My Intimate's Story

I have been on a roll with sewing lately.

Over this past weekend I have resumed consuming my recently bought fabric stash to make more bras and panties. Thanks to Bravo Bella bravo bella I have started down the road of making my own bras and panties.

True to my promise of using newly purchased fabric I decided this weekend to make another beige cotton bra and use fabric that I purchased from the Mill End Store of Portland, Oregon for a bra and panties ensemble.

I used Kwik Sew pattern # 3881 for my hipster style panties and Queen Bra Elite pattern tailored to my proportions for my bra. 

Since I have made about six custom bras in the past two months, I decided to do something a little more challenging.  I covered my Powernet band with the same tricot fabric that I made my bra cups and panties with.  This was a challenge since the fabrics are very stretchy and slippery.  The end results were worth it though.  I now have matching bra and panties.  Bravo Bella sells kits that include all elastics, channeling for the underwires, hooks and eyes to finish your own fabrics into custom bras for about $4.  Underwires can be purchased as well for $1.25.  About a $10 investment with purchased Powernet will turn your fabric into a unique creation.

Moving right along, I had also purchased several lengths of swim suit jersey thinking this would make some fun lingerie.  I decided to use my black and white print for my first attempt using this fabric.

I had some smoke gray Powernet and decided because of the strength of the jersey fabric not to cover my Powernet with my swim suit fabric.  One tip I would like to share is when sewing jersey or tricot fabric be sure to use a needle in your machine for stretch or jersey fabrics.  Your needle will make all the difference in the quality of your stitching.  I also used silk glass headed pins to hold my fabrics together as I stitch.  I found these little gems at the Sewing Expo in Puyallup, WA this past year.

I have two more lengths of fabrics destined for bras and panties, but these will have to wait.  I am going to attempt dying the elastics and trims to match the Powernet I have purchased for these under garments. A whole new world of comfort and fun has opened to me as I make my own bra and panties.  I heard someone comment that they will never go back to purchasing a bra again.  I quite agree.  This is fun and very useful sewing.  I am a happy camper!

Sewing for Travel

So, you guessed it, I am a confessed fabricholic.  I have a fabric stash that decorates one wall of my current loom room.  Now some of this fabric is vintage, i.e. from my mother's stash and other is what I have collected.  Being a true fabric junkie, just because I have a stash of unsewn fabric, this does not prevent me from buying new fabric.  With this in mind, recently I was perusing the internet via an email from "Vogue Fabrics" and I saw a special for "beach wear" cottons.  I ordered three yards of each of the above and received $6.00 shipping because of the size of my order.  We just do not have great sources for fashion fabric where I live so I live with shipping cost.

Now realizing that I will never probably sew my entire stash, I do resolve that what ever fabric I bring in new to my house, it will get sewn within the year.  This is true summer weight fabric, so I went through my patterns for some simple loose fitting garments and went to work.  My window of opportunity for wearing gauzy fabric has been growing shorter by the day.  I also like loose fitting garments for travel and with several trips coming up I decided that a pair of pants, a top and a jacket to match would fill the bill.

  

 

Butterick #4950 (2001)

I have already worn these clothes on a 99 degree day and they were very comfortable and cool.  No need to iron as the fabric is a crinkle cotton.  I know they will travel well and will be a big part of my travel wardrobe for both of my trips.

Just so I don't feel completely guilty about buying more fabric, I also pulled out of my stash some madras plaid to make a jumper.  I decided to line the jumper, making the construction a little more complicated than the pattern called for. 

Butterick # 5347 (2009)

 

I wore this with a little black shrug and black sandals...very cute and comfortable for summer wear.

Gifting

 I have three sisters.  Every year I attempt to make something special for their birthdays.  Two of my sisters are twins.  All of my sisters have their own special skills.  All three of my sisters sew, two of them quilt, one is a doll maker, two of them knit and all three of them crochet.  I am the only one of them who have learned spinning and weaving as part of my fiber skills.  The scarf above goes to one of the twins and is a special gift as it comes from both me and her twin.

So let me tell you about the scarf.  It is composed of 120 individually crocheted leaves attached in four rows by crocheted stems then sewn together.  It took me about two days to press and stitch all of the rows and leaves together.  The end product was worth the time investment.

What makes this scarf so special is that the fiber comes from the oldest twin's stash.  For the past year she has been battling advanced cancer and has not been sure from day to day if she would be given another holiday, birthday or day to enjoy.  She loved this cotton fiber--the color and sheen. I took it from her last August and promised that I would make something for her twin, Mary, as a gift from both of us.  So here it is just in time for a fall birthday.

I found the pattern for this on the Vogue Knitting website.  It is pattern #17 from Issue Crochet 2012.  I would make this again, but using handspun merino/silk perhaps with some beads mixed in.  Happy Birthday, Sis!

Time to Catch Up

 

 

It has been a while since I have posted on this blog.  This fabric from my loom has been draped across the loom bench waiting to be turned into dish towels.  For some reason, my weavings usually end up as gifts and this is no exception.  I am taking a set of these to Ireland with me as a gift for my cousins and I needed to haul out my sewing machine to finish the fabric into towels.

 

 

I now have six towels, two of which are going to hang in my kitchen; the rest are going to be monogrammed with the letter "C" for Conlon and given as gifts.  I often have to remember to "gift" myself with my handwovens.

So while I was sewing, I decided that I needed a little something extra to go with my hand dyed, hand spun and hand woven scarf.  I had a little scrap left of my hand woven fabric, so I decided to turn it into the outside of a little fabric wallet.  I also had enough of my warp left that I knitted fingerless mittens to go with my scarf and wallet.

r

I have a few other gifts that I shall tuck into my luggage for my trip "Across The Pond".  I love that I can make things from raw fiber.  It gives me a great feeling of connection to the past of human endeavors as well as fulfilling my need for creativity in my work.  My back and bones may ache at the end of my days but I love to do what I do.

At the loom

 

One of my favorite inspirations for weaving is "A Weaver's Book of 8-Shaft Patterns from The Friends of Handwoven" edited by Carol Strickler.  Lately I have been preparing gifts to take with me for my visit with family in Ireland.  Nothing could be as special as something handwoven from fiber dyed and spun by me.  With this in mind I chose from my stash of handspun some merino/tussah silk for the warp.  Since I didn't have enough handspun for the weft, I selected 8/2 tencel instead for the weft. I wound a warp of 3 yards and threaded my loom using a draft for a repeat twill, #412 designed by Andrea I.B. Anderson

 

I wanted a draft with some long floats that would show the strips in the handspun but also stabilize the fabric.  What appeared on my loom as I wove were cells of plain weave that looked almost like honeycomb.

Off the loom and finished, my weaving was a soft fluffy scarf that will keep my cousin very warm during the damp Irish winter.  I have enough fabric left from the end of my warp for a small wallet and enough yarn left for fingerless mittens.

Carol Strickler is the inspiration for my next weaving project.  I hope to get the warp on my loom and woven before I move my loom into my new studio.

Had some time yesterday to knit a small project.  I must have made over a dozen of these knitted, beaded bracelets.  I have even taught others to knit these fun projects.  All it takes is some graph paper to map out your design, some 6/0 seed beads and some yarn that will easily thread through your beads.

Well, off to make some potato salad for the fellows working on my studio.  We are headed for triple digit weather for the next few days.  We are in the middle of fire season, too.  A good friend was right in the middle of a fire started yesterday in our valley.  Fortunately she, her husband, dog and home are safe.  Stay cool! 

Studio Update

Two weeks ago.  We have a roof ready for the metal

The metal is on the roof and siding is being added.  Windows are in.

Right side of the studio.  It is beginning to take shape.

My studio has insulation now.

Looking out the front.  This is the spot where my big loom will sit and the view I will have from my loom bench.

Lyn--one of the construction "artist" inspecting my husband's work

My husband--the other construction "artist" inspecting Lyn's work.

As you can see from the pictures, my studio is coming right along.  I have lights and electricity.  The dry wall is up on two walls and the ceiling. Things should be finished by the end of August and I can start to move my looms in.

Speaking of looms, this building will house my Macomber 48" eight harness floor loom, my AVL Workshop 24 harness dobby loom, my 36" eight harness Schacht floor loom, an inkle loom, a very small eight harness table loom, a tapestry loom, all of my weaving equipment and fiber. In addition it will also house my Lendrum spinning wheel, my Babe Charkha, my spindles, roving, my embroidery machine, a sewing machine, a serger, a comfy chair to sit in and other amenities to make my days spent creating a pleasure.

Today I am working on completing projects that will be given away as gifts.

I have been knitting little slippers as gifts.  Found the pattern for these in Bellingham, WA at a shop that sells yarn and tea. They knit up fast.

Off to finish another gift,

"BRA"vo

I don't know about you, but lately I have been having a difficult time finding a well fitting and COMFORTABLE bra.  This past March I attended the "Sew Expo"Sewing & Stitchery Expo, Puyallup, WA.  Talk about a place for fiber addicts! There was a booth and a presentation by a company called "Bravo Bella".  An hour and half demonstration by one of the owners on stage wearing only her custom made bra for a top had dozens of women convinced to buy her products to custom fit and sew their own bras.

I had walked by the  "Bravo Bella" booth at least five times before I was ever able to get into the stall to look at the products. Now, while I never attended the presentation, I heard marvelous things about the kits, videos, patterns and trims to make your custom fit bras.  I took the plunge and for $90 bought a packet which included the pattern for my shape of breast, two instructional videos, and two complete bra making kits which included the under wires, fabrics, elastics, hooks and eyes and powernet.  The instructional videos covered personal fitting, pattern alteration and tips for fabric selection in the 1st video.  The second video detailed step by step construction from fabric cutting through finishing a completed bra.  I don't think you can purchase a ready made custom bra for $90.

My first bra was a red one.  I watched the videos and followed along.  I believe that it took me about eight hours from fitting myself, tracing the pattern, cutting the fabric and constructing the bra while watching and pausing the video.  In the end, I had the best fitting and feeling bra that I have put on my body in a long time.  Not only that, I looked like I had lost weight. This was enough to convince me.

With success under my belt (or above the belt as the case may be) I proceeded to construct more bras.  I think I made the next three bras in about eight hours, start to finish.

While my company was here and had taken off for the afternoon to sightsee, I cut out and constructed a white cotton bra.  This time I constructed from memory without reference to the video or notes.  I am having a lot of fun with this!

This was one of the best investments I have made in my wardrobe.  I have tweaked the pattern so that my bras fit my body and I have bought some fun fabrics for future under garments.  (To be brought to you later in future post)

Check it out.  Nothing feels like a well fitting bra!

What to do with too much Zucchini

No post since 4th of July.  What's up?  Company is up, that's what!

We had family visit from Tennessee from the 4th thru this past Tuesday.  My husband lends a hand at our local community garden and the volunteers get to bring home some of the garden's fresh veggies as a reward for their help.  The day before my husband's son arrived with his family, my dear spouse brought home a 4 lb. eight ball zucchini squash.  Oh dear!

I have a daughter who is a blogger: http://www.healthylivinginthecity.com. I guess you would consider her a food blogger among other things.  She tries and reviews recipes from her collection of cookbooks.  One of her "go to" cookbooks is one that I gifted to her: "Recipes from a Kitchen Garden" by Renee Shepherd & Fran Raboff (owner of Renee's Garden formerly known as Shepherd' Seeds).  This also sits on my shelf.  So when I found a 4 lb. zucchini perched on my kitchen counter I quickly pulled Renee's delightful book off my book shelf and decided on this dish below:

Zucchini and Basil Pasta Salad

 

(excellent as a main dish or side dish with barbecued meats.  

Makes wonderful picnic fare.}

 

4 medium zucchini, very coarsely grated (about 4 lbs.)

1 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups packed fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup olive oil

3 cloves of garlic

3/4 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried

6 cups chicken stock

3/4 lb. orzo pasta

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1//4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, Asiago or hard Monterey jack cheese

3 tablespoons chopped parsley

salt and pepper to taste

 

Sprinkle zucchini with salt in a colander and toss.  Let stand 20 minutes, stirring once or twice.  Squeeze zucchini dry.  Transfer to a large bowl.

 

Blend basil, oil, garlic and oregano together well in a food processor or blender.  Add to zucchini; reserve.

 

Bring chicken stock to a boil in a large pot.  Add orzo and reduce heat, cooking until orzo is just tender, about 10 to 12 minutes.  Drain well. 

 

Stir the pasta into the zucchini mixture.  Add the lemon juice, grated cheese and parsley.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

 

Serve warm, at room temperature or chilled.  (Serves 8)

 

 

 

 

This makes a bunch, enough to feed a crowd.  When my step son asked: " So where is the zucchini?"  after he tasted this dish, I knew I had a "winner".  We have eaten it both warm and chilled. With the hot weather, I think it taste the best chilled.  For meat or seafood lovers, add some cooked chicken or shrimp.  It is delightful all by itself.

Happy 4th of July

I have two sisters who are quilters.  My mother's mother was a quilter.  So, I suppose that I should say that I am a quilter.  This is not the case.  I consider myself more of a weaver and spinner, although I do dabble in quilting.

I have a wood stove with a brick wall.  I love to make small wall hangings to decorate this space.  I have several quilted wall hangings that celebrate seasons and holidays.  For over two years I have been collecting fabrics to make a patriotic quilt.  This was one of the first projects that I took off my "to do" list when I retired in January. 

I had seen a kit in a catalogue several years ago with all of the fabrics and directions to construct this little quilt.  I went on line immediately when I saw it and was unable to order it.  I called customer service and was told by a very nice lady that the kit had sold out even before the catalogues hit the mail.  Well, not be defeated, I saved the picture of the wall hanging and started to collect fabrics similar to the ones included in the kit.  So this January, with only the measurements of the width of the quilt, I started to design my "Fourth of July" quilt.

I have been fascinated always by free motion quilting.  After piecing my top, I decided to use this as a piece to hone my free motion quilting skills.  I have taken a "Craftsy" course taught by Leha Day of Daystyle Designs.  She had a wonderful course and some wonderful tips.  I really enjoyed myself and am ready to try a more challenging project.

I have spend most of my morning cooking for my stepson and his family, due here any minute from Tennessee.  I have a delicious Zucchini and pasta recipe that I will eventually share.  Just wanted to take a few minutes to recognize the birth of our nation and wish you a happy 4th of July.

Where in the world did "Everbe Fiber" come from?

I am a night owl.  My most creative work occurs after 8 p.m.  I have been this way since I was a young girl.  I have never had any problem staying up through the wee hours of the night and early morning doing a project or writing a paper.  At one point in my nursing career I worked the night shift. (although my favorite shift was evenings, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.)  I usually fade about 5 a.m.  As I age though, I don't find that I can stay up as long as I once did. However, when falling to sleep, some of my best ideas and creative thoughts come to me. One night, as I was falling asleep, I was thinking about my fiber endeavors with the idea of creating an "Etsy" shop when the name for my business popped into my head. 

 I am a member of a local book club, which I helped start.  Our group is known as "The Gold Hill Literary and Quiche Society".  Our local newspaper did a human interest story on our group and generated a great deal of interest in folks who wanted to become members.  After some discussion with our current members I volunteered to host an invitational meeting for prospective new members.  The book to be read for this meeting was a William Faulkner novel, "The Revers".

If you have ever read any works of this southern writer, you know that Faulkner takes a lot of literary license in his writing.  His artistry with words is not always easy to follow much less understand. With this in mind the book club decided that anyone who would read this book and find my house off the beaten path at 6:30 p.m. one fall evening would automatically be "in".  We picked up five new members that evening and I picked up an name for my fiber work.

One of the characters in Faulkner's book was a young woman named "Everbe".  "What a quaint name", I thought.  As you can see from the picture of my current studio above, there will "Everbe Fiber" in my life.  As I closed my eyes that fateful night, I decided that when I pursued my passion after my retirement I would call my efforts "Everbe Fiber"....So be looking for an ETSY shop by the end of this year.  And, Thank you William Faulkner.  Your are quirky, but a genius.