Comments on: handmade Christmas

By: laura in alameda

laura in alameda — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:28:54 +0000

The bleach stop stuff is really helpful. I get mine from Dharma Trading. I mix a solution of it and put it in a bucket in my work area and drop the yardage in as I finish it. Made a huge difference in my satisfaction with the process, because once I put it in, it stopped cold, and so it looked like I wanted it too.

I like the analogy of a blog being a Christmas letter….not really a lie, but certainly rose colored…

By: Marie

Marie — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:01:11 +0000

I saw the bleach pen idea at Angry Chicken too and have wanted to give
it a try. Thank you for sharing your experience. I made all of my out of town
gifts. They were quilted fabric postcards. A piece of art in the mail, no boxes, etc. : )

By: Megan

Megan — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:29:53 +0000

Oooh that hat looks great, as well as everything else! How did you make the pointy ears?

By: Cathy

Cathy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:14:41 +0000

Always a pleasure to read about your projects and so lovely to give handmade gifts. Beautiful and useful things, very William Morris, and lovely indeed!

By: Miriam Levine

Miriam Levine — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:49:29 +0000

So satisfying to make presents. I baked most of mine and did not go to the mall once.

Here’s to another year of your witchy stitchery!

Mim L.

By: Missy Stevens

Missy Stevens — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:17:10 +0000

Hi Mimi,

a friend sent me a link to your etsy video, an introduction to you and
your work. I love what you are making ! I especially was interested in
the dolls I saw that seemed to be animal people, mythical beings,
maybe green people ? Would you let me know if your ever making those
again ?

Thanks, your work makes me smile !

Best,
Missy Stevens

By: Wendy

Wendy — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:41:55 +0000

Handmade presents are the best! I love the hat!

By: terry grant

terry grant — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 06:33:35 +0000

Hi there! Love your blog and I have a bit of (unsolicited) advice for using bleach pens. I use them a lot for fabric designs, and you are right that you seldom need to leave the bleach as long as Amy suggests. Also, if you use a chemical called Anti-Clor, available from several mail order sources, it immediately stops the bleaching action so you don’t get haloing or contact bleaching when you wash the piece. An easy to find alternative is the stuff you put in fish tanks to neutralize chlorine in the water. You can often find it in the grocery store pet area. Just a few drops in water and rinse the piece. This is always advised also to prevent bleached areas from weakening in time because the chlorine doesn’t rinse completely from fabric and can continue to work on the fabric indefinitely.

By: Sammy Girl (Betty)

Sammy Girl (Betty) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:54:25 +0000

Thanks so much for the inspiration and update on your projects. I have also discovered that fabrics react very differently to bleach pens. Good to remind everyone to do a sample with the EXACT same fabric … and I also like your idea about using fabric with dye variations (and maybe even slubs) to reduce the stress factor.
I need to start my list for next year’s projects TODAY!
Hugs and Happy New Year …
Betty :)