Dealing With Hurtful Criticism

Wonderful video by Marie Forleo on dealing with criticism.

The 4 Keys To Dealing With Criticism.

All my life I've had a hard time dealing with criticism. This video, and a pep talk by some supportive friends, have shown me that criticism is nothing more than one person's opinion.

Les Etoiles

This is the "Les Etoiles" pattern by BMannByBridget sewn up in a medium weight knit fabric. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. It's super comfortable and the drape of the fabric is perfect.

I lowered the pockets by 3.25 inches from the pattern's location but they are a bit low now. Next time I'll split the difference. I find the perfect location for a pocket is just over my hip bones.

The reverse side of my fabric is not attractive so I had to hand stitch the back of the collar down, from shoulder to shoulder to be sure it doesn't show while worn. It kind of messes up the fall of the collar. Next time, if the fabric is single faced, I'll make the collar doubled so there is no wrong side to it.

The outfit actually looks better with plain black leggings but I couldn't be bothered to go change.

Walking the Docs

The slow and sometimes painful break in period for a new pair of Doc Marten 1460 boots is almost over.

I successfully wore them today for a long dog walk followed by two appointments and some errands. Over eight hours of continuous wear without a blister or sore spot. Yay! For a while there I was worried that this day would never come.

Scratching That Itch

I've always been intrigued by pine needle basket making.

There aren't many trees in this area that grow needles that are long enough and strong enough, but I've found one tree that is shedding needles that are at least the minimum six inches in length.

With the help of multiple YouTube videos and some supplies I had on hand I'm learning the technique. The orange piece is a plastic drinking straw being used as a gauge. I'm using weaving cotton in place of rattan or sinew. It's just a first, learning piece.

Wagging Tails and Vicious Snarls

A peculiar yarn with long waggling loose tails created quite a mess of snarls during warping today. Those tails did not work alone. A rather innocent looking, smooth but stretchy yarn was co-conspirator. They clung to each other mercilessly throughout the entire beaming process.

But I eventually won the war and I'm up and weaving. In fact I'm over 1/4 of the way through an eternity style scarf.

That's one of the beautiful benefits of a Saori loom. This pink yardage was off the loom and I had another project sleyed, threaded, beamed and tensioned later the same day and was up and weaving again. 

There is enough of this lightweight pink cotton yardage to make some sort of simple top I think -- if I ever find the time! So many hobbies, such short days!

• I have 2 knitting projects on the go with another 2 waiting in the wings. All of them I'd like to see finished and being worn. 
• I'm really enjoying working on a rather time consuming Boro/Sashiko stitching project. I'd love to be able to work on it all day, every day but unfortunately chores and other commitments intrude.
• My most recent Upcycle sewing project, "The Michelle Dress", is stalled because I am just not able to drape it properly on myself so I simply must get my dress form fitted and carved to better represent my true shape and size. Not an easy or quick project!
• My granddaughter and I gathered a large pile of pine needles and I need to get them sorted, washed, and then soaked so I can try my hand at making pine needle baskets. 
• When I can I like to get to the guild's Tuesday spinning so I can justify my spinning fibre stash.
• My fish tank has had an outbreak of what I think is Cyanobacteria, commonly called Blue-green Algae, though it's not an algae at all but a form of fast spreading aquatic bacteria. It's making a mess of my tank and I've got to get it under control. 
• And -- last but certainly not least, I walk Kona, my son's dog, for about and hour to an hour and a half 5 days a week.

So there you go Louise. That's what I've been up to lately.  ;-)

For My Next Magic Trick

With a little more work than just the wave of a magic wand,

I'll be refashioning these 5 men's shirts into a women's dress using the Paganoonoo pattern for the Michelle Dress.

The colour in the photo is off. All five shirts are in the navy to denim blue range, two with a little beige, four with at least a touch of grey, and four with some white.

I may not use all five shirts. We'll see how it goes once I get started. The three on the right are for sure being used. The one on the far right fits the best through the chest and shoulders and suits my colouring the most. The next two seem to look best draped at the front for the pockets. The plaid shirt that is second from the left is actually my favourite so I'm hoping to somehow work it in.

Any remaining fabric, and there will likely be plenty, is in the exact colours I like to keep on hand for my boro/sashiko work, so it all good!

Tranquility

A perfect day kayaking on Hick's Lake. Beautiful weather which was neither too hot nor too cold, mirror smooth lake reflecting the blue sky and gorgeous mountains, and best of all ---

--- the amazing quiet. Come along, I'll take you for a 25 second ride. Be sure to have your speakers on. You'll hear practically nothing, it's so peaceful!

I love these little day trips!

Werk it -- or not.

I've been sewing a lot lately, mostly clothing for myself.

And as much as I hate selfies, especially the camera-in-hand type, sometimes that's the only practical way to get a finished project photo.

My husband isn't always available to take the photos and even when he is I'm reluctant to hand him the camera. 

For one thing having an audience makes me nervous, but then there is also his tendency to pretend he's Joe Fashion Photographer and he starts calling out "Werk it, Werk it!"

And though I know he's trying to be helpful, make me laugh and lose the "resting bitch face", it still feels terribly awkward. With no immediate feedback I never know if any of the multitude of shots he's taken are any good.  So -- 

Camera in hand selfies today.

And look! If I try hard enough I sometime even remember to smile -- without the "Werk it, werk it!". 

That last project is another "upcycle", this time a lace trimmed sheer curtain becoming a "shirt extender" and a gauzy scarf.

Another Patti

I liked my first Patti Blouse made using a Paganoonoo pattern a lot so when I found three more coordinating men's shirts I decided to make another Patti.

I'm not as happy with this one even though I do like fabrics and the colours. 

The fabric in the main shirt, though a lovely peached finish, is heavier and stiffer. Combine that with my addition of larger lined front pockets and the shirt tends to stand away from the body in a less flattering way.

Ah well, it's super comfy and a nice chill chaser. We're finally getting some cooler weather and some much needed rain.

My own innovations to this version were a change to the front pockets and covering the front placket with fabric from one of the contrasting shirts. I also removed the collar, leaving only the collar stand, and covered it with fabric from both accent shirts, different on the inside than it is on the outside.

Successful Upcycle

Really pleased with this upcycle sewing project.

It's 2 men's shirts (the black and the gingham), and one ladies blouse (the white one with embroidered trim) combined to make a totally new ladies tunic length blouse. 

I added a dash of red here and there using scrap fabric.

The concept comes from Paganoonoo's "The Cindy Blouse" pattern though I didn't use the fabulous curved front piece. With the added fussiness of the fancy collar and cuffs I figured it would be too much this time.

I really like the way this turned out so it is highly likely I'll eventually use the pattern again and make the more decorative curved addition to the front. 

Have you ever tired refashioning something old into something new?

It's rather fun!

July was HOT

With the highs always at least 18°C and usually in the 30°C and over range, July was a very HOT month here in Chilliwack, BC. We even had a couple of days where we reached my hottest available colour, "garnet", which represents the 33 - 35°C range (91.4° - 95°F). 

Could Be Better

Another remake, this one not as flattering, but still a functional garment. 

I took two of these denim dresses, picked up from a clearance rack, and remade them into one that worked better for my needs. 

I really liked the way the dresses felt on, but they were too long, lacked the large, useful pockets that I love, and had a horrible belt that made the dresses look like a pillow tied in the middle.

So I chopped the sleeves off of one of the dresses, and other than opening them up by making a vertical cut above the sleeve placket, I used them 'as is', buttons, pleats and all, to create large detailed pockets on the second dress. 

I also shortened the dress to become more of a tunic length for wearing with leggings.

The fit is loose and comfortable, not clingy.

And I love those extra large pockets!

The scraps left over from the remaining dress will be used in my boro/sashiko embroidery work. 

Hicks Lake

Another quick day trip. 

Hicks Lake BC

Less than an hour's drive from our house.

The weather was beautiful!

3 into 1 Upcycle

I'm quite pleased with this "upcycle" project. I used "The Patti Blouse" pattern by Paganoonoo as a starting point. The pattern gives details on how to take 3 men's shirts and remake them into one ladies' blouse with a high/low hem.

I added my own little touches like sashiko inspired hand stitching and button embellishments.

The pattern instructions detail a fun way of relocating the breast pocket from one cannibalized shirt so that it becomes a functional, larger pocket at hip level.

The designer, Michelle Paganini, suggests using the button bands, intact, buttons and all, from both of the additional shirts to add detail and interest to the final shirt.

While removing the breast pocket from the main shirt I had an "oops" with the seam ripper and created a very tiny hole. I covered it with a patch from the gingham shirt, embellished it with a running hand stitch design crossing both shirt fronts, and it became a "feature".

I love the high/low hem created by adding the back of one accent shirt to the back of the main shirt. The addition also adds more hip room to a place where men's shirts are quite narrow in relation to the shoulder width. 

This project went from the three men's shirts on the left, to the finished ladies' blouse on the right.

Success! Yay!

I have two more shirts (dark navy and an eye searing chartreuse green!) that will be receiving this treatment as well but first I must find a third, coordinating shirt.