Weekend Project: A Pocket Full of Rye

"When one has much to put into them, a day has a hundred pockets."

--Friedrich Nietzsche

Every once in a while someone at work asks me to do some small sewing favor. It's rare enough, and it is often a new (and hence interesting) experience, so I don't mind. Last week, a friend asked if I'd repair the bottom of the pockets on her husband's favorite pair of shorts. Both front pockets had frayed open at the bottom:

At first I thought I'd just serge them closed, but upon reflection I decided that using bias tape might make the new seams more secure against future fraying. I probably should have done it like binding on a quilt (with the binding showing on both sides), but I've never been good at that... :(

So, I did it like a hem. I folded the tape in half and pinned it with the raw edges along the bottom of the pocket.

After sewing it on, I folded it over and sewed it again, with a box for extra sturdiness. I did make a small clip where the bottom of the pocket met the side of the pants, to allow it to fold cleanly. I hope that clip doesn't become a weak point.





What do you think? Was this a good idea? Will it be a strong repair? Would you have done something differently if it had been your project?

So, I also spent a bit of time this weekend working on my next batch of kitchen towel Christmas gifts. This set is not waffle weave - it's a flat fabric. I think these are beautiful colors!




This is the first project that I've warped correctly the first time, and did not have to redo a single threading! Yay! :)



Preparing the loom takes me several days, but once the loom is warped, the weaving goes quickly!




Finally, an Oliver update. We're giving him free run of the house 24/7 now and he loves it! He thinks he is a "big cat" just like Sammy and Milly. His kitten food is still in the guest bathroom, along with his kitten litter box - but when we feed the big cats he runs into the kitchen all excited and tries to eat out of their bowls. And, of course, he has started using their big litter box - even though he has to practically scale the side to get in! ;)

Milly shows no signs of warming up to him (although as long as he stays clear of her, she lets him alone). Sammy, on the other hand, wants to play with Oliver. What is funny is that neither of them seems to know exactly how to go about it. One will make a playful move toward the other, and then they will both look a little alarmed and separate. But it's definitely progress!

Parting shot: Oliver in a rare moment of quiet.

PS - I'm generally trying to keep my blog and our fledgling business separate, but Christine and I will be taking advantage of the Sew, Mama, Sew audience and participating in their Holiday Give-Away this week. So, instead of an "In the Queue Wednesday" post, on 2 December I'll announce a give-away of a set of the "How Much Fabric?" Reference Cards. I hope many of you will sign-up! And make sure you check out all the other wonderful give-aways that will be announced on the Sew, Mama, Sew blog! :)