Put it in writing

The holidays are behind us.  The stockings, which were hung with care, are back in storage.

  
Attention turns to the New Year and our resolutions. Here’s mine.  In 2016 any additions to my wardrobe will be made by me.  That is not to say I will only wear handmade clothing but I have to make everything I would normally buy.  

Needless to say, I shopped at Victoria’s Secret and the Gap on December 30.

First on my list is a few silk camisoles.  Perhaps pajama pants from handwoven fabric.  My homemade bathing suit (sewn, not knit) is holding up just fine. I’m flush in hats, gloves, and slippers. I may need a wool coat. We’ll see what the New Year brings.

Sew old, sew new

I used my new(ish) serger and my antique treadle sewing machine to make a portable toddler high chair. I found the pattern at Made by Marzipan. It won’t fit every chair but may fit most. I had something similar when my kids were babies and found it very useful.

My next one may use a longer wrap to accommodate all chair shapes. I ‘ll see how this one works first.

There was a coyote in the field across the road this afternoon. I’m usually casual about leaving my cat, Loki, out when it’s light but saw this disturbing video today and rustled him inside. They’re howling outside as I write.

Flowers are blooming. I haven’t had the heart to pull off their pretty heads to create dye baths.

Maybe next year. So far, I have only processed purple basil; there wereno flowers to sacrifice.

Aerobic crafts

The new belt for my treadle sewing machine arrived and I was motivated to clean, oil and get her working. I even had a project in mind. A small zipper bag I found through pinterest.

It took two attempts to get the belt the right length. It ‘s probably still a little loose but I ‘ll give it a day or two before I shorten the leather belt again.

There’s definitely a learning curve to get the gears to spin in the right direction. That, coupled with thick fabric and a loose belt, made me treadle myself into a lather.

But I made a cute little bag and my machine shines.

And I still went for a run later in the day.