Category Archives: Fav things

A Day at the Androsia Batik Factory

Because It's My Blog, Fav things, ,
I have been wanting to go to Fresh Creek, Andros in the Bahamas to the Androsia Factory to see the Androsia batik process since we started coming to the Bahamas five years ago. Our sailboat's draft didn't allow us to add it to our itinerary. Our new-to-us Kadey Krogen trawler brought us to Andros and the motherland of Androsia fabrics. If you've been to the Bahamas you'll recognize the iconic design of Androsia fabric. I've sewn a few items from this batik material, but I always wanted to know more about this native Bahamian fabric art and experience it for myself. When we were planning this year's trip to the Bahamas we decided to leave Palm Beach and head straight to Andros since we could check in at the Fresh Creek Airport. Read more [...]
Sailrite

Tools of the Trade or What Every Seamless Sailor Wants for the Holidays

Fav things, Saving money, Tools, , , ,

Do you have what you need to get your project started and completed?  Here's a list of the items I use most.

(Elves:  does your Seamless Sailor have these tools?!)

Tools

Hot knife or soldering tool - Essential for finishing the ends of Sunbrella to prohibit raveling.  Don't forget a safe surface to use it on.  See secret trick.

Heavy-duty scissors, fabric shears and small thread cutter - Like knives to a chef, scissors are to the Seamless Sailor.

Measuring tools, "L" and "T" shaped measuring tools - These measures are great for making patterns.  Also need a short measure for at the sewing machine and metal yard stick.

Marking pens - light and dark.  The washable ones work well as do the soapstone.  Get extras.

Heavy" T" pins or Read more [...]

Bowline Bags – the details (Updated June 2016)

Crafts, Fav things, Projects, Uncategorized, ,

My friend asked me to make her a Bowline Bag and she'd pay me for it.  Whaaaat? After being flattered and stunned, I agreed with a few conditions.  I couldn't guarantee a delivery time since we were underway and I wanted to sew at a dock and that would be a few weeks.  I needed to acquire some better sail cloth.  She agreed.

I've made about 15 bags.  Each one gets better, but I still am not very efficient making them aboard with somewhat limited space.  Nevertheless, I try to improve the instructions in hope that the next one will be even better. (If you are one of my friends with an early version, I'm sorry.)

Bowline Bags

Finished unlined bag 18" h x 20" w x 6" base depth with design on front

Materials:

--Large Read more [...]

Easy-to-Make Sail Bag Purse

Crafts, Fav things, Projects, Saving money, , , ,

I decided to make a new purse. I miss a little variety in my wardrobe now that we live aboard full time.  I don't have the selection of purses that I had when we had a home with walk-in closets for storage and where leather wouldn't mold. I liked the purse I had made before, but it was showing wear and tear and was a tad bit small.  So whip up another.  But how about a new design?  How about a changeable handle at least for variety?  Easy enough. The shoulder strap snaps on the hooks in the grommets.  This basic design can be adapted to many sizes and styles.  We are only limited by our ideas!

Sail Bag Shoulder Purse with Changeable Straps

Instructions

Time:  Estimate 3 hours (planning/cutting/marking Read more [...]

Burgees – Do You Have a House Flag?

Exterior Projects, Fav things, Projects, Saving money, , , , ,

Update September 2015:   The original house flag described in this blog post lasted three years.  A bright new one represents Magnolia and its crew now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also known as an owners private signal, it's fun to have a burgee to represent you when you are aboard and in command.  The flag goes with you.  It can be representative of your name, your boat, a hobby.  And burgees are fairly easy to make.  You do need the right materials and a design.  What symbol or design would be fun, easy to make and see from atop the flag halyard?  What colors do you want (not too many)?  What size and shape? A pennant or swallowtail or rectangle would be traditional for a house flag and Read more [...]

A Legendary Voyage Becomes an Extraordinary Story

Fav things,

Can you imagine sailing from Germany to America in 1854 on a clipper ship?

No comforts of a soft warm berth, healthy provisions, nor clean water?  Leaving behind everything familiar for the unfamiliar new world?  No chartplotter, no depth sounder?  After weeks you  see land and then the unimaginable happens.

Patricia Morningstar recently published a compelling Kindle ebook novella - The Legendary Voyage of Jacob W.:  An Immigrant Story.   It is a historical novel based in part on a true story of sailing to America on the ill-fated ship, The New Era. The descriptive prose brings life to a family legend.  The story is told at a family picnic in 1910 in Jacob's voice reflecting back to a defining point in this young man's life.  Read more [...]