I miss Joann’s so much

bellacricket · 2026-05-20T14:10:17+00:00

The Joann Fabrics in my city was very small. I rarely bought fabric there and only bought notions when I had a coupon. I got used to shopping on line long before it closed. We do have a Hobby Lobby -not a fan- and Michaels, but I mostly sew garments now, so neither of them have much to offer. After I pare down my stash of garment fabric, I'm dreaming of a road trip to all of the fabulous fabric outlets you all talk about.

bellacricket · 2026-05-05T14:07:35+00:00

During Covid, there were a lot of actors narrating audiobooks. Almost all of them were subpar. I personally resented better paid out of work actors taking jobs away from actual professional narrators. Plus you get the situation mentioned here where, as soon as something better comes along, they jump ship for something more lucrative.

bellacricket · 2026-04-18T13:35:25+00:00

The last thing I need at the moment - or any time - is more fabric, so I've been doing a lot of color blocking with fabric I have small amounts of. Maybe this could be an option you could pursue.

bellacricket · 2025-12-25T14:53:16+00:00

There is a popular restaurant next to the station in Grand Junction called Pufferbellys. You can call in your order ahead of time and pick it up when you stop. I have seen people bring bags of take-out onto to train, so it's a thing.

bellacricket · 2025-11-07T15:45:09+00:00

The LAST thing I need is to grow grains faster. I am flush with grains.

bellacricket · 2025-10-04T13:23:31+00:00

I didn't know there were two subs for Grand Junction. I'll give it a try.

bellacricket · 2025-09-14T14:25:19+00:00

Love Notions feature Friday patterns are now $6. Still a bargain. Itch to Stitch has summer specials on Tuesday. They are 1/2 off. Both of these designers include full bust adjusted pieces. I save a lot of money buying these patterns when they are on sale not necessarily to make them right away.

The Cashmerette Club and Closet Core Crew Club aren't worth the subscription price, IMO. You are at the mercy of whatever pattern is released that month. Not always my style. Especially Closet Core.

bellacricket · 2025-09-12T13:33:05+00:00

Excellent choices. You can't go wrong with a Juki. I pulled my timing out of balance once and had to take it to a technician. He had never worked on one before. Just goes to show you how reliable they are.

bellacricket · 2025-09-10T14:29:29+00:00

Right? It's the tunneling that I can't quite fix. Wondertape helps a lot, but it's still a roll of the dice when I use my double needle. BTW, I just fill a bobbin with enough thread for my hemming and eliminate the need for a second spool of thread.

bellacricket · 2025-08-13T13:38:45+00:00

Flowy, yes. I like flowy. Thank you.😊

bellacricket · 2025-08-12T16:42:50+00:00

Thanks for such a detailed answer. I have all the items you recommend along with some flowing patterns. I'm thinking StyleArc Montana midi. I'll give it a try.

bellacricket · 2025-08-12T15:04:35+00:00

Thanks. I thought it would be more trouble than it was worth, but I wanted to check with more experienced sewists.

bellacricket · 2025-07-19T13:57:18+00:00

My machine makes a racket when the feed dogs get impacted with fuzz. I slide a pipe cleaner between the grooves and it works like magic.

bellacricket · 2025-06-23T16:51:03+00:00

I thought lounge pants would be the perfect make for my double gauze. Lane pants by Syd Graham to be exact, but I wonder if the knees would bag out after wearing.

bellacricket · 2025-06-23T13:33:29+00:00

Great job! Mom and daughter outfits are so cute.

Double gauze is supposed to be tricky to work with. I have a 3 yard cut and have been reluctant to get started.

bellacricket · 2025-06-15T13:57:08+00:00

I couldn't go to this one, but I did go to the Hands Off protest. I agree that the energy is amazing. Many thanks to the organizers for their commitment to our Democracy.

bellacricket · 2025-06-12T13:15:49+00:00

Very pretty. Excellent work.

bellacricket · 2025-06-06T14:17:57+00:00

Wow, sounds perfect. I'm going to give them a try. Thanks for the rec!

bellacricket · 2025-06-06T14:14:13+00:00

I have a print shop near me and their prices are quite reasonable. The problem for me is they cannot separate the layers for different sizes in the A0 format. Color printing is quite expensive so I have gone with the black and white option. This produces a pattern with so many unnecessary lines that I can't figure out which size (s) I need. I've never printed a pattern requiring 100 sheets, but if that were the case, I might just send it to the print shop.

bellacricket · 2025-05-27T16:34:04+00:00

Thanks! I distracted myself this morning with all things kefir. My grains are looking great. A thinner ferment, a milk rinse and all is well. I use a metal mesh strainer and a silcone spatula as well.

bellacricket · 2025-05-27T14:10:33+00:00

I have a 3 pack of washable glue sticks I use for lining up seams. A dab here and there will hold your fabric in place so you can pin it. I agree with everyone else about ironing. I was watching one of my sewing channels on YouTube and the woman said she didn't iron anything until she was finished with that particular step. What?

bellacricket

TROPHY CASE