aprons then and now

I've been sewing for longer than a lot of you have been alive. I started seriously sewing at ten and never looked back. I never tire of it there is always something new to learn.
For years now I've been interested in aprons and what they called ,when I was growing up, house dresses.I liked the idea of an article of apparel that defined a role or function. When my grandmother put on her bib apron that meant she was headed to the kitchen. A half apron with pockets meant hanging out clothes time. Many housewives had these wrap around house dresses that were worn to clean in. I couldn't wait till I was grown-up and could wear one of those wrap dresses. The closest I came was a wrap around skirt, that was in style ,when I was in high school.
Now once again aprons are popular ,there is even a magazine devoted to just aprons . The aprons I have made are new but some are made in a vintage style with with vintage fabric, some are more modern with likewise fabric.

Two Pounds of Love

My cousin is having a baby.  And she's been considerate enough to do so when I have the time and inclination to work up a handmade gift for her.  Few babies are so thoughtful.  Of course, my response was to go to Joann to look at baby yarn.  Next thing I know, I'm trying to figure out what to do with two pounds of love!

You see, I'm lazy.  I know you're laughing but anyone who knows me well would never, ever disagree with that statement.

Not only am I lazy, in general, but I am a lazy crocheter.  If I don't remember or understand part of a pattern, I'll wing it.  If I lose a stitch in one row, I'm not ripping that shit out!  I just add an extra one in the next row and keep going.  In 10+ years of hooking, I think I've make exactly one gauge swatch.  And that was just a couple of months ago.

Anywhoo, so I'm standing in the aisle at Joann with my cousin's baby registry pulled up on my smart phone cursing at the baby yarn because it doesn't come in a perfect tan/taupe to match the adorable wall art and lamp on the registry.

I kept browsing the registry and noticed a stroller, high chair and seat that all had a bright blue similar to one of the yarns on the shelf.  There it was, saying, "Hey, look, I'm blue and might match those things. But I'm also kind of gender neutral, which is handy since the baby's sex is still unknown."

It also agreed with me that the cell signal in Joann leaves a lot to be desired, which is inconvenient when trying to browse online registries in the yarn aisle.

I had a pattern picked out but only vaguely remembered how much yarn I might need.  I figured one skein of yarn would be enough because this particular yarn comes in really big skeins.  Skeins that weigh a whole pound, in fact.

She's not creepy AT ALL.  Nope.  Not even a little bit.

But - again - lazy.  If one skein is good, then two is better because what if I need just a little bit more than one skein and don't have a second one?  Then I'd have to go all the way back to the store and that would require things like pants and walking and talking to people.  Better just to get two pounds of yarn in the first place.

I'm pretty happy with the way the "planned" blanket turned out:

The thing is - it only took about half a skein. 

Oops.

That's ok, though!  If one blankie is good, then two is better.  I set out to make another:

I'm pretty happy with that one, too.  The thing is - I still hadn't touched the second skein!  

Since the DOMEstic artistry show is coming up, I used the second skein to make a couple of items to include in the sale.  There's another baby blanket and a cowl that I'm tempted to keep for myself.  

For the record, this is what two pounds of love looks like, all worked up:

It was very keen to do some basking in the sunlight.

The first two blankies have now gone off to their new home with my cousin, whose shower is the same day as the show.  The second pound is looking forward to seeing YOU at the DOME.  

IS IT COLD ENOUGH FOR COATS YET?

"Rosas y Polillas" - the top view of the 10 inch decoupaged cake stand for sale on Saturday!

Oh time is getting short! Just three days until we have our Domestic Artistry show on Saturday, March 9th and we have been busy sewing, crocheting, crafting and everything else so that we can have a wonderful array of beautiful things to show our shoppers!

Since my last entry I have managed to finish two new coats. Here are a few pictures of one of them.

This one is my favorite so far. It is a retro design from Burda.

Notice how the fabric's pattern matches on the pockets and front? That ain’t no coincidence! (That's OCD...)

The beauty of fashion and of the art of sewing are for me in the details, and details take - patience. Sewing encourages patience for me though often tests it as well. Sewing can be like meditation, or is at least a good opportunity to practice calm abiding and breaking the hold of samsara*.

The back reminds me of something reptilian from some outer space multi-colored dessert.

I had a karmic realization recently while doing the buttonholes of this particular coat.

Welted box buttonholes and more vintage buttons. These buttons are from the 40's.

First let me say, I don’t like machine made buttonholes. I think of them almost as cheating. I like to do them by hand, which means either a double welted box buttonhole or working with buttonhole twist. I kind of suck at using twist so I opt for the box most of the time. This means making twice as many “boxes” as there are finished holes. For example this coat has three finished buttonholes so I had to make six boxes – three on the front piece and then three again on the inside facing. They sandwich in the welts (folded flanges is the best I can do to explain a welt) and make for a really stylish high class look. Hardly anyone does these anymore because they are time consuming and are a very exacting process of measuring and measuring (and measuring!). 

During the making of the buttonholes for this coat I became aware of how much time it was gobbling up. The buttonhole treatment was likely the most time consuming part of the entire creation.

Paired perfectly with the finished 80's inspired big urban carry all!

While ironing open the boxes on the front side of the coat, I had a moment where I could have gotten frustrated or overwhelmed by how much time and precision these were going to require and could have left them aside to work on something more immediately satisfying, but instead I heard myself say, “Just take your time. Just finish them.”  Then a broader connection clicked in my thoughts between keeping a forward momentum on this labor intensive creation and doing the same with other aspects of my life.

I get frustrated and exasperated sometimes - don't we all?! - and it is easy to lose patience and walk away or drop the entire issue, activity, or challenge to look for other things that give instant gratification while asking little of our focus or dedication in return. This habit of giving up easily robs us of multiple opportunities to develop longer lasting tolerance, patience, and calmer, more peaceful states of mind where we are less prone to becoming agitated and antsy. Remembering to, “Just take your time. Just finish it.” was good advice.

This kind of larger connection making happens often when I am at my machine or doing meticulous handwork on a garment. Not getting overwhelmed by the intricacies or labor intensity on a single aspect of a piece is good practice. Much like yoga practice (which has greatly suffered since leaving the mountains!!). Yoga helps you stay in the moment mentally and physically without falling back over on what has already transpired and cannot be changed (past), and worrying about what’s coming up that hasn't happened yet (future). Just staying in the here and now focused on the task at hand where you actually have the most influence and the greater opportunity to affect positivity. 

Focusing on the here and now is also where you can manifest the most joy by breaking the cycle of aversion (to the tedium) and craving (to be free from it) and giving your energies and attention to what is right in front of you. Learn to enjoy the slower pace.

So, I have learned to love the tedium. I look forward to making more coats and finding more joy in the details. Of course, I am not a Buddha and in the interest of time closing in for the Domestic Artistry show I admit that I did machine stitched the buttonholes on the coat not pictured! However, I did use ribbon instead of thread to attach the vintage wide-holed buttons :)

"Lokah Samastah Sukino Bavantu"
(May All Beings Everywhere Be Happy And Free)

Anyway, I cannot wait to share the results of my sewing meditations with you all on Saturday!!!

* the habit of conditioned craving and aversion in any given scenario

Sigue adelante en paz!

Quickie Update

Oooooo, I am cleaning out my spare closet (a.k.a. my purse closet).  So many wonderful bags are coming out to the DOME for the sale!

Sherry, Sabrina and I spent some time this afternoon tagging and organizing.  We have made some beautiful things and the vintage fare is amazing!


xtine

HAPPY LIFE, HAPPY DEATH, HAPPY BUDDHA

There is something so right and awesome about the skulls with a peaceful Buddha in company

Never let it be said that I have no capacity for irony. Which, reminds me of the scene in Reality Bites between Ethan Hawke and Winonna Ryder when Ethan (Troy) explains the meaning of the word, "It's when the actual meaning is completely opposite from the literal meaning."

It may be that the skulls would be contrary in vibe from the peaceful Buddha but it is exactly the reverse. The Buddha professed that acceptance of our inevitable death and embracing the human life we live in this moment free from our petty stimuli/emotional response/reaction cycle is what brought peace!

But that is another blog entirely...

Fellow Domestic Artistry artisan, Christine Ratcliff commandeered my services to make a small clutch out of some fabric she has been eyeballing at Joanns for quite some time. The above is her in progress. She is only waiting some ghastly lining that Xtine picked out that will be perfect.

Absolutely horrid and a perfect fit!

Bags are such a treat to make. They take very little fabric, present no fitting challenges, and are amenable to just about any design whim or quirky trim you might have. And they are useful! Just open them up and chuck it in. The bigger the bag, the more stuffs you can chuck (how much stuffs could a gal's bag chuck if...?).


I have several bags for bag lovers like me at the trunk show on March 9th. Oh, and good news, we can now accept any kind of payment at the event, so no fear of the Cash or Check only fuddy dud. All C's are excepted- Cash, Check, or Credit Card.

Ven y ver!

OFFICIAL INVITATION!

What: Domestic Artistry Pre-Spring Trunk Show

When: Saturday March 9th, 2013
12:00pm to 4:00pm

Who: Local Designers, Artists, and Crafts Persons
Sherry Reisinger, Christine Ratcliff, and Sabrina Reisinger

Where: The Dome at Lost Lane (3816 Lost Lane 32309) 

Directions: Take Mahan Drive east to Crump/Chaires Cross Road intersection (first light after the I-10 over pass) and turn left onto Crump Road. Continue to the four way stop at Miccosukee Road and turn right. Go exactly one mile and turn right onto Miccosukee Land Co-Op Road and follow the signs.

Come shop our hand crafted gifts & jewelry, vintage clothing & home decor, decorative decoupage, plus original designer apparel & accessories.

Beverages and snacks will be served early for your browsing and shopping pleasure.

Bring a friend and get a 10% discount!!

Artists will be on site to answer any questions and to take special orders.

"When Beauty, Art & Craft meet you'll find Domestic Artistry!"

Email us at: domesticartistryinfo@gmail.com

BAGS ARE BREWING & THE VELVET VINTAGE MASSACRE

I use this same 1939 vintage White model to sew EVERYTHING! Just does a straight stitch forward and backwards. Simplicity at it's finest.

I know I must love sewing because I just spent the bulk of yesterday putting in and RE-putting in one sleeve and one invisible zipper on the same garment and I am still not satisfied. That's over 8 frickin' hours y'all, ON ONE SLEEVE AND ONE ZIPPER!


This garment mind you has been in the works for over three months. It is one of those vintage pattern reprints from Butterick. I started it when I was in the cabin in Asheville but had to put it on hold for a bit while I got myself down here to Florida.

So classy back in the day

Before I had to pack everything up and leave the cuteness and mountain quite behind, I was in a tirade to make something out of all the fabric in my possession (either that or send it on to some other fabric hoarder). This is a challenge I undertake at least once a year in order to clear my space, stores, and mind and focus on "real projects" like the bags and coats I am obsessed with. Ha!


Aaaaanyway, I had this splendid champagne colored panne velvet that I had used to make my friend Joy's wedding dress several years ago. It seemed to me a perfect fit. The velvet texture and the muted color made it a shoe in for a vintage feel and was appropriate for the era of the design.

It is lined in a flesh colored crepe back satin. I added the gold piping, which was also vintage (a win finding at a NC thrift store) plus an antique button accent to nail down the 40's vibe. 

 

 

Velvet vintage for sale at the March 9th trunk show. A size 10/12.

Before the velvet massacre, I have been prepping a variety of bags for the trunk show. Thanks to Ashley Cortese and her interior design work (smittendesign.blogspot.com)that had me making miles of curtains, I had some groovy scraps to work with. I love the white ones! I decided to see what trimmings I had around and the metallics sent me back to my 80's high school days.

Small clutches and some roomy urban carry-alls. Just waiting some fantastic linings and zippers!

I have several other sewn items that I am finishing up but I will also have a good amount of decoupage for your Domestic Artistry pleasure!

12" mini cake stands perfect for decoration of for revealing a sweet for your sweets!

Each butterfly is a separate image layered under the glass.

    

Ya! Anda el arte!

COATS TO COAST! OR "WHAT'S A NICE COAT LIKE YOU DOING IN A HOT STATE LIKE THIS?"

Who's this chick kidding! Cold in Fla my tuckus! Check it lady, you're still in a freakin' BIKINI !!

Hi, my name is Sabrina and you might be wondering what is a native Floridian doing obsessed with making fun winter coats? I sometimes wonder the same. I can only try to explain it as a desire to expand my creative bent into geographically wider horizons. Let's face it, if I stuck to making only apparel that I could wear in the hot, steamy, winter-lasts-a-week-if-I-am-lucky-or-if-at-all environs of Florida I would be doomed to hem Daisy Duke cutoffs, and stitch Lily Pulitzer printed culottes and moo moos for the rest of my days.

Here are a couple shots of some coats I have worked on recently.

I love working with upholstery fabrics because of their weight, their durability and the fun geographic prints that they offer.

 

I love to pair a bright unexpected lining with a Miro like pattern and thanks to a recent fitting with fellow Domestic Artistry artist, Christine I will soon be playing with under collar contrasts.

For more photos of recent works as well as some inspirations, check out my Pintrest page here:

http://pinterest.com/vidriposas/

Chaufas pa' ahora!

Hi. I'm Christine and I'm Addicted to String

Thick, thin, yarn, thread, floss, hemp, cotton, wool, natural or synthetic.  If I can hook it, I'll try to make something out of it!

I learned to crochet at someone's knee so long ago, I'm not even sure whose knee it was! In truth, it was probably a combination of my mom and her aunts. After a long hiatus, I renewed my interest in the craft about 10 years ago. It's become an important part of my life. It's my way of keeping my sanity, finding happiness and exploring my creativity (which I denied existed for most of my life).

I also enjoy cross stitch. I don't do that as often as crochet, though. At the end of a long weekday - or the beginning of a lazy weekend - there's nothing more relaxing than sinking into the couch with a hook and yarn!
 

Here are a few sneak peeks at items I'm planning to bring to the dome for the trunk show:

I've got several of these bags, which have become something of an obsession.  They're made of cotton with an open stitch and make excellent grocery, market or beach bags.  

A simple shawl/wrap in a gorgeous teal color.

Hey, I'm a crocheter, so I gotta have some granny squares, right?!  Colorful cotton grannies make perfect coasters for home or office.

You can find my etsy shop here. You can also find me as xtinerat on Ravelry.

Hope to see you at the dome or online!

xtine

SAVE THE DATE!!!!

SAVE THE DATE! 

What: Domestic Artistry Pre-Spring Trunk Show

When: Saturday March 9th, 2013

Where: The Dome at Lost Lane (3816 Lost Lane 32309) 

Who: Local Designers, Artists, and Crafts Persons Sherry Reisinger, Christine Ratcliff, and Sabrina Reisinger

The trunk show will feature hand crafted gifts & jewelry, vintage clothing & home decor, decorative decoupage, plus original designer apparel & accessories.

Come shop for handcrafted gifts for someone special or just for yourself! Fill your closet and home with unique one-of-a-kind pieces you will treasure for seasons to come.

We will provide the sweet libations and savory gnosh for your browsing and shopping pleasure. Bring a friends and get a 10% discount!!

Artists will be on site to answer any questions and to take special orders.

Email us at: domesticartistryinfo@gmail.com