Gardening info (for me) and a Question (for you) and sundries

[stoney321]

1. This weekend the Mr. and I chopped down our horrible Bradford Pear tree that was half dead (yay!), ground down the stump, removed over 1 ton of grass from the front/sides (sod cutters are FUN), dumped 1 ton of compost onto the bare earth, tilled it in, planted a Mexican Plum tree and a Chinese Pistache (omg we're international) and covered the tilled ground with a half ton of mulch. When it stops raining, I'll add more plants. To say that I'm tired is an understatement.

2. I've got a question about sewing draperies for those on my flist that do that sort of thing

I'm making some pretty intricate drapes for my kitchen involving three pieces: 1 top fixed, inverted pleat valance, which I've got covered (made my own pattern! *beams*) and 2 standard drapes to be hung by rings off a standard rod.

The question is regarding the lining and a high-quality finish on the tacking part (where the sides of the drapes are hemmed and tacked on to the lining.) In custom shops, I've seen where the tacking looks like a whip-stitch, and it's very attractive. However, it's also like a blind stitch, in that you don't see the stitches on the front panel. Does anyone know if this can be done on a residential machine, or is that only capable on a commercial machine? I'll just hand-tack it, if it's not possible, but obviously I'd prefer to let a machine do it for me. And note: it is not a blind stitch - it's something specific for draperies that I have no idea what it is called.

I want to make them as nice as possible (duh) since they'll be one of the first things a visitor will see in my house. Also, I'm assuming that type of finish helps them hang better. They'll end up being 102" long, so getting them to hang properly es muy importante. This freaking window is a pain in the butt, fo sho.

Here's a crappy rendition of how they'll look when done. (Brown linen for the base, a pretty beige/robin's egg blue/tan/chocolate/thin outline of brick red paisley for the trim. I've got a neat burlap braid that will transition the two fabrics into each other. The top portion is hanging off a series of carved wooden tie-backs, 5 across the top, two on each side, with inverted pleats at each tie-back.)



So. Anyone?
[ETA] I'm almost positive that those panels at the custom workshop were finished off with either a 1 or 2 stitch overlock machine. Bah. If anyone knows how to get a Brother sewing machine to duplicate that, please let me know!

3. I've got a little sicky (Emily) at home today, and I'm trying desperately to find a flight during a specific period to Boston, and not having any luck. entrenous88? Email coming soon.

4. And finally, thanks to everyone that responded to my post about my movie's trailer. I'm so pleased so many of you see how fun/funny it's going to be! (Um... I'm the one that doesn't look like Sarah Michelle Gellar. Also, remember all that talk about how I'm playing a dirty, ugly whore? That should make it easy to figure out who I am in it. *g*)

And now I go lie down after taking some muscle relaxers and Advil. Geh.

Comments

[ladycat777.livejournal.com]

I would love to be able to help you out with the curtains, because that sounds cool.

Instead, I dont' think I understood half of what you said. Doing it myself? Pffft, what does that mean? :D

If you want me to do a flight hunt for you, I'd be more than happy to. Searching for cheap flights is an obsession for me (round trip during *christmas* from here to okc was 224 *beams*)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Hahaha - no worries on the drapes. I've been sewing since I was about 12, so I know most of the techniques, I just don't know what that particular stitch is called - my assumption is it's something only an industrial machine can do. Hmmm.

My husband is a seasoned traveler, so I've got the searching part/how 2 down fine, it's just trying to find a specific flight with our type of ticket restrictions on a specific set of days. Thank you for the offer, though!

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

Hi hi! I'm sorry it seems like a complicated travel time. Call if you want, so we can figure out a solution! <3

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

H Hi!!!

Because of the type of ticket I'm using (because we're using points, etc.) I'm not having luck on those days so far. BAH. We've got an agent keeping us posted if something turns up in the next few days, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Metaphorically speaking, as I'm sew exhausted, J. *leans* I need to go get some more Advil and lay down for a spell. my back is KEEEELING me.

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

Oh no! That weekend, or the whole week (starting on Tuesday) too?

Sorry you're so tired! *rubs your back*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

The whole WEEK!!! *cries* (I'm really pushing for a trip during that week, as Mr. S pointed out that he starts a new job on Monday, and will need my help with the kiddoes that weekend so he's not stressed out)

Oooooh, thank you. *bakes you all the muffins in the world for the rest of your LIFE* I want those silicon footed muffin cups, J. Have you seen them!? <3 <3

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

Oh, gosh. *hugs hard* Emailing you about that, okay?

Oooooh, I love the idea of those footed muffin cups! I will poke around online to see if I can find some to check out the style. I'm tempted to get a silicon bundt pan, because part of my bundt pan almost always is like, *falls apart* no matter how carefully I butter/flour the pan.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Got your email just now - replying shortly! I MUST link you to the muffin cups, they are so you, it's ridiculous!! Here

I mean, who wouldn't eat a frosted cupcake (maybe with sprinkles?) baked in that!! A silicon bundt pan seems the way to go. Why don't I have a bundt pan? I love them!

holy smokes, I'm really worn out today. I'm getting ooooold! *crie*

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

Hee, they are cute. I think I have the cupcake stand higher up on my list of completely-needless-cupcake accessories. Mainly, though, CUPCAKES!

My sweetie! I'm so sorry you're worn out today. Can you take a hot bath and do some fun spa type things? Maybe today is a good day for pampering. <3

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oooh, don't forget the individual cupcake holders in pretty pastel colors! You showed me those, once, weren't they from The Container Store? I LOVE EXTRA THINGS LIKE THAT. Heeeee!

Ooooh, a hot bath sounds like just the thing! I have some eucalyptus and mint oil... Once I get the Emster down for a nap in a bit, I think I'll do that very thing. Mmmm, soak. (I just took a muscle relaxer, so a bath + that = just what the Entrenous doctor ordered! :D

<3 <3 :(|) <3

[julia-here.livejournal.com]

My only caveat about the curtains is that burlap braid is a bitch to keep clean, and filters stuff like spilled flour out of the air and holds on to it for dear life. Otherwise gorgeous.

And is it time for us to start some kind of movement against Bradford pears? They get ugly so damned fast, and have zero wind resistance. I love Chinese pistache, although it would not do here, but what's a Mexican plum like?

Julia, resting after yesterday's annual "get the big rose canes off the roof" project

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

The one thing that will keep me from constantly steaming those drapes is that they're separated from the actual working kitchen by a breakfast nook. (I'm more worried about the constant dog hair/cat hair that is sure to stick to the bottom. But they'll look so nice when done..... Let's hope. *G*)

God, I hate those trees!! And they're everywhere here. And there are broken limbs everywhere after every windstorm. And you know I'm on the Blackland Prairie, right? So... that happens A LOT. Bah.

We had a Pistache at the old house, and I loved that tree. Such a pretty round bowl when mature, not too big, excellent for climbing (be it children or cats) and a gorgeous fall color. The Mexican Plum isn't a fruiting tree (although it's grafted onto fruiting plum stock) but makes the most gorgeous speciman tree. It's out front, so I don't want a large tree blocking my view of the street (and kids on skateboards, etc.) but I want the color and spring blossoms. Here's a pic. They're long lasting here - over 35 years, which is far more than a Bradford Pear - than they are in cooler climes.

(Yipes. Are you cut to ribbons?)

[julia-here.livejournal.com]

I got the "cut to ribbons" part out of the way when I took a witch's broom out of the top of the Souvernir de Malmaison a couple of weeks ago (it had gotten up under the eves and broken, sprouting a dozen pencil-sized canes) and it fell straight down on to my hand. Yesterday was just a lot of work; I'd gotten shorted on help with the high bits in February, and so there were twice the nuber of canes fall clean-up usually entails.

The elder spawn was all "are you sure we should cut this much?" to which I replied that I was pretty sure the only way to hurt Long John Silver would be to cut canes bigger than one's wrist.

Julia, and my, I wish that was an exagerration.

[juno.livejournal.com]

I saw your nails and as a bonus I saw you in the shorts with the lace trim in another shot with a bunch of people. That had to be you - right?

It looks like a a lot of fun and you did a great job of describing your general look.

Good luck on the curtains - the weight of the trim should help things fall right.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, that was me! Those shorts had a one inch inseam. *shudders* Whooo. It was a load of fun, I will say. And fuh-nee.

Thanks - I'm curious to find out what that one particular stitch is. It just finished off those custom drapes with a little extra oomph. (They were also padded, on top of being heavily lined. I'm saving all that effort for my planned silk living room drapes.)

[anelith.livejournal.com]

I opened my flist just after finally getting to see the trailer! I couldn't watch it this weekend thanks to having little boys around all the time... It was FUNNY! I did see you, of course, leopard-skin bra and all. I can't wait to see the whole thing, when I can hear you talk (I know you couldn't say anything in the trailer thanks to your lines being R-rated, as you said). Wow, what did you call it, the "blood cannon?" Yikes. You are a brave soul.

Speaking of being brave, that drapes project takes a lot of courage, in my opinion. They will be beautiful, judging from your description and the picture. This is for the dining area, right? Wow, what an eye-popper they will be.

I hope you rest up today after the labors of the weekend. Be kind to your back, sweetie. I hope to see you when you come up here, good luck with the ticket-hunting.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness, the blood cannon!! I did see that daily after they filmed it, and I truly stopped talking/moving as soon as that gush hit my face. They wouldn't tell us when they were going to "strike" so they could get an honest reaction. Well... they got one!

I sure hope they'll turn out nice. It helped to walk around a custom drapery workroom and see some options. I made an original set of drapes, and I HAAAAATED them. I should have put pleats in, and didn't, and the hem turned out wrong. So I've spent the past two weeks taking out stitches and drawing up a for real pattern to make sure they lay right. (Plus, you can put the pattern up and see how it looks without committing to cutting $$ fabric...) They're going in the kitchen by the back door? Remember the tall window with the arched half-circle? That's where. And when I get these figured out, I'm going to make a similar type, but with dressier fabric for the living room windows, and possibly re-do the gold silk drapes in the dining room.

Now it's just a matter of getting the energy... (Oooh, I want to see you, too, if I can figure out this flight/lack of available seating for me, FOR SURE. I'm sure J won't mind. *g*)

[beadattitude.livejournal.com]

Darling, I don't even think serger do whipstiching. that's a tooooootally by hand thing.

Also? ::passes you the heating pad::

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Well, my s-mom has a fancy-schmancy machine that can do "air stitching" (no presser foot) but I don't want to have to drag everything to her house an hour away to spend three hours over a week sewing. (And carting it all back.)

But I'm thinking - bar using her machine - I'm gonna hafta do it by hand. BAH!! I want a TOOL. Or an industrial overcast machine. Hahahaha, SUUUURE. I'll just shell out a couple grand for kitchen drapes! HEEE.)

(Ooooh, the heating pad is much appreciated. Feh, I wore myself out!)

[beadattitude.livejournal.com]

I got a household serger for $75 on ebay. Stheriously. I haven't used it yet...so it may be junk, but it's by the same company that make Baby Lock.

[gillo]

My fancy computerised Janome has a whole bunch of blind hem type stitches, but even so I don't think it has anything that imitates whipstitch. In my experience interlining with bump caught down to the seams makes curtains hang really well. Your sketch is not so crappy that I can't see they'll look really pretty when done, but I rather suspect hand-stitching is going to have to be the way you go. Think of it as a relaxing mindless pastime...

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I think I might go with an elongated blind hem stitch to keep the two pieces together. I'm almost 100% positive this company is using a 1-thread overlock. I don't have an overlock machine, however...

Oh, to have all the various sewing machines available... I might start making my own clothes again!

[gillo]

I do have an overlocker (points to icon) and it's invaluable - when I'm making costumes for my plays I use it more than the ordinary machine.

I'm afraid I suspect that only a real top-end machine will offer anything quite like what you're looking for, but an elongated blind hem stitch ought to work OK and will take a heck of a lot less time than hand-stitching, that's for certain!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

My s-mom has one, plus a Husqvarna Viking that practically folds your laundry, but it's 45 miles to her place, and a lot of fabric to carry back and forth for a few days. Oy. (i'm itching to make a new quilt and use her machine, though. It has its own room in her workshop because the frame for this baby is massive. *drools*)

I think I'm with you, and an elongated blind hem is the way to go in this situation. (I'm so happy to talk to someone who sews!!)

[gillo]

People who sew are a vanishing breed and need to stick together.

Hand-stitching would come closest to what you want, but not only would it take forever, you can't guarantee it would be even over so many miles yards. Having a life and using the blind hem seems like a better compromise to me. Will you insert weights into the hems to make them hang better? I've found that works very well, especially in very long drops.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, I'll be weighting the corners and seams - I learned the hard way with the first set of drapes I ever made (unlined Doupioni silk, what was I thinking?!?) that weighting them is essential. (And these are 102" panels in linen, so they definitely need a little oomph at the end.)

I used to make my own clothes in high school, dresses, fitted jackets, etc. I loved it. A few years ago I made all sorts of baby items for sale, but didn't like sewing for profit. I'd much rather make things for my house or friends. Now, my step mother? She makes people's wedding gowns for nothing (crazy sweet lady!) Quite the seamstress, she is.

*clings to a fellow crafter*

[copykween.livejournal.com]

According to Wiki (which may or may not be accurate), it looks like only one brand of machine can do that stitch. Ugh, it will REALLY suck to hand sew that amount.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blanket_stitch

Ahhhh, I missed the trailer! Haha, I'll be checking it out later.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Aww, thanks for looking something up! It's not a blanket stitch - you're right. That would be SEW time consuming. (Hardee har har.) I've come to the conclusion that they're either using a 1 or 2 thread overlock stitch, which can be done on a machine, but alas - I don't have an overlock machine. So.

Hand tacking it is. *cries* (Each panel is 102" long! GAAAAAH.)

[copykween.livejournal.com]

Oops, my bad. Thought you mentioned it being a whip stitch. Seems they are birds of a feather.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, no no! I'm seriously touched that you went off looking, really!

I've not seen up close a 1/2 stitch overlock on a side hem like this before, so I wasn't sure if it was something unique, or a variation on a standard stitch.

I've whipstitched a baby blanket once, and my wrists were tired for a few days!

[copykween.livejournal.com]

Hee! It was a win-win search, because I've passed on quite a number of craft projects that called for that type of stitching. It takes waaaaay too friggin long for my liking, so I thought....hmm. Maybe there is an easier way? But alas, no. I'll continue to pass hehe.

[spikendru.livejournal.com]

The pink fingernails were yours, yes? In the one scene you looked exactly like Gnarl! Only, y'know . . . pink. Maybe Mrs. Gnarl? Loved the trailer, and I can't wait for the movie to come out! It looks really fun.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Pink fingernails are me! But... I'm at a loss at to who Gnarl is? *woe*

But I hope everyone thinks the movie is fun/funny. I know I do! <3

[spikendru.livejournal.com]

Gnarl - the sing-song monster with the long curved nails that ate Willow in "Same Time, Same Place". I flashed on that one scene when you first see Gnarl's hand and he is sort of clicking his long nails.

Okay, guess it's not that funny if it has to be explained. *g*

But I adored the pink nails and the one scene before you started carving the stake, with just your hand in the frame reminded me of that similar hand pose with Gnarl. I am such a geek!

[cherusha.livejournal.com]

Noooooooo! I can't see the trailer, not even behind a proxy.

[luvxander.livejournal.com]

Also, remember all that talk about how I'm playing a dirty, ugly whore? That should make it easy to figure out who I am in it. *g*)

Hee! Actually, I spotted you even before I saw your face. It was the long ass pink nails loading the gun that tipped me off.

Oh FUCK! my casserole!

[luvxander.livejournal.com]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I just watched the trailer again. I repeat my comment about wanting to see it. And not just on the off chance that there'll be some 'corndogs' in it.

Re: Oh FUCK! my casserole!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!

(Oh my god, the line you quoted? That was my "husband" in the movie. We had to make out. O_O)

I can't wait to see it, myself!