Painting My Own Fabric

I am making a silk swing top with a tie neck for a friend.  After making two of these blouses for myself from silk charmeuse, I decided I'd like to paint my own silk and make a blouse.  Here are a few pictures of my progress:

Laying out the pattern I made.  I started with a rectangle of washed silk charmeuse.

I used an air soluble marking pen to freehand an iris and other designs.  I then used the serti technique to outline my designs (this stops the dye from traveling)

Added color with silk dyes.  You can also see that I used sea salt.  This attracts color...so, there are color runs and migrations and spots that are attracted to the salt crystals.

It has dried several hours at this point.

Beginning the painting.

A JoAnn's fabric

Another JoAnn's fabric

More Sewing Less Scrolling

Actually, the title says it all.  I committed to less time on the computer and more time at my sewing machine in 2013 when I made my New Year's Resolution this year.  So far, it has really paid off!  My etsy business has been doing very well, and it seems that the more I produce, the better it goes.  Hot Gumbo Studio got a makeover and rearrangement, I created marketing/promotional/shipping materials for my etsy shop, and I have been generally productive in the studio.  Still, I miss blogging about what I am working on and need to get back to it.  I have really been busy and have missed quite a few opportunities to share what I am working on.  Here are a few things I have created since I last posted:

These Ojami are addictive to make. They make great pattern weights,juggling balls, and paperweights.  I love putting them together.

This is T. Choux.  I made her for a friend's granddaughter.  I also made tons of dresses for her.

I particularly like the teddy bear toile fabric on the Christmas/birthday dress for Avery.  This was a fun one to make!

T. Choux was such a hit, that I made one for my niece for Christmas.  Meet T. Choux Deux

My niece loves cardinals.  This is her Christmas dress.

Manly otedama

I'm getting ready for an intense weekend of sewing. I just completed this custom order of "manly" otedama for my etsy shop, Hot Gumbo.  Now I am moving on to clothing because I have an order for a smocked baby gown and slip...and I have made an awesome slip pattern (I can't wait to get it sewn up).

I'll also be starting two dresses for my niece...her Thanksgiving dress and her Christmas dress...and the fabric is really pretty.

Everything is cut out and waiting....

 I have had quite a few orders to get out over the last few months...and have really enjoyed each one.  My dad died in June, and I find that my grief is somewhat helped by spending time quietly making beautiful things.  Daddy took great interest in the little patriotic smocked dress I completed the week before he died (pictured on this blog).  It made me feel so proud to know he was proud of me.  Here is the latest creation from the studio.  This is a newborn size smocked bishop gown.  It will be the going-home-from-hospital gown for a little girl in NC whose mother is so anxiously awaiting her birth.  I can't wait to see the new baby in her first dress.  It's amazing to be a part of the etsy community because it lets me be a special part of so many special days in the lives of people I don't even know.  That makes me feel connected, somehow.  Pictured above is the full view of the dress.

Here is the silk organza bow closure in the back.

A close-up of the pouf sleeve and smocking.

Center neckline and smocking detail

Ironing Board Cover Tutorial. SUPER EASY!

My old tabletop ironing board cover was in awful shape.  Spray starch really did leave a mess on the surface.

The tag indicates that the cover should not be washed.  I washed it anyway, but, it really didn't help.

I picked up a yard each of two sewing-themed fabrics on eBay. It probably took less than a third of the width of the fabric to make an ironing board cover.  I decided to make two since I couldn't choose between the fabrics.  Plus, when one is in the wash, the other is ready and waiting!

While I was at it, I cut two layers of wool felt to the exact size of the foam pad to make my ironing surface extra padded.  I find I get a better result with the thicker ironing pad.  

I used the old foam pad for my "pattern".  I laid it on the BACKSIDE of the fabric I would use for my new cover.  Be sure to line it up with the straight of the grain (equidistant from the selvedge).

Using a seam gauge and an air-soluble fabric marking pen, I marked dashed lines two inches out from the pad all the way around.

Then, I joined the dashed lines to make a cutting line.

I made my second cover...I just laid my first cut out cover atop the other fabric and cut around it (on the straight of the grain again).

 I serged the edges to finish them.  However, you could use fusible hem tape, or a turned and stitched hem (1/4 turned down, then straight stitch).  You could also do a zigzag finish all the way around.  You could even just cut them with pinking sheers.  I plan to wash mine a lot...so, serging was the way to go. 

Fold the hem allowance in 1 inch.  PIN IT!  I also like to press at this point.  It makes hemming so much easier.

Here is another shot of the pinned seams.  I just gathered the curves a little by pinching and pinning.  Now stitch it all the way around.  I used a 3/4 inch seam.

I used a big safety pin to insert polished cotton twine into the channel made by hemming (just like you would thread the drawstring through your hoodie).  It is washable and durable and can be snugged tightly without breaking.

 I layered, face down, the new cover, two felt pads, and the old foam pad salvaged from the ironing board.  By turning the board upside down, I was able to get the cover and pad layers on perfectly aligned and cinched very tight without calling for assistance!

 Here it is...all finished and in use!  I made the second one at the same time...and I couldn't be happier with the results.

Instead of spending all of my time in the studio this weekend, I spent half of my time in the garden...and on the deck.  This is where I like to sit and dream up new projects.  I also made an ipad cover and a skirt.  But, I spent most of my time here "fluffling" the deck. 

I made a chandelier for my deck as well.  Here it is all lit up at night.  It is made of candle holders and Christmas lights.

Maura's dress for Ella Grace is ready!  Here's the listing in my ETSY shop! 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/101622273/custom-order-hand-smocked-reversible