Trying to sort, tidy, sew mostly getting distracted.

 In a effort to be able to sew again without having to dig my way into my sewing room I started to organize. Then distraction hit. I attacked the pile of sweaters reclaimed form various places mostly by my mother June Cable. I dissembled them and organized them into colour groups in bins. 

Made a video of me cutting a sweater apart.

(you may need to ask to follow me on IG to see video)

 Then saw the bag of leather bits I got from Erin Templeton (leather bag wizard and vintage clothing finder extraordinaire). I wondered how my machine would handle the leather. My zigzag machine had a little issue so I got the straight stich one set up, it had been sitting on the cutting table not put away from Michelle Leone Huisman project (I sewed her butterfly together). The straight stich machine was fine with the leather.

So I made a simple glass case.

 After that I put the straight stich machine away and had a freed up cutting table. Knew I had a swim suit pattern, reworked the bottoms and came up with a prototype undies pattern. Hauled out the factory waste merino and sewed up a pair. 

New Undies. Sample pair complete.

These days it is not just slow fashion but it is also a limited clientele, actually mostly me. I am thinking about maybe, possibly, in the future, one day taking my stuff to a shop again. Until then it will be by request (prepare to wait for me to get it together). Right now the floor is covered in paper from pattern making and fabric form cutting out. So better get back to the tidying up because heaven knows distraction will hit before I know it, actually it already has (thus the blog post).

Twigg&Hottie thanks for all the love.

Twigg&Hottie the dress shop on Main Street in Vancouver has closed its door after 13 years of serving and fostering thoughtful fashion in our community. For at least 11 of those years they sold my slow fashion every Fall and Winter. Every time I saw that they had put my creations in their window display I felt so excited. Because of them I have had my fashions featured with other local designers in news paper articles. I even had one of my capes in a runway show in Portland, OR and had a whole page photo in Momentum Mags article about the show. For the support and their drive to maintain their values of thoughtful eco friendly fashion I am truly grateful. I am also excited for their new individual adventures and their collective forward progress of their fashion line we3. Stay tuned to them by signing up for their news letter.

Hair ties.

Two buns and one pink eye

Another almost zero waste project. I love my long hair but it truly is a pain and I need to keep it up when I work. So while I was home sick I worked on how to make some funky hair ties with some of my leftover scraps. I thought two would be good and then I could have two buns. Well I got carried away cutting out circle and I think in the end I had 35 or so.

the many circles

 

a few on cards all ready to go to shop

New FW 2016 Sweater

This is me sporting MY sweater...now to put some into production so others can have one too.

Working on something new...

...stay tuned.

The window

The window display at twigg&hottie

There is my new F/W 2015 roll collar sweater hanging out with some we3 tops.

Working on the stock pile.

Rainbow of sleeves.

Here we are in Fall. The air has a crispiness to it that puts a huge smile on my face. It is sweater weather!!!! LOVE FALL!!!! It also means I am one busy girl. Ramping up production for the next few months. If you need me I will be somewhere under a pile of wool.

Something cozy for when it cools off.

Roll Collar Cardigan F/W 2015 

Just waiting on the fit model. Then production can move forward.

Fall 2015...in the works

A sneak peek...roll collar cardigan

Washing Instructions

Here is a little note on washing the stuff I make, be it a decor item or some article of clothing. Hand wash in cold water or wash on the delicate cycle. Lay out flat to dry.

As for the Dollies put them into a bag for dedicates. If they are dirty their clothes are probably dirty too so let them wear their clothes in the washer. Then let them air dry. 

Window Display

twigg&hottie have supported my slow, sometimes very slow fashion for a few years now. This week they have my new cocoon sweaters in their window display paired with one of their We3 t-shirts. Makes me feel like a superstar to have my stuff in the window.

Spring...2015

Spring Cape: Blue with grey

When the Fall/Winter season is over I pack up fashion for the year and work on decor through the Spring/Summer. This year inspiration and requests have me working some Spring capes. Now to get them to the dress shop (aka twigg&hottie).

Denim on the mend

Mia's loved jeans...first patches were done 1996...newest 2012

Alterations and mends are always a question of is the garment well made enough to withstand the deconstruction that is required? When it comes to a pair of loved jeans the answer is almost always YES!!! The exception to the rule is if they are stretch denim there is no hope, they simply have come to the end of their life. But should you come to me with a worn pair of non stretch jeans I will wholeheartedly embark on the resurrection of your pair of faded blue best friend. In the past I have done subtle repairs as well as bold colourful patches to knees, thighs, and butts of some well loved jeans for others as well as myself. My dear friend Mia struts her patched and re-patched jeans with pride on the set of a recent film project, Ollie and Emma.

Need some models.

Neck warmer.

As I was the only one available the fashion shoot did not go so well...perhaps it shall be my New Years goal...to get some decent shots of my stuff...for now here is a shot of my neck warmer...soon to be at a shop near you.

Today's production

a new accessory is in this pile

So today I was talking to my mom. Our chat gave me an idea to make something new. Something to keep a neck warm. Once I get all the various labels attached I will post a fashion shoot.

Five short and three medium

Short sleeves pieces.

For two days five pairs of short sleeves and three pairs of medium sleeves sat on the cutting table waiting to be assembled. This morning I was feeling like I was coordinated enough to use the finicky sergers so they got done. Not only did they get done but they also got delivered to Ainsworth early this afternoon.

Part of the weekend pile.

Three days of work and I crawl out from under a pile of product ready to keep you cozy and warm...I know I was warm under it.

Sleeves

Twigg&Hottie has sleeves for the Fall...more to arrive soon.

It is the production line for Fall 2014

Pullover with hood

Today got the pullovers done, tagged and ready to deliver to the wonderful dress shop* on Main Street right here in sunny Vancouver.

*Twigg&Hottie

A peek into Fall 2014...

Pullover with hood.