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.

Row 35

Knitting on the Roosevelt Cardigan has been interesting.

 

Heads up to those who have it in their queue. Row 35 of the pocket is complicated/challenging. It has a cable right on the sloped pocket edge, where dropped stitches can be a nightmare, and yet where dropping stitches from a cable needle are more likely to happen. That particular row also has a cable that contains a decrease that must be done mid-cable. The whole maneuver looks innocent enough on the chart but actually accomplishing it is rather fiddly.

It truly is a challenging knit at this point, but I find it entertaining. Progress is slow because I'm only working on it for a while each morning while I have my coffee. Which reminds me -- I DID actually finish 2018's daily morning knit, the "My Year in Temperatures Scarf". I just haven't yet taken an adequate photo of it finished.

Blunder Overcome

I've been looking for, a black cardigan for years. It's not that there aren't plenty of black cardigans out there, it's just that not one fitted my criteria. I want a long-ish one that buttons up. Most don't have closures at all and that drives me crazy because the open fronts flap against my arms when I walk. With the year long project of the long, long "My Year In Temperatures Scarf" finally done (more on that in a future blog post), I finally have the time and space to start another large project.

Enter the black Roosevelt Cardigan. Although a plain black cardigan would have been okay, this one, with its intricate cable pattern and shaped pockets, will be so much more challenging and fun to knit.

Of course the potential for mistakes is much higher too! See that wonky bit right there?

That's a mis-crossed cable and I didn't spot it until I had knit at least another 20 rows. I knew the error would drive me crazy so I resolved to carefully drop just those 4 stitches down until I could correct the mistake and ladder them back up again.

It's actually a 6 stitch cable but I only had to drop down 4 stitches since there was a decrease right above this particular cable crossing which reduced the stitch count by 2. I'm so glad I remembered that before I dropped all 6 stitches down!

With a white paper towel inserted into the sleeve it was much easier to see what I was doing. I used a double pointed needle and a cable needle to recross the cable in the proper direction.

From there I used a crochet hook to pull the "working yarn" from each row back through each stitch and onto the crochet hook, all 4 dropped stitches in a row, before transferring them back to the double pointed needle and moving up to the next higher unravelled strand of working yarn. 

The transfer back to a double pointed needle each time was necessary so the hook would be facing in a convenient direction (try it, you'll see what I mean) and to take a twist out of the individual stitches. 

It wasn't long at all and I had all of the stitches laddered back up and onto the main needles. The laddered stitch furthest to left was loose, but I then took the time to work the excess yarn back into the 4 or 5 stitches to the right in each round.

Ta Da! Crisis averted and back to the knitting. I must say, I'm very pleased with the project so far. 

Fancy Nancy Gets New Clothes

My youngest granddaughter received a "Fancy Nancy" doll for Christmas. Additional clothing doesn't seem to be available for Fancy Nancy and since dressing and redressing the doll is part of the fun I've accepted the challenge of expanding the doll's wardrobe.

Leaving the doll behind for clothing fittings has been out of the question since "Fancy Kenzie", as she's been renamed, has become my granddaughter's constant companion, so an old Disney Animator doll has been my stand-in fitting model. She's shorter in the legs and without the jointed limbs, but otherwise the same size.

The first outfit is "Candy Girl" with both the knitting and sewing patterns by LelleModa on Etsy.

It's the only outfit so far that I've remembered to get a photograph of before the doll wore it home. The following photos were taken after the fact, by my granddaughter, at my request. Here's that first outfit on "Fancy Kenzie":

Those extra joints really make a difference! So much more fun to pose.

Next I used some fabric scraps I had laying around and sewed up a Christmas skirt and blouse. The skirt is just a single layer from the "Candy Girl" skirt pattern, lengthened. The top is the "PuffySleeve Undershirt" from a pattern by SweetPeaCove on Etsy.

Next I used the last remaining scrap of flannel fabric reclaimed from thrift store pajama bottoms, trimmed it with lace from the same thrift store, and created a pair of baby doll pajamas using the "Bloomer Buddies" sewing pattern by PixieFairePatterns on Etsy. 

And here's an "action shot".

 

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.