Time marches on

I keep meaning to write, and then think I don't have much to say, so I don't say anything.

Since my last blog post.... most things have just trundled on.

The projector for sewing was even more successful than I hoped.  I whipped up a couple of maxi skirts, bish bosh, and learned some limitations (which I've worked round now).   I was tempted to make some more, as the only skirts I can wear are maxis,  but I really need to make some tops next.     
I tried it for making face masks coverings using the projector to project the pattern,but that was a fail.  I was trying to cut a whole stack at once,  and the height of the pile ddistorted some of the lines.  I had to revert to a printed paper pattern.  

I decided to make DH some undies.  The projector worked super well for that.  I used a pattern from Stitch Upon A Time.       I knew he'd want a fly front, so I even did all the work in making that.  Then, as I was stitching them together,  I realised it wasn't a great pattern (sorry SUAT).  Unlike their ladies' undies,   the boxer shorts for men had the seam up the middle of the backside!

I realised that this was really not pleasant,  so I didin't finish them.  DH did try them on though so I could get an idea of sizing for a pair by another maker.

I decided to try the Gable pattern from Made for Mermaids.   I hesitated, as I'd made a decision not to buy any more patterns until I've made a load of the ones I already have (I suspect that "buying patterns" is a separate hobby, along with "buying fabric").  I decided to bit the bullet,  and then found that I already owned it!    I just hadn't checked.

So that felt like a bit of a result.  I'd saved some money!   I didn't need to print the pattern,  I used the projector, and I was off.  It was going reasonably well.  I did a fly front again,  but the binding the designer uses is different to the way I normally do it.     I studied the instructions for a while,  watched a video,  did a dummy run.     I was evaluating whether it was worth the hassle.

In the end I decided "in for a penny...".  I could see that this would give a better finish (the seams are enclosed),  and I might as well learn to do it.       So, I did.    When I finished them, apart from the waistband,  something didn't look quite right.      I looked at them, IO looked at the pattern.  I looked at them,  I looked at the pictures of made ones.  I looked at them inside out to see if that would help.  There was definitely something wrong.

And then I saw it.  I'd sewn the fly on upside down.    As I'd overlocked everything,  it couldn't be saved.  I showed DH who chuckled,  and I flicked on the projector to have another go,.

That was several days ago, and I haven't sewn the pieces together yet.   I will do,  I just need to wait for another wave of enthusiasm.

My scanner is back from the experts, and it should be good to go.  I'll do some tests in a few days, and then I'll be able to scan and project my own patterns.

I  broke my fabric ban, for the second time this year (and the second time in a month actually) and bought another load of amazing fabric from Textile 9.    It arrived quickly,  and it was all lovely. I had no "buyers remorse" about any of it.

DH has decided to do a bit more wood turning,  and  recently bought a load of wood from someone's wood stash.  The chap he bought from has so much wood, and such a love of it.   Very much like those of us sewers/ists who buy fabric but don't necessariily use it....    I was delighted that DH spent more on it than I have spent on fabric all year.   The tables have turned (pun intended) now.

My brother, who also sews and loves fabric,  chortled when he heard.  He encapsulated it perfectly:   "Who'd have thought that fabric and wood would have so much in common?".

Sew Technical

About 18 months ago I started looking for a large format scanner (A0 or A1) so that I could scan and print my self-drafted patterns.  I have various patterns hanging up on hooks in the spare room, on the back of the kitchen door,  lying across the bed.     Older versions, and my Blueprints are in an A1 portfolio case.

When I want to draft a new style,  I trace from my blueprint, and then make my adaptations.  Wouldn't it be fab if I could just print a new copy of my Blueprint (or any of my patterns) and then make my alterations?

I found and bought a second hand A1 scanner in December.   We were busy with Christmas, then csomethgin else, then Covid, and the scanner sat, untested.




Around the same time as I bought the scanner,  I saw an idea about using a projector to project A0 sewing patterns directly on to fabric.    This seemed like a great idea!   I could scan my current self drafted patterns in,  and then project them!   

What a fab total  technical solution!

I joined a specialist FB projectors for sewing group a month after it was set up.  At the time, it was all very new and quite complicated. Some determined people worked hard to identify how to make it work.   They designed tools to help with calibration,  and guides on how to set up.   People shared what worked, and kind people pulled it together into guides.  what to do.  More people joined,  people shared their results.     Indy pattern diesigners started offering projector friendly files.

A few weeks ago, I decided it was almost time!  I started to look for projectors.   I realised that I needed to test the scanner. So, I got it out and tested it to see if it would work.

It did a beautiful scan,  and it was exactly how I imagined.   I overlaid the original wit the scanned printout,  and they didn't line up.  I used a window to see what the problem was.  The width matched, but the length did not.

Perhaps it wobbled in the rollers?

To test,  I created and printed an A1 grid of squares.   I then scanned the grid, and printed the scan.  I compared the 2, and saw that the length wasn't correct.  I asked DH for advice.    He did some detailed measuring, and declared that the error was consistent down the page (so it wasn't wobbling).  I contacted the manufactirer, who confirmed that it could be adjusted, but I needed to go back to my supplier (I bought it privately so that was no help). 

At least we know it's likely to be fixable, I just need to find an engineer who won't charge a fortune :-)

I went ahead and bought a second hand Ultra Short Throw projector, which meant I could have the projector near the table rather than ceiling mounted.     It arrived.  DH and I had a go at setting it up.

In order for this to be a helpful solution, I need it to be a fixed set up.  I  don't want to have to calibrate every time I want to cut fabric.  It doesn't take much to put me off,  so I need things to be as easy as possible.

We rowed a bit.   My brother visited, and was fascinated.  He helped DH, which stopped us rowing.     We did some more the next day,   and then I played until I got the right zoom level to get the patterns to consistently project at the correct size.

At his point, the table was a couple of feet from the wall,  which meant when we enter the kitchen from the hall, all one can see  is this mahoooooosive table!   It was OK to test proof of concept, but it was not a permananet solution. 

I suggested something involving another electric stand I had (bought for my embroidery machine, but not used in the end), which would ennable us to adjust the projector height exactly,  and it might go under the table.   DH thought it would work,  he played around,  and the end result is good.    The table is in a much better position,  it will work for most garments,  and I can pull it out so that my maxi skirt patterns will fit.

I made 2 skirts!

It's not all sunshine though,  projecting brings a different set of challenges... but for the way I work, it's worth it.   It would be so great if we can get the scanner sorted as well,

We had to lower the table a bit (it's actually an electric desk with a kitchen worktop on), and the printer doesn't fit under the table anymore.  It's too wide to fit anywhere else, so it's been sitting in the living room, with stuff on it, while we work out what to do with it. 


The collateral damage of all these machinations is that everywhere is in chaos.

Downstairs is a tip.  Moving the table and sorting things out meant that a lot of things had to be excavated.   The stuff, is leaning against the kitchen cabinets,  which meant I couldn't put all the fod delivery away, so some of that is out on the worktops

DH had a great idea.  He got an inexpensive wide TV table and put castors on it.  The printer will fit back under the table. The old stand can be dismantled and put in the loft.

Upstairs is a tip.  The little electric stand was actually being used,  and all the stuff that was on it , under it, and around it, is now piled in the spare bedroom,  in the corridor I use for sewing. 

I wasn't really a believer in the power of Feng Shui, but now I do believe there is something in it. I've got to do the next stage of the scanner testing,   but I just can't get into the right frame of mind.  The clutter is impacting not only my mood, but also my energy levels.

It's not enough to just tidy the stuff (or to hide it, whch fortunately I've never done).   I'm battling to permanently clear the stuff that's piled up.

Anyway, I need to get back to it.

It will be lovely when it's done.

Integration progress. Ish.

The other night Fleur, Cuckoo Marans,  decided to sleep in the Evacuee cube.  In the nestbox  

 At first I was pleased.  At least it meant I didn't have to go out and force her to enter one of the Cubes.     But she is a pebble in a pond.  Suddenly, the Evacuees didn't want to use their own home.   They tried the other Cubes.   There was a lot of change.

The girls have been behaving more as a single flock, and I've been interested to see hens from different camps sunbathing or sitting companionably together.    Nora, our most senior hen,  tends to sit a bit away.  She's blind in one eye, and walks stiffly, and she's been attacked by Fleur many times.  I was happy to see that Gloria (one of the 3 remaining siblings,   one year younger than Nora) spending time with her.    Both of them were number 1 chook for their respective flocks.   I imagine them chatting about how annoying the younger heneration is,  how they have no respect for their elders,  how things were different in their day.

Last night, I was shocked to see that Ping (Ping! The Dorking from the Evacuee coop) pushing her way into ,what I shall now call, "the Main Coop".   This meant it had eleven girls in!   Eleven is about 3 too many.  It's a good job it wasn't a hot night.
  
In the Orange Cube we had only Phyllis and Sunshine (one of the two Leghorns hatched last year).   Astrid, the other Leghorn,  joined the enemy camp some nights before.

Over in the Evacuee coop we had just Nora  and Big Bird.  Nestled together.    I suspect that Norah is too old and stiff to force her way in to the main Coop,  and I suspect that Big Bird is with her out of companionship and loyalty.  It brought a lump to my throat.

I'm going to have to see about moving the Evacuee cube into the covered run so it is closer to the other two.    I'm hesitant, because I don't know how Nora will cope with a move.... but, I don't know, it might be better?  To have the Cubes closer? 

In order to get it through the doorway to the Run we're going to have to take it apart completely, so it's not a 5 minute job.

I'll see what happens over the next few nights.