it's been a hot summer

Last Monday I ended up in the ER with heat exhaustion.  The older I get, the less I tolerate the extremes of weather.  It was in the high 90's with heat indices in the 110's on Friday, Saturday and Sunday before then.  On Friday night I was out a bit too long, and I started feeling icky almost immediately.  It just kept getting worse and worse, but I made it till Monday evening before I just go to where I was so sick I just couldn't handle it any more.  I couldn't get hold of hubby at work, so I called Abby and asked her to take me to the ER.  After a bag of IV fluid and some Zofran for the nausea, I felt better.  I'm almost back to 100% after a week of taking it easy.  Still, though, I'm sweating sooner and more intensely than before.  I'm not sure if it's heat intolerance or if I'm having hot sweats.  I mean, come on, I'm 50 and Aunt Flo is still coming around like clockwork...any time she decides to leave I'm fine with it.

I had an overnight pulse oximetry test last week to rule out suspected sleep apnea.  Apparently I didn't do so well.  The nurse called and scheduled me for a sleep study this past Friday night.  I drove up there at 8pm like they told me to, taking along my pillow, a few low-sugar and low-carb snacks, and my computer.  I got into the room they were going to do the test in and noticed right away that there was a smell there I might have an issue with.  After looking around, I took a sniff of the bed and - whoa!!!  They used some really strong smelling detergent or dryer sheets on the linens, something I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to tolerate.  About 10 minutes later I knew I had to go.  There was no way I was going to be able to sleep in the bed, and the smell was beginning to nauseate me.  The nurse and I had already been discussing how she was going to be able to attach all the electrodes and such to me since I am allergic to adhesive, latex, and several other things.  It never came down to that.  It is just another test I doubt I'm going to be able to take because of how my body reacts to things.

So anyhow, that's how things have been going for me.

As far as other stuff, more mundane stuff....I made myself a pair of bamboo jersey sleep pants the other day.  I don't wear pants, but they required two piece pajamas for the sleep study, so I needed to make something to wear.  These things are insanely comfy.  If I wore pants, I'd make a ton of them.  It's like wearing silk or satin, only better.  You don't have to worry about having to hand wash it or be mega-careful with it.  Bamboo is also eco-friendly; it's self-sustaining, has natural antibiotic properties, and grows in the wild with no encouragement.  It makes great diapers and baby clothes, towels, and other apparel. It's a bit more expensive than the cheap, foreign,chemically-laden stuff you get in the local big-name fabric stores, but it's far worth the cost.

Today I made some new pads for my Etsy store.  They are plus size panty liners.  I've sold nighttime pads and daytime pads in the store but no panty liners or light-flow pads.  A few weeks ago, a repeat customer asked me to make her some panty liners, so I drafted some up really quickly.  She liked them, and they go together well, so I built a little stash up today and listed some in my store.  I have just one left to make.  Next, I need to do some birthday presents for my twin grandsons whose birthday is August 3.  I have a dress cut out and ready to sew up for myself.  Once those are done, I need to make a couple more dresses and finish a few other little things I have almost finished.

On July 14 I will be having surgery on my right wrist for carpal tunnel.  I had the left side done the end of last year and knew this was going to happen.  I decided a few weeks ago when I started getting a lot of tingling in my thumb and first 2 fingers on that hand that I needed to get with the program and get it over with.  Besides, that way I'll be recovered and back to functional in time to make Christmas gifts.  The other thing is that this is a contract year so hubby suggested I get this done just in case something falls through with the benefits, though I doubt it. 

One of the nice side effects of getting sick last weekend is that my appetite almost disappeared for 4 or 5 days, so it's been easier for me to get back to eating the way I should.  I'd slipped back into some really bad habits, including my stress eating.  It's been tough here since I got sick and the fact that some of my meds cause weight gain and fluid retention.  I had been praying in the last few weeks that God would help me with this struggle, and He did.  It wasn't how I expected, but I'll take what I can get.

No pics in this entry.  I'll probably have some next time around.  I need to get more pictures of the chicks; my daughter and her family are coming over tomorrow for dinner and then the guys are going fishing;  I need to make sure the camera batteries are charged.

God bless you and the ones you love; may He show you His grace, protect you, and keep you from harm.

Good night.

A few more last pictures; I'm finally caught up

This sleep sack was made from a Big4 pattern.  I made it for AnnaBelle for her Christmas gift, among other things.  She looks so cute in the hat!  She isn't wild about hats but she looks adorable in them.

This outfit is from the Ottobre 5/2006 issue, pattern #8.  Miss AnnaBelle's mom loves this.  She said it looks like it came from the store.  I wanted to use the pink giraffe fabric, but I needed something that would keep her warm as well.  I do believe I achieved that.  The bamboo velour looks awesome with the pink and green.  The feet weren't even as hard as I thought they would be.

I made this top for myself from Kwik Sew #3370 and some $2 per yard WalMart fabric.  If you watch, you can find some decent stuff there for a good price.  This is velour; I'm sure it's polyester, but still it's got a nice nap to it and it's comfy as heck.  I keep wearing it as soon as it gets clean.  In fact, a couple days ago I picked up some more fabric and I'm going to make another one.  I will be trying just a bit harder to keep the stripes straight, though, so they don't go on an incline.  I thought I had this one straight but I guess not, huh?  Still, it's not for a special occasion so it really doesn't matter all ath much.

And finally, I made these for my son from the Kwik Sew pattern #3298, the same pattern as Tobie's boxer briefs.  These have the long leg option while Tobie's have the short one, but that is the only difference.  I'm waiting to see if he likes them.  He's not really fussy and his other underwear are getting a bit raggy, so I decided to make him several pair at once and just get it over with.

I have one project cut out, Alex's birthday present in the plans, and I also want to make myself another denim jumper with a long sleeved t-shirt to go along with it.  I have the fabrics picked out and all; it's just a matter of getting them done.  I am also working on hand-quilting a king-sized 110" by 110" quilt for Abby and Donovan's bed.  It's taking longer than I ever thought it would, but it will be nice when it's done.

Staying busy is a good thing.  It keeps me out of trouble.

And more presents....

These are presents I made for Abby's boys as well as a pic of the boys themselves.

These are Christmas shirts.  They were made from a puppy and Christmas tree print.  The boys wore them to their school Christmas parties and the other kids loved them!  It's amazing how such a little thing can make them so happy.  I have to be careful though - the sleeves on the twins' shirts were too short.  I made a note so when I do their next shirts they will have long enough sleeves.

The requisite Christmas jammies, this time in Christmas Ooga Booga and bamboo velour.  The pants are way, way too long, and the boys have a blast schlepping around in them.  I wanted to hem them but Noooooo.... they like them too long.  Silly kids!!

 

They try to behave, really they do....this is grass giraffe and gray giraffe on cotton interlock, and Patrick has a knit with a teddy bear line on it.  I thought I had made him a giraffe onesie.  Apparently I was wrong.  I'm going to make him a shirt like his brothers have as soon as I get a second to breathe.  The layered look is an idea I tweaked to fit my own style.  I don't sew two sleeves, one over the other.  I do mine differently.

The hat/scarf/mitten combos....Patrick's is green, Kenny's is camo, and the twins have the royal blue.  One has gray on the mitten palms and a gray hat band; the other has black.  The scarf sets, except for Patricks, match their coats.  I didn't have red for Patrick.  I have some now and I just might make him a set.  Maybe.

I made these for Kenny.  He came over one day and had an accident.  The trouble is, I make them for him to wear and bring back....and he never does.  He tells his brothers I made them for him to keep.  What a stinker!

Another pair of Kenny undies.  He took these home too.  Same pattern as above, different style - no fly.

Now these I made for Stanley.  He spent the night and forgot his clean underwear.  They are from the Ottobre 4/2004 issue, pattern #37.  They whip up incredibly fast; I really like this pattern.  I'll be making more of them.  This is kinda what Alex's boxer briefs will look like when I make them for her.  I just need to kinda merge this pattern with the girls' undies pattern in the same issue.

I made this outfit as an extra in case a grandson came to visit or spend the night and needed clean clothes for whatever reason.  Kenny swiped these, too.  He took them home and I haven't seen them since.  He's a little stinker.  He knows I love them all to death and would do anything for them, and that's why he keeps swiping the stuff I make.

On to the next entry....

The rest of Tobie's presents & one for Alex

These are Tobie's new Ottobre Skate Jeans.  I had some fun making them.  I made them a bit big because when I altered them I goofed up somewhere, but his grandfather in Florida says he loves them.  It's been ages and ages since I made a pair of boys' pants.  I used pattern #40 from the 4-2006 issue.  I really like them.  I'll be making them again, a little smaller.

 

This is a back view of the pants.  The pockets weren't as hard as I had thought they might be.  I did the stitching on them a bit differently than was recommended, but the point is, I got them done and they look good.  I kinda surprised myself with these jeans.  Now that I've made a model of twill, I'm ready to haul out the denim and make him another pair.

These are his pajamas, made with 'owls on a line' knit fabric and some chocolate suedecloth.  I was going to use bamboo velour, but velour is a bit warm for Florida, so I stuck with the suedecloth instead.  I heard he loves these, too.

Here are his boxer briefs.  Apparently his sister saw them and she wants some like them.  She doesn't like the elastic on the legs of girls' underpants and prefers the look of his.  I guess I'll use the Ottobre magazine's pattern for girls' panties and lengthen the legs a bit by putting this pattern underneath the other one.  To be honest, I'm not all that crazy about tons of elastic either.

I forgot to put this in Alex's entry. It's her Christmas nightgown.  The knit is one I got from a coop I belong to, and the solid purple is actually French terry.  Somehow I grabbed that instead of the bamboo jersey I have.  It came out nice as well, and her grandma said she had to put it on right away.  Part of the hassle of living so far from some of my grandkids is that I can't be there to size them; I guess I need to make her arm openings a bit bigger the next time I use this pattern as well as the dress pattern I made up for her.  The arm opening itself is a bit too tight.

At least the grandparents called and let me know what went well and what needs some work.

Alex has a birthday coming up next month and I already have the pattern picked out for her present.  I can't wait to make it up!

Okay, on with the updating....the next entry will be for Abby's kids.  Silly me, I forgot to take pics of the jammy pants I made for JR, Colleen, Donovan and Abby.  They came out nicely, too, though.

Applying drawstring elastic, method 1 of 3

Once you have assembled the bottom of your pajama pants, boxers, lounge pants, or skirt, the next thing you do is to prepare your drawstring. Measure your waist and subtract 8-10 inches depending on how snug you want the waist to be. Of course, as your size goes down the amount you subtract decreases - otherwise for babies there wouldn't be enough elastic to put in the clothes. Pull out the drawstring 3-4 inches from each end and tie a knot. Set the elastic aside for a minute or two.

Using a serger, a zigzag stitch, or folding over a small amount and then stitching a straight seam, finish the raw edge of the waistband. Take your elastic and fold it in half end to end. Lay it across the back of the fabric at the seam line below the finished edge. Fold the fabric down past the upper edge of the elastic by 1/4 inch to match the far side of the finished part of the fabric. Repeat in the center front of the garment.

Repeat the folding process. Pin through the outermost layer in the back at the bottom of the folded area so you know how far down you are going to be sewing. Now, before it is too late, slip the garment on and make sure the room you allotted for the waistband leaves you enough room to pull the garment on and be comfortable sitting down. If not, you are going to have to use a more narrow elastic or choose another drawstring option that will be discussed later.

In the front, first mark the bottom of the elastic like you did with the back. Now unroll the elastic and fabric and lay the elastic bumpy side up on your cutting surface. Cover it with the fabric, aligning it with the pins marking the bottom location of the elastic.

Now, move those pins or use other ones to mark where the drawstring is located on the elastic piece in relation to the fabric, getting within 1/2 inch of the center seam. Keep the pins as even as possible. This will be the location of your buttonholes for the drawstring. After this is done, you can remove the pins marking where the bottom of the elastic goes in the front since the buttonholes will help you keep it in place later on.

Choose a button about 1/2 inch across for the buttonholes in the garment to give the drawstring somewhere to come out and be adjusted. If you have an automatic buttonholer or even a regular buttonholer in your machine, this part will be nice. However, it can also be a labor of love by hand; I once made a dress for my daughter with 15 buttons going down the front and I hand-stitched every single buttonhole because my machine at the time didn't have a buttonholer.

Cut two pieces of medium weight fusible interfacing to stabilize your fabric. Each piece should be about 2 by 2 inches. This helps the buttonholes not get torn from the use of the drawstring to adjust the garment.

Apply the interfacing per package directions to the areas marked by the straight pins close to the center front of the fabric. Most packages direct you to dry iron the interfacing first, and then steam or damp iron it to the fabric to help it become permanently attached to the fabric and keeps it stable while you sew on it. Once the interfacing is applied, make a buttonhole on both sides of the fabric where previously marked. Try to keep as close to the seam as possible.

Once the buttonholes are sewn, remove the pins that were marking the buttonhole location. Now, very close to the edge of the unsewn center space on the top and bottom, put a straight pin to act as a stopper for the seam ripper. Do this on both sides of the center seam, marking both buttonholes that have been done.

Gently and carefully insert the tip of the seam ripper into the unsewn center space of the buttonhole as sewn, with the blade pointing up and down. Slowly cut the fabric along the length of the buttonhole, stopping when the guide comes into contact with the straight pin you put in as a guide. Once you get one end cut, turn the garment around and repeating this for the other end of the first buttonhole and the entire second buttonhole. When finished, remove the straight pins and put the seam ripper away.

Now that the buttonholes are cut, it is time to work on the drawstring elastic. The first thing you do is to fold the elastic again from cut end to cut end and mark the center with a straight pin or marking pin. After that is done, fold the end of the elastic into the center on both ends and mark the center of that with a pin or marker. This is called "quartering" the elastic and is useful for making sure the elastic is at least close to being applied in the proper proportions while being sewn. When you are done you should have 3 straight pins and two open ends on the elastic, ready to be applied to the fabric.

Choose a zigzag stitch for applying the elastic or, if you have it available, a zigzag lightning stitch. This stitch is interrupted several times, increasing the elasticity of the waistband while not losing integrity. If not, a medium-length and medium-width zigzag stitch is fine. On my machine, that setting is 2.5 for width and 3.5 for length.

Line the elastic edges up to the near part of the finished edge of the waistband, with the bumpy part of the elastic against the fabric. Starting in the middle back, pin the elastic to the fabric at the seams with the straight pins that were used to mark the fabric earlier, matching the pins that quarter the elastic to the pins in the fabric. You will notice the elastic is more tight than the fabric and that is okay because you're going to be stretching the elastic to fit the fabric. Use the same method to align and pin the elastic to the fabric at the remaining seams. In the middle, where the buttonholes are, you will meet the elastic edges to themselves but do not pin one over the other or in any other way hinder the movement of the drawstring.

Ok. Now we get to a bit of a tricky spot. Taking the elastic and fabric in hand, beginning at the part where the elastic is cut, sew several stitches through the elastic and fabric on the side opposite the finished edge of the waist without stretching to secure the elastic and thread to the fabric. Make sure for this entire section that every time you stop sewing the needle is DOWN in the fabric so it can't move around, or you are going to have a big mess. Next, take a deep breath and stretch the elastic between the part you just sewed and the first straight pin beyond it. If you need to, grab it in the middle to steady it a bit, and sew along the line furthest from the finished edge slowly and carefully until you get all the way to the pinned spot. Put the needle down. Stop and take a break. After a minute or so, use the same technique to do the next spot, and so on until you have that entire side of the piece of elastic sewn to the fabric. Make sure when you are done to oversew and then either 1)backstitch or 2)do a lock-stitch at the end so the thread doesn't come unsewn.

This picture shows the elastic being sewn edge to edge along the stitching line. You may want to sew over this a couple times, at all times being careful not to catch the drawstring up into the sewing. Don't be too worried about how it looks because this will be on the inside of the garment and not too many people will see it. Your technique will improve with time and practice.

Before sewing the last bit, you need to pull the two ends of the drawstring through the buttonholes, tie them, and pin them out of the way so they stay free while you sew. Make sure that you line up the elastic so that it is pinned end to end without overlapping or in any other way impeding the drawstring from functioning freely. If you are sewing with a knit, you will want to pin the fabric in several places after you fold it so that it doesn't get all stretched out of proportion while you're doing this last seaming. With woven fabrics it isn't quite as necessary but can still be done.

Here is a picture of the first row of stitching done with the lightning zigzag stitch. The fabric hugs right up to the elastic and one the nicest effects is that it will not roll or slide around inside the casing like free-floating elastic will.

Before you sew the last seam around the bottom of the elastic waistband, make sure the drawstring is still tied and pinned out of the way so it doesn't get caught up in the sewing. There's nothing worse than having to use the seam ripper to pick sewing thread out of a piece of drawstring.

Going slowly to keep the seam and stitching line as even as possible, stitch through the fabric and elastic right above the finished edge of the waist of the garment. Try to keep the lower edge of the seam even with the upper edge as much as you can, but don't demand perfection the first time you do this. Reinforce the area where the elastic is joined end to end to keep it from sliding around.

Now that the seams are done, and everything is in place, make sure all the pins are removed and all your supplies are put away. Now, take the garment and untie the loose knot you put in the drawstring and replace it with a bow. If the garment is for you, try it on and make sure it fits correctly. Don't wait till it comes out of the washer and dryer before you check to see if you need to remake it.

These last two pics are what I call success pics. They show the pajama or lounge pants I made, all done, ready to go in the washer for one last trip through before they go into the lineup in my dresser. I know they won't be the only pair there, but they were the first I made in this manner; I am pretty sure they won't be the last.
Please feel free to email me if you need any help with yours or to give me feedback about this tutorial or any other one in my blog, especially since many of them were written in the middle of the night.