Creative Journey: Searching Through my Stash
Cotton yarn
Next month I am going to embark on my first Creative Journey Month of 2013 and explore Textiles.I have sewn since college, knit since I was 8, and love the feel and look of textiles. I am in the throws of organizing my fabric studio, perusing my stash. Numerous fabrics and yarns from travels, relatives, shopping expeditions, and who knows where I got everything? The colors alone are so addicting!I think of the textiles in my fabric studio as my palette, almost like paint. What should I make? Sometimes it is sad to use a fabric or yarn, it is like letting an old friend go.
May 1 I start on my adventure, can’t wait!
Batik cotton
cropped pullover
Inspiration Thursday: Cotton
cotton plant
Lately I have been spending a lot of time in my fabric studio, well, in between setting up my new boutique, blogging, errands,…..And I am falling in love again with cotton. It is almost spring and then summer(wish, wish!!) and cotton is the ideal fabric to sew, knit with and wear. It is natural, soft, can be dyed to bright wonderful colors, and can be used for shirts, diapers, sweaters, pants, dresses, quilts, and on and on. One disadvantage is that is needs to be ironed if you don’t like wrinkly clothes.
Batik cotton
Cotton yarn
I was amazed at how many fabrics it can be made into. Here are a few from fabric.net:
Diaper Cloth is a twill, dobby or plain woven absorbent cotton.
Dimity is sheer, thin, white or printed fabric with lengthwise cords, stripes or checks.
Drill is a strong twilled cotton fabric, used in men’s and women’s slacks.
Duck is a heavy, durable tightly woven fabric. Heavy weight drill is used in awnings, tents, etc. Lighter duck is used in summer clothing.
Flannel cotton is plain or twill weave with a slight nap on one or both sides.
Flannelette is a soft cotton fabric with a nap on one side.
Gauze is a sheer, lightly woven fabric similar to cheesecloth. Is also made in silk.
Gingham is a lightweight, washable, stout fabric that is woven in checks, plaids or stripes.
Lawn is a plain weave, soft, very light, combed cotton fabric with a crisp finish.
And there are 15 more. Such a versatile fabric, love it!
Read more at: Autumn Leaves.
A Day in the Life: Oh, Lots of Things
gesso drawing
I finally got into my painting studio, after having several weeks where I didn’t paint. It felt good! First, I did my ritual of cleaning and straightening up to get myself organized. I made a list of pieces I want to work on, then I dove in.
I began by sketching on gesso illustration board. I hope to make some figure studies in oil pastel, good start.
red flower
Then I worked on a previous started oil pastel of a floral, fun!
blue scarf
Oh, and then there are the cool new scarves I am making. Had a good day!
Read more at: Color Theory.
Need more gifts for the holidays? Check out my Print Shop or my Etsy Shop!
Joyeful One of Kind Friday: Conscious of Your Clothing
Dress
Ohhh, I just love this Friday Find of mine!! It makes me want to get up and dance a jig!! My find is a small online boutique full of organic clothing. Conscious Clothing( I love the name!) has clothing made from hemp, organic cotton, and, oh just read what the owner says herself ‘Specializing in hemp, soy, bamboo, organic cotton, wool, and recycled fibers. I believe in making fashions that have a low environmental impact. Conventional cotton is one of the most heavily treated commercial crops in the world. The amount of pesticides and herbicides that go into producing a single T shirt is astounding! Clothing conservation and choosing new fabrics that have been produced sustainably is my goal.
I am a mother of 3 lovely children in Lowell, Michigan. We have a large organic garden and small orchard which sustains our family almost year round. If my hands aren’t sewing, they’re in the dirt!’
I love this mindfulness about what you wear, and artistically done also, what more could a green buyer want?!
Happy Shopping!
Read more at: Unique Jewelry.
Remember to check out my artwork for sale! Art Shoppe
Inspiration Thursday: Jane Schwartz, Quilter
When I first met my mother in law, Jane Schwartz, I knew she was a kindred spirit. She was baking sweet tasty treats and selling them out of her own kitchen, making a huge colorful needlepoint rug, and she loved to knit. Wow, someone like me who loves to do all kinds of things creative! We became close very quickly and I have always been inspired by her determination and perseverance to make things even if they prove to be challenging. She has a terrific eye for design. She also has succeeded in running a small bakery and has made 35 quilts, many totally by hand.
I have always been fascinated by quilting. My mother and both grandmothers quilted. It seems that traditionally quilting has been a woman’s craft, a craft of necessity. Families needed to be warm, so coverings needed to be made. No ordinary coverings, but intricately sewn pieces of multi colored and patterned cloth put together in designs that have survived years of quilting, evolving over time with new colors and fabrics. Now quilting has become an art form where the sky is literally the limit. But quilting was done mostly by women, and what I find so interesting is that it is a creative activity that is artful and yet comforting, a nurturing gift to whoever is lucky enough to receive a handmade one.
Garden Quilt
I asked Mom today why she likes quilting so much as a creative activity?
Basically Mom said she loves quilting because she of the anticipation of seeing the finished product. Because she loves fabric, colors and the wonderful patterns the quilts are designed from. She said she loves the planning, the shopping for the fabric, the touch of the fabric, and the eye candy of all the different colors and fabric designs. Quilting enhances her life by always giving her an activity that she loves doing. It makes her happy that she never has to worry that she will suffer from boredom and will forever be entertained by creating quilts. Designing and making such beautiful quilts has made her proud of her accomplishments and feels a thrill every time she sees one she has made being used.
Bedspread
Mom said she falls in love with each of her quilts and says” Each quilt becomes like a child of mine!” Every quilt is made with love and are only made for family. How lucky that I am family and own several of her gems!
Wall Hanging
Jane Schwartz
Read more inspiration posts at: Hard Headed Grandmother.
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