summer already?
March 1, 2015
Okay, it doesn’t really get cold here…but it also doesn’t get particularly hot. I am in a little bit of a holding pattern, waiting around for summer. These two pieces remind me of hot, humid weather. A shirt or dress that you can wear all day, and into the warm night.
They made out of thin cotton shirting. Each one is double layered, lined with more of the same plaid. I simply sewed the neck and sleeves together, turned the garment around, and sewed the shoulder and side seams. The whole thing, turned right side out, made an inner and outer dress layer.
The shoulders and sleeves are cut a little bit on the bias, and are meant to be worn loose, drapey, and possibly folded over.
The shirt was initially meant to be the top of a dress. I didn’t have much luck with the skirt, the fabric was just too thin to lay right, so I turned the top into a shirt. It was a little bit too short, so I added a strip of fabric at the bottom.
The shirt and dress have different necklines. I was having fun cutting out shapes and curves.
And here is the finished neck. Simple symmetry of curves, lines, and plaid.
scrapkins
February 13, 2015
I hate throwing fabric away. I also hate having it accumulate in my closet. This was a solution to take care of some wonderful large scraps of fabric left over from another project.
Turn them into delightful little napkins! Hemmed pieces of fabric are perfect for so many things. Tiny placemats, napkins, tiny tea towels, hand towels, or just something pretty to line a basket or bowl for fresh bread or fruit.
These are reversible napkins, cheerful and bright. The brown and white plaid fabric has strips of glitter throughout. It is delightful when the glitter pops out.
The napkins are on the smaller side, perfect for lunch with small plates and bowls.
baby alpaca meets knitting machine
February 10, 2015
I have been wanting to combine a specific baby alpaca yarn with a knitting machine for a long time. This past month, I finally got around to doing it! The yarn is thin, super soft, and knits so quickly in stockinette stitch on my machine. The finishing is what takes time. And also figuring out what exactly is going to be the shape, gauge, etc of the project.
The poncho is knit slightly looser, on half step larger gauge on the knitting machine, and has a little more drape. It is a rectangle with a hole for the neck, and ribbing around the bottom.
The shape creates an asymmetrical drape, with the direction of the knitting stretching across the body diagonally. The ribbing at the bottom gathers the fabric very gently, and gives it a little weight and drape.
The tunic idea popped into my head part way through my progress on the poncho. I was playing with the fabric, and decided that I would like to make a garment that draped differently (a more straightforward up and down knit).
The sleeves are short, but allow for lots of movement of the arms. And the length of the vest contributes a lot to the overall warmth of the garment.
The tunic material is a tiny bit more firm than the poncho material, and more suitable for the shape. The tunic was knit in 4 pieces and then sewn together. The seams help to define the garment, and give it structure. The reversible seam down the middle of one side can be worn either on the front or the back of the garment.
Both the tunic and the poncho are available on my etsy site.
goodmorning tunic!
January 15, 2015
This tunic shape is one of my new favorites. I ended up creating a mini series to study the shape, and how it changed with different fabrics, combinations, and directions. These are the results.
The above two are opposites. The fabric is the same, reversible double layer cotton, but the tunics were made with different right sides. On the left, with the checks as the right side, and on the right with the plaid. It was fun for me to see how the different materials looked, fit, and felt. Some people look better in small prints, and some better in large prints. It is interesting to see the same shape, with different prints, colors, etc, tried on different people. They are both mostly reversible, although the inside seams aren’t quite as nice as the outside ones.
Above is the desert tunic. To be worn in a dry, sunny climate. The sleeves can be unrolled for more sun protection. It is the thinnest fabric of the bunch, and while double layer, it is the same on both sides.
The sparkle plaid is one of my favorites. The little bit of glitter goes so well with the black and white check on the reverse! Again, it is two layers of thin fabric, magically attached together. It is a delightful combination, that still cheers me, even after working with it quite a bit.
Each tunic s hand finished around the neck, with homemade bias tape. Every one is finished a little bit differently, to keep me entertained.
All of these tunics are available for sale in my etsy shop here.
tatted stars
December 4, 2014
I would love to take these to the ocean and see how they interact with the sand and salt water. But for now, they will have to do on a scrap of blue flannel.
These stars are hand tatted out of my favorite hand dyed thread. I couldn’t resist making them and am looking forward to hanging them places. They are also available on my etsy store in sets of 3, one of each color.
cozy winter flannel
December 4, 2014
Here are a few new dresses, made of flannel, and made for winter. 
They are both designed similarly, with bias cut sleeves, box pleats, and a simple drape.
Blue plaid might work over tights or leggings, to keep warm in this cold, damp weather. Blue plaid’s sleeves are not too long, and the boxy shape would fit well over a long-sleeved shirt. Blue plaid was designed to layer, and to keep cozy. Blue plaid is available for sale on my etsy store.
Brown plaid is going to my mom, so that she can stay warm while keeping shop in Iowa. With the cold winter winds, a warm dress is always welcome!
small production run
November 3, 2014
These are denim work dresses. They have a pocket for things; a tape measure or a trowel, a paintbrush, the corner of a tea towel, or perhaps a chisel. They are sturdy, and finished by hand. They are meant to be worn and used, patched, and used again.
Some jumpers have right handed pockets, and some have left handed pockets. They are made for different people to enjoy.
One of the pieces of fabric came with a flaw on the edge. I put it right on the front, and wove a bit of thread in to make it look a little bit interesting. I like things with a little bit of character some of the time.
There are three of these. One is spoken for, and the other two are up for sale. contact me if you are interested.
sweater for winter
October 24, 2014
It is going to get cold over here. Or at least cool…I can’t expect snow, but it will be cold and damp around here for a while. I am actually looking forward to the rain (and hopefully it will come!).
My squirrel tendencies kicked in about a month ago, and I started this sweater. It was inspired by images of sweaters that I found, as well as a sweater that I made a few years ago and gave away.
The collar is supposed to fold over, but it has been a little tricky, and likes to stand up. Then I find that I am walking down the street looking a little funny..
I haven’t put buttons on yet, but will get around to it soon. For now, things will be a little bit cozier around here!
bias and straight
October 24, 2014
This dress is made with a combination of bias cut fabric on the top, and ‘regular’ fabric on the bottom. I wanted to allow for more movement in the top (which is created by the bias fabrics).
The hand stitched detail on the sleeves was inspired by my work mending victorian lace. It seemed important to have something a little bit delicately hand stitched. Of course I left a messy edge to come undone and fray.
This dress is another one that is loose and comfortable. Perfect for moving around, doing things.
work clothes
October 19, 2014
Sometimes new jobs need new clothes. I just had one of those changes, and have been working on making a new wardrobe of dresses. The designs are simple, easy to wear, and easy to move around in. I like to think of them as sack dresses that fit well enough.
The attention is to the simple details. An extra line of stitching, some gathers, a neat and tidy corner…
They are meant to change a little with time. No interfacing to keep thing stiff and held together. I like to think of the dresses as little creatures, moving and adjusting to the new wearer.
living in the woods and making stuff 