New Illustration: Twist Collective

Just today, two of my illustrations were published with the online knitting magazine, Twist Collective.  Each issue features a story/myth/tale related to fibers or knitting in some way, and I was happy to oblige when they asked me to create the illustrations to accompany their latest tale.

Before I began illustrating, this one took a lot of research.  I had no idea what the Han Dynasty looked like, and here are some of the images I used to help me create a world for the princess...  These images were slurped from various museums, and I cannot remember where each item currently resides, sorry!

After much research, I started with the figure of the princess sadly admiring her mulberry bush and cocoons that she'd have to leave behind...

The second illustration (here in somewhat refined sketch form) features the procession where the princess is meeting  her new prince and ready to go to India with him. The first version of this was super rough and the figure was off too far to the left... I tend to be fairly straight-forward in my story illustrations, and maybe one day I'll break out of it, and illustrate all edgy like a comic book illustrator... maybe.  In the meantime, here's the sketch...

And, you all should really check out Daryl's second installment on the the story of silk and see the second illustration in its proper context... it's nice and bright and you'll see from the research where some of the elements of the composition came from.

Block of the Month: October

This month's blocks were the most difficult to date.  And, sadly, they're the last blocks in the Craftsy Block of the Month course with Amy Gibson.  I'll miss her cheery instructions!

So, I'm once again a little behind in finishing these, but foundation paper piecing is a serious challenge to a quilting newbie.  I found the perforation process of the printed paper to be the easiest part.  I had to un-sew at least one section for each block during the sewing-it-up part, and that's a rarity for me.

I eventually found a way to make these blocks so that the fabric scraps were definitely going to cover the next section (plus a 1/4" allowance)...  It took finishing a whole block for me to develop it, and it's really hard to explain outside of making one on video (future project?).  I think each person comes up with a way to make these blocks work with their skill set and way of thinking.

With the paper pattern facing me, I placed piece #1 print/RS face down and glue-stick stuck it to the paper.  Then, I flipped the paper back and trimmed the seam allowance.  Then I turned it so the fabric was facing me and I pretended to have sewn the next piece and folded back it's seam allowance and made sure it really was going to cover piece #2.  Then I placed them fabric right-sides together and held them together securely and stitched over the line between #1 and #2... This was the best way I found to be sure things were going to work out.  It's not the fastest way, but it was the surest for me.

These two foundation paper pieced blocks were very time consuming, but absolutely impeccable in the points they create!  Soooo sharp!

Sew Weekly: Apron Challenge!

Just finished the Sew Weekly Apron Challenge this weekend, and I wanted to share my experience with you all because drafting your own apron is pretty easy and satisfying.

Making your own apron for whatever reason - in my case it was to match a dirndl I had made - is really easy.  This type of apron is a simple wrap-around apron with two straps that are long enough to wrap around the waist and tie in front.

You begin with a rectangle of fabric.  I measured mine out so my rectangle was about 8" less than my hips measurement.  The length is purely up to the matching skirt or your preference...

My rectangle was 31" W x 22 1/2" L
30" + 1" of seam allowance = 31" wide
21" + 1/2" seam allowance at the top, 1" seam allowance for a hem = 22 1/2" tall

To finish the edges, turn the edge over by 1/4" - press, then turn them over again, pin (see photo above), and stitch.

I knew that I wanted to gather the apron top to a width of about 12" to 13" so I kept this in mind when I next tackled the apron ties.  For an apron tie to wrap around my waist, and then be able to make a bow at the front, I needed about 115 to 120" of strap length.

My rectangle for the ties was 3" W x approx. 120" L

Because I didn't want a seam to be smack in the middle of the apron, I joined several lengths of fabric that were 3" wide with a flat-felled seam until I had the length I wanted and was sure no seam would land at the center.

Next, turn under the raw edges of the strap fabric 1/4", press, then fold over another 1/4" and stitch those edges down.  Then press the strap in half.

Mark the center of the strap with a pin.  Then mark the wrong side of the fabric 6 1/2" to each side of the center (6 1/2" x 2 = 13" gathering).

To gather the fabric, stitch two lines of super-wide basting stitches to the top of the apron and gather them until they are just inside the marked gathering lines.  I pinned strap + apron fabric right sides together and stitched across the bottom line of basting.  Then, press and turn up the strap, fold it over the remaining raw edge of the gathered apron, and top-stitch to seal the deal.  Make your hem as needed.

If you find that your apron ties are really uneven after tying a bow, add a bit of length to the end of the lacking strap. The last remaining detail is the triangle tips of the apron ties.  You fold the length of the ribbon in half with right sides facing, then sew along the short edge.  Press this little seam open, and when you flip it back out to the right side, let it be a triangle instead of forcing the seam all the way.  Press and stitch across the triangle.

Here's what the whole ensemble looked like when I was done... dirndl bodice, apron, and skirt.

Winter Accessories!

Currently, I've been working together with the folks at Schnittchen to create a line of boys winter garments and accessories.  The first in this batch is the accessories set...

The patterns will be sold as part of an all-inclusive knit-kit which even includes a pompom maker.  Seeing as I had just designed my own paper version, I was really excited to use the Clover pompom maker and see how it compares to the traditional paper template.  I have to say, it was daunting at first, but it's a really neat gadget!  I think the most useful aspects are how it can spring apart and that it creates a very round pompom that you don't have to trim down too much.

The toughest step was figuring out how to open it! :D

Block of the Month: September

Last month's block... but, better late than never, right?
I finally had a bit of time to make my quilting blocks for September.  I've yet to complete October's blocks as they require quite a bit of printer paper and special piecing.  I have had house-guests and Oktoberfest, and tons of projects to contend with my time... things seem to be winding down and hopefully I'll have more time to dedicate to finishing projects!

Here's Cleopatra's Puzzle Block:

 And, here's my first ever curved piece block, the Drunkard's Path Chain Block:

 And, that leaves just two more blocks for October to finish the quilt!  I'll likely be adding more blocks so that the quilt matches our bed size, but it's cool to know how far I've come in the process!  Almost there!