Making Amy Butler Pillows, part II
Always press your projects as you go.
Poking out the corners, using the pointer tool.
Inserting the pillow form.
Slip stitching the opening together.
Ready for the buttons.
Pillows are Finished, Hurray!
Here are my finished pillows. I’ll have illustrated tutorials showing them in the making soon.
Amy Butler Hourglass pillow
The fabrics are Amy Butler’s Deco Rose Brown and Fresh Poppies Fuchsia.
The little kitty is not perfect, but I think she is kind of cute.
Call All Modern Fans
If you’re into modern furniture, move your mouse over to Euro Furniture ASAP. The site ‚ they also have a showroom in Chicago if you’re from around there — has everything from tables and chairs to stools and outdoor goodies. This table is inspired by Isamu Noguchi’s cocktail table that was originally created for A. Goncer Goodyear, president of the Modern Art Museum of New York. The base is solid walnut of black lacquered ash. The glass top is 3/4″. Made in Italy. $699.99
Is it better to turn off the AC during the day, using it only at night, or to keep it on day and night?
I am debating whether it is better to cool the house from a higher daytime time only at night, or if a more constant temperature both day and night is more efficient.
Answer
Though it seems like your question would have a straightforward answer, you have hit on a complex topic with many variables.
Maintaining a lower temperature during the day may be costing you more than just the additional energy used.
- Southern California Edison (SCE), your local provider, has established a baseline for energy usage by area and consumer profile, which, if exceeded, triggers the higher rates of their tiered system.
- A start in answering this question would be to call SCE to find out if you have exceeded your baseline energy usage.
A more energy efficient home
As we are becoming more sophisticated in evaluating our homes for energy efficiency, you may be interested in further understanding how you might make yours a more energy efficient home.
- In regards to your air conditioner, a home’s HVAC system accounts for 30% of its energy usage. <
Sewing Glossary–K is for knits, but don’t forget J
Jean jumper: This tool is a piece of plastic designed to help the sewing machine foot work over bulky seams such as those found in jeans.
Kimono sleeves: Kimono sleeves are cut in one piece with the garment front and back.
Knife pleats: Knife pleats are more commonly called straight pleats. Knife pleats all run in the same direction; your pattern will give detailed instructions on making the pleats.
Knits: Fabrics which are knitted rather than woven. Knits have more stretch than woven fabrics; some patterns are made especially for knits.
Is it possible to have a solar pv system with batteries power my home with the GRID as backup power?
I’ve bought books and read many instructionals/articles etc etc online, but all of them give three options…Off-Grid, Grid-tied or part Off-Grid and part on the Grid.
I’d like the option to power my home from a battery bank (windmill and solar panel charged) and have to grid as backup. Either the grid takes over when the battery charge is low or the grid charges the batteries when the charge gets too low. I know that there’s an issue with the types of electricity, but don’t they make Inverters or other devices that can make this possible?
Where I live there’s enough sun and wind to go off-grid, but I’d like the grid to be there as a backup just incase.
If you can advise me or point me to a book or website that explains how to do this…that’ll be great.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Curtis
Answer
The grid is really your battery. The reason why you don’t find the solar power configuration you are describing in books or articles is that in practical use it does not make sense.
I understand why you might want to go this route, as it makes you feel somewhat independent but have the safety of the grid when you need it — but please, it does not make sense and is not green either.
- A grid-tied system basically uses the grid as a giant battery, by giving it power when you have too much and taking back when you need it.
- In comparison to a battery, the losses are small. B