page is functional, but not pretty. I'll get to that...eventually. LOL! Instructions and tutorials are still coming. :-)