Conundrum

Conundrum...an intricate and difficult problem. That's what I had on my hands or in my hands with my latest knitting project. I had discovered a simple sketch in an Italian knitting book that both intrigued and confused me. Since everything was in Italian and metrics, I had little to go on except for the sketch, a long rectangle. It was a bit of a shock to this self proclaimed queen of rectangles that there could possibly be one more rectangle that I hadn't already explored or designed. So I took the challenge. 


The first part was easy, knit a rectangle 20 inches wide and 100 inches long. I chose to do this on my standard knitting machine, one I hadn't used for sometime. More about that another time. The tricky part was shaping one end at an angle, but I managed to do that by increasing one stitch every row at the beginning. I was quite proud of myself when my piece came out to be a close match to the drawing.

The conundrum developed when I started to "put it together". I made this drawing up for you in color, something I didn't have to begin with. You start by folding the piece and joining the angled end to the side (the black lines being the seam, about 18"). Next you join the "red seams" and then the "blue" seams. Sounds simple but it's quite confusing manipulating this long piece of fabric that wants to curl and twist upon itself. I finally cut out a paper pattern and taped it together to get the idea. I was beginning to think that I might just have a long piece of nothing on my hands when it fell into place. It's an interesting piece with lots of design potential. What you can't see very well from the photo is that it's a combination of a shrug and a poncho, very dramatic. I knit a second one narrower and shorter with also a nice results. The conundrum was solved. RRT

What Shawl I Do?

Every woman knows this dilemma.  You have an occasion to go to, you have the perfect little sleeveless dress, but you have nothing to wear as a wrap. You head off to the mall or your local boutique for a solution without much success. Of course everyone suggests that if all else fails, carry a shawl. Yes that works. It's easy, it's affordable but... I don't know about you,  I never know what to do with the dang thing. It starts up around your shoulders doing its job, but inevitably ends up in the crook of your arms. It hangs there in a tangled mess. You can't move freely, give a hug gracefully or worst of all, hoist your  glass without some fringe dangling in the wine.  Never mind, RRT Designs to the rescue. 


All you need is a lovely long scarf or shawl and a needle and thread. Fold the shawl in half and sew a 6 to 8 inch seam along one edge of the shawl as shown. Of course if you have a sewing machine handy, all the better.  That's it, you have your "cape shawl".  You'll quickly see that when you put the shawl on it drapes in the back like a cape, sits nicely on your shoulders and hangs gracefully down the front. You can add a pin or a small snap for closure if you like and you're good to go. 

fyi...I sewed with a light thread so you could see the seam. Obviously it would be better to use a matching thread.

Oh and by the way, we have an excellent selection of scarves and shawls at nextdoor. Stop by, pick out your favorite one and we'll even convert it to a cape shawl for you. Shawl we see you?

Shawl We Dance?

For as long as I can remember, I have loved shawls and scarves. My mother always had one artfully tied around her neck to go with a cute outfit that she no doubt made for herself. And when I discovered weaving, it was a natural item to create on a loom, long and rectangular with fringe. I have made many scarves over the years, woven, knit, crocheted, hand dyed, screen printed,...not to mention the 800 plus "scarves for shelter" with Project Knitway. My interest in scarves seems to be renewed every spring, this year being no exception. It's the perfect addition to brighten up a tee or add a little warmth on a cool evening. Thanks to Hollywood, the popularity of scarves has dramatically increased to the point that everyone is wearing them. It's not uncommon now to see a young woman artfully wrapped in a colorful scarf at the grocery store. Very French! Of course I'm never satisfied until I have added my own twist to the subject, so in the days ahead I'll be sharing some new ideas on scarves and shawls with you. Just to wet your appetite, I have included a few photos of some of my scarves plus a link to my favorite video clip of Glenn Close discussing French women and their scarves in the movie Le Divorce. Enjoy and check back for more on the subject...because we shawl see. RRT

link to clip from Le Divorce (sorry about the beer ad)

A Perfect Day

I've been waiting all winter to put my snowshoes on and head to the "outback". I always feel like a kid again, exploring nature at its best. This excursion was no exception. I went from windy hillsides to quiet enclaves, all the while toasty warm from the physical exertion. The sun would shine with promise and then disappear to create a wild, ominous atmosphere. Of course the whole time I knew I was just a short distance away from home and a hot cup of coffee. But it was still the perfect adventure. 

I have always said the perfect day for me is a combination of exercise, creativity, relaxation and a good book or movie. So when I returned from my walk, I headed into my studio. Remember my window shades? Well I decided to screen print and stencil some designs on them. It was great fun and I really love the results.

The shades are just velcroed to the glass, so I can take them down at anytime with no difficulty or unsightly mess. The whole printing experience was so much fun that I decided to treat myself to a new toy, a thermofax machine. It promises to be lots of fun, an easy way of making silk screens for more printing projects. So I'll be sharing all that with you soon. Hope you had a perfect day too!


R

Shady Lane

Most of the year nature provides all the "window shades" I need in my studio. However, during the winter months some of the windows are exposed more than I like. I've thought of purchasing window blinds but I really didn't want the expense or the permanency of them. I finally came up with a solution that was very simple, versatile and affordable. 

I purchased some cotton duck fabric from my local store for $6.00 a yard. It was 60 inches wide so I was able to get 3 - 20 inch panels out of 2 yards, making the cost of each panel $4.00. I hemmed them to fit my window and then sewed 2 velcro tabs to the top back corners. I cut 2 velcro tabs with the sticky backs and applied those to my window. Then i simply hung the panels, no expensive hardware and no messy installation. It was the perfect solution. I can take them down when the greenery is back this spring. I was planning to print or stitch on the panels but I'm enjoying nature's design on them right now. 


This has so many applications. The panels could be made out of fun print fabrics. It would so cute in a child's room with appliqued cloth photos sewn on (see my blog on Jet Set). And what about that first apartment with an unsightly view or a dorm room that needs fixing up? There are so many possibilities! Have some fun and make something.


Renotta

In the Bag

I am really having fun with photo printing on fabric! Made this bag for AJ to take to "school". It's big and roomy enough for all the necessaries, including blankie.


love, 


Grannie

Pass the Envelope Please

Did I mention I love pillows and that I love to make them. But I hate putting a zipper in. So when I discovered the envelope pillow it was a perfect match for me. Start with a few yards of fabric. I love muslin because it has a hand woven feel and is very affordable. 

Step 1: cut a piece of fabric the size of your desired pillow. Mine is 24" by 24". I appliquéd two ink jet printed pieces on to make the pillow top more interesting. 

Step 2: Cut 2 pieces of muslin 24" by 18". Hem one right and one left side of each piece along the 24"edge.

Step 3: Lay these pieces right side together onto the pillow top piece and stitch along all 4 sides.

Step 4: Turn the pillow cover right side out and press. Sometimes I like to top stitch 1/4" along the edge of the piece. It gives the look of a piping and adds a nice touch. 

Step 5: Pass the Stuffing Please. You can buy pillow inserts at your local fabric store, but I prefer to make mine. It's quick and easy and inexpensive. You can also get a very nice, plump looking pillow, any size you prefer. Start by sewing a simple pillow sack the same size as your finished pillow top, or even a bit larger. Leave an opening about 6 to 8", large enough to add the stuffing. Add lots of stuffing and spread it evenly into the corners and throughout the sack. Sew up the opening and insert into your pillow top. 

Step 6: Sit back and enjoy. Cost to make: 2 hours of your time and $10. Looks like a million.