Sources for non-skid gripper fabric

My pattern for polar slippers came the other day from Sew Thankful.

I was looking at it and then wondering about sites where I might find the gripper fabric that goes on the foot of the slippers. Here's what I came up with:

• Slipper Grippers from Sew Thankful and shown here in purple. They come in a variety of colors and are supposed to be superior to Jiffy Grip. Now selling at Sew Thankful for $3.99 (regularly $4.50 each). Each package contains two 12" x 14" sheets.

• Jiffy Grip is a 14" wide fabric. You have to buy a 1 yard minimum for $4.99 (regularly $5.50). Again, Sew Thankful has it.

Nancy's Notions does not have either of these notions at the moment in their online store.

Clotilde's has Slipper Grippers in only two colors: Navy and white. They are selling theirs for $3.98, which seems to be their regular price.

At JoAnns, you can buy a package of 11" x 24" Jiffy Grip for $2.39 online only. They also have a product called Grip-Tight White, which is by the yard (minimum 1 yard) and is 15" wide, for $3.99/yard. This last is categorized under latch-hook rug making, so I'm not sure if its the same thing. They also have the Slipper Grippers available, apparently in all 6 colors?, for $3.99 each.

I'm sure there are lots more sources out there, but for now it appears there are several online sources, and probably my local JoAnn's where I can get these relatively inexpensively.

2009 Goals for Sewing

I listed my 2008 accomplishments earlier this month and really impressed myself! LOL! I did not have goals last year as I was just getting back into sewing and wasn't even sure what I could do. After seeing what I did do, I want to challenge myself this year and do a bit of planning.

I will now post my 2009 goals with some specifics in mind:

1) 40 garments or projects! Is it do-able? I'll try. Really, I just want to sew even more than last year.

2) Make a complete inventory of stash. I'll be happy to first get them indexed. After that comes making photos for Flickr and my more PatternKeeper form, which gives detailed information. It goes without saying that once its done, it needs to be kept up-t0-date!

3) Maintain my blog and learn to use it better. Already beginning to do that with this post.

4) Reduce stash! I'm especially concerned about the pre-2008 stash--some lovely stuff just dying to be sewn. Can I reduce it by 50 yards this year? 75 yds? Maintaining parity, i.e. don't buy more than I make and preferably less, would also be nice.

5) Enter any motivating contest available on PR. Includes UFO contest, stash contest, pattern stash contest, maybe several others, too.

6) Improve sewing skills by trying new techniques, reading, and taking more PR classes.

7) Can I be frugal? I'd like to think keeping to stash, including thread, zippers, and other notions, will mean I can be a bit more frugal this year than in 2008.

Sources for Microfleece

PR has a thread now that is discussing sources for microfleece. Microfleece is considered 100 weight and is good for sleepwear, but is thinner than what you would make an outdoor jacket with. Here are some links for good quality microfleece:

The Rain Shed
http://www.therainshed.com/

Mill Direct Textiles
http://www.milldirecttextiles.com/

Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics
http://www.owfinc.com/Fabrics/Fleece/fleece.htm

Peak Fabrics (in Canada)
http://www.peakfabrics.com/fleeces.php

BurdaStyle.com

BurdaStyle.com is a website for open source sewing. Its like "Freeware" in the computer software world. Here people can post the patterns, instructions--if any, and technical drawings of sewing projects they've designed. Moreover, sewers and seamstresses can post pictures of their creations using the patterns and place comments. Several BurdaStyle.com patterns have been reviewed on PR recently that have caught my eye, including:


Franzi 9302 --a vest that RusyBobn recently reviewed. She joined a sew-along to make this, and there was a podcast about it.

Leg-of-Mutton Knit Top --a knit top with an interesting bodice and strange-looking "leg-of-mutton" sleeves. NiceGirl on PR reviewed this. The jury is still out here. Not sure what I think of it from the pictures.

Danielle 9306 --this is a dress which a PR reviewer recently did. She left off the sleeves and turned it into a jumper that can double as a cocktail dress. Very classy with low scoop neckline I really like.

Retro Top --this is my favorite pattern I've seen. This top looks like it popped right out of the fifties or sixties and is very stylish and vintage-looking. I want a top like this!

The trick for these patterns is that you have to print everything out, including the pattern pieces--which you tape together. You may need to resize some of them to 100%.

If I can figure it out, I will be doing the retro top and may even enter it for my stash contest.

2008 Accomplishments -- A Sewing Success!

In getting ready to make my 2009 sewing New Year's resolutions I wanted to tally up what I'd done this year, in order to see where I need/want to go for next year; and, just because it makes me feel I've accomplished something after spending time tearing my hair out over some technique or step I am currently working on for a project.

I was pleasantly surprised at what I came up with:

1) I started sewing again! (after a 14 year hiatus)
2) I joined PR (on 20 Dec. '07, so I think I can count it)
3) I took 8 classes from PR and now feel so much more confident in my sewing.
4) I reviewed 3 sewing machines and 12 patterns (2 WIP reviews will be posted this weekend after I do the pictures) for PR.
5) I regularly read PR review postings (learned so much) for inspiration and always rated the reviews I read. I started using the message boards and learned how to post pix to PR/web using PR help.
6) I completed 18 sewing projects (counting the tablecloth and napkins and 3 witches costumes I made)!
7) I joined the UFO contest in January and won the oldest UFO category. Maybe not something to be s-o-o-o proud of, but what a wonderful introduction back into sewing!
8) I bravely ventured into sewing kids clothes for my son and some costumes for his school.
9) I inventoried my entire stash and found things I never new I had!
10) I attended the Sewing & Quilting Expo this year in Chantilly.
11) I read several books and took some workshops at the above Expo on fitting and am now venturing into pattern alteration, albeit not too bravely yet. But I am learning not to panic when my pattern is a size off from me, though.
12) I bought 2 new machines: a serger and an embroidery machine and am teaching myself to use them for even more sewing fun.
13) Started my own blog and picture site with Flickr which I learned how to use.
14) I learned SO VERY MUCH!!!!

OK, now I feel great and can start to think of some resolutions that will challenge me to new sewing heights this coming year.

------
Old Stash -- 131.56 yards
2008 Stash In -- 173.341 yards
Stash Given to me -- so far 33.97 yards (still counting)
Stash Sewn -- 7.75 yards
Current Stash -- 331.121 yards
Items Sewn - 18