So today I’m wiggling my ass because I’m pretty proud of a coupla things I sewed the kids recently (both made with the perfect amount growing room):
Like the artfully disinterested poses? Yeah, me too.
The dress (made up using a vintage McCalls pattern) featured my first thread-drawn applique. I am pretty pleased. You’d probably be surprised how quickly it came together for me, from sketching to completion. But then, I’ve put in many years of general technique which came in handy. I didn’t even look for a tutorial, I just figured shit out. Turns out shit came together pretty good considering it was my first try!
(Seriously – I’m so excited about this and look forward to trying some more soon!)
OK, as for Nels. Simple longsleeved t-shirt, right? Kinda but – the fabric I found for this is quite lovely – an organic hemp/cotton blend sweater knit. My son commented on how much he liked its look and softness right away. The only thing more fun than sewing up something that feels good and comes together nicely is to have one’s client really like it.
So here’s Nels. With a large sheet of bark he scavenged from the old LaVogue’s room that we weren’t technically supposed to be in (don’t ask). Looking all sad. But I swear he wasn’t! He had his sheet of bark! He was solid gold!
Nels’ shirt – Homesewn listing; Flickr tagset
Phoenix’s Bleeding Heart Dress – Homesewn listing; Flickr tagset
The Flickr tagsets generally include more construction detail, should you be interested in such things.
And finally – here’s something I feel good about. After I finished the dress I asked Phoenix if she’d rather have the garment, or have me list it for sale to go toward paying off our layaway on the rather choice bike we have reserved for her and partially paid. Now I know she wants that bike –
but I guess she wanted the dress more.
She’s been wearing it ever since.
(diamonds at the ill-used railroad tracks:)
So, is that threadpainting? That’s awesome. I love the contrast between the badass applique and the sweet print. Nels’s sweater is beautiful too, and makes a great overlay for colourful clothing. It’s obvious that the clothes are perfectly suited to their personalities — wonderful work, mama!
Really gorgeous. I’m loving Nels’ purple pants too! My little guy’s favorite color is purple and it’s a rare find in the boy’s section.
Beautiful work, as always. I appreciate that you take time to document the details, since I love to see how people construct things. I never feel like I have the time to do the documenting, though it’s important to me, too. Nels’ sweater looks like the coziest thing I’ve seen in a long time and reminds me of the sweatshirt I lost when our luggage was stolen just prior to our trip out here. I may have to find some fabric like that….
How long did it take you to do the threadwork on the appliqué?
Log…by Whammo!
@Medrie
Well, I’m calling it thread-painting. I don’t know what else to!
@Carrie
Yes, Nels is into dressing in all one color (note his purple tee underneath). I was surprised he elected to wear this new sweatshirt!
@Jen
Thanks for the recognition. It’s important for me to document so others can do something.
The heart, gee, I don’t know. It seemed only a couple hours from sketch to finish but… Next time I do it, I’ll time myself for realz.
@Kidsync
Oh dear. You do know it’s Blammo, right?
He he, yes, but I was pummeled with Wham-O commercials as a child, so I get them mixed up often. Plus, I haven’t seen that episode (or any Ren and Stimpy really) in about 20 years.
That’s what happens when I post quickly and fail to reread my posts. Ah well, you got that I got it anyway. 🙂
Dude…that dress is SO cool.
@Bex
Thank you. I am working on another project and planning to thread-draw some more. So much fun!