OK, I shouldn’t even be posting about this as it’s SO EASY IT’S STUPID, but just in case you guys are interested in a no-brainer gift, here you go! My mom is a big fan of Liberty of London, so I picked out a nice print (Purple Mauverina, if you decide you can’t live without it, either) from Purl Soho and bought 1 yard. I ripped it in half crosswise (perpendicular to the selvedge edges), which left me with two rectangles, each sized 18″ x 53″. Sallie recommended that I try out the narrow rolled hem on my Brother 1034D, and wow. It’s AMAZING. My brother-in-law glanced at it and couldn’t believe that the serger was making a finish so nice (“Wow, it looks like it’s from a factory!”), and really, I couldn’t either! I did a narrow rolled hem on all four sides and voila, a handmade gift in about 5 minutes. The most time-consuming part of the whole project was deciding which Liberty print to use (and the hardest part was saying no to Tana lawn for myself!)!
A hem so beautiful I could cry! But can you tell I wasn’t really sure what to do at the corners?
I had planned to place the two rectangles wrong sides together and stitch like that so the wrong side of the fabric could never be visible, but it seemed like it would be too bulky. Then I thought I would seam them at one end to make a super long scarf, but that was nearly 9′ long and seemed a bit crazy. This little baby scarf is perfect for tucking into a blazer or tying into a funky bow, as my ma has demonstrated for us here (oddly enough, the top Mom was wearing on the day that I gave it to her PERFECTLY matched the scarf… spooky!).
I’ve deliberately left this image uncropped so you guys can see my sister shoving her hands down the back of her pants like the little lady she is.
OK, can we change the subject briefly? Let’s talk summer movies for a minute! Which movies are you looking forward to? What have you already seen? Any recommendations? I saw a special preview screening of Moonrise Kingdom last night, and I really liked it! It’s offbeat and funny, like Wes Anderson’s movies usually are, but this one was a little different from his others (pleasantly so). I entertained fantasies of going to wilderness camp as a kid, and was really into hiking, canoeing, and trying to find Native American trails and artifacts, so I could relate a bit to the kid in this movie. Plus, it had my favorite actor and my favorite actress playing a married couple– say what?! Love! Go see it!
How about The Avengers? Thoughts on that one? I found it totally entertaining, even though I wasn’t familiar with all of the superheroes or their backstories. In the more highbrow department, have you seen the trailer that came out today for Baz Luhrmann’s version of The Great Gatsby? I have to say, I’m not really sure what to think about that one. Gatsby is my favorite novel (and I was an English major, folks– that’s a serious statement!), buuuuut I’m left a little underwhelmed by the trailer. I’ll go ahead and say that I’m not the biggest fan of Baz Luhrmann… I tried and failed three times at staying awake during Moulin Rouge! I’ve still never seen anything past the first 20 minutes of that movie! The casting seems a little weird to me, and the whole production looks so glitzy and Baz Luhrmann-y that I’m a little worried that my favorite book has been trampled on. Sigh… English major problems… 🙂 What do you guys think? Excited for Gatsby? Apprehensive? Love Moulin Rouge and think I should give it another try?
Finally, Battleship— has anybody seen it? I wonder if it’s as unintentionally hilarious as it seems like it is. Special bonus question: which board game would you choose to make into a movie?? My vote is for Operation, although that could end up as a gore fest in the Saw camp!
Ginger Makes... 
The scarf is so beautiful and it was obviously “meant to be” since your mom was wearing the right colors 🙂
I can’t wait for Gatsby! I’m off to watch the trailer you posted!
LikeLike
The link to the trailer, I mean 🙂
LikeLike
I’m glad you’re excited! I’m excited to hear your thoughts about the trailer!
LikeLike
I’m at work, can’t quite watch the trailer at the moment, but I can’t wait to see the trailer and (hopefully) the movie! I’m also an English major 😀 and a Fitzgerald fan, so I hear ya! I hope it has not been butchered beyond recognition. However. I LOVE Moulin Rouge. After the first 20 minutes of craziness, the love story does develop and gives some backbone to the story. I’m a huge fan of musicals too though, so that has a lot to do with my love for Moulin Rouge–Ewan McGregor, oh my goodness, his voice melts my heart. I love the sound track. And their rendition of “Roxanne” amazes me–it has never sounded more dramatic and beautiful.
Go finish Moulin Rouge and report back!! 😉
LikeLike
I’ll have to give Moulin Rouge another try. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m really iffy about the new Gatsby. I really enjoyed Moulin Rouge, but I don’t really feel excited about this one. Also Robert Redford was a great Gatsby. I like DiCaprio…but…I just don’t know. I can’t even explain why I don’t think I’ll like it, haha!
Also I have not seen Battleship because it looks hilariously bad, so it has to wait until I can watch it at home incase I need to laugh at it. But I kind of want someone to make a version of Candy Land. Or a horror of Chutes and Ladders. But I think the last one only needs to be a short to be effective, ha!
LikeLike
Yes, I have to say that even though the 1974 version has its problems, Robert Redford is a perfect Gatsby. Somehow he’s exactly what you think of when you read the book– larger than life, but with a sort of sadness lingering around him.
Don’t laugh– there’s a Candy Land movie in the works with Adam Sandler! You must be a fortune teller! I wonder who will be Princess Lolly!
LikeLike
Really?! I’m going to have to look that up! Crazy!
LikeLike
I was feeling grumbly today about not having a serger … you’re not making it any better!! Seriously though, very pretty scarf.
LikeLike
Oh no! I’m really sorry! You can come use mine anytime!
LikeLike
ooh lovely fabric, my mam LOVES purple!!!
i’m very excited about Moonrise Kingdom… think I’ve missed out on seeing Avengers here, must check listings, my lil’sis & I normally go to see superhero movies together but my exams got in the way of this one.
Another English Lit major here, yay for books 😉 coincidentally watched the Gatsby trailer earlier, didn’t grab me as much as was expecting but will still be making sure to see it… and as for Baz Luhrmann, LOVE his version of R&J and I have to agree with The Garment Farmer on Moulin Rouge & Ewan McGregor, swoon, and his version of Elton John’s Your Song is so sweet
LikeLike
I don’t think I’ve seen the Baz Luhrmann Romeo since it came out… may have to revisit that since I was a kid in those days. Glad to see there are so many English lit folks represented (although my concentration was in American lit, crass Yankee that I am, but same difference…).
LikeLike
I’m excited to see Avengers but I think the only reason for that is Thor!! Chris Hemsworth = bow chicka wow wow!!
LikeLike
I was thinking he was the hunky guy from The Hunger Games… didn’t even realize that it was his brother! Both cute!
LikeLike
The first time I ever used my serger was to hem scarves, just like the one you made. I used a two-thread rolled hem with wooly nylon in the looper. I couldn’t believe the finish! I used a ombre silk, and I’m excited to see that it worked just as well for the Liberty. Oh, the possibilities!
LikeLike
Your ombre silk scarves were so beautiful– I really, really like them! Such a great gift idea!
LikeLike
Ooh pretty scarf! More serger envy here. For some reason here we call them “overlockers”.
My husband loved the Avengers so much, he was raving on about it for days. He loves comic book movies though!
LikeLike
Yeah, I don’t know what the difference is between the whole serger/overlocker thing… Are they different functions, or just different names? Hmm…
LikeLike
That fabric is gorgeous, good job. I had a wtf moment with the handsinpants extra! XD
I wanted to see the Great Gatsby – then I saw Baz Luherman in the credits and now I’m having second thoughts. The wardrobe should be awesome though. Thumbs down to Battleship (and everything else made by the d*ck that bollocks-up Transformers – everything worth seeing from the Transformers movies is here and here*dubstep warning*) so I’ll just wait from someone to come up with the same for Battleship XD. Might go see MK though, the last Wes movie I saw was Mr Fox.. still haven’t cloned Mrs. Fox’s dress XP
LikeLike
Oh, those foxes were so amazing– I can’t believe how detailed they were (and the costumes were really cool!). Is it the yellow dress with red polka dots that you like? I can see in the photo that it has princess seams (seriously, the details!!)… that would be a super fun dress!
LikeLike
Yaya Simplicity 2404 A is what I’m using. *No one better start copying me. Yet.*
LikeLike
*up’d
*for
too much coffee =D
LikeLike
Never too much coffee! 🙂
LikeLike
You can totally change the subject! I have to admit that I am so excited for The Great Gatsby but I have always been into the fantastical, dreamy type of cinematography. Anything fairy land or other worldy I like. Plus, the cast has my favorite actress – Carey Mulligan. I have been in love with her since seeing her in An Education and secretly had a crush on her ex beau – Shia LeBoeuf
LikeLike
I missed An Education, but I’ve heard such good things about it! Carey Mulligan is so cute.
LikeLike
Thought I would answer your movie questions!! I have seen Avengers – what fun, how good looking is Chris Hemingsworth (Thor)? Nice arms! I haven’t seen the others but The Great Gatsby sounds like it would be good plus I am sure the costumes will be great. My favourite movie of all time is a board game one, Clue – I love it – very cheesy from the 80s with Tim Curry and Christopher Lloyd. I still find it hilarious even though I know just about all the words by heart!
LikeLike
I’ve never seen it, but I like both those comedians, so I’ll have to check it out!
LikeLike
Lovely scarf! I’m even more excited to get that serger now. Your comment about your sister made me laugh 🙂 I love The Great Gatsby too (and I did an English degree) but like you I was underwhelmed by Moulin Rouge. I’ve never been able to watch it to the end.
LikeLike
She would like the record to show that she was “rubbing her back”. Yeah, sure! 😀
LikeLike
That is a beautiful scarf and the hem is impressive! Good Mom gift! 🙂
I’m happy to talk movies anytime! I saw Moonrise Kingdom last weekend and loved it. I generally love anything Wes Anderson though (although not his first one, at the school). I didn’t even know there was a new Gatsby movie coming out ’til yesterday. For some reason I feel nonplussed at the thought of DiCaprio as Gatsby. I love Gatsby but I don’t see Leo in the role – maybe I lack vision. I generally love Baz Luhrmann movies too, but like you, I never made it past the first 20 minutes of Moulin Rouge! I haven’t seen the Avengers yet but I want to!
LikeLike
I know what you mean– Leo is kind of a blank slate, in my opinion, and doesn’t do too much for me unless he’s playing a really meaty character. Since Jay Gatsby is kind of enigmatic, I feel like maybe Leo is too boring for the role. I guess we’ll find out!
LikeLike
Lovely scarf and I like the uncropped photo – made me smile! I read Gatsby in school for A levels (age 17) and loved it, even now I remember so much of the book. I am curious to see the movie but sometimes I prefer not to see movie adaptations as I like to keep my own idea in my mind of what it all looks like. Board game to film? Monopoly. I have to add Operation always reminds me of the 1960s Carry On films – do you know them? They are so bad they are good, lots of “oooh matron” jokes.
LikeLike
I’m with you on not always liking to see movie adaptations. I like to go to them if it’s a book that I haven’t read or aren’t particularly attached to, but it sort of ruins your imaginative process when you see a movie. Hubs, on the other hand, loves to see movie adaptations, likes to see the movie before he reads the book, and always likes the movie more than the book!
LikeLike
Woah… Operation as a movie? You. Are. Sick. Man. Yikes. I’m looking forward to Moonrise Kingdom too – love Wes Anderson films in general. Battleship – hmm not so much! Have seen the trailer for GG and can’t believe that it’s going to be 3D – that’s just insane!
LikeLike
I didn’t even realize it was 3D! That’s hilarious! I bet Fitzgerald would have wanted Daisy popping out of the screen… teeheehee…
LikeLike
Yay! Beautiful rolled hem! Perfection!
I just saw that Tim Burton movie “Dark Shadows” – it was utterly forgettable! Haha! Although I do remember laughing at some really dumb jokes… I agree with Lizz – Clue was such an amazing movie adaptation of a board game. I used to play a “live action” game of Clue with my best friend and our siblings growing up. We’d dress up in ridiculous costumes and pick characters (Professor Plum, anyone?) and then enact murders throughout the house with all the lights turned off! Especially good for dark and stormy nights….
LikeLike
What a fun game! That sounds like a great way to spend an evening! 😀 By the way, between you and Stephanie at Makes the Things, I just HAD to pick up some ikat from B&J today– it’s so gorgeous!!!
LikeLike
love the scarf – and you chose such a great print. I really need to learn how to do more than the most basic serging with my serger!
I am sort of looking forward to The Great Gatsby (I studied it at university too!) but I know that it will never be the equal to the version I have in my head. Moonrise Kingdom though, I can’t wait for.
LikeLike
It was really easy to do the rolled hem– my serger manual outlined all the steps (tension, etc.) so I didn’t have to figure anything out on my own. I hope you like Moonrise Kingdom! I thought it was really fun.
LikeLike
Oh girl!! I love that scarf you made – those edges are glorious!! As far as movies go, I love me some Baz Luhrmann – Strictly Ballroom is AMAZING (TINA SPARKLE!!!) – I recommend checking it out for its absurdity alone. So I am excited for Great Gatsby, because I love the story, Baz, and the costumes look pretty glorious. I could pass on Leo and Tobey, though – not feeling much there. Avengers, though? Ummm .. hello, Jeremy Renner! Let’s be best friends. And Chris Hemsworth is a total dreamboat. I would take a god of thunder over ice cream any day. Just saying. K – done rambling, but yay movies!
LikeLike
Oh, Chris Hemsworth… but I have to say, I agree with you on Leo and Tobey– they just don’t do anything for me (and definitely not in those roles). But I’ll have to check out Strictly Ballroom!
LikeLike
Aw man, I love Baz Luhrmann! Romeo + Juliet is still one of my favorite films — and yes, there’s much more to appreciate in it now that we’re not kiddos. I love his absurd style. It’s cool to see Leo back in another Luhrmann film though he no longer sends my heart a-flutter. I’m looking forward to watching Gatsy — when it comes out in DECEMBER, geez. Clever timing for Oscar season, it seems.
LikeLike
Right? It’s soooo far away! That’s so tricky when you see a trailer, get excited, and it’s like 7 months away! No fair!
LikeLike
Well done! Do you have a rolled hem tutorial? I think I have the same serger as you and I can’t figure out how to do it.
LikeLike
It’s in the serger manual– if you don’t have it, I can scan it and email it to you!
LikeLike
Oh ok, I’ll look around to see if I have it. Thank you!
LikeLike
Fabtastic fabric into scarfage Ginger. I adore rolled hems too, & last year tried making some napkins with rolled hems. Like you say, what to do in the corner? I read up on it somewhere & it meant a bit of pivoting & “clearing the stitch fingers” & precise needle placement after the corner. Didn’t get them all perfect, but with 4×4 corners it got easier!
I’m out of the film previews at the moment, but will make an effort for the new James Bond….whenever that is due. Love me a dashing spy …
LikeLike
Ooh, I forgot that was coming! It’s due in November! Yay!
LikeLike
My mama would love that scarf (she’s a fiend for anything purple!). You did a beautiful job! I’ve got to get myself a serger.
I was an English major too! I haven’t read Gatsby in maybe 10 years though! I need to pick it up again before this movie comes out. Even though I can’t tell if it’s going to follow the story very faithfully, I’m a sucker for the visuals of Baz’s movies, so I have to vote “yes” for this one!
LikeLike
It’s funny how many English majors there are in the sewiverse! If you ever want to visit and give my serger a test run, shoot me an email! I’m just in Astoria, not too far away. 🙂
LikeLike
Man, these comments are beyond entertaining!! I’ve learned so much. Gatsby in 3D??? Hemsworths all over the place…hot! And, by the way, I love that your bro-in-law thought the rolled hem looked like it was from a factory. My hubby’s biggest compliment is “looks like you bought it in a store”! 😉
LikeLike
Boys are that way… I think the most impressed my husband ever was with my sewing was when I made a plain gray tee… probably the most boring thing I’ve sewed to date! But it “looked like it came from a store”, so that’s an A+ in his book. So funny!
LikeLike
Ha! Boys! Yep, some of my easiest projects have impressed my hubby the most…but, of course, I still love to torture him with long, involved sessions of “look what I made!” !
LikeLike
I wasn’t super impressed with the Gatsby trailer, either. And I was not hugely into Moulin Rouge. But, I do LOVE Strictly Ballroom, which, I believe, was the film that made Baz, Baz.
As you know, I thought The Avengers was awesome, Robert Downey Jr. can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned. I have no plans to see Battleship, I wasted enough time laughing at the Twilight movies and their unintentional comedic moments. I think Tim Burton could work magic with a Candy Land movie and I would love to see an update of Clue.
LikeLike
I can’t even talk about Twilight… my mom is a “Twihard”, and can’t understand why I don’t looooove the movies (pretty sure her love for them is 100% Robert Pattinson-related).
LikeLike
I had a really REALLY good LOL moment for I’d say at least 5 minutes after I read your caption under that cute picture of your mom in that lovely handmade scarf. I was completely oblivious to your poor sister being caught in the act until I read your caption 😛 Haha, on that note, I really like her hair cut! 🙂
LikeLike
She’s one of those lucky ducks that looks amazing with short hair! 🙂
LikeLike