well-crafted

In my dreams and other places

A few years ago, I picked up a book about Nancy Crow and fell in love with the work she’s done using her own hand-dyed fabric. (Just try not to).

And last year, I discovered Shabd’s work and was instantly smitten. (So gorgeous it hurts).

Since then I have thought a lot about hand-dyed fabric and all the beautiful things I could make—and haven’t done a damned thing about it. Our annual summer tie-dye session last month renewed my passion and shortly thereafter I began dreaming—quite literally—about dyeing fabric. I dreamt I had a dedicated studio very much like this one, and this one. It was awesome. The next morning I started sketching a little plan for converting the former laundry space in our basement which turned into a good exercise in patience and appreciation for everything I already have…

But the tie-dying was fun! The kids—including a cousin and friend or two—did their usual T-shirts and a couple of pairs of socks (and leggings for Lauren). They are big fans of the classic spiral and bulls-eye, but I favor the more free-form scrunch method and convinced Lauren to do one of her shirts that way. Will invented his own folding technique.

After everything was set aside for the required 24-hour period (excruciating) and all the littles had moved on to other activities, I found myself alone with a generous amount of dye left over. I grabbed a few yards of grey Kona cotton and started squirting and scrunching with no plan at all in mind. While resting in its plastic bag, it looked exactly like a bag of rotten salad greens…

But look how it turned out! It's really darker than it looks here but overall very lovely. I am hoping to make Lauren a First-Day-of-School dress with it—if I can make time in the next week.

OCAC is offering a class this fall on working with natural dyes, but it’s so expensive and I’m trying to save for one of these so I don’t think I’ll be doing that.

Sigh. So many projects…

And good grief, don’t even get me started on weaving.

A crushing blow

This sweater has been on its needles since February. A smaller version began in January, but once I realized it was going to be too small I ripped it out and before casting on again I had an earnest conversation with Will:

Me: Are you really sure you want it?
W: Yes, Mom, I really want it. Please.
Me: And you will wear it?
W: Yes, I promise.

I think you know where this is going.

Yes, seven months and 90 dollars later he doesn’t like it. Upon our return from camping I asked him to try it on so I could check the length of the sleeve. His review came quickly. “I don’t really like it that much Mom. I’m sooo sorry.”

Remorseful tears ensued (not mine, his) and my disappointment was soon replaced with trying to figure out what the hell to do with it. Some friends have advised finishing it in the hopes that he will change his mind, but I am really not very optimistic about it. Will had a suggestion: “You could put it away and save it for my son.” Oh my. I could finish it and try to sell it for the cost of the yarn. And truly, the yarn is exquisite. I am really leaning towards frogging the thing and re-using the yarn to make this or this for myself. Especially since I am almost finished with this for Lauren. The problem with frogging it is right now it’s double stranded but I would need to use it single. How am I supposed to separate and rewind all that yardage?!

What would you do?

And on a completely unrelated topic, look what I just took out of the oven! It is taking great willpower for us not to cut into it right now, slather it with butter and jam and gobble up the whole thing.

Why we will likely never leave

I love Oregon!

I love it for camping with good friends and for the sheer gorgeousness of it.

What do you love about where you live?

Summer Success

I finished this top in early summer and have been wearing it A LOT. It’s very comfy and fits well and is flattering. I used the same pattern as this top, which is turning out to be a great basic shell for me to work with. Instead of the button closure in the back, I made a small keyhole opening at the front neckline and bound it with skinny yellow bias binding left long as ties—although I always wear it open. The armholes are faced with this yellow binding as well. And I love the fabric! Even though quilt-weight cottons are not the best choice for apparel, I’ve got so much of it I figure it makes sense to use it while I’m still testing the waters sewing for myself. I’ve got another version of this cut out of Liberty which I must try my hardest to finish while the weather is still warm!

 

We are headed to do some camping at the beach for 5 days. Until then…

Well hello again

I have not been at all in the mood to blog since our vacation. These are partly to blame (so good). And I’ve been trying to wade through the volume of photos—I always take way too many—but will soon share a few images and maybe some stories from our time away. I also have plenty of projects to share: more knit tops and other stuff. Until then, take a gander at this stack of Sevenberry fabric I picked up at the Fabric Depot tent sale early in July. What a score! I think they were all around 3 or 4 dollars a yard.