Squirrel!

Squirrel! This project takes its name from the calendar picture I used as colour inspiration. 

The photo was a birthday gift given to me by my nine year old granddaughter.

I'm very pleased with the way this Nobius Cowl turned out. "Nobius" is a name given by a Saori Weaving forum member to a mobius cowl that has no twist and therefor doesn't have the classic mobius shape. I prefer mine without the twist since they look about the same when worn but are easier to fold and store flat. 

My home is decorated in the colours present in the cowl, but they aren't colours I wear, so once the year end guild luncheon with it's "photo inspiration challenge" is over I'll be selling it. I sell them for $75 - $80 Canadian, usually at the Chilliwack Christmas Craft Market in November. 

Minis

I've slid down another crafting rabbit hole. Are you surprised? It seems every textile art I ever experiment with grabs me and consumes me at least for a time. 

These are 4 inch "Stitch Meditations" I've been working on the past few days. 

The idea is to simply spend some time relaxing and stitching, without planning, without perfection, and without an end purpose. It's about the process, not the end product.

According to the description statement of a related Facebook group "this process was developed by Liz Kettle to help develop a creative mindfulness practice that is simple and easy to implement."

I have definitely found that this sort of small daily practice spurs creativity, not just for that which is related to embroidery but in every creative arena.

Stitch Meditations with Liz Kettle from Liz Kettle on Vimeo.

Back at the Loom

After a long hiatus my Creative Muse has finally led me back to the loom.

My weaving room was a mess so I had been avoiding going in there even though a deadline for a guild year end challenge to "use a photo as inspiration for a project" was getting closer. I could have spent hours looking for just the right traditionally "pretty" photo for the challenge, but in an effort to tidy my weaving space I came across this calendar picture given to me by my youngest granddaughter for my last birthday. Spontaneously I thought, "Sure, why not?", and selected it as my inspiration photo for the guild challenge.

That was yesterday. That evening I chose yarns from my stash using colours from the photo to guide my selection and then wound a warp. Today I got the warp sleyed and threaded and then beamed and tensioned on the loom.

This afternoon I wove the entire length for a mobius scarf. Even I was surprised at how fast that went!

I'm not yet finished the weaving. There is still the "catch and turn" to do. That's an interesting little maneuver where the  beginning of the warp is freed, the warp is caught under the apron rod and  retensioned, and then all those beginning warp ends are woven into the end as weft. Tricky, but turns out great. I'll be doing that tomorrow.

Once the project is cut from the loom it still must be "wet set" (washed and pressed), and all the little end tails trimmed, inclusions tacked down, and fringe twisted. I'll be back in a few days to show you the finished scarf. Although the soft greys, beiges, cream and soft gold look lovely together they are not "my" colours at all so it will eventually be for sale. 

Another Upcycle Sewing Project

I've been enjoying doing some "upcycle" sewing projects lately. Repurposing textiles that have been donated to thrift stores keeps them from the landfills and that in turn protects our planet from the abuse of the excess textile manufacturing that goes into today's "fast fashion", mass produced clothing not designed to last more than one season. 

I found a lovely, brand new, blue/black, high quality, polished 100% cotton sheet at a local thrift store. I sewed it up into a Les Etoiles tunic (pattern by BMannbyBridget) and a pair of pull on pants (pattern Jalie 3243). I quite like the pair worn together. They look kind of elegant in an easy fitting, comfortable sort of way.

I had originally intended to wear it with this short handwoven tabard  I made long ago, but the colourful tabard was not really made to fit over a tunic that is loose and flowing. It pulls the tunic in and makes it bunch up. I do love the splash of colour it gives the otherwise monotone outfit though.

Twill's New Hat

I used a pattern for fur wigs to get the basic shape for a  perfectly fitted beanie style hat for Twill.

His friend Bronson also received a one piece suit and hat.

Change of Direction

The sewing project I had been working on for myself was not going well and after a couple of days of working on it, unsuccessfully changing things up in an effort to make it better, I finally admitted it was nothing but a garbage can liner, or "wadder" as some call an item destined for the trash. Needing a refreshing change of direction I put my sewing skills to this task instead.

Ben's wife, Wilhelmina, has retired and, with a new one piece costume entirely hand sewn by me, he/she has instead become a little fellow named "Twill" my Creative Muse. If his interview goes well, perhaps he'll be my blogging assistant too? 

He's suggesting that he'd like a hat, if I could work that out?

Mild Lagenlook

I originally took this photo for a Lagenlook sewing forum I belong to. Most of the ladies there wear layer upon layer of things like bloomers, petticoats, slips, dresses, pinafores, shawls. I'm not comfortable with that level of foofy-ness and femininity. It looks great on them but it's just not my thing.

This is the sort of thing I wear on a day to day basis. It's more me. I don't concern myself with following a certain fashion aesthetic. I wear what I like and what I enjoy making. If I had to name it I'd say that I see it as toned down version of Lagenlook. It's more along the lines of Swedish Lagenlook. Layered, but not with the volume, length, or ruffles. 

If you're interested in the sources: The black cotton jersey 3/4 sleeve top was drafted and sewn by me but I started with the Jalie 2805 T-shirt and added width and an asymmetrical hem to the bottom.

Under that I'm wearing another self made top, this time of a polyester knit fabric and using Jalie 3245 Racerback Tunic as a pattern.

The hat was made using the "Gardening Hat" pattern from the book "Happy Hats and Cool Caps" but with scrunching added to the stand using the guidance for hat alterations in that same book. Great book if you need custom sized hats or want to sew hats to coordinate with your wardrobe.

Jeans and scarf both purchased long ago. Boots are vintage "Pillow Boots" by Cougar worn here for warmth, not fashion -- but I do like them enough that I went and had them repaired last year.

Boldly Out There

I debated for a bit on whether or not to present this new sewing project on my blog, fearing derision and possible rejection. I realize that with its bold colour and print and it's simple shaping it's rather "out there", non-mainstream, and likely not to everyone's taste. But you know what? I love it!

It was originally intended to only be a "wearable muslin", which is a garment sewn in inexpensive fabric mainly to test and fit a pattern, but wearable if it turns out well. I didn't expect to love it as much as I do. But with its comfortable forgiving fit, large useful pockets, bold colour and cheerful print, I love wearing it! It's fun. It's different. It's me.

I've always liked bold colour and unusual, non-mainstream styles, but it is only as I've gotten older that I've been brave enough to wear it. I think it comes with no longer caring so much what other people think. I'm more interested in being myself than I am in fitting in.

Sewn using the "Frankie" dress pattern by BmannbyBridget. I shortened it to tunic length and changed the neckline a bit. The fabric was upcycled from a thrift store purchase of a 100% cotton sheet with a large floral border print. The accompanying scarf was made by cutting down a rayon sarong I rarely wore.

If you have something positive or insightful to say I'd love to hear it, and welcome your comments. If only negatives come to mind? Well you know what your momma always said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". I am only human after all, and a sensitive one at that, and criticism stings for a long, long time.

Inspiration from Multiple Sources

This past month or so I've spent a lot of time embroidering each day. I've been working on embellishing the fabric that has gone into making a very artsy tunic.

The fabric itself was upcycled from a thrift store purchase of an IKEA duvet cover, and the extensive stitching was inspired by the examples in a book by Alabama Chanin, "The Geometry of Hand Sewing". I own other more detailed and involved embroidery reference books but I must say the simplicity of the way this book is presented, and the wonderful punched grid pages for marking embroidery lines evenly, really make the purchase worthwhile.

I used the Les Etoiles Tunic sewing pattern by individual pattern developer, Bridget Mann. If you're looking for something unconventional and offbeat you can find her patterns on her website here, and in her Etsy shop here. 

I love the bell shape to the hemline of this tunic. So different! Relaxed and comfortable to wear the tunic also has nice, roomy, and useful pockets.

When creating new pieces for my growing wardrobe of one of a kind handmades I take inspiration from all around me. A key influence has been the words and work of Anita Luvera Mayer. Anita believes there should be something magical and unique about what is worn each day. 

I also find great inspiration in the playful, bold, and cheerful colours and prints used in the collections by Swedish fashion designer, Gudrun Sjoden. 

If you'd like a more in depth look into what grabs my attention in the fashion world I keep a couple of Pinterest boards that might be of interest:  

Gudrun Sjoden 

and

Lagenlook.