Ikat Jamie Shift

This was a simple shift dress that I made up using a heavier weight ikat fabric and a pattern from the BurdaStyle Sewing Vintage Modern book. I originally made this in a size 36-38 but needed to size down to a 34 for the final version. I also added 2.5 inches to the hem rather than 1.5 inches. Overall, I am pleased with the dress and plan to wear it during the summer and into the fall.

Black Linen Oversized Shirt

I finally made up the Long-Sleeved Shirt (8a) from Simple Modern Sewing by Shufu To Seikatsu Sha using some plain slate-black linen blend fabric from my stash. I like that this book has been translated into English and contains standard US measurements. This was the first time that I have made anything with button holes or a Chinese collar and I now feel pretty comfortable with both, though I do think that the various gathers and oversized style make construction much easier. In the future, I would like to try the Archer Button Up Shirt from Grainline Studios.

Clutch II

Sent the shibori clutch to my mum and decided to try again with a different fabric. Some raw silk that I got during my last trip to Portland. This time I used interfacing on both sides and inserted a tie rather than the magnetic clasp. This is just the thing I needed to keep my various notebooks (love the Midori traveler's notebook) and kindle organized in my backpack/purse.

Also skipped the pocket this time since I don't really have use for one. Probably could have added a pen holder for my trusty fountain pen- oh well!

Shibori Clutch

I followed this Purl Bee tutorial to make a clutch out of my shibori fabric. I generally like the simple shape but probably should have used interfacing on both pieces of fabric. Also, the magnetic Dritz snap is insanely strong- is there any way to slightly demagnetize a really strong magnet?

New Sewing Books

Acquired some new sewing books for the new year. Have yet to sew something from BurdaStyle Sewing Vintage Modern but am excited about these Japanese pattern books. Also purchased some vintage patterns online.

Hand Stamped Linen

A while ago I carved a rubber stamp featuring an eye. I finally got around to stamping some fabric and decided to make a sample tea towel and a cover for my heating pad. Both have seen a fair amount of use this winter.

I also bought a huge glass jar to store the homemade granola I have been baking using this recipe from 3191 Miles Apart.

 I'm note really sure what else to stamp- I like the design but am not sure that it's something I would wear?

I used a bright orange thread for contrast on the tea towel. 

Throw Pillows

Some much of our furniture comes from IKEA. At this point I figure that I'll just go with it- so I sewed up some throw pillows from IKEA fabric for our new IKEA couch. I like the random splash of color.

Fall update

So October and November were pretty much consecrated to the dissertation prospectus which was slowly and painfully hatched on the fourth floor of the graduate library. I picked a warm spot with a nice view and no wifi and just sat there for hours and days until it was finally done. Now I am awaiting comments and will eventually have to revise and defend the beast come December. For now, I'll just recap a few of the projects that did manage to fit into my writing schedule over the past few months.

A simple elastic headband made from Japanese scrap fabric.

My first shot at textile marbling on small silk handkerchiefs.

My ring stack grows with recent additions from Vera Meat and Katrina Lapenne.

Found Textiles

Found this really neat hand stitched piece at a yard sale over the weekend along with some sewing odds and ends. It was originally mounted in a really hideous green faux marble frame, so I decided to take it all apart and reframe it.

I actually like that the raw edges are showing now, though I probably could have done a better job making sure it was centered- oh well for now!

I wish I knew more about the artist and previous owner. The needle work is so intricate- it must have taken forever.

Not My Dissertation

Many anonymous people out there keep a blog as a kind of creative outlet or alternative life-world. Mine is no different. Slowly but surely I've been investing in a variety of print publications that delight and inform the part of my mind that tends to shut down during the daily 9-5. 

Kinfolk Magazine sure has been getting a lot of press. On the one hand, I like what this work stands for- local, sustainable communities; good friends and food; and a recognizably urban rustic aesthetic. On the other hand, I feel a little suspicious about how it idealizes a lifestyle that is both commercial and artificial but not apparently so. I bought my copy at Anthropologie (case in point) but still am really looking forward to the read.

This new book features a number of Brooklyn based artists that I really admire, includes DIY projects for weaving, dyeing, sewing, knitting, etc., and teaches the reader how to set up a home studio space. I'm light years away from anything like that but love the idea anyway. Fully intend to visit the Textile Arts Center while visiting Brooklyn in the fall!

Japanese Minimalism

I recently got this Japanese pattern book by Natsuno Hiraiwa. I specifically bought it with a mind to make the two-way stole featured on the back cover. I love the unusual shape and versatility of Hiraiwa's designs.

Here is some of the fabric that I picked up recently from Haberman Fabrics- Japanese woven, linen, ikat.

Although the book is in English, the pattern sheet at the back is a little tricky. I accidentally cut on a fold line and had the hardest time figuring out what was wrong! Nevertheless, I really like the finished product. The stole pictured above is for my mom. I made a less voluminous version for myself out of the Japanese woven. These fabrics are relatively lightweight and easy to layer or belt but I could see the pattern also working well in winter wool. 

Gingham Tank and Clay Necklace

Made another Wiksten tank. The pattern is now also available for download here: http://www.shopwiksten.com/product/tank-top-dress-sewing-pattern. I especially like the contrasting pocket! Paired with a necklace that I recently made using polymer clay (of all things), gold-plated greek ceramic beads, and leather cord.