I didn't make it to the knitting group yesterday. The day started cloudy and cooler so I got all ready. Then things changed
Too hot to drive and park, for me. Heavy sigh, and I had attached the pockets all ready for the reveal of the batik skirt, oh well.
Two patch pockets, hard to see because the print's so busy, but very useful immediately.
So pleased with this and the return of skirt wearing that I looked around and found this sari silk-lined skirt I got as a remnant ages ago.
The outer layer is all bling, but the lining is not only a nice color, but with some alteration at the waist, will be a handy skirt.
And the remnants of the remnant will go into something else, maybe artist book covers, maybe that latest batch of paper will be a small artist's book. In both senses, since this artist is shrinking, now down to 5'2" from my original towering 5'5".
Since summer is here, I made it official with sun tea
And chopped the peppermint picked by handsome Son, to make a carafe of peppermint black tea
Speaking of summer serving, that ill-fated apricot jam that turned sort of solid has proved to be a lovely crumbly addition to yogurt, honey and walnuts for breakfast
And while I was fumbling about with the upcoming skirt fabric, I looked up to see this natural artwork, afternoon sun through the plants casting a great shadow design
And about skirts, I remembered the charcoal grey fleecy fabric I planned for sweatpants, but now wonder if it's going to be a long skirt instead.
And that gave me another idea about the woven and knitted skirt in progress. Maybe the knitted wedges could be fleece instead of knitted. I'll think about that. There's enough for both skirts.
I can see this skirt is probably going to end up as an organza hand embroidered tiered gown suitable for the opera at this rate of redeciding..
Happy day everyone, when you get an idea use it. There's more where that came from!
You'll notice I've been adding in a human rights flag now and then, with my Ukraine support. That's because both represent brave people under pressure. Least I can do is let them know I'm aware and an ally.
Your sewing skills are superb! Skirt looks fabulous, right out of a designer's shop. Clever you, I though I could sew, turns out that I am delusional.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I don't know about superb, I think acceptable and wearable!
DeleteWell done with the skirt! I do like the green of the other one, I am partial to green. I am 5'2". I hope I don't shrink. I've never made sun tea. The peppermint is a nice touch. I don't seem to have the flow of ideas that you have, so there may not be too many more where mine come from!
ReplyDeleteAbout ideas: if you don't use them as they show up, they'll act like a cork in a bottle, no more can get through! Sun tea is easy on hot summer days. Teabags or loose tea in a carafe, covered against insects, leave in full sun, till brewed, refrigerate. Done.
DeleteNice style of skirt. Looks good.
ReplyDeleteI looked at the Carriage House Paper website you recommended. Nice website with reasonable prices. After reading, I'm going the way of cutting up old linen clothes and table cloths to make my own paper slurry. If I prime the paper with gesso it should last longer. Thank you for the help
You're going to need a Hollander beater to process fabric down to pulp, unless you've found another way? If so please say, I'd be interested.
DeleteGasp! Wow those are expensive!
DeleteThere are YouTube video by folks using cotton slurry. I didn't see a Hollander beater mentioned. I need to do more reading. lol
It's possible they bought the slurry ready made. I seem to recall Carriage House sells ready beaten pulp, but you'd need to check. There are other suppliers for papermaking, and I've had nice experiences everywhere, cool community.
DeleteI looked at a couple of YouTube channels about making paper from fabric. Both used a blender, and one admitted he'd added in pulp he'd made with his Hollander blender. The other quickly mentioned adding in newspaper to the pulp! I'd keep looking!
DeleteWell done on the skirt! And now, another one on the way...much simplified because most of the work has been done already. I live in skirts and long dresses in the summer because they're much cooler. Bought my first jumpsuit because it looked nice and cool. It is, but one must remind oneself that attempting to walk up the stairs without pulling up the bottom leads to a rather embarrassing upwards trajectory of body culminating in a glorious full stop. No harm done, beyond slight damage to dignity.
ReplyDeleteYes, the latest skirt is more upcycling than making.
DeleteI knew you would figure out a use for that crunchy apricot jam. I love how you are able to come up with uses for almost everything. Waste not, want not!
ReplyDeleteI think your skirt is beautiful.
I think I have the frugal gene! I'm pleased with the skirt. The fabric has a nice drape. And two pockets!
DeleteGood luck with your skirt projects. I love skirts and dresses in the summer, so much more comfortable and cooler than shorts, or pants. Well done on your ability to reuse things. I wish I had your skill.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot about experimenting and being willing to look silly when the experiment doesn't work!
DeleteYour batik skirt looks super! Very chic with that white top.
ReplyDeleteThank you! The top is a fair trade rayon from Dharma Trading. I have a couple, very modest price, but still, when most of it goes to the makers, fair to them.
DeleteSkirt is good enough for the runway
ReplyDeleteAnd it looks lovely on you.
I think the green will also make a pretty skirt. I love skirts.
Especially if I can wear warm tights underneath. My legs no longer like being on show to the world. They’re so very very white, they’re almost blue! Lol
Can’t wait to see what you make from the remnants of the remnant
I have old lady legs, so I'm making the skirts long enough not to draw attention to them! Not that I think anyone's longing to look.
DeleteYour skirt is lovely, in every sense, including pockets.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Pockets are vital otherwise what's the point?
DeleteYou are very self-sufficient, and there seems to be little waste. So good for you. Can’t say that I do very well.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a product of childhood rationing of everything, food, clothing, furniture, everything mattered and had to last.
DeleteI might have to consider skirts this coming summer. Not sure about the tea though.
ReplyDeleteMaybe try the tea and see.
DeleteLove your new skirt and the green one sounds/looks equally lovely. Have you read Apricots on the Nile? I was listening to the radio reading recently.
ReplyDeleteI must check that one, thank you.
DeleteI love the skirt! But then I'm a long time wearer of skirts (and you're correct that pockets are must.) So much more comfortable than jeans. I love being able to catch a breeze on my legs by subtle shifts in position. In cold weather, they can be worn with leggings or yoga pants. So much warmer than either alone!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm thinking skirts in cold weather too, worn as you suggest.
DeleteSkirts are great, and your skirt projects are lovely :) With the heat and humidity, especially the latter, It's getting harder to face putting on my heavy dungarees for doing chores; even more so when they are still rain-soggy from an earlier round of chores. So yesterday I searched out my long cotton work skirt and my lightweight cotton work trews. Unfortunately both were in a bag of Things With Big Rips to be Mended. Uh-oh. I know this would probably be an imagination-sparking opportunity for creativity at your house, but here it's One More Thing.
ReplyDeleteYes, around here it would be a lovely new jumpsuit with bling! You need a mending assistant. But those big rips were honestly come by.
DeleteI much prefer to wear skirts in the summer, far more comfortable than shorts and just as cool. if I leave the house I'll usually change into shorts because of pockets in the back as well as the front, even though my skirts have side seam pockets, because I don't carry a purse. wallet and phone go in the back pockets, keys in the front. I can fit it all in my skirt pockets but then it's all banging around.
ReplyDeleteThat's one reason I like patch pockets. The stuff doesn't bang about on your hips.
DeleteOnce again I'm impressed at your ability to re-use and re-purpose. I laughed at "an organza hand embroidered tiered gown," but knowing you and your creativity and skill, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised!
ReplyDeleteI think my knitting group might be surprised though. Especially if I wore my trusty clunky Landsend slipons.
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