Slipcovering An Old Hassock – Part 8

TOUT FINI

Slipcovering An Old Hassock – Part 7

Almost there!

Today, I was able to attach the piping to the top piece and attach the four side pieces to the top. The corners are a little tricky, but I will be able to make those look good after the rest is done. Just cosmetic.

All that’s left is adding the piping to the bottom short side pieces; then the “skirt” will be added to that and it will be DONE! 

Right now, I’m exhausted more from tension (as I travel into the unknown) than anything else. 😌

That's it for now. Hopefully, I can finish it tomorrow. Then I can turn my efforts to tearing apart my entire utility area to locate and get rid of any places where the mice have been lounging. It used to be "Damn Squirrel." Now it's "Damn Mice!"

Slipcovering An Old Hassock – Part 6

I’ve been playing with my new sewing machine. My biggest frustration was threading the needle. It has an automatic needle threader and it worked like a charm the first time I used it. The next time I couldn’t get it to work. So I took the needle off the shank, used a manual needle threader, and put the needle back where it belonged. I really need to call for an appointment to have my cataracts evaluated.

I’ve also been trying to figure out the markings on the plate behind the needle. The marks aren’t the easiest to see, but I think I’ve figured out where the 1/2 inch line is. Next, I have to find the zipper/piping foot and play with that.

I’ve been adjusting the stitch tension and length and I think I’ve got it where it needs to be.

On to pinning on the paper patterns.

The first piece is pinned down

All the pieced pinned

I pinned down every piece; cut them out; took some muscle relaxers for my back! 😉 Just kidding. It was not the most comfortable place to be pinning and cutting but it was the least disruptive. Why didn’t I use the nice big table down in my work area?

This is why

This is why! This is the table I could have used. It was easier to work from my knees next to the bed than moving all that stuff and then putting it all back again.

Next will be sewing everything together. Maybe tomorrow.

Until then…

Slipcovering An Old Hassock – Part 5

There will be a brief delay while I learn how to operate my new, magnificent machine!

 The paper patterns are all done and ready to be pinned onto the fabric. I decided to make sure all was well with my sewing machine and it’s a good thing I did.

When I made the cushion covers for my car, I noted that the thread would bunch up under the fabric, but I ignored it. Now, I find the bobbin will not wind. This is critical. A few years ago I had my machine refurbished, but apparently it has deteriorated again.

I bought this sewing machine in 1978, while I worked at J. C. Penney, in an attempt to establish a credit history. I still had to fight for a charge card in my name (but that is another story for another time).

 I went online to see what was available and at what prices. Then I went to Jo-Ann’s and Michaels. Michaels did not have any machines on display. After talking to a sales associate at Jo-Ann’s I came home to think about it. This morning I went to Jo-Ann’s expecting to order what I wanted, but the Singer “Talent” was in stock. Took it home, along with a hard case.

While I was going over the owner’s manual, I received a call from one of my Angels and she said, “Did you get my email”? No. I hadn’t been online. “Well, I bought you a gift certificate at Jo-Ann’s. I thought you were going to order it”. I explained about it being in stock.

Long story short, the email came through with my gift certificate information. I brought the sewing machine back to Jo-Ann’s for a credit, then bought it again using the gift certificate. By the way, Jo-Ann’s people could not have been more accommodating!

There are no words to express how grateful I am. W.O.W.

Give me some time to figure out how to properly operate the “Talent”,  and there will be more progress.

Slipcovering An Old Hassock – Part 4

Welcome back. It’s been a while. I procrastinated long enough. Procrastination took the form of knitting hats and scarfs…until I just couldn’t face one more knit/purl/yo.

Now is the time for me to start making my paper patterns. I never thought I would be ironing paper, but that is exactly what I had to do. The paper had been folded for so long and moved so many times it wasn’t in the best condition.

I have taken my measurements; now to put those on paper, remembering to add for seams and “ease”. Here goes!

My first task is to mark my paper with the measurements plus the seams plus “ease”. Thank goodness my son, Andy, reminded me to measure three times and cut once. I measured more than three times, because it took me a while to realize I had to measure from the center out to the sides, because the top of the hassock has a half inch difference from one end to the other. I had to split fractions in half. WHAT?! Between high school and college, I must have taken Math 101 six times. I turned to the internet to guide me through working with decimals and fractions and dividing them by two! AND I DID IT! After I cut the paper pattern I put it on top of the hassock and by gosh it looks like I did it right. I offer this picture. It doesn’t look like much to you, but to me, it represents hard work, a tired brain and an aching back!

I still need to cut out the patterns for the sides and the skirt, but that will be tomorrow. Right now I’m exhausted.