Old Dog, New Trick

For years and years I've admired people who can knit- and for years and years I yearned to learn how- and for years and years, I put it off.

No more! One of my new year's resolutions was to learn and so for the last month, I've been taking knitting lessons with my grandmother, who knits up a storm daily. The first evening, I really had to laugh at myself. I couldn't for the life of me understand or see what she was doing. By the next week, I had semi-understood casting on and knitting proper, but I was still quite crude. The week after that, I finally understood the concept of purling and ribs, etc, but MAN did I stink! I even went to my husband and was just so exasperated: "Man, I STINK at this!". Humbling, let me tell you!

You have to understand where I'm coming from and why this is all so significant- generally, I'm pretty good at the things I'll try my hand at- whether that be because I'm just *naturally gifted* or because I don't like being poor at something that I will give up before I even get going (I'll save discussion of this for therapy). It's quite a testament to my determination that I stuck with it enough to accomplish what you see above (seen here in borrowed yarn and needles)- I finally found my groove- my rhythm, understand and can articulate the knitting and purling, and an easy consistency. I can even undo my mistakes! (of which there are many...). I'm even becoming more fluent in what the stitches look like.

So, what do you think this prompted? Why a reward, of course! I took a trip to the local sewing shop for my very own bamboo needles and some nice cotton yarn in a tealy blue color. So now I am making a scarf in a seed stitch... only I started on the wrong foot and began making 5 rows of a ribbing... but it's all good. If I can actually wear this thing I will be very happy indeed. I had a pleasant evening of watching Law & Order: Criminal Intent and noodling with my new toys. Tonight I will wow my grandmother with my knitting prowess! I'm sure she will be even more delighted than me.

Cheers to learning new stuff!

Anatomy Of A Cost Effective Project

Hm. Yes. Well, sometimes you nail it, sometimes you don't. I hadn't bargained on the fact that these tote bags would be such a time consumer. Yesterday it took me a better part of my work day to make only 6 bags averaging a whopping 55 minutes each. Mass production is really the only way to make this project worthwhile, but I can't see myself moving any faster. I have finally worked out all the details on streamlining and making them durable at the same time. I don't feel like I can skip out on anything without compromising the quality.

I have previously calculated that my crafting/sewing rate should be $20 hr. I'm not going to get into how that number came to be- but it's not the same as my graphic design rate or even my administrative rate. I don't typically calculate my hours worked and on what project, but in order to make sewing work for me, I need to make $20hr, or else it's just not worth my time.

The cost of my supplies on this were better than usual- if I only factor in the cost for each bag and not the actual expense. I had grand plans to make many bags, so I went ahead and bought wholesale priced cotton webbing: 50 yards of each black and natural at $25 per roll, which makes it .50 a yard (sweet deal!). If I don't use/sell all of that, I'm spending a lot more than .50, so either I continue with the project or I put some in my de-stash shop (most likely at a tidy profit that still undersells the local shop). Not a complete loss on this, but still an investment that won't pay off for some time.

The panels for the bags average about $5.25. Pretty excellent all things considered, but we're already talking $5.75 in materials and 55 minutes of time and peripherals like thread, iron and machine electricity which total pennies, and hey, you want cover everything when factoring pricing. Nothing is free. Time to take pics, list, manage the sales, etc... must put a small price tag on that stuff, too. I'm going to push it up to $6.25 to make. I have no idea if this is truly accurate or even fair, but I can live with it. Just need to have something to show for all of those peripherals. *crap! I just realized a big calculation error! I use 60" of webbing per bag which comes out to .83, not .50... well, there goes most of my "peripherals..."! My friend Betz also points out the time and effort in research and perfecting development... hours, baby... hours!

Time: $18.75

Material: $6.25

Totals: $26.00

I had originally hoped to sell these at $20 which would make them more palatable. $26 is verging on excessively priced for a tote (and I'm sure there are plenty of people who will balk at that- I know I might...). Oh, and let's not forget shipping. People are going to really have to love this tote! Hey, have you seen me mention that this is also my exclusive design? Seems I'm not getting paid for that at all... which is sad now that I think about it.

Lastly, there's the selling fees involved. .20 to list, and .91 Etsy commission and $1.05 for PayPal, I make $16.84 profit. That said, I'm not certain this item is really going to work for me at this time. You may think it isn't really much of a loss and that it still seems fair, but for this particular business in particularly lean times, I need to really commit to things that are financially worthwhile to do. I can fill this time with other projects or avenues: even cleaning my house might be considered a smarter use of time... But now that I have 6 done, I can see how they perform.

Unless these take off and fly to great heights of interest (the more I can sell, the more I can justify the time/effort/costs and maybe even begin to lower the price a bit), they may be short-lived. Sad because they really are nice, if I do say so myself! But the reality is, not everything works.

Now, let's consider the time it took me to figure all this out and write this post! HA! Signing off...

Postscript: Many of you have (wonderfully) suggested kits. Yes, this is an option! Only it will take a few more hours of time to create the direction for it. But thanks for the idea!

Post-Postscript: Wow, so many insightful and supportive comments! Obvioiusly this is a hot topic. I just got the most awakening comment from Oktak, maker of amazing bags and purses, and she really helped me put this in perspective. As a result, I'm raising my prices! And I feel pretty darn good about it!

Stationery! Get Your Red Hot Stationery Here!

I'm thinking it's time for a sale! For month of February, set of 2 Seasonal Trees note pads will be $3.25 (half off regular price). Not a bad deal! Have plenty on hand, so if the link says sold out, there's more here.

New Item In Shop | Forsythia Tote Bag

The 2nd in my tote bag series intended for a little mass-production run. This Forsythia print was the other print that I did on my tea towel calendars, with a little alteration in appearance.

Find it in the shop! Look for the Queen Anne's Lace version, in its non-prototype form in the shop soon, too!

* This item is now sold! But I'll have more in the shop in the near future, so stay tuned, if you're interested.

Featured | DIY Blog

Very happy to be featured on Team DIY Blog! A big thanks to Angie Packer, designer of the beautiful console table curtains you see in the photo here, using my Dandelion fabric and facilitator of this article. This was a great interview for me to do because it allowed me to discuss Cloud9 Fabrics and my partnership with Gina.

Helping Haiti Quilt Auction

Fat Quarter Shop is hosting a quilt and project auction. The Helping Haiti: a silent auction for disaster relief is auctioning so many beautiful items, including the lovely Shade Garden quilt designed by Cate Tallman-Evans. I saw the quilt in person at Quilt Market this past fall- it was stunning! Bidding closes on January 29th.

Tutorial | How To Make Threaded Fabric Bunting

For those of you, like me, who have a fear of making bias tape, or even aren't that comfortable working with store-bought versions... this is the bunting tutorial for you! What's nice about this particular version is you can space the pennants as much as you'd like. I also thought about it after I was done, but you could also thread beads between the pennants, too. (shells would've been a smart looking addition to this particular project).

I made this version with all 7 prints from my Cloud9 Fabrics collection, Beyond the Sea.

I've created a handy .pdf template that has a diagram of the triangle, as well as the directions, so feel free to download it.

1. Gather your materials- the list is on the template.

2. Fold the fabric as noted on template. My photo doesn't show it, but afterwards, I realized it would save a step if you fold so facing sides are together.

3. After cutting as many pennants as you'd like, pin them to keep from slipping. Mark the dots (on template) with either pins or a light pencil.

4. Stitch 1/4" from edge between the two dots. Back tack at each dot, but don't go past those points- you will need at least an inch of opening for turning and threading.

5. Trim the tip of the triangle and turn inside out. I found that pushing the tip with a bone folder up through the opening worked great.

6. Use the boning tool to push out the tip and seams.

7. When the triangle has been mostly reshaped, take your pinky and tuck in the corners at the opening- the line is marked on the template. Trying to push it in little by little proved to be frustrating: it worked best when I tucked in too much, then pulled it back out to the proper point. Be sure to keep the tucked fabric tidy and smooth inside. You will have trouble threading if it sis bunched up otherwise. When the shape is perfect, press.

8. Topstitch 1/4" from top edge. This will leave an opening approximately 1/2" - 3/4" for threading.

9. Tape your cording (or ribbon or twill tape, etc) to the end of a pencil or a threading tool or thin dowel). Thread the cord through the pennants in the order you like.

10. Make a loop at both ends for hanging.

Tote Bag Prototype Part Deux

Now you can see the latest style for my tote bag idea- a spin-off from my 2010 tea towel calendar. It's just that I haven't perfected the sewing yet, plus the handles are a wee bit short. I think I need some other foot or something. Regardless, this prototype is nicely made and quite useful. And it's available in my shop at a discounted price than the "real" version will be.

It's a cotton/linen blend- quite crisp in feeling. Color is super-saturated. All cotton belting handles. French seams for a tidy interior.

And machine washable, darling. That's a new feature. (extra credit if you call me out on this quote!).

Tote Bag Prototype

I am hoping to perfect a quick and tidy version of this simple tote, which is really a basic bag with nothing much to it. I've never worked with webbing for handles before and it *should* be a pretty straightforward process, but between bobbins running out, needles bending, having to switch feet, stitches getting clogged, and poor tension I really think me and my machine need to have some time apart.

We better be good in a few days though because I have about 15 more calendars to get out the door next week!

Meanwhile, I'm popping this bag in my shop. It's a good one, I worked out the kinks, but the memories of putting her together are too painful! Plus, I have, like, a jillion tote bags.

New Item In Shop | Shade Garden Fat Quarter Bundles

This fat quarter bundle contains all 16 patterns of my Shade Garden collection for Henry Glass. Very few shops carry all 16 patterns, so here's an opportunity to get them all in one shot.