Craft Discussion: The Russian Join

Just as a foot note, for all you yarn folk out there, when you get to the end of your yarn, what do you do? Do you know how to do a Russian join?

It's pretty easy and it saves yarn. It's prolly my favorite trick. Check it out at this link:

Russian Join!

Let's Talk Velcro!

Let's talk velcro, shall we?

Some people are going to only put their doll clothes together with snaps, or buttons, or hooks and eyes, or fairy wishes and moon dust, and that's fine, but for you and me, we velcro our stuff together. Having the right kind is important. Let's discuss what is the right kind.

Anything labeled "sticky back" is NOT. the right kind. For one, don't get fooled, it won't stick permanently to doll clothes. For two, you can't sew it. The glue on the back makes this stuff thick and impossible to sew. I've tried ... even with pliers, it's way too hard. Don't run it in a machine. The glue will get into your machine cogs and ... no. Just no.

Watch out, because sticky back velcro hides in the wild!

Look really close. This is sticky back velcro.

First of all, you don't want to be associated with anything "fusion." You're sewing. You sew. Get that fusing web out of your head. Second of all? Sticky back.

THIS is the correct stuff. It's thinner than normal velcro, very similar to the kind AG uses. It'll run through a machine. Perfect!

They changed the label on it, though. I know it says it's for cables, but they meant doll clothes. Trust me. This used to be branded as thin velcro for sewing. I guess it sells better this way?

Organizing

I get bitten every so often to organize ALL THE THINGS. Not a bad thing to do.

This is what I just installed next to my sewing machine: two cork boards and one of those ... file ... thingies. One cork board, as you can see, is holding all my important doll patterns. I have no idea why I have two sleeve patterns and two bodice patterns, but I do. That pant pattern is folded like it is to do double duty as a legging pattern.

What am I going to use the other board for? No idea. I'll tell you if I figure it out.

I ~think?~ I might use the metal file ... doohickey for pattern storage. I have a drawer, but the fit is getting tight if you're picking up what I'm putting down. I don't even own that many patterns! But it'll be nice to stash my patterns that I don't use quite as often. (I mean, I love my homemade doll qipao pattern, but how often does that come up?)

By the way, over there on the left edge? The light in my sewing space sucks big time. That's one of those Aero Gardens. It grows bunny food for me AND doubles as a sewing light. When you use them for double duty, they are a total steal.

Cloth!

Just for fun, an old picture of my cloth storage.

On the plus side, I don't have to buy cloth very often any more.

Buttons!

I wanted to show off my doll button supply:

You probably have figured out that teeny buttons are better for dolls than big buttons. I find that you can get the best selection and value by buying those sacks of buttons at craft stores. I keep mine in little zip lock jewelry bags after I open them.

I've gotten the most mileage out of the blue and brown variety packs. I have no idea why. It seems like one of those two colors always goes with what I'm sewing!

I have totally forgotten what I use the teeny tiny buttons for. I must have gotten them for something, especially those colored ones. Someone told me the white ones are good for replacing the button on Kirsten's blouse from her winter set if anything ever goes awry with that.

I have a soft spot for those dragonfly buttons. They're decorative, obviously, but they added a nice touch for a coat that I made a kid in a sewing swap. I'm pretty sure the square buttons were for a coat too!

Photos: Yarn Along, Week 1

Here's some photos people tweeted out to me of their supplies for the Yarn Along!

Don't forget, you can tweet me pictures too! I'm always @beanstalktweets!

These supplies are from @beccastareyes.

These are from @chubbiebunnie

This is from @liliththemaimed

And these are mine!

Don't forget to tweet me out pictures of your progress, or post them in the comments!

Yarn Along Week 2

b Today's the first day of the yarn along! All right! You're ready to go, right?

I've decided to start with the biggest first. Today, you're making one piece, the sort that lays flat, that measures seven inches wide and five and a half inches tall.

That's 7 by 5.5 for those of you who need everything written out in numbers. That's it. Easy, right?

Use any stitch you like. I would use something small if it were me (crocheters -- go at it with single crochet! This is not the time to bust out your triples!), but after that, if you'd like to get creative and do seed stitches or ribs or something, go for it. Just make sure your piece measures 7 by 5.5 by the end of it.

Don't forget! As we go along, tweet or mail me your progress so I can post it. Or, link me to a photo in the comments.

Good luck!

Yarn Along Week 1!

LET US DISCUSS DOLL YARN before we go further into our Yarn Along.

Any time you craft for a doll, you should be working to make something in scale to the doll's world. The doll is small. You're making small things.

Worshed weight yarn, also known as "most of the yarn you own, likely," is too big to make our project, or any piece of doll clothing. I'd let you get away with it for a hat or some scarves, because humans commonly wear chunky yarn scarves (even if they look pretty putzy -- did I just say that?) But clothing? You do not make clothing out of this. Unless you want to look like a putz.

The biggest yarn I'll let you get away with is sport weight. The yarn will actually say "sport weight" on the label, so it's not that tough to find. I like yarn that doesn't seperate so easily when I jab my hook in it -- a lot of that sock yarn is guilty of this, as is that Microspun stuff from Lion Brand. Here's some suggestions that are easy to work with and won't have you tearing your hand out:

Red Heart Sport Yarn is cheap, comes in a bunch of colors, and it's easy to work with. For whatever reason, Red Heart makes crappy worshed weight yarn and really nice sport weight.

Patons Astra is another good one, and easier to find.

Err, I'm allergic to wool, so I can't suggest any brands for you there. (I can't use them!) But, I've heard that Knitpicks yarn is really, REALLY nice. Actually, they stock acryllic, cotton and non-wool blends for people like me. I've just never used them, so I can't reccomend them personally, but I've heard good things.

I'd use either a size H hook or size 6 needles, depending on if you're crocheting or knitting.

Now, everything I've said is the biggest I'll let you go. Can you go smaller? Sure! You can go much smaller. Make the whole thing with a C hook and crochet thread if you're brave. Sock yarn is really easy to find, you can use that too. The smaller you go, the nicer your result, but the more maddening it'll be. At least, it is for me, you might be some kind of whizz with small stuff.

When you get your supplies, tweet or email the results to me!