thrifted – kelly hogaboom

a stitch in time

January 29, 2013

by kellyhogaboom sewing journal

Shirt, on my “new” (early-80s model) Pfaff. I used two yardages of very soft cotton houndstooth, both scrap pieces gifted me a little while back. The buttons were scavenged off a thrifted wool coat I used to make an upcycled newsboy cap, which was sent across the states to a client a while back.

Below: the backside of the front placket, revealing my wee little button knots:

The shirt’s cuffs, collar, and front plackets are interfaced using a firmly-woven cotton. I don’t know why more people do not interface using fabric, instead of commercial interfacings. There is a distinctly appealing drape to this method.

My “new” machine!

I know, it doesn’t look all that exciting, being two colors of 80s-Ass-Brown. However I have been enjoying getting to know it, and its little conveniences. The “Needle Down”, “Buttonhole / Tie-Off”, and the wind-from-needle function charmed me right away.

Phee:

Yesterday in the car Phoenix was complaining about how the shape of her eyebrows, because she says she always looks “pissed”. I think her eyebrows are awesome. & yeah, they give her a semi-feral countenance, for sure. She’s just beautiful, always has been.

See what I mean?

mama’s #krafty

December 31, 2012

by kellyhogaboom dailies sewing journal

Some of my Christmas sewing. Some. Click on pictures to be directed to my Flickrstream where I detail a bit about how I made these items, what patterns I used, when I self-drafted, where I got my fabrics, etc.

First, and some of you got a preview here and there – the kids’ Christmas coats:

Nels is saying, “Taking a picture of me? Too mainstream.” For realz.

Let’s talk about Nels’ coat for a minute. Please pause and take a moment, close your eyes, and emit a string of foul-mouthed oaths. That’s how I feel about this garment, which I choose to privately christen the “F*ing Frock Coat”. I will seriously not bore you with how much went wrong and how often. Some of this is due to the source pattern which I shall not publicly name. Some of it was just weird, and bad, luck.

My son enjoys the coat, though. He doesn’t have to know it almost made me resort to arson.

Natch, Phee loves her YETI-riffic coat. She wears it everywhere, including to sleep! It is warm and luxurious.

Some casual digs sewn on Saturday:

While the t-shirt was a lot of fun, I am happiest with the Plaid Skinny Jeans (which aren’t “jeans” at all) – specifically the linen front yoke, the perfect welt pocket, and the back elastic. Most of the details I like the most are those I self-drafted, so don’t count on the source pattern helping you if you’d like to emulate my results.

“To Gir With Love” – made for a friend, who’s step-daughter loves a certain cartoon character. Phoenix and I made this yesterday. She did absolutely all of the design work, except for the basic hat shape, which I took care of.

Up close: 100% wool sweater upcycled for the black detail.

Skele-Quilt:

The backing: a brightly-colored spacescape – I love the intensity:

Hand-bound:

I’ve been working on this quilt for five years. Fortunately, I kept it enough on the DL my daughter hadn’t yet seen it. Even more fortunate, both my daughter and I still love the fabrics, meaning she liked the gift and I liked working on it. I was sewing on a binding right up until Christmas Day. It just isn’t Christmas Sewing without the last-minute shite.

Finally, a hand-embroidered wrist pincushion for my brother’s fiance:

I designed the whole business here, including yes the Jack Skellington Shrinky-Dink pin and the safety measure of a plastic insert so one won’t accidentally stab oneself. Linen & cotton.

If you have any questions on how I made anything, please ask either here or at the Flickr photos. I love sharing the craftivism!

shrinky-DON’Ts

August 7, 2012

by kellyhogaboom sewing journal

I made twenty-one pincushions, out of two paired fabrics (you can flip ’em over and use either side). Every one has custom-drawn pins, a unique set of buttons (usually not matching) and their own thread scheme. It was a lot of work but a lot of fun.

“S” “E” “W”. Skulls and velveteen.

Lots of stars. This fabric from Britta’s shop.

Tapir. Bad-ass.

Getting to use the mermaid fabric Emily gave me. Yay!

I didn’t burn myself nor the shrinky-dinks, but you may be pleased to know I stabbed myself SO MANY TIMES handsewing on firm pincushions. I am hoping to be in the Fiber Fest again this year (although they haven’t returned my call, yikes) and making up some inventory.

planetologist shirt

August 7, 2012

by kellyhogaboom dailies sewing journal

NELS + new shirt (named by my son because it looks like a “science shirt” and he still wants to study planets for a living).

Rolled-up sleeves. Semi-sheer 100% super-soft cotton. Slim fit; adjusted from a McCall’s 2146 to accomodate my tall, slim boy.

Now, some construction details (clicking thru to the Flickr tagset reveals a few more comments):

The shoulder/sleeve seam: finished by purchased bias-binding. Very quick, effective, and looks good when showing through the semi-sheer cotton fabric.

Collar and shoulder. Used up some interfacing that was kinda wonky, and cheap. In fact the whole shirt was very inexpensive; most of it was thrifted.

Usually I do an invisible-knot for buttons. I liked the idea of little comet-y thread tails with this goldenrod cotton twist. After tying and clipping, I carefully coated the knot and thread in fabric glue.

Finishing: when not flat-felled or French seamed or bound, I prefer a pinked seam allowance over a serged one.

These wonderful glass buttons had thread grooves! When the shirt wears out I’ll probably cut the buttons off. If the shirt is not too stained or torn I’ll send it off to another family who likes homesewn goodness.

Nels is beautiful.

Of course.

change my stride / then i’ll fly

June 14, 2012

by kellyhogaboom dailies

Things went my way today. I had energy again and got quite a bit of housework done. I experienced a happy, happy day free from constipation. (Yeah, readers? I didn’t fill you in on this whole ordeal, unless you follow me on Twitter. A side-effect of four days on medicine. I thought constipation was like this not-really-problem, instead of being one of those things that like, consume one’s entire thoughts and activities all day long. Fortunately for me, it was only a handful of hours of sheer Hell. I spent yesterday on the couch quietly sobbing while trying to be distracted by the delicious Danny Trejo’s turn in Machete.)

So back to today, I had a few errands to run, including fixing my car stereo, which had distressingly experienced total failure. Remember the fellow who installed my stereo, and gave me free basil a year ago? He helped me today. And he’s still up to his gardening BTW.

So anyway, all fixed.

In commerce, I sold the Upcycled Newsboy Hat to a lovely mamacita in NY…

… and listed a Louise outfit (yes, from “Bob’s Burgers”. If you haven’t watched this show, why not?):

While shopping at the Goodwill for funiture (bright orange chair, acquired) Nels found this pseudo-ruched rainbow shirt with a boatneck and silver star. He loved it lots, and I bought it for him for $3.

Life is good, but it’s late and time for a hot bath and cold glass of water and snuggles.

3 spring dresses for Phee

May 8, 2012

by kellyhogaboom sewing journal

For my daughter, who doesn’t like fussy dresses but complimented me many times on these.

The blue and the deep-red stripe were both from Gray’s General Store. The red organic jersey was bought on sale some time ago.

All three dresses were based on a pattern by Chicken Hill, graded up for Phoenix’s tall, lanky frame. At first I thought I’d offer these to clients, but the waist tie requires a rather personalized placement, so I won’t be doing so at this time.