Orcas, Table Runners & Napkins, Oh My!

I got the table runner & napkins made for my mother-in-law, who found this amazing fabric in Ketchikan.  I didn't have quite enough for 12 napkins (the Roommate's parents love to entertain!) but found some more fabric at this great online quilt shop, Rushin' Tailor, located in Skagway.  Their prices are great, and the shipment only took 4 days; I would totally order from them again.  And don't worry...I ordered plenty to use on another Roommate Western shirt project! 

Here is the package all ready to go (it shipped out this morning, just before the blizzard hit). 

And speaking of blizzards, we're in the midst of one right now.  This is our backyard while I'm writing.  Pretty! 

And here it is on the dining table, in CA.   They sent this great photo of the table set with some of their Alaska art + the items I made.  I thought you'd like to see how they worked out!  I think they look great on the teak dining table.  

Knit Picks Shimmer - Easy Scarf for a Gift

This lovely scarf was made with Shimmer, which Knit Picks doesn't have any more.  The next best is Diadem, which is the same silk/baby alpaca fiber mix.  The resulting textile is amazing; totally non-itchy and it reflects light a bit, too.  It's a joy to work with.  I tripled the yarn and used size 9US needles.  I love the slight color change!

This is a really simple pattern, just a K1 P1 rib.  I think it came out quite pretty.  The fact that it's all ribbing means it's stretchy & a little thicker, too.  Perfect for a scarf.  

I like the pattern & the yarn so much I'm making myself one, too; this time with a K2 P2 rib.  I'm only doubling the yarn and using US10 needles for a little different look. Also quite pretty, if I do say so myself. I'm about halfway through it now.

We are having a nice long winter here in DC, so I may get some use out of this scarf this year, rather than having to wait until next winter.  

From the Collection: Falda de Guatemala, and Vintage Pattern Pledge!!

I've mentioned this lovely woven skirt from Guatemala before, but it's been taken from storage and is now adorning our bedroom.  It's huge: sewn into a loop about 10' long, 36" wide.  Women step into it, then use a belt to tie it tightly.  The warp threads are really just that--about the width of sewing threads.  Which is one reason it's so detailed, but I cannot imagine how long it must have taken to finish it!  

Here's a nice photo of women in similar skirts.

And one last photo.  One of the reasons the Roommate & I collect textiles is the loving care that goes into them.  This skirt not only displays the intricate weaving process, it also has a lovely velvet border added along part--probably the front, to make it a bit dressier.  I love the idea of a woman, somewhere, deciding to make her skirt just a little bit prettier!  You go, chica!  

Also, I'm joining the Vintage Pattern Pledge, started by A Sewing Odyssey, over at her blog. You just have to look through all your amazing vintage patterns, then choose 5 that you pledge to make in 2014.  Fun, huh?  I will be curious to see what everyone else comes up with.  And am already wondering if some of the vintage-inspired patterns, and vintage reprints count?!  

You can tweet about it here: #vintagepledge

My first up vintage will definitely be Simplicity 6693 (1974), which I've already started on.  The Roomate has two so far, but I've already started on one for a friend! 

Some Sewing Links to Soothe Your Soul--Or Empty Your Wallet!

While in NYC a few weeks ago, sewing came up more than once and I thought I'd share a few cool things I've recently discovered that I know the sewiverse could take an interest in.

First, City Quilter.  So much fun!  Great selection of fabric (lots of Japanese stuff), plus some of their own designs in the City Collection, which are NYC-themed fabrics (for example, Times Square, above). Cool!

Have you ever wanted a DIY couture sewing kit?  Have you dreamed of learning some crazy-amazing techniques? Have you heard of Alabama Chanin? Order a kit and get the fabric, notions & instructions.  Each pattern comes in multiple fabric & thread color choices...hundreds of options!  Anna's Garden skirt, below, is one of my favorites.  

You've probably heard of Spoonflower by now.  Design & print your own fabric (like on Project Runway!), and print it on anything from combed cotton to crepe-de-chine, or turn it into wallpaper, peel & stick decals or even wrapping paper!  I haven't tried it yet, but am thinking of getting some cotton printed with this photo from our community garden...

It's a photo of asters & marigolds which I played with a bit in Photoshop (obviously!). Spoonflower was having a giveaway today, so I ordered this print on a fat quarter of faille for free...just to try it out.

You probably know by now I'm a birder (and thrilled that Hedwig is here in DC!).  Also thrilling is that Charley Harper's wonderful bird & nature art has been turned into 4 different types of material by Birch Fabrics.  Here's a white-breasted nuthatch & a red-headed woodpecker on some canvas: 

And here's a list of shops that stock Birch Fabric (around the world).  

But I was thinking, "Hmmm, if I buy that it will get dirty so quickly once it's a backpack." So I googled "plasticize fabric" and found that there is such a thing as iron-on laminate!  My life is full. 

Even better, from the same website, a "how to" regarding sewing with laminated fabrics!  

And a new (to me) vintage pattern shop: So Vintage. Fun, but dangerous for my retirement fund!

So now you know where my brain is and how I'll be spending my recent federal government 1% raise!  Let me know if you try any of these things out; I'd love to hear what you think.

From the Collection: All the Way from Lhasa

The Roommate changed around some of our textiles when he was on school break last week. One of the items now decorating our bedroom is a Tibetan monastery wall hanging appliqued with a dpal be'u (eternal knot).  

You'll see some detail at the right.  And here's a picture of such hangings in action, decorating the Nechung Monastery near Lhasa.  

This amazing souvenir of our Himalayan Holiday (2003) is about 3' x 6' and doesn't really fit too well in our house--mostly because we have every possible space already covered!  Surprised?!  ;-) 

 

We had an amazing summer on top of the world...here are a few photos I hope you'll like.  The first is Kailash (གངས་རིན་པོ་ཆེ), the point of the trip, from across Lake Manassarovar.  

 And the second is Everest, from our plane, flying from Lhasa back to Kathmandu.

Upcoming Projects

I have been doing lots of knitting, because we finally got a couch in our sun room & it is quite wonderful to sit by the fireplace watching something from Netflix & knit the evening away.  The only thing missing is decent lighting (I'm a bit of a stickler for good task lighting).  I've ordered 2 lamps, which will hopefully be here next week. Then the room will be pretty much done, I hope.  Photos of the original room, after bedroom addition & thru to fireplace & bookcases here. 

Anyway, some upcoming projects...

This is all different types of flannel.  It was quite reduced at Hancock's so the Roommate picked out a bunch of patterns he liked & it will be up to me to turn them all into knickers.  I'll be using my tried & true One Yard Wonders pattern.

Some other irresistibly discounted fabrics: 

  The fabric on the right is a printed corduroy, which I've had my eye on at Hancock's for months...it finally went on sale & I bought 4 yards (I wanted 5, but there wasn't a piece long enough). It will eventually be another dress for me.  

The xmas lights is another flannel and yes, more knickers for the Roommate. 

And I've never seen a map print I didn't buy!  It's essentially a world map, I bought one panel, and it will probably be yet another fun shirt for the Roommate, who doesn't need one, but I do love sewing for him.  Though I was thinking place mats and napkins would be fun, too!  

As you can see, I have lots of plans.  Stay tuned to see what actually gets done!  

Happy 2014!!

Well, another year, more projects and lots of bargain fabric in my sewing room!  How did that happen?  We've been to SFO, ABQ & NYC in the last 2 weeks.  It's nice to have a day off & be home inside on a freezing-rain day, hanging out in my sewing room & by our fireplace.  

First, many old patterns from my mom.  Not sure I'll be using many of them, but I might use bits of them.  (And I left another 30+ at my mother's house for later!)  

The box these were in also included some patterns for Barbie!  Which I will probably never use, but couldn't resist.  

Additionally, I have gotten a few requests for sewing.  My mother-in-law wants napkins & a table runner from some amazing orca fabric.  She was born in Ketchikan, so this is especially appropriate...and there's even a deadline!  (March 30, just in time for a Ketchikan luncheon.)

I'll also be making a western shirt (from West African fabric, of course) for a friend who loves my Roommate's new western shirts.  I have gotten out of much of my *real* West African fabric (purchased while we were there), but probably will have to supplement it with imports from G Street Fabrics, which has a small, but pretty great, selection of these amazing prints.  Some possibilities for the contracting yoke, pockets & cuffs are in the photo to the left...

And I got a nice compliment on the Roommate's western Xmas shirt from James McCarthy of the Christmas Shirt Company. Thanks James!  

Lots more to come.  I'm looking forward to learning more (got another 10-lesson package for classes at Bits of Thread as a prezzie), doing more sewing (working thru that darned stash), doing more knitting, and exercising, keeping the house clean, working full-time and playing with Bella.  Yikes.  I do find blogging gets in the way of sewing!  Do you feel the same?