Jacket: the prototype and the start of the finished product

Week of Patterns

This week I give you photos of my new ironing board with self made cover, and patterns for a simple tank shirt, pant with gusset, harem pant, and a jacket (currently still in progress).  I don't know why I prefer the use of cloth patterns over paper... possibly because I always have fabric on hand, possibly because I like the way that fabric clings to other fabric and I find I have to pin it less- who knows.  It works for me at the moment, though I do contemplate having some card stock patterns in the future.

You would think I spend most of my time creating- in reality, I do a lot of prep work generating ideas, creating the patterns and designs, choosing fabrics and colours, and keeping the studio space organized.  The actual sewing is a much faster process in comparison, even if the sewing itself takes a while to do (adding details, top stitching, hand stitching, etc). 

The jacket pattern is useful for a myriad of designs.  I have a stock jacket pattern that I've had for years, but recently it just won't work anymore.  My shoulders are larger for one, and no one likes a tight fit across the back that will rip seams if you move your arms.  The personal hobby motivation I've given myself to complete this design is for cosplay (of course!) and the deadline is about a month and a half.

One of these days I'll go to a con where I haven't been sewing the week before.  Or the day before.

I will start putting up completed projects as well as their in progress steps, so expect to see a blue and white striped jacket in the near future.  Until next week then.   

2015 January- April

I thought I'd take the time to catch up on all that's been going on in my life and my art and place it in this post- photos are upcoming in the new week though so don't despair ^__^

I've had to focus on working more than creating lately, and so I now have three jobs.  The first two I've had for just under a year, the third is directly tied into my goals for what I want to do in the future.  It's sewing for a local boutique named 'It's Sew You'- http://itssewyou.ca/about/ .  I'm sharpening my production skills along with gaining experience with industrial machines and top stitching, among other things.  It's a wonderful work environment and if you need any of the listed services I'd highly recommend it.  I also love that the business is sticking to local Vancouver.

 This job is becoming my full time job, and I'm downsizing my other two to gain more free time on weekdays- so starting this week, I'll hopefully be able to get more of my own work done.  I have a ton of ideas and plans and can't wait to start testing it all out!  A goal I have for this blog is to start posting every Monday, or at least bi-weekly on Mondays.

Let's see if I can do that, starting tomorrow.  Cheers, Shawn.

...this holiday season (2014)

I made hats, shrugs, felted rugs, cards, and an artist book. 

Felting in a bathtub is fine... it's much more challenging to add a wooden blind to roll the felt in and keep it in the same bathtub!

Experiments in how the curtain hangs... mostly for the benefit of the cat

These were so much fun- just the kind of humor I needed ^__^

Found a 'W' stamp and put it to good use

I love the way paper photographs

November: writing fiction, curtains, tailoring shirts

One thing these all have in common are flowers.  However, I haven't been doing much of that- mainly writing a 50,000 word challenge as part of this program: http://nanowrimo.org/   I found some wallpaper for free and so I've been debating on what to use it for.

 I reached my daily word count yesterday earlier than usual, so I decided to work on tailoring some dress shirts down for my size.  I am currently almost finished shirt 2/6.  There's some detail work I want to put onto the second one that will help make it appear less... untidy.

I did make a living room curtain for the house- just had to sew in a cord at the top of the fabric and tie it up across the window.  Seen above, pink lace: keeps the glare off the floor and electronics, and makes the rest of the household quite happy for the additional privacy, albeit a still see-through kind of sort.

Judal: cosplay in progress pics

Under 3 Bulbs of Light

 Some more progress on the jacket- I finished hand sewing the black panels and around the neckline, added some felted wool and I am now problem solving the sleeves (or lack thereof).  Teaser pics of a 2D piece and some embroidery I've been working on, and my constant companion in the studio.

If you can make out the work 'trout' you are off to a good start!

                                             

This is all on hiatus for the week, as Halloween is fast approaching- when I'm not at my day and night jobs I have been putting hours into a costume that is putting some prop skills to the test.  I made a shirt by drafting a pattern from scratch using the grey mannequin; found out that I've gotten infinitely better at fitting sleeves.  Minus a serger, it looked store quality.  Also figured out a working design for haram pants, which can be put to future projects.