Motivation

I need new clothes. Badly. But I am also broke and told myself that if there was a pile of fabric and patterns in the closet, I could (should) make them . . .
So this Built By Wendy pattern has been sitting on the ironing board for almost a week. The ironing board I bought, erm, just for sewing. Because otherwise I don't iron. Eventually I want to make the longer dress in red. It will be cute, right? If only I get around to actually doing it.

Instead of actually sewing this morning, I made sewing-themed buttons and listed them in the shop.

Lotta Jansdotter Sun Hat

The sun is brutal here. As someone with a fair complexion who hit her 30s this year, I need to do more to protect my skin. I'm also someone with a bit of time on my hands lately, so I decided to make one with some fabric I had on hand and a pattern from Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing . This was my second project since picking up sewing again, and aside from a few imperfections, the process was pretty simple.
The hat, however, looks a bit goofy. I had read other reviews of the pattern (including Julia's) stating that the sizing was off and the hat was huge. Once I cut the patttern out it didn't look so big, and I figured I have a huge head anyway . . . wrong. It's still big, even after trimming 1/2" off the crown.

On dog walks and days outside, though, it will do it's job!

Ideas

While I haven't been actively making much lately, I'm keeping myself busy by doing a few custom design orders that will actually be produced once we finish our move. I'm also trying to use the time to think about new products and where I want to take this little adventure.

One thing I really want to do is expand beyond cards. I had a fabulous little idea pop into my head yesterday that will combine Gocco printing and sewing techniques. There's a little peek from my sketchbook above--- but just a little peek!

More shall be revealed later.

(Please don't critique my drawing abilities in this quick sketch. Or poor Jane's painfully pointy boob.)

First Sewing Project

Yeah, yeah. I know I should have started by doing something simple, like a pillow or napkins. But I don't do things the simple way.

Let me start by saying that this top was supposed to be a handmade version of a tunic in Anthropologie that I couldn't afford. Let me also say that Joann Fabric's was having an amazing President's Weekend sale. I got the pattern for a dollar and the fabric was $1.50 a yard. So I guess a few screw-ups are allowed.

My perfectionism is getting the better of me, though. The top has taken the better part of two days (way longer than I thought it would) and while I am close to done, I can't quite figure out how to finish off the straps in a way that looks, well, finished.

Any advice? I'd love it if sewing enthusiasts would post a few tips.

Fabric Lust

I'm going to the fabric store later today . . . Alas, the awesome Purl Soho is too far away for a rainy day like today. I'm looking forward to experiment with Gocco printing on fabric, but I'm also in love with these pretty Japanese prints. They remind me of spring and also the cute homemade dresses my mom and grandmother would make me in the late 70s and early 80s.

All fabric shown is from Purl Soho.

Thanks, Little Sis

I had a great birthday package waiting for me when I got home today. My super-awesome sister sent two craft books, Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing and Fleece Dog, a Japanese craft book full of--- you guessed it--- little needle felted dogs.

I'm counting down to winter break so I can try out some new projects and post photos of the results.

Thanks, Emily!

A New Year for New Projects

Julia at minecreations posted a list of intended craft projects for 2008.

I, too, am a fastidious keeper of lists. Unfortunately, I can never seem to keep them all in one place. They float into the ether on scraps of old envelopes, random emails to myself I late delete, Post-It notes that the dog eats . . . you get the idea.

So here are my crafty intentions for 2008 for all the world to see:

1. Get back into sewing. I need to buy a new machine and have an eye on a Janome for my birthday. (The picture above is my grandmother's old Singer that I learned on. My later model Singer does not work well at all.)
   
2. Make some clothes for myself. I really want to try the Simplicity patterns put out by Built by Wendy.
3. Sew some cute, reusable grocery bags.
4. Experiment with Gocco printing on wood.
5. Experiment with a combination of Gocco printing and embroidery.
6. Read The New Gocco Guide by Claire Russell.
7. Learn needle felting and make little mini versions of my pups.
8. Keep a sketchbook and draw regularly in it, rather than relying on the vision in my head.
9. Bind another book with the method I learned from the lovely Angela Liguori.
10. Knit up the super soft, super luxe bamboo yarn my mom bought me for Christmas!

And yeah, you know this list is bound to get longer.

Detail Oriented

As promised, here are some detail shots of doll clothes I made when I was little.

I really, truly wish I had the capability to make an life-size version of this Edwardian blue velvet coat. Here's the full thing:


And here is the tassel detail on the back:
And here is the flip side of the back of the coat, lined in a calico print that compliments the tassel:


Here's the calico lining both sides:
Love is in the details, don't you think?

Tiny Clothes by Tiny People, Part 2

Here is the "school outfit" my grandmother and I made years and years ago. She knitted the tiny sweater, and I made the plaid skirt.

Tiny Clothes by Tiny People

I've been thinking a lot about my grandmother lately, and unearthed a box of doll clothes we made together when I was about 8 or 9 years old. Believe it or not, she taught me to do most of this detailed work myself. We worked from a reproduction of early 1900s doll patterns ordered from the Standard Doll Company, whose catalog we used to droll over together. One project we did was this blue velvet coat with calico lining. I wish it came in human size! I will post more detailed pictures of the lining and back details later.