the triangle, the triangle!

Update from previous: I did in fact set aside the blue & yellow fox improv situation to give it time to marinate. I’ve been working with these three colors since then, trying to experiment with small pieces and let it become something larger. I want to explore negative space and more minimalist compositions. It’s hard! I want to put hats on hats on hats. I think it’ll lead somewhere good, eventually.

I’ve been working so hard and yet I haven’t actually finished a project in weeks, which is starting to get to me. I’m torn between taking a break to do some straightforward production sewing or just forcing myself to finish something, even if it’s not perfect. That might be a perfect encapsulation of me as an artist/craftsperson?

WHAT I'M WORKING ON #3

I don’t really know why I’m numbering these, but it feels good, so I guess we’ll see if I stick with it! I’m writing this at the end of a long, long day in the studio where nothing quite turned out the way I was hoping. Nothing tragic, just everything was a little disappointing.

For the first time in quite awhile, I did a timed improvisational quilt block. I’ve been so focused on garment sewing lately that I’ve forgotten that I’m primarily a quilter. I’m slowly getting back into the habit; so far, everything I’m making feels pointless, but I’m sure eventually I’ll get back to making interesting patchwork.

I finished changing the buttons on my black twill Reed skirt, and I’m ready to sew a blue twill Reed skirt and a short-sleeved Patina made from an old topsheet. I also finished making a Samson from purple knit; initially I thought I didn’t like it, but then I wore it for two days straight.

I think really what I’d like to do this week is finish projects. Finish my second Reed and third Patina, finish the quilt top I started today, finish hemming the dumb curtains, finish the tank top I started making for Daniel when it was still warm enough that tank tops felt relevant. And maybe rest a little more and give myself some space. I strained a muscle in my back, and I was in so much pain all day today (and ingested a dangerous amount of ibuprofen) and yet I’m still frustrated that I didn’t get more done. It’s possible that I’m not being entirely fair with myself. It would be nice if next week, I’m coming into this space with a little more peace and acceptance.

WHAT I'M WORKING ON #2

Okay! So far, I’m pretty into this What I’m Working On thing, mostly because I just now read my last post, and I’ve actually finished or made progress on most of the things.

My first Reed Skirt is done in the sense that it’s a skirt and I’m counting it as a finished project, but it is not done really because (a) I put vintage buttons on a skirt that will need to go in the dryer every time I wash it (because stretch twill) and (b) the waistband is very much too big. That’s fine though, because I’ve already made some covered buttons using some vintage covered buttons from my stash, and I didn’t topstitch the side seam of the skirt because I had a feeling I’d end up needing to take it in a bit. I’m going to switch out the buttons and wash & dry it and see where it’s at before I alter it. I’ll also probably write more words about the pattern overall, but I’m planning to make two more versions first. Overall, really love the pattern and Grainline Studio in general.

I also finished my niece’s quilt, finally! Photos to come, but I’m super happy with how it turned out. I should start a new quilt now? I’m working on a small quilt/wall-hanging for my quilt guild that I’m pretty psyched about, but I should also start working on a quilt for my partner’s best friend’s baby. I’m really determined to keep this one simple and get it done; that’s what I said about my niece’s quilt, and it turned into a very elaborate improvisational log cabin situation that took me six months to finish, so. Yes. I’ve already got fabric picked out, and I’m going to try very hard to just do a modified nine-patch situation and get the quilt top done in a day or two. And I’ll stick to crib-quilt size, and maybe finish it before Thanksgiving??

We just got some new Rifle Paper Co fabric in the store, including some really beautiful cotton/linen. I’m going to take that as a sign and buy some to make an apron for my friend. I should figure out a pattern to use; Seamwork has a classic apron pattern, but I’ve sort of been thinking of doing a cross-strap style? Maybe I’ll just stick with the Seamwork pattern so I’m more likely to just get it done (and use less fabric?).

What else? I’m hoping to cut out a Seamwork Samson today, along with a short-sleeved Patina. I’m doing the Samson in a very basic aqua knit I got on sale; this is the first pattern I’m doing from Samson, so I don’t know how the fit is going to turn out. Oh and I just remembered I need to do a 2” FBA on it before I actually cut anything out. I finally actually figured out my bust cup size for sewing and how that relates to my high bust and full bust and blah blah blah, anyway assuming I have in fact figured it out, fitting new blouse/dress patterns is maybe going to be less stressful? We’ll see. I’ve already made two Patinas and I know the pattern fits me, so at least I’ll have one (hopefully) easy thing to sew. I’m using a blue and white floral top sheet, as we never use top sheets and the fabric is a very drapey cotton sateen. (I also don’t totally trust that I figured out the fit, so using a topsheet feels safer than cutting into ‘real’ fabric.)

As always, I am working on far too many things at once. I’m also trying to finish the Tank tank for Daniel this week, I’m making a hat from knit scraps for my niece to send along with the quilt, I should start making scrunchies for the winter craft sale I’m participating in, I want to make a new wall-hanging, I want to make a cardigan from this very pretty gray knit fabric, the list goes on and onnn. I’ll start with the Patina and the Samson and then go from there.