This project is not as easy as it would appear, though I will admit that when it comes to anything sewing related, I'm not even a novice.
Problem 1: Weaving the elastic. It's a pain. A serious pain. Even when you've pinned down the edges and had them sewn it's not easy.
Problem 2: Sewing the elastic. It goes all over and even the person who helped me get the edges down had some trouble. I solved this by using double stick tape cut in half. I put down the tape, then applied the pieces so they stayed in relative order. There's still a couple trouble spots, but I'm not nit picking.
Problem 3: Stretching the elastic tight. I resolved to use a clip board to do this. What's the problem? Well the backing that you're attaching the elastic to isn't exactly firm so when you pull it has a tendency to want to come with the pull. I solved this by using a clip board and clipping down the edge I'm pulling against, then pinning the opposite edge, then sewing it up - by hand because the board gets in the way of the machine. The results were pretty good.
Problem 4: This was my problem, but one that you should avoid. Use black as your backing. I went with gray and the foam I used is showing stress mark where the foam got mangled or scratched. Issue? Only cosmetically. If you care about that, use black.
This project I figured you could knock out in two days, a day if you're really good with the machine and you don't have interruptions. I tend to take longer on projects because I break them up, or walk away when I run into an issue rather than sit there and get frustrated. So I'm still working, but I can see this coming together.
Will I do this project again? Hard to say. I think it's going to look nice, and I can tell you that the money spent is less than it would cost me to get a similar professionally made item. I might do it again, but I think that there needs to be some modifications done. The weaving isn't as fun as it sounds, and being the first, there's a lot of trial and error. We'll see.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
The next project follow up
I've been dealt a temporary setback. First off, I don't know how to use a sewing machine. Secondly, the sewing machine I was going to use under careful supervision gave up the ghost as I was in the process of doing a test run. Currently I'm waiting to hear back from a friend about the availability of her mother's machine and possible help.
But aside from that, let me catch you up. If you haven't taken a look at the project page, here's the link again. Rather clever if you ask me.
Securing the needed materials - until this sewing machine issue - was the biggest problem. I went through four different thrift stores looking for a book that suited my needs. I decided to stick with the older books for two reasons. The first is that I like the covers better than what we have on the newer hardbound books. Secondly, I surmised that older books would be well used books and the spines would be separated from the binding. This proved correct.
If successful, I plan on making a second one of these so when I found some rather academic looking books that suited my needs, I grabbed all of them. For the price of $11 dollars and some odd looks from the cashier, I am now set to do at least two. I'm rather attached to the old engineering guide that I picked up.
Forget fabric stores. I went, I looked, I went to Michaels and that's where I recommend you go for your materials.
I opted for heavy paper - think 4x the thickness of poster board and much stiffer. For a second version, I think I'll spend the money - $13 rather than $7 - and get heavy matting. The book I chose is still in good condition, but I think I'd like the extra sturdy feel of picture matting.
You will need the 9 yards of elastic. I went with the 0.5 inch strands and have used all but some scrapes. I also went with the neoprene backing because that was readily available. I chose grey because I liked the look better than black on black. They had some extra fun colors - orange and red - which I might use for the second book. You can see the neoprene behind the elastic when done so that might be fun.
As you can see here, I've marked out the areas with what I'm going to put where. The original has a large pocket on the right. I'm debating doing this, or weaving in some elastic for pens or other things. I'm going to put the iPod at the top - she put her cell phone there - and then straight elastic on the left.
The book I chose was slightly smaller than the one she used so I don't think I'll be able to get my laptop charger inside. I don't think I'd want to in any case because of how much space that would take up. Instead I'm opting to corral the cords I have in my bag - iPod charger, phone charger plus extention, HDMI cable - and a flash drive and ear buds.
This is where I am right now. I've cut the lengths I need and then attached the long pieces with pins. And then the sewing machine mishap happened, so now we're in a holding pattern. But things are coming along nicely, and it's a project you can probably knock out in a day, maybe two.
I don't have any recommendations as of now. I would say that you should error on the side of a book at least as large as the original if not slightly larger. Also take into consideration the thickness of the book, and what you plan on putting inside. One reason I chose to skip using the engineering book aside from liking it - a very clean book considering it was published in 1939 - is that it's only about 1.5" thick which can be limiting on what I can put inside if I plan on using both sides - and I do. I would caution about using too thick of a book. I saw an old dictionary that looked useful but the thickness - at least 3.5" - was a turn off. Remember this should fit in a bag.
Well that's it for now. Everything is set up and ready to go, so as soon as I hear back about a machine, we'll be off and running again.
But aside from that, let me catch you up. If you haven't taken a look at the project page, here's the link again. Rather clever if you ask me.
Securing the needed materials - until this sewing machine issue - was the biggest problem. I went through four different thrift stores looking for a book that suited my needs. I decided to stick with the older books for two reasons. The first is that I like the covers better than what we have on the newer hardbound books. Secondly, I surmised that older books would be well used books and the spines would be separated from the binding. This proved correct.
If successful, I plan on making a second one of these so when I found some rather academic looking books that suited my needs, I grabbed all of them. For the price of $11 dollars and some odd looks from the cashier, I am now set to do at least two. I'm rather attached to the old engineering guide that I picked up.
Forget fabric stores. I went, I looked, I went to Michaels and that's where I recommend you go for your materials.
I opted for heavy paper - think 4x the thickness of poster board and much stiffer. For a second version, I think I'll spend the money - $13 rather than $7 - and get heavy matting. The book I chose is still in good condition, but I think I'd like the extra sturdy feel of picture matting.
You will need the 9 yards of elastic. I went with the 0.5 inch strands and have used all but some scrapes. I also went with the neoprene backing because that was readily available. I chose grey because I liked the look better than black on black. They had some extra fun colors - orange and red - which I might use for the second book. You can see the neoprene behind the elastic when done so that might be fun.
As you can see here, I've marked out the areas with what I'm going to put where. The original has a large pocket on the right. I'm debating doing this, or weaving in some elastic for pens or other things. I'm going to put the iPod at the top - she put her cell phone there - and then straight elastic on the left.
The book I chose was slightly smaller than the one she used so I don't think I'll be able to get my laptop charger inside. I don't think I'd want to in any case because of how much space that would take up. Instead I'm opting to corral the cords I have in my bag - iPod charger, phone charger plus extention, HDMI cable - and a flash drive and ear buds.
This is where I am right now. I've cut the lengths I need and then attached the long pieces with pins. And then the sewing machine mishap happened, so now we're in a holding pattern. But things are coming along nicely, and it's a project you can probably knock out in a day, maybe two.
I don't have any recommendations as of now. I would say that you should error on the side of a book at least as large as the original if not slightly larger. Also take into consideration the thickness of the book, and what you plan on putting inside. One reason I chose to skip using the engineering book aside from liking it - a very clean book considering it was published in 1939 - is that it's only about 1.5" thick which can be limiting on what I can put inside if I plan on using both sides - and I do. I would caution about using too thick of a book. I saw an old dictionary that looked useful but the thickness - at least 3.5" - was a turn off. Remember this should fit in a bag.
Well that's it for now. Everything is set up and ready to go, so as soon as I hear back about a machine, we'll be off and running again.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
The next project
This will be the next project, and I've already started. I've been sick the last couple of days, so this seems like a perfect opportunity to attempt this. I was very picky about the books that I chose, and I got lucky and found a well loved college text book from 1947 in a bargain bin at a local thrift shop. I managed to get three for under $12 so if one fails, I have two back ups.
I might post pictures as I go. We'll see what happens.
I might post pictures as I go. We'll see what happens.
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