#craft nerd

[megcheese]

The Scrunchie Problem

Last year in August I had a brilliant idea.  I will use some scrap red sequined fabric from my stash and create a couple scrunchies for the annual Red Dress Run.  It will be easy!  I already have everything I need:  fabric, elastic, thread, sewing machine.  I can knock these out in an hour or two. 

So I pull out the quilting cutting mat and fabric pizza wheel and make 2” strips. And thinking about how I’d like my seams to be both clean and easy, I sew the short ends of the fabric to make a loop first.  Then the long edge leaving about 1” hole for turning the fabric. 

But when I go to turn the fabric after making those seams, I get stuck.  At first, I think I’m just physically stuck.  The pencil I’m using to turn the fabric tube inside out is starting to get gunked up from the sequin glue.  And I can’t seem to get the full turn out. 

My hole must be too small and my fabric tube too narrow.  That’s okay.  I will sew the next strip the same way but leave a larger hole.  But this time when the turn out won’t seem to complete, I realize what I’ve done wrong.  My wrong-side-out shape was a doughnut.  But my right-side-out shape was… tube snake.

Do you remember these toys?  IT’s a tube filled with water or gel and when you squeeze it, the inner part shoots to the outside and the entire thing pops out of your hand. 

So how did my doughnut become a tube snake?  

Both shapes are a form of a torus, or a circular toroid.  The torus has two raidii, where r is the radius of a wedge of the doughnut and R is the radius of the entire doughnut ring.  If we think of our donut ring as a latitude ring, once we turn it inside out, the latitude has become a meridian.  So, our two radii have swapped places.  Little r is now the overall radius and big R is now the wedge cross-section radius.  Our shape has a large difference in scale between the two radii, so the new shape isn’t a doughnut. We get our tube snake.  The tube snake is still a toroid, just a doughnut that has been stretched out to be tall. 

Now that we understand the geometry, how do we sew a scrunchie correctly?  I felt the internet had a lack of good instructions for this task, despite seeming so simple and like it would be a common craft idea.  So I’m here to help! 

Scrunchie Sewing Pattern Instructions

1.  Cut out a strip of fabric.  2” was a bit narrow, 4” makes a good average sized scrunchie, and 6” will make a big bold scrunchie.  The length should be about 24”, but exact measurements are not important. 

2. Fold your fabric in half “hot dog” style and pin the long edges together.  Sew the long edges together leaving a gap between 1” and 2” in the center. 

Fabric Key

Step 2

3. Now we have to bring the short edges together by pulling one end inside of the fabric tube.  We are making the tube snake on purpose!  The shape will be turned such that the right side of the fabric is the inside surface of the tube snake and only the wrong side is exposed.  Align the raw short edges of the tube.  Pin and sew the complete ring.  Please note that this seam is the entire circumference of little r and only through two layers of fabric. 

Step 3

4. Now when we turn our shape with the right-side-out, we will have one big long doughnut. 

5. Measure out a strip of elastic.  I usually use ¼” width elastic and about 8” of length, but I have very thick hair and regularly destroy hair ties.  Adjust based on your fit. 

6. Feed the elastic strip through the tube taking care not to lose the tail end.  I like to use two safety pins: one securing the tail to the opening and the second to help me feed through the tube.  Sew the ends of the elastic to each other in a flat seam. 

7. Last step is to close the opening.  If you’re feeling fancy you can breakout the hand needle and close with an invisible (ladder) stitch.  But if you’re a machine girl, tuck the raw edges in and sew a short straight seam over the opening. 

And you’ve done it!  You made a scrunchie! 

Bonus Round! 

What if I wanted to use an off-the-shelf hair elastic instead of a strip?  I had black chiffon scraps from a jumpsuit that was too long for my petite height.  My white ¼” elastic would be visible (and unattractive) in a scrunchie made from that fabric.  How would I get an already looped black elastic in there?  I under-thought my very 1st scrunchie attempt.  Time to OVER-think it!

In order to get your already loop-shaped hair elastic in your scrunchie, the elastic needs to be integrated in step 1.  That means when you fold your strip in half hot dog style, the hairtie is already in the hotdog bun.  Fold the fabric around the loop.  Part of the hair elastic will be exposed at the ends of the fabric strip. It will look like an inside-out scrunchie already.  Take care when sewing your long edge seam to stretch the section of fabric under the machine.  Don’t let the scrunchie folds get sewn in. 

When you turn your fabric to sew the short edge seam, about half of your hair elastic will be exposed with the other half inside the tube snake. This time you need to be sure not to catch the elastic when you sew the seam.

And here comes the magic.  When you turn the fabric right-sides out, the hair elastic is carried to the inner tube.  Close your last opening as before.

 

Can you even tell that I went the extra mile to use a black elastic?

Applications to other sewing projects

My most recent sewing project is a bridesmaid’s dress for me to wear at my sister’s wedding.  My requirements were fairly open:  black chiffon, maxi length.  So I decided to make my own and selected a pattern from Simplicity, S8870 in “View A.” 

You’ll notice that the dress has a one-strap design with a loose drape that is attached at the left shoulder and then hangs over the right arm.  The steps of the pattern have you sew that drape into the shoulder seam before any other steps that associate the overlay and lining or front and back of the bodice.  Next, I had to understitch the neckline.  Then came my secret application of The Scrunchie Problem.

“38. Tightly roll up drape for View A or Sleeve for View D.  FOR VIEWS A, B, D- Stitch lining to bodice at entire armhole edge being careful not to catch drape for View A or sleeves for View D.” 

I couldn’t see the drape anywhere in the diagram for that step so I rolled my drape cinnamon roll style and pulled it out of the way of my new seam.  But I made the mistake of pulling it to the outside of my new seam.  I did it again! I created a new tube snake that I can never pull my drape all the way out of! 

The correct interpretation of that step was to roll the drape dosa style and hide within the shoulder section.  That’s why I couldn’t see it in the diagram. 

Wrap up

I hope I've inspired you to make a scrunchie. It’s a great use for scrap fabric. Especially from maxi dresses that us unfortunate, short ladies had to cut several inches off of the bottom. 

What should I share next? Finished bridesmaid dress? Finished wedding present quilt? Or something I haven't even decided to make yet?

[chaosgoblinhours]

jaster mereel had to die young because the moment he ever had to meet palpatine on his home turf he'd take one look at the politician's eclectic collection and immediately go 'oh !! Is that a ceremonial sacrificial dagger of darth rabies???" and immediately go off on a tangent about old republic lore while palpatine gets bodied by at least five jedi in the background

[blumineck]

How to make an archery target using recycled materials!

I’m still on the injury recovery bandwagon, but GOOD NEWS: there’s a massive stock of archery references available on my Patreon so you don’t have to miss out on watching me do cool stuff!

Edit: I found the spelling error, thanks everyone for being snarky about it 😉

[timetravelbypen]

I think I want to share some more of my sewing On Here (largely because I hate instagram for a number of reasons).

And also because this sewing project is quite silly and fandom tumblr will appreciate it more.

I wondered, one day, what the Thirteenth Doctor would wear if she had gotten stranded in the past with Yaz. And because I am me, I decided to make it.

Edwardian bicycle trousers in teal wool (from Woolsome in Poland, because they had the right color!). Buttons from Pacific Trimming in New York. Pattern from Black Snail Patterns. Entirely hand-sewn by me. Assistance by cat.

[dollysilena]

I LOVE YOU, IT'S RUINING MY LIFE! ⭑

you’re the apple of everyone’s eye. kageyama sees right past it, and you.

PAIRING: pro-athlete!kageyama x celebrity!reader

NOTES: okok hi everyone i’m alive we won’t talk abt how i disappeared and came back AHAHA pls accept these humble crumbs while i try to ease back onto this blog. i’m hoping the vibes are noticeable to readers ?!?! i’m hoping y’all are getting what i’m putting down, if not!! walk w me here!! kageyama sees right past reader’s facade and he’s intrigued bc readers real persona is so much more interesting to him than her squeaky clean celeb appearance for the cameras but reader is like. bro is my no.1 hater bc she’s so blinded w hate and is truly convinced kageyama is praying on her downfall and maybe he is!!LMAO she does not see that kageyama is intrigued by her!! kageyama is just amused by her diff personas and likes to stoke the flames?? yk the vibes??? maybe he is out to get her. maybe he wants to solve the puzzle that is reader. maybe i’m crazy

[ymahousewine]

I want to put some positivity out there

So, I've been attending knitting groups and maybe it's my town maybe it's the craft but it's a bit of a safe haven for autistic/ND people. Some people in these groups have come forward and mention their diagnoses and how knitting groups really help them because:

-You don't have to make eye contact while talking to people because you're looking at your work

-You can "fidget" aka knit while talking to people and it's not distracting

-You can sit there the whole time and barely say anything and still be very welcome

-It doesn't have to be knitting, crochet, embroidery beading ect can come to the table

-You can bring one project or be like me and bring half your project stash in to go from one project to the next because bird-brain.

-There's no obligation to go or stay for the whole time. When your social battery is depleted people get it.

So if you knit, crochet or craft in any other way allow me to recommend going to a local group. Your results may vary but I've found the crafting community is worth taking a chance on.

[lumeha]

This is technically a mend used to hide a stain on this really nice cotton sweater I thrifted, but honestly, I think it took a life of its own

I created a small pixel art of the Emperor’s Key from YGO Zexal and duplicate stitched it with cotton embroidery thread

The most annoying part about this was just. Finishing all the ends. Blah. I never like doing that... but hey ! The stain is hidden and I have a cool customised sweater now :D

[exercise-of-trust]

Hello, your art style is so beautiful!! Could I request a Finrod? And if you’re feeling like a indulging a more specific request, him working on a carving on a wall or something in Nargothrond? I’ve been rotating his carving so much lately.

right so i know you said "carving" but also "caving" is only one letter off and i was endlessly charmed by the idea of finrod's first visit to nargothrond being wet and messy and chaotic. he has rope and climbing chalk and like 20 cool rocks in his bag and he's having a great time!

(requests open through the end of the month)

[scrawnyghstts]

sorry but I have to throw in my 5 cents, I keep hearing and even seeing so many clickbait videos about Pianosaurus being a bait and how Mob waisted him yada yada yada and like...? Would it have been better to have him than Baba and hopefully get a better sequence or sth? yeah! did he serve his purpose perfectly in the story from a narrative set up perspective? YES.

I think people don't realise how important of a scene is the introduction of a major character!!! and pianosaurus was crucial for the introduction of Doey! that cut scene gave me actual chills. think about it, not only is it a jumpscare, but we see a smiling Doey show up and offer us help after he just brutally ripped apart a toy of which he knew had a person stuffed inside it .

it shows how unstable Doey is, it places all these doubts and ideas in the player's head about his character, it also shows his strength and just how scary Doey can be, it's terrifying! and perfectly so for a horror game!!

so yeah maybe pianosaurus was a wasted opportunity, because of his cool design, but I think the writers did an amazing job with him and that scene has to be one of my favourites in the whole chapter

[yenneferish]

As much as I photography in general, I cannot believe this is the only good pic I got this weekend of this outfit ft. Discarded T-shirt.

Pretty pumped with how the whole look turned out. Planning on remaking the feather capelet - didn't love how flat it turned out.

[dobbysimp]

fandom is SO fun because no matter what skills you have they can be applied to fandom

yes there’s the obvious ones, like writing can be applied to fics and drawing to fan art. but there’s also that one girl who wrote a whole song for crimson rivers?? AMAZING

anyway this is a convoluted way to bring up the fact that as an architecture student I have very complex and thought out floor plans for all 4 common rooms just because i was in the mood for it

[digitalfriend08]

XXX

[faint-taste-of-almonds]

Honestly, knowing things about sewing and clothing construction is sometimes a curse I wish I wasn't suffering from.

So my textile hobby is embroidery. Right now, I am embroidering a shirt as a gift for a friend. For the shirt, I just needed something simple, plain, and pink - so I went to Target, because that was what was available to me, and somewhere I was pretty sure would have what I was looking for. It did, and I got a plain pink t-shirt for a not-bad price.

Here I am, a week later and almost done with my project, when I randomly glance down at the hem and feel my heart sink into my feet.

because what. the Fuck. is This???

This is one of the worst hems I have ever seen on a commercial garment in my entire life. If a single one of those threads gets cut, the whole bottom of the shirt is unraveling faster than the life of a college student who only just now realized their final was supposed to be a semester-long project. This is the kind of thing I would expect to see for someone who had to hand sew the hem, because I've rarely ever seen vertical hemming outside of handmade clothes. And looking at the inside, I was even more confused.

Because the inside looks normal? So what the hell happened to the outside?? This appears to be a vertical hemming stitch with a ladder back, which I have never seen before in my entire life.

Let's look at two other examples for comparison.

First, we have a normal cotton t-shirt from a few years ago:

This is a 2 needle flat lock stitch (6mm), the type of stitch I would expect to see. You might be able to snag the inside thread on something, but it wouldn't unravel the whole thing, and you'd have to take some seam rippers to get at the outside in any meaningful way.

Now let's look at something older:

This is the inside and outside of a vintage 50s top I bought about a year ago. Notice that there's no visible hem on the outside at all. The bottom is folded up into the inside, where one or two other layers of fabric are located in order to stitch it together. There's a row of single-needle lock stitching close to the bottom of the garment, with another single-needle row and a line of overlocked stitching just to top it all off. The only way this could be more secure is if it attended therapy and achieved self-actualization. This hem isn't going anywhere.

So where does this leave us? Well, it personally leaves me very upset about the state of the clothing industry. Yes, these tops all came at various price points, and have different levels of quality accordingly, but consumers should be able to buy clothes that won't immediately fall apart on them should a stiff breeze happed to blow past. If I had the time or the machinery, I would fix the hem myself, but I don't, and I am genuinely upset to have put hours upon hours of work onto a project with such a shitty canvas. And frankly, a little insulted.

Moral of the story: Check your seams people. You'll thank me when tugging on a single thread doesn't get you arrested for public indecency.

[jbcrochetwizard]

Meet Lorne.  The friendly singing demon that originated from a world called Pylea.  He has a supernatural ability that he uses to help others by reading one’s aura (of future happenings) when they sing.  He can also raise his voice to a high frequency to a deafening degree.

This crochet amigurumi doll measures 13.5" tall (34.3 cm).

[acewithapaintbrush]

Next Guardian Stan AU chapter coming very soon but I was a bit busy with painting this jacket for the LBM that starts on Thursday. It took the longest time cause all the little journals had to be painted over several times so the color would actually cover the fabric. But it is so comfortable and I'm so proud.

[blood-injections]

Kobra in the coolest denim jacket I own because it fits his vibe perfectly