02.05.12 Thread day...

I started with a sweater that I had no arms because I stole them to make a pair of legwarmers.  I've been trying to figure out uses for growing pile of frumpy sweater torsos I've been accumulating.  I've trying out a bunch of different vest ideas.

I took a bunch of the cut scraps from some other sweater projects and started to pin them on the main sweater body.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that the felted wool pieces were easy to sew on and also created some nice texture when I played around with the stitching

The finishing touch, which also happens to be the part of a garment I like creating the least, is the belt or back ties.  It didn't feel has annoying to make this time as they usually do.  Maybe I've grown to appreciate the parts of sewing a garment that are less free from and more formulaic...

Here's the finished vest.  

Available in my etsy shop...

I'm pleased with the results and super excited to keep experimenting with the different wool scraps that are piling up in my work space. They send out these little fuzzies into the air that float around like pollen.  When the sunlight comes through the window it's beginning to feel more and more like spring!

Gracie

Joey

02.22.12 Strange dog legs

 02.06.13 Chicken Hunters

02.22.12 Lil' Nutmeg on the Prairie

02.16.12 Working on the collage book of inspiration

02.22.12 Studying embroidery techniques

 02.22.12 Appreciating vintage sewing books!

I took the old bedroom/workshop apart...

Started to move everything downstairs into the new workshop space piece by piece...

Nutmeg was very attentive to the entire process

It's looking better and starting to feel like a real work space!

11.01.11 Leaves in the snow...

11.01.11 Sycamore branch

Legwarmers in the workshop....

I started with a pile of old sweaters and cut off all the sleeves and other parts that would make good legwarmers.

A pile of future legwarmers!

Then the creative chaos ensues...

I really love the creative challenge of trying to create from old materials.  It's like starting with a canvas that already has some stains on it and trying to weave that into something unique and beautiful.  Sometimes I know before I leave the thrift store or free pile what the item will become.   Other times it takes a moment to stare at it.  And other times the item will sit on my mannequin for a week before something comes to mind.  Those things are always the toughest.

Working on some applique which became...

The design on these legwarmers is made from a mix of wool scraps from another project and cotton.  I also incorporated some scrap trim from an old table runner.  I love to incorporate old handmade items into my designs!

In my shop!

The other set I worked on involved creating some feathery leaves using fabric markers and heavy felt.  The process was very time consuming but, was balanced off by it feeling very calming and meditative to do.  

I had a bunch of fun coloring these up!

Some more in action..

All finished!  Yay for re-using!

 Legwarmers in my shop!