changing the nightgown

Coming back from the most recent camping trip, it became apparent to me that all my linen nightgowns had holes in them.  The linen nightgowns are my favourites.  I knew that I would need to be replacing them soon but I kept putting it off.  And off.  The Sitka trip over a year ago made me start thinking about making new nightgowns.  That is how long I have put this off.

This week, I made myself a new nightgown.  It has been years since I have had a nightgown with sleeves so I was also playing with the pattern.  I now have a new piece of favourite clothing.  It is just the A-line dress I like very long.  And in my favourite white linen for sleeping.   I am working on another one so I can play with the pattern.  Then I will make that pattern so I do not have to patch it together for next time.

Maybe it is time to go back to Sitka . . .

it is the season of pajamas

I still make pajama bottoms as Christmas presents.  They are supposed to be for stockings but that did not happen this year.  

I am about a third to halfway done in my pajama bottom production.  It will depend on how many I finally decide to make.  And how many Koda Bear can talk me into.

The number of pajama bottoms has also increased due to the request that Koda Bear must match Grandpa.  Matching pajama bottoms.  It just makes me laugh.  I go into my thrifted flannel and find pieces large enough.  Nobody gets to chose the print.

I am moving slowly.  I wish to shred my skin off due to the saffron sensitivity.  It is a good thing that I am working on pajama bottoms and not something new currently.  I do not have to think as hard.  And the fabric is soft.  It is slowly getting better which is great.  But still!

single knife chef rolls

This week is still wild.  I am having a hard time finding balance I will have to admit that what seems to be giving is computer time.  I just stopped moving after dinner last night.  There was nothing left.  Today is probably not going to be much better!

Between Koda Bear and I going to libraries, playgrounds, and walks, and then working on maths.  I have been putting prototype single knife chef rolls together for Serenity Knives.  The boyos are looking at them as an upgrade to their packaging.  They have not found a box solution that satifies them yet.

Photo by Koda Bear.

We had found some very inexpensive canvas at Ragfinery in Bellingham.  And then stopped at a canvas shop.  It makes canvas coverings of all kinds for boats.  They also have inexpensive remnants.  All of that came home with me with some pretty Asian cottons.

The prototype work began!  This was the first prototype and it should have fit a Chef's knife.  It did not but it is a good size for a utility knife or a paring knife.  It is also the one that I do not like the finishings as well for.  I was able to use a piece of fabric that Koda Bear picked out that I was not sure how was going to fit in my quilts!

This is the second one I made.  I used the last of the chili pepper fabric on this one.  The finishings are much better and it does fit a long Chef's knife.  My Japanese sewing scissors are here as scale.

It just rolls up so nicely and neatly.  I like this idea for most of my camping knives.  They get wrapped in towels with string around them.  The string has come in handy but I do not really like that idea.

This is the last one I made.  It is even larger then the other two.  I got asked to try.  Every one of these chef rolls was made using thrifted fabric that was supposed to end up in a landfill.  That is what Ragfinery does.  Keep textiles out of landfills.

The boyos are happy.  I need to make more for them.  I am going to put some in my shop as well but right now there are not enough hours in any day.  I can really tell due to energy and inflammation.  That bit is a bummer.  Being outside with Koda Bear has been lovely.  I am hoping there will be time for driveway skateboard time today or tomorrow.  Probably not though.  I am working on the computer.  And I have a prototype for a larger chef roll to make!

to the rescue (or down a rabbit hole)

For the last three days, I have been working on a wedding dress.  One of the boyos is getting married the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  They have been planning it for awhile.  His fiancé had been falling wedding plans for timing.  She thought it was all going well.  That was until the seamstress she took her dress to had not made any progress on the hem of her dress in three weeks.  The boyo asked my Beloved if I might be able to help.

Part of the problem, was that the bride had gotten sick since she bought her dress.  Thirty pound later the dress that fit so well did not.  And the picture of the dress implied it might not be the easiest dress to take in that much.  Her seamstress had not even started to address those issues.  While I was chatting with her, I told her I needed the dress now to do anything before I traveled for Thanksgiving.  When she was tentative about the possibility about getting the dress back, I asked what the back up plan was.

I became the back up plan.  I am making another dress.

Friday was about making a decision on what she wanted, buying fabric and supplies, and making a muslin.  Of course, the muslin went together perfectly.  Saturday was about making the skirt and the skirt lining.  Lots of long seams.

 Sunday was putting the bodice together, attaching it to the skirt, and putting in the zipper.  I worked Saturday and Sunday until my eyes burned.  The dress is also why I did not write Friday.  I just did not have time.

There is a dress.  It is not perfect because the dress did not go together as well as the muslin.  The hems need to be done but the bride still needs to decide on how long she wants the train.  I made the sleeves long so she can have choices there.  I have two hooks and eyes to put on and one sash to make.  The decision about hems will need to be made tonight.  As well as a bustle.  

I can see every imperfection.  But it looks better today to me then it did last night with my eyes burning.  It is all going to work out fine.  And it will be done before I leave on Friday.  More travelling!  Different tent because the normal on has a split zipper.  It will be repaired.

After I deliver the dress this week, the next time I will see it is on the bride.  It will be a good day.

I may be hand sewing all day tomorrow . . .

royal blue and washable

When I went into the office everyday, many of my dresses were wool.  Which I loved.  But, since I am currently working from home building my shop both here and on Etsy, I need something more washable.

I have always loved corduroy.  I know it is not the toughest of fabrics, especially in a pinwale.  But I like the feel of it on my skin.  I like it washes.  Historically, it is more royal/noble then velvet because it was harder to make by hand.  Loops had to be cut by hand and it could be easy to screw up if you did not know how.

I bought multiple pieces of corduroy.  So between stocking my shop and getting gifts made for the holidays, I am going to try to put a few simple sheath style dresses together for me.  This is the brightest of the bunch.  I was not sure I would like the colour on but I do.  I am odd.  I find when I wear bright colours they can depress me.  I might make the next one just a touch longer but otherwise, I am very pleased.

Now, it is just finding the time!