Tuesday, October 28, 2008

sew and tell


I'm excited to show you a couple of the things that I've been making. First up, is my new knitting basket. It's a burlap vessel- the perfect size for holding a little embroidery or knitting project. It's also nice for gathering up those odds and ends that gather on counters and surfaces.

I lined it with this luxurious black dotted linen. I have some salvaged pieces left over from a local clothing manufacturer. I love putting it to use and it works so well with the black graphics of the burlap. As much as I love it, I know that I just how I want to improve upon it. This was a wonderful starting place for a burlap container... I'll show you the evolved design at the end of the week. I'm enjoying the challenge of working with burlap more each day. Are you wondering what those vintage wooden clogs have to do with the basket in the top photo? Nothing! My daughter was clomping around in them and they wound up in the photo shoot, because I love them so much. I own two pairs of clogs that my grandparents brought back from a trip to Amsterdam in the early 1960's. All of the grandchildren in our family have dressed up in them, and I loved seeing them worn by a little one again.

She's wearing them with her new dress made from this Sugar City Journal pattern. It's made out of soft and cozy flannel in sage with brown bias tape. It's meant to be a dress or a tunic and the neckline is low and square to show off layers. A perfect fall dress. My daughter would live in pajamas if she could. This feels like a cuddly nightgown, so she didn't want to take it off, but I realized it was missing an important feature. A pocket! Now it has a place to put all of her little treasures: sticks and stones... maybe a pretty leaf.


We're expecting our first inch of snow this afternoon... I'm wishing I had a flannel dress in MY size! Pin It

15 comments:

  1. Oh Maya what a beautiful little dress, looks so comfy. The clogs are fabulous,and are the perfect match to the little dress.Your knitting tidy looks great too and very handy.

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  2. I love this dress. What beautiful flannel. I check out your blog about once a week and I must say you are a talented lady. I love the repurposing of the coffee sacks. The board was such a great idea!

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  3. I used to live in flannel dresses in my earlier years of university. They were so comfortable with tights or leggings. I wish I still had them. I love all your new creative sewing .

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  4. Where'd you find that gorgeous organic pattern? I love it! The neckline is great!

    Definitely a day for getting cozy with some flannel PJs and sitting in front of the fire knitting!

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  5. Did you lengthen the sleeves? I am looking for an easy dress pattern for my 4 year old who will ONLY WEAR DRESSES. (Exhausting I tell you, pants are "stiff and not twirly!")

    How easy is the pattern? I'm pretty new to sewing clothes.

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  6. I had no idea this little dress would get such a fast response. I'm planning on making a couple more and might even have a go at creating an adult version. The flannel was purchased from Quilter's Corner, a local shop that's expanding and was having a huge clearance sale. I couldn't resist this little splurge on something new and got it with this pattern in mind. It's designed by Holly Hunter and called Cozy Cabin Flannel. Giddygoat (love that name!) The pattern is fairly simple. I'm not a novice seamstress, but I stick to very easy patterns... so I think this would be great for beginners. I did lengthen the sleeves and gathered them with elastic, left out the neckline ruffle, and added a pocket with a center pleat.

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  7. great bag...cute dress. kids love pockets, I make sure to add them on my knitted sweaters.

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  8. So MAKE a flannel dress in your size!

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  9. the burlap vessel is the perfect knitting bag...im thinking Christmas!!

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  10. this post makes me feel all cosy...actually all of your posts do...but you already knew that...xxoo

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  11. One more thing! Zipper in this dress or no zipper? TIA!!

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  12. Lovely little dress, I would like one in my size too! (With the pocket, as I still like to carry treasures with me as well!)

    Your burlap creations are really spectacular. Great design, and the bold lettering is fabulous.

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  13. Thanks friends!
    giddygoat- no zipper! Over her little head and good to go. It's got a little a-line so there's plenty of room.

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  14. I love all of the coffee bag repurpose ideas... I tried to do a lot of that last year but they all smelled so much, particularly if they got even a tiny bit wet. Not good coffee smell... I'm curious if you run into this problem?
    kitchentablecreative(at)hotmail(dot)com, but I'll just check back here in case you have a chance to answer!

    Thanks!

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  15. Beth, great question.
    Burlap has a distinct earthy smell. I use food grade jute sacks... but they do have a distinct smell that some people love or hate. If they get wet, that's something different. I spot clean my bags because wet jute is not appealing. I air all of my bags mix them with freshly laundered and linen and twill. I've been really satisfied with my coffee sack bags and projects all have feeling and smelling just right. I have a sensitive nose and am allergic to dust... so I feel like a pretty good product tester:) Hope that helps...

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