Lettergirl

Recycled Friday.

 
I made this after seeing an inspiring mixed-pattern display at Barney's (circa 2004).  This is the item I can't seem to give up "because someday it will fit again."  What's yours?

Recycled Friday.

 
 
From Amy Butler's Barcelona Skirts pattern.

My summer newsletter will be sent the middle of this month, be sure to sign up for info about my upcoming Summer Sale!

Sticks & stones.

My new sticks & stones set, based on an old Burda pattern.

I shared a bit of the process on this post back in January.

I wish I'd known more (which is to say, anything) about draping before I'd started this project.  I brought it with me to my draping class in April just to see how it would hang and to adjust the darts on the tank.  I am hoping to tweak the shoulders a bit once I get my own dress form.  (So many dress forms to choose from; the ones that would look gorgeous standing in the corner of your studio are not necessarily in the shape of a real body.  The diy duct tape method is down & dirty, but you can't pin into it.  The kind that you create to fit yourself require some effort -- and assistance -- but would be so very helpful with fit.  That is what I'm planning to get, once I can set aside time to make it happen.)

I love the details, the topstitched darts in the jacket front and sleeve.

Recently I was re-reading a few pages of Twyla Tharp's The Creative Habit, and I got to thinking about which I enjoy more, the process or the result.  I'm guessing that's a spectrum, and each project falls somewhere on it.  The stitching for each sleeve took about 20 hours; add in the painting and the construction for a grand total of 50 hours.  50 hours of meditative stitching, 50 hours of holding soft fabric in my hands, 50 hours of process.  In the end, I will either need to exhibit this as art or hide it in my closet for awhile, to be stumbled upon unexpectedly one day, like an old friend.

Recycled Friday.

 
 
 
I'm a secret admirer of folk art -- the aesthetic and the utility.

Recycled Friday.

 
I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed by the start of summer.  Usually I spend a little time in May setting goals for the summer, planning what I need and want to accomplish between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but May passed in such a whirlwind of etsy orders and custom lettering projects and school activities that I never got around to it.  Even I am amazed at how unsettled that has made me feel the last few weeks!  Yesterday I took a luxurious 75 minutes with all my various notebooks and made my plan.  I don't usually cross everything off my list, but I do more and enjoy more when I have my priorities in order.

Yesterday Kate asked about family reading time and I'll try to write about that next week.  Hoping for a sunny weekend.  Enjoy!

Recycled Friday.

 

 

If you're in Minneapolis this weekend, here are a few exhibits I'd recommend:

Carolyn Halliday's installation at Susan Hensel Gallery

Four exhibits at Katherine Nash

New work at Vine Arts Center

Enjoy your weekend!

Recycled Friday.

 
The bandana I stitched at the Alabama Chanin Weekend Workshop last year -- and wore all summer.

Recycled Friday.

 

 

 

Lucky me.

 
 
When I was celebrating my anniversary a couple of weeks ago, the sweetest package arrived in my mailbox -- and on a day when I was feeling tired/behind/stressed, too.  Inside I found a set of napkins from my friend Kristan, an unexpected anniversary gift.  And let me say, they are much nicer than all the napkins I have made -- Kristan's stitching is perfect and they are even reversable.  A lovely way to start the summer.

Recycled Friday.

 

 

These are my first two Alabama Chanin-inspired garments, stitched three summers ago.  Both pieces are based on the designs in Natalie's first book, Alabama Stitch Book -- though I wish I'd made the corset a size smaller as she suggests.  And I hadn't yet discovered Mokuba elastic ribbon, so don't look too closely at that waistband.

When I first started hand-stitching, I gravitated right away to freehand painting my own motifs instead of stencilling them -- both for the organic nature of painting (the occasional "whoops") and my comfort level with the materials.  I still prepare my projects that way, but have been looking at other options as I expand my skills in surface design:  painting with thickened dye and screen printing.  As always, more ideas than time.  Enjoy the long weekend!