bee creative

tiny things

I am really not sure where today went...

nothing much that I planned to do happened.

And I am not sure how I feel about that.

Maybe it was what I needed.

I did spend 15 minutes sewing. 

The button marks the front of a skirt and the wonky patch the back neckline.

It's kind of like "This side up."

the next intention + more winter

The intention?  To make nine items of clothing in 2021 (inspired by The Make Nine Challenge) using material that is in the stash... which is mostly bits and pieces left over from other sewing projects.

There was one exception.  I had three yards of this fabric. 

First attempt was dress length. (What was I thinking?)

Second attempt tunic length. Not there yet.

Third attempt shirt. Yes, this I will wear.

And everything that was cut off? It would make a good lining for a vest or jacket.

Along with the sewing, I also went for a walk in the sunshine.  The creek at the park was running fast.

I think I could make yarn this color. 

I am not sure that I will ever look at winter the same way after this year...looking for colors other than dark green has been very worthwhile.

 

And there was winter pasta.

Pasta + dried tomatoes + oil cured olives + canned artichokes + thyme + feta + olive oil.

past my bed time so it's kind of random...

And all about "why not?" Just put it out there.

Two altered photos:

Thinking about Raku.

And so many layers I lost count.

And because I keep forgetting:

The pants dyed blue.

Don't look too closely,

one leg is slightly bluer than the other.

Super comfortable but the next pair I make will probably be two sizes smaller.

considerations

Pockets do better if they are reinforced.

This one hides a bleach mark.

Blue enough?

I think so.

Original plan was to be a poncho.

I think it would be better as a blanket.

Okay.

Have to consider where the bright stripes land.

Might need to dye more yarn.

 

light and dark and a pair of pants

November...it's glorious when the sun is out.

When there is time in the garden to do things like plant shallots.

And make a moon garden.

But it's statistically our wettest month here.

And dark.

And a month I find challenging. I suspect this year it will be especially so.

Last month I started thinking about a month full of black and white images.

That seems a bit much so I rethought my parameters: one post a day for November with a black and white (and gray) image.

Color where appropriate.

Sharing other projects when they are there to be shared...like today!

Making a pair of jeans was my sewing goal for 2020.

I considered a lot of patterns, but never settled on one. Thinking it would nudge me along, I bought some denim because it was made in California and meets another sewing goal.

Nope.

Instead I was distracted by another pattern...

Arthur pants (available at Sew Liberated).

I have never done so many flat-felled seams! I made pants pockets for the first time.  They are super comfortable and, perhaps, more flattering than jeans.

They make me smile!

These are heading for the indigo vat and more fabric will likely be ordered.

As for the denim...well, it will make a great jumper.

P.S. Making something and getting outside was good therapy this weekend. 

Deep breath.

6 bleach stains and counting: the COVID wardrobe

There are those who get to wear PJ's or casual clothes (a house dress?) if working from home, those who have uniforms, others who are business as usual and then some of us who have to decided how much of our wardrobe to sacrifice as we go of to work...

Bleach marks on clothing have always been a reality working at a childcare. It's much riskier now though, the recommended dilution has changed from one that didn't leave marks to 4 tablespoons of bleach per quart of water. And we are making up a lot of bleach dilution.

The joke around work is we need t-shirts that say "Bleach happens."

The majority of us choose to buy second hand clothing for work (considering budget and the general risk factors to clothing from young children). I also wear the things I've made.

Last week was bad...two more items with bleach spots.  This is not sustainable.

Solutions include:

• Only wear things that currently have bleach stains until the bleach to water ratio changes. It would be a uniform of sorts. A capsule wardrobe. 
• Make a set of aprons or smocks just for work. I would need a fresh one each day as it would have to be washed daily.  Having no dryer, I would need at least three.  Might as well stick with the "everything with bleach on it already" plan.  (I do already have one smock for emergency purposes.)
• Continue to mend anything that is a problem. Cut sleeves shorter, shorten dresses into tunics by making a seam that removes a bleach spot, add more pockets, dye things so that bleach spots blend in and so on.
• Add more bleach as a design element.  This isn't a great choice since using the minimum amount of bleach is a good environmental goal.
• Use markers to color in spots so that they aren't noticeable (a black sharpie for black clothing is a classic solution at work).

I am also considering something else... embracing the mark and make a heart patch or a label for each item of clothing with bleach on it... Essential worker, COVID 19. 

It's time to see the mark left behind as one of effort, not a stain.

 

sunday morning

For most of my childhood Sunday morning was waffles and a weekly call from my grandparents in California.

Today it is apple pancakes and an email to my grandmother...she has a hard time hearing me on the phone.

A couple pancake thoughts:

• A scoop is marvelous for putting the batter in the frying pan.
• Rather than putting chunks of apples in pancake batter it is easier (no raw batter pockets!) to fry them separately in butter, add maple syrup at the end and then top the pancakes.

Field notes: We skipped right past first frost and went to first freeze. Last nights low, 33 F with a windchill between 21-23 most of the night; wind gusts up to 40 MPH. The sun is out, it's 34 F/1 C, and the wind has calmed.

Today's project: pants making.

Also some pruning once it warms up a bit.

#111 sky

Peaches from the garden for breakfast.

The first one was eaten over the sink, the second with yogurt.

Chicory. Not a weed. It's wanted.

Sky colored.

The dress I've been working on today is sky colored too.

A cloud on a sunny day.

And it has pockets.

I don't think I'd put a peach in the pocket though.

 

 

#102 make it useful

Once upon a time it was a skirt that wasn't worn much.

And now it's not.

#100 working with blue

Not sure if this will head back to the indigo vat. 

Maybe.

More blues...pie?