07.13.09
PinTangle
Just a heads-up. Sharon B is back and her blog, Pintangle, is being updated again.
Welcome back Sharon! My condolences again, but we’re glad to have you back!
07.10.09
Giveaway Reminder!
Don’t forget to sign up for the giveaway. Drawing on Monday, I’ll post a winner on Bastille Day!
07.06.09
Book Review – Alabama Stitch Book
I ignored this book for many, many months at the bookstore. OK, so I didn’t exactly ignore it – I flipped through it, decided it was pretty both in design and content, but that I’d never do anything in it – and I put it back on the shelf. then, I read a reveiw in another textile blog – one from a woman who had preordered it because it was pretty, assuming she’d never use it — and then had.
She reviewed the corset t-shirt. and the review was so glowing that i bought the book so *I* could make one. Which I’m in the middle of doing now.
Things to remember about this book:
- it encourages slow sewing – everything is done by hand. EVERYTHING. While I like this in theory, stitching through 6-8 layers of cotton jersey at a time is hard on the hands. When I make another corset shirt – and I will — I am using my serger and regular sewing machine for the reasons they were purchased – construction. I’m arthritic!
- she’s fond of putting seams and knots on the outside of garments. i’m not. (Which might actually explain why MY corset appears to be snugger than advertised – seam bulk.)
- It’s GORGEOUS! Directions, however, are scattered throughout. For the reverse appliqué corset she has you flipping to projects later in the book for cutting instructions, and to a separate “techniques” section as well to find all of the directions. This part, isn’t fun, or, in my technical writer opinion, well-designed.
The sewing and creating has been, for the most part, enjoyable. I will probalby make the following changes to how I work with it in the future, however:
- use a slightly larger size. Since I’m large to start with, this may mean grading the corset pattern up. She sells them pre-made in up to a 2XL, but only has the pattern for the XL in the book.
- knots and seams inside (as I am doing now) which is why I will upsize mine.
- when cutting clothing, I’ll use a t-shirt a size larger than the pattern I’m making. Using the same size required some finagling, though it was possible. Barely. There is NO suggestions on how to choose t-shirt size for the patterns in the book. This is a serious shortcoming.
I think it’s a testament to the ideas in htis book that i went out and bought several more used T-shirts for ideas that percolated up as I worked with it. My clothes from them will be obviously influenced by her, but my own artistic style. This is a Good Thing™ in my opinion. 
07.01.09
Independence Day Giveaway…
Well, sort of. I mean, I’m announcing it on the first, and skipping the 4th, and drawing a name on the 13th. LOL But it encompasses Independence Day, so that’s what it is. I can do that. It’s my stash.
So what am I giving away? I’m celebrating the Grand Opening of Golden Circle Designs (read Monday’s blog post if you missed the Discount code…) And I’m still working on a plan for this whole thing.
Stash Giveaway!
Stash Giveaway!
The Stash
- 1 hand beaded, black and crystal chatelaine with 2 fobs.
- 2 9″X13″ pieces of Silkweaver hand-dyed evenweave fabric – perfect for ornaments.
- Assorted threads.
Edited: Picture added!!! I took a new one, even though I found the archived ones. That one was just of the chatelaine. Click the photo for a clearer shot!
Rules
Post a comment on this blog entry by July 12. I’ll randomize entries and have the EO draw a name on the 13th and will post and email winners by Tuesday, the 14th just to keep the Independence day theme by ending on Bastille Day?