Well... I tried

In my ongoing quest to "de-stuff" my sewing and design supplies, I thought I would weed out my Threads and other sewing magazines collection. Turns out, I did this already, about three years ago, and what I've accumulated since, I've categorized and stored in an organized fashion for future reference. I am only getting rid of my W magazine collection, and trusting that there will always be new and beautiful photographs to look at for inspiration.

So, I've been recovering our sofas. We have some really good quality furniture, purchased when we were married without kids, that is still too good looking to get rid of, but kinda dated now. The structure is perfect, so I decided to make new slipcovers. I happen to live near a fabric jobber that sells decorator fabrics for $2 (yes! $2) a yard, so I got a HUGE pile of lovely fabric there a few weeks ago.

It was literally one of those moments when you pick something up, and every other person in the store runs toward you screaming "Where'd you get that!!??". Since the fabric store is stuffed to the gills, you just have to sort through to find something you like. It is the golden mustard-y yellow fabric pictured at the bottom of the photo here...



So, serendipitously, I found an old Threads, fell open to this page...




Exactly what I was going for!

And a simpler method than what I was using... Hallelujah!

A promise to myself....

Today, I promised myself I would reduce my personal fabric stash to what could be contained in three plastic storage bins. I barely got the top on the last one, but when I sat on it, and heard that gentle click, I knew I was victorious.

Funny thing, when I took inventory, I could really see that I think of fabrics in commbinations. Many of the fabrics I love don't stand alone, but some magic combo (even if only in my imagination) makes it dance, vibrate, sing...

Here are some of my faves...



This is for my son's bedding... I've had it for years, but I haven't truly been inspired to use it until now.


A lively green slubby silk...






You would think I really have a thing for purple.. but oddly enough, I just love purple when it is a particularly regal looking fabric.



This ribbed knit will become the "turtle" of a turtleneck, worn with a lively blue croped jacket made of the wool beside it.



This motif is fun - needs to be a button-down shirt.




I don't know why this is, but denim has really changed over the years. The quality of these old denims (maybe 30 years or so?) is so much better. Don't worry, I am not the original owner. They were from the stash of a beloved client who passed away.



I'm not a plaid girl, but I love this one...



And these red waves on silk call out to be showcased against black denim. Love it!

I am usually dreaming of colors that are not poular in the current palette. I can usually accurately forecast what the upcoming colors will be, but maybe that is because I've always spent so much time in NYC's fashion district.

For the Spring, I think coral, turquoise, and colors of the sea will be popular here on the east coast. Let's see if that happens...

Holiday, schmoliday...

After all my self-congratulatory preaching about the healthy eating habits my family has adopted, I now have a miserable cold. I am the only one who is sick (at this point), but my energy level is next to zero.

This three day weekend is not going to be as much fun as I thought.




On a positive note, though, I found a good use for this trim I bought umpteen million years ago. I used leftover linen fabric from the dress project. It works with my lucky red shoes, AND, hopefully, the new shirt I just bought from the Etsy shop. I would also like to make a pale yellow tunic, but I would need just the right weight fabric, with a hint of translucency. Or, actually, as I think more about it, I'd like a knitted sweater in pale yellow, that cinches as the waist, and a pressed orange flower necklace, (sandwiched between glass) dangling from a thin leather string around my neck. What do you call that kind of glass jewelry? Is there a name for it?

Color and Context

"She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed in scarlet."

Proverbs 31:21

I do love the fact, that due to my new color scheme, I can take this verse literally!

I don't think any explanation is needed for why I love the above photo. If it makes you feel like I feel when looking at it, 'nuff said!


I love color. Lately, I have been noticing the glorious colors the Indian women in our neighborhood have been wearing. Against their dark skin, it is just magnificent. I look forward to finding a spot in our new place for my favorite painting...



My sister painted this when I was about six years old (she was 22), and I asked her if I could have it. She told me she would give it to me when I moved into my first apartment, and when I was 22 years old, she kept that promise. I adore it. The name of this painting is "Once in a Blue Moon", but I call it "I'm Every Woman", after the Chaka Khan song. It is mixed-media - tissue paper and fabric give it its unusual texture.

*Note: the face is her own self-portrait. Can you believe how beautiful she is? Even better, how wonderful to feel the way you must feel about yourself to create such a beautiful likeness...



On that note, the color scheme for our new place is coming together... I have picked out the accent colors (like spices, for my stew) and my anchor color is pomegranite red. I have a tendency to overthink things... but I love how it is all shaping up. More pix to come!

The quilt evolves...

Today I have been fiddling with the quilt, and other projects. I think the quilt is gaining a bit of personality now, so I'm sharing today's developments with you...

99% Inspiration, 1% Perspiration

"As to color in dress, there are three things to be considered by the individual: the effect of color on yourself, on those around you, and on your background. Health, spirits and efficiency are affected by the colors you wear. Drab, hopeless, tasteless shades turn the whole course of your life one way just as inevitably as gay, stimulating, pleasure-giving colors will turn it another."

-The New Butterick Dressmaker (Butterick Publishing Company, 1927)

Well, that's really a rather dramatic way of putting it, dontcha think?

Color and its influence on my mood is undeniable. The inspiration for the project shown below was immediate, but it took almost a year for it to manifest itself into a garment...



Now, to you, it may simply be a shirt. But to me.... well, if you've been reading my other posts, you know already...

Conicidentally - Yes, I only read the paper after writing today's post...

Today's Wall Street Journal article on Claude Monet starts with a lovely quote from William Butler Yeats. It refers to the illusion that art, if it achieves its goal, looks as if it were easy for the artist.

"A line may take us hours, maybe
But if it does not seem a moment's thought
Our stitching and unstitching has been naught"