But almost no sewing.
I did repair some garments and made one pair of pants using the Sewing Workshop's Plaza pants pattern. There is not much to show with pants, especially since I prefer elastic waisted pants to all others.
This is a tried 'n' true pattern for pants. I often make them as I did here, omitting the front pleats, but keeping the front vertical seam. The front vertical seam is simply a design line without the pleat. On occasion, I have made them without the front seam at all, much like what Louise Cutting calls "one seam pants."
I used an interesting fabric. It is 100% cotton, medium weight with pretty good drape. Due to the unusual weave, it reads brown & black on one side, and light gray on the other.
I bought it several years ago while visiting San Francisco. I visited Bretex fabrics, still quite a fabulous old-style fabric store, though much smaller than it was decades ago. And I had to buy this cool fabric.
I kept this piece in stash quite a long time because I wanted to somehow take advantage of the two distinct sides. But the brown/black side is my favorite and a much better color for me. If I had that light gray up near my face, I would definitely look near death. So, it became much-needed brown pants.
It made up nicely and I added some patch pockets. Maybe I can get a picture of me wearing it tomorrow and I'll slip it in here.
Meanwhile I have been making stuff:
I continue my weekly slow stitch project with k3n clothtales on YouTube. My stitch journal is quite fat now. In a few weeks, I'll finish it with the last Monday of 2024. It's been a fun serial project. I may need to come up with something similar for 2025. These are such satisfying little projects.
And I have been working on another Jane Dunnewold online course, this one called Print Perfection.
Like all previous online classes with Jane, it involves lots of time and lots of fun. It started mid-October and we have our final live Q&A on Dec 3. As in her other online classes, the material is presented in multiple formats: powerpoint with voice over, video demonstration of each process, printable handouts with details, and live Q&A's. There is also an online community where all of the students may post pictures and descriptions of experiences. There is so much inspiration there!
In print perfection, we have learned how to print fabric with thickened dyes. And it has been my favorite class ever!
I have worked my way through the 6 sessions she provided but still have tons of ideas for future experimentation. And, of course, I'll want to make something with some of the pieces.
This class combined nicely with what I learned in her online class concerning dyeing fabric with procion dyes. I used those notes to overdye some of my samples that I printed.
I have a little studio set up in my garage. I could happily work out there printing fabric many hours a day. The added bonus is that, once a piece is printed, it needs to *batch* for 24 hours. Then there is the *big reveal.* I so enjoy projects like that.
Even my drop cloths have potential for making something.
So I will be sewing again soon!
