sewing as therapy

candy stripe tank Originally uploaded by dressform.

friday night we were getting ready for our mini trip to clearlake (more on this soon) and i wanted to clear my head (there's a lot swimming in there right now). i was bummed because i wasn't sure if the baby serger i bought on e-bay was going to work (waiting for new needles and knives... i have a sinking feeling something is slightly bent - but no use calling it quits until we install all the parts, right?) and i had a hankering to sew. i wanted to make something USEFUL!! something i could wear in the heat we were headed to....



from the haul i got on yes asia isbn4-579-11043-9. i picked the easiest pattern in it (it comes w/ a pattern chart folded in the back - i made copies of the pieces i needed using vellum). warning: japanese craft book patterns don't always allow for a seam - AND things are small!! i used the largest size and it just fits me.... perfectly! so, old sheet + book + pattern + desire for something to do in an orderly fashion = new tank top for me! it was satisfying. and i totally cheated - only pinned the top and bottom together to make the ruffles - everything else - no pressing, no pins, no nothing (i am a lazy sewer)

it felt good. i want more... i want to make the two fabric style tank top (on the cover... this one needs more work since you need to make the straps too... sigh....) i want cool vintage fabric since the vintage fabric pool on flickr is getting larger and larger by the minute and i keep seeing amazing things.... i wonder if i can trade tops for fabric? you send me enough for me to keep some too and i'll make you a top.... hmmm.... art?? what art? now i just make functional clothing.... seems nice right now....

i'll write more on my one day away from any technology later - it was good... breaks are good.... i need some more sleep to type clearly!

OH! miss shanna has moved her blog to another tentacle - be sure and follow her to the new two trees! she and i are on a mission to make "tentacly" a word that everyone uses consistently. want to help? spread it around.... let us know if you do! (hee hee)