#I need some zen time Patch
#I need some zen time plus

Posted in Sewing | Tagged Haori | 25 Comments Show at Elfriede’s Fine Fabrics! I have already finished some other projects so I hope to blog again soon! I kind of love coming up with solutions that look more interesting than the expected. The Sandra Bruce buttons just clinched the look for me! There really wasn’t enough fabric, so I had to embroider (hide) the back collar seam detail, and place the sleeves and pockets on an angle.

#I need some zen time Patch

The patch pockets extend below the hem for a bit of interest.

Same pattern, but with a lovely Japanese double gauze that has been in my stash forever. It may be a little over-the-top, but I love it!Īfter two jackets, it seemed like a shirt might be possible. The fabric can have a raw edge, so the pockets are just hand stitched around the openings. I experimented with diluted bleach in a squeeze bottle to get the orange color. The length is perfect for travel as both a jacket and robe. A bamboo knit from Marcy Tilton is a soft yummiest textile that I can wear just about any time. The second version is the same pattern but with 12″ added to the length. This jacket kind of floats when I wear it! Warm and cool at the same time, and I’m finding this piece to be perfect for spring. Slow sewing feels good after so much chaos in my life. Hand stitching is used for the seams, pocket edges, and surface design. Frankly it was a gutsy move, but sometimes you just have to go with it! It was pouring rain and I think the inspiration is obvious. Then later at the Carmel DOL, I dry brushed the rest of the quilt with acrylic paint and sprayed some water on the middle space to blend. This version was made with a twin white cotton quilt purchased in Taos! I cut the basic jacket and dipped the pieces into a bucket of fiber reactive dye. I drafted up a pattern and following are the first three versions, and I have many more in mind! The Haori (羽織) is a traditional Japanese hip- or thigh-length kimono-style jacket, worn over a kosode. It feels so good to be making again! The purchase of a quilted Haori jacket inspired me by the simplicity of the garment and the potential for pattern changes and surface design. I’ve sewn several garments, made some jewelry, and taken up tapestry weaving. However, I went home to chaos and never finished anything. Diane Ericson’s DOLs and another retreat with friends kept me in the sewing loop. I tried to sew while we were remodeling, but I only managed an Alabama Chanin poncho which I will be wearing this summer. I have a bright large studio, my husband has 1/3 of the living room for his jazz jams twice a week. Then we moved and started to settle in, which always takes longer than anticipated. Then we had pack and store our belongings and began to remodel. In the end my husband and I decided to move to Santa Fe, New Mexico!

Online research helped, then we rented VRBO homes in several potential cities. Fellow textile artists were a must for me, and jazz musicians and clubs for my husband.

#I need some zen time plus

The list of requirements for our new location included: great food, galleries, museums, shopping, plus a moderate temperature range. While we have fantastic friends there, we had eaten in the same places, taken the same drives, and visited the same attractions. I think and hope that some of you are still out there waiting to see if I will ever blog again, and I’m back! The story? We’d been living in the same lovely city of Fort Collins, Colorado for many years.