Slow Creating

As I've been creating lately I've pondered the materials that I use. For 20 plus years I've been collecting fabrics, trims, odds and ends that I'm attracted to. Lately as I search through my collection I've been thinking about who owned these treasures before me. Just like me I'm sure there was an "idea" and purpose for them originally.

Recently I found several yards of the linen that you see in this pillow. Who bought this much linen and what were their plans? How old is this piece? The selvedge states that it was made in England and is preshrunk. It's the color of green that was popular in the late 70s. Perhaps curtains? Table cloth? Did it travel with a family that moved to the area? How many hands has this piece of fabric passed through?

Crochet Yoke and Pink Flowered Linen

Then there is the 6 yard piece of dark wool that I found at goodwill.  I imagine it was meant to be a suit...for a woman or a man?  A man I think, since it's very dark with a pinstripe.

What about all of the crochet doily's and linens I have collected. Boxes and boxes of them. Women were very prolific in the production of these items that decorated their homes. I keep wondering if there will ever be a time when they are difficult to find. I bet their creators never imagined that these pieces would be turned into clothing or used as textile art.

Crochet trim, Button, Beads

It's all about the history of these items and how slowly they have moved through time to become something completely different then initially intended.  Not only time but places. I have some Laura Ashley fabric from the early 80s that was purchased for me by someone who was traveling through England and knew I would love this fabric. I still haven't cut it. When I see and touch that fabric I think about the person who bought it for me. How can I cut something like that? Perhaps I'll make a quilt with this fabric so that I can see it and touch it to evoke the memories of another time. If I make that quilt, or if I leave that fabric untouched as that fabric passes through time no one will ever know the emotional value of that piece of fabric.

Barkcloth and Button

However, as time marches on all of these materials wind their way to other places and time to become creations made by new hands. They are sometimes used alone or combined with other "finds." So the coming together of all of these pieces is definitely "slow creating."

Fabric, Glove and Lace slow materials

What have you made lately from materials that have found their way to you?

Flower Garden Camisole

I haven't made a piece of clothing for many, many years.  As I was digging through all of my vintage textile collection I came to this lovely hand crocheted yoke.  It looks like dogwood flowers, but I'm not sure.  What do you think?  I wish I could crochet like this because I'd love to make another.  It looks like a very easy pattern and I may try it someday...adding it to my journal as I type, so I don't forget!

I began by putting this on my dress form and just looking at it for a few hours. At that point I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep the pink ribbon that runs through it.  As I was looking at it my eyes spotted a piece of pink linen that I saved from Goodwill a few years ago.  I've used small bits and pieces of this linen over time, but still had a large piece that would be just enough for this creation. Along one edge it had a border print and then a nice open print along the other edge.

Drafting a pattern is something that I haven't done in an even longer time. I began sketching what I wanted and then created the pattern from there.

Since I love embroidery I saw the perfect way to incorporate it into this design. I echoed the design on the linen onto a solid linen.

I attached this piece to the front, then sewed the yoke to the front.

On the back I wanted it to be open and summery romantic. So I opened up the back and then created tabs, added a bit of the vintage lace from the bottom front to each of these tabs.

At first it was kind of gaping under the arms and I didn't like that.  I pulled a thin sting elastic thread through the underarm and gave it a light gathering.

One of the things that I thought was very unique about this piece of vintage crochet is that there are buttons on the left shoulder to make it easier to take off and on.

It took me the entire day to create this top and I am so happy with how it turned out.

Queen Anne's Lace Fiber Necklace

Several people have suggested that I make necklaces based on my embroidery designs and this is my first attempt. I seem to be enamored with Queen Anne's Lace at the moment!

The necklace is 18" in length, so for many people it would fit like a choker. The pendant is approximately 2" x 2". It's very soft against the neckline. I used an old crochet technique that my mom taught me to make the "chain" tube. I added small crochet circles with glass bead embellishments and used buttons to attach the pendent. By using buttons and a neutral "chain" I have made this so that pendents can be interchanged. This necklace and my bracelets make a nice alternative to jewelry if you happen to have allergic reactions to metals.

You can find this necklace along with my bracelets and rings in my Etsy shop.