Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Are you wearing green today for Saint Patrick's Day? Although I'm not Irish I still make a bit of an effort to wear green on March 17. I think it's a leftover from my school days when not wearing green, Irish or not, was likely to get you pinched. this year I also made a little green doll's dress.

The model is Ruby Red Fashion Friend's Sara. She is wearing a dress I sewed using a Adams-Harris pattern, "Kate". The dress is supposed to be worn with a little pinafore, but I'm still waiting for a lace insertion for that. The leggings and faux long sleeves were sewn long ago when I had ball jointed dolls.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

 

Bouncing Around Between Hobbies

Yesterday I managed to work on two different knitting projects. I also got a good start on an involved bag sewing pattern, and I spent some time weaving at one of the looms. It was a good day. I'm bouncing around from one hobby to another, not because of a lack of attention, but to reduce muscle strain from spending too long doing any one particular thing. 

It was nice to get a bit of weaving done. It's been awhile!

A Dozen or Just One?

Do a dozen hanging kitchen towels count as 12 finished projects, or just one?

I made these new ones up to replace some old very ratty and faded ones that have completely worn out. 

I love having a towel firmly attached to the handle of my oven. That way it doesn't "walk off" and it is always there when I need to quickly dry my hands.

Me Made May Nightwear

After sewing up 19 shirts for myself last month I have had no problem at all wearing something I've made myself every day throughout May. But what about the nights? LOL!

I know it's not a requirement, but I've tackled Me Made May nights too. Since my older night shirts are all hilariously large and sloppy on me now it was time for a couple of new ones.

Jalie.com patterns to the rescue again. I used a combination of pattern "3457 Dolman Tops" for the upper section and blended in the lower portion of the tunic view from pattern "3245 Raglan Tee and Racerback Tank". For the striped one above I had lengthened the tunic by 6", but have since decided it's too long for my tastes. I took 3 of those inches off for the red one below and I'm much happier with the length.

Both are made with a 95% cotton and 5%lycra blend jersey so they are very comfortable to sleep in. My bust measurement dictates a size that is 2 sizes larger than that for my hips but I just carried the one size from the bust down. I feel the extra looseness in the body portion is about right for a night shirt.

The 7th York Pinafore

Yet another York Pinafore, my seventh! What can I say -- with the forgiving fit and large pockets they are *that* comfortable and practical to wear.

I also wove a detachable Inkle band that matches for my medical information tag.

For anyone interested in weaving Inkle bands here is the pattern I created using the generator at raktres.net

Maker's Tote

I recently completed this Maker's Tote using Saori fabric I had woven a long time ago and put aside for future consideration since it was so wild I didn't know what to do with it at the time.

While looking for a way to transport an Electric Eel Wheel 6.0 e-spinner to spin-ins I came across a sewing pattern for "The Maker's Tote" by Noodlehead. The fit looked like it would be good so I decided that the time had come to cut into that wild handwoven fabric. 

I already had the handmade bias binding leftover from a project completed several years ago. 

I made an Inkle band with the intent of using it for handles and a cross-body strap. The handles ended up being enough though so I scrapped the idea for a removable cross-body strap that would require additional hardware. 

The wild floral lining, with colours in keeping with the rest of the tote, is from the remainder of a thrifted sheet. I had enough to make the abundant pockets, inside and out.

I did have to buy a sturdy separating zipper for the top closure and also some foam stabilizer to give the bag some structure. 

I'm very happy with the finished bag, but it likely won't be used to carry the e-spinner. I'll use it for knitting instead. I've found a second hand wheeled Zuca bag that will allow me to trundle the e-spinner, all the fibre I need for a day's spinning, and any other stuff I want to take along. The great thing about the Zuca bag is that it can be used as a table to set the e-spinner on once I arrive at my destination.

Joyful Stitching

Turns out painting is not where I will find my JOY, and that's okay as I have plenty of other hobbies that bring me joy and more than fill my available time.

One such hobby is hand embroidery, in particular freeform "Stitch Meditations" like the medallion above. Another hobby I love is weaving in its many forms. The cord for my pendant is a tubular Inkle band I made specifically to use this way. 

Another hobby that I really enjoy is sewing. Yes, this is yet another of the York Pinafores. I think I have six now. I am a woman who not too long ago said I would never wear a dress again. The pinafores are just that easy to make and comfortable to wear and honestly, I don't think of them as a dress, but more of a butt cover when wearing leggings. 

The painting? No, you won't be seeing any more of that. It's a wonderful course, especially for free, but I had a bit of an epiphany yesterday. I don't like painting! I don't like getting dirty. I don't like having to clean up the mess afterwards (and whoooo boy do I make a mess!). All in all, with only one life to live, I'd rather spend my time doing any one of my other numerous hobbies.

More Sewing Than Blogging

There has been sewing, 

--- just not a whole lot of blogging about it.

A while back I discovered the "York Pinafore" by Helen's Closet. I used some upcycled, off white, light canvas curtain fabric for a test of the pattern.

--- and liked the pattern so much I went on to make three more in rapid succession. 

The style ticks a lot of boxes for me. It's comfortable, it has handy big pockets, it's not clingy, and by varying what is worn under it it can span all four seasons.

Am I the Only One?

If schools were run to suit my learning style every student would have the option to be in distance education, learning in the quiet of their own home from well prepared lessons and at their own pace. By my early thirties I knew that lectures, live demonstrations, and group settings are not my best way to learn something. In fact, in a typical classroom setting I find it very difficult to learn at all! I am an introvert and the stimulus of all that is going on around me is overwhelming and distracting.

I realize I am the odd duck here. It seems most people like to be shown how to do things and rarely learn from a text book. I was the kid that took the textbook home, did my homework, and went back to school the next day finally understanding what the teacher was getting on about.

When the guild announced a workshop day to learn to make a fully lined, zippered boxy bag and supplied the link to the tutorial so that interested people could bring needed supplies, you know what I did? I went ahead, jumped the gun, and made the bag at my own pace and with no distractions. 

I made my boxy bag with an exterior of handwoven fabric, the warp being a hand dyed (not by me) tencel and the weft being my own handspun wool yarn. The finished bag is not absolutely perfect, but I'm pleased with it.

I'll still show up at the workshop, but now I can relax because I've done my homework. 

Necessary Sewing

You may have been wondering if I actually sew in that beautifully redone sewing room. Why yes, there has been sewing. There just hasn't been much blogging about it.

This nightie/sleepshirt/whatever you want to call it, is one of my most recent ones, it and another just like it but in purple. I made them both using the Jalie pattern, #2805 Women's T-shirts for the upper part and then extended it to knee length and added the hem shaping of Jalie pattern #3245 Raglan Top, Racerback Tunic.

Something this plain I do less for the creating and more from simple need. I'm pretty picky about what I sleep in. Not one for the extremes of a flimsy negligee or a flannel granny gown, and not comfortable wearing pajama pants, I like the comfort of something like an oversized men's t-shirt  but longer so I'm not indecently exposed. I found a couple many years ago and wore them until they fell to pieces. It was time for new ones and I couldn't find what I wanted. Necessity is the drive behind this creation. 

First Project

The first project sewn in the newly renovated and redecorated sewing room is a Christmas outfit for a dear friend,

my walking buddy, Kona.

She doesn't look overly excited about it does she?

From His Closet

Another shirt taken over.

My husband wears denim shirts until they are stained or worn, but won't wear them with patches. At that point I happily take them over and refashion them into something I can, and will, use myself.

In general I'm happy with the oversized, comfortable, forgiving fit, but the sleeves are always way too long. In the past I've remedied the problem by completely removing the sleeves and making a boro vest. This time though the variable weather of fall has inspired me to leave the sleeves on. It makes for a great layering piece I can wear over summer tank tops when the weather decides to turn chilly.

I shortened the sleeves and added contrast cuffs using the tutorial in Paganoonoo's "Patti Blouse" pattern. I then used the original sleeve cuffs, snaps, pleats and all, as big, useful patch pockets. I always need somewhere to stuff my hands!

Hidden inside the left shirt front is an additional pocket, this one for my cell phone. 

I've covered a couple of paint stains with patches which have been embellished with sashiko stitching.

One stain is covered with a big "Judy" flower, tutorial also in the "Patti Blouse" pattern linked to above. The flower is attached with it's brooch pin. Some time in the future I may decide to replace it with an ordinary patch.

The collar of the shirt was worn and fraying so I covered it with fabric that matches the new cuffs.

I receive no compensation for the links I include in my blog. They are only there for your research convenience.

Six More = Ten

Another six shopping bags using the "Pillowcase Tote Tutorial" by Regina Lord of the Creative Kismet blog.

That brings my handmade bag stash to ten now, which gives me enough to have several waiting in the trunk of my car for impromptu grocery trips even if some of my bags are in the wash. Because dirty grocery bags are -- ewwww.

Now that I've made quite a few I have a tip to offer. Find KING sized pillowcases for this purpose. They give you enough length that the handles can be cut crosswise leaving you with a bag that is still of a nice width.

Nine Ribbons

I entered 8 exhibits in the 2019 Chilliwack Exhibition and managed to win 9 ribbons! 7 firsts, a second, and a Best in Show.

Firsts for a "counted cross-stitch on aida",

an "adult hat and scarf", (my Year in Temperatures Scarf with a hat to match)

a "recycled article with a major style change", (a tunic made from duvet cover)

"Spinning - any natural fibre, plied" (a 2 ply cotton)

"Collection of 3 or more decorative items", (16 of my Stitch Meditations")

"Yardage of woven material", (my travelling inlay Saori yardage)

"Wearable article woven with recycled material" (my coat from denim strips).
The coat also won a "Best in Show" rosette.

And in the "Scarf or cowl" category I received a second place. 

Time for Replacements

I finally got around to making replacement hanging towels for my kitchen.

The ones I made in 2016 are headed for the rag bag, well worn and past their "best before" date. They have served well and owe me nothing. I will salvage the buttons for the next batch though.

Pattern is a freebee published at "Keliosbelly". 

Bloggable Gift

I finished this little set up just before I left for ANWG but I was reluctant to blog about it until the gift was opened by the recipient. It is a "set" of sorts for a grand-nephew. He was born months ago so it won't be long until he is able to wear it. I hope the fit will be okay come fall when the weather is cooler!

The sweater is the "Gingersnap Cardigan", knit using a free pattern by Kristen Rettig. Fun, easy knit!

The hat was from an unrelated pattern, the "Sweet and Simple Baby Hat", a free pattern by Debbie Bodner. To help it better coordinate with the cardigan I added matching stripes and concealed the joins using the technique described in the free "Jogless-Join Stripes Baby Hat" pattern by Larissa Gregorin.

The hat might end up being too small by the time the cardigan fits. It was a bit of a guessing game. I chose a cardigan pattern and a hat pattern that were both for "12 months", but of course head to body proportions may vary! 

The little pants were super fun to create. Using "Jalie 3243" as a starting point I cut the pieces from the "good" sections of my husband's old, cast off, brown denim work shirt. 

I then added layers of patches and a variety of Sashiko stitching and distressed them a little by scrubbing with sandpaper. 

I'm really happy with the way they turned out!