After the girl talk that's been going on around here recently I was feeling the need for less chat more craft, before you all ran away.
So last night I pulled out some garments and started hacking away. After completely ruining a beautifully-felted charcoal jumper (why can I only make these things look good for other people?), I decided to do some damage to a linen-blend singlet top I thrifted the other day:
I really don't know why I picked this one up. It's not exactly my style of top - more what I can see myself wearing in 20 years! Totally boxy and unflattering at this stage. But the feel of the material was pleasing, and looked like it had potential.
After prancing around wearing the thing in front of the mirror for a little while, I started thinking 'apron'. Those who've been hanging around here a while may have noticed that I do love a bit of apron action. Not so much your 1950s housewife aprons - I'm more and more drawn to the loose, flowy Japanese-style smock garments, like this one here, or the one Amy Karol made here.
So anyway, long story short, there was a seam up the middle of the back and I cut that open, then bound the raw edges (and made ties with) some grosgrain ribbon in my stash.
Then it was all done but looking a bit bland-tastic, so I did this:
A bit o trusty free machine embroidery. I've got a serious taste for that since participating in the Quilt Project. I'm telling you, you MUST try it out. This took me about 20 minutes from thinking up the idea to drawing the idea on with a chako to finishing it. It's done with regular thread on an old basic sewing machine with a regular foot.
All smocked up and ready to go this morning. I wore it in public and didn't get asked to do the washing once.
OMG you free-motioned that???? Love it!
ReplyDeleteA smock would be fab to stop myself getting covered in fluff all the time.
Love the birdy design. Was scrolling down down down to see how you did that....and was slightly disappointed to find out that my creative skills don't extend that far....
ReplyDeleteBut good on you!
Looks fab! Very impressed with the embroidery. I like the colour too :)
ReplyDeleteYOU GO GIRL! That little birdy illo/free motion thingy is a treat! You are quite the lady of hidden talents. What else you got going up that sleeve?
ReplyDeleteThat bird is lovely. I love the curvign lines too, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt looks gorgeous Gina. Absolutely beautiful. You are such a clever and talented woman
ReplyDeleteDon't go near the dishes with that lovely linen number on!
ReplyDeleteCan you explain more how you did it on your machine? It looks amazing! And I really NEED another craft interest;)
Oh yes, I'm always up for a good smock! I think it's fabulous! And I am totally intrigued by this free-wheeling action with the embroidery... can you tell me how or are there any tutorials you can recommend?
ReplyDeleteFabulous post, Gina... I don't think you're ever going to lose people! You'll be thinking of themes to shake us off before that happens. (Note to self: sanitary post didn't work, what can you try next?)
:) K
I want to be just like you when I grow up! Trully, absolutely beautiful (you and that little bird!) xx
ReplyDeleteWow - I absolutely love it Gina. Your smock is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteBut even more gorgeous is the modest way you describe your free-motion embroidery. I have tried doing a bit ... and well, let's just say it wasn't anywhere in your ballpark. Methinks you have some lovely hidden talent there. Hope we see more!
Far too nice to be considered anything but a fancy top! Love the bird.
ReplyDeleteTOTALLY loving the khaki colour + machine embroidered birdie. BRILLIANT.
ReplyDeleteWill now be adding machine embroidery to my forever growing list of things to try!!!
It looks fantastic - how clever are you ?!
ReplyDeleteI have to say it's totally street-worthy! I love this extra feature and you're making it sound like it's easy... I'm sure there's a bit of a knack to it. Awsome!
ReplyDeleteOk, so this one's stunning. I'd like a close up look please!!!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Like the new header!
ReplyDeleteLove it Gina,
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning.
Note to self : ressurect refashion disasters and try again.
Yeah, but the free machine embroidery is SPECTACULAR.
ReplyDeletethat is amazing free machine embroidery! i don't believe you ;)
ReplyDeleteI love it....the design is so simple and stunning. It would look fantastic on a bag!!! Hey I'm loving the new header!!
ReplyDeleteYou get cleverer and cleverer by the week, Miss Gina :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow - so I figured the embroidery was done on a fancy machine with a fancy foot and dropped feed dogs (how the hell do you do that anyway??), and special freehand motion quilting attachments or the like, but it's not!
ReplyDeleteEven more impressed now I have to say.
as always gina, you inspire me. i am always amazed at your ability / willingness to just give it a go. i went home last night and looked and looked at my fabrics, and came up with some half plans based on giving some of this type of embroidery a go (i vaguely remember how to do it from textiles in yr 10). but i chickened out...
ReplyDeletebut still, i'm so excited about the fact that maybe i can do it too. i think i just need to take a deep breath and give it a go. maybe i'll have some time over the weekend...
THAT my girl is stunning! You have me thinking about trying this idea now.... Actually I have a project to start simple...
ReplyDelete