applique

Beaded Jacket Finished!

September 4, 2022 14 Comments

Whew! This jacket was completed in the knick of time. I promised ‘the end of summer,’ which technically won’t be until September 22nd, but because I think that Labor Day is the official end of summer, Labor Day was my goal. I was on a mission to finish. And Hooray! I did it!

I usually keep a hand sewing project next to my comfy TV chair and work on it slowly without a concern or thought for time. It takes as long as it takes and I don’t pay attention to the clock or the day or even the month. I had zero idea how long it had taken me the first time to make this jacket, so it was a surprise to realize how many hours I had spent.

It was a while,….

But I’m on the other side now. Done! Such a good feeling.

Next up, a video. I’m going to be participating in the American Craft Council’s online craft show this October, ‘The American Craft Made Pop-Up Market.’ They sent out a request for a 30 second video about one of the pieces that will be available for sale.

They’re fun to make so we’re on it. Scarves do well online, so that’s my subject. All about a scarf in a 30 second video.

Wish us luck!

Happy Happy Happy Labor Day to you and all my wishes for a lovely Fall, when ever you decide that it begins.

Beginning-Middle-End

August 7, 2022 8 Comments

Here in my studio there is lots going on. I have pieces started, pieces in process and pieces finished. It’s my favorite situation. It can be overwhelming when I am finished with all my projects and it’s time to start something brand new. The sky is open and anything is an option. Where to start? It’s easier when I’m on a roll. I can walk into my studio and start right up where I left off. I continue with what I’ve been working on, bask in the accomplishment of what is finished and let my mind wander to think about new projects I’d like to do.

For example, right now, I have new, in process and just finished projects.

Below, a jumble of fabrics, the beginnings of new scarves.

Scarves are a perfect for in-between projects. I have the basic formula down, so the initial figuring out is done. But the finished design is not set so there is plenty room for creativity. All the possible variations of colors and shapes leave more than enough room for creativity. My mind gets lost in all the possibilities.

Also, up on my wall, a new coat with bias tube strips pinned in place. This is the front, next I’ll baste the strips and then hand stitch them down.

The bias strips in the black and white coat above, are leftovers from the jacket below, a special order, placed by a customer who wanted a different size from the original.

I’m right in the middle of the hand stitching. You can see my needle next to the black strip, as I hand sew it in place with tiny pick stitches.

Next up with this one, I’ll sew beads along the edges of the strips.

And one that is finished! This purple crane coat just sent to its new home. I’m pleased with how it turned out. A gorgeous silk from a very special kimono.

There were enough leftovers of the purple crane fabric to make scarves. Check them out at my web shop here. ‘Purple Cranes and Fans’ and ‘Purple Cranes,’

I hope you’re having a great summer, keeping cool and happy. And just busy enough, not too much, not too little.

Out on Their Own

June 18, 2022 Leave a Comment

A last look at a few of the pieces I brought to the Smithsonian and the American Craft Made shows.

Like this jacket, a shorter version of the coat we used for the ‘Pink’ video. This fabric came from a very long sleeved, formal kimono. Those traditional kimonos are like western ball gowns. They’re perfect for a special occasion, but maybe not so good for daily life. Fantastic when you want to wear a dramatic and beautiful piece of clothing.

My good fortune, when it’s time to retire it as a wearable kimono, the long sleeves make for a lot more fabric. Plenty for a long coat and a jacket.

The front.

The back.

Enough for a coat, a jacket and some leftover scraps for a few scarves. ‘Mottainai,’ waste nothing!

Can you see, in the picture below, the pieces of the same fabric? The grey leaf like shapes? And part of a green flower towards the center top. At the bottom, a sliver of dark mahogany petals.

The last bits of this gorgeous fabric, this scarf, ‘Blush Ume,’ is still available, check it out here.

A shawl collar coat, this one called ‘Streams.’ Sewn from two gorgeous kimono silks, two different versions of a flowing water design.

Appliquéd small squares, laid out as though they were tumbling through the water.

The squares were cut from the same kimono silk I used for the facing and the under the collar. A gorgeous deep, deep teal/green silk scattered with little odd shapes and dots.