Buckle Up
March 25th, 2013
Oh dear, I’ve let things slip again. Or more accurately, I’ve simply been too busy doing everything else to take time to do anything worth writing about.
But I did find this neat vintage buckle at a thrift store this afternoon…
It’s got bars on either side to attach a fabric belt, and the two cast metal buckles in the center hide little hooks and eyes.
It could pass as 1930s/40s, but I think it’s more likely 1960s/70s…
Dresses on Display
March 13th, 2013
In a shameless plug for the South County Historical Society, where I volunteer as curator of textiles, here’s a peak at the dresses currently on display. If you’re in the Central Coast area, why not drop by and see them in person? Hurry, because we’re about to change the exhibit in the next month or so. They’re in the back room at Heritage House, in old Arroyo Grande Village. The museums are open Saturday & Sunday afternoons, and admission is free!
Working backwards, there’s a stunning (in more ways than one!) gown from the 1980s, made by a local seamstress…
An adorable gold cocktail confection from the 1960s…
A slinky black evening number with silver beading from the 1940s…
And my favorite — a stunning black silk frock with metallic braiding from the 1920s. I’m particularly proud of the gently shaped arm supports I constructed out of wire, polyfil, and stockinette. I also had to contrive an interior skirt support from the waistband to the mannequin’s shoulders to preserve the bloused effect and prevent the heavy hem from damaging the relatively delicate bodice lining.
Don’t you just love the coordinating hat boxes and fern too? Those are courtesy of Joe, designer in residence at the SCHS.
*I don’t usually post about my work at the Historical Society, since most of it is rather repetitive (unless you really, really like brushing textiles), and conflicts of interest abound when it comes to sharing pictures of the objects on the internet. But since these dresses are already on public display, and I really want you to go visit them, I figured it would be okay to make an exception!
Fun with Knitting Pictures
February 25th, 2013
Okay, I got a little silly with this one.
The knitting sample clearance continues — this blue lace scarf is also now for sale on Etsy. I don’t know what possessed me to take a photograph of it coiled across a jade plant like some kind of fuzzy snake…
It’s not just scarves either. These baby booties must go as well! For some reason, I knitted about a dozen pairs a few years back. Most have been given away as gifts. The last three pairs are now “lookin’ for a home” on Etsy too. Get ’em while they’re warm and cozy.
Look Ma, I’ve Been Knitting
February 24th, 2013
How embarrassing, it’s been nearly a month since my last post. Oops. I haven’t been idle though. Mostly, I’ve been knitting. A lot of it was sample work in preparation for my knitting classes — they start in a week! Here’s the class list if you’re interested.
But I do have a few knitted items worth showing off.
A pair of pull-through scarves in the traditional “old shale” lace pattern. The pale rainbow colored one on the left is bound for the sample board at the fabric store where I’ll be teaching. The other, darker colored scarf is up for grabs in my Etsy sample sale store. I’ve been knitting these neat scarves for years. They make great holiday gifts, and only take a single skein of yarn! I plan to publish the pattern shortly as well.
And what better 19th-century gift from a faithful wife to her consort than a pair of hand-knitted socks? Though the colorway on these is far from traditional. It’s all in the yarn — self-striping (and fair isle-ing) Heart & Sole with Aloe spun in for comfort. These are also destined for the sample board, at least for a while. Then back to warm my darling’s tootsies.
A Good Excuse to Knit
January 30th, 2013
I’ve been knitting again lately. First the seaman’s caps. Then a flurry of tiny garments for a special wee someone, who’s impending arrival is causing much excitement amongst the family and friends of a certain bosom chum of mine. And now in preparation for a series of knitting and crocheting classes at a local store.
It’s been years since I’ve taught knitting, and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been brushing up on basic technique, tricks of the trade, and patterns for cables and openwork. I even started a Tumblr for the classes.
On the knitting side, I plan to offer a monthly intensive for absolute beginners, plus weekly sessions for intermediate knitters who want to expand their skills. If you’re an intermediate knitter reading this, whether or not you’re in the San Luis Obispo area, what sorts of techniques would you like to learn? What’s always baffled you? What do you wish you could do better?
As for crochet, I figure a monthly beginner class, intermediate class, and lace class will be a good mix. Any suggestions on that front are welcome too of course!
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