Tutorial for Sharpie Tye-Dyed T-shirt

Photo property of Happiness Is Homemade.

Sharpie Tye-Dyed T-shirt

Why Do the Women Look and Sound Alike? - Some Signs that A Group May View Women Strangely

Have you ever been in a group of Christian women and noticed that they all look alike, sound alike, and maybe even think alike? Have you felt like you were the odd one out in the gathering, even though you may have been dressed conservatively yourself? A friend and I had this experience once in a very marked way when we went to an event sponsored by women in a "Biblical Patriarchy" "Family Inclusive" type church group. We were wearing dresses/skirts. We were dressed very conservatively by most standards and neither of us were "styled" heavily in any way. Neither of us have really short hair, nor was our hair really long at the time. But, I felt like we were almost weirdos among them. It was an odd feeling to me at the time. The only other women there who didn't fit in were some unsaved relatives of someone. They had super short hair, heavy make-up, pants, bright orange hair, etc. It seemed strange to be among the outsiders in this group.

What was this about? I had questions and thoughts.

Of course, I'd seen similar things before. The Mennonites, Branhamites (followers of William Marion Branham), Gothardites, various Pentacostals and Church of God, and others exhibit similar behaviors. It's hard not to notice their weirdness sometimes, even when you want to not notice and to be compassionate or kind.

But, what does it mean? What does it potentially show about the group's view of women?

Continue Reading.

Sew Happy Friday - A Tutorial for Memory Projects with Jenny Doan

Here is a tutorial from the Missouri Star Quilt Co. where Jenny Doan teaches how to make some memory quilt items with your loved one's clothing. There is also instructions for a simple pillow to make with a shirt. I suggest putting a pillow form inside rather than stuffing it directly with the poly-fiber filling because then you can take the outside cover off and wash it (it is made from a shirt, after all).

Also, remember that a lot of ties are not washable, so you may wish to make a wall hanging rather than a table runner if the ones you are working with require dry cleaning. Table runners used on the dining room table are more likely to get dirty and need to be cleaned.

This would be a nice way to use up clothing that you no longer use that still has a lot of wear in it as well. If you have some things that you especially like that you can't or don't wear any more, you could make a memory quilt of your own (or any family member's) clothing.

Fabrics that cannot be ironed are not a good idea for this project.

How Polyester Is Made

Last Friday we learned how Polyester Fleece is made.  This week we’re learning how polyester fabric itself is made from plastic bottles.  Polyester becomes many things besides fleece.  Some of them are used often in sewing and crafts.  It is mixed with cotton in some fabrics to reduce wrinkling.  It is made into a number of other types of fabrics as well.  It is made into threads and yarns of various types.

Did you know that some people are intolerant of wearing polyester on their skin?  I am one of them.  I can wear it only in limited amounts.  My dad used to tune pianos and he had a customer who told the horrible story of how his wife developed a terrible intolerance or allergy to polyester after wearing in constantly for some years.  Her whole body broke out in a bad rash and it really affected her health.  At the time my dad met them she was having to wear only clothing made from all natural fibers.  Recycling plastic is a worthy cause, but the fibers God created are the best after all is said and done. :-)

Sew Happy Friday – Quick-to-make Cozy Socks from Polar Fleece

 

Photo property of Tim Anderson

In honor of my readers in south-west Australia, it seemed like a good idea to post something they could make today to keep their feet warm as the “Antarctic Vortex” blows through. :-)

Here are instructions to make some warm, cuddly socks quickly with fleece.  You will have to draft your own pattern, but with the info provided, it looks fairly easy.  This would be a great way to use up fleece scraps or to upcycle a blanket that is getting tired but still has some good spots.  You may want to add some elastic around the top edge to keep them up better.

Note that you have to click the “next” button to continue reading the instructions.  There are three pages total.

“Cozy Socks from Polarfleece Blanket”

The Thousand Word Project – Stylish

 

Happy Birthday to my dear mother!  :-)

1951
With her brother, Jim.

1953

1960

Circa 1960

1961

Graduation from Rift Valley Academy
1961

(Warm thanks to my Uncle Jim who made these photos available.)