Are you Kaftan ready?

I was catching up on thewomensroomblog.com and this catchy title caught my eye. Why yes thank you. I think I will.

not me-pic from thewomensroomblog.com

This fabric was once a bed spread but I think it will do. I used part of it for something else but I can probably wrangle a shortish kaftan out of it. Ttyl.~ m

i crack myself up

so here is the long verson and it resembles nothing so much as a pillowcase. So I did shorten it quite a bit. the whole exercise has been sewing by deduction. It does look better with a shorter bodice as well as skirt but it is still pretty wide. I may leave it as is because it is supposed to be baggy and it is wearable as a beach cover up. . . but I may trim it. in either case it is a finish for the month of June.

Japanese X shapes from Inklingo

FInish 15

I love marimekko fabric and have done ever since I first saw it at the Design Research store in Brattle Square in the 1970's. It may have been my first fabric crush. Decades later, overcome by a wave of longing I searched the internet for a source in NY and found a little store on the second story of a buidling in Manhattan and dragged Mike there to see what I could see. The trip resulted in a purchase of five yards ( that was all they had left!) of  black and white fabric that was intended for the windows in my kitchen. But I was shy.  The fabric lived on alone in its bag for several years until I could come to terms with who I am, and announce my love to all. 

polka dotted seam binding

Some time later curtains were born, lined with some Ikea curtains and trimed with polka dotted Japanese bias tape from Purl Soho. The curtains cover the bottom three quarters of the window which gives us privacy from our neighbor who is right across a narrow driveway and the top is left open for light. I was surpised and pleased that I had any left over. 

Back into its bag it went until.......Kate Davies created her Tea Towel which was a graphic representaion of her sweater designs in black and white. Lovely. I sent for one and it was shipped all the way from Scotland and I had no idea what I was going to do with it but I knew it would never be a dish drying rag. 

It was far too elegant and beautiful.

Kate Davies Tea Towel Knitting Bag showing selvedge drawstring because who does not love a marimekko selvedge?

showing yarn guides and red zipper

Along came a swap in the ravely Knitspot group that I am in, and my swap partner allowed as to how she did like knitting bags from which you could draw two separate strands of yarn without tangling them. And back to the internet I went to find a pattern I could make for her. I found the SockSack pattern by Ramona Rose  on Craftsy which included guides for separate balls of yarn. ok . still here? 

I made two in Kaffe Fassett fabrics because she said she wanted bright summery colors and off hers went in the post, along with some self striping sock yarn because she said wanted some easy mindless knitting and I hear and obey. 

And self striping sock yarn is pretty cool stuff. We also discussed which Anne Hanson sweater we would knit and I began to think I am going to need a bigger bag. 

And then I was struck by a bolt of inspiration and thought wouldn't a bag made with that Kate Davies Tea Towel be awesome ? and then, what should I line it with? At first I was contemplating brights and then remembered that I had the remainder of the marimekko fabric tucked away in the original bag, and would that not be fabulous?

And so it is. 

I may need another tea towel.

June project

  Last winter my quilting mojo became knitting mojo and I barely sewed at all. Well, at least not a lot for me. Since I have been out on disability for my foot I have taken the time to get back into my sewing room. Just a little at first, some new kitchen curtains and a few bags. 

Then I started to work on works in progress, getting a feel for what I need to do to get them done. 

I finished one top, started sewing the strips on another set of blocks that were pinned onto the wall, did some hand quilting on a quilt that I am doing by hand using my beautiful thimble and sewing kit that were a gift from a distant friend. Thread by thread things are progressing and I am using up what I have. 

For a long time, while working and commuting I have been purchasing supplies  for "when I get to it". Mostly that never comes. 

   While I still buy the occasional book and skeins of wool, I have slowed way down on buying fabric. 

Yesterday I decided to start a new quilt project using Inklingo and inspired by Carol Muse Skinners wonderful Japanese X quilt 

Anyone want to join along? 

  I have cut the freezer paper into 13.5 by 8.5 inch sheets in order to take advantage of the combo printing options and I am going to print all of the blocks first. This is new for me. I am taking a page out of Cathi Godwin's blog:) She prints all her shapes ahead of time. This makes sense to me!

My bin of Kaffe Fasset  fabrics is out and ready. I will make my quilt 105 inches square and maybe add a border if I have the inclination. I think I will make matching pillow shams as well. 

So -what are you working on?