Sewing with Handwoven.

About two years ago, I bought a used Kromski Harp loom. I rather like it, it's the widest one that they make. Keeping the shed open in the higher position is tricky at times, but I LOVE the warping board that is built in. This one came with a stand.

I decided to weave with some peachy silk yarn that my friend Janet spun and gave me; it's one of my favorite colors and one of the pastels that look good on me.  I made yardage in an 8 inch width in a spontaneous weaving style.

I love making clothes, and I love coming up with my own colors and shapes that are wearable for me.

I decided to make a top, and purchased some coordinating peach linen from Fabrics-Store.com. (I am also an advocate for natural fibers, a separate discussion is needed on how natural is a textile that has been power manufactured and artificially dyed...topic for another day). 

I used a base pattern from Fabrics-Store.com also, and cut it up to place the handwoven in front and back.

Indigo Dyed Linen Top

 I like the linen fabrics from Fabrics-Store.  This top is in their lightweight linen and the pattern is from their website. Patterns are downloadable with Acrobat reader if you are a registered customer. This is the Agustina Boxy Top which I have modified to not include the bands around the capped sleeves. 

I cut out the two pattern pieces for front and back after washing the linen.

Then I used an arashi technique in an iron-reduced indigo vat.  I first wrapped it around the pole and dyed it. I did three dips. Then, I  undid the wrap, and clamped as you can see on the front of the top.   I dipped twice more. 

Then, after the pieces dried, I sewed together. I like to hand stitch and finished the neckband and the sleeves by hand. I left the hem undone, maybe due to laziness! I may do some decorative stitching on the front, however. The lines just call to me!

I love the coolness and the drape of this top!

Laurel Burch's Legacy at my house

Laurel Burch has been gone for 10 years this year, but her images are everywhere. Her studio is still alive and active!

I have a number of her cat earrings (acquired long before I had cats), and now that I have cats I have cat dishes featuring her designs. About 10 years ago I found her mermaid fabrics and bought a bunch. I was planning a quilt that never happened (or at least not yet).  I fell in love with a largish panel with a mermaid and friends (I have a mermaid themed bathroom). 

Last week I was informed that a co-worker was having a baby, and the baby's room theme is mermaids. A work baby shower gift was required. Well, I pulled out one of the mermaid panels, washed it up, and found a blank canvas pillow at Michael's. The whole panel does not fit but enough of it does.  Too cute!

While I was working on it, Louis enjoyed a snack next to a Laurel kitty placemat...yep, he found his way in after clawing open a hole, guess the cat food dish wasn't full enough!

Now, where did I put that Laurel Burch gift wrap?