MeFi Projects

My 2021 pandemic project was learning to quilt, and I started out with a fussy geometrical monstrosity. Penrose tilings are aperiodic tilings (i.e. they can cover the plane infinitely without repeating) that exhibit fivefold symmetry (so no right angles anywhere). My brother nerd-sniped me by wondering what it would be like to quilt one, which launched me on a four-month long journey that I documented on twitter. Here's the first tweet in the series describing the project, and a thread comparing to previous Penrose quilts by other folks.
posted by ubermuffin on Jun 2, 2021 - 8 comments

Before covid I wanted bags I could take into the grocery and then strap to my bike's rear rack to travel the five long blocks home. Covid made that need more pressing, and now as it winds down I've finally got the solution. It's been enormously satisfying to make something so entirely for myself and a great excuse to practice sewing, a new skill for me. [more inside]
posted by macrael on Apr 2, 2021 - 2 comments

I've had a bit of a revelation this Spring and re-coded, reset and generally rejuvenated the sewing classes blog I started in 2009 and left fallow since 2013. [more inside]
posted by Tchad on Jul 23, 2018 - 1 comment

5 1/2 years after posting this question about learning how to sew mens' clothing to Ask MeFi, I made a custom kilt jacket to wear to a steampunk festival earlier this month. [more inside]
posted by usonian on May 16, 2016 - 4 comments

I've just launched my ELEVENTH annual Oscar "Pick 'Em contest over at my website. Every year the winner receives a custom, one-of-a-kind sock monkey creation. (Previously: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.) This year's prize is an unprecendented FOUR Avenger Monkeys: Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, and Incredible Hulk. They took me FOREVER to make, and I can't even begin to think how I'll top it next year. (No, brain, we are not making 12 dwarves and a hobbit.) Everyone is welcome to enter the contest!
posted by web-goddess on Feb 4, 2013 - 3 comments

I can't believe it's been TEN years of doing this! As always, I'm hosting an Oscar "Pick 'Em" contest over at my website. Every year the winner receives a custom, one-of-a-kind sock monkey creation. (Previously: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.) This year's prize is everyone's favourite avenging Swedish goth hacker Lisbeth Salander. Yes, I made the Sock Monkey with the Dragon Tattoo. She has piercings, combat boots, a Macbook, and a golf club. (She's also my first soft toy that may qualify as NSFW.) Everyone is welcome to enter the contest!
posted by web-goddess on Feb 5, 2012 - 3 comments

This is a blog I started a while ago and had to take some time off from. I didn't want it to die, so I just reestablished it a month or so ago and am developing more content! [more inside]
posted by Tchad on Aug 25, 2011 - 4 comments