A couple weeks ago, one of my favorite youtubers reached out to say she was using my 9-patch quilt as inspiration for an upcoming video. I LOVE HOW IT CAME OUT and I’m feeling inspired to start tackling my own tile project!
Are vintage sewing tools better?
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I’ve had this set of Dritz pressing tools for close to a decade now. They’re fine – they make pressing things easier for sure, but they aren’t pretty, they’ve developed some hollows, and I’m pretty sure the plaid side is a pilling polyester blend (just looked it up and, yes it is).
After perusing Etsy and Ebay for vintage hams and sleeve rolls, I finally bought one of each and was pretty surprised when they showed up.
Firstly, the shape and size are different. These old things are significantly larger and rounder than their newer versions.
Secondly, they weigh more. They are super packed with filling and even at their age, show no hollows.
Thirdly, the materials seem to be of higher quality. The woolen side especially, feels like it’s made of all natural materials. There’s no pilling either.
And lastly, they just look nicer. I think if the newer versions were heftier and made from better materials, the appearance wouldn’t irk me as much, but now that I’ve seen what Dritz used to offer, they just look cheap.
February Update
4 CommentsThings feel dark as fuck, but I’m still making shit. I hope you are too.
A very stained shirt.
After years of flawless use, my go-to washable marker let me down. On a white shirt, no less. I also used the shittiest interfacing I have in my stash and it has not held up to the numerous stain remover and bleach baths this shirt has been subjected to.
It’s the Closet Core Jenna. It was worked on over a few months and I plan to make a light-ish weight denim version soon. I learned how to do the burrito method on cuffs and waistbands when I was taking patternmaking classes in Oakland, CA but had never tried it on a collar before. IT WORKS SO WELL!
My one pain point in the construction was hem gusset. There’s no way to stitch it down neatly. The white fabric is a little sheer, so there was no hiding that it doesn’t quite line up with the shirt hem. I took them off and I’m kinda mad about it.
A very big bag.
I’ve been toting a lot of things back and forth from the office. Several paper bags have ripped on me, so I made this huge tote out of this really fun Japanese fabric my husband bought me a few years ago. I added a lining too.
A very lumpy mug.
Who doesn’t want to press their lips against ceramic lumps? I’m not sure why I went with this texture, but I did. It kinda reminds me of a corn cob.
And another brown sweater.
I like what I like. Finally joined the fronts and back together – there’s only 7″ inches before I can start the ribbing.
Vertical Storage & Display
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I just finished turning these plywood shelves into these smaller wall shelves. Since selling my big IKEA mega desk, the plywood’s just been sitting around, waiting to be useful again.
Initially, I planned to have three shelves above this table, but the sloped ceiling had other plans. But two shelves is better than none, especially since they now prominently display some of my favorite ceramics I made last year. Prior to shelf life, they were all kinda cluttered together and invisible.
The third shelf found a home above one of my sewing tables and is providing much needed storage space for my ball winder and new (but very old) swift. The art display is still being figured out over here.
Last week in making.
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In an attempt to be productive while dissociating, I am prioritizing daily creative acts. And I’m going to try to document some of it too. Last week felt especially creative, so here’s what I did.
Fine Things Community Pottery Studio
I joined a brand new studio and successfully threw two pots! I feel really nervous not having the traditional support of a class, but I’m excited to explore some ideas outside of the scope of local classes. Here are the things I’m planning to work on:
- Nerikomi patterned pieces (this technique excites me so much)
- Tiles for my fireplace renovation
- Chess set for my husband
- Hand-built plates using MDF forms I eventually make
- A tabletop lamp?
Painting Workshop
I attended a really lovely painting workshop taught by Allie Yacina at Happy Anyway. I am obsessed with sketchbook artwork and Allie has an incredible practice, some of which is currently on display at the shop. The morning consisted of creating color swatches using a primary palette, thumbnail sketches of a still life, and then a final painting. I left so inspired, I spent way too much money at the art store. Acrylic gouache is a fun medium and I learned just how creamy Caran d’Ache pencils are.
Cast on a New Sweater
In additional to just starting the Port Jacket, I learned the Portuguese knitting style. I wanted to try this method out because I read it can reduce hand pain and give you better purling tension. I’m not getting amazing results doing German short rows with this knitting style, but I’m hopeful it’ll get better with practice.
Shirt Sewing + A Weird New Shelf
And lastly, I made a lot of progress on this button up. All that’s left are the cuffs and buttonholes. I also bought and installed this so-hideous-it’s-kinda-cute towel rack that I’ve had my eyes on for months. I wanted something on the wall here where I could hang works in progress and in-use patterns. I also moved my small “design board” over to this wall too. It’s way easier to access now that it’s not behind a table. You can see I have quite a few outerwear projects planned!
Feeling ALIVE!
1 CommentI had no idea how much health issues had slowed down my desire to play around with materials and make stuff. But now that my thyroid medication seems to be at the right dose and I no longer have a uterus (thanks to fibroids), I’m BACK BABY.
It’s really exciting to feel like I’m actually awake during the day now. And I want to celebrate my newfound productivity by cataloging my recent makes. First up, I just added the binding to this wall hanging I made years ago.
I refinished this “gentleman’s cabinet” which you can read more about here and here.
This thrifted stool got a much comfier seat. The rope basket turned cushion cover was already made, but I added the fabric and drawstring bit to keep everything in place. There’s now 2″ of foam too since the plywood was much too hard of a seat. I finished this project by splattering some acrylic paint on it because why not?
I’ve actually been finishing some sewing projects outside of work! I made a dress out of fabric that’s been in my stash for YEARS, a quilt coat with fun yarn ties, several new machine covers (also using old stash fabric), these amazing mellow yellow Cloud Sweatpants, some basic tees, and I batch cut out like ten more projects. I’m planning to share more about some of these makes in upcoming posts.
I finished two sweaters in December and started playing around with duplicate stitch.
I got out my tufting gun and was a total beginner again. This process is so challenging and I hate not being in control, but I’m willing to keep going! The ultimate goal is to make little rugs for all the steps leading upstairs for Otis.
And I’m trying super hard to reestablish my logbook practice. In 2018, I captured a trip in one of these sketchbooks and I’ve missed so many travel adventures since. This practice is one of my proudest accomplishments and I’m determined to pick it back up.
Hysterectomy Recovery Project
1 CommentAs I mentioned here, I had an almost overwhelming amount of knit WIPs. My goal was to finish at least two of them before the year ended, and I did! One of them was this sweater that I started about 3 weeks post-op.
PATTERN: Seaway Pullover by Ozetta
YARN: Purl Soho Linen Quill, colorway Baked Earth (discontinued)
SIZE: M
NEEDLES: US 7 needles for the body and US 6 needles for the rib
The pattern calls for a DK weight, but I had this worsted yarn in my stash that I thought would look really good with these understated cables. It’s such a pretty color and the drape is lovely. I’m kinda shocked it was discontinued.
I have some tension issues on the right front that was knitted flat. My purl rows were a little loose for some reason. Maybe I can blame it on the surgery? Thankfully I feel like it’s only really visible in photos. I’m pretty pleased with this sweater and learned that cables are quite easy.
I had a lot more yarn than the pattern called for, so I decided to make it a turleneck. I still have one whole skein leftover that I’m pondering how to use.
Making Supplies Cabinet | Part 2
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The gentleman’s cabinet is done! It still needs a coat of wax, but it’s upstairs and looking so much better. This thing is solid wood, so I was able to sand out a lot of the deep scuffs and scratches. It’s still sporting some imperfections, but I’m calling it *character*
I am okay with the stain color. It’s a bit more orange than I thought it would be and it kinda makes my eyes vibrate. There’s absolutely no way I’m going to re-sand it though!
I’ve still gotta figure out what goes in each drawer, but I know it’s for sure going to be a home for interfacing and bulkier sewing supplies. I think the big divided drawer is going to be perfect for yarn and knitting WIPs too.
I’m excited to find some art n’ things to style the top of it. The extra surface has already proven super handy and adding a light to this dark corner has lengthened my nighttime making sessions.
Made a really good sweater.
Leave a commentI am a huge Ozetta fan and when she posted a sneak peek of this pattern back in 2023, I knew I’d make it. I even used the same yarn / colorway because it was just SO GOOD.
I started this sweater in February of last year, but didn’t work on it from April to December.
PATTERN: Clay Sweater by Ozetta
YARN: WoolDreamers La Rinconada (DK) purchased from Close Knit
SIZE: M
NEEDLES: US 7 needles for the body and US 5 needles for the rib
The body knitted up really fast, but then I took a break to work on a portable summer project. I finally picked it back up in December and finished the sleeves in about two weeks.
The sleeve decrease instructions confused me, so I just repeated the size M sleeve instructions 4.5 times, ending on row 8 and did a bunch of K2togs to get down to the correct number of stitches.
I love the “stripe” that runs up the sides and down the sleeves to hide the jog in the the purl rows. Ozetta always includes little details that just make her patterns so beautiful.
This yarn is absolutely great in sweater form, but my hands hated knitting with it. I think it’s minimally processed so it’s kinda sticky and gripped even my metal needles. This sweater is 100/10 and I’m going to wear it all the time.
Another Piece of Furniture for Making Supplies | Part 1
2 CommentsI absolutely love Dental Cabinet and it fits a ton of supplies. But its drawers are full and I have some more stuff that needs a home.
Enter the Gentleman’s Chest, a mid-century piece I first saw on marketplace, but sold before I could arrange a pickup time. The size and configuration of drawers feels perfect for all the stuff I have just kinda piled up in this corner currently.
Somehow another listing for the exact same piece popped up and since it was being held at a consignment shop, I was able to snag it. It’s solid wood, so I am confident it will be a much faster restoration than dental cabinet was. I won’t have to agonize over choosing a paint color since I’m not painting this wood, even if it is dinged up.
I plan to refinish it over the holiday break and I’m posting about it now for accountability!
