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Embroidery close up, June 2010
Handkerchiefs, June 2010
My first attempts at hand embroidery on handkerchiefs. Not bad, if I say so myself.
Holiday Apron
3 new aprons made from a heavy cotton tablecloth found at the thrift store, along with the binding and trim. If I've been invited to your house for dinner, you might get one as a present. Vintage inspired design with a high waist for added protection and a row of large pockets. Almost like a tool belt, I have one in blue that holds everything needed to change light bulbs while up high on a ladder.
Vintage style apron
3 aprons made from this heavy cotton holiday tablecloth. The binding and trim is green, but looks much darker in the photo. On this one, the side pockets end about 3 inches from the bottom where the trim is, and there is no center pocket.
China Storage
I recently added some pieces to the Royal Doulton china I inherited from my Grandmother, and needed a safe way to store them. I started out by purchasing a storage set for dinner plates, salad plates, bowls and teacups, but needed more pieces for the items I added. These were made from double-faced quilted cotton. I used the store-bought covers as a guide and cut the fabric to match each piece. I also machine embroidered the name of each piece on top, so I didn't have to open the containers to find a piece, and added a pull tab to the zipper.
Christmas apron
I had a request months ago to make some Christmas aprons, but we had to wait until we could get some Christmas fabric. I made 3 aprons from this heavy cotton tablecloth from the local thrift store with red binding and rick rack trim. They will make nice gifts.
Fashion in the Kitchen
"I only have a kitchen because it came with the house" Butterick 4945 apron with flounced hem and ribbon bow.
Red stripe apron
This apron was make-it-up-as-I-went with leftover fabric. Basically a rectangle of red and white stripes gathered to a shaped polka dot waistband, finished with a ruffled pocket and flounce
Butterick 4945, View E
Semi-circular skirt sewn to waistband, flounced hem and pocket that blends in so well it is barely visible. Perhaps any cooking stains will blend in as well. Of course, I have to actually cook something to test this out.
Gift Bags
Instead of wrapping gifts this year, I made large gift bags from a cotton velveteen curtain, with gold trim, both found at the local thrift store. The 2 large bags measure about 36 x 24, and a small one for Monty. Of course, this depends on the honor system - no peeking allowed!
Jim's Bag
His is a little more full than mine, but I know he has hidden presents somewhere in the house......
Dining Room Drapes, 2009
Spruce Green silk dupioni drapes, lined with black-out lining to prevent sun damage to silk.
Drapes detail
Close-up of rod and clip rings.
Beaded pillow
Silk shantung pillow with Japanese fighting fish beaded design using gold and red seed beads.
A peek into the bedroom, July 2009
Silk dupioni (in Peacock - color brighter in real life), duvet, shams, drapes and pillows. Duvet lined with Egyptian cotton sheeting.
Pillow Detail
Close-up of pillows and shams, both with a layer of fleece for added plumpness and to accent the border stitching.
Dust Covers
I noticed that some items that receive infrequent wear were getting dusty on the shoulders in our closet and had been meaning to make some dust covers for quite some time. The opportunity presented itself when a set of sheets started to fray on the edges. I managed to get 10 dust covers from a queen size fitted sheet. I started with the basic shaped cover on the left, traced from a garment bag, then upgraded to a shape more fitted to the hanger with a 2 inch gusset and pocket on the front. Both have raised French seams to enclose raw edges.
Stool Cover, August 2012
Underneath this cover is a stool that my grandfather made as part of a vanity set when I was a little girl. There were 2 stools, one for me and one for my sister, that sat side by side in front of the vanity in our bedroom. I have held onto this stool through the years and have made different covers. This latest cover is made from quilting cotton that I have had stowed away for at least 10 years, waiting to be brought to life. It turns out there was just enough (1.5 yards) to make this stool cover. There are 5 inverted pleats on the skirt, and piping added to the separate cushion on top. Hopefully, my dog is old enough now that he will not try to run around the house with the cushion, wanting someone to chase him.
New Sewing Room, 2012
My new sewing room in our new house in Ottawa. I was lucky enough to design my own space when we had our basement finished last year. The room is 16 x 13 with a large window for lots of natural light. Plenty of room for everything I need.
New Sewing Room
The sewing machine and serger go in front of the window, of course, taking advantage of the natural light that comes in all day. We have a walk-out basement, level with the back yard, so it doesn't feel like a basement. Yes, that's the wastebasket up on the cutting table where my dog can't get at it. Inside the plastic box are my serger cones. My cutting table is topped with a sheet of plywood that supports the gridded cardboard cutting mat.
New Sewing Room
Here is the old ironing board (at least 25 years) with a gravity-fed steam iron, shelves to hold my pressing supplies (cloths, hams, pounding block, etc), and a steamer to the right. The posters on the wall are vintage movie stars (Irene Dunn, Jean Harlow, Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth) and are mounted on wood (plaque mounted is what the framing shop called it).
New Sewing Room
Yeah! Closet space! I planned this room with a full wall of closets along the back 13' wall. On the left is a set of plastic shelves to hold fabric. There are boxes of fabric, old sewing machines, out of season clothes, and some self-drafted patterns hanging on skirt hangers. This is one large closet with the bar going the full length. Speaking of the bar, the company that installed it forgot (ignored?) my instructions to install it a few inches higher than normal so I could have somewhere to store my floor length evening gowns. When I discovered this, I insisted they come back out to fix it, but they could not argue as it was in the contract. I have a mirror on the wall behind the dress form, and one hanging on each closet door. When positioned correctly, this acts as a 3-way mirror, giving views of the front, side and back.
New Sewing Room
A large bureau, made by my grandfather over 25 years ago, holds patterns, buttons, zippers, elastic, and countless other notions, as well as interfacing and lots of other miscellaneous items, like stacks of sewing magazines that I keep meaning to give away, but can't seem to part with yet.
New Sewing Room
Back to the sewing area again. The table that the sewing machine and serger are on, as well as the cubbies to the right, were also made by my grandfather. I bolted on 2 thread racks to the upper cubbie unit to hold my thread. Some pegs have straws on them to hold 2 spools on 1 peg. (You can never have too much thread.) The cubbies hold my sewing, fitting, and pattern making books, and boxes of beads and appliques on the bottom. The sewing machine is placed on a small towel so I can easily slide it to the left when I use the serger. My pin cushion and thread snips are also on the towel and slide along with it.
Faux Fur Hat and Scarf, 2010
Winter hat and scarf, made from Siberian Husky faux fur. Crown of hat is lined with satin, brim is lined with felt. I gave the hat a slight hair cut in front as some of the fur hung over my eyes. Pull-through scarf has fur on both sides, 40 inches long with a 4 inch slit finished with a buttonhole stitch.
Crafts and Home Decorating
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