TOGA 2012

I went to the North East TX TOGA (treadle on gathering academy) on Saturday.  It was in Lone Oak, TX out in the country.  GPS had us take the long way on the dirt roads to get there.  It took us straight to an empty field!  LOL  We did finally make it.

 I did not know what to expect since I had never been to one before.  Some people brought treadles, heads, hand cranks, vintage machines, accessories, etc. to sell.

 There were even some $5 heads there.  Just because it is old, does not mean it is worth a lot of money.

 I have lots of pictures for you to look at.  It was also a quilting retreat and people brought stuff with them to work on.  Next year I'm going by myself and staying both days.

 These are parlor cabinets.  I forgot to open one so you could see inside.  They have treadles inside.

 Here I am working on my machine.  Margaret helped me learn how to thread it and wind the shuttle and get my bobbin winder working.  She was such a blessing!

 Here are some treadles that were there.  For the most part people brought hand cranks to work on.

 I sewed on this one, and it was so smooth.  It sewed like a dream.  I have a video demonstrating it, I'll share in another post.

 Here are a couple of hand cranks with a more "modern" look.

 There was even a couple of old Berninas there.

 Look at the beautiful decals on this one!

 This is an electric machine.  It is called a chain stitcher.  It made beautiful decorative stitches.  Yes, somebody was selling this one!  I got to sew on this one too, but just a line.

 I need a dental pick like this, you would not believe all the crud it scraped off my machine even after all of the hours I spent cleaning it!

 My poor machine looks terrible, everybody else's were so pretty.  This is my bobbin winder with my bobbin in it.  Since I have a vibrating shuttle it does not look like a normal bobbin.

 I got to sew on this hand crank!  I made the bag there on it.  You would not believe the perfect, even stitches!  I want one, but of course it will be a while before I can afford to buy one.

I have a couple more posts to share, but thought this one was long enough!  I hope you enjoyed looking at all these great machines!
Keep treadling,
Missy

Hair Rinse

I have probably the easiest, cheapest rinse for your hair ever!  I usually use whatever shampoo I can afford that I have a coupon for and is on sale.  Usually Pantene, Herbal Essences or Garnier.  I've been researching making my own shampoo, we'll see how that works out.
Sometimes I will get buildup on my hair from the different products I use.  Last night I rinsed my hair with apple cider vinegar after I shampooed my hair.  I just poured about 1/2 cup (I have a lot of hair) over my hair while in the shower.  I massaged it in for a few minutes, then rinsed it out.

This morning my hair felt very clean and soft.  I would not recommend doing this every wash or you might dry out your hair.  I think next time I'll add some rosemary and tea tree essential oils to it.

Organic Bragg Apple Cider is the best, especially if you are consuming it.  I normally buy the cheap stuff by the gallon at the store.  White vinegar will work too, it just does not have the health benefits that apple cider has.
"Tea tree oil has been proven to be a powerful yet natural antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal medicine (essential oil).  Tea tree oil is not just soothing and disinfecting, it is capable of penetrating into the lower skin layers with its anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, analgesic (pain-killing) and cicatrizant (wound-healing) qualities."   http://www.teatreeoiluses.com/ I basically like to use it because it tingles on the scalp!
"Hair Care: Rosemary oil and rosemary teas are used extensively for hair care in shampoos and lotions. Regular use of rosemary oil helps in stimulating follicles, as a result of which, hair grow longer and stronger. It is also believed that rosemary oil slows down premature hair loss and graying of hair. Hence it is an excellent tonic for bald people. Rosemary essential oil is also beneficial for dry and flaky scalps. Regular massage of scalp with rosemary oil nourishes the scalp and removes dandruff. Further, it is often mixed with tea tree oil and basil oil to treat scalp problems."  http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/natural-essential-oils/health-benefits-of-rosemary-oil.html
You can buy the oils at mybutterflyoils.com  Let her know that Missy sent you!
Go here for my hair detangler recipe:  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/04/hair-detangler.html


There you go, easy, peasy and cheap!  If you don't have the oils, just use the vinegar!
Missy

Cutting Hexagons

 I was at a local thrift store a few months ago.  I found this panel for a couple of dollars.  Isn't it pretty?  I'm keeping this quilt.  I thought it would be pretty to make some Grandma's Flower Garden blocks with hexagons.  Since I will be traveling quite a bit in the next few months I wanted something to keep my hands busy in the car.  I will be hand piecing this quilt so it will take a long time for me to finish it!

 My template is 3 1/2 inches wide, so I cut 3 1/2 inch strips.  This way I already had two sides of my hexagons cut.

 At first I tried just using my rotary cutter and cutting around the template.

 I found the perfect template at Joann Fabrics.  I found it easier to trace the template with a disappearing marker.

 Then when I cut I basically cut an x to separate the hexagons.  Did that make sense?

 I've been trying to not buy any material, unless I find a great deal at a thrift store or yard sale.  I found this nice navy blue material for $2, it is probably 2-4 yards.

 I had the batiks in my stash and the neutral is one of the Jane Spolar materials I won.  What do you think of the colors?  The neutral will be the centers of the flowers.   The navy will be the background.  I would like your opinion.

 Of course Pippi and Tiger wanted to help me

 For my backing, I really want to use this soft green flannel, it is so soft but it does not match.  The purple flowers will probably be my backing unless ya'll think it will be okay to use the green?  This will be a throw that I will carry on trips and keep in my living room so it will be seen a lot!
 Isn't Tiger just beautiful?

Do not ever buy a rotary cutter like this, I hate it.  I bought it last August and while I was trying to cut my material it kept popping back in.  Not to mention the blades are so dull it won't even cut cotton anymore.

 My husband surprised me with a new one after I mentioned in an instant message (he was at work)about my rotary cutter.  It matches my sewing machine cover!

 The only thing I could find to mark my 1/4 inch seam is a very sharp pencil.  Since I will be hand stitching it I need to have it marked on the pieces.  Make sure you only mark on the wrong side of the fabric because despite what people say, pencil is NOT washable.  I have the jumper to prove it.

 I am keeping the separate colors in baggies and I counted each hexagon, so far I have cut over 100, this will make 20 flowers.  I still need to cut 20 neutrals for the center of the flowers.  I'll see how many I get sewn on Saturday on the way to the TOGA and back.  I'll start cutting the navy next week.  I really have no idea how many flowers I need, I am coming up with my pattern in my head.

I really do not know what I am doing so I am open for suggestions and please help me decide which background fabric to use!  I don't want to do the paper piecing right now, I might try it sometime in the future though.
Thanks,
Missy

Winner

I drew a winner for the pattern!  The winner is:

quilt happy said...

i love to quilt and crochet

I sent you an email, send me your information back and I will mail it out to you!

I never shared the cake with ya'll that I made a couple of weeks ago for a retirement party.

I had to use "wet" palm sugar since I could not find any granulated to make powdered sugar.  It did not hold up well in the heat.  It is supposed to be sunflowers.  Writing on cakes has never been my forte!


Remember Miss Debra?  From here:
She has taught me to hand quilt:   http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/02/hand-quilting-bird-house-quilt.html
She has made a healthy Oreos recipe for me:  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2010/05/healthy-oreos.html
She has tried to teach me to crochet:  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-did-it-crocheted-dish-soap-apron.html
She has a beautiful voice:  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2011/03/his-eye-is-on-sparrow-baby-shower.html
She is always giving devotions and teaching us younger women:  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2010/08/apron-themed-banquet.html

She also has a band at church, my husband plays the bass.  This was old fashioned Sunday at my church.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRxFH2BxWFA&context=C406e7f5ADvjVQa1PpcFOG4tq9IgKpZiiX-hDuOFHsJnCEqvMLvj0=


We all love Miss Debra.  She is a true servant of Christ.

Have a great day ya'll!
Missy

Wanna see my new dress?

I finished my dress!  My friend Chrystal and I both used the same pattern.  Chrystal is my friend who has been teaching me how to sew.

 We both used material we had at home, and it turned out to be the same colors.  I messed up on my casing for my elastic, I like the bigger casing better.  I love the different options the pattern gives you.  There were several sleeve options, a ruffle or band on the hemline , solid colors or panels, etc.  Chrystal's skirt was supposed to be all the same material, but she did not think it would be full enough, so I suggested the blue stripe on the side.

 Chrystal had some material left over and made a dress for her daughter Camellia too.  I don't think I could make up a pattern out of my head like that.

 Mary wanted her picture taken also.   Chrystal needs to make another dress!

 Muffin wanted to say hi!  I added a turquoise flower and a black flower to my hair.

Here is the pattern we used.  Two of the ladies at church want to make one now.  We are teaching three young ladies at church how to make it too.   You can get the pattern here:  http://www.pinkfigdesign.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=PLT30

To see how I altered the pattern go here:  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-alter-pattern.html  I had used a quilt kit that I got on clearance from Wal-Mart, and bought half a yard of black fabric.  I wanted my sleeve ruffle bigger like the pattern's, but I did not have enough material, oh well.

  Has anyone else tried any of Lila Tueller's patterns?  I got mine from the Berry Patch Quilt Shop in Ft. Worth, across the street from the Hulen Mall.  There is also a pattern for the children, but more age appropriate for them.

I need to cut out hexagons to make a variation of the Grandmother's flower garden quilt.   I am going to hand piece the hexagons, I have a lot of traveling to do the next few weeks and it will be great busy work in the car.

Have a great day ya'll!

Missy

Don't forget to enter the giveaway here:  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/04/jane-spolar-pattern-giveaway.html

Hair detangler

 We have been having a lot of humidity here in TX, which makes my hair very frizzy.  It also tangles very easily.  I've tried the store bought stuff: hair serum, anti-frizz creme, leave in conditioner, etc.  Nothing works. I've tried Jojoba oil twice and both times it left my hair very greasy, just a drop does!   I decided to make my own and it works great!  It even adds some shine!  I used a travel size bottle and all the measurements are approximate.  I added a couple of teaspoons conditioner, a couple teaspoons avocado oil (olive oil would work too) a few drops rosemary essential oil (it is very good for your hair) and then filled the rest with water.  I shake it before using and spray a little on when I have trouble getting a comb through my hair, and then after it dries I'll spray some on the frizz and then brush it.  It works great and is so much cheaper and healthier than the stuff you buy in the store.  Just don't go crazy with spraying it on or you might make your hair greasy, just a few spritz works great.

Let me know if it works for you!
Missy
Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a quilting pattern here:  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/04/jane-spolar-pattern-giveaway.html
The giveaway closes on Tuesday evening!

Jane Spolar Pattern Giveaway

Remember my mystery box I won?  I won some patterns from Jane Spolar "Quilt Poetry".  http://www.quiltpoetry.com/  I want to share and am offering a giveaway for ya'll for one of her patterns.  The pattern is called "Finding Balance".  It is a gorgeous appliqued quilt.  It measures to 50" by 50".

If you win, please share a picture after you have finished it!

To enter the giveaway
1. You must be a follower.  Please leave me a comment telling me how you follow and what your favorite hobby is.
My favorite hobbies are baking, sewing and quilting!
2.  For an extra entry please share about this giveaway in some way and leave me a SEPARATE comment telling me how you shared.
PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL ADD. SO I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!

That is two ways you can enter, but you must leave separate comments for them to count.  Last time I only had eight people enter my giveaway, so you have a great chance of winning!

There are several ways you can follow my blog.
-You can follow through email and have it sent directly to your inbox.
-You can subscribe to posts through an RSS feed.
-You can follow through Linky (I still have not figured out if these show up in my Google Reader though,   does anyone else know?)
-You can follow through Blogger
-You can follow through Google Friend Connect (My favorite way to follow people)
-Or you can follow through Networked Blogs on FB (But I don't think this way is a reliable way since FB is so wonky with sharing posts)

The giveaway will stay open through Tuesday night.  I want to give people who will be out of town this weekend a chance to enter also.

Have a Blessed Resurrection Sunday!
Missy

Cleaning my Treadle better!

 I cleaned my treadle again, except this time I put more work into it.,  This is what it looked like before I started, not bad, but not great either. (It wasn't easy keeping Pippi away either)  This is what I did last week
http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/03/cleaning-my-treadmill.html

 I took the front plate off and soaked it in a bowl of watered down naval jelly while I cleaned the inside.  I also had a bowl of dish soap next to me for initial cleanings.  After a wipe down with a wash rag, then a toothbrush, I then used q-tips to get in all the tiny spaces.  The q-tips turned black.

 I then cleaned with the naval jelly, in case of rust.  I had gotten some Gojo from one of the teens at church who works on cars.  That stuff worked great!I only had a couple of tablespoons and cleaned a lot with it.  Then I wiped everything down with a wet washcloth, then a dry one.  My husband picked up a big container of it for $3 at an automotive repair shop.

 See how black the Franklin is?  I soaked it in Naval Jelly, cleaned it the same as everything else, but it was still black so I let it soak with Gojo until I finished.

Can you believe how clean it got?  I never expected this!  I'm sorry I didn't get a closer look.

 I did the turn wheel last.  I oiled everything as I went (Even worked on cleaning and oiling the needle)

 I had all the parts off, then couldn't remember how to put them back!  I put the wheel on backwards and my husband pointed that out to me, looked at the picture and sure enough.  I put the washer between the wheel and the nut, I'm pretty sure that was right.

 When I was done, the needle was not stuck anymore!  Yeah!

Can you believe how shiny and clean it is?  I love Gojo!  

 I still need to clean the bobbin winder, shuttle casing and underneath the machine.  I spent two hours cleaning those four spots on Sunday after church.  It is definitely a lot of work, but will be worth it.  I'll be taking it with me next week to the TOGA (Treadle On Gathering Academy) in  Lone Oak, TX.  I want to take the cabinet, but my husband said that would be too much work.
I'll give you another update next Wednesday on the finalization (I hope) of the cleaning process.  I hope I'm not boring ya'll with this!  I finished my dress and a skirt today, I'll have to show you pictures later.
If you have a treadle, pull it out, dust it off, clean it up, oil it, then use it!
Keep treadling!
Missy

How to alter a pattern

I am currently working on a dress.  I am almost finished with it, should finish it either tonight or tomorrow, just in time to wear on Resurrection Sunday!
I love the pattern, but I needed to bring the neckline up and the hem down.  Most patterns will say "cut here to shorten or lengthen", but they usually don't say anything about bringing up the neckline.  I'm teaching one of the preteens at church how to sew and she kept saying she wanted the "square neckline" in the photo, but I had to explain with a gathered neckline (peasant style) that was not possible with bringing the neckline up.  
First thing that I did was measure how much I needed to bring the neckline up, I looked at the picture and put ruler where it looked like it came to then measured up the soft spot where my neck and chest meet.  (I don't know what that is called!)

 I needed to bring it up by 3 inches, so I set my ruler at the three inch mark.  Then I drew a line starting there and then just followed the curve until I met the shoulder.  Can you see it in the picture?  Since I would be putting elastic there it did not need to be perfect.

 Since I would be sharing the pattern, I did not want to cut the pattern out on the line.  Instead, I put my finger on the line and traced with my finger on top of the pattern, while I held my fabric marker under the pattern right up against my fingernail.

 I needed to add length to the skirt part also.  I held the pattern up and saw where it landed on my leg, then held my ruler up and saw how much more I would need.  I needed 6 inches, so I cut a piece of paper 6 inches and taped it onto my material.  Don't you just love that material?  I wish I had more of it, but it was clearanced at Wal-Mart and those two pieces is all there was when I tried to get more.

 My new sewing machine will also serge!  See that funny foot?  It is what does the serging in combination with a setting on my machine, it pays to read your manual!

 Can you see it very well?  The left side is zig-zagged before I read the manual and the right side is serged after I read the manual.  It's slow but looks a lot better!

 I still need to finish the sleeves and hem (I have a turquoise and black zebra stripe that I am using for that.  This was two quilt "kits" my husband picked up for me for $10 (6 yards of material) at Wal-Mart last year.)  The biggest piece is the paint splashes which is supposed to be the back of the quilt.  I'm going to use the leftovers for my Dresden plate quilt, but needed to make this dress and a skirt first to have the leftovers.

I'm praying that once I add the elastic to the casing that it will look better and not so baggie.  I'll post pics when I am done, if I have time I also want to make a matching headband.
If you do not understand any of my instructions, feel free to ask!
Update:  To see the finished dress go here:  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/04/wanna-see-my-new-dress.html
My husband sent me this picture saying it was me!  I would love to have some penguins, guess I'll just have to settle for my cats instead!

Happy Sewing!
Missy