Bringing back the Fashion Smock!

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:

Beautifully modelled by Mrs Doubtfire there.

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.

My creative space...

Another glaringly red creative space for me today.

You may have noticed me over the last few weeks, diligently pracitsing my stitchery, experimenting with paint, stamps and felt, trying to come up with something astounding for the Quilt Project.

Yesterday I chucked it all in, went for broke and designed, started and finished my square in an hour.

You see, my redwork was turning green and blue. Green, because I was looking enviously at the clever designs, astounding technique and rapid progress of others. Blue, because I was feeling mildly inferior and amateur. I don't have a signature style, or medium, or technique. I was wanting to be perfect at something I've never done before.

That's not what this is about. It's about community, not competition. It's about championing and enjoying the talents of others, and being happy to sit alongside them, to be inspired, not allowing myself to be threatened by beauty.

Thanks Kirsty. For lots of stuff, but particularly the opportunity to be part of something bigger than my own ego!

My creative space...

'Knock yourselves out' she said. 'As long as it's red'.

Yes, this is a 'quilt project' update. I started out innocently enough with thoughts of embroidery. Well I practised my stitching, and then got stuck on the hard bit - coming up with a design. And while I've been thinking I've been playing.

Now there's red everywhere. Red felt, red floss, red thread, red paint. And I'm no closer to deciding what I'm doing.

Relax. I've got a month.

More creative spaces here.

My creative space...

Like many others around the joint, I trying to channel my Inner Embroiderer in order to participate in Kootoyoo's quilt project. Is this girl the community queen or what?!

Sadly, my calico has not arrived this week... time to start stalking the postman again. Meanwhile, I'm taking a leaf out of Badskirt's book and practising some 'techniques' on a bit of Kristen Doran fabric. Don't look too closely.

Who else is playing today? Pop over here and add your link...