domicile

Looking for great tunic pattern recommendations

After a recent trip to San Francisco, where I did my fair share of window shopping but was very restrained on the spending front due to some big bills we're facing, I have been re-energized to sew again. It's been a long time since I've really sewn much, my time being much more devoted to work lately (where lately equals the past several years), but I'm really feeling the itch. I was particularly inspired by this Sunhee Moon tunic, which I LOVED but couldn't justify buying when I have a room filled with lovely fabrics languishing in the basement. So now I'm looking for great, simple tunic patterns. The one shown here, which I found at Sew Mama Sew, is a great one, but I'm wondering what else is out there. Anyone have a great, simple and flattering tunic pattern they'd just love to share?  I know several of you are rather handy with a needle and thread... (Oh and if you've sewn this Anna Maria dress, feel free to send on your thoughts as well).

Getting Into Crewel

A few weeks ago, while having tea at Martin's mom's place, she started bringing out several of her hand embroidered table cloths to show me. Most of them were made by her or her mother in years now best measured as decades, and I loved pouring over the little details of them. I've never been much of one for the fine needle crafts, focusing more on the big picture sewing end of things, but over the past few months I've found myself noticing cross stitch and embroidery more and more and thinking that it would be a nice meditative hobby to pick up.

My problem with it has always been -- and I know I'm not alone in this -- how lame most of the commercially available patterns are for cross stitch, embroidery and the like (Jenny's Sublime Stitching of course being the exception). Much of the work that Martin's mom has -- whether on pillows, napkins or table cloths -- has a much more modern feel to it, in the Danish Modern sense of the word. Simple patterns, lots of use of space and often monochromatic. After an evening of google searching and much bookmarking, I became a bit overwhelmed looking for a project that would suit my needs. It had to be simple enough that I could start and complete something without getting totally overwhelmed. I wanted something with a modern feel, and I wanted to start picking up some basic skills to that I could potentially start designing my own basic patterns to stitch.

While on a trip to Victoria recently, I decided to stop in on their very well stocked stitching craft store (on View Street/Trounce Alley) and see if they could set me up with something along the lines of what I was looking for. After evaluating many Scandanavian sampler packs -- the most compelling and beautiful of which were I think a bit over my head -- one of the women there asked if I would be willing to try out Crewel. "Crewel?" You ask, as I did. What the heck is that? From best I can tell Crewel is basically embroidery with wool instead of cotton or silk embroidery threads. It is the basic form of stitching from which many tapestries were made in days of yore, and generally it's much like embroidery with a finished product that has a slightly different texture due to the wool floss (a bit fuzzier). What sold me on it was the patterns available in the little kits from a company called Wool & Hoop (the photo up there is of the kit I chose). Many of them are monochromatic, they're all quite modern (though a bit more off-kilter than the designs I originally had in my head) and best of all, each pattern inspired me to think I could easily start drafting my own/answering to my own embroidery desires without too much trouble.

I was so sold with my wee kit and the idea of crewel that I actually went back and bought the Wool & Hoop book which has several patterns in it as well as ideas for ways to use crewel embroidery to embellish household stuff, clothing etc.

I'm about half way through my little project kit (it's about 3x3 inches) and so far am really enjoying it. As I suspected, it is very meditative, I can bring it along with me on the bus, etc. and my stitching is definitely improving quickly. My only complaint so far is threading the needle with the wool, as it isn't nearly as cooperative as embroidery thread. That said, I suspect most of these projects could be made with cotton embroidery thread to fine results, so I may try that next as an experiment.

Spring Sewing Itch

I've got a strong itch to get sewing. While right now I have exactly no time to actually scratch that itch, I've got a number of plans up my sleeves, and decided this weekend to take stock of my fabric stash and available patterns/project wish list and plot something out as a project for when we return from some sunshine. Then I made my big mistake: I went online to seek out a pattern for a basic bias cut slip (something I've been looking for, for ages) which I want to use to make some simple night dresses with some lovely Heather Bailey fabric I've got collecting dust. While I found a lead on a book that may hold the secrets to such a pattern and requested it from my local library, I also found this new Amy Butler tunic pattern. And, after telling myself very sternly that another pattern was the last thing I needed, when I've already got piles of unsewn projects in the basement I went ahead and ordered it. Then, because I could get free shipping if I ordered two, I also ordered this one. And now I find myself watching some ebay auctions on more fabric. This now leaves me with at least 3 projects - tunic, slip and skirt - to complete and a book tour to plan all in the next few weeks. I sure hope I come back from the beach good and rested.

Oh, and speaking of sewing, Alicia has an awesome Binding 101 tutorial on her site, if like me you are binding challenged.

Is that a credit card in your freezer?

My mom has a dear longtime friend who, over the years, has been known to go into a bit of credit card debt here and there. Often paying off her Visa with her Mastercard, she would let these things run away from her for a while and then take drastic measures to pull it all back under control. Tried and true strategies like freezing your credit card in a glass of water, or having other people "babysit" it for a while until the bills are paid off. These days that kind of strategy doesn't work so well. I rarely pull out my credit card when making impulse purchases, as I make most of those online and I know the numbers off by heart. Danger Bay.

My latest transgression: fabric on Ebay. Who knew!? I had hear rumours of course, but last Sunday night I went on a hunt for a particular colourway of an older Amy Butler print that I wanted to make some of the holiday gifts on my list. I started with the usual online retailers -- ReproDepot and Purl Soho -- but when they didn't turn up what I was looking for I thought "what the heck, why not try Ebay". OMFG. Seriously. The fabric! The options! The colourways I thought were gone! And. Right now the Canadian dollar is kind of trouncing the US buck and that meant a potential wealth of savings. The more I bought, the more I could potentially save! So compelling. I held back to only 4 yards (with combined shipping of $3 no less), but I'll admit I'm starting to get a bit itchy for more. Then, I go and read at Hilary's blog this week that she's been buying Japanese fabrics from Etsy and now I think I may need to see if the bank will change my credit card number so I can bury it in the garden until next spring and safely refrain from getting in over my head.

Reversible Apron Completed

  sunday dinner 
  Originally uploaded by emira

This isn't exactly a detailed view of the completed apron, but rather an apron in use kind of shot. I finished it this morning before noon (thanks to the "fall back" of the clocks giving me an extra hour this morning). Then, after a trip to the grocery store and some time cleaning up in the garden, I put it on to make dinner, prep some food for the rest of the week and generally get down to the rest of the weekend's household chores. As far as aprons go, this one is a winner. I like the fact that the top is pretty full coverage (handy when cooking stainy things like tomato sauce and some beets I steamed tonight) and it's long enough to wipe my hands on as I switch from cutting something to stirring something else.

I think I'll try making some matching pot holders, though I may be brave and try the slightly more complicated Amy Butler version that comes with her Cafe Apron pattern as they seem a bit sturdier than the ones in the Lotta book.

The Apron Progresses

  stitchin' 
  Originally uploaded by emira

On Sunday night, I had the chance to cut out and start on the reversible apron from Lotta's book. I picked up the fabric at Fabricana on the weekend, so I was all ready to go. It's a pretty simple pattern to cut out and it leaves plenty of room for personal embellishment. Before you can sew the two apron sides together you need to  decide how you're going to customize/decorate it. I started with my solid side, put on a pocket using the reverse side's fabric and then decided to add some embroidery. I've been itchin' to embroider since having the joy of being on a panel with Jenny Hart last Spring. (As a side note I ordered some patterns from Sublime Stitching a few weeks ago in hopes that I might be able to use a bit of embroidery on xmas gifts this year). I bought myself an embroidery hoop this week and where I can carve out time in my 10-12 hour work days I've been plugging away at it. It's not turning out too badly. I'm hoping to have a bit more time this weekend and if not, then next week. Currently, my goal is to finish the apron (which is truly a very simple pattern, I'm just waaay too busy lately) for my birthday. That's two weeks.

On Aprons. Again.

  gardening apron 
  Originally uploaded by emira

I promised plenty of apron talk this month, and I have to warn you we're a month out from month's end and I'm still in the thinking/planning stage and not the actually doing stage.

So here's the thing. I have a chance to be near my favourite fabric store this week and the two books containing apron patterns that I ordered have yet to arrive. I'm pretty sure I want to make the Lotta apron (as seen here, but I need to know how much fabric to buy. Does anyone have Simply Sewing? Can you send me the fabric requirements? I'd so appreciate it.

More on aprons

At this point it seems highly likely that I'll be spending the month of October obsessing over aprons. There are worse habits.

Several of you have contacted me recommending I check out the apron pattern in the newish MaryJane's Stitching Room book. And others have cast a vote for the Lotta Jansdotter book, which I was already not so secretly lusting after. Then I found this photo of an apron made from the Lotta pattern and since the colours are basically exactly the same as our kitchen I considered it a sign. I've ordered both from Amazon (such a splurge!) and am secretly hoping they arrive in time for this weekend so I can start a new project. I have that itchy sewing feeling, and not nearly enough time to indulge it.

As it so happens, I also ordered a whack of patterns from Sublime Stitching (finally) last week. So perhaps my new apron will be an overly ambitious combination of fabric and fancy pants embroidery. We'll see. If all goes well, then many folks may be getting aprons this holiday.

A New Apron

For high school I went to a small private school. I'll admit I was a died-in-the-wool geek, and for the most part I adored it. As much as a teenager can adore school, that is. I took latin class, reveled in Calculus and was pretty diligent about keeping my knee socks up. One of the side effects of wearing a uniform to school (for me anyway) was that I began to mentally associate that uniform with a certain state of mind. As such, I used to pretty much always keep my uniform on, when I got home from school, to finish my homework. It was as though it was literally my "working" uniform. When I was done my schoolwork, I'd take it off, shift my brain to other things and move on. (Told you, I was a geek). Anyway, I'm not sure if it was those impressionable years, or an innate sense of practicality, but as an adult, as soon as I get home from work I go into the kitchen, put on an apron and start an evening of cooking, or some sort of home project. I have a different apron for gardening. I use my kitchen apron when I'm cleaning the house as well, and fear that though it is certainly not my most alluring look most weeknights I have my apron on until I go to bed. And while all this makes me sound painfully like a 50s housewife, know that I'm not doing all this alone, Martin, however, chooses not to wear an apron.

So, it's time for a new one. I have this fabulous printed apron that I got at a second hand store that is quite basic, with a lovely navy/grass green print that has stood me well for a few  years, but it's getting quite ratty and I figure if I'm going to spend as much time in an apron as I do, I should have one a bit nicer looking. Don't you agree? So, I'm thinking a fair bit about my next apron. I've been a huge fan of BellaPamella's aprons since I first saw them on the web (that's what's pictured here). I love the retro feel, the practical nature (I don't like half apron as they're not protective enough, and they must have pockets). I've had a look around the italian delis in the neighrbourhood to see what they have in the way of italian nonna aprons, but they're all made of polyester and that doesn't fit with my "lovely apron I'll wear everyday" vision. And ultimately, as a sewer, with a pile of unused fabric in the basement, I just can't bring myself to buy an apron. However lovely. It's like I can hear my grandma in my head saying, "oh just get on with it and go whip something up, it's an apron for goodness sake." And she's right.

Last night I pulled out my Mary Jane's Farm magazine, the apron issue, and had a thumb through. All the free patterns in it are for half aprons though, and that won't quite do for my purposes. I'm tempted to order both the Helen's Apron pattern and the Farm Girl Apron pattern, but then I thought: I've got the internet at my fingers. And, hopefully, still a pile of talented creative folks out there reading this occasionally. So, any of you have an awesome apron pattern you'd like to recommend? My requirements are pretty simple: must be a full apron (not just  half) and must have at least one pocket. Please save me before I get totally lost in the tie one on archives.

(And for the record, I'm already thinking I should just embrace my inner house wife and get one of these for fancy times, and still make an everyday apron to sooth my inner grandma).

Bun-Bun

  bunny 
  Originally uploaded by emira

I must say I was rather tickled by the gift I put together for Djuna (my beloved goddaughter) this year. As she gets older my gifts are increasingly for her delight and not just the pleasure of her parents (though of course I adore them as well). I decided to continue on my path of making stuffed toys and used Hilary Lang's pattern for a big footed bunny (the pattern is available in her store here as I liked the idea of a doll that she could "dress up" in different clothes. This may very well have everything to do with the fact that I had a stuffed bunny when I was young that my mom made little knickers for and I loved it to the ends of the earth (and through many mom-patch jobs). Already rather enamoured of the idea of a bunny with a dress, I could hardly contain myself once I decided to also make her a matching dress to wear (photos here).

I received an email from her mom, my dear friend Kate, this morning in my inbox telling me that "Bun Bun" (her name for the bunny) was a hit, and that she and "Bun Bun" went out in their matching dresses and were the object of much oohing and ahhing that night. Hearing that causes my toes to tingle and my heart to leap in my chest. It also brings a sadness that I can't be closer to them all more regularly. Time to plan a trip to Montreal I think.