More Ruffled Feathers

I know they're not really feathers. I just love the phrase "ruffled feathers."

So now I'm done using up the gray t shirt and most of the knit fabric I had. This tunic is a nice blue color and has teeny tiny bat wing sleeves. I didn't pleat the sides of this one because I thought it would be cute puffed out over the waistband of a high-waisted skirt. I've got some yellow knit left, but no plans for it. Brady tossed another t shirt into my bin of fabric so I might cut that up today. I'm not sure if I'm satisfied with either of these tunics, but they're complete! That was the important part to me. Making myself complete a garment using all the fabric I've hoarded. I think now that that's out of the way I might try to work on my clothing line...Oh, did I mention that? Can't remember...

I'm trying to start a really small scale line. It's taking a long time. Which I'm not used to. If everything goes well, it won't look a thing like the tunics I just posted. I'm thinking I'll call it "Phyllis & Hazel" after the guinea piglets. That was Brady's idea. I've already secured the Etsy name, now I just have to make everything to put in the shop. Piece of cake right?

Ruffled Feathers

This is my latest project. I bought a couple yards of knit fabric like 4 years ago and never used it because I guess I'm insane. I decided it's time to use everything up and get myself prepared for the arduous task of launching a clothing line that actually has size runs of a singular style. But right now it's just remnants and original items. This was particularly hard to sew because I started it and then discovered I didn't have any ballpoint needles for my machine so I had to use a standard need and try to adjust the thread tension to work with the knit jersey. The ruffle is all hand sewn and the pretty striped fabric is courtesy of Brady. He cut the sleeve off and old t shirt to use to polish something and I swiped the rest of it and turned it into the "ruffled feathers" you see on the collar.  For more pictures or to purchase this tunic, visit my esty page by using the link at the bottom of this blog.

Little dresses for Haiti

  

My mom has always been a crafter and a sewer. I suppose she is mostly to blame for me being the same way. She's also super active at her church doing all kinds of sewing projects to raise money for the vestry. Though I'm not a church goer, their latest project tugged at my heart strings and satisfied my urge to unload a ton of crap from my sewing closet. My mother and several friends and relatives are using up extra fabric to make "Little dresses for Africa."

We're sending ours to Haiti. I think the project originated in Africa, but the devastation in Haiti demanded that the project expand to include all the girls and boys rendered helpless, homeless, and apparently, naked. These are a few of the dresses I've made using up extra fabric. I've got about 7 of them to send so far. They're super easy to make so I encourage even  people who've never sewed before to try. It's a good way to start learning basic sewing techniques, use up fabric you don't know what to do with, and most importantly, send someone a pretty dress who needs it much more than you.

New Sewing Space

At long last I have moved-and am now finally settled into a new apartment (with Brady.) It took us a while to move everything in because we did it in small doses since it was hot and both of us have small cars. I was hoping to get a larger desk so that I could finally have enough room to hold a whole garment on the desk as I sewed but I still haven't found one. Though we have a giant antique kitchen table that is perfect for laying things out on now. And I do love black, white, and orange together...so I guess the small desk stays for now. So far it's been working pretty well. The tunic on the dress form is the latest work in progress. It should be up on Etsy within the week.